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A19 vs A21 Light Bulbs A Comparison of Two Popular Choices

When shopping for bulbs, you will notice that the standard base size of the product varies. While there are dozens of designs and options on the market, most homes and businesses use two standard bulb bases, the A19 and A21, for their everyday lighting needs.

a19 light bulba19 light bulb
a21 light bulba21 light bulb

​​The A19 and A21 bulbs have the same shape, but the diameter of the first bulb is 2.375 inches. The larger model is 2.625 inches in diameter. You'll also notice the base height difference in the A19​ vs A21 comparison. The A19 is 4.13 inches tall, while the A21 is closer to 5 inches. You'll get a similar user experience when you buy any bulb with these names, including LED bulbs. For more details please read on.

 

The A Base Is One of the First Light Bulb Designs


Even though the A-style base was one of the first introduced with the invention of the light bulb, it continues to be one of the most popular designs. It uses a standard threaded style that works well for convenient connections to fixtures.


Consumers can quickly remove or install light bulbs with minimal risk of injury. Even if the base gets stuck in the fixture, it is reasonably easy to take out – even if the bulb breaks.


Except for the longer neck and larger bulb, the A21 light bulbs look precisely like the A19 version. The size is identical enough that you can install them in the same fixtures or use them for similar lighting needs.


Most fixtures get paired with 40W or 60W bulbs that produce up to 800 lumens, but you can go with something brighter when needed because of this design element. The only trouble in the p​ast has been the heat generated by 100W incandescent bulbs. Ceiling fans, floor lamps, and even some sockets weren't designed to withstand those temperatures.


LED manufacturers create an equivalent wattage experience, measured in lumens, that fits in fixtures while eliminating the heat-generation issue. Higher lumens still use the A21 shape, much like higher wattage designs do, to ensure the technology works as intended.


For most consumers, the size of the light bulb base isn't the consequential part of the buying decision. A19 and A21 bulbs work in virtually all standard fixtures.


What you'd want to review is if the fixture is compatible with the wattage equivalent you need for your home, business, or outdoor application.


What to Know About Wattage Equivalency


Wattage, or watts, is a measurement of electrical power. When you have one watt, you experience one joule transferred per second. If you're looking at electrical applications and circuits, it's equally easy to translate current to voltage.


If you have a traditional 40W incandescent bulb with an A19 base, it will convert 40 joules of energy into heat and light output each second.


The distinction between heat and light output when comparing incandescent and LED technologies is what generates the energy-saving difference.


If you have a 40W incandescent bulb and a 10W LED bulb that produce equal lumens, you're saving 30 joules per second.

You could purchase a 40W LED bulb, but the power and brightness generated by that technology could light up an entire backyard. That's why wattage is no longer considered an essential measurement of energy. You need to know the lumens rating for a direct product comparison.


With an incandescent bulb, some designs lose up to 90% of the joule expenditures as heat. That means you only get 10% of the energy converted to light with A19 or A21 designs.


LEDs generate the same light with much less wattage because the heat generation process doesn't occur.


What Light Bulb Ty​pes Are Available in A19 and A21 Bulbs?

 

When you're ready to upgrade to LED lighting, you'll likely buy bulbs with A19 or A21 bases. Track and linear or tube lights come with pins or receptacles to use, which means a different base is necessary for those fixtures.

 

If you're considering the A19 or A21 format only, you'll have the following choices to consider.

 

Light Bulb Type Why Use This Light Bulb Type
Standard LED Bulbs The standard LED light bulb disperses light at wide angles throughout a room or outdoor space. It's an ideal choice for hallways, reading lamps, and other common fixtures. You can use them for flush and semi-flush mount fixtures.
Flood LED Bulbs This light bulb is designed to emit a more substantial and broader illumination profile to create light over a wide area. Its primarily used for outdoor needs, but it could serve some warehouses, stadiums, or stages.
Can LED Bulbs You know this LED light bulb design better as a recessed lighting installation. The product fits into a specific socket, called a “can," that's mounted in the ceiling.
Candelabra LED Bulbs Chandelier or candle bulbs are designed to look like a flame when installed in a fixture. It's a decorative choice that works well in sconces, accent lighting installations, and decorative fixtures.
Globe LED Bulbs This choice emits light in all directions. That's why you see them installed in bathrooms or closets. They also serve people well when using them as pendant lights.
Vintage LED Bulbs These light bulbs are sometimes referred to as “Edisons." Their vintage look is all about the visual aesthetics of the product. Today's designs use long, thin filaments that look like products from the past without compromising the light output levels you receive. They work well in industrial chandeliers or pendant lights.

 

When comparing A19 vs. A21 light bulbs, the primary difference is the size. You can find higher lumens options with a more extensive base, but the rest of the technology remains the same. The minor differences are not enough to prevent you from using either option in modern fixtures.

 

Choose the lumens you need, select the LED color temperature you want, and you'll have a long-term solution for your lighting needs.​​​​

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