LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) are approximately 10 times more efficient than incandescent bulbs at turning energy into light.

LEDs can emit light of an intended color without the use of color filters that traditional lighting methods may need. The solid package of an LED can be designed to focus its light from the source. Incandescent and fluorescent lights often require an external reflector to collect light and direct it in a usable manner.

When used in applications where dimming is required, LEDs do not change their color tint as the current passing through them is lowered, unlike incandescent lamps, which turn yellow. LEDs are ideal for use in applications that are subject to frequent on-off cycling, unlike fluorescent lamps that burn out more quickly when cycled frequently.

LEDs produce more lumens per watt than traditional incandescent bulbs. Since LEDs are solid state electronic components, they are difficult to damage with external shock. Fluorescent and incandescent bulbs are easily broken if dropped on the ground or experience extreme shock or vibration.

LEDs can be designed to have extremely long life spans of 30,000 to as many as 100,000 hours. By contrast, fluorescent tubes typically are rated at about 10,000 hours, and incandescent light bulbs at 1,000-2,000 hours. LEDs mostly fail by dimming over time, rather than the abrupt burn-out of incandescent bulbs.

LEDs light up to full brightness very quickly compared to other light sources. LEDs are typically very small, allowing for new design concepts and methods for general illumination products.

LEDs do not contain mercury, as compact fluorescent lamps do.