Best 3-Way Incandescent Bulbs of 2025

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

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3-way incandescent bulbs are versatile lighting options that offer different levels of brightness in a single bulb. These bulbs are designed to work with lamps or fixtures that have a 3-way socket, allowing users to adjust the lighting according to their needs. With three different levels of brightness, users can choose between low, medium, and high settings that are perfect for reading, relaxing, or entertaining. These bulbs are also easy to install and can be used in a variety of settings, including living rooms, bedrooms, and home offices. Overall, 3-way incandescent bulbs are a convenient and practical lighting solution for any home.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

GE 240W Soft White Bulb Cover #TOP 1
GE 240W Soft White Bulb
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Long Life 3-Way Light Bulb Cover #TOP 2
Long Life 3-Way Light Bulb
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Royal Designs 3 Way Incandescent Bulbs Cover #TOP 3
Royal Designs 3 Way Incandescent Bulbs
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 3-Way Incandescent Bulbs

#TOP 1

GE 240W Soft White Bulb

GE
15846
Soft White
GE 240W Soft White Bulb Cover
GE Incandescent 240W Soft White A21 3-Way Bulb 1 Pack

The GE Soft White Bulb offers an impressive brightness of 3600 lumens, perfect for illuminating any space in your home. With a warm color temperature of 2850 K, this bulb creates a cozy atmosphere that makes your rooms feel inviting. Its durable construction ensures that it can handle vibrations, promising long-lasting use. Additionally, this incandescent bulb is energy-efficient, using 240 watts and costing you only about $28.91 per year in energy. Whether you need lighting indoors or outdoors, this versatile bulb is suitable for damp locations and fits various fixtures.

#TOP 2

Long Life 3-Way Light Bulb

Long Life 3-Way Light Bulb Cover
3-WAY LIGHT BULB 30/60/100 WATT INCANDESCENT THREE WAY BULB LONG LIFE A21 10,000 HOURS

The 3-Way Light Bulb is designed to last up to 10,000 hours, providing you with reliable lighting for years. With a versatile medium base and three brightness settings (30, 60, and 100 watts), you can easily adjust the light level to suit your needs, whether you're reading, entertaining, or relaxing. Its frosted glass design not only enhances aesthetics but also softens the light, creating a warm atmosphere in your home. The rugged filaments ensure durability, making it a perfect choice for everyday use in various household fixtures.

What We Like
Long-lasting performance
Adjustable brightness settings
Frosted glass for soft light
Durable rugged filaments
#TOP 3

Royal Designs 3 Way Incandescent Bulbs

Royal Designs, Inc.
LB-1006XX
White
Set of 4
Royal Designs 3 Way Incandescent Bulbs Cover
Royal Designs, Inc. 3 Way 100 150 250 Watts Incandescent A19 Light Bulb, E26 Medium Brass Base, Set of 4, LB-1006-4

The Royal Designs 3 Way Bulbs provide versatile lighting options with three wattage settings: 100, 150, and 250 watts. This means you can easily adjust the brightness based on your needs, whether you are reading a book or hosting a dinner party. Featuring an E26 medium base, they fit most standard lamp sockets, ensuring convenience in replacing your old bulbs. The A19 shape of these non-dimmable bulbs offers a familiar look while delivering warm, inviting light at 2700 Kelvin. With a high Color Rendering Index (CRI), these bulbs enhance the colors in your space, making it feel more vibrant and welcoming.

What We Like
Three brightness options
E26 medium base compatibility
Warm, inviting light
High Color Rendering Index
#TOP 4

Chromalux 3-Way Light Bulb

Lumiram
608356
Chromalux 3-Way Light Bulb Cover
Chromalux Light Bulb Std Clr 3Way Bulb

The Chromalux 3-Way Bulb offers seamless dimming from 100% to 10%, allowing you to effortlessly set the perfect mood in any room. With a color temperature of 3,750K, this bulb provides full-spectrum lighting that mimics natural daylight, enhancing your space's ambiance. It boasts a long lifespan of 5,000 hours, ensuring you won't frequently need replacements. Additionally, the bulb produces varying lumens of 690, 1450, and 1710, giving you flexibility in brightness levels to suit your needs. Experience reduced eye strain and improved well-being with this quality lighting solution.

What We Like
Seamless dimming capability
Long lifespan of 5,000 hours
Full-spectrum natural lighting
Reduces eye strain
#TOP 5

GE 3 Way Incandescent Mogul Base Bulbs 100/200/300 Watt PS25 Soft White 2 Pack

GE
G&E - 41459 - 2pk
2 Count (Pack of 1)
GE 3 Way Incandescent Mogul Base Bulbs 100/200/300 Watt PS25 Soft White 2 Pack Cover
GE 3 Way Incandescent Mogul Base Bulbs 100/200/300 Watt PS25 Soft White 2 Pack

These GE 3 Way Incandescent Mogul Base Bulbs offer a brightness of 3900 Lumens and a light appearance of 2800K. They have a long life of 1.1 years based on 3 hrs/day and can be used for 100/200/300 watts. These bulbs are perfect for those who need a versatile lighting solution.

