H9 VS H11 Headlight Bulb: Difference, Which One is Best
Many people are often confused and think that H9 and H11 bulbs are the same. However, they have a lot of changes when it comes to there result of their performance. Here, in this article, we have compared and provided an in-depth comparison of H9 vs H11 Bulb, so that you can find out which one is best for you.
If you are viewing both the bulb for the very first time you can’t differentiate what’s the difference in them unless you are not an expert. Quick Overview – H9 bulbs have a shorter life span because of their flux filament and higher luminance while in the case of H11, it generally has a longer life span because of nominal filament and lower luminance.
Comparison of H9 and H11 LED Headlights (Table)
| Feature | H9 LED Headlight | H11 LED Headlight |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness | Typically higher brightness | Generally lower brightness |
| Wattage | Higher wattage | Lower wattage |
| Compatibility | Different base, not directly interchangeable | Different base, not directly interchangeable |
| Heat Dissipation | May generate more heat | Generally generates less heat |
| Cost | Typically more expensive | Generally less expensive |
| Modification Required | May require modifications to housing or wiring | May require modifications to housing or wiring |
| Common Applications | High beam headlights | Low beam headlights |
In-Depth Comparing of H11 and H9 Headlight Bulbs
Lifespan
There is a lot of confusion about the H11 and H9 LED headlights, some believe that H9 lasts longer than H11 while others believe that H11 lasts longer than H9.
The lifespan of a headlight bulb is measured in lighting hours if you are using a standard halogen bulb then it will last approximately 180 hours however if you are choosing a premium LED headlight bulb then it can last up to or more than 10,000 hours which is remarkably great and then the halogen bulbs.
The same goods with the purpose of the headlights, H11 is used in low beams which makes its life longer as compared to H9 which is used in high beams so they are prone to outlast easily.
Brightness
The brightness of the Headlight bulbs totally depends on the technology they are using and the wattage they consume.
As I have already told you the H9 bulbs consume about 65 watts of energy compared to H11 which takes about 55 watts and that exactly makes the difference why they are used for different purposes.
Low beams are generally used to see what’s exactly on the ground while you’re driving on the road while in the case of the high beam, it allows you to see what’s coming far ahead of you by throwing a beam of light rays over it.
Purpose
Both bulbs have their different uses H9 is mainly used for high beam purposes while h11 is used for low beam purposes. However, the physical properties of both bulbs are almost the same with some minor tweaks in their socket.
How to Differentiate between H9 and H11 LED headlight bulbs?
If you are viewing both the bulbs(H9 and H11) without any prior knowledge then they might seem to be exact replicas of each other but that’s not the case. If you pay enough closer attention then you will notice that the H9 bulb has a tap at the top which is not in the H11 LED Headlight Bulb.
When it comes to performance both bulbs have their own pros and cons. Seemingly you may consider that H11 is a way lot more effective than H9 but it only be used in low luminous areas.
However, with minor tweaks, you can make H9 far better in terms of performance. Usually, a standard version of the H9 headlight bulb provides around 1450 lumens of light but if you increase the wattage only by 10 watts and current by 2 amps then you can get up to 2100 lumens of light which is not that bad.
Is H9 and H11 LED the same?
The H9 and H11 LED bulbs have the same physical design and can be used in place of each other in most scenarios. However, they do have different power usage, purpose, and applications. H9 LED Bulb draws around 65 watts of power which makes it suitable for high beams where more lumination is required while the H11 LED bulb draws around 55 watts of power making it a perfect choice for low-beam headlights.
Can I use H9 instead of H11?
If you want to use H9 bulbs instead of the H11 bulbs then you just need to remove a small tab from the inside of the bulb base. You can use a Dremel tool to do this. Once you remove the tab, the factory H11 wiring harness will plug right into the H9 bulbs. The H9 and H11 bulbs are the same size and shape, so they’ll lock into the headlight housing as they both have the same socket. The only difference is that small tab inside the bulb base once it’s removed both bulbs are the same with different power usage.
Is H9 brighter than H11?
Yes, H9 LED bulbs are usually brighter than the H11 bulbs. It happens because of their power usage difference H9 LED bulbs use about 65 watts of power which provides fairly bright light while the H11 eddy bulbs use above 55 watts of power which makes it a good choice for low luminous areas.
