What are the differences between halogen and xenon headlights?

[McGriffin]

The differences between halogen and xenon headlights are: 1. Different light intensity: Halogen headlights output 1200 lumens; xenon headlights output 4500 lumens. 2. Different durability: The service life of halogen headlights is 500 hours; the service life of xenon headlights is up to 30,000 hours or more. 3. Different lighting effects: Halogen headlights provide uniform light; xenon headlights have relatively concentrated light with darker sides. 4. Different illumination distances: Halogen headlights have an illumination distance of 4.4 meters; xenon headlights have an illumination distance of 5.2 meters. The working principle of halogen headlights is: Halogen gas such as iodine or bromine is injected into the bulb, and the tungsten filament sublimated at high temperature chemically reacts with the halogen. The cooled tungsten will re-solidify on the tungsten filament, forming a balanced cycle to prevent premature breakage of the tungsten filament.

[LeChloe]

Halogen lights are the traditional type of bulbs, simple in structure, cheap, and easy to replace—you can do it yourself. I used them in my old car; the yellowish light has decent penetration in rainy or foggy conditions, but the brightness is really lacking. Driving on the highway at night can be quite straining on the eyes. Xenon lights are much more advanced, requiring a ballast to operate. They start up slower but shine as bright as daylight, with longer reach and better energy efficiency. However, modifying your car with xenon lights requires attention to regulations, as improper modifications might fail the annual inspection. In terms of lifespan, xenon lights are also more durable, so you won’t need to frequently visit the repair shop to replace bulbs.

[MariaFitz]

I often encounter this issue when repairing cars. Simply put, halogen lights rely on tungsten filaments to emit light, generate significant heat, and are prone to burning out, so replacing them every six months is not uncommon. Xenon lights are different; they produce light through gas discharge, requiring a few seconds to warm up when starting. However, once lit, their color temperature is close to daylight, providing significantly clearer visibility. However, factory-installed xenon lights come with lenses, while aftermarket low-quality ones can cause glare and harm others. Nowadays, LED lights are popular, but cost and regulations keep many people still using these two. Maintenance is crucial: avoid touching the glass of halogen lights with bare hands, as oil residue can cause premature failure.

[CarlosRose]

Last year, I researched while helping my younger brother choose car lights. The biggest advantage of halogen lights is their affordability, costing just a few dozen yuan to get the job done, and their yellow light is safer in rainy or foggy conditions. The downside is that they consume more electricity and generate heat—enough to fry an egg in the engine bay if left on for too long. Xenon lights double the brightness and are more energy-efficient, saving money on fuel in the long run. However, the entire system is expensive, and repairs can be costly if it breaks down. With stricter annual inspections now, upgrading a base-model car requires checking whether the wiring can handle the voltage.

[Val]

Those who drive a lot at night know the difference is striking in real-world conditions. Halogen lights are like old flashlights—dim and power-hungry, forcing you to widen your eyes on highways. Xenon lights beam icy-white brightness, revealing road details clearly, especially helpful on winding mountain roads. But in rainy weather, their glare can reflect off mist, making some xenon setups painfully dazzling. From a maintenance perspective, halogen bulbs have universal sockets for easy swaps, while xenon ballasts have notable failure rates—I’ve seen fellow drivers wait a week for parts.