• Longer-lasting bulbs mean less time spent replacing them."[+]" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: striatic (hobvias sudoneighm) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
  
  

Types

• LEDs are the longest-lasting light bulbs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, they can last up to 25 times longer than an incandescent bulb, while compact fluorescent lights (CFL) last about 10 times as long as an incandescent bulb.
  
  

Costs

• LEDs and CFLs have a much higher price tag but will save money over the life of the bulb because they use significantly less energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs.
  
  

Function

• If you are going to be using the bulb in a light that is frequently turned on and off, the lifespan of an incandescent bulb will decrease. LEDs are unaffected by the number of times they are switched on and off.
  
  

Considerations

• CFLs contain mercury, which is toxic and can be spilled if the bulb breaks. LEDs are limited because they are not powerful enough to produce the same amount of light incandescent bulbs and CFLs produce.
  
  

Warning

• Incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs will burn out suddenly, which can leave you in the dark if you do not have a backup light, while LEDs will slowly decrease their light output so you can tell when it is time to replace them.