4000k Vs. 5000k LED Lights Which Is Better?

The color temperature of our lights at home is always based on our personal preferences. And sometimes, when we find it hard to explain our thoughts well, our interior designers come in with their recommendations, especially when we are having trouble comparing 4000k vs.

5000k LED lights. These days, most of our lights are LED, and we often find ourselves wondering what color temperature to choose.

5 Lighting Vocabulary Words to Familiarize With

4k vs 5k light

Before we dig deeper into which color temperature to choose between 4000k vs. 5000k LED lights, let us first familiarize ourselves with these five lighting vocabulary words.

What is Color Temperature?

The color temperature is used to measure or identify the outcome of the lighting color that is emitted by a particular light bulb. It will be easier to determine if you remember that the higher the Kelvin value of a specific bulb of light, the whiter the color of the emitted light.

Moreover, color temperature is used to describe whether the light source is in its warm tone or cool tone. The higher the value in Kelvin measurement, the cooler the color temperature it is, then the opposite goes for the warm color temperature having a lower Kelvin value.

Cool color temperature is often used for task lighting because you can visibly see what you are doing.

On the other hand, warm color temperature is often used to set the mood of interior space. Moreover, warm light also helps complement the color appearance of your clothes and skin tone.

Take a look at the table below identifying the typical color temperatures that are always used:

CATEGORY

KELVIN

 DESCRIPTION

WARM WHITE

2700K

● Often used for living rooms, dining area, and bedrooms

● Usual color of the brightness of light is in golden-yellow

● The mood it gives of is often mellow and soothing

SOFT WHITE

 3000K

● The most neutral color temperature that is why it is also often preferred by the end-users

● Has a welcoming and cozy feeling

● Slightly whiter in color compared to warm white

● Often used in the kitchen and living , and vanity areas

BRIGHT WHITE or NEUTRAL BRIGHT LIGHT

4000K

● This color temperature is frequently used for working office spaces

● It is in between the hue and tone of Soft White and Cool White

● Golden yet Bluish

● Pure white or fresh white in color

COOL WHITE

5000K

● This color temperature is commonly used for basement areas and workshops

● Almost white that is why it is so bright and fresh

● Has a tint of blue in the brightness it emits

● Recommended for task areas to allow you to finish all your job and be productive

DAYLIGHT

6500K

● Crisp and energetic ambiance

● Recommended to use for game room, gyms, as well as garage areas, and other commercial spaces

● Mimics natural daylight

● Has a blue-white brightness color

● Also recommended for task lighting such as book reading, fixing machines, cars, or any appliances, and at the same time applying make up as the daylight allows you to see every detail

The Kelvin is the unit of measurement for the color temperature of a particular light bulb– the thermodynamic temperature. In addition to this, it is often used to specify the appropriate color temperature of a particular lighting fixture in every area.

What is Kelvin?

However, keep in mind that the value of Kelvin will not equate to the heat that a particular light bulb releases. Hence, it is far different from the definition of both degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit.

What is the Color Rendering Index?

Sometimes, people mistake the Color Rendering Index, also known as CRI, to be similar to color temperature. However, CRI and Color Temperature are two different lighting terms.

Color Rendering Index is the term used to know the value or measurement of the authentic color appearance when the light strikes an actual material.

Always keep in mind that the higher the value of CRI, the better because it would mean that the closer and the more accurate render of color you will see using that specific light source.

What is Lumens?

The lumen is a term used to measure the brightness of the light bulb–hence, the meaning of the word lumens is “light”.

The higher the lumens value, the brighter and the better the luminosity is. Lumens is the standard brightness measurement term for LED bulbs and other integrated lamps.

What is Wattage?

Wattage is a standard measurement of electrical power consumption consistently identified in watts.

On the other hand, small appliances and devices are usually measured in watts simply because they only consume less energy, while larger appliances and devices are calculated in Kilowatts.

Comparing 4000K vs. 5000K LED Lights

4000k vs 5000k

Sometimes, people get confused with color temperatures, especially if there is only a slight difference.

However, with 4000 Kelvin and 5000 Kelvin color temperatures, you can notice a considerable difference only if you stare at them for a long while.

The 4000 Kelvin color temperature is bright white that somehow resembles natural daylight, while the 5000 Kelvin color temperature is a cool white that is so white and vibrant and has a partial tint of blue.

