This 27W compact fluorescent light bulb is very bright at 5500K color temperature with 1300 Lumens output. The Joyous Light bulb is daylight balanced, i.e., its brightness is equal or very close to daylight, which makes it ideal for treating S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) a.k.a. ‘Winter Blues.’ Customers praise the bulb’s brightness that makes reading texts easy on the eyes, renders colors of objects accurately for photography, and helps to improve the mood. It is also great as a task light or grow light bulb. Energy Star compliant, flicker-free, CRI of 91, bulb life up to 10,000 hrs. Fits all medium-base E27/E26 sockets. Dimensions: L: 6.5″; W (Diameter): 2.5″; Length socket base to top of ballast: 3″; W (diameter) of socket: 1″. A larger lamp harp might be needed to fit this bulb, see ALZO 9″ harp, ASIN B0035LTIZE. Also available as a 15W bulb, see ASIN B0089MIH8I.
Product Features
- Natural daylight balanced color temperature of 5500K
- Mood elevator, ideal for treatment of S.A.D.
- This is a large bulb that might not fit standard household lamps – see diagram above
- 9″ lamp harp will fit this bulb, see ASIN B0035LTIZE
- Energy Star compliant – about 10,000 hrs. bulb life*
Excellent full-spectrum bulb; best I’ve found so far! I often don’t get as much sunlight as I should due to screwy sleep patterns. Full-spectrum lights are very helpful in this regard, so I can get “sunlight” even in the middle of the night.The 5500K ALZO bulbs are the closest thing I’ve found to actual sunlight. My basic test is just to compare the color to natural sunlight through a window on a sunny day. The color these bulbs put out is quite close to that. I’ve also tried some photographic tests and these bulbs produce the best results of various full-spectrum bulbs I’ve tried. Many bulbs have a yellow or blue tinge to them (the latter being especially annoying), but these do not!If you’re not used to full-spectrum bulbs, you may find the light to look excessively cold and sterile at first. But colors look more vivid and natural once you’re used to the pure white from this bulb, and regular bulbs seem a sickly yellow in comparison. I’d recommend giving it a couple weeks to get used to this bulb if you don’t like the color at first; it may just grow on you! (I initially only put full-spectrum bulbs in a couple places, such as at my desk, since they did seem “too white,” but I’ve started installing them elsewhere in my house now.)I have both 27W and 45W ALZO bulbs, and the color looks the same between the two. Keep in mind that even the 27W ones are quite long (6.5″) and will not fit into many fixtures; the listed dimensions are accurate, so measure accordingly. The size is the one big downside with these bulbs; it’d be nice if ALZO had a smaller 20 – 23W version. These bulbs also seem to buzz more than some CFLs, and I found this to be more the case in certain sockets for some reason (possibly old wiring and not the bulbs.)Note that this is the single-unit version of . The model numbers differ slightly, but the bulbs look physically identical, and the light output and color were indistinguishable when I put the two side by side. The “Joyous Light” rebranding sounds weird to me too; it’s kind of a cheap-sounding name for such an awesome bulb!
But these are the same good old ALZO bulbs, just with a different name.In short, these are about the best thing you’ll find if you need artificial sunlight indoors for whatever reason: sleep problems, mood disorders, photography, or just a preference for pure white light.
Interesting… I’ve avoided buying CFL’s because the quality of light is almost always terrible. For awhile, I’ve wanted to try a high CRI (color rendition index) CFL. The only problem is I have yet to see any for purchase locally. I finally decided to buy this one online as a trial (Free shipping is compelling.).The light is interesting. Two factors contribute to this. One, the color temperature is higher than a incandescent bulb. The 5500K temperature tends to make everything a bit bluer. Two, this CFL has a CRI of 91. While CRI is an old and imperfect metric, it roughly guides how true colors appear. These two factors combined make for seemingly whiter light — something better understood once you become accustomed to light without that incandescent yellow glow.Florescent light still feels different — more diffuse, brighter, and clinical; or something like that. I’m not sure if I like it. But, if you want to try a CFL that puts out a less weird cast of color, try this one.Also be aware, people with sensitive hearing and/or quiet rooms will be able to hear a soft hum from the bulb. The bulb is big, as well. Definitely, look at the drawing with dimensions (one of the product pictures above).