These are the highest CRI LED bulb I could find:
- Waveform Lighting 60W 2700K Bulb: 98 CRI, <1% flicker — non-dimmable — $18 per bulb
- KOZE Day Full Spectrum Light Bulb: 97 CRI — dimmable — $25 per bulb
- SYLVANIA LED TruWave Natural Series A21 Light Bulb — CRI 90 but is flicker-free in any dimmer — $29 for pack of six
- GE Sun Filled LED Floodlight Bulb: 97 CRI, unknown flicker level — $13 per bulb
- DiCUNO ProOE A19 LED Bulbs: CRI 98 — warm white, non-dimmable — $19 per bulb
- Bedtime Bulb: very warm bulb, 95 CRI, <1% flicker — $23 per bulb
Color Rendering Index (CRI)
The Color Rendering Index (CRI) measures a light source’s ability to reveal an object’s true colors. Objects without a high CRI light source can appear faded, dull or inaccurate.
Most LED bulbs have a CRI of about 80. Any bulb about 95 CRI is considered to have excellent color rendering.
Benefits of Having a High CRI Light
- Reduced chance of eye strain or headaches: Lights with high CRI flicker less, which stops you from straining your eye or getting headaches.
- Less blue light emitted: Having a high CRI can reduce the amount of blue emitted, which in return causes less distribution to your sleep cycle.
How CRI Is Calculated
CRI is tested by special machinery. The machinery causes the bulb spectrum to be analyzed against eight colors named R1-R8. Ultimately, the light spectrum is matched against eight colors. Depending on how well it matches, it’s given a rating of 1-100.
