In this article, we examine projector headlight bulbs and what makes them different from regular headlight bulbs. We’ll also explore the benefits users enjoy when they use these bulbs, how to choose a good bulb manufacturer, and why custom solutions make sense for these products.

What are Projector Headlight Bulbs?

Projector headlight bulbs are bulbs designed to perform better in a projector headlight assembly. These headlights handle the light from a bulb differently compared to reflector assemblies. As a result, users may not enjoy the full benefits of projector lights unless they use projector headlight bulbs.

Projector Headlights: What are They?

A projector headlight produces a beam that is more intense and focused than the beam from a regular headlight. They use an elliptical reflector to focus the light emitted by the bulb into a narrower shape before the light passes through a lens that magnifies and disperses it evenly. 

Projector headlights also have a shutter or cut-off shield that controls the shape of the light beam. In low-beam mode, the shutter blocks part of the focused beam before it reaches the lens. This creates a clear cut-off line in the beam pattern. In high-beam mode, the shutter moves out of the way, allowing the full beam to pass through the lens.

In contrast, traditional headlights, use a parabolic reflector to both direct and shape the light. There is also no lens to intensify the light. The beam, which fades at the edges, is harder to aim resulting in glare.

Features of Projector Headlight Bulbs

Regular headlight bulbs may work well in projector headlights but this is not guaranteed. For the best results, it’s a good idea to go with bulbs that are designed for projector headlights. 

One of the main attributes of projector headlight bulbs is they are brighter than reflector headlight bulbs. This ensures enough light is cast in low-beam mode when the shutter blocks part of the beam. Projector headlight bulbs should not be used in a reflector housing as they could cause more glare.

If you want LED bulbs for your projector headlights choose bulbs with a 360° illumination pattern. These bulbs have thinner PCBs so the space between the two faces of the bulb is narrower. This reduces the size of the blindspots in the beam.

When upgrading from halogen lights to LEDs, the size and position of the LED chips on the bulb should mimic the size and position of the filament in the original halogen bulb. This is called a 1:1 design.

What is the Advantage of Projector Headlights?

You may consider reflector headlights to be just fine, but there are several good reasons to consider upgrading to projector headlights including:

• Brightness: Projector headlights are noticeably brighter than reflector headlights. This is thanks to the brighter projector bulbs and the intensifying effect of the lens. This translates to better illumination.
• Less glare: Using a shutter to shape the light beam creates a crisp cut-off line. This makes it easier to aim the beam so that it causes less glare to oncoming traffic.
• Even light distribution: Thanks to the lens, the light distribution across the beam pattern is much more even. The center of the beam and the sides are evenly lit resulting in fewer dark spots and better illumination. 
• Aesthetics: Many drivers say projector headlights have a greater visual appeal than reflectors especially when paired with a cooler light, e.g., from an LED bulb.

Projector lights cost more but many drivers believe they are well worth the money. They allow cars to have brighter headlights while lowering the risk of blinding other motorists.

What Kind of Bulb Goes in a Projector Headlight?

Projector headlights can be used with halogen, HID, or LED bulbs. A halogen bulb in a projector housing designed for it results in better illumination than a reflector headlight.

HID bulbs for projector headlights are an even better choice because they last longer and have a brighter light output. You can also choose a HID bulb with a white beam for even better visibility. 

However, many drivers today will argue that LEDs are the best projector headlight bulbs. LED bulbs surpass HIDs in terms of lifespan and energy efficiency. They can also attain similar levels of brightness.

Using a regular LED light bulb in a projector headlight may not fetch the best results. The best-LED projector headlights have the LEDs integrated with the projector to ensure compatibility. 

How to Choose A Projector Headlight Bulbs Manufacturer

You must choose the right manufacturer to build a reputation as a retailer of the best projector headlight bulbs. Here are some considerations to help you make this choice.

1. High Product Quality

If the quality of a manufacturer’s product is poor, it doesn’t matter what else they get right. Poor quality projector bulbs will lead to disappointed customers who will demand their money back, leave bad reviews, and give your business a bad reputation.

Get product samples from any manufacturer you’re considering working with and ensure their projector headlight bulbs are of good quality.

2. Reliable Supply Chain

The importance of a reliable supply chain is now well-established. Without a good supply chain, you’ll have to deal with product shortages and disappointed customers. Confirm that your manufacturer has a good supply chain for getting raw materials and delivering finished products.

3. Pricing Strategy

If you can’t get projector headlight bulbs for the right price, you can’t sell them at a good price. This will send your customers looking elsewhere. 

Ask your manufacturer about their pricing formula for different product quantities. This will give you an idea of how to price each unit to make a profit and compare this price to the competition’s.

4. Good Customer Service

Building a good business relationship requires a lot of communication. This is where the value of good customer service becomes apparent. 

A good manufacturer should have a system that ensures prospective distributors get all the information and assistance they need. This will make it easier to get product samples, discuss delivery targets, and make timely plans so both parties can get the best from the business collaboration.

Partnering with Manufacturers for Custom Solutions

A one-size-fits-all solution doesn’t work well with projector headlights. It is difficult to predict how different bulbs will perform in different cars and different projector housings.

Car headlights have many differences including height from the ground, size, bulb orientation, depth of the reflector, etc. These differences affect how much light the headlight casts, the light beam pattern, and the direction of the light beam. 

To make it easier for customers to get satisfactory results from their projector headlights, distributors need to work closely with manufacturers to develop custom projector headlights. Customization helps customers and distributors in two main ways:

• Meeting Niche Market Demands: Custom projector headlights are designed for specific car models. Manufacturers can develop a projector headlight bulb that matches the key parameters of a car’s original headlight bulb making it easier to replace the old bulb with a new one.
• Branding: Customization allows distributors to create a distinct brand around the products they sell. If customers like the quality of their products, they’ll be able to pick them out and recommend them to others with ease.

Manufacturers such as Carlightvision offer customization services for their headlight bulbs. This allows you to benefit from years of lighting research as they also help you to develop distinct products that will meet the unique needs of your brand and target markets.

Conclusion

More drivers can now enjoy the luxury of having projector headlights in their cars. Projector headlights look sleeker, but they also allow you to have brighter headlights while creating less glare for other road users.

Projector headlights can use different types of bulbs, but LED projector headlights are becoming a favorite for many. For the best results, distributors should choose a reliable manufacturer with whom they can partner to produce custom products that meet the unique needs of different customers.

Why Carlightvision is the Perfect Partner For Projector Headlight Manufacturing

Carlightvision’s headlight bulbs are an excellent replacement for stock halogen bulbs. Our Bi-LED headlights have an integrated LED for maximum compatibility and create a distinct cut-off so they don’t blind other drivers. Our HD projector lens also delivers 600% more brightness. Talk to us today to find out how our custom projector headlights can help you build your next big brand.