The best aftermarket headlights make an affordable alternative to the OE headlight assemblies when replacing damaged lights. It is also a cost-effective solution to headlights retrofit for individuals who want to make their vehicle custom and different. You may need to purchase and install headlights to replace the damaged ones or upgrade to your existing ones, and either cause should help boost your sight on the road.
However, choosing the best aftermarket headlights fit for your car's specifications can be a challenging process with plenty of available options in the market. Therefore, we have picked out for you the five best aftermarket headlights that will offer maximum value and performance with their pros and cons. This article has also included a detailed buying guide that will help you in making an informed decision.
1. Torchbeam LED Headlight Bulb Kit
Sale
Torchbeam T2 H11/H8/H9 9005/HB3 LED Bulbs combo Kit, 60W 16000 Lumens 400% Brightness, 6500K Cool...
- Improved 400% Visibility: Torchbeam 9005 H11 LED bulbs kit...
- Perfect Beam Pattern: Super focused beam pattern design, T2 LED...
- 5 Minutes Set Up: Non-polarity design enables T2 series LED bulbs...
- Over 50,000 Hours Lifespan: 12,000RPM shark fin fan offers 150%...
- Fit 99% Vehicles: Canbus ready, T2 9005 H11 LED bulbs combo are...
Torchbeam LED Headlights are one of the best aftermarket headlight assemblies, and they have 16000 lumens with a 6500K white color temperature. These LED lights are designed to extend vision, improve your visibility and offer more reaction time as they are brighter than stock halogen bulbs. In addition, these headlight styles feature a plug-and-play design, non-polarity, a modern sink technology, and a 10,000 RPM turbofan for maximum heat dissipation that also helps to keep your lights cool.
Torchbeam Headlight Bulb Kit is suitable because they won't blind other drivers thanks to their defined beam pattern, and these lights are also designed not to flicker. These great aftermarket headlights are bright enough that they see the road clearly and any hazards in the way and are very stable in all weather types so long as you adjust your headlight lenses to allow light to shine in the right spot and offer the best night vision. Even installing aftermarket headlights improves your night vision; these headlights seem to be a bit bulky and can be hard to fit some vehicles.
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2. AmeriLite Jet Black Projector Headlights
AmeriLite Jet Black Projector Headlights For 2009-2018 Dodge Ram 1500 2500 3500 Assembly w/LED Tube...
- [Fit For] - 09-18 Dodge RAM 1500, 10-18 RAM 2500/3500 ALL Models:...
- [Made in Taiwan] - Single Projector w/ LED Parking & Turn Signal...
- [DOT & SAE] - Meets or Exceeds all Regulation in the U.S. &...
- [New Aftermarket Parts & EZ to Install] - Completed both Left &...
- [Quality Assurance] - 30-Days Money Back Guarantee & 90 Days...
AmeriLite Jet Black headlights are from the AmiriLite Company, which is popular for its quality, innovation, and sturdiness and is a perfect choice for any aftermarket buyer looking for maximum reliability, durability, and high performance. Their range of products includes projector headlights, bumper lamps, HID bulbs, tail headlights, and even brake lights, and these headlights will improve your vehicle's look completely and give it a sleek design. In addition, the lights are compatible with the quad and dual factory halogen bulbs and have a UV and abrasive coating that will ensure you get a long life with protection against harmful sunlight.
AmeriLite Jet Black is the best aftermarket headlight assembly as it goes through some tests such as moisture test, dust test, salt test, humidity, and temperature test. These factory headlights feature an LED single projector with parking lights and turn signals that fit most vehicle models.
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3. HIKARI 2021 LED Bulbs Acme-X H11/H8/H9
Hikari 2022 HyperStar H11/H8/H9 20000LM Wireless LED Bulbs, 32W Acme-X LED Equivalent to 150W...
- 【HIKARI LED Upgrade Program】To provide the best lighting for...
- 【The PEAK of HIKARI】 These are the most cutting edge LED...
- 【Brightness/Beam Pattern/ Visibility】When it comes to driving...
