Start with the bulb cap, the number of bulbs and the maximum wattage per bulb on the fitting's listing. Then check the bulb's shape and dimensions. Choose brightness by lumens and colour by kelvin. Finally, add the cost of every bulb to the price of the fitting.
Many decorative lights come without bulbs. That leaves you a choice of brightness, colour and dimming, but it also leaves another purchase to work out. Customers have told us that both bulb choice and bulb cost gave them pause. We would settle both before putting the light in the basket.
Which bulb cap does my light take?
The cap is the part that goes into the holder. Match the code on the fitting's listing to the code on the bulb. These are five common types.
| Cap | What it looks like | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| E14, small screw or SES | 14mm screw thread | Chandeliers, wall lights and smaller lamps |
| E27, large screw or ES | 27mm screw thread | Pendants, lanterns, floor and table lamps |
| B22, bayonet | Push and twist, with two side pins | Many UK ceiling pendants and lamps |
| G9 | Two small looped pins | Compact decorative fittings |
| GU10 | Two short pins, twist to lock | Downlights and spotlights |
Our guide to E14 vs E27 bulb fittings explains the two screw sizes. If the fitting has integrated LED, its light source is built in. Check whether any separate driver is required or included.
Can I use a 60W equivalent LED in a fitting rated 40W?
Usually, yes, provided the bulb meets the fitting's other requirements. The maximum wattage limits the power each bulb actually draws. A '60W equivalent' LED uses much less than 60W; read its actual wattage rather than the equivalent figure.
Keep within any separate LED limit stated by the maker. Some G9 fittings allow only 3W per bulb. A higher-wattage G9 may have the right cap and still exceed that limit.
Check the bulb's dimensions and whether it is suitable for an enclosed fitting where relevant. A bulb being LED does not remove those checks.
Does the bulb shape matter?
Yes. It affects both the fit and the appearance. Use the maker's specified bulb type first, then the photographs as a guide to the intended look. Check height and width before buying, particularly inside a small shade or enclosed glass.
- Candle bulbs are tall and narrow, often used on chandelier arms.
- Golf ball bulbs are shorter and rounder, useful where a candle would stand too high.
- GLS bulbs have the familiar pear shape. Globe bulbs are round and often form part of an exposed-bulb design.
The Endon Marietta 5 Light Pendant takes five E14 golf ball bulbs. Do not assume that every fitting in the same range takes the same bulb shape.
Our Golf Ball E14 LED Bulb 4W Warm White Dimmable is 73mm tall and gives 470 lumens, at a standard price of £5.95. The Candle E14 LED Bulb 4W Warm White Dimmable gives the same output but stands 100mm tall, at £8.69. Those extra 27mm matter under a shade.
We would choose clear filament bulbs where the bulb is visible through clear glass. A frosted bulb can soften the visible light source. Choose the look after checking that the bulb fits.
How bright should the bulbs be?
Lumens tell you how much light the bulb produces. Watts tell you how much power it uses. Compare lumens when comparing brightness.
| Bulb | Output | Standard price, checked 12 October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| E14 candle or golf ball, 4W | 470 lumens | £5.95 to £8.69 |
| Astro GU10, 4.1W, 2700K, dimmable | 500 lumens | £8.76 |
| GU10, 4.2W, warm white, non-dimmable | 450 lumens | £5.95 |
| E27 GLS, 12W, 3000K, dimmable | 1,521 lumens | £14.95 |
Five bulbs at 470 lumens produce 2,350 lumens before the fitting's shade or glass affects the light. Whether that is enough depends on the room, the light's distribution and the other lighting. Our living-room lumens guide helps you plan the whole room.
For a compatible E27 fitting that needs more output, the LED GLS E27 12W 3000K Dimmable Bulb gives 1,521 lumens. Check that the fitting allows a 12W LED and has room for the bulb.
