5000K vs 6000K Light, Which Is Better For Your Home Lighting

Table of contents

1. What is 5000K LED light

2. What is 6000K LED light

3. 5000K VS 6000K, what are the differences

4. What do different color temperatures mean?

5. LED lights with fan or no fan for automotive lighting

6. What is the best color temperature for home lighting?

7. Conclusion

With so many options, buying LED lights can seem challenging. Whether you need cool, neutral, warm, or adjustable LEDs depends on how you use them, where you are, and how your application needs to look and feel. When it comes to color temperature, we often get a lot of questions about the difference between 5000K and 6000K LED lights, which is why we decided to explain some important aspects to our readers to help them understand the basic color temperature. At Suntech, we want to simplify sourcing LED lighting equipment.

What is 5000K LED light

In the 5000K color temperature range, it is bluish-white in brightness, with contrast levels comparable to sunlight and white light. 5000K can be called natural white led color temperature. This light is clear and bright. Because bright light can create strong color contrast, these small details can stand out in such light. In practical applications, the luminous performance of LEDs is not as good as that of natural sunlight. 5000k LEDs are most suitable for outdoor building lighting, such as hotel, factories, or other places such as operating rooms, laboratory rooms, gardens that require attention.

• 5000K Advantage

The advantage of 5000K light is that its color sensitivity at reduced color temperature is shifted from the blue light of 6000K and natural sunlight. If you don't need a lot of natural light, then 5000K is the best lighting. If 5000k vs 6000k daylight is compared, the LED brightness of the 5000K is softer and more relaxing. Because of its reduced blue component, the 5000K looks more attractive and more balanced. In practice, the spectrum at 5000K is fairly well-balanced, with about the same number of wavelengths for each.

• 5000K Limit

Maybe too much light is good for 5000K, but there are downsides. Such light may be enough to satisfy you, but it can also be a distraction to others. 

Because the light is too bright, it can cause color blindness in people around you, causing them to lose control. If it is a headlight, on the road, the power outage is very dangerous and will cause traffic accidents.

What is 6000K LED light

In a 6000K LED light, light blue colors look very nice, but warm colors don't. If you think 5000K is too bright, you can choose 6000K color temperature. Simply put, when you use 5000K, you will see a hint of blue and purple, which reduces your exposure. The temperature light of 6000 K is higher, and the 6000K light colour appears bluer under the light. Because according to science, the higher the temperature of the LED, the dimmer and softer the LED will be.

• 6000K Advantage

The brightness of 6000K is white, but more toward cool white color temperature. Just like the sun, and on sunny days, it will not fade, just like being exposed to the sun, which is comfortable. The interior will have a bright atmosphere that will make your mood light and happy. If it is a headlight, it will not pierce people's eyes and will not cause interference to pedestrians. Ample headlights allow you to enjoy the scenery along the way without disturbing others.

• 6000K Limit

Like 5000K, light colors are also the limit of 6000K. Its blue and icy white effects blend with it more easily, especially when it's snowing, foggy, or torrential rain. On rainy days, sandstorms, cloudy and rainy days, the light is insufficient, and the penetration ability is not as good as 5000K. So, in winter weather, you can't keep yourself and those around you safe if you're not careful.

5000K VS 6000K, what are the differences

Let's take a look at the following points of difference between 5000k and 6000k LED, you will have a more in-depth understanding.

(1) Theoretical difference

First, those with a color temperature above 5000K are called "cool" (blue), while those above 5000K are slightly different. The difference between 5000K and 6000K can be seen as relative to "yellow" and "blue". Relatively speaking, the color of 5000K is lighter than that of 6000 K, and the color of 6000 K is lighter.

(2) 5000K 6000K comparison chart

The 5000K and 6000K are popular for users who want to upgrade their stock lamps to a brighter or more advanced level. While the two colors look similar, comparing the 5000K and 6000K will give you a better understanding of their specs, differences, and how they might adversely affect your decision. Please see the table below.

Table 1. 5000k vs 6000k comparison chart

Name	5000K LED	6000K LED
Color description	Day white	Cool white
Comparable light	Mid day	Overcast
Appearance	Look neutral	Look brighter
Underton	Neutral	Cool
Application	Interior lighting, exterior lighting	Interior lighting, exterior lighting

(3) 5000k vs 6000k LED, which is brighter?

If you decide to replace an LED and which color you want to get. You have to understand that the color difference is related to style, not brightness. Human eyes are much brighter than yellow and white. So, we would feel that the 6000K LED is brighter than the 5500K natural white and the 5000K hot white. In fact, a 5000K LED light is about as bright as a 6000 K LED, so choosing one of the colors is a matter of taste.

