MR16 light bulbs  are common solutions in household ceilingdownlights. Halogen MR16 spotlights however have plenty of disadvantages including the very high operating temperature, the high power consumption, and the very short lifespan. None of these disadvantages occur with an LED MR16 replacement, since LEDs have an extremely long lifespan and almost 90% less power consumption too. Due to the high conversion rate of power, LEDs turn 90%of the energy into light, and only the rest to heat. This makes them cooler running, safer to touch and mean no hazard of fire near furniture for instance.

MR16 lamps are in other words multifaceted reflectors, with the numbers indicating the diameter of the lamp. Besides the MR16 size, MR11 and MR8 lamps are also common, though the diameter is measured in a peculiar way. 16 actually stands for 16 times one eighths of an inch, therefore two inches. What we traditionally call an MR16 bulb has a GU5.3 fitting and operates at 12V. GU5.3 fitting is basically a pair of pins, and most frequently they are not polarity sensitive, operating both on AC and DC. MR16 bulbs can be operated at mains as well if they come with GU10 fittings. These bulbs, however, are usually referred to as GU10 spotlights, and the MR16 name usually refers to 12V lights.

The traditional halogen MR16 lights are very bright sources of light, emitting a yellowish, warm white light, and dimmable function but have plenty of disadvantages, some of which we have already mentioned. The reflecting surface, which intensifies the brightness of the bulb is either made of pressed glass, or in cheaper versions it is replaced with aluminium. This reflecting surface is responsible for determining the beam angle of the light emitted, ranging traditionally between 10 and 60 degrees. If the surface is not aluminium, the glass is under constant pressure, and easily explodes. This is not only a major reason for short lifespan for the bulb, but also dangerous anyone happens to be around the bulb at the time of explosion.

The low power conversion rate of these halogen lights also means they are dangerously hot during operation, since they turn most of the energy into heat instead of light. Therefore they are sources of fire hazard in any home, so fitting them near textile or wood should be avoided, and handling these bulbs should always happen with extra care. Halogen MR16s also emit ultraviolet light harmful to human health, so these solutions are especially disadvantageous in rooms and offices where there is no other source of light.The glass cover applied on later versions serve as shields filtering most of this ultraviolet light and protecting the environment of the bulb in case of an explosion.

LED MR16 bulbs on the other hand have none of these disadvantages mentioned above. First of all, LED MR16 bulbs are called MR16 to indicate the bulb they are replaced with. In reality they do not come withmultifaceted reflectors, but instead LEDs are positioned on the surface of the light and their beam angle is controlled usually with the optics of each diode. This way all risks regarding the pressed glass component of halogens are fully avoided. Another advantage of LED MR16 replacements is their wide range of colour temperature compared to halogens. These LEDs are also available in various colours besides white, and give more room for decorating your home with low power consumption lights.

Low power consumption of LEDs is achieved with an efficient conversion rate of energy mentioned before, but what really wins LEDs is their extremely long lifespan compared to halogen bulbs. With the constant development of this technology lifespan indexes are getting better continuously, but even the simplest designs have 25 000 hours of lifespan.