H11 and 9005 are the two most popular bulbs on the market. Many users often cannot tell the difference between 9005 vs H11 when replacing or upgrading their bulbs. This is a common problem. This article will deeply explore the differences between H11 and 9005 from a professional perspective, helping you better identify them and make a wise choice.
Understanding H11 and 9005 headlight bulbs
H11 bulb
The H11 bulb has an "L" shape and is a single-beam halogen bulb widely used in automotive lighting. H11 bulbs have good compatibility and stable performance. They are often used in low beams or fog lights of vehicles. They can emit a focused downward beam without dazzling passing vehicles. Therefore, H11 bulbs can well meet the lighting needs in different driving environments and are the preferred bulb type for many car owners when upgrading or repairing lighting.
9005 bulb
Like H11, 9005 bulbs are also halogen bulbs with a single filament design and an "L" shape. But unlike H11, 9005 provides longer, stronger, wider light, can illuminate longer distances of road, and provide a brighter view, so 9005 is often used for vehicle high-speed turn-off lights.
Although the appearance of 9005 and H11 headlight bulbs is basically the same, their internal design and parameters are quite different, so they are not interchangeable. If they are used interchangeably, it will cause very bad consequences, and it is possible that your bulb will be completely burned out and unusable.
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Wattage |
55Watts |
65Watts |
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Brightness |
1350Luman |
1700Luman |
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Lifespan |
300Hours |
320 Hours |
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Beam Type |
Low Beam/Fog Light |
High Beam |
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Base Type |
PGJ19-2 |
P20d |
The main difference between H11 vs 9005 bulb
Base
The main difference between them comes from the design of the base. H11 bulbs use PGJ19-2 bases, while 9005 bulbs use P20d bases. These are two completely different designs, which means that they cannot be used interchangeably at all. Only when their bulbs and bases match each other can they work properly and be used.
Compatibility
9005 bulbs are also called HB3, which means that 9005 and HB3 are interchangeable. As for the H11 bulb, it is very similar to several other sizes, such as H8, H9, and H16 in interface design, so it can be used interchangeably in certain specific situations. However, it is important to note that these bulbs may have some differences in power and light output, so they should be selected according to specific needs when used.
Further Comparing 9005 vs H11 Headlight Bulbs
Power
Most H11 halogen bulbs on the market have a power of only 55 watts, while 9005 bulbs are higher, usually 65 watts. Of course, this also means that 9005 bulbs consume more energy.
Brightness
The brightness of H11 bulbs is around 1350 lumens, while the brightness of 9005 bulbs is higher, reaching 1700 lumens. This is not difficult to understand, because 9005 bulbs are only used for high beams, so the brightness must be designed to be higher.
Durability
For general halogen bulbs, the service life is generally short, among which the average life of H11 bulbs is only 300 hours, while the average life of 9005 bulbs will be slightly longer, reaching 320 hours. Therefore, for car owners who use halogen bulbs, they may need to replace the bulbs frequently.
Color temperature
The color temperature of H11 halogen bulbs is generally between 3,200K and 3,500K, emitting slightly yellow light. This warm light performs particularly well in rainy and foggy weather, helping to improve penetration and reduce the driver's visual fatigue. In contrast, the color temperature of 9005 bulbs is usually between 5,000K and 6,000K, with brighter and whiter light, which can significantly enhance lighting contrast and road visibility.
Application
H11 bulbs are often used for fog lights or low beams, and 9005 bulbs are often used for high beams.
After the above analysis and comparison, I believe everyone has a deep understanding of the differences between H11 vs 9005 bulbs. If you happen to want to replace your headlight bulbs recently, but are afraid of stepping on the pit and don’t know how to choose, you can read some of our suggestions to help you make the right choice.
Choose the right bulb.
Determine your bulb model, 9005 or H11.
First, you can check your car owner's manual. Each car owner's manual will have the corresponding bulb model. Secondly, you can also check the base of the old bulb. On the market, many bulb bases will mark the bulb model. This is the simplest and most effective method. If you can't determine your bulb model through the above two methods, then don't be discouraged. You can also check RIMTHIN's bulb finder. You only need to enter your vehicle year, brand, and model to easily query.
Upgrade bulbs to LED
Upgrading bulbs to LED has become the first choice of more and more car owners. They think that replacing halogen bulbs with LEDs is a very wise choice. This is indeed the case. The brightness of LED bulbs is higher than that of halogen bulbs, which can give you a wider and brighter field of vision. More importantly, the life of LED bulbs is much longer than that of halogen bulbs. The popular H11 and 9005 headlight bulbs on the market generally have a lifespan of more than 30,000 hours. What a sharp contrast.
If you want to buy H11 or 9005 LED bulbs, you can consider choosing RIMTHIN LED bulbs. RIMTHIN focuses on making high-quality LED bulbs, solving countless lighting problems for car owners, and is widely popular.
FAQ
Q: Are H11 and 9005 the same?
A: No, although they look similar, their internal structures are different.
Q: Can I replace 9005 with H11?
A: No, the base of H11 headlight bulbs is PGJ19-2, while the base of 9005 bulb is P20d, which is a different design, so H11 bulbs cannot replace 9005 bulbs.
Q: H11 vs. 9005 headlight bulbs: Which one is better?
A: No, there is no difference between H11 and 9005 bulbs. They can be adapted to different scenes and different vehicles, so they cannot be compared.
Q: 9005 vs. H11 bulbs: Which one is brighter?
A: Yes, because 9005 is often used for high beam off, while H11 is often used for low beam or fog lamp, so the brightness will be higher.
