Can You Replace Them: H11 vs 9006

Your car's headlight is one of the most important safety features. It allows you to see and be seen on the road, making night driving safer for everyone. But not all headlights are created equal. You can use a 9006 bulb with an H11 socket without needing to make any changes in most scenarios. But not vice versa!

So, what's the difference between H11 and 9006 bulbs?

Socket Compatibility

If you have a 9006 bulb, it can usually be used in an H11 socket without having to make any modifications. However, using an H11 bulb with a 9006 socket is not possible because the two bulbs are incompatible. That is because the H11 bulb is too big to fit into a 9006 socket. The only way to use an H11 bulb in a 9006 socket is to modify the socket so that it can accommodate the larger bulb.

In case you need to interchange the H11 bulb with another option, you can use 9005, 9011, and 9012 options. All these bulbs have the same size and can be used in an H11 socket without having to make any modifications. However, they are not as bright as an H11 bulb and may not provide the same level of illumination.

As for the 9006 lamp, it may be replaced with a 9011, 9012, or HB4 bulb. These bulbs have the same size and can be used in a 9006 socket without having to make any modifications. However, they are not as bright as a 9006 bulb and may not provide the same level of illumination.

So, if you're looking to interchange your H11 or 9006 bulbs, you have a few options. Just be aware that the bulbs you choose may not be as bright as the original H11 or 9006 bulb.

H11 General Description

You might already know that the H11 lamp belongs to the category of halogen light bulbs. It is a typical example of such a bulb, as it has a tungsten filament that is enveloped by Xenon gas. The purpose of this gas is to increase the brightness of the light.

The H11 lamp has a standard size and shape, which makes it easy to find replacement bulbs for your car. Moreover, it is one of the most popular types of headlight bulbs on the market, which means you won’t have any trouble finding them in stores.

As for the brightness, H11 bulbs offer around 1000 lumens of light output. This is not the highest number on the market, but it is more than enough for most applications. In addition, H11 bulbs have a relatively low power usage of around 55 watts.

9006 General Description

This lamp is usually used for low beam headlights, as it offers a good balance between light output and power usage. Just like the H11 lamp, it belongs to the category of halogen light bulbs and has a tungsten filament that is enveloped by Xenon gas.

The 9006 bulb is slightly smaller than the H11 bulb, which makes it a bit more difficult to find replacement bulbs for your car. However, this should not be a major problem, as most stores carry this type of headlight bulb.

When looking for a bulb with good light output, the 9006 is a good option to consider. It offers around 1400 lumens of light, which is enough for most applications. As for the power usage, it is slightly higher than that of the H11 bulb, at around 65 watts.

Specifications Comparison

Specs	H11 Bulb	9006 Bulb
Base	PGJ19-2	P22d 90°
Number of filaments	1	1
Applications	Low beam headlights, less often - high beam headlights	Most often - Low beam headlights
Nominal Power	12 V: 55 W 24 V: 70 W	12 V: 51 W
Cross Compatibility	H11B, H11, H11SU, H11ST, H11XV, H16 without side clips	9006, 9006ST, 9006XV, 9006EB, 9006XSST, 9006CB, 9006HP, 9006XSCB, 9006SU

Nominal Power

The importance of this characteristic is often overstated. The nominal power of a headlight bulb is the amount of power it would use if it were operated at its rated voltage continuously. However, in reality, headlight bulbs are only operated for a fraction of the time and typically use less than 10% of their rated power.

The chief distinction between H11 and 9006 light bulbs is their wattage. 9006 draws more electricity at 60 watts, while H11 only needs 55 watts to operate. That said, 9006 bulbs produce a longer-reaching light and can illuminate a wider area of the road than H11s. This means that if the wattage of your car's headlight system is on the lower end, you're better off with an H11 bulb.

Brightness

Depending on the purpose of usage, the brightness of your bulb will vary. And it usually plays a significant role, especially for headlights, brake lights and DRLs. That is because they need to be as visible and bright as possible so that the driver behind you can see your car's intentions.

Another significant difference between these two bulbs is their brightness output. Thanks to the 9006 bulb's higher power rating, it generates around 1200 lumens of brightness, as opposed to the H11’s 1000. The difference in 200 lumens may seem not very significant. However, it allows 9006 to offer better nighttime visibility.

This is one of those lamps' characteristics that is often overstated. The nominal power of a headlight bulb is the amount of power it would use if it were operated at its rated voltage continuously. However, in reality, headlight bulbs are only operated for a fraction of the time and typically use less than 10% of their rated power.

Color Temperature

The H11 lamp has about 4000K color temperature, while the 9006 features around 3100K. As you can see, both lamps emit white light. Nevertheless, the 9006 is a bit warmer than the H11.

The color temperature is the characteristic of headlight bulbs that affects how well you see the road at night. The lower the color temperature, the more yellow-tinged the light will be. This can make it harder to see obstacles in the road ahead, as they may blend in with the background. Conversely, higher color temperatures emit a whiter, brighter light that makes it easier to see at night.

In case you get the wrong color temperature, usually, it is not a big deal. The only problem you might face is that your headlight bulbs may not match each other.

Lifespan

Although the H11 and 9006 differ in their power usage and light output, they both have almost the same lifespan - 500 and 400 hours respectively. This means that you can expect your bulbs to last for around 2 years with regular use.

In order to prolong the lifespan of your bulb, make sure to clean and protect your headlight lens from dirt, road debris, and other corrosive materials. This task may seem daunting, but it's actually quite easy. All you need is a headlight lens restoration kit and a few minutes of your time.

Energy Efficiency

The energy efficiency of a headlight bulb refers to the amount of light it produces in relation to the amount of power it uses. This is an important consideration, as it can affect both your car's performance and your wallet.

In terms of energy efficiency, H11 bulbs are slightly better than 9006 bulbs. This is due to their lower power usage and shorter lifespan. However, the difference is not significant enough to make a major impact on your car's overall performance. Besides, when the nominal power of a headlight bulb is only 10 watts, it's not really a big deal.

Usability

Most vehicle headlights have two types of light beams to choose from, which are low beam and high-beam lights. Of the options given above, only 9005 bulbs are made for high beam headlights, while 9006 and H11 bulbs are made for low beam headlights. At the same time, both lamps belong to the first type of automotive light bulbs, which means they don`t have general restrictions on usage. In such a case, you can use them for your car`s DRLs, fog lights, and so on.

Choosing between H11 and 9006 bulbs is not an easy task. Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages, which you need to take into consideration before making a purchase.

FAQs

What vehicles use 9006 headlights?

The 9006 light bulb is often used in the following cars: Acura MDX, Audi A6, BMW M3, Chevrolet Avalanche, GMC Envoy, Honda Accord & Civic, Mazda Miata, Nissan Titan, Saturn Vue and Toyota Camry.

Is 9006 same as H9?

The performance of a 9005 / H9 bulb is just as good as an over wattage 9006 / H11, if not better. Bulbs that are stock produce less heat and last longer than other bulbs- usually no more than 150 hours!

Is H11 a dual beam?

Single beam headlight bulbs, like H11 and 9005 models, can only function with one type of beam–low or high.

Conclusion - H11 vs 9006

Overall, H11 and 9006 bulbs are both great options. They both have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it really comes down to what you need and want in a headlight bulb. If you're looking for a bright, long-lasting bulb, then H11 is the way to go. However, if you're looking for an energy-efficient bulb, then 9006 is the better option. Ultimately, the choice is up to you.