When changing or upgrading the headlights of your car, you probably have encountered H11 vs. H11B bulbs. Although there is some resemblance between them, these two types of bulbs are quite different in terms of usability, compatibility, and installation. This article gives further information about how H11 differs from H11B so that you can correctly make up your mind on which one is best for your car.

1. Connector Design

The biggest differences between H11 and H11B bulbs involve their design for connectors. H11 bulbs have an enclosed connection plug that keeps wiring perfectly in place. This makes the installation processes very easy because you only have to plug the bulb into the socket.

In contrast, the light bulbs H11B have an exposed plug for connection that resembles household electrical plugs. The design of an exposed means is more sensitive during installation, which, therefore, is not common to many vehicles.

2. Installation procedure

Bulbs used in H11 are installed by simply plugging the bulb in the socket. In contrast, the H11B is installed through a twist-and-lock mechanism. That can make life more difficult compared to the plug-and-play type mainly since most modern vehicle headlights come designed in such a way that it makes the two bulbs incompatible with each other.

3. Use and Compatibility

Being versatile in use, H11 bulbs are normally used for both fog lights and low beams. Since they fit many types of sockets, such as H8, H9, and H16, they easily became the standard for many brands.

Conversely, H11B bulbs are usually manufactured for low beam headlights and cannot fit into other sockets. They find major applications in just a few manufacturers like Hyundai and Kia, hence limiting their application​

4. Light Output and Power

The H11 and the H11B have similar light output, providing about 1350 lumens and drawing the same amount of power at 55 watts. In respect to the same output, however, the placement of the bulb in the vehicle can make it appear more or less bright. As an example, a bulb that is placed into a high beam position will visually be brighter owing to its angle and direction of light​

5. Lifetime

Other key groundwork for distinguishing between the two is the life span. H11B bulbs have a very different life span of about 930 hours, compared to that of the H11, which has 270 hours. This makes the H11B a better option for drivers who would want long-lasting bulbs, mainly in automobiles that make more use of low beams​.

6. Vehicle Compatibility

Basically, H11 bulbs are installed in a wider range of vehicles from various manufacturers, hence more universal than H11B. However, the use of H11B bulbs is limited to only a few manufacturers like Hyundai and Kia, hence limited usage in the marketplace​.

Conclusion

They are practically the same in light output and power consumption, but connector design, installation, lifespan, and compatibility are extremely different between the two. If wide compatibility and ease of installation are what you seek, then H11 is the best choice. But if your car is using the H11B variety and performance for a longer period is what you want, it is better to stick to this H11B.

The choice of the right bulb is to be done by you for your headlight, for which take a look at your vehicle's manual or ask a professional.