Consumer Reports, an independent product testing company, tested LED lamps from EcoSmart, GE, and Philips which earned significantly higher scores than most compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). However, not all LEDs were top performers despite the expense. Most Americans have used energy-efficient CFLs or LEDs with a majority of them (nearly 75 percent), using CFLs according to a recent Consumer Reports survey. The full report and complete Ratings of lightbulbs are available online at ConsumerReports.org and in the October 2012 issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale Tuesday, September 4th.

Consumer Reports found good choices for LED lamps that cost $25 to $60.  And even at $25 per bulb, the best LEDs can save consumers about $130 over their estimated 23-year life-span.  Some 23 percent of those surveyed by Consumer Reports said that CFLs and LEDs cost too much.  However, it's not the only drawback of these lightbulbs. CFLs can take minutes to achieve full brightness compared to LEDs that brighten instantly. Consumer Reports cited several problems related to LED bulbs that can largely be avoided if consumers examine the Lighting Facts label and other information on packages of CFLs and LED bulbs.