Best Medium Base Incandescent Bulbs of 2026

Howard Chester Avatar
Howard Chester
Last Updated: Jan 23, 2026

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Medium base incandescent bulbs are a popular choice for many households due to their affordability and versatility. These bulbs come in a variety of wattages and sizes, making them suitable for a range of lighting needs, from soft ambient lighting to bright task lighting. They are also compatible with most fixtures, making them a convenient option for those looking to replace their current bulbs. While they may not be as energy-efficient as other types of bulbs, medium base incandescent bulbs still offer a warm and inviting glow that many homeowners appreciate.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Satco S8525 40W A15 Incandescent Bulbs Cover #TOP 1
Satco S8525 40W A15 Incandescent Bulbs
ftb score rating icon 9.8
SYLVANIA 25W A19 Dimmable Bulbs Cover #TOP 2
SYLVANIA 25W A19 Dimmable Bulbs
ftb score rating icon 9.7
DORESshop Vintage Edison Light Bulbs Cover #TOP 3
DORESshop Vintage Edison Light Bulbs
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 8 Medium Base Incandescent Bulbs

Satco S8525 40W A15 Incandescent Bulbs

Satco
08525
Satco S8525 40W A15 Incandescent Bulbs Cover
Satco S8525 40 watt A15 Incandescent; Frosted; 2500 Average Rated Hours; 280 lumens; Medium Base; 130 Volts; 4 Bulbs

The Satco A15 Incandescent Bulbs provide a warm white glow with a color temperature of 2,700K, making them perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere in your home. With an average lifespan of 2,500 hours, these bulbs ensure you won't have to replace them frequently, saving you time and effort. Each bulb emits 280 lumens, offering ample brightness for various settings, from living rooms to bedrooms. Additionally, with a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 100, these bulbs enhance the true colors of your decor, allowing you to enjoy your space to the fullest.

What We Like
warm, gentle light
compatible with dimmer switches
reduces eye strain
fits standard sockets
good for appliances

SYLVANIA 25W A19 Dimmable Bulbs

10562
Soft White
2 Count (Pack of 1)
SYLVANIA 25W A19 Dimmable Bulbs Cover
LEDVANCE Sylvania Incandescent Light Bulb, 25W A19, Dimmable, Medium Base, 160 Lumens, 2850K, Soft White - 2 Pack (10562)

The SYLVANIA Dimmable Light Bulbs come in a convenient 2-pack and are designed for easy installation with their medium base. Each bulb lasts about 2,500 hours, ensuring you enjoy long-lasting illumination in your home. You’ll appreciate the low energy cost, estimated at just $3.01 per year, which helps save on your electricity bills. Plus, with full dimmability, you can easily adjust the lighting to create the perfect atmosphere for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy evening or a bright, lively gathering.

What We Like
Warm, soothing light
Ideal for reading and relaxation
Natural color temperature
Compatible with dimmers
Preferred over LEDs

DORESshop Vintage Edison Light Bulbs

DWS001RW40E26-4-2700K/ST19-5
2700k Amber White
4 Count (Pack of 1)
DORESshop Vintage Edison Light Bulbs Cover
DORESshop Edison Bulbs, Vintage Edison Light Bulbs 40 Watt, T45, 110-130 Volts, E26/E27 Base Incandescent Dimmable Decorative Antique Filament Light Bulbs, Amber Glass, Warm White, 4 Pack

DORESshop Vintage Edison Light Bulbs are designed to provide warm, soft glow with a vintage-inspired appearance. The bulbs are available in a 4 pack and have a power of 40 watts with a voltage of 120v. They are designed to be durable, dimmer compatible and do not flicker. The bulbs have a lifespan of 3000 hours and come with an amber colored glass cover to perfectly match modern furniture.

What We Like
warm amber glow
vintage aesthetic
works with dimmers
high quality packaging
soft, calming light

BULBMASTER R40 Red Heat Lamp Outdoor Bulbs 2 Pack

Heat Lamp
White/Red
BULBMASTER R40 Red Heat Lamp Outdoor Bulbs 2 Pack Cover
BULBMASTER 250 Watts R40 Red Heat Lamps Outdoor Bulbs for Pets Flood Light Bulb for Chickens Infrared Reflector 250W R40 Incandescent Medium E26 Base 2 Pack

BULBMASTER R40 Red Heat Lamps are 250 Watts, 120 Volts, and have an infrared light medium E26 base. These lamps are versatile and can be used in various settings like showers, food service, beauty salons, and chicken coops. The lamp provides radiant heat that keeps your pets and livestock warm, making it ideal for baby chicks, dogs, cats, and other pets. They are weatherproof and have a lifespan of 6000 Average Rated Hours, which reduces the need for frequent bulb replacements.

What We Like
Effective heating performance
Reliable freeze prevention
Fits standard lamp sockets
Quick heat-up time
Good customer service

SYLVANIA Incandescent Globe Light Bulb, 40W, G25 - 3 Pack

15345
Warm White
3 Count (Pack of 1)
SYLVANIA Incandescent Globe Light Bulb, 40W, G25 - 3 Pack Cover
Sylvania Incandescent Double Life Décor Globe Light Bulb, 40W, G25, Medium Base, 265 Lumens, Frosted, 2850K, Soft White - 3 Pack (15345)

SYLVANIA Incandescent Double Life Décor Globe Light Bulb is a pack of 3, 40-watt medium base bulbs with a lifetime of 3,000 hours. It produces a soft white brightness of 265 lumens and has a color temperature of 2850K. Ideal for placement in bathrooms, entryways, family rooms, and floor lamps. It has an estimated energy cost of only Dollar-4.82 a year.