If downlights leave a room dim, check their output, beam angle and positions before adding more. Brighter compatible bulbs, a different spread or lamps and wall lights may solve the problem. For planning positions, see our downlight guide.
Should I choose warm white or cool white?
We would start with warm white, 2700K to 3000K, in living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms. It suits the softer light most people want in the evening. A cooler white can suit a utility or work space where you prefer a crisper light.
Keep the bulbs in the same fitting at the same colour temperature. Across a room, a consistent colour temperature is the simplest starting point. Our warm white vs cool white guide explains the differences.
Do I need dimmable bulbs?
If the light is controlled by a conventional dimmer, buy bulbs labelled dimmable and check compatibility with that dimmer. A dimmable bulb alone does not guarantee smooth dimming.
A dimmable LED can normally run on an ordinary on and off switch. We would choose dimmable where you may want that option later, then compare the price and specification. Dimmable does not automatically mean more expensive.
If the light flickers, check the bulb and dimmer combination, the number of bulbs and the dimmer's permitted load. Our LED dimming guide explains the questions to put to your electrician.
Can I use smart bulbs?
Choose a bulb explicitly compatible with the app, hub or voice assistant you intend to use. Support for Alexa or Google does not by itself establish compatibility with Hive or a Hue Bridge. Check the stated system requirements before buying a whole set.
Smart bulbs normally need a full, constant power supply and dim through their own controls. Keep them off a conventional wall dimmer unless the maker explicitly permits that arrangement. Ask your electrician about changing the wall control if needed.
Also compare lumens. Smart control does not mean higher brightness. Our 5W tuneable-white E14 candle is 350 lumens at £36.89. Our 5W tuneable-white GU10 is 300 lumens at £38.89.
For a multi-arm chandelier, price the whole set before deciding that every bulb needs smart control. We would compare that cost with ordinary dimmable bulbs and a compatible dimmer.
How much will all the bulbs cost?
Multiply the standard price of a compatible bulb by the number the fitting needs. These are worked examples, before any applicable offer.
| Number and example bulb price | Standard bulb cost |
|---|---|
| 3 bulbs at £9.60 each | £28.80 |
| 5 E14 golf balls at £5.95 each | £29.75 |
| 16 E14 candles at £8.69 each | £139.04 |
The Marietta 5 pendant is £142.70. Its five golf ball bulbs would make the fitting and bulbs £172.45 at standard prices. At our 12 October check, its product-page offer showed the five bulbs at £26.80 with the fitting, making that combination £169.50.
Check the offer displayed for your chosen fitting and bulbs. The final price depends on the combination you buy. Add any delivery and installation costs separately when budgeting for the finished job.
The short version
- Match the bulb cap and the maker's specified bulb type.
- Check actual wattage, height and width, plus enclosure suitability where relevant.
- Compare brightness in lumens and colour temperature in kelvin.
- For a dimmer, check both the bulb and dimmer compatibility.
- For smart bulbs, check the stated system requirements and wall-control arrangement.
- Count every bulb and check the combined price before comparing fittings.
Browse our light bulbs, or shop by cap: E14, E27 and G9.
Common questions
Will LED bulbs work in a chandelier?
Usually, if they match the cap, the permitted wattage and the available space. Check whether the maker specifies a candle or another shape. For dimming, choose dimmable bulbs and a compatible dimmer. LEDs use less power than traditional bulbs, but still generate heat.
Will a dimmable bulb work without a dimmer?
A dimmable LED can normally work on an ordinary switch. A non-dimmable LED should not be used on a conventional dimmer. Follow the bulb maker's instructions.
Why does my light not come with bulbs?
Many decorative fittings are supplied without them. Check the listing before ordering and budget for the stated number. The bulb you choose affects the appearance, brightness and dimming of the finished light.
Can I choose the bulb from the product photograph?
Use the photograph to judge the intended appearance, then check the maker's specification and the bulb dimensions. A photograph cannot confirm wattage, fit or dimmer compatibility.
