9012 vs 9006: Find The Difference

When it comes to headlights, there are a lot of options available on the market. You can choose between halogen, LED, and HID bulbs. Each type of bulb has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. In this article, we will be comparing 9012 and 9006 headlight bulbs.

Can You Interchange 9012 and 9006 Lamps?

The fact that we decided to contrast 9012 and 9006 lamps should not come as a surprise to anyone. After all, they are the two most popular types of headlight bulbs on the market. Both 9012 and 9006 bulbs are used in a wide variety of vehicles. Moreover, these lamps are relatively affordable, which makes them a great choice for budget-conscious drivers.

You can use these bulbs interchangeably, albeit with some changes needed due to the different tab designs. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at 9012 and 9006 headlight bulbs.

What Is The 9012 Bulb?

This lamp characterizes itself with a single filament. The P20d base is the same as the one used for the 9006 lamp. You will need a halogen headlight bulb for your car if it uses this kind of filament.

They provide good light output, but they are not as bright as HID or LED bulbs. Nevertheless, they offer a great price-to-performance ratio. Moreover, those drivers who consider these bulbs affordable and would like to save some money usually go for the 9012 bulb.

The pros of this lamp are the following:

• Inexpensive
• Works with a variety of vehicles
• Easy to find

The cons are the following:

• Not as bright as HID or LED bulbs

What Is The 9006 Bulb?

The 9006, also called HB4, is a halogen headlight bulb. It has two filaments. One of them is for high beam, and the other one is for low beam. You can usually find these bulbs in vehicles that came with halogen headlights from the factory.

In general, 9006 bulbs are used in conjunction with 9005 bulbs. That said, you can also use them interchangeably with 9012 bulbs. The only difference is that you will have to make some adjustments to the connector since they have different tab designs.

The advantages of 9006 bulbs are the following:

• Can be used with a variety of vehicles
• Affordable
• Easy to install

The disadvantages of this lamp are the following:

• The shape of the beam is not always ideal

Specs Comparison of 9012 vs 9006 Bulbs

Specs	9012 bulb	9006 bulb
Base	PX22d	P22d 90°
Number of filaments	1	1
Applications	High-beam, low-beam, daytime running light	High-beam, low-beam, fog light, cornering light
Nominal Power	12 V: 55 W	12 V: 51 W
Cross Compatibility	HB4A, HIR2, HB4	9012, 9006XS, 9006, 9006ST, 9006XSCB, 9006SU, HB4, and H1R2

Brightness

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing headlight bulbs is brightness. In this regard, 9012 and 9006 bulbs are very similar. Both types of bulbs produce around 1200 lumens of light.

However, 9012 bulbs have a slight advantage over 9006 bulbs in terms of brightness. This is because 9012 bulbs have a higher wattage rating. As a result, they produce more light than 9006 bulbs.

Beam Pattern

Another important factor to consider is the beam pattern. This is the shape of the light beam produced by the headlight bulb. 9012 and 9006 bulbs have different beam patterns.

9012 bulbs have a wide beam pattern. This means that they produce a wide, flat light beam. On the other hand, 9006 bulbs have a narrow beam pattern. This means that they produce a focused, intense light beam.

The difference in beam pattern is due to the different shapes of the bulbs. 9012 bulbs are rectangular, while 9006 bulbs are circular.

Nominal Power

The first and most important distinction between 9012 and 9006 bulbs is their wattage. 9012 bulbs are rated for higher wattage than 9006 bulbs, thus drawing more power. As such, if you are looking for a more efficient setup, opt for 9006 bulbs.

That said, our testing found that 9012 bulbs have noticeably longer throw than their 9006 counterparts. So if you want all-out performance, 9012 is the go-to. However, suppose your specific car’s manufacturer recommends installing one or the other. In that case, it is probably because the system is optimized for that particular bulb, and you’ll get the best results with it.

