5 Places Rechargeable Light Bulbs Won’t Disappoint You

If you’re contemplating using rechargeable light bulbs, then I know you have a lighting situation that’s dimming your spirit a little.

Maybe a lot.

If it was a hassle-free, inexpensive fix, and your best friend’s sister’s cousin is an electrician, then you would have already shone a light on your dark corner.

Same.

Or maybe you are renting and there’s no way your landlord is going to spring for more outlets and hardwired lights. Gives new meaning to the Dark Ages.

Been there too. Couldn’t see a thing.

Rechargeable light bulbs are not going to solve all of your life problems. Disappointing, I know.

However, they have been improving in recent years, so I thought I’d give them another try because sometimes it feels like we are living in the late 1700s, which is when our house was built. Electricity in homes was not a thing in the late 1700s.

To be perfectly frank, I’m happy we have the outlets and lights we do have. That’s a small miracle.

But our lighting situation could be better.

Here’s what I’ve learned about rechargeable light bulbs and how to not be disappointed by them.

First, lower your expectations. Hahaha! That works for many things in life.

But seriously, you’ll be a lot happier if you don’t expect these light bulbs to perform like a traditional light bulb.

Remember, you’re only even contemplating these rechargeable light bulbs because a traditional light bulb is not an option for you.

Where is the best place to use rechargeable light bulbs?

In a nice-to-have, not need-to-have area.

You cannot rely on rechargeable light bulbs to be your main source of light. If you do, you will be sorely disappointed.

The longevity and brightness of these bulbs have improved, but if you’re a “leave the lights on all the time” person, you’ll be disappointed that you have to charge them all the time.

How do rechargeable light bulbs turn off and on?

Our rechargeable light bulbs screw into any light fixture, but they don’t turn off and on via a light switch.

You can touch the power button on the side of the rechargeable light bulb to turn it on. However, I find the remote control that comes with the light bulbs to be the easiest way to turn them off and on.

The remote also controls the color of the light (daylight, cool, warm), dimness, and the timer.

I only have our rechargeable light bulbs screwed into fixtures that aren’t plugged into an outlet or hardwired. For those hardwired lights, I use traditional light bulbs as Thomas Edison intended.

How long do the light bulbs last and how long does it take to charge them?

I can’t speak for all rechargeable light bulbs. The ones we have take roughly 4 hours to recharge using a USB-C cord.

The manufacturer says they will last for up to 20 hours but that has to be on the dimmest setting. I’m probably getting 5 to 6 hours of light out of ours before they need to recharge.

5 to 6 hours doesn’t seem like much. Why is it worth it to me?

I’m only using these rechargeable light bulbs in nice-to-have areas to provide supplemental light for short periods of time. That’s key!

For instance, I have the rechargeable light bulbs in the wall sconces in our dining room. These sconces are not connected to electricity. We use these lights only while we are eating dinner, so for 20 – 30 minutes per night. That means I have to charge the light bulbs every 10 days or so.

A ten-night stretch of better lighting at dinner is huge for me. Now my kids can actually see what they are complaining about! Ha!

If I had to charge the light bulbs in the dining room sconces every day, I’d be annoyed. Since it is only every 10 days and especially since I have a USB-C charging cord for other devices nearby in our kitchen, it’s not that big of a deal to me.

Everyone has their pain threshold when it comes to charging devices. That’s really the best way to think of these light bulbs, as devices, not as bulbs.

Where can you use rechargeable light bulbs that won’t be a disappointment?

Think of all the instances when you need a light for a shorter burst of time.

In a task or reading lamp
In a closet
During a power outage
While camping
In an attic storage area

If you don’t have a lamp or light fixture to screw the light bulb into, most rechargeable light bulbs come with a hanging hook.

Rechargeable light bulbs won’t work for most people, but they are a bright idea for those of us who have tricky lighting situations that aren’t going to be solved by an electrician anytime soon.

I’m also optimistic that future versions of these light bulbs will continue to improve as technology and battery capacity improves.

How’s your home lighting situation? Do you need a rechargeable light bulb in your house? I’d love to know. You can always comment on this blog post, email us here, or reach out via Instagram or Facebook.

Hope you have a bright and happy day!

P.S. These are the rechargeable light bulbs we purchased. They came in a 4-pack.