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Our test results show a wide variation in performance of CFL bulbs.

A 100W traditional incandescent bulb running for 3 hours a day costs $25 a year in electricity. A 20W CFL equivalent costs just $5 to run for that long. So a CFL will pay for itself in just a few months – and it’ll last longer as well.

But you need the right bulbs – there's still a big difference between the best and worst on the market.

Highlights of this report


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Test results


See how all the CFLs performed in our life and output tests. Read more

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We recommend


The best-buys from our test of CFL bulbs. Read more

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Savings calculator


Find out how much you could save by changing to CFLs. Read more

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