The most common headlight bulbs by car manufacturers are the 9005 vs H11 headlight bulbs.
Are 9005 and h11 the same?
They are two different bulbs, but how do you know which bulb fits your car?
Which bulb is compatible with your car?
Our research and this article will guide you in learning more about the difference between 9005 and h11 headlight bulbs.
Read on to learn more about the headlight bulbs’ advantages, disadvantages, and appropriate sizes for your car.
What is 9005 Headlight Bulb?
The 9005 headlight bulb is a high beam headlight bulb.
It typically consumes 65 watts of power at 12 volts.
Today, many 9005 headlight bulb variants come as LED lights for economical energy use.
The 9005 headlight bulb is among the most popular high beam headlight types used.
It is regularly produced by brands such as Philips, Sylvania, and Fahren.
If you frequently drive at night, high beam headlight bulbs can help you drive easier and better.
A high beam setting will illuminate roads brighter and reach farther distances.
Headlight systems vary for every vehicle.
With that said, the 9005 headlight bulb is suitable for a car with a dual beam system.
This means that you can choose between the high beam and the standard low beam settings.
The 9005 is versatile.
Switch your regular fog light bulb with the 9005 headlight bulb for better visibility during poor weather like fog or storms.
What is H11 Headlight Bulb?
The H11 headlight bulb is another common bulb type for car headlamps.
It uses 55 watts at 12 volts, however, wattage can vary across brands.
The H11 is also known as the 9004 headlight bulb.
Where the 9005 headlight bulb is a high beam bulb, the H11 is a low beam headlight bulb.
The low beam setting is the standard illumination for car headlamps.
Most traffic authorities in cities will require drivers to use a low beam setting.
Low beam headlights are less blinding for other drivers on the expressway.
The H11 also shines light at one position only.
9005 Headlight Bulb Fits What Cars?
9005 headlight bulbs will fit across a range of vehicles.
If your car manual says it supports an HB3, also known as the 9005 headlight bulb, you can safely fit in a 9005 in your headlamps or fog lights.
The 9005 headlights will fit cars such as Audi, Chevrolet, Honda, and Acura.
Car models from Toyota, Jeep, and Subaru also support 9005 headlight bulbs.
Vehicles supporting a dual beam system can support 9005 headlight bulbs.
Dual-beam systems allow drivers the freedom to control beam intensity and depth of illumination with just one bulb.
Single beam systems require a bulb each for low beam and high beam.
Is H11 The Same As 9005?
As mentioned before, the H11 and 9005 headlight bulbs are two very different headlight bulbs.
Indeed, both H11 and 9005 headlight bulbs have the same L-shaped body, but they are not one and the same.
The H11 headlight bulb is a low beam type, while the 9005 is a high beam type.
If you need brighter and wider illumination to your surroundings out on the road, the 9005 is your best pick.
On the other hand, the H11 illuminates in a single line of direction only.
If you mostly drive within cities, the H11 headlight bulb will be your favorite.
Fellow motorists will not be blinded because H11 produces a dimmer light than 9005.
The H11 shines bright at 1200 lumens.
However, the 9005 shines brighter at 1700 lumens.
The difference in brightness alone tells us that no, the H11 is not the same as the 9005 headlight bulb.
The Difference Between H11 and 9005
The H11 and 9005 headlight bulbs serve different purposes.
H11 and 9005 headlight bulbs differ in wattage, brightness, beam type, and compatibility.
The H11 headlight bulb consumes less power, with 55 watts at 12 volts.
low wattage results in dim light, suitable for busy cities with heavy traffic.
Meanwhile, the 9005 headlight bulb can consume 65 to 100 watts at 12 volts.
The 9005 headlight bulb is brighter and reaches farther distances.
Driving on lone streets in the countryside is safe and hassle-free with 9005 bulbs.
The dimness of the H11 headlight bulb categorizes it as a low-beam type.
It is also the standard brightness for car headlamps.
Meanwhile, the 9005 headlight bulb is a high beam type.
