If you've bought a clear-glass pendant light or a wall light with a visible bulb, the bulb itself becomes part of the design. Get it right and the fitting reads as considered; get it wrong and it looks unfinished. Edison bulbs — vintage-style filament bulbs with intricate visible filaments — are the right choice for almost any exposed-bulb fitting.
What is an Edison bulb?
An Edison bulb is a clear or amber-tinted bulb where the filament inside is visible and visually distinctive. The design references Thomas Edison's original incandescent bulbs from the 1880s, but modern Edison bulbs are LED — they use a coiled LED filament that mimics the glow of the original tungsten filaments without the heat or short lifespan.
Three things distinguish an Edison bulb from a standard bulb:
- The filament is decorative — coiled into intricate patterns inside the bulb
- The glass is clear or amber-tinted — the bulb itself is meant to be seen
- The light is very warm — typically 2200-2400K, warmer than standard 2700K
When to use an Edison bulb
Edison bulbs only make sense when the bulb is visible. Use them for:
- Clear-glass pendants and wall lights
- Open-cage or skeleton-frame fittings
- Bare-bulb pendants on a long cord
- Industrial-style lighting
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Don't use Edison bulbs in fittings with frosted or opaque shades — the visible filament is wasted. Use a standard frosted bulb instead.
Edison bulb shapes
The shape of the bulb matters as much as the filament pattern inside. The main shapes you'll see in UK shops:
ST64 / ST21 — the classic "tube" shape
The most iconic Edison shape. Oblong, slightly tapered, named for its 64mm diameter. The most versatile shape — works in most pendant and wall light fittings.
G80 / G95 / G125 — the "globe" shape
Spherical bulbs, sized by diameter (80mm, 95mm, 125mm). G125 is the dramatic statement bulb — large, round, very visible. Best for tall ceiling pendants where the bulb hangs in clear sight.
T45 / T30 — the "tube" or "torpedo" shape
Thinner and longer than ST64. Suits multi-pendant clusters where you want a more elegant profile. Also called "tubular" or "torpedo."
A60 — the "standard" Edison shape
The standard pear-shaped bulb but with an exposed filament instead of frosted glass. Most affordable Edison shape, but visually least distinctive.
BR / R / PAR — the "spot" shape
Edison-style spots and reflectors are rare and usually look wrong. Don't use these for Edison-style fittings; use them for directional task lighting instead.
Filament patterns
Inside the bulb, the LED "filament" is shaped into patterns. The main ones:
- Spiral / squirrel cage — the most-recognised vintage filament. Long thin filament coiled into a spiral inside the bulb
- Straight filaments (4 or 8 lines) — vertical bars of light inside the bulb. Cleaner and more modern than spirals
- Cage / radial — filament arranged in a starburst pattern. Most decorative
- Curved / loop — single curved filament. Minimal, more contemporary
For most considered Scandi-Japandi homes, the straight or curved filaments read better than spirals — they're more architectural and less "industrial chic."
Wattage and brightness
Edison LED bulbs typically range from 4W to 8W (equivalent to 30-60W traditional incandescent). The wattage you want depends on the fitting:
- Single pendant over a dining table: 6-8W. Dim if possible.
- Pendant cluster (3 bulbs over a kitchen island): 4-6W each. They add up.
- Wall light beside a bed: 4-6W. Lower for ambient warmth.
- Bare-bulb pendant in a high ceiling: 6-8W.
If in doubt, choose lower wattage. Edison bulbs are about visible warmth, not bright illumination. You can always layer more lighting around them.
Colour temperature
Edison bulbs run warmer than standard bulbs:
- 2200K — very warm, almost candle-coloured. Best for atmospheric evening lighting
- 2400K — warm white, slightly more useful than 2200K
- 2700K — standard "warm white." More functional than atmospheric
For pure mood lighting, 2200K. For dining tables, 2400K. For task areas with exposed bulbs (rare), 2700K.
Bulb fitting
Most Edison bulbs in the UK use the E27 (large screw) or B22 (bayonet) fitting. E27 is more common globally; B22 is the traditional British fitting.
Check your fitting before buying — most modern UK pendant lights are E27, but older fittings may be B22. Bulbs are available in both.
Some smaller decorative fittings use E14 (small screw / SES). Verify the fitting size in the product specification.
Dimming Edison bulbs
Standard LED Edison bulbs are NOT dimmable. If you want dimming, look for explicitly "dimmable" Edison LED bulbs and pair with a compatible LED dimmer switch.
Dimming an Edison bulb is the magic move — at 30% brightness, the warm filament glow is at its most beautiful. Worth the small extra cost.
Lifespan and replacement
Modern Edison LED bulbs last 15,000-25,000 hours. At 3 hours per day average use, that's 13-22 years before replacement. The vintage incandescent versions lasted 1,000 hours — a meaningful change.
If you buy a high-quality dimmable Edison LED, you should not need to think about replacing it for over a decade.
Where to buy Edison bulbs
Stick to specialist lighting brands rather than supermarket budget bulbs. Common UK brands worth knowing:
- Plumen — premium designer LED Edison bulbs. Expensive but excellent.
- Calex — reliable Dutch brand. Good quality at mid-range price.
- Tala — British brand, high-end LED filament bulbs.
- Megaman — good standard-Edison range.
Budget supermarket Edison LEDs often have visible flicker at low brightness, poor colour rendering, and uneven filament glow. Worth spending £10-15 per bulb rather than £4.
Common mistakes
Using Edison bulbs in fittings with frosted shades
Wasted. The point of an Edison bulb is the visible filament. If the shade hides it, use a standard frosted bulb instead.
Choosing too-cool a colour temperature
3000K+ Edison bulbs look weirdly clinical. Stick to 2200-2700K range.
Overlit Edison clusters
Three 8W Edison bulbs over a kitchen island is too bright. Drop to 4-6W each, or use a dimmer.
Cheap Edison bulbs with visible flicker
Bargain-bin Edison bulbs often flicker visibly at low dimmer settings. Spend slightly more for a quality bulb.
Using Edison bulbs as primary task lighting
Edison bulbs are atmosphere lighting. Don't expect them to light a kitchen counter well enough to chop vegetables. Layer with proper task lighting (under-cabinet LEDs, downlights).
Common questions
What's the difference between an Edison bulb and a vintage bulb?
"Edison" specifically refers to the bulb's reference to Thomas Edison's incandescent designs. "Vintage" is broader — covers all old-style bulbs including round ball shapes and globe shapes.
Are Edison LED bulbs as warm as the original incandescent?
Quality LED Edison bulbs at 2200-2400K are visually indistinguishable from the original incandescent versions. Cheap ones are not.
Can I use Edison bulbs in a bedroom?
Yes — particularly in a hanging pendant or bedside wall light with clear glass. 2200K dimmable Edison LED is one of the most flattering bedroom lights.
How much do Edison bulbs cost?
Quality Edison LEDs in E27 fitting cost £8-15 each. Premium designer bulbs (Plumen, Tala) cost £20-35.
Are Edison bulbs energy efficient?
Edison LEDs use 4-8W to produce equivalent light to 30-60W incandescent. Very efficient. Old tungsten Edison bulbs are not — avoid those if available.
The right Edison bulb in the right fitting transforms a clear-glass pendant from "lamp with a bulb in it" to "lighting moment." Worth the extra thought. Browse pendants designed for visible bulbs.
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