What We Like
Offers a versatile lighting solution
Long life of 1.1 years
Brightness of 3900 Lumens
#TOP 6

GE Lighting Daylight A21 LED Bulb

GE
24179
Daylight
1 Pack
GE Lighting Daylight A21 LED Bulb Cover
GE Lighting 24179 Daylight Replacement A21 Bulb Medium Base, 3-Way LED 50/100/150-Watt, 1-Pack

The GE Daylight A21 Bulb is an excellent choice for energy-conscious consumers. This 150-watt replacement bulb uses only 19 watts, significantly lowering your energy bills. With a lifespan of over 13 years, based on three hours of daily use, you can enjoy long-lasting brightness without frequent replacements. You’ll also save about $216 in energy costs compared to traditional incandescent bulbs over its lifetime. Producing an impressive 2155 lumens of light, it offers the same size and feel as standard bulbs while delivering a refreshing 5000K daylight color temperature that energizes any space.

What We Like
Energy-efficient design
Long lifespan
Significant cost savings
High light output
Daylight color temperature
#TOP 7

Satco S7341 3-Way Spiral Bulb

Satco
S7341
Color
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Satco S7341 3-Way Spiral Bulb Cover
Satco S7341 12/20/26-Watt Medium Base 3-Way Spiral, 2700K, 120V, Equivalent to 30/70/100-Watt Incandescent Lamp with Energy Star Rated

The Satco 3-Way Bulb is a versatile lighting option designed to enhance your home. With its medium base, it easily fits into most lamp sockets, making it a convenient choice for various spaces. This bulb offers three brightness levels, allowing you to customize the light according to your needs, whether you're reading, relaxing, or entertaining. Its warm 2700K color temperature creates a cozy atmosphere, perfect for any room. Plus, with an energy rating that makes it equivalent to 30/70/100-watt incandescent options, you can enjoy significant energy savings without sacrificing brightness.

What We Like
Versatile brightness levels
Energy-efficient design
Warm, inviting light
Standard medium base
#TOP 8

Chromalux Lumiram Full Spectrum Light Bulb

A21FR/3WAY
White
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Chromalux Lumiram Full Spectrum Light Bulb Cover
Chromalux Lumiram Full Spectrum 3 Way 50/100/150 Watts Frosted Light Bulb

This incandescent bulb is made in the United States and offers a 3-way option with 50/100/150 watt settings. The frosted bulb provides full spectrum lighting for a more natural and comfortable illumination. The product has a compact size of 5"L x 2.7"W x 2.7"H.

What We Like
3-way option for different levels of brightness
Full spectrum lighting for a more natural and comfortable illumination
Compact size for easy installation
#TOP 9

Chromalux 3 Way Light Bulb

A21CL/50
BULB
Chromalux 3 Way Light Bulb Cover
Chromalux Standard Clear 3 Way Light Bulb

The Chromalux 3 Way Bulb offers a unique lighting experience designed to enhance your well-being. Its natural balanced light mimics sunlight, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in your home. This bulb not only brightens your space but also helps you feel more relaxed and at ease. With the option to adjust brightness, you can tailor the light to suit your mood or activity, whether you’re reading, entertaining, or winding down for the day. Enjoy the benefits of healthful living with this versatile light bulb that promotes a positive environment.

What We Like
Natural balanced light
Promotes well-being
Adjustable brightness
Versatile for different activities
#TOP 10

Satco S7342 3-Way Spiral Bulb

Satco
S7342
Satco S7342 3-Way Spiral Bulb Cover
Satco S7342 12/20/26-Watt Medium Base 3-Way Spiral, 4100K, 120V, Equivalent to 30/70/100-Watt Incandescent Lamp

The Satco 3-Way Spiral Bulb is designed to provide versatile lighting options with its 12, 20, and 26-watt settings, allowing you to choose the brightness that best suits your needs. With an impressive lifespan of 10,000 hours, this bulb reduces the frequency of replacements, saving you time and money. The 4100K bright white light enhances visibility, making it ideal for workspaces or any area where clarity is essential. Its medium base makes installation simple and compatible with most fixtures, ensuring you can enjoy its benefits without hassle.

What We Like
Long lifespan of 10,000 hours
Three brightness settings
Bright white light
Easy installation
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are 3 way incandescent light bulbs banned?

Standard Incandescent Bulbs Now Banned For 3-Way Lamps and Globe-Shaped Bulbs. On the last day of President Barack Obama's U.S. presidency (January 19th 2017), the Energy Department under his administration outlawed additional types of standard incandescent bulbs.

2. Do 3 way light bulbs still exist?

Certain compact fluorescent lamp bulbs are designed to replace 3-way incandescent bulbs, and have an extra contact and circuitry to bring about similar light level. In recent years, LED three way bulbs have become available as well.

3. What light bulbs are 3 way?

With a three-way bulb in a three-way socket, those options are easy. Most often, this set up uses a bulb with a standard screw base (E26) and either 30/70/100 or 50/100/150 watts of power to produce the three levels of light.

4. How does a 3 way incandescent bulb work?

When you twist the switch on a three-way lamp, the first click illuminates a single filament. The next click deactivates the first and illuminates the second, this one with a somewhat higher wattage. The final, third click illuminates both filaments at once, giving you the brightest light.

Editor's Notes

During our 3-way incandescent bulb research, we found 24 3-way incandescent bulb products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 8,830 customer reviews through our big data system to write the 3-way incandescent bulbs list. We found that most customers choose 3-way incandescent bulbs with an average price of $18.04.

The 3-way incandescent bulbs are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of 3-way incandescent bulbs, including GE, Artist Unknown, Royal Designs, Inc., Lumiram, Satco. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 3,383 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

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.