It increases visibility, especially during poor weather, but can temporarily blind drivers.
The 9005 is compatible with the H11 socket.
However, no modifications can make the H11 fit into a 9005 socket.
Are H11 and 9005 The Same Size and Interchangeable?
No, the H11 and 9005 headlight bulbs are not the same sizes.
They may look similar because both bulbs are built with an L-shape, but the H11 and 9005 bulbs are not interchangeable.
The base type of the bulbs dictates most of the difference between H11 and 9005.
The H11 sports a PGJ19.2 base.
The H11 base is bigger in comparison to the 9005 bases.
The base of a 9005 headlight bulb is a P20d.
It is different from the base of an H11 headlight bulb, but 9005 headlight bulbs are versatile.
This bulb can fit into H11 and low beam type sockets, and work as fog lights too.
9005 and H11 headlight bulbs are not interchangeable.
Their differences are meant to address specific purposes.
One type of headlight bulb cannot be a replacement for the other.
The 9005 is a high beam type, therefore it shines more intensely.
City drivers can be flagged down by traffic enforcers for using the 9005 headlight bulb.
It can cause glare and affect other drivers’ sight.
Simply put, the 9005 headlight bulb is used in cars with a dual beam system.
Single beam systems can only use H11 and other compatible bulbs.
Which One Do You Need?
Which headlight bulb you need depends on your driving habits and your car.
If your car supports a dual beam system, you will need a headlight bulb that supports both low beam and high beam intensity.
On the other hand, a car with a single beam system requires separate bulbs for low beam and high beam.
The 9005 headlight bulb is perfect for drivers who go on long rides out on wide, open roads.
Driving during bad weather can also be easier with this bright bulb.
If you are from the city and spend time driving down expressways, the H11 headlight bulb will light your path just fine.
Often, city streets are well-lit and bustling with other cars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Bulbs Are Compatible With 9005 Headlight Bulbs?
If your car manual does not explicitly list support for 9005, look out for bulbs that are compatible with 9005.
Headlight bulbs such as the H10, HB3, 9040, 9055, and 9140 have equivalent performance and strengths with the 9005 headlight bulb.
What is The Difference Between 9006 and 9005 Headlight Bulbs?
The 9006 headlight bulb is a low beam type.
On the other hand, the 9005 is a high beam type.
These two headlight bulbs are not equivalent and cannot be interchanged.
When Can I Use 9005 Headlight Bulbs Legally?
The 9005 headlight bulbs are legal.
However, you have to be mindful of limits, particularly in the lumen rating of the headlight bulb.
Consult your nearest police station to know more of the suggested lumen rating for 9005 headlight bulbs in your district.
What is The Brightest 9005 Headlight Bulb?
The brightest 9005 headlight bulb out on the market today boasts 16,000 lumens.
That is more than 9 times brighter than the typical brightness of your average 9005 headlight bulb.
What Bulbs Are The Same As H11?
H11 headlight bulbs are compatible with H8, H9, and H16 headlight bulbs.
There are minute differences in wattage, but the latter types are good replacements for H11.
H8, H9, H11, and H16 are common headlight bulb choices for fog lights.
Final Thoughts
Headlight bulbs come in varying strengths of brightness, efficiency, and durability because of their very different purposes.
The 9005 headlight bulb is essential in illuminating dark paths.
Meanwhile, the H11 headlight bulb is the perfect lighting to use for city drives.
9005 and H11 headlight bulbs cannot be interchanged because of their different functions.
However, these can be replaced with their corresponding compatible headlight bulbs.
Cars are built differently, and not all sockets can accommodate the 9005 and H11 bulbs.
Hello! My name is John Smith. I’m the creator of this website. Since childhood, I had a passion for cars and its mechanisms. So, I started working in the automotive industry when I just left school, and how I have over 10 years of experience in this industry. To make my experience alive through the content I started blogging through Lighting Sparkle. I hope that my experience through the content can help you a lot in making decisions and learning.