This article discusses the many similarities and differences between two headlight bulbs: 9006 vs 9012. Furthermore, it helps readers to decide which headlight bulb is best for their car if they have to choose from these options.
Headlight bulbs are the most exposed part of a vehicle, so they are prone to get damaged. This is why it is often necessary to replace them within short periods of time. People get confused about choosing the right headlight bulb because there seem to be no distinguishing factors between 9006 and 9012 headlight bulbs- what’s one good or bad thing with either? To help you make your decision, this article covers some tips on how headlights work as well as advice for making an informed choice when buying replacement lamps. Here is 9006 vs. 9012 In the Table below.
| Particular | 9012 | 9006 |
| Definition | 9012 light bulbs draw more power and offer a higher brightness output. | 9006 bulbs are more energy-efficient, but they offer less illumination. |
| lumens | The Super Bright with the lumens outputs up to 1875. | Super-bright with a high lumen output of up to 1000. |
| Pack | Comes in a pack of 2, 4, or 6. | Comes in a pack of 2. |
| Quality | High-quality output with no warm-up time. | 9006 is a Halogen headlight bulb that burns bright enough to cut through the densest of fog. |
| Used | Mostly used as headlight bulbs. | 9006 is often used as headlights but it can also use both high and low beams. |
| Lifespan | Lifespan up to 1000-120 hours. | Lifespan up to 1000 hours |
| Perform | These bulbs work with 98% of cars’ computer systems, without error. | 9006 LED headlight bulbs can replace either a Low Beam or Fog light bulb. |
| Watts | Wattage is around 55 watts. | Wattage around 80 watts.. |
| Fit | Will fit into a 9012 socket without any modification. | It will fit into a 9006 socket if you cut the tabs on the base of the bulb. |
| Voltage | 9012 headlights are 12-volt bulbs. | 9006 headlights are 12-volt bulbs. |
| Price | 9012 price is around $70-$75 | 9006 price is around $60-$65 |
9006 Vs 9012: Major Differences
Built Quality
The 9012 bulb is the most common type of incandescent light bulb. The 9006 has lower power consumption and uses less energy than the standard, but it also offers a lower brightness output. This means that if you are looking for more illumination from your lighting fixtures, then go with this option as opposed to going with something else like LED or CFLs.
Brightness
The most common bulb used in automobiles is the halogen headlight. Halogen headlights produce a lot of light, but they are also very expensive and consume more energy than other bulbs such as HID or LED. The 9006 bulb produces 1000 lumens while the 9012 has 1875 lumen output which makes it one of the brightest bulbs available on the market today.
Wattage
The wattage of a bulb is the measure of how much power it uses. The higher the wattage, the more light, and heat that will be produced by a lamp or bulb. 9006 bulbs are usually 55 watts but can operate at 80 watts as well with some models available in both capacities. On the other hand, 9012 bulbs also function at 55 watts but they’re brighter than their smaller counterparts because they use less energy to produce light and heat.
Longevity
The longevity of headlight bulbs is measured in hours. 9006 and 9012 are popular for their longevity, both around 1000 hours. These are worldwide used and have a high life expectancy as well, with 9006 lasting for about 1k hours while 9012 lasts 1200-1300 hours which is a bit more than the other bulb’s lifespan.
Quality
The 9006 is a high-quality output Halogen headlight bulb that burns bright enough to cut through the densest of fog. It has no warm-up time and produces light with an impressive 9012 lumens, so it’s perfect for use in all types of weather conditions.
Perform
The 9012 LED bulb is the most common type of bulb that can be used in cars. This particular model has a lifespan of approximately 50,000 hours and uses less power than traditional bulbs. The 9006 LED headlight bulbs are also very popular with car owners because they use up to 80% less energy than standard headlights while still providing an amazing amount of light output.
Connector Design
The most significant physical difference between these two bulbs is the design of their bases. Both have tabs on the bottom of the bulb for connecting to the socket, but 9012 bulbs have slightly larger tabs than 9006 bulbs. These different designs result in a slight variation in how much force it takes for each type to be inserted into an outlet and turned off or on again after being removed from its base.
Compatibility
These bulbs can be used interchangeably because of the differing tab designs, albeit with some modifications necessary. Specifically, 9006 bulbs can fit into 9012 sockets without any modifications, whereas with 9012 bulbs you will need to trim the tabs on a bulb to make it fit perfectly in a 9006 socket.
9006 Vs 9012: Similarities
Fit
This bulb will fit into a 9006 socket without any modification. This bulb will also fit in a 9012 socket if you cut the tabs on the base of the bulb and remove one screw to make room for it.
Headlight bulb
9006 and 9012 are both headlight bulbs, but they have different purposes. 9006 is used for high-beam headlights while 9012 is used to light up the side of the road in low-beam headlights.
Voltage
A voltage is the difference of electric potential between two points within which a light bulb functions. A 9006 and 9012 headlights are both 12-volt bulbs, They have no differences in their voltage.
9006- Best for Wattage
9006 bulbs mostly function at 55 watts. But high-powered 9006 bulbs with 80 watts are also available. As such, if you are looking for a more efficient setup, opt for 9006 bulbs that have an energy efficiency rating of A or higher and use less power than other types of light bulbs on the market today.
Pros
- Great compatibility with most headlight bulbs,
- This high-quality LED bulb is reliable with a decent amount of LEDs in it.
- This low heat output and efficient design makes
- It is one viable option for using low beam configuration.
Cons
- Not as powerful as 9005 bulbs.
- Not suitable for use in fog lamps.
9012- Best for Brightness
The most common bulb used in automobiles is the halogen headlight. Halogen headlights produce a lot of light, but they are also very expensive and consume more energy than other bulbs such as HID or LED.9012 has an 1875 lumen output which makes it one of the brightest bulbs available on the market today.
Pros
- Brighter light output.
- High-quality output with no warm-up time.
- Fit socket without any modification.
- Computer system without error.
Cons
- The price is a little bit higher
- Wattage is slightly lower
FAQ
Can I use 9012 instead of 9006?
The good news is that it seems, 9006 bulbs can be fit into a 9012 socket without any modification. But fitting the 9012 sockets in the 9006 bulbs may require a little trimming to make space for the extra tab or two.
Will a 9012 bulb fit a 9005 socket?
Well, 9012 is not really a conversion like 9005 but according to the site, these bulbs are brighter and last longer than 9005 bulbs. Registered. Well, 9012 is not really a conversion like 9005 but according to the site, these bulbs are brighter and last longer than 9005 bulbs.
Is 9012 high or low beam?
Sylvania’s 9012 SilverStar Ultra-High-Performance Halogen Headlight Bulb, High Beam, and Low Beam Replacement Bulbs are the brightest download in your car with a whiter light. These bulbs feature tri-band technology to offer superior color balance under all driving conditions.
Final Words
9012 bulbs are more powerful than 9006, they offer a slightly higher brightness output. The 9012 bulbs will also fit in the 9006 sockets but there needs to be some trimming done first. Other than that, these two types of bulbs can be used interchangeably for your car’s lights; however, we do recommend using the manufacturer’s suggested size for your vehicle as that is most likely going to give you optimized results.
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