If you want to change the color temperature easily, we have WWA addressable LED strips to meet your needs. 

(4) Know the differenence from color temperature chart

If you want to fully understand how Kelvin temperature affects light output, please refer to the color chart below. If you want to better understand the connection between it and the light, then please note the difference in the picture.

LED lights, available in the range of 3000K to 6000K, are generally used by manufacturers of LED bulbs installed in most interiors.

What do different color temperatures mean?

Most products of LED lights are available in a variety of soft white colors. It is in the Kelvin (K) range of 1000K to 10,000K and is most easily described in terms of the effect of sunlight. The table below is the lighting colour temperature guide, let's take a look.

Table 2. LED color temperature chart

Color Temperature	Color	Color Details	Description
2700K	Yellowish light with tint of orange	This is the average temperature of OE bulbs commonly used by many automakers.	A 2700 K bulb is much whiter than a 3000 K, and also has a bit of yellow and orange. A lot of car owners have decided to replace the LED, changing it to white.
3000K	Yellow	This is the typical yellow bulb.	LED can emit soft white, warm white or yellowish light. This color temperature is best for places where you rest, such as your bedroom or living area.
3600K	Very light yellow	This is a bright light yellowish color of bulbs.	These light yellow bulbs may appear yellow. They provide descent on-road visibility at night, yet they may appear somewhat old-fashioned. This is the main reason why the car owners decide to replace them.
4300K	Yellowish white	This is a typical color of factory HID bulbs.	This color is emitted by the majority of average OE HID bulbs. This is a white light with yellowish tint. It does not have that cool shade and does not look blueish.
5000K	Natural white	This light color can be compared to the sunlight at noon.	LED bulbs produce bright daylight colors. Natural white LED color looks neutral to warm, and does not have that shade of blue.
6000K	Cool white	This color falls between white and blue on the graph, creating cool white light.	Cool white LED provide good on-road visibility, while that blueish shade provides that exotic aftermarket looks. There is slight difference between 5000K, 5500K and 6000K LED. It gets more noticeable when these lights are compared next to each other.

LED lights with fan or no fan for automotive lighting

People often talk about 5000 K and 6000 K, which LED is more suitable for the headlight of the car, and it is difficult to say which LED is more suitable for the use of the car. Today, many manipulators recommend using fanless LEDs due to their passive cooling system and their simpler construction. It can be said that the simpler the structure, the longer the life, and the fewer components damaged by vibration. Refer to the following comparison chart of an electric fan and nonelectric light LED.

Table 3. LED lights with fans or without fans

	FAN	FANLESS
1	Rapid heat dissipation	Some filaments with fans are too large
2	Ultra-thin fanless LEDs don't require much space	Fanless LED bulbs with braided heat sinks require checking the heat sinks condition from time to time
3	Do not require extra space	Noiseless operation
4	No external cooling equipment installed	Longer lifespan,compared to fan LEDs
5	Fans are sometimes noisy	Slim filament in quality LEDs
6	If the headlights are not well sealed, the electric fans will collect dust	Thermal resistance to drops
7	Fans consume more power	Fanless Leds do not require extra maintenance

What is the best color temperature for home lighting?  

Best color temperature for living room:

Creates an intoxicating and comfortable environment that is also a great choice for casual entertaining. Using a dimmer can also help you create the right atmosphere when watching TV or movies. Recommended color temperature: 2700-3000K.

Bathroom light temperature:

We want cooler, brighter bathroom spaces so we can do everyday things like makeup, shave. A clean, fresh environment can easily be transformed into a more comfortable one with dimmers. Recommended color temperature: 3000~4000K.

Bedroom light temperature:

The bedroom is the most private place in your home. We recommend that the indoor light should be soft and the atmosphere should be soft so that you can fully relax and rest. Recommended color temperature: 2700-3000K.

Restaurants color temperature:

You want a light that is attractive and bright so you can see you're eating. We recommend dimming to regulate your mood. Recommended color temperature: 2700K-3000K.

Color temperature for kitchen：

Bright lights are great for cooking and reading recipes. But because of the wide range of applications in the kitchen, the color temperature will also vary. The best way is to look at the decor and another lighting in your room. Regardless, the "neutral" 3000K glitch-resistant white looks pretty good. Recommended color temperature: 2700-4000K.

Conclusion

Ideally, our illumination changes throughout the day, just like sunlight. Taking into account all the above factors, we can choose the color temperature through the choice of location, the place of use, or personal preference. Through led color temperature comparison, we believe you already know how to choose led light 5000k vs 6000k for yourself.

At SuntechLED, we have decades of experience in LED lighting design, and our professional team will advise you on the most suitable interior and ourdoor LED lights according to your needs and preferences, come and contact us!

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