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Confused when choosing between cool white light or neutral white light? Know the difference by checking our cool white vs neutral white comparison guide.
If you’ve shopped for LED lights before, then you’ve probably come across terms such as “cool white” or “neutral white” lights. These terms represent the color temperature of your bulb and would represent a very important aspect to look at when choosing LED bulbs.
That said, it’s important to know the differences between cool white vs neutral white, especially if you’re very particular with aesthetics. That’s exactly what we’ll be discussing in this guide.
What Is Color Temperature and Why It Matters?
For those who are new to the cool white neutral white difference, you might be asking yourselves what is this color temperature and why is it so important? Well, you can actually say that the color temperature signifies the “shade” of the light color. This is really important because the color temperature is that provides the mood of the place.
For instance, neutral white is used for showcasing paintings and such while cool light is used for when you want to emulate daylight for your interior. It will all depend on how you want your place to look. Since neutral white and cool white are the most common, you need to differentiate cool white vs neutral white to know when to use each.
Warm Light Vs. Cool Light
While we would normally differentiate cool white vs neutral white lights since they are two of the most common, it would be good if we also add a third shade to the list known as the warm light, so you’ll have a more complete understanding of color temperature.
This section will focus on differentiating cool white vs neutral white vs warm white starting with warm white lights.
As the name implies, this shade of white offers a warmer feel to it. This means that the hue is softer and mixes some elements of yellow and red to the white shade. The temperature of this light ranges from 2800 Kelvin to 3200 Kelvin.
The second temperature is known as the neutral white light, which is around 4000 Kelvin. This one mixes red with some shades of warm white along with cool blue. This one is more of a middle ground between warm white and cool white, which we’ll discuss below.
The last type is the cool white temperature which also happens to be the most glaring. This one has a very strong hint of blue to go along with the white shine. It has a temperature range of 5000 Kelvin to 6500 Kelvin. If you need very bright light, then this is the one that you’re looking for.
How to Choose the Right Color Temperature
Now that you know the three types of color temperatures, we can proceed on how to choose the right one for your needs. The best way to know whether you need warm white, cool white or neutral white led lights is to simply first look at the purpose.
Warm Lights
Warm white lights have a darker feel to it, making it easier on the eyes. That is why it is often used in living rooms and bedrooms. If you’re after a more relaxing type of feel, then the warm whites are the best options. Not only will you find warm whites in homes but also in hotels, fancy restaurants, and spas. Basically, this is for any place where you can feel cozy.
Neutral Lights
The next temperature would be the neutral white. This one is more geared toward accentuating many different colors. For that purpose, neutral lights are often used as lights in museums. Neutral lights can bring out the colors of paintings as well as the colors of the interior.
Neutral white is also used for interiors that have contemporary or modern style designs since these types of the interior make use of bold colors. So, in order to make these colors come to life, neutral lights are often used.
Cool Lights
The last type is the cool white type which, as mentioned above, replicates daylight. That said, it is the kind of light that you can use when you do tasks or routines that require daylight. That is why this type of light is ideal for offices, hospitals, or cafes.
They are also used in some homes wherein one works a lot. Not only is this type of light great for illumination, but it is also great as a mood enhancer since it’s very bright. Basically, it is the ideal light to have in places wherein encouragement of productivity is needed.
Want to install LED strip lights in your room? Read our LED Strip Lights guide first!
Conclusion
To recap, the type of light that you’ll choose (warm white vs cool white vs neutral white) depends on the type of purpose you have in mind for the place. Once you determine the purpose, all you have to do is know how the light will fit in place.
Since cool white and neutral white lights are actually more common, you may just have to choose between cool white vs neutral white. If both don’t suit your purpose and place, then warm white it is.
It’s quite simple, right?
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