H11 vs H16 Headlight Bulbs: Know their similarities and differences

H16 vs H11 headlight bulbs

What is the difference between H11 and H16? Are they interchangeable? How can we tell them apart? These are all complex questions. If you have any questions about this, you can read this article. We will take you to a deeper understanding of the differences between H11 vs H16 bulbs from a professional perspective, so that you will not be confused and make an informed decision.

If you are in a hurry, you can also read the following key points: The appearance of H11 and H16 is the same, and their sockets and connectors are the same, which can be interchanged. However, the key parameters of H11 and H16 are still quite different. If you want to learn more, please read below.

 

H16

H11

Wattage

19Watts

55Watts

Brightness

500Luman

1350Luman

Lifespan

150Hours

300Hours

Beam Type

Fog Light

Low Beam/Fog Light

Base Type

PGJ19-3 / PSX24W

PGJ19-2

Similarities between H11 vs H16 headlight bulbs

Filament

Both H11 and H16 halogen bulbs are single-filament bulbs, meaning they can only be used for one type of light, usually for low beam or fog lights.

Shape

As shown in the picture at the beginning, their appearance and size are almost the same, presenting an L shape, and the structure is also very compact.

Connector

They have the same connector for bulb H11 vs H16, and the plug is the same, consisting of two pins and encapsulated in a plastic shell. This design not only ensures the stability of the electrical connection but also effectively protects the plug from dust, moisture, and vibration, improving the safety and durability of use.

Rated voltage

The rated voltage of both bulbs is the same, both 12V.

Compatibility

We have introduced many similarities between H11 and H16 before. I believe that you have the answer to whether they can be used interchangeably. Yes, in most cases, H11 and H16 can be used interchangeably.

In general, H11 and H16 have many similarities. It is difficult to distinguish H16 vs H11 headlight by appearance, so let's take a look at the parameter differences between H11 and H16, which can better distinguish H11 and H16 from the parameters.

Parameter differences between H16 vs H11 bulbs

Application

H11 bulb is mostly used for low beams or fog lights, while H16 bulbs are usually used for fog lights.

Power

The biggest difference between headlight bulbs H11 vs H16 is power. The power of H11 is 55 watts, while the power of H16 is much lower, only 35 watts, which is why H16 is usually only used as fog lights.

Lumens

As we said before, their power is different, so this also leads to different brightness. Usually, the brightness of H16 is only 500 lumens, while the brightness of the H11 headlamp bulb is as high as 1350 lumens, which is much higher than H16. Therefore, in occasions where stronger lighting effects are required, H11 bulbs will be a better choice.

Lifespan

The average lifespan of H11 bulbs is about 270 hours, while the lifespan of H16 bulbs is shorter, usually only about 150 hours.

But don't rush to conclude! The lifespan of H16 and H11 headlight bulbs is not only based on data, but also on actual usage habits. For example, if your H11 headlight bulb is used on low beam, it will be used more frequently every day, so its lifespan will naturally be consumed faster. Therefore, the comparison of H11 vs H16 headlamp bulb life depends on the usage habits of the bulb.

Well, through the above comparison, I believe you have a deep understanding of H11 and H16 bulbs. If you just want to replace the bulb recently, and don’t know which one of H11 and H16 is more suitable for your vehicle, or want to upgrade to LED bulbs. Then you can continue to read the suggestions we provide below, I believe they will be helpful to you.

H11 vs H16, Which bulb is suitable for me

Determine the right bulb

This is a very critical step. Many car owners have many problems because they did not buy the right bulb. There are many ways to find the right bulb for you. First, you can check your owner's manual, which will have the corresponding bulb model, which is the most accurate method. Or, you can directly check the bulb base, which generally has the model identification of the bulb. Of course, you can search through the RIMTHIN bulb finder; just enter your vehicle year, brand, and model to query.

Upgrade the bulb to LED.

Upgrading H11 or H16 halogen bulbs to LED is the choice of many car owners, and they think it is a very happy thing. After upgrading the bulb to LED, our vision will be broader, because the brightness of LED bulbs is much higher than that of halogen bulbs.

Where can I buy good H11 or H16 LED bulbs? Many car owners will choose RIMTHIN because they are a brand that focuses on making high-quality LED bulbs and has solved many lighting problems for car owners.

FAQ

Q: Are H11 and H16 the same?

A: H11 and H16 are not the same, but they are very similar.

Q: H16 vs H11 headlight bulbs, which one is better?

A: There is no difference between them; this mainly depends on the usage scenario.

Q: H11 vs H16 bulbs, which one is brighter?

A: In terms of brightness, H11 bulbs are brighter than H16.

Q: Can I use H11 instead of H16?

A: Yes, the interface of H11 and H16 is the same, which means they can be used interchangeably.

 

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