4114 vs 3157: What Are The Differences?

These two bulbs have been competitors for a long time. The 4114 has been the king of the hill for a while, but the 3157 is giving it a run for its money. As long as the 3157 lamps have power ratings that are equal to or lower than that of the 4114, then they should work. Also, the 4114 is not as widely available as the 3157.

So, which one is better?

Socket Compatibility

You can easily swap a 3157 bulb for a 4114 socket. The two bulbs have compatible sizes and shapes, so you can easily swap one for the other. There may be some slight differences in the way they function, but overall they should work just fine in either socket.

Drivers may ensure that these two bulbs are interchangeable if they check out for the same power rating and size. The size of a lamp must correspond to the size of the reflector. A 3157 may not be an exact replacement for a 4114, but it will fit into the same-sized socket.

4114 Bulb Explanation

This lamp is known for a pretty long lifespan - about 70,000 hours. That is because it is a halogen lamp. They are also much brighter than your traditional incandescent bulbs, which makes them ideal for use in fog lights or headlights.

What is a 4114 bulb used for? These bulbs are perfect to use in your car's back up/reverse lights, trunk, and dome lights. They're a direct replacement for your vehicle that is designed for durability and lower maintenance. Utilize these bulbs with safety in mind. Moreover, the 4114's bright white light will also enhance the look of your car.

It uses 35 Watts and 12 Volts which is pretty standard for most cars. Such a nominal power draw means that it won't put a strain on your car's electrical system. The 4114 is an excellent choice if you are looking for an upgrade from your standard incandescent bulbs without having to worry about compatibility issues.

The brightness level is about 3200 Lumens which is significantly higher than what you would get from an incandescent bulb. Light output is important when you are using your fog lights or headlights because you need to be able to see through thick fog or heavy rain.

The 4114 lamp is, in total, a good choice for those who are looking for an upgrade to their car's lighting system. It is compatible with most cars, it is bright, and it has a long lifespan. It is also a halogen lamp which means that it will produce less heat than your traditional incandescent bulbs.

3157 Bulb Description

The 3157 bulb is very similar to the 4114 bulb. In fact, they are so similar that they can be used interchangeably in most cases.

What is a 3157 bulb used for? The 3156 bulb and the 3157 bulbs are commonly used as tail lights for a myriad of modern vehicles, including but not limited to Fords, Chevrolets, VWs, Acuras, Toyotas, and more. With Diode Dynamics' drop-in LED upgrades available in several different levels of brightness, you can pick the perfect option to suit your needs!

This lamp features 26.9 Watts and 12.8/14 Volts of nominal power. With such characteristics, you can easily use this bulb for a variety of applications, including but not limited to your car's backup lights, reverse lights, trunk lights, and dome lights.

At the same time, the brightness level is less than in 4114 lamps and in total, the emitted light is dimmer. That is not a drawback, because the color temperature is about 6500K which makes the light whiter than in standard incandescent bulbs. The 3157 is available in a wide variety of colors, allowing you to pick the perfect option for your car.

Specs Comparison

Brightness

4114 light bulbs produce a bright and clear light that is visible to others on the road, making it ideal for driving in fog or dust. Though their throw is not as powerful, it is still enough to use them for tail lights and turn signals.

3157 bulbs are not as bright as 4114 bulbs. They do not give off a lot of light and are not good for lighting up a large space. They are only good for use inside a home, where the lower brightness does not matter as much.

Lifespan

In comparison, 4114 bulbs have a longer lifespan than 3157 bulbs. While 3157 bulbs are only rated for 50,000 hours of use, 4114 bulb regularly last 70,000 hours.4114 bulbs are more durable than 3157 bulbs, as found in our testing. They performed well under general use and did not have any drops in performance.

Beam Type

4114 bulbs have a wide beam that illuminates a large area in front of the car. This is perfect for driving in fog or on dark roads. 3157 bulbs have a focused beam that is not as wide as the 4114 bulb. This makes them less ideal for use in fog lights or headlights. They are better suited for use as tail lights or turn signals.

Application

4114 bulbs are not only intense, but also have a variety of uses; they can be found on turn signals, tail lights, reversing lights, and many other places. 3157 bulbs however are limited to being used inside the car but there are still plenty of applications for them depending on the manufacturer of your particular car. These applications include glove box lights, dome lights, reading lights, trunk lights, etcetera.

Final Words

The 4114 vs 3157 comparison shows that the 4114 bulb is the better choice when it comes to brightness and lifespan. However, the 3157 bulb is still a good option for those who are looking for a dimmer light or for use in specific applications.