Best High Intensity Discharge Bulbs for Outdoor of 2025

Howard Chester Avatar
Howard Chester
Last Updated: Jan 6, 2025

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High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs are a popular choice for outdoor lighting due to their bright and efficient illumination. These bulbs come in various sizes and shapes to fit different fixtures and applications, including streetlights, parking lots, and stadiums. HID bulbs contain a gas mixture that produces light when an electrical current passes through it, making them more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. They also have a longer lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Overall, HID bulbs provide a reliable and cost-effective lighting solution for outdoor areas.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Rossesay MH400 Metal Halide Bulbs Cover #TOP 1
Rossesay MH400 Metal Halide Bulbs
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Sunlite MH400/U/MOG M59 400W Metal Halide Lamp Cover #TOP 2
Sunlite MH400/U/MOG M59 400W Metal Halide Lamp
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Ciata High Pressure Sodium Bulb Cover #TOP 3
Ciata High Pressure Sodium Bulb
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 High Intensity Discharge Bulbs for Outdoor

#TOP 1

Rossesay MH400 Metal Halide Bulbs

Rossesay
XUU-Rossesay-0623
Clear
Rossesay MH400 Metal Halide Bulbs Cover
Rossesay 3 Pcs 400 Watt Lighting Metal Halide Lamp MH400/U/MOG 36000 Lumen 4000K Outdoor Light Bulb 12, 000 Hour Span Life Mogul Base (E39) ED28 High Intensity Discharge Metal Halide Bulb(400 Watt)

The Rossesay Metal Halide Bulbs are perfect for your lighting needs, measuring about 3.54 x 8.19 inches, ensuring they fit snugly in various locations. With a powerful output of 36,000 lumens at 4000K, these bulbs enhance both outdoor and commercial indoor spaces with their stylish design. Their long lifespan of 12,000 hours means you won’t have to replace them frequently, saving you time and hassle. Additionally, they are compatible with M59/E ballast lamps, giving you versatility for different lighting setups.

What We Like
Long lifespan of 12,000 hours
High brightness at 36,000 lumens
Compatibility with M59/E ballast
Elegant design for various settings
Convenient package of three bulbs
#TOP 2

Sunlite MH400/U/MOG M59 400W Metal Halide Lamp

41854-SU
Clear
2 Pack
Sunlite MH400/U/MOG M59 400W Metal Halide Lamp Cover
Sunlite MH400/U/MOG M59 Metal Halide Lamp, 400 Watts, Mogul Base (E39), ED37, 12,000 Hour Life Span, 36000 Lumen, Clear Finish, 4000K, 2 Pack

The Sunlite Metal Halide Lamp is designed for powerful outdoor and commercial lighting needs. With a bright output of 36,000 lumens, this 400-watt bulb ensures excellent visibility, making it ideal for street lights and parking lots. Its 4000K color temperature provides a clear, natural light that enhances color perception. Built with a mogul base, it easily fits into various fixtures, ensuring versatility for different applications. Additionally, the long lifespan of 12,000 hours means less frequent replacements, saving you time and effort for your lighting setups.

What We Like
High brightness output
Long lifespan
Versatile mogul base
Clear, natural light
#TOP 3

Ciata High Pressure Sodium Bulb

Ciata High Pressure Sodium Bulb Cover
Ciata High Pressure Sodium Lights, High-Intensity Discharge Bulb, 100 Watts, 2100K, CRI 24, 8500 Lumen, E26 Std Medium Base, 20000 Life Hours High-Pressure Sodium Bulb in Clear Finish

The Ciata Sodium Light Bulb offers exceptional brightness and energy efficiency, using just 100 watts while delivering an impressive 8500 lumens. With a lifespan of up to 20,000 hours, you can enjoy hassle-free lighting without frequent replacements. This bulb is perfect for various applications, from street lighting to commercial spaces, ensuring you have reliable illumination wherever needed. Its clear finish and high color temperature of 2100K provide excellent visibility, making it an ideal choice for both indoor and outdoor environments.