Usability

When comparing 9012 vs 9006 lamps, you also need to consider the issue of usability. 9012 bulbs are easier to install than 9006 bulbs. This is because 9012 bulbs have a standard base size. On the other hand, 9006 bulbs have a smaller base size. As such, it can be difficult to find 9006 headlight bulbs that fit your vehicle. Moreover, installing 9006 bulbs can be tricky since they are more delicate than 9012 bulbs.

If your fog lights or brake lights are out, you can use either 9012 or 9006 bulbs to replace them. However, we recommend using 9012 bulbs since they are easier to install.

Lifespan

Although 9006 bulbs have a slightly longer lifespan, the difference is so small that it is barely noticeable. These bulbs are more efficient and have less chance of damaging the sensitive internal components of the bulb. This allows for a slightly better lifespan and durability, but in general, both types of Bulbs last about the same amount of time.

The longer your lamp`s lifespan, the less you`ll have to replace them, and the more money you`ll save in the long run.

Color Temperature

The color temperature of a headlight bulb is measured in Kelvin (K). The higher the Kelvin rating, the whiter the light produced by the bulb. 9012 and 9006 bulbs have different color temperatures. 9012 bulbs have a color temperature of 500K, which is cool light. At the same time, 9006 lamps have 4100K color temperature and that is considered to be bright white light.

The difference in color temperature is due to the different materials used in the bulbs. 9012 bulbs use halogen gas, while 9006 bulbs use xenon gas. As a result, 9012 bulbs produce cool light, while 9006 bulbs produce bright white light.

Compatibility

When it`s time to replace the light bulb in the car, it`s essential to choose the right one. Not all bulbs are compatible with all car models. 9012 and 9006 bulbs are not always interchangeable. The 9006 lamps are compatible with 9012, HB4, and H1R2 bulbs. All of these options have the same base type and their nominal power is 55 watts. Moreover, the shape of the light beam they produce is similar.

The 9012 bulbs are only compatible with HB1R2, H1R2, and HB4 options. These bulbs have the same base type and their nominal power is 65 watts. They all may vary in color temperature and shape of light beam. Overall, the compatibility of the two types of bulbs is limited. When choosing the right one, be sure to check the manufacturer`s recommendations.

The 9012 vs 9006 - What Bulb To Select?

Though these two lightbulbs look quite alike, there are several crucial differences that make one more appropriate for certain tasks than the other.

The 9012 bulbs have a higher wattage than the 9006, as well as a brighter light output. However, while you can use these two types of bulbs interchangeably, the 9012 requires adaptations to fit perfectly into the 9006 sockets.

In conclusion, the 9012 and 9006 bulbs are quite alike, with only a few distinctions between them. 9012 bulbs utilize more power but are brighter. 9006 bulbs aren't as powerful but are more energy-efficient. Also, 9006 bulbs will screw right into a 9012 socket while you must trim 9012 bubbles to fit it into a 9006 slot.

Based on our thorough testing and research, we have found that it is possible to use these bulbs interchangeably. However, after extensive evaluation, we have determined that it is not entirely beneficial to do so. In fact, you will likely achieve better results by sticking with the manufacturer’s recommended size for your car.

FAQs

Is 9012 and 9005 the same?

9005, 9006, and 9012 all use the same electrical connector, but the bases are different. The base of a 9012 bulb can be modified to fit a 9006 housing and vice versa; however, this is not possible with a 9005 due to its larger diameter.

Is 9012 high or low beam?

That is the high beam light bulb that drivers use to see far ahead on the road. The low beam is used for close-range illumination and to avoid blinding other drivers.

What cars use 9012 bulbs?

Fortunately, Daniel Stern - an automotive lighting expert - showed us a relatively inexpensive and high-quality solution for cars and trucks with bi-halogen projectors and HIR2 (9012) bulbs. This solution is Chrysler 200s, 300s, Dodge Darts, Rams, Fiat 500s' 500L'sand 500X's.