H11 vs H16 Headlight Bulbs | What’s The Difference?

We assessment H11 vs H16 bulbs, though generally believed that these two bulbs can be utilised interchangeably, there are slight variations in use case and operation that you need to have to take into account.

The distinction in between the H11 and H16 is that they’re meant for distinct applications and adopted by distinct producers. 

There is also a distinction in the energy rating of every single bulb. 

Having worked on headlights and other auto components for more than a decade, we can assist you figure out precisely which bulb suits your wants. 

Keep reading for far more data about the variations in between H11 and H16 bulbs.

H11 vs H16 Bulbs – Our Comparison

Power Rating

H11 and H16 bulbs are incredibly equivalent in terms of shape and size. However, they are made to perform at distinct levels of energy consumption, which tends to make them far more suited for distinct use instances.

H11 bulbs are fog lights which run at greater energy, resulting in a greater light output. H16 bulbs are made to be far more effective, but also provide significantly less light output as a outcome.

If you call for a fog light with a far more strong throw and much better visibility, H11 is the clear option.

However if you want to concentrate on obtaining an inefficient set up that draws significantly less energy, H16 is the far more proper option.

Industry Adoption

Another noticeable distinction in between these two bulbs is in terms of the firms and producers that use them on their automobiles. H11 bulbs are 1 of the most well-liked and generally utilised fog light bulb sizes utilised by a quantity of producers such as Ford, Honda, Toyota and other people.

H16 bulbs are a bit significantly less typical and mainly discovered on a restricted quantity of American automobiles.Interestingly, there is a totally distinct H16 bulb utilised in European markets. This H16 refers to the 5202 bulb utilised in some European automobiles and has no relation to either H11 or American H16 bulbs.

Halogen variants

While in most configurations, H11 bulbs run at greater energy, this is not the case with their halogen variants. In truth, it is fairly the opposite. H11 halogen bulbs run at drastically reduce energy than H16 halogens which draw far more energy. This is yet another essential detail to take into account when purchasing either bulb for your auto.

Compatibility

Finally, yet another essential consideration when acquiring either bulb is whether or not or not it is compatible with your auto. If you need to have an H11 bulb and finish up purchasing an H16, it will most likely match the socket, save for a handful of exceptions of some European model automobiles.

On the other hand most H16 bulbs will match completely into an H11 socket so you do not have to be concerned about purchasing the incorrect size bulb.

That stated, we suggest purchasing the precise size of bulb suggested by your particular car’s manufacturer, as the differing energy consumption of these bulbs can result in electrical troubles in your auto.

Conclusion

To sum up, H16 and H11 bulbs are equivalent in shape and size, with a handful of noticeable variations in the energy rating and which auto producers use these bulbs on their automobiles.

In most instances, you can use these bulbs interchangeably but some H11 bulbs could not match in a socket made for H16 bulbs. Furthermore, H11 bulbs will draw far more energy and provide slightly much better visibility than H16 bulbs.

In that regard, H11 bulbs are much better for nighttime driving, whereas H16 bulbs are far more effective. Which bulb you finish up deciding on depends on your particular wants and needs.