Lighting plays a crucial role in our daily lives. It affects our mood, productivity, and, ultimately, our health.

Yet, not all light bulbs are created equal. Especially today, most light bulbs emit a harsh yet dull light that just feels off. In other words, lighting today is as from natural light as possible.

So, what kind of light bulb is best for beautiful, natural light? Does there even exist a light bulb that is similar to natural light? 

Let's explore!

Understanding Natural Light Bulbs

First, what exactly do we mean by natural light bulbs? At least to us, natural light bulbs are light bulbs that mimic natural light (sunlight) in both form and function.

What light bulb is closest to natural light?

So, what light bulb is closes to natural light? What light bulb mimics sunlight in form and function?

The answer: an incandescent or halogen light bulb is as close to natural light bulb as you can get.

Form:

Incandescence refers to the emission of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, from a hot object due to its high temperature. The term comes from the Latin verb "incandescere," meaning "to glow white."

Analog forms of artificial light, such as incandescent and halogen light bulbs, are, by definition, most similar in form to sunlight. As you would imagine, they also happen to be the best light bulbs for your health (and the best light for eyes!)

Just as the sun radiates heat, producing the visible light spectrum we can see, an incandescent (and its brighter counterpart, the halogen) light bulb does the same thing.

Now on to the spectrum produced.

Spectral Output:

We define natural light bulbs as having a form and function most similar to natural sunlight, with a light spectrum as close as possible to the full range of light that the sun produces. Sunlight emits most of its light energy in the form of infrared (amounting to ~40%), and visible light. Ultraviolet light is just a small fraction of this.

Incandescent and halogen light bulbs emit a full spectrum of visible light in addition to thermal radiation, or infrared light. They give off light uniformly as opposed to the LED, which gives off and possess a more full spectrum of light energy than LED light bulbs, which use chips (light emitting diodes) to construct a white light source. LED light bulbs do not produce thermal energy or infrared light, which as we recently discovered, comprises the majority of the spectrum of sunlight.

Why a Natural Light Bulb cannot be LED

For the above reasons, a natural light bulb, by definition, cannot be LED.

Sure, we've seen natural light bulbs defined in web searches as light bulbs with a certain color temperature similar to sunlight at noon (around 4000-6500K), but that definition is lacking—you’d just be describing a light bulb whose color temperature is similar to that of the noontime sun.

At the most fundamental level, the light output of LED (even a full spectrum variety) is unnatural in form.

So, while we always say that light is a tool, you must choose a tool most fit for the task at hand. If the task is finding a natural light bulb possessing characteristics most similar to sunlight, you’ll need to find something other than your conventional LED bulb, even with a natural white or cool white color temperature.

While we’re a fan of LED for their energy efficiency, no heat output, and a myriad of other reasons (they’re extremely versatile, to say the least!), the light they give off is, at least functionally-speaking, unnatural.

What are the Best Natural Light Bulbs?

Short answer, analog incandescent or halogen light bulbs. But if you’d like to take that a few steps further, the Chromalux® full spectrum light bulb mimics other characteristics of sunlight, like color saturation and contrast, very much like sunlight.

Chromalux® full spectrum light bulbs, use special neodymium glass to filter out yellow and other dulling frequencies of the light spectrum, resulting in a beautifully pure and vivid light with enhanced colors and contrast -- much like sunlight.

Whereas typical incandescent light bulbs have a yellowing effect to colors, the unique glass formulation of these bulbs purifies the yellow/green muddling or dulling frequencies of the visible light spectrum, while enhancing reds and blues (colors our eyes are least sensitive to). The result is the appearance of brighter, more enhanced colors, more white whites, and enhanced contrast, just like one would see things under natural daylight.

Wrapping Up...

Don't lose touch with the true meaning of a natural light light bulb: a light source meant to uplift and inspire, while also possessing some of the fundamental qualities of a true natural light: the sun! 

A little about us: Our parent company, Lumiram, is the original maker of full spectrum neodymium glass light bulbs. We attribute much of what we know about lighting in relation to health and beauty to them and their flagship brand, Chromalux®. Since 1978, Chromalux® has provided full spectrum beautiful neodymium light bulbs to enhance mood, vision, and interiors. Chromalux® is the original light for health and wellness!