Differential between 9005 and 19906 Vs. H11 - Can They be Interchangeable?

You need to be familiar with the available types when it comes time to replace your headlight bulbs. People are often confused about what the differences are between H11 and 9006 headlight bulbs. Can they all be interchangeable?

There are significant differences in the socket compatibility, the beam type and connectors of the H11, 9006 and 9005 bulbs. You might also find differences in the lifetime, wattage, and lumens of different brands. The 9006, H11 bulbs are low beam. The 9005 bulb is high-beam. 

This article will discuss each bulb in detail, highlighting the advantages and drawbacks. You will also learn which bulbs are interchangeable in your car.

9005 vs. 9006 vs. H11

1. Type Beam

Car headlights typically have two beam types, the high or low. These 9005 bulbs were designed for high-beam use. 

The H11 and 9006 bulbs, on the other hand are made for low beam headlights. Some cars have a dual-filament bulb which can handle both low beam and high beams. 

2. Wattage

It indicates how much light the bulb draws. It’s important that you only use a bulb that’s compatible with the wattage rating for your car.

The 9006 and 9005 bulbs have a single filament. However, the wattage may vary. The nominal filament for H11 bulbs is a 0.25 mm. Ideal bulbs will produce a lot of light. However, this can also mean more wattage. 

3. Lumens

Each type of bulb has its own lumen rating. This indicates how efficient the bulbs are. There are options available that can produce 1,000 lumens or 1200 lumens. A higher rating means that the bulb will produce more light. 

The average LED headlight will be rated between 2,000 and 4,000 lumens. It’s important that you don’t purchase headlights that are too bright. You might get scammed if the rating is higher than 10,000. 

The relationship between lumens and watts is also close. One-watt diodes can produce 130 lumens. If the bulb contains 16 diodes it will be rated as 16 watts and 2,080 lumens. 

4. The Lifespan

It’s important that your bulb lasts as long as possible otherwise you are simply throwing away money. The bulb type itself doesn’t affect the lifespan, so you will have to judge by the manufacturer.

Overall, halogen bulbs are the most durable. However, there are some that have a longer service life than the average. You can get the longest possible service life with LED bulbs. It’s possible to get bulbs rated for 30,000 hours or more. 

5. Connector

If you are planning on swapping out your bulbs, it’s important to know what connectors you are dealing with. Many people assume that the 9005 and 9006 bulbs are the same because they look so similar, but there’s an extra connector on the 9005 bulb compared with the 9006. You can however use the 9005 bulbs with the 9006 connectors if you make some adjustments. 

There are two types of connectors: the 9005 and H11 bulbs. It is however possible to attach a 9005 bulb to an H11 connector. 

Although the 9006 and H11 bulbs have different designs, they look much more alike than one another. You can also use 9006 bulbs with H11 connectors, just like the 9005 bulbs. 

6. Compatibility with Sockets

There’s also a difference in the compatibility of the sockets. You can’t use a bulb in a socket where it doesn’t belong. The socket base of the 9006 socket is bigger than the one in 9005. Although you can change the base of a socket 9006 to accommodate a bulb 9005, it is not possible to do the opposite. 

Also, the base of the H11 socket is wider than that of the 9005. While you can fit a 9005 in the H11 socket with modifications, it won’t work vice versa. You can fit the 9006 bulb in an H11 socket with no modifications. However, the H11 bulb won’t fit in the 9006 socket. They are intended to be used in H11 sockets. 

9005 Bulb Basics

A high-beam bulb, the 9005 bulb. This LED light bulb can illuminate large areas and provides superior lighting. The 9005 bulb can also be used to make fog lamps. 

The 9005 bulbs are generally used for highway use, while the LED types can last a longer time. It’s also quite directional, ensuring that the light beam goes right where you need it. This extra intensity may provide more power than other bulbs. You also have to be careful not to use it when there’s oncoming traffic because the beam can be blinding. 

9006 Basics of Bulbs

The low-beam headlight is the 9006. It looks like it has a similar socket design to the 9005, but it’s a different bulb. 9006 bulbs are designed to provide a low-beam light output, so they aren’t as bright as the 9005. 

The 9006 bulb should use less wattage that the 9005, and its longevity will depend on what model of light it is. The 9006 is a very popular bulb. There are many alternatives. Long-lasting LED bulbs can be found to suit almost all makes and models. A bulb can be purchased with low heat output to make it more efficient. However, the 9006 cannot be used as a fog lamp light; it’s only meant for low beams. 

Basics of H11 Bulbs

The H11 bulb contains an L-shaped design, so it’s much different from the 9005 and 9006 bulbs. The primary function of the H11 bulb is as a low-beam headlight. It can be used in certain applications as a foglight. 

LED H11 bulbs have an extremely long lifespan. The H11 bulb can produce a significant amount of heat, which is compared to other bulbs. 

Halogen vs. Xenon vs. LED

Halogen bulbs are the most widely used of them all. It’s been used as the standard for decades because of the low cost. It is made of tungsten filament and halogen gases. The design of these lights makes them hotter.

Xenon headlights with HID emit a more white beam than halogen bulbs. There are also electrodes inside the bulb that charge the gas, creating light. They are typically more durable than halogen bulbs. 

LED bulbs are gaining popularity. This bulb can emit the most white beam of any type of lightbulbs. This bulb has no filament, so it lasts longer than any other type. Some are rated to last for up to 50,000 hours.

RELATED: Xenon vs. LED vs. Halogen Headlights – What’s the Difference? 

Replacement Headlight Bulbs: Cost

The average cost of replacing headlights ranges between $10-150 depending on what type of bulb it is and the vehicle you drive. It is possible to replace your headlights yourself, which can help you save on labor. There are however some cars that can be more difficult to repair than others.