B22 (BC) LED Golf Bulb 4.2W 470lm Dimmable - Cool White 4000K

A golf ball bulb is the small round lamp that sits between a candle and a full size GLS, and this one draws 4.2W of LED to give 470 lumens. The cap is B22, the bayonet fitting with two pins that you push in and twist rather than screw home, so the first thing to check on the bulb you are replacing is whether it has pins or a thread. The bulb is opal rather than clear, which spreads the light evenly instead of letting it leave as a bright point, and the colour temperature is 4000K cool white. It is also dimmable, which is still not a given on a lamp of this size.

Golf ball bulbs earn their place where a standard bulb would look bulky or simply would not fit: small pendants and shades, bedside and table lamps, multi arm ceiling fittings, wall lights, and any compact fitting where part of the bulb is on show. The opal body helps in all of those, because an open shade or a glass globe will not reveal a hard dot of LED behind it. At 4000K the light reads clean and neutral rather than yellow, which suits kitchens, landings, home offices and utility spaces better than a bedroom, where most people prefer something warmer.

Because it dims, pair it with a dimmer rated for LED loads. An older resistive dimmer built for filament bulbs often leaves a low wattage lamp flickering or humming at the bottom of its travel, while a trailing edge LED dimmer holds a smoother low end. The retail pack states a 15 year lifespan and a 40W replacement figure, and the energy rating is E. Each box holds one bulb, and the minimum order is 12, sold in multiples of 12, so it suits a house or a let where several fittings take the same lamp. We also list the same 4.2W 470lm cool white 4000K output on a B15 small bayonet candle bulb.

Which fittings take a B22 cap?

B22 is the standard UK bayonet cap, with two small pins on the side of the metal base. If the old bulb pushes in and twists a quarter turn, this will fit; if it screws in, you need an E27 or E14 instead.

Will it dim properly on my existing dimmer?

It is a dimmable lamp, but the dimmer matters. A trailing edge dimmer rated for LED loads gives the smoothest range. An older dimmer designed for filament bulbs may buzz or flicker at low settings, particularly with only 4.2W on the circuit.

How bright is 470 lumens in practice?

The pack rates it as a 40W replacement, so it suits bedside lamps, wall lights and multi arm fittings where several bulbs share the work. For a single pendant lighting a whole room, look at a higher lumen figure.

What does 4000K cool white actually look like?

It reads neutral and slightly crisp, closer to daylight than to candlelight, and it keeps whites looking white. It works well over worktops and desks. If you want a softer yellow tone for relaxing rooms, choose 2700K.

Is an IP rating given for this bulb?

The manufacturer does not state one, so treat it as an ordinary indoor lamp for dry interior fittings. Where a rating is needed, check the fitting itself, since the enclosure rather than the bulb usually carries it.

How many bulbs will I receive?

Each box contains one bulb. The minimum order on this listing is 12 boxes, sold in multiples of 12, so a single order gives you twelve individual bulbs.