What Are The Best Full Spectrum Light Bulbs: A Guide by the Original Maker of Light Bulbs for Health and Wellness

What Are The Best Full Spectrum Light Bulbs?

If you’re searching for the best full spectrum light bulbs, you’re likely serious about your health and well-being. You’ve got your nutrition, movement, sleep, clean water and air sorted — now you’re turning your attention to the light in your home! You want light that approaches the quality of natural sunlight.

Unfortunately, many so-called “full spectrum” bulbs fall short of that goal.

Most full spectrum bulbs on the market today are LEDs with a full visible light spectrum, but no ultraviolet (UV) and no infrared (IR). In other words: visible light only. That’s okay — replicating the full solar spectrum (UV + visible + IR) in an artificial source is extremely challenging.

However, what concerns us most is the absence of infrared light in those bulbs. In natural sunlight, infrared makes up about half of the energy reaching us. Many “full spectrum” LEDs omit that entirely.

We believe the true and best full-spectrum light bulbs are those that most closely replicate natural sunlight, and in many cases, that means traditional analog incandescent or halogen bulbs rather than standard LED versions.

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The right full spectrum light bulb can do wonders for your energy, mood, and overall sense of well-being. The difference is often noticeable the moment you flip the switch — that feeling of clarity and balance that only healthy light can provide.

But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the best full spectrum light bulbs for your needs?

Just like sunlight changes throughout the day, full spectrum lighting comes in many forms. Depending on your goals — whether it’s boosting daytime energy, supporting focus, or creating a calm, relaxing evening atmosphere — certain bulbs will serve you better than others.

So, what makes the best full spectrum light bulb?

In our experience, it’s one that helps you feel your best while closely replicating the qualities of natural sunlight: vivid colors, balanced contrast, and that subtle sense of uplift and renewal you get from being outdoors.

We’ve been pioneers in full spectrum lighting since 1978, so we know a thing or two about what makes light healthy, beautiful, and life-enhancing.

Let’s dive in!

First, What are Full Spectrum Light Bulbs?

A full spectrum bulb is designed to mimic natural light. Unlike traditional bulbs that emit a narrow, truncated spectrum, full spectrum bulbs aim to emit light across the full visible range.

full spectrum of light

Some full spectrum bulbs (like those for reptiles) also extend into the UV range, while others (like incandescent and halogen bulbs) extend into the infrared (IR) range of light. However, as a general rule, most full spectrum light bulbs contain a balanced and full visible light spectrum only since a bulb with full UV, full visible, and full infrared light is nearly impossible to achieve in an 'artificial' light source.

Unless we're talking about an incandescent or halogen light bulb, of course, whose spectrum is the closest to a true full spectrum light bulb as you can get in an 'artificial' light source.

We've written extensively about these best light bulbs for health, and for a good reason: though definitely not energy efficient, they contain the full spectrum of light (minus the UVB) of any 'artificial' light source on their own!

So, what is the definition of full spectrum? What metric should you be looking for in a light bulb? You'll find many definitions of full spectrum light bulbs floating around out there, many having to do with color rendering index (CRI), color temperature, and - of course - the fullness of a light source's spectrum.

However, as we'll soon see, they are all lacking.

The Common Definition of Full Spectrum Light Bulbs:

The most widely accepted definition of full spectrum light bulbs is simple:

A full spectrum light bulb is one with a color temperature between 5000K and 6500K and a Color Rendering Index (CRI) above 96.

If you know a bit about lighting, you’ll recognize that this describes a daylight-white bulb—very bright, crisp, and often with a slightly bluish cast. This type of light is great for daytime alertness and focus, but not ideal for those who are sensitive to blue light or who use these bulbs in the evening (blue light keeps you up at night!)

So why has this narrow definition become the norm?

A bit of history on full spectrum bulbs

The definition traces back to research from the 1960s, which explored how different wavelengths of light affected plant and animal health. Scientists discovered that even without sunlight, an artificial light source with a fuller, more balanced visible spectrum—especially one rich in blue wavelengths—could support plant growth and vitality almost as effectively as natural sunlight.

As a result, the term “full spectrum light” became associated with bright, daylight-white bulbs that mimic the visible portion of the solar spectrum. Most modern full spectrum light bulbs on the market today are still designed this way, emitting plenty of blue light to replicate daylight conditions.

While this kind of light can help simulate sunlight during the day and improve alertness, it’s not ideal for evening use. Blue light stimulates wakefulness, triggering cortisol release and suppressing melatonin — the hormone that promotes sleep and helps regulate your circadian rhythm.

The True Definition of Full Spectrum Light Bulbs:

So, what is the true definition of a full spectrum light bulb?

In essence, it’s a bulb designed to mimic the complete, balanced spectrum of natural sunlight, regardless of color temperature. For us — and for our flagship brand, Chromalux® — this means light that not only looks like daylight but also feels like it: vivid, uplifting, and restorative.

