4114 Vs 3157 Bulbs : Key Difference, Which One is Best
4114 and 3157 are two of the most common bulb types that are wildly used in automotive primarily for tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals. Upon seeing this, many people may assume that both the bulbs are exactly the same, but in reality, they have a lot of key difference that makes them unique and differ in their purpose of use.
If you’re looking to buy either one of these bulbs then you are at the right place. Here, we have written an indepth article about the 3157 vs 4114 bulbs. Once you have read it, I can bet you don’t have to go anywhere else.
What’s a 4114 Bulb?
4114 bulb is a type of automotive light bulb that’s commonly used as a headlight and brake light of a vehicle. It is known for its longer life & durability and its excellent heat dissipation makes it an ideal choice for the places where extended lifespan and performance are important.
What’s a 3157 Bulb?
It’s also a type of automobile bulb that is majorly used for brake lights, taillights, and turn signals. The bulb comes with a double-filament design, meaning it has two separate filaments within the bulb that can illuminate independently.
Comparison of 4114 and 3157 Bulb (Table)
| Feature | 4114 Bulb | 3157 Bulb |
|---|---|---|
| Base Type | Wedge (T5) | Wedge (T25) |
| Filament Configuration | Single filament | Dual filament |
| Voltage | 12V | 12V |
| Wattage | 65W | 27/8W (high/low) |
| Light Output (Lumens) | Approx. 1000-1200 lumens | Approx. 400-500 lumens (high beam) |
| Color Temperature | 3000-3200K (warm white) | 3000-3200K (warm white) |
| Usage | Headlight (high beam) | Tail light, turn signal, brake light |
| Average Lifespan | 200-300 hours | 1000-1500 hours |
| Replaceable | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle Compatibility | Mainly older vehicles (1980s-1990s) | Wide range of vehicles (1990s-present) |
| Energy Efficiency | Lower (due to higher wattage) | Higher (lower wattage) |
| Heat Generation | Higher | Lower |
| Installation Difficulty | Moderate | Easy |
| Price | Generally more expensive | Generally less expensive |
| Upgrade Options | HID or LED conversions available | LED conversions widely available |
4114 and 3157 Bulbs Comparison
Price
Price is such an important aspect that makes a lot of sense when we compare 3157 and 4114 bulbs. Generally, 4114 bulbs are a bit more costly than the 3157, so if you are tight on budget then don’t dare to choose the 4114, go ahead with the 3157. 3157 bulb is also a better choice and it is easily available in most of the auto parts stores.
Usage
Both 4114 and 3157 have different usage due to the difference in their brightness. Being the brighter one the 4114 bulbs are commonly used in turn signals, tail lights, and reversing lights. On the other hand, the 3157 bulbs are mostly used inside the cabin of the car like glove box lights, dome lights, reading lights, trunk lights, and a lot more places.
Brightness
When it comes to their brightness, 4114 bulbs are a sure-shot winner compared to the 3157 bulbs because of their higher wattage consumption. The 4114 bulb produces a crisp & sharp light that is easily visible to other people driving on the road, making it a perfect choice for tail lights and turn signals.
While the 3157 are not bright still they are commonly used inside the cabin of automobiles like glove box, truck light, and number plate lights.
Lifespan
You will be surprised to know that 4114 bulbs offer a better average lifespan than the 3157 bulbs. Despite consuming more power, 4114 bulbs are still a better choice than the 3157 bulbs.
Generally, the lifespan of a good quality 4114 bulb is around 2000 to 5000 hours while that of a 3157 bulb is 1200 to 2000 hours. 4114 bulbs are marketed as the “long-life” bulb and are designed for applications like daytime running lights (DRLs), where they need to endure long periods of use and higher operating temperatures.
Durability
Again both the bulbs are totally apart from each other when it comes to Durability. 4114 bulbs are far ahead compared to the 3157 bulbs, as they are known to last longer. As per our testing, we haven’t noticed any issues or performance drops during its regular usage.
However, that’s not the case with the 3157 bulbs; they are specially designed for shorter duration. If used for longer, the bulbs are either fused or burn out to higher temperatures.
Color Variation
Color Variation is also an important aspect that needs to be considered when comparing the 4114 and 3157 bulbs. The 4114 bulbs are available in white, red, and amber colours while the 3157 bulb is only available in white color.
Can I use a 4114 bulb instead of 3157?
Yes, you can use a 4114 bulb in place of a 3157, but there are some important aspects that you need to keep in mind:
Socket Compatibility
Both 3157 and 4114 bulbs typically use the same base (W2.5x16d), which means they should fit into the same socket. So, in terms of physical compatibility, you can interchange the bulbs without an issue.
Wattage & Voltage
The 4114 consumes a slightly higher voltage (13.5V) compared to the 3157 (12.8V). This means the 4114 is designed to take more power and provide more brightness. If you want to replace the 4114 with the 3157 or vice versa then it might cause some electrical issues in your vehicle. In most cases, this won’t be an issue but still be cautious about it.
What is a 4114 bulb used for?
4114 bulbs are primarily used for daytime running lights (DRLs) and parking lights in vehicles. These bulbs are designed to handle continuous operation at higher temperatures, making it ideal for situations where the lights stay on for extended periods. The 4114 operates at a higher voltage (i.e. 13.5V) and wattage (28.5W), which results in providing a bit more brightness compared to the 3157 bulbs.
Are 3157 and 4114 bulbs interchangeable?
Yes, 3157 and 4114 bulbs are interchangeable because they have the same base (W2.5x16d) and can easily fit in each other socket. However, the 4114 is a long-life bulb designed for longer use (e.g., daytime running lights), while the 3157 is a standard bulb for intermittent use (e.g., brake lights, turn signals). The 4114 also has a slightly higher wattage, so it’s important to ensure your vehicle can handle the small increase in power other you might have some issues with the electrical system of the vehicle.
