Globe Bulbs

What are globe light bulbs?

Globe light bulbs swap the familiar pear shape for a ball, so the bulb becomes part of the look of a light rather than something tucked out of sight. They suit fittings where the bulb is on show: open pendants, bare-bulb drops, shadeless wall lights and clusters of lights hung at different heights. In a cage shade or a wide open fitting, a globe fills the space where a standard bulb would look lost. Almost all of the bulbs in this range are true globes, with a few speciality shapes alongside them.

Which cap do globe bulbs use?

Almost all of our globe bulbs use the E27 screw cap, the standard large screw fitting often called ES. It twists into a threaded holder, so check that your light takes E27 before you order; a bayonet or small screw holder needs a different bulb. We also stock an E40 bulb for fittings built around the larger E40 holder.

Check the maximum wattage marked on your fitting as well, and never go above it. Almost all of the globe bulbs we stock draw under ten watts.

What size globe bulb do I need?

Globe sizes are usually given as a G followed by the diameter in millimetres, so the higher the number, the wider the globe. Most of the globe bulbs we stock are on the smaller side, which keeps them in proportion in pendants, wall lights and lamps, and we stock some medium and a few large sizes for wide fittings where the bulb is the main feature.

Before you buy, measure the space the bulb will sit in, leaving a clear gap all round inside a shade so the bulb never touches it.

Which globe bulb finish should I choose?

Many of our globe bulbs have a filament finish, with the glowing strands on show, and many have a vintage feel. We stock many in amber or gold finishes, which warm the colour of the light, while smoke finishes give a darker, moodier bulb and a few chrome finishes add a reflective sheen.

Opal glass spreads the light into an even, milky glow with less glare, so it suits fittings where you look straight at the bulb, and many of our bulbs come in opal. Many others are clear, which shows off whatever sits inside the glass, while a few are frosted for a softer look, and we also stock a few coloured bulbs for a more decorative one.

Colour temperature and dimming for globe bulbs

Colour temperature describes how warm or cool a bulb's light looks. We stock many globe bulbs in very warm white, a soft amber-toned light close to the glow of old filament lamps, and many in warm white, the homely tone for living rooms, bedrooms and dining areas. A few of our globe bulbs give a cooler, crisper light for kitchens, utility rooms and desks.

We stock both dimmable and non-dimmable globe bulbs, so check the product details if your light is on a dimmer. A dimmable LED bulb works best with a dimmer switch made for LED loads, as an older dimmer can cause flicker or buzzing.

How to fit and care for globe light bulbs

Changing a globe bulb is a simple job. Switch off at the wall, let the old bulb cool, then hold the new globe gently and screw it in until it is snug rather than forced. To clean a globe, switch off, let it cool and wipe it with a soft, dry cloth.

Many of our globe bulbs carry an IP20 rating, which suits dry indoor rooms; near water, check that your fitting is rated for its bathroom zone. Any new fitting or wiring should be put in by a qualified electrician, and in England and Wales electrical work in the home must meet Part P of the Building Regulations.