Which GU10 LED?

GU10 lamps have become the most popular choice of light bulb cap type in the UK. GU10s became the #1 choice for downlight installations in the late nineties, taking over from the MR16 (GU5.3) cap. The main reason for this was because they operate on mains voltage and don't require a transformer unlike the MR16 (GU5.3) which operates on 12 volts.

No Transformer Required

Because it doesn't require a transformer, it's more cost effective and easier to install. Many consumers are converting their existing low voltage MR16 downlights into GU10 so they don't have to deal with the possibility of the transformer not being compatible. If you're converting to LED and also have to upgrade the transformer (AC to AC) to an LED driver (AC to DC) it's going to end up costing much more and will require some rewiring. By the time you've done this you could have fitted a brand new integrated LED downlight.

As the demand increases for more a more energy efficient alternative to halogen, so do the variations from different manufacturers all claiming to be the best. Halogen technology should be only used for heating, not lighting. The amount of heat a 50 watt halogen produces is ridiculous and a total waste of energy. As a result halogen GU10s were banned from the EU in 2016. In comparison a 5W GU10 LED lamp will save you 90% in energy and last 15 to 40 times longer. The life expectancy of the LED depends on which brand and version you choose. The Philips 5.5W Expert Colour lasts for 40,000 hours compared to 1,000 hours of a halogen.

We've compiled a short buyers guide that compares our best selling GU10 LEDs, although we do offer a few other brands, the ones we've selected offer key selling features such as brightness, dimming performance, reliability and value.