What We Like
Long lifespan
High brightness output
Versatile applications
Energy efficient
#TOP 4

Rossesay LU150/MOG 150W Sodium Bulb

Rossesay
XUU-Rossesay-388
Rossesay LU150/MOG 150W Sodium Bulb Cover
Rossesay LU150/MOG 150 Watt High Pressure Sodium Light Bulb, Mogul Base (E39) Light Bulb, ANSI Code S55, 2100K Outdoor Street Light Bulb, 20000 Life Hours,16000 Lumen

The Rossesay 150W Sodium Bulb is designed to illuminate large areas with its powerful 16000 lumens output, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor settings. With a warm 2100K color temperature, it creates a cozy atmosphere that enhances your space. The bulb's clear design not only provides bright light but also adds a touch of elegance to your environment. Plus, with an impressive lifespan of 20000 hours, you can enjoy consistent lighting without the hassle of frequent replacements, allowing you to focus more on your activities in well-lit surroundings.

What We Like
High brightness output
Warm color temperature
Long lifespan
Elegant design
#TOP 5

Rossesay 175W Metal Halide Lamp

Rossesay
XUU-Rossesay-1481
Clear
Rossesay 175W Metal Halide Lamp Cover
Rossesay 1 Pc 175 Watt Lighting Metal Halide Lamp MH400/U/MOG 36000 Lumen 4000K Outdoor Light Bulb 12, 000 Hour Span Life Mogul Base (E39) ED28 High Intensity Discharge Metal Halide Bulb

The Rossesay Metal Halide Bulb is designed to meet your lighting needs with a perfect size of 3.54 x 8.19 inches, ensuring a snug fit in various spaces. With a powerful output of 36,000 lumens at 4000K, this bulb enhances both outdoor and commercial indoor environments, providing stylish illumination. Its metal halide technology makes it ideal for diverse lighting situations, whether you're lighting up a large area or creating ambiance in your garden. Additionally, boasting a lifespan of 12,000 hours, you can enjoy long-lasting performance, reducing the frequency of replacements and saving you time and effort.

What We Like
Long lifespan of 12,000 hours
High brightness at 36,000 lumens
Compatible with M59/E ballast
Versatile for indoor and outdoor use
#TOP 6

Sunlite M90/O Metal Halide Lamp 100W

03646-SU
Clear
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Sunlite M90/O Metal Halide Lamp 100W Cover
Sunlite M90/O Protected Metal Halide Lamp 100W Clear

Sunlite Metal Halide Lamp is perfect for outdoor lighting and commercial interiors. With its high intensity discharge, it offers exceptional efficacy, great color rendition, and excellent lumen maintenance. The bulb puts out a bright 8500 lumens of light with a clear glass bulb and medium base. This makes it ideal for street lights, parking lot fixtures, perimeter lighting, and other commercial and industrial lighting applications. These protected pulse start bulbs feature a long 15,000 hour average lifespan, making them a convenient and energy-efficient choice. The ANSI CODE M90/O ensures that it is compatible with M90/O ballast fixtures, so you can be sure that you have the right bulb for your fixture and the ballast it uses.

What We Like
Energy-efficient
Long lifespan
Bright light output
#TOP 7

Sunlite M102/O Metal Halide Lamp

03651-SU
Clear
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Sunlite M102/O Metal Halide Lamp Cover
Sunlite M102/O Protected Metal Halide Lamp 150W Clear

Sunlite Metal Halide Lamp is an energy-efficient HID lamp that is perfect for outdoor and commercial lighting. It has a clear glass bulb and a larger medium base for use in various commercial and industrial lighting applications. The lamp has a 150-watt power output and can produce bright light of up to 13300 lumens. Its color temperature is 4000K, providing excellent color rendition. The protected pulse start bulbs have a long 15,000-hour lifespan. This metal halide bulb is ideal for M102/O ballast fixtures. With exceptional efficacy, long service life, and excellent lumen maintenance, Sunlite Metal Halide Lamp is a reliable and cost-effective lighting solution for your business.

What We Like
Energy-efficient
Long lifespan
Excellent color rendition
#TOP 8

Sunlite Metal Halide Lamp M102

03650-SU
4000k
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Sunlite Metal Halide Lamp M102 Cover
Sunlite 03650-SU MH150/U/MED M102 Metal Halide Lamp, 150 Watts, Pulse Start, Medium Base (E26), ED17, 15,000 Hours Life, 14000 Lumen, Clear Finish, 4000K

The Sunlite Metal Halide Lamp delivers powerful lighting for various applications, including outdoor spaces and commercial interiors. With its high intensity discharge design, you can enjoy a bright output of 14,000 lumens, making it ideal for illuminating large areas. The bulb features a medium base, ensuring compatibility with standard fixtures like streetlights and parking lot lights. Plus, its pulse start technology means quicker illumination and less energy waste, while the long lifespan of 15,000 hours provides you with reliable performance, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