What We Like
Long-lasting performance
Well-packaged delivery
Good value for price
Reliable brand choice
Perfect for vintage fixtures
#TOP 6

Jslinter 6-Pack Edison Light Bulb

FY-A161807
6 Count (Pack of 1)
Jslinter 6-Pack Edison Light Bulb Cover
Jslinter 6-Pack Edison Light Bulb 60 Watt, Dimmable A19 Antique Vintage Old Fashioned E26 Incandescent Light Bulbs, Amber Warm White

Jslinter Vintage Edison Bulbs are the perfect choice for adding a timeless charm to your house. With their squirrel cage style filament and amber glass, these A19 bulbs create a classic atmosphere and provide a warm glow, making them fantastic for decorative lighting. They are designed in an Edison vintage style appearance, suitable for both home and commercial decoration. Whether you want to use them indoors or outdoors, in chandeliers, pendant lighting, or wall sconces, these bulbs will create a warm and intimate lighting ambiance. Each pack includes 6 bulbs that are well protected during transit. With a long lifespan of 3500 hours, these bulbs effectively reduce the frequency of changing light bulbs, providing you with top-quality vintage lighting.

What We Like
Soothing warm amber light
Classic Edison style look
Reduces eye strain
Smooth dimming performance
Consistent color temperature

SYLVANIA Spot-Gro 60W Grow Light Bulb

12280
2850k Soft White
60 Watts
SYLVANIA Spot-Gro 60W Grow Light Bulb Cover
Sylvania Incandescent Spot-GRO 60W Grow Light Bulb, A19, Dimmable, 705 Lumens, Frosted, 2850K, Soft White - 1 Pack (12280)

Introducing the SYLVANIA Spot-Gro Grow Light, the perfect solution to promote indoor plant growth all year round. With the right spectrum of light, these bulbs highlight the beauty of your indoor plants and encourage growth. They are designed to fit most standard lamps with a medium base, making them versatile and perfect for your indoor garden, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. These bulbs are also built to last up to 1,000 hours, have a high-quality color rendering index (CRI), and come with a 30-day warranty. With the SYLVANIA Spot-Gro Grow Light, you can give your plants the nourishment they need, even when they have limited access to sunlight.

What We Like
Warm, natural color temperature
Compatible with dimmer switches
Full spectrum lighting
Ideal for plant growth
No flicker, easy on eyes

MMBGJKG 40W Incandescent Light Bulbs

qwewwedf214
White
MMBGJKG 40W Incandescent Light Bulbs Cover
60W Incandescent Torpedo Tip Chandelier - 60W Equivalent Medium E26 Candelabra, TipIncandescent Clear Dimmable Light Bulbs and Medium E26 Base-ge Light Bulbs 60 watt(6PACK)

The MMBGJKG Incandescent Bulbs are versatile 40-watt bulbs that provide a clear finish, making them perfect for brightening up both small and large spaces. With a warm light temperature of 2700K and a high color rendering index, these bulbs create a cozy atmosphere ideal for relaxation or work. Their standard E26/E27 base and compact size make installation a breeze. Plus, with a lifespan of over 2000 hours, you can enjoy long-lasting illumination for more than 1.8 years with regular use. These bulbs are also dimmable, allowing you to customize the brightness to fit your mood.

What We Like
Warm white light
Easy installation
Long lifespan
Dimmable feature
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a medium base bulb?

Medium or Standard: E26 (26 mm in diameter) is the size of the majority of light bulbs used in the United States.

2. What is E26 medium incandescent bulb?

E26 is also commonly referred to as a Medium Edison Screw (MES). An E26 bulb, therefore, is any bulb or lamp that utilizes the E26 cap or base for mounting and electrical contact. You can most instantly recognize an E26 bulb by looking at the bottom, or non-light emitting side of the bulb.

3. What is the standard incandescent light bulb base?

The most common bulb base in the US is the screw medium E26 base. It is used in most incandescent, nostalgic, LED, CFL and halogen light bulbs. The Candelabra E12 base is the second most common bulb base which is used for smaller decorative incandescent/nostalgic bulbs. The intermediate E17 base is not very common.

4. Is medium base bulb the same as A19?

"E" refers to "Edison," which is the type of "screw in" style base people in the United States are most familiar with. 26 refers to 26 mm across. (This is also called a "medium" base.) So the light bulb that most of us have used in our homes here in the States is an A19 bulb with an E26 base.

Editor's Notes

During our medium base incandescent bulb research, we found 24 medium base incandescent bulb products and shortlisted 8 quality products. We collected and analyzed 95,954 customer reviews through our big data system to write the medium base incandescent bulbs list. We found that most customers choose medium base incandescent bulbs with an average price of $7.58.

The medium base incandescent bulbs are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of medium base incandescent bulbs, including Satco, LEDVANCE, DORESshop, BULBMASTER, Jslinter. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 247 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.