Chromalux® full spectrum bulbs use neodymium glass to attenuate dull yellow wavelengths, revealing colors that appear brighter, cleaner, and more vibrant—just as they would under natural sunlight.

While the conventional definition focuses on numeric values like CRI and color temperature, we believe that a true full spectrum bulb is one that delivers a balance spectrum of light that makes colors come alive and enhances well-being.

Metrics for Evaluating Full Spectrum Light Bulbs

To better understand what makes a light source truly “full spectrum,” it helps to know a few key metrics:

1. Color Temperature (CCT)

Color temperature (CCT) describes how “warm” or “cool” a light appears.

Cooler color temperatures (4000K–6500K) lean toward blue and white tones. These have an energizing effect, stimulating alertness and focus—ideal for daytime use.
Warmer color temperatures (2700K–3000K) lean toward red and orange tones. These are gentler on the eyes and more conducive to evening relaxation, helping prepare the body for rest.

The color temperature determines whether a bulb’s light spectrum skews more toward the blue/turquoise end (like daylight full spectrum bulbs) or toward the red end (like incandescent, halogen, or warm-white LED full spectrum bulbs).

2. Color Rendering Index (CRI)

CRI measures how accurately a light source reveals colors compared to natural sunlight, which scores a perfect 100.
A higher CRI means truer, more vibrant colors — one of the most important traits of the best full spectrum light bulbs. A CRI above 95 is generally considered excellent, producing a natural and visually comfortable environment.

However, while color temperature and CRI are useful benchmarks, they don’t tell the full story. A light can meet both standards yet still feel harsh or artificial. The best full spectrum bulbs are the ones that not only meet technical criteria but also feel right—bright, balanced, and nourishing, like natural sunlight itself.

The Changing Color Temperature of Natural Sunlight

Over the years, many people have asked how a warmer color temperature bulb can still be considered full spectrum.

This confusion exists because the definition of “full spectrum” has become too limited. In reality, a full spectrum bulb can come in many color temperatures—just as natural sunlight itself shifts in spectral composition throughout the day.

We never question whether sunlight is full spectrum; it always is. What changes is its balance of wavelengths—leaning more toward blue during the daytime, and toward red during dawn and dusk.

In the same way, a warmer full spectrum bulb may not be ideal for alertness, but it remains full spectrum nonetheless—and is essential for evening use when softer, more soothing light supports rest and relaxation.

How to Choose the Best Full Spectrum Light Bulbs:

Understanding how natural sunlight changes throughout the day helps guide how we choose our artificial light.

To mimic nature’s rhythm, you’ll want a brighter, whiter full spectrum bulb during the day to enhance energy, focus, and mood (and to help reset your circadian rhythm). In the evening, switch to a warmer-colored full spectrum bulb to reduce blue light exposure and prepare your body for deep, restful sleep.

Best full spectrum light bulb for daytime usage

A21 / 100W Chromalux® Full Spectrum Classic Bulb in Clear Glass

A19 / 53W Chromalux® Enhanced™ Full Spectrum Bulb

A21 72W Chromalux® Enhanced™ Full Spectrum Bulb

Best full spectrum light bulb for nighttime usage

Chromalux® 60W frosted bulb

B10 Clear – 25W Medium Base Chromalux® Full Spectrum Bulb

Why Chromalux® is the Best Full Spectrum Light Bulb

Standard daylight full spectrum light bulbs are entirely different from the Chromalux® full spectrum light bulbs, which use neodymium glass to purify yellow and other dulling frequencies in the light spectrum. The result is a beautifully pure, vivid light with enhanced color, contrast, and clarity.

Typical full spectrum bulbs on the market are LEDs that emit daylight-white light between 5000K and 6500K. While these bulbs can be beneficial during the morning and daytime—helping boost energy and alertness through the biologically stimulating blue wavelengths that activate our circadian rhythm—they don’t always replicate colors accurately. Many cast a harsh, flat, or overly bright tone that can cause glare and eye strain.

In contrast, Chromalux® full spectrum bulbs produce a gentler, more soothing light where colors appear more vivid, balanced, and true to life.

Our proprietary light technology allows you to see and feel better, enhancing your environment and inspiring well-being in a way standard full spectrum bulbs simply cannot.

For the ultimate lighting experience, consider using both daylight-color full spectrum bulbs for daytime brightness and Chromalux® bulbs for everyday living spaces—creating a beautifully balanced, natural light environment throughout your home.

Wrapping Up...

In trying to define full-spectrum light based on online descriptions, we’ve lost sight of the true purpose of full spectrum light: to uplift, promote health, and create an overall sense of wellness that only beautiful light can provide. Full spectrum light shouldn't be reduced to data points and metrics: color rendering index (CRI), color temperature, lumen output, spectral distribution graphs, etc.

From our experience, you can get all the above right: in other words, it's a great, full spectrum, low-flicker, spectrally uniform light on paper, but it just doesn't feel right.

Real light makes you feel good. Regardless of the numbers.