B22 (BC) LED Filament ST64 Bulb 5W 550lm - Warm White 2200K

This is a 5W LED filament bulb in the ST64 shape, the tall teardrop with a gently pointed crown that came from the early squirrel cage lamps. The glass is tinted gold, so the bulb reads warm and softly amber even when it is switched off, and two upright filament runs sit down the centre where they can be seen through the glass. The pack states 550 lumens at 2200K, the low end of warm white, which it calls vintage. The cap is B22, the two pin bayonet fitting known in the UK as BC.

Because the filament is the point of it, this one belongs in a fitting that shows the bulb off: an open pendant over a kitchen island, a cage or hoop shade, a bare flex drop beside a bed, or a row of them along a bar or a shop shelf. The beam angle is 320 degrees, so light leaves in almost every direction rather than pooling below the glass, which makes it a sensible choice for a shade that is open at both ends. It is an indoor bulb, rated IP20, so keep it to dry positions.

It is not dimmable, so fit it to ordinary switching and choose a dimmable lamp instead if the circuit has a dimmer on it, since a non dimmable LED on a dimmer can flicker, buzz or fail early. At 5W it stands in for an old 40W incandescent, the figure printed on the pack, and the pack also prints a 15,000 hour lifespan. Each unit is one bulb, with a minimum order of 12 sold in multiples of 12, which suits a run of pendants with a couple of spares held back. It sits in our wider range of LED bulbs, which also runs to B15 (SBC) and GU10 fittings and to candle shapes.

Will this fit my existing bayonet lamp holder?

It fits a standard B22 bayonet holder, the push and twist type with two pins on the cap. Check the old bulb: B22 pins sit roughly 22mm apart, while the smaller B15 will not take this one.

How bright is 550 lumens in practice?

The pack rates it against an old 40W incandescent, so it suits a pendant over a dining table, a hallway or a bedside drop rather than lighting a whole large room on its own.

Can I put it on a dimmer switch?

No. It is non dimmable, and on a dimmer circuit a non dimmable LED can flicker, hum or fail early. Use ordinary switching, or pick a lamp sold as dimmable.

What does 2200K actually look like?

It is a deep amber warm, noticeably warmer and more golden than the common 2700K. Lovely for evening and atmosphere, less helpful where you need to read small print.

Why is the glass gold rather than clear?

The gold tint is part of the look, softening the filament glare and giving the light its vintage cast. It also keeps the bulb looking warm in daylight when it is switched off.

How many bulbs will I receive?

One bulb per unit of this listing. The minimum order is 12 units, sold in multiples of 12, so you receive 12 single bulbs at the lowest quantity.