LED Filament Bulb Buying Guide for Importers

1. CRI: The Number That Defines Your Product Tier

Color Rendering Index (CRI) measures how accurately a light source renders colors compared to natural daylight. For LED filament bulbs, this is one of the most important specifications — and one of the most commonly fudged by suppliers.

CRI Rating	Quality Level	Where It's Used	Price Premium vs CRI 80
80–89	Budget	Utility lighting, bulk replacement, price-sensitive markets	Baseline
90+	Standard	General residential, most retail channels, Amazon mid-tier	+15–25%
95+	Premium	Hospitality, high-end residential, designer retail, restaurants	+30–45%
97+	Top-tier	Luxury hotels, art galleries, premium retail displays	+50–70%

Our recommendation: If your market is price-sensitive (discount retailers, online price-war categories), CRI 90+ is sufficient. If your market cares about ambiance — restaurants, hotels, interior design projects — go CRI 95+. The price gap between 90 and 95 is small at factory level ($0.10–$0.20 per bulb), but the perceived value to your customer is significant.

2. Dimming: The #1 Source of Customer Complaints

Cheap dimmable LED bulbs are the most returned product in the lighting category on Amazon. The issue is always the driver circuit, not the LED filaments themselves. See our dedicated dimmable bulb page for the technical deep-dive, but here's the buying decision:

• If you sell to consumers directly (Amazon, retail): invest in good dimming. One bad review about buzzing/flickering can kill a listing.
• If you sell to contractors/electricians: dimming compatibility is non-negotiable. They install, they leave, they don't come back — unless the bulbs buzz.
• If you sell non-dimmable bulbs for commercial/utility use: ignore dimming entirely. Save $0.15–$0.30 per bulb on the driver.

3. Certification: What Your Market Actually Requires

Market	Required Certifications	Notes
USA / Canada	UL or ETL (safety), FCC (EMI)	UL preferred by retail chains. ETL accepted by Amazon. Verify file numbers at UL Product iQ.
European Union	CE + RoHS	CE is self-declared. RoHS requires third-party testing for lead/mercury content. Some EU importers also want ENEC.
UK	UKCA (replaced CE post-Brexit)	Transition period ongoing. Check current UK requirements with your buyer.
Australia / NZ	SAA or RCM	RCM includes both safety and EMC requirements. SAA is the older mark — many buyers still ask for it.
Saudi Arabia / Gulf	SASO or G-Mark	Certificate of Conformity required for customs clearance. Arrange before shipment.

4. Color Temperature: Which Kelvin Sells Where

• 1800K (Ultra-Warm / Antique Candlelight) — Mimics the original Edison carbon-filament glow — very deep amber, almost orange. Niche but premium. Popular in heritage restorations, speakeasy bars, high-end boutique hotels. The most "authentic" vintage look available.
• 2200K (Amber / Candle Glow) — Very warm, deep amber tone. Popular in boutique bars, heritage buildings, and the "extreme vintage" aesthetic trend. Strong in the hospitality segment.
• 2700K (Warm White) — The standard for residential LED filament bulbs worldwide. 85%+ of the market. This is the CCT you stock if you only stock one.
• 3000K (Soft White) — Slightly cooler, cleaner white. Popular in kitchens, bathrooms, and commercial spaces. Growing share in North America.
• 4000K+ (Cool White / Daylight) — Garages, utility rooms, offices. Not typically sold in filament (decorative) form, but some markets want it.

5. Glass Finish: Clear, Frosted, Amber, or Smoked

Glass finish affects both the look of the bulb when it's on and when it's off. In exposed-socket fixtures, the "off" appearance matters as much as the "on" appearance.

• Clear — Filaments fully visible. Bright and crisp. Works in any fixture. The safest choice.
• Frosted — Softens the filament structure, reduces glare. Popular for bedside lamps and fixtures at eye level.
• Amber — Tinted warm orange. On: deep warm glow. Off: rich amber glass that looks deliberate in exposed sockets. Strong in the hospitality segment.
• Smoked Grey — Dark glass. On: dramatic, moody light. Off: sleek dark glass that disappears in dark-fixture interiors. Industrial and modern aesthetic.

6. Bulb Shape: Which Shapes Serve Which Applications

Shape	Application	Base	Your Customer
A19	Table lamps, floor lamps, ceiling fans, wall sconces	E26/E27	General residential. The "does everything" bulb.
ST19	Exposed-socket pendants, bar lighting, restaurant fixtures	E26/E27	Hospitality, interior designers, the "vintage Edison" look.
G25	Bathroom vanity strips, mirror-mounted bars	E26	Bathroom fixture brands, hotels, salons.
G16.5	Small vanity bars, compact pendant clusters	E12	Fixture manufacturers, decorative lighting.
B11	Chandeliers, wall sconces	E12	Residential, hospitality, decorative fixture replacement.
BA11	Upscale chandeliers, decorative wall sconces	E12	High-end residential, boutique hotels, heritage restorations.