- 【Designed for Night Driving】 If you’ve ever driven at night...
- 【1:1 Halogen Design】 Xenon-like white light will add a...
HIKARI 2021 Acme-X is a super-focused beam pattern that allows you to see oncoming vehicles farther and wider at night. They produce five times the white light surface and 12 times more flux efficiency that boosts night vision. These LED bulbs usually last up to 50000 hours, and with an advanced cooling design, they contribute to the bulb's lifespan and produce a xenon-like white light that helps in seeing ahead clearly.
HIKARI headlights also feature an Acme-X LED chip that gives a wide field view, and combined with the optics, LED, reflector, and housing design, they produce a pattern that boosts visibility by more than 300%. Additionally, the headlights have an adjustable 360 degrees beam pattern that ensures proper fitment and customization to your needs. Overall, the overall construction is of high quality and has quiet fans, but keep in mind that these fog headlights may be tight on some vehicles.
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4. DNA Motoring Headlights HL-OH-F1504-CH-AM Chrome Amber Headlights
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DNA MOTORING HL-OH-F1504-CH-AM Chrome Amber Headlights Replacement Compatible with 04-08 F-150/06-08...
- [*Fitment] - Compatible With 04-08 F-150 / 06-08 Mark LT
- [*Bulb Model] - H13 High / Low Beam (Bulbs Not Included)
- [Package Included] - 1 Pair of Headlights (Driver and Passenger...
- [Plug-n-Play Operation] - Direct Bolt-On OE Fitment or...
- [Note] - Professional Installer is Highly Recommended, No...
This DNA Motoring model is a complete set with both the passenger and driver's side housing, but it does not include the low beam bulbs. It features a plug-and-play operation and delivers a direct OE fit to your stock headlights, and even though it's a factory replacement, the headlights will upgrade your car style. Even though the DNA Motoring set does not include the high beam bulbs, you can easily use any compatible bulbs of your choice.
These DNA Motoring Headlights give a Chevy Silverado or any other vehicle a sleek look and are appropriate for all weather types. The set also comes with everything needed to replace your damaged or old headlights, and you will not need any other hardware; you will not need to drill or modify anything. However, this set does not include some bulbs in the package, and you will have to buy them for yourself, and you might require to install some halo rim wires in some cases.
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5. Sylvania XtraVision Halogen Headlight Bulbs
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SYLVANIA 9005 XtraVision Halogen Headlight Bulb, (Contains 2 Bulbs)
- See Sylvania’s Application Guide in the Technical Details below...
- More downroad performance than basic bulbs
- Increased downroad visibility with no added glare
- Proprietary filament design to increase performance and ensure...
- Manufactured by trusted OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)...
Sylvania XtraVision Halogen Headlight Bulbs give off a super bright light that is a perfect replacement for your OEM headlamps, and they offer better performance than the basic bulbs. In addition, these headlights enhance your down-road visibility and eliminate any glare to ensure you get a safe driving experience and are reliable, aesthetic, and economical.
Sylvania headlight assembly box lights are DOT-approved, meaning they are street legal and illuminate long distances perfectly while performing impressively well in foggy conditions. However, being halogen lights means that they are not bright enough for individuals who prefer LED headlights, and also their lifespan is limited compared to LED bulbs.
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Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Aftermarket Headlights
1. Service Life
Before you buy your new aftermarket headlight, it's best to research and inquire about its service life, and lights that have a high lifespan need less maintenance and repairs. A great service life when it comes to headlights will help you save money because you don't have to make replacements soon, reducing even the maintenance and repair costs. This generally ensures they are cost-effective. In addition, you will not have to worry about repurchasing others soon. You will also have peace of mind when you aren't worried about your lights going off unexpectedly.
2. Heat Production
Headlights usually provide some heat when they are in use, and high heat production might cause the filaments of your aftermarket headlights to blow within a short while. Also, to avoid replacing your bulbs often, consider purchasing a headlight that does not produce a lot of heat as these will prolong the life of your bulbs. Notably, LED headlights are preferred over halogen lights when it comes to heat production as they operate at a lower temperature.
