Here are some LED bulbs with very low flicker rates (less than 2% flicker). These LED bulbs even flicker less than their incandescent equivalents, which have a 6 to 12% flicker rating.
- Bedtime Bulb: a very warm and pleasant bulb, 95 CRI, <1% flicker — $23 per bulb
- SYLVANIA LED TruWave Natural Series A21 Light Bulb — 1.2% flicker — CRI 90 but is flicker-free in any dimmer — $29 for a pack of six
- Waveform SUPERWARM Flicker-Free LED Bulb — 1700K A19 10W LED Bulb — <1% flicker — non-dimmable — $18 per bulb
- Waveform CENTRIC HOME Flicker-Free LED Bulb — A19 10W LED Bulb
- Philips LED White Dial Flicker-Free Frosted A19 — 2.5% flicker, Dimmable, Eye Comfort Technology, 800 Lumen, 7W=60W, Title 20 Certified, E26 Base — $12.60 for 4 pack
- Philips LED Flicker-Free Dimmable A19 Light Bulb — 2.5% flicker, Frosted, Ultra Definition, EyeComfort Technology, 800 Lumen, Daylight (5000K) — $13.50 for pack of 4
These flicker levels were measured using a Radex Lupin meter.
The TCP Elite and Sunlite LED bulbs have a flicker level of less than 1% but only have a mediocre CRI of 80.
Flicker Levels Of Various Light Sources
- Natural sunlight: 0% flicker
- Specialty non-flicker LED Bulbs: 0-1% flicker
- Non-Flicker LED Bulbs: <2% flicker
- Incandescent Bulbs: 6 to 12% flicker
- Standard LED Bulbs: 11 to 25%
- Fluorescent Bulbs: >35% flicker
More About Flicker
Flicker is typically an invisible modulation of brightness or intensity. Flicker is invisible because it usually cycles at 100 Hz or 120 Hz (depending on the country you’re in). This is faster than the human eye can perceive. Our brains stitch the light together in what is called a “critical flicker fusion”. This makes the light appear continuous and steady.
After the invention of the AC (alternating current) power grid and artificial lighting, flicker has been a persistent part of the modern lifestyle. It’s mostly invisible but still present. There is a history of flicker causing headaches, triggering migraines, causing eyestrain, anxiety, or even triggering seizures in sensitive people.
Flicker has been somewhat mitigated in the modern world due to the introduction of high-quality LEDs and computer monitors. Governments and professional industry societies are setting and enforcing new mandates to eliminate flicker from modern lighting.
Here is an in-depth article about flicker by Alex Fergus.