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Headlights can yellow and fog as they age, and a headlight bulb replacement or even a headlight restoration kit will fix a headlight that has seen the sun for several years. The only way to fix this issue is to get new headlight assemblies, and that’s a good time to consider halo headlights. Introduced by BMW, they were quickly pulled into the aftermarket realm. As with other headlights bulbs, however, the halo headlights market can be tough to wade through. We took a look at dozens of options to find the best ones for you.
Best Halo Headlights Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Aukmak LED Halo Ring Angel Eyes
Best Value
Vouke LED Headlight
Best Design
Sunpie Colorful Rotating Halo LED Headlights
Best Fog Light Combo
LX-Light Jeep LED Headlights
Best Smartphone-Controlled
Sunpie Halo LED Headlights
How We Selected Halo Headlights
We took a look at a few dozen products for our list here. Prioritizing DOT certification, effective nighttime illumination, and a reasonably high-quality plug-and-play headlight were top concerns. A secondary consideration was the style of the RBG halo as aesthetics. We avoided products with no DOT certification, no illuminated halos, and products with subpar headlight brightness.
Our product selections, rankings, and awards for this story are based on research. While we haven’t conducted real-world testing on all of these products yet, we’ve looked at consumer testimonials and data, tutorials, and general discussions on social media and in forums. We also consider price and specification in the context of the segment. And, of course, we rely on our institutional knowledge of the automotive landscape to weed out weak products.
Buying Guide/What to Look for
Headlights are one of the most commonly modified but most important parts of a car in terms of safety and nighttime driving. For halo headlights, most full assemblies come with extra-bright LED-specific projectors for the actual headlight, while an array of LED diodes will illuminate the halos for a unique light signature at night. Whether you want a color-changing RGB halo, a switchback halo with white and amber, or a halo headlight that will grab the attention of everyone at the car meet, you still need to see at night, and these halo headlights provide superior night vision for any compatible vehicle.
What to Consider When Buying Halo Headlights
Types
RGB
RGB halo headlights are simply halo headlights that can change color on the red, green, and blue spectrum. These lights are designed with trios of LEDs in those colors that can blend together to form thousands of hues depending on the product. For most RGB halos, there are predetermined colors on a smartphone app or physical remote, and some will offer a limitless color wheel on a smartphone app. A few even offer a music functionality that allows the LEDs to pulse in time with music. Your choice here depends highly on your desire to personalize and change the look of your vehicle over time.
Amber Switchback
These are the most common form of halo headlight without a color-changing function. They offer a simple white LED halo ring with another set of amber LEDs on the same board that can be wired to the turn signals of a vehicle, providing another set of ultra bright LEDs for maximum visibility. A primary concern with normal white halos is the arrangement of the LEDs and how well diffused the light is. Some lights will come with ugly individual LEDs while higher-quality lights will make them look smooth and uniform.
RGB Rotating
Similar to the RGB color changing headlights from before, these have the ability to control individual LEDs within the halo for even more control over colors. Better yet, these lights can use this control to produce movement and visual effects, further elevating the aesthetics of a car. This is the most extreme version of an RGB halo headlight, and it is for those who enjoy maximum customization of their cars and striking visual effects at night.
Key Features
Brightness
At the end of the day, you still have to use these aesthetically pleasing headlights for nighttime illumination. Be wary of products with less than 3000 lumens of brightness. You want between 3200 and 3600 lumens for a low-beam headlight. The halos themselves don’t increase the light’s power.
Lifespan
Because of the amount of LEDs in every halo headlight, lifespan is a major feature of any halo headlight. Up to 20 individual LEDs can live in some LED halo headlights, so the longer the lifespan, the more likely the halos will last without annoyingly dead LEDs causing a dark spot in the halo.
The best LEDs are rated to 50,000 hours, but a normal variance between 30,000 and 50,000 hours is perfectly acceptable.
Warranty
Finally, warranty is something that should be considered. Even if the LEDs are rated to a 50,000-hour lifespan, mistakes can happen, and faulty lights can be sold to unsuspecting consumers. If a light supplier offers a warranty of at least one year, you can rest a little easier. Warranty is a strong indicator of quality on most products in general.
Tips and Tricks
To help you bridge the information gap regarding halo headlights, here’s a selection of what we’ve learned along the way.
- Make sure the headlights you buy are compatible with your vehicle. Although some headlights are universal, it is important to check your manufacturer’s manual just to be sure you are buying the right fit.
- When aligning your headlights, make sure they are pointing slightly downwards to prevent blinding other motorists.
- Since laws regarding headlights vary from state to state, ensure the headlamps you purchase comply with the regulations in your area to avoid trouble with the authorities.
FAQs
Q: Are aftermarket headlights legal for the road?
The aftermarket offers many options that include DOT-approved headlights and non-DOT headlights, which are recommended for non-headlight use such as fog lights or turn signals. Make sure to look at your local laws for guidance if a non-DOT halo headlight is legal for your local roads.
Q: Can I install aftermarket headlights on my own?
Yes, it is possible to install headlights at home if you are armed with some simple tools. Some headlamps that are difficult to install, however. In such cases, you need to consult a professional.
Q: Is brighter always better?
Not necessarily. It’s important to consider the kind of headlights you are purchasing and look at the design of the projector or reflector. Generally, a larger more round projector will throw light farther than a smaller one, and the design varies from each halo headlight.
Final Thoughts
We chose the Aukmak LED Headlights as our best pick overall. They’re the best balance of features and usability while being at a competitive price.
Those of us on a budget should check out the Vouke halo headlights. They offer a similar amount of practical performance while dropping frills like RGB.