Soft White vs Warm White: Which Light Bulb is Best for You?

Soft white and warm white bulbs are two of the most common types of light bulbs that you can choose for your home. So what’s the difference between soft white vs warm white light bulbs? And how do you know which one is better for which rooms and uses? What is the difference between soft white vs warm white? In this guide, we explain the differences between these types of soft white vs warm white bulbs plus how to choose the best option for you.

Soft White vs. Warm White Bulbs: Brief Overview

Soft white light bulbs vs warm white are both general-purpose lighting options, suitable for a variety of applications. Soft white vs warm white light bulbs differ mainly in terms of light color, brightness, ambiance, energy efficiency, and available LED options.

What is a soft white light bulb?

A soft white bulb produces a warm, but bright, neutral light. The light is also warmer which makes for a more traditional and homelike environment. These types of bulbs are also useful for the bathroom, as well as for bedroom, living room, and hallway lighting.

What is a warm white light bulb?

Warm white bulbs generate a reddish-yellow halo that is warmer (lower color temperature) compared to soft white light bulbs. They provide decorative and intimate lighting which is suitable for any place where mood makes a difference such as dining rooms and restaurants.

Soft White vs. Warm White: What's the Difference?

Though warm light vs soft white bulbs is both technically considered general-purpose lighting, there are some differences between what makes soft white lighting and explains the difference in both types. Given that, here are some key differences between warm white and soft white.

Color Temperature

Color temperature describes the warmth or coolness of the light. Soft white bulbs are approximately 3000K and warm white bulbs approximate 2700K; warm white light bulbs have a lower color temperature, producing a warmer and more intimate yellow lighting.

As a comparison of available light, old-style light bulbs are typically 2700K this is lower on the scale of brightness and is warmer. Natural daylight is cooler, typically around 5000K to 6500K.

Brightness

Overall, soft white bulbs produce brighter (lumens) light energy at lower wattages than comparable warm white bulbs. For instance, a regular 60W soft white bulb has an output of around 800 lumens. Almost 750 m of lumens is the glow of a 60W warm white lamp, 60 W warm white lamp is really too weak.

So, if you need to brightly light a workspace, soft white is better. In terms of ambiance and less concerned about brightness level, warm white works well.

Ambiance

Since soft white LED bulbs emit crisp, bright light, they create an invigorating vibe perfect for working, reading, or concentrating. The sharp cool light keeps you focused.

Warm white glows with a yellowish tint reminiscent of old fashioned Edison-style bulbs. This makes them ideal for relaxing environments where ambiance trumps task lighting. Think cozy living rooms, dining spaces and bedrooms.

Energy Efficiency

Given the above notes on brightness, it follows that at equal wattage, soft white light bulbs tend to be slightly more energy efficient than comparable warm white bulbs. The extra luminosity comes from more lumens per watt. However, most modern bulbs have to meet federal minimum efficiency standards. So the exact technology behind the bulb makes a bigger difference.

This brings us to the fact that LED bulbs are available in both soft white and warm white. Since LEDs use a fraction of the energy of incandescents, they make the most eco-friendly choice by far. We’ll compare LED vs. other options later on.

LED Options

LED light bulbs are available in both soft white and warm white. Since LED bulbs last much longer and use less energy, they make a smart choice over traditional incandescent options. Just note that LED soft/warm white bulbs come in a range of color temperatures and brightnesses.

Warm White vs. Soft White: Where to Use

The soft white vs warm white light bulbs can be used across multiple settings like offices, living rooms, kitchens, etc. However, the best use of these bulbs is based on the place. Here are some guidelines on the best applications for soft white light bulbs vs warm white bulbs:

Where to use warm white light bulbs

Warm white light enhances the coziness and ambiance which is why they work well in the above rooms. The inviting glow encourages relaxation.

• Living rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining rooms
• Restaurants
• Entryways
• SPA and wellness areas

Where to use soft white light bulbs

Soft white bulbs are a better match for work areas or rooms where bright, neutral light is preferred. The whiter tone has an energizing effect suited for tasks and chores.

• Offices
• Laundry rooms
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Workshops & garages
• Hallways & staircases

Warm vs. Soft White: How to Choose between Them?

Here are some tips on deciding between warm white vs soft white bulbs:

• Consider the primary use of the room. Soft white works well for kitchens, bathrooms, and work areas that need lots of light. A warm white ambiance is preferred for cozy spaces like dining rooms.
• Take color temperature into account. Warm white 2700K bulbs provide a cozier effect. Soft white 3000K bulbs give brighter, cooler light.
• Think about room size. For large open concept rooms, soft white throws light further reducing shadows. For contained smaller rooms, warm white adds ambiance.
• Combine warm & soft white. Use warm white for main ceiling lights to create ambiance. Add soft white task lighting as needed.
• Evaluate personal preference. Do you prefer relaxing vs. energizing effects? Cooler vs. warmer tones? This helps determine personal tastes.
• Assess LED options if upgrading from traditional bulbs. Both warm white and soft white LED lights are available to save energy.

Warm White vs. Soft White Bulbs: Which is Better for Security Cameras?

When installing security cameras, warm white floodlight bulbs are the better option to provide more natural light. Soft white bulbs tend to produce glare and overexposure issues on cameras. The crisper cool light blows out images. Warm white 3000K floodlights enhance color accuracy and contrast optimizing surveillance footage. For example, some of the Reolink full color night vision cameras use 3000K light when there is no natural light around.

FAQs

Is soft white the same as warm white?

No, soft white and warm white bulbs are not the same. As covered in this article, they produce different color light temperatures resulting in distinct effects. Warm white lighting is more yellow at 2700K while soft white lighting is a bright, neutral white around 3000K.

Which is better warm white or soft white?

There is no universally “better” option. Warm white and soft white bulbs both have their advantages and preferred uses. Warm white is recommended where ambiance is key like living rooms. Soft white is better for task areas like offices. It comes down to matching the bulb with the intended use and mood you want to achieve.

What are the disadvantages of warm white lights?

The biggest drawback of warm white lighting is the yellow tone can go dingy in large applications. Warm white bulbs are also less bright and energy efficient than similar soft white bulbs. LED warm white may also be less available and more expensive than soft white.

Conclusion

If you’re shopping for light bulbs, determine whether warm white vs soft white bulbs are right for your space. It may depend on how you’ll use the room, the mood you’re looking to create, color temperature preferences, and brightness needs. Warm white lighting creates a cozy atmosphere suitable for unwinding. Soft white bulbs eliminate that and illuminate a brighter, more neutral light suited to tasks.

Explore your lighting goals room by room to choose the soft white or warm white bulbs to meet your needs. Each gets their job done and it’s really just a matter of finding the right bulbs for the areas you want to light up.