The incandescent light bulb was the primary type of bulb, and is inefficient at converting electricity to light. About 90% of the energy input is exhausted as heat. This excess heat is then dumped into the air which, in warm climates, must then be chilled by ventilation or air conditioning, resulting in more energy wastage. Due to their heat production, incandescent bulbs can cause burns or start fires if used shockingly, and tend to have greater glare.

Halogen bulbs are a better incandescent. Light energy output is about 15% of energy input, instead of 10%, allowing them to create about 50% more light from the same amount of electrical power. The bulb capsule is under high pressure instead of a vacuum or low-pressure noble gas. As well as being much lesser and having a hotter filament temperature, this causes halogen bulbs to have a very hot exterior. This means that glass bulbs can explode if broken, or if operated with remains such as fingerprints on them. The risk of burns or fire is also better than other bulbs, leading to their prohibition in some places. Halogen capsules can be put within regular bulbs or diachronic reflectors, either for looks or for safety.

Good halogen bulbs produce a sunshine-like white light, while normal incandescent produce a light between sunlight and candlelight. People occasionally find them psychologically pleasing over new types of bulbs due to the more natural color, which lights skin tones and other artifacts more accurately.

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