What We Like
High brightness output
Energy-efficient operation
Long lifespan
Quick startup
#TOP 9

Sunlite 03655-SU Metal Halide Lamp

03655-SU
4000k
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Sunlite 03655-SU Metal Halide Lamp Cover
Sunlite 03655-SU MH175/U/MED M57 Metal Halide Lamp, 175 Watts, Probe Start, Medium Base (E26), ED17, 10,000 Hours Life, 14000 Lumen, Clear Finish, 4000K

The Sunlite Metal Halide Bulb is designed for high-intensity lighting needs, making it ideal for outdoor spaces and commercial interiors. With a power output of 175 watts, it delivers an impressive 14,000 lumens, ensuring bright illumination. The bulb's medium base (E26) allows for easy installation in various fixtures, such as street lights and parking lots. Additionally, this energy-efficient lamp boasts a long lifespan of 10,000 hours, providing reliable performance over time. The clear glass design enhances light quality, making it perfect for any setting requiring vibrant lighting.

What We Like
High brightness output
Energy efficient
Long lifespan
Easy installation
#TOP 10

Sunlite MH100/U/MED M90 Metal Halide Lamp

03645-SU
4000k
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Sunlite MH100/U/MED M90 Metal Halide Lamp Cover
Sunlite 03645-SU MH100/U/MED M90 Metal Halide Lamp, 100 Watts, Pulse Start, Medium Base (E26), ED17, 12,000 Hours Life, 9000 Lumen, Clear Finish, 4000K

Sunlite Metal Halide Lamp is an energy-efficient high-intensity discharge bulb that is perfect for outdoor lighting and commercial interiors. With exceptional efficacy, great color rendition, a long service life, and excellent lumen maintenance, this bulb is an ideal choice for street lights, parking lot fixtures, perimeter lighting, and other commercial and industrial lighting applications. It features a pulse start for quicker startup, less lumen depreciation, and more lumens per watt, which means you save energy. The bulb has a standard medium base (E26), and it measures 2.18 inches in diameter and 5.36 inches tall. Additionally, this metal halide bulb is for use in M90 ballast fixtures, so make sure to confirm ANSI Code to help determine the correct bulb for your fixture and the ballast it uses.

What We Like
Energy-efficient
Long service life
Excellent lumen maintenance
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How does a high intensity discharge lamp work?

In modern lighting usage, the HID lamp functions by sending an electric arc between two tungsten electrodes which are housed in an arc tube, usually constructed of quartz. The tube is filled with an amalgam of gas and metal salts.

2. Which is better LED or HID?

LEDs are ideal as they are brighter but do not produce the same glare that HIDs are responsible for. LEDs are compact and energy efficient. Unlike the HID, LED headlights provide instant light when turned on. ... Like the HID headlight, they shine very brightly and are often mistaken as hi-beams as well.

3. Which type of HID lamp has the best CRI?

Excellent color rendering – The main advantages of metal halide lamps are their excellent color rendering that for some bulbs goes as high as 95 CRI. These lamps are an excellent source of white light, emitting light close to a natural sunlight, which makes them great for both indoor and outdoor areas.

4. Which lamp is high pressure discharge?

The sodium vapour lamp uses sodium in an excited state to produce light. There are two varieties of such lamps: low-pressure sodium (LPS) and high pressure. Because sodium vapour lamps cause less light pollution than mercury vapour lamps, many cities that have large astronomical observatories employ them.

5. What are high intensity discharge headlights?

High-intensity discharge (HID) headlights are what you're typically looking at when you see blinding blue-white light from an oncoming car. They use high voltage to create an electrical arc between two poles separated by a tube of xenon gas, instead of making a filament glow like older headlights.

Editor's Notes

During our high intensity discharge bulb for outdoor research, we found 24 high intensity discharge bulb for outdoor products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 8,953 customer reviews through our big data system to write the high intensity discharge bulbs for outdoor list. We found that most customers choose high intensity discharge bulbs for outdoor with an average price of $19.41.

The high intensity discharge bulbs for outdoor are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of high intensity discharge bulbs for outdoor, including Rossesay, Sunlite, Ciata. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 391 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Howard Chester Avatar

Howard Chester is an architect from New York who holds a master's degree in architectural design, his passions for interior design and home improvement contribute to his extensive knowledge of all things furniture and home goods. Howard Chester Specializes in various architectural and interior design projects. He often publishes articles related to decoration on key websites and interior design magazines.