You cannot compare which emits the brightest light between them if they both have the same lumens value.

Despite the differences in the hue of the emitted light, they will evenly illuminate an area having the same lumens. You can only see the difference in their brightness if these two color temperatures have different lumens values.

Take a look at the table below for a summarized yet a detailed comparison between 4000 Kelvin and 5000 Kelvin color temperature:

Color Temperature

4000K LED Light

 5000K LED Light

Areas

● Garage

● Office Workstations

● Schools

● Main and Lift Lobbies

● Jewelry Stores

● Kitchens

● Retail Establishments

● Bathrooms

● Basements

● Study Areas

● Security

● Outdoor Lighting

● Hospitals

● Factories

● Workshops

Appearance

● Bright White or natural daylight

● Cool White

Feeling and Mood

● Lively

● Alertness

● Alert

● Creative

Lighting Color

● Almost pure white in color

● Resembles natural daylight

● Neutral

● Has a faint tint of Blue

● Blue-White Hue

International Color Temperature Code Cheat-Sheet

There is another way to specify color temperature where you combine color rendering index and color temperature to form a code.

This code is easy to understand, and you can adapt to it quickly because all you need to know is that the first digit describes the value of color rendition. In contrast, the last two digits indicate the color temperature value.

Take a look at the table below to understand it better:

COLOR RENDERING INDEX

1ST DIGIT CODE1ST DIGIT CODE

COLOR TEMPERATURE

LAST TWO DIGITS CODE

SAMPLE FINAL CODE

90 to 100 RA

9

 2700K

27

927

80 to 89 RA

8

 3000K

30

830

70 to 79 RA

7

 4000K

40

740

60 to 69 RA

6

 5000K

50

650

50 to 59 RA

5

 65000K

65

565

Now that we have compared 4000k vs. 5000k led lights, may you check and balance their pros and cons before you finally decide on which to prefer.

4 Things to Consider When Choosing Color Temperature of LED Lights

how many lumens is 5000k

But, you can also consider these factors when choosing the perfect color temperature that can go along well with the overall interior design of your space.

Consider the color finish of your floor, walls, and ceilings

Cool color temperature compliments well with paint finishes that are in cool tones. The same goes for warm color temperature with warm tones.

Warm tones compliments warm color temperature

To get the best experience for the whole ambiance of your interior space, furniture and furnishings that are in wood finishes and warm tones match well with warm white color temperature.

Consider the overall interior style of the space

There are specific interior styles where warm white color temperature is the best option to bring out the best ambiance.

LED warm whites are almost always recommended for traditional, transitional, and classic interior styles because it achieves the same feeling candlelight and an old-school incandescent lamp can give.

Cool color temperature for a modern and sleek design

Cool color temperature is the most recommended to achieve a sleek, modern, minimalist, and clean design.

However, there are some areas with exceptions, such as the bedroom, as it needs to have a color temperature that will give off an ambiance that can make the end-user sleep and relax.

5 LED Lights Features to Consider Prior Purchasing

5000k lumens

Ensure that before you buy LED Lights, you have done your part to do research and consider your preferences and needs for you to utilize the LED light you will purchase because you will be able to get the most out of your purchase:

Consider Dimming Properties

The dimming feature depends on the preference of the buyer. Though, ensure that you still have the accurate lighting scheme and at the same time have a compatible circuit when you use dimmable lighting fixtures.

Consider the Brightness

The value of lumens indicates the brightness of the LED lights. Ensure that you purchase light bulbs to maximize their brilliance without using much energy.

Consider the Power Capability

Ensure that you choose LED lights that will not require you a lot of clearance and, instead, will help you decrease your power consumption. When selecting the power, you can consider your wants, goals, and needs.

Consider the Shape

LED lights have various shapes and sizes, which will most likely affect the angle of the beam and the spread of the light.

Check if it has a warranty

Make sure that you purchase LED light bulbs that have a warranty so that in case you experience some technical problems, even if you have not yet used it for a long time since you purchased it, you can have it fixed or replaced from where you bought it.

Summary

Now that we have compared 4000k vs. 5000k led lights, may you check your preferences before you finally decide on which color temperature to purchase and install in your room. After all, color temperatures still vary depending on the end-user.

But if you feel undecided, it is always better to ask interior designers and architects for their recommendations.

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