Both daylight and soft white LEDs lighten up an area but show many differences. The major soft white vs daylight LED difference lies in the light they emit. Where the soft white LED emits a yellowish-white light, daylight LED emits more of whitish or bluish-white light.
Let’s take a closer look at soft white vs daylight light bulbs here:
| Light emitted | Soft white LED emits a yellowish-white light while daylight does not |
| Tone | Soft white LED has a warm tone while daylight has a cool tone |
| Temperature | Soft white LED has a lower temperature range than daylight LED |
| Usage | Soft white LED is used at places requiring lesser light unlike daylight LEDs |
Table of Contents
What is a Soft White LED?
A soft white LED mimics the light of old-era incandescent lights and has warm light tones.
What is a Daylight LED?
A daylight LED mimics the natural sunlight and has cool light tones.
Soft White vs Daylight LED Pros and Cons
Soft White LED Pros and Cons
Pros of Soft White LEDs
- Their warmer tones create a feeling of coziness and homeliness.
- These LEDs can be used to set a specific mood in a room.
Cons of Soft White LEDs
- They are not suitable for reading.
- They cannot emit strong light.
Daylight LED Pros and Cons
Pros of Daylight LEDs
- They are capable of mimicking sunlight.
- Their cool tones create a feeling of an active environment.
- They are suitable for reading purposes.
Cons of Daylight LEDs
- They can be too bright for setting a mood in a room.
- They are considered harsh for homes.
Softlight vs Daylight Examples
Examples of Soft White LED
- An LED emitting yellow light.
- An LED emitting yellowish-white light.
Examples of Daylight LED
- An LED emitting white light.
- An LED emitting bluish-white light.
Bringing Out The Similarities Between Daylight and Soft White LEDs
- Both soft white and daylight LEDs do not possess filament.
- Both these LEDs are power savers.
5 Key Differences Between Daylight and Soft White LEDs
The soft white light bulb vs daylight LED difference is highlighted here:
| Basis | Soft White LED | Daylight LED |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Soft White LED | Daylight LED |
| Description | Soft white LEDs mimic the light of old-era incandescent lights. | Daylight LEDs mimic the natural sunlight. |
| Temperature | It has a low color temperature ranging between 2700 to 3000 Kelvin. | It has a high color temperature ranging between 5500 to 6500 Kelvin. |
| Hue | These LEDs emit light of a yellowish-white hue. | These LEDs emit light of a bluish-white hue. |
| Tones | These LEDs have warm tones. | These LEDs have cool tones. |
| Ideal use | They are perfect for areas that need a cozy mood setup like the living area, dining room, or bedroom. | They are perfect for areas that need a lot of natural light like kitchens, study rooms, or offices. |
Comparison Chart
Comparison Video
Daylight Bulbs vs. Soft White Bulbs FAQs
What is the Difference between Soft White and Daylight LED Bulbs?
Soft white LED bulbs are in the yellow color range and daylight LED bulbs are in the blue color range. The latter emits more light than the former.
Are Daylight LEDs Brighter than Soft White?
Yes, daylight LED is brighter than soft white as it has a higher temperature range in Kelvins. The brightness and the temperature in Kelvin are directly proportional to each other.
Which Light Bulbs are Brighter: Daylight or Soft White?
Daylight bulbs are brighter with a higher Kelvin temperature range. They mimic the sunlight.
What is the Difference between LED Soft White and LED Daylight?
LED soft white are the yellowish-white warm bulbs and LED daylight is the bluish-white cool bulbs. The former has a lower temperature range than the latter.
Is Soft White or Daylight more Yellow?
Soft white is more yellow as they replicate the old-style incandescent bulbs for a warmer feel. Daylight LEDs, on the other hand, are more blue instead of yellow.
What is Better: Soft White or Daylight?
Daylight bulbs vs. soft white bulbs fall into different spectrums of the Planckian locus. Thus, they are both good when used for specific purposes.
- Soft white light bulbs are better for places demanding cozy vibes and the lesser light.
- Daylight LED bulbs are better for places demanding liveliness or where active work needs to be performed.
Where should you Use Daylight Bulbs?
Daylight bulbs are ideal when natural sunlight needs are to be met. Thus, they should be used in commercial places, offices, display cases, signage, garages, study rooms, kitchens, and dark areas like basements since these areas require brighter light.
Can you Mix Soft White and Daylight?
Yes, daylight or soft white can be mixed to serve different purposes. For instance, for display cases, soft white bulbs can be used at corners to create a warm effect and the item at the display can be highlighted with a spotlight with a daylight bulb.
Are LED Daylight Bulbs Bad for your Eyes?
Yes, LED daylight bulbs have been reported to cause irreparable damage to the eyes even in a short span. Corneal damage and cataract have been cited as common side effects.
Should I use Daylight Bulbs in the Bathroom?
If clarity is the goal, a daylight bulb is the best option in the bathroom. But in case, a warm feel and ambiance are preferred, use a soft white bulb.
Conclusion
The major daylight vs soft white LED difference can be seen in the light emitted by them. The soft white LEDs emit more of a yellowish-white light whereas daylight LEDs emit white or bluish-white lights. Soft white LEDs mimic the light of old-era incandescent lights. On the other hand, daylight LEDs mimic natural sunlight. When considering soft white vs. daylight vs bright white LEDs, daylight is the brightest of all. It has a color temperature ranging between 5500 to 6500 Kelvin. The soft white LED, on the contrary, has a low color temperature ranging between 2700 to 3000 Kelvin.
