A clean, balanced light. "Think of this for kitchens or bathrooms—it’s bright but not clinical."

This is the cozy, yellowish glow of traditional bulbs. "Perfect for your bedroom or living room," Sarah advised.

Leo picked up a "Cool White" box but looked for the wattage. Sarah shook her head. "In the world of LEDs, watts only tell you how much power it uses. If you want to know how bright it is, look for the ." She told him that 800 lumens is the standard for a bright room lamp, while 450 is better for a soft bedside glow. The Final Check

Before Leo headed to the checkout, Sarah gave him one last tip: He pulled the old bulb from his pocket and compared it to the box. It was an "E26"—the standard screw-in. He also checked the "Dimmable" label, remembering his fancy new dimmer switch. A Bright Success

This mimics high-noon sun. "Great for a garage or a craft room where you need to see every detail, but it can feel a bit 'blue' in a cozy space." Lumens, Not Watts