Residential Lamps and Bulbs
LED MR16, PAR20, PAR30 and PAR38 lamps to upgrade the fixtures you already own.
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The fastest way to improve lighting in a home is often the lamp, not the fixture. Swapping an old halogen or incandescent reflector lamp for an LED version cuts energy use, reduces heat and removes the chore of frequent replacements, while the fixture stays exactly where it is. This section groups the reflector lamps homes use most by their industry code, so you can match what is in the socket today and choose a better version of it.
Shop Residential Lamps and Bulbs by Category
Two inch, 12 volt LED reflector lamps for track, accent and landscape fixtures. Shop MR16 LED Lamps
Compact 120 volt reflector lamps for small cans, track heads and pendants. Shop PAR20 LED Lamps
Mid size reflector lamps for kitchen cans, track lighting and accent floods. Shop PAR30 LED Lamps
Large, powerful reflector lamps for outdoor floods, eaves and high ceilings. Shop PAR38 LED Lamps
How to Read a Lamp Code
Reflector lamps are named by shape and size. MR stands for multifaceted reflector, and PAR stands for parabolic aluminized reflector. The number is the diameter in eighths of an inch, so an MR16 is 2 inches across, a PAR20 is 2.5 inches, a PAR30 is 3.75 inches and a PAR38 is 4.75 inches.
Knowing the code tells you what will physically fit. A PAR38 will not go into a fixture built for a PAR20, even though both screw into a standard base.
Once the size is right, compare the specs that decide how the LED bulbs will look in the room: lumens for brightness, color temperature in Kelvin, CRI (color rendering index, where 90 and above shows skin tones and finishes most accurately), and the halogen wattage each lamp replaces.
Base, Voltage and Beam Angle
MR16 lamps usually run on 12 volts through a GU5.3 two pin base and need a transformer. PAR20, PAR30 and PAR38 lamps typically use a standard E26 medium screw base and run directly on 120 volts.
Beam angle decides how the light lands. Narrow spots, around 15 to 25 degrees, pick out art or a tree trunk. Floods, around 36 to 40 degrees and wider, spread light over a counter or a wall. Choose the beam first, then the brightness.
Check that a lamp is dimmable before pairing it with a dimmer. A quality LED reflector lamp is commonly rated for 15,000 to 25,000 hours, many times the lifespan of the halogen it replaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
PAR stands for parabolic aluminized reflector, and 38 is the diameter in eighths of an inch. A PAR38 lamp is 4.75 inches across.
Yes, as long as the LED lamp matches the base, size and voltage. For 12 volt MR16 lamps, confirm the LED lamp is compatible with the transformer already in place.
It depends on the can size. Smaller 4 inch cans often take PAR20 or MR16 lamps, while 5 and 6 inch cans commonly take PAR30 or larger lamps.
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Request a quote on any item, or call (281) 972-5006 and talk your project through with our lighting team.