Best Hikari LED headlights review

(Last Updated On: March 14, 2024)

Hikari LED headlights offer great value for your money, typically priced around $50. Besides being cost-effective, these headlights also deliver a considerably brighter illumination, usually 50 -70 percent more intense than conventional LEDs. In addition, they offer an expansive driving view, aiding in covering more distance during your evening travels.

A lot of LED headlights do not come close to what Hikari offers. The company is famed for producing high-quality products with a long life span at reasonable prices. The extremely bright and clean white light from these LED Headlights comes from the unique design Hikari offers. The LED lighting company was founded in 1927 in Japan. It has since become synonymous with the automotive industry. 

We will look at the best Hikari LED headlights you can buy in the market today. This group of LEDs is the best for longevity, value for money, brightness, and wide viewing angles. They also feature special functions that you will not get in other brands. 

Best Hikari LED headlights: Comparison chart 

Best Hikari LED headlights review

1. Hikari UltraFocus 9005/HB3/9145 LED bulbs

The Hikari UltraFocus 9005/HB3/9145 LED bulbs come in various shapes and sizes that cost between $80 and $90. The available vehicle bulb sizes include the H1, H4, H7, H11, H13, HB3, HB4, 9007, 9004, and 9012. The size availability is similar to out other three Hikari bulbs mentioned in this list. 

You will get a focused beam design with the Hikari UltraFocus, which creates a uniform beam pattern that eliminates any dark spots or shadows. The ultra-high-quality LEDs can emit 18000 lumens which translates to 2,530 max lux at a whopping 23 feet. It is rated at 32 Watts Prime ZES LED, equal to 120 Watts of regular LED headlights. 

The advanced cooling system can maintain the lifespan of the bulb up to 50,000 hours without any issues. The system comes with a rating of 15,000 RPM and consists of a heat sink combined with cooling copper plates. 

Like most Hikari LED headlights, the UltraFocus 9005/HB3/9145 LED features a 360-degree adjustable bulb header. The header consists of lock rings that can be adjusted to achieve the best lighting condition on the road. 

At a price range of $80 to $90, the Hikari UltraFocus is one of the most premium bulb options in the market today. They are worth the money since they offer a bright light from a focused beam. The long lifespan is great, and the ease of installation makes them a no-brainer for those who want a dependable and quick fix. 

Read more: 9003 vs. H4: The similarities and differences

2. Hikari VisionPlus H7 LED Bulbs

The Hikari VisionPlus also named the TOP XHP50.2, has a 30 Watts rating equivalent to 100 Watts on regular LED bulbs. These 15,000 LM bulbs feature an IP68 waterproof rating that ensures they are always kept from water damage or fluid leakages of most kinds. 

You will notice that the Hikari VisionPlus is compatible with 95% of vehicles. Search ‘automobile bulb look-up’ on the internet if you are not sure which bulb size is compatible with your vehicle. Remember that some European car models need a decoder that will prevent flickering and avoid getting an error message on your dashboard. 

The flawless beam pattern on the VisionPlus is a wide beam pattern that minimizes dark spots and provides 150% more brightness than regular LEDs. The double-layer copper plate cooling system ensures that the high brightness temperatures do not shorten the bulb’s lifespan. 

Hikari VisionPlus – TOP XHP50.2 also features built-in CANBUs that ensure compatibility with more vehicles. Moreover, this prevents flickering and radio interference using electromagnetic shielding material. The device also features easy to install modules that require you to plug and play. 

VisionPlus is one of the highly-rated LED headlights by customers worldwide. It has a wide range of vehicle compatibility and comes with a waterproof rating that will lengthen its life. VisionPlus is the perfect product for those looking for a wider beam and noiseless cooling system.

Read more: Low beam vs. High beam: When should I use them?

3. Hikari 2022 HyperStar H11/H8/H9

HyperStar H11/H8/H9 from Hikari features a 20,000 Lumen bulb that offers up to %100 extra night vision. The 32 Watts Acme-X LED rating is equivalent to 150 W ordinary LED making it one of the brightest bulbs on the market.

Like other Hikari bulbs, the HyperStar has a long lifespan of 50,000 hours, but its longevity will depend on the use case and how well you install it. And about installation, the bulbs are easy to mount with their plug-and-play feature as well as a halogen conversion kit.

The advanced cooling system is designed to be 1:1 with OEM designs, featuring 15,000 RPM Dual turbofans that are not noisy. The bulb is rated 600% brighter than the traditional halogen bulbs and offers a no glare and no dark spot advantage.