3. Consumption
The aftermarket headlights light usually uses the car's battery, and therefore, before making your purchase, it's crucial to check your energy consumption as this will directly affect your car's battery. For example, if your choice of headlight consumes a lot of energy, it can result in your battery draining if the headlights are left on for a long period.
4. Quality of Light
The quality of light provided in your headlights depends on the voltage and wattage, and a headlight with a high voltage usually provides stable lighting. The wattage usually affects how much illumination a headlight gives, as the higher the wattage, the higher your headlight's illumination will be. Therefore, the right headlight will ensure you get the best quality and amount of light that you need while at the same time consuming less power.
5. Types of light bulbs
Choosing the right bulb type is important when driving at night or during harsh conditions, as you should have a super bright light that will make a reliable option for your car. Some of the main types include:
a). Halogen Bulb
These halogen headlights usually produce reasonable brightness, they are long-lasting, but they are less energy efficient. Nevertheless, these halogen bulbs are an improvement of the incandescent bulbs. Although there are five halogens, the only halogens used in halogen headlights are bromine and iodine. Notably, the performance of these halogen bulbs is usually highly affected by moisture.
b). Xenon Bulbs
These bulbs are more modern and brighter than the Halogen bulbs, and they also offer more durability and are also energy efficient.
c). LED Bulbs
These LED bulbs are the latest option in the market that use less power and produce bright lighting, and they offer high energy efficiency. These LED headlights usually have a high-performance diode with a metal blank that enables the aftermarket headlights to regulate heat better. An easy heat dissipation usually allows more current to flow through the diode freely, and this results in high output and can perform for 100,000 hours of continuous use.
6. Design and Style
Apart from illuminating your paths, the best aftermarket headlights can add some elegance to your vehicle making your car look more attractive and classy. Thanks to manufacturers becoming aware of what the customers are demanding, they produce aftermarket headlights to match your headlights' appearance, finish, and look. For example, chrome headlights can offer a more polished and sleek look to your car that will make you stand out, but if you want a more aggressive look, you should choose smoked headlights, and headlights with acrylic covers will achieve what you are looking for.
7. Ease of Installation
High-quality aftermarket headlights from the best aftermarket headlights brands are usually easy to install and can be installed within a few minutes. However, if aftermarket headlight assembly brands produce complicated installations, this makes their headlights more of a hectic job to you, and therefore, you should try to avoid them.
8. Lightweight
Bulky headlights are not the best option because they may weigh your vehicle down, and they may also cause more damage to your vehicle when you experience a situation that will impact your car. When looking to install aftermarket headlights, look for the lightest headlights you can get to ensure your car is protected from any impact damages and reduce unnecessary weight to your vehicle.
9. Water Resistance
If water enters the headlight, it can easily damage the headlights, which would compromise the operations of the headlights, and that's why a waterproof headlight is very important. Additionally, water droplets can accumulate in the headlights' housing, affecting how illuminating and visible your headlights will be during the bad weather if the lighting is highly required. Therefore, waterproof headlights come in handy and serve you for a long time as long as they don't get damaged with water, and they also offer better lighting. In addition, they are very cost-effective in the long run and help improve headlight housing quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it okay to purchase aftermarket headlight assembly brands over the web?
Yes, it is okay to purchase online but only from reliable sites or get them from the sellers from all the sites they sell from, like Amazon.
2. Are projector headlights legal, and how are they different from the Crystal headlight?
Yes, projector headlights are very legal as they are brighter than reflectors or many aftermarket headlights. When the projector headlights are properly installed, they hardly disturb any ongoing traffic, but these particular headlights should be installed at an angle that does not affect other drivers. When installed at the right angle, the projector headlights make the best headlights and very safe.
Crystal headlights are more popular than projector headlights. They offer a look similar to the OEM headlights look but ensure they are high-quality headlights as the low-quality ones can be a threat at night because they can be too reflective. Notable the projector headlights offer more visibility because of uniform beams, and they are also not too reflective.