The IP68 waterproof rating ensures you never have to worry about water damage. CANBUS is built-in for wider vehicle compatibility.

The Hikari HyperStar is a long-lasting bulb that will last you up to 50,000 hours. The wider driving vision will give you more clarity at night, and the IP68 waterproof rating is perfect for water damage prevention.

4. Hikari H4/9003 LED Bulbs – Thunder

Hikari H4/9003, also known as Thunder, is the basic version of the Hikari LED headlights. The Thunder basic version is rated at just 12,000 LM, making it the least bright on our list. Despite that, it has a 30 Watts Thunder CSP LED rating that is equal to 80 Watts of regular LED.

Hikari Thunder is compatible with many vehicles and comes in various sizes, including H1, H4, H7, H11, H13, 9005, 9006, 9007, 9004, and 9012. Built-in CANbus ensures there are no flicker issues or any radio interferences.

The bulb has an advanced cooling system of high quality to the point of passing 300 degrees Fahrenheit in the 7-day high-temperature test. It does not drain your battery but still provides a flawless beam pattern for sharp lighting.

For a budget-friendly option, pick the Hikari Thunder. It provides you with a long-lasting set that will withstand water damage with its IP67 rating. Moreover, you get to have a product featuring Japan’s new CSP LED technology.

Hikari LED headlights buying guide 

Below are the features and aspects of LED lights that you will need to consider before purchasing any set. 

Brand

The most reputable brands in the LED headlight industry include Hikari headlights, Auxbeam, LASFIT, Cougar Motor LED, Beamtech, Fahren, and SEALIGHT. There are other reliable brands, but sticking to these will give you overall better performance and a longer lifespan. 

Reputable brands ensure you get a sizable warranty as well as a product that will not fail easily. You also get the opportunity to have ease of assembly and get replacements. The convenience that comes with big reputable companies will help you maintain your vehicle’s headlights for years to come.  

Type of headlights

Halogen headlights were the first in the market but have been replaced with LED headlights. You can still find halogen headlights, but they are traditional and unreliable compared to LED. Moreover, LED headlights are 200% brighter than halogen light bulbs. Other LED bulb types include Xenon/HID and Laser headlights. For this article, we will focus on LED headlights from Hikari since they are our best picks for Hikari’s catalog. 

Read more: Halogen vs. HID vs. LED: Never upgrade your headlight before reading this guide

Price

A fair price is something you should keep an eye on. However, features like better visibility, a great cooling mechanism, and a reputable brand headlight have to go hand in hand with the pricing lest you get a cheap and unreliable item. A Hikari LED headlight that costs between $50 and $1000 and comes with 6000K and a waterproof rating is a better deal than $30 without any outstanding features.

Read more: 5000K Vs. 6000K Vs. 8000K: Which bulb suits you best?

Installation and compatibility

Some LED headlights come with a preassembled unit that is easy to install since you have to plug it into the headlight compartment. However, some may feature a basement that will require at least basic car customization knowledge to work well. This is hard for those who haven’t done a similar project. Therefore, prioritize ease of installation when purchasing an LED bulb. 

Ensure the LED headlight you are purchasing is compatible with your vehicle model. Socket fittings differ from vehicle to vehicle. Ensure you see if you will need conversion kits and other standard fitting kits for your vehicle. 

Lumens

Higher lumens equate to higher brightness. You will not have to worry about the brightness when you buy Hikari LEDs, but you may want to get one brighter than the rest. The best lumen rating for Led headlights is from 6000-10000 lumens. The low-intensity headlights are from 6000 to 6,400 lumens, followed by the 8000 lumens medium intensity and the 10,000 lumens high-intensity headlights. 

Lifespan

The sweet spot for a durable LED headlight set is about 30000 hours to 50000 hours. 

Recommendation

Hikari H4 Thunder is the best pick for those looking to get a budget-friendly Hikari LED bulb. All of the bulbs in our list feature some form of waterproof rating, so you won’t have to worry about that with any of them. 

Hikari 2022 HyperStar H11/H8/H9 – 2022 Acme-X is the best pick for those who want the brightness of the bunch with a 20,000 Lumen rating. The advanced option also features a better cooling system than the basic version (Hikari Thunder) which speaks to its longevity. 

Hikari UltraFocus is the best overall option since it comes at an affordable price but still carries impressive features. These features include the waterproof rate of IP68, an advanced cooling system, 50000 hours lifespan, an 18000 LM rating, and wider vehicle compatibility. 

Read more: Best Fahren LED headlights review