It’s common to replace the factory-issued halogen headlights with one of the best HID headlight conversion kits. Headlights have come a long way since the first oil-based ones used in the 1880s. Also referred to as Xenon lights, these high-intensity discharge (HID) lights are brighter than their halogen counterparts. They also produce much less heat than other headlights.
HID kits are aftermarket products, which means they’re parts that enhance your vehicle. The best HID kits offer outstanding beam consistency and brightness. The basic principle of the HID is that it uses heated metal and gas salts to form plasma. This generates a light intensity that is more intense than halogen lights. Because of this, most HID headlights have a bluish tint when turned on, and also requires a ballast due to high voltage current. However, several complaints of blinding light from oncoming traffic have been made, dubbing these Xenon lights as “blinding.”
The best HID headlights are in demand in the market today because they:
Have a longer life span
Improve fuel efficiency and use 30% less power
Improve visibility and driving safety
Are easy to convert
Look great
Improve nighttime driving
Are smaller and more versatile
Have a more natural light beam
Have become a status symbol
Best HID Headlight Conversion Kits | What To Look For
HID headlights use different kinds of bulbs. If you look at the HID headlamp, you will see markings (D1R, D2R, D1S, D2S, D2C, D3S, and D4S) referring to bulb type. These markings refer to the various types: S stands for “Shielded,” R stands for “Reflection,” and C stands for “Colored”. The numberings D1-D4 refer to other features such as differences in use of mercury, the base shape/size, and other factors. While they may look like they’re interchangeable, it is important use the correct bulb or you may risk damaging your headlight kit.
As you choose the best HID kit for cars, you should consider the following:
Temperature – Temperature is typically measured in Kelvin degrees. The higher the temperature, the whiter the color is. Temperature can go as high as 35,000 Kelvin degrees but high temps are not for vehicle use. Lower temperatures, like 3000K, will give you get yellowish lights. Which may be effective as fog lights, but not necessarily as headlights. As a general rule, anything over 6000K is discouraged. In fact, it may be (illegal in some places) by the Department of Transportation.
Lumens – Lumens refers to the brightness of your headlights. It works inversely to temperature. This means that if the temperature is high, the lumens is low and vice versa.
Wattage –Wattage passes through the bulb after warming up. When the bulb is new, the bulb tends to shine brighter. This is because the length of the passage is short. However, as the end electrodes start to erode, the passage gets longer. This affects brightness. The common choices in wattage are either 35 or 55 watts. The 35-watt bulb lasts 5000 hours, which means you may never need to change the bulb. The 55-watt varriant has an average life span of 1000 hours, but is brighter by 20%. Beware, there are issues on “melting” headlights with the 55 watts but this happens if you use the wrong housing.
Ballast – Ballast provides the 20,000 volts needed to turn on the headlights. HID headlights operate with Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC). A HID conversion kit with a DC ballast ages faster but is cheaper.
Beam – Some cars have dual beam. If you want to switch to HID and keep the dual beam, get the Bi Xenon bulb, not the single beam or Low HID/high halogen bulbs.
Expect the best HID headlight kit to come as a complete package: HID bulbs, wiring, ballasts, and manual.
Best HID Headlight Conversion Kit Reviews
#1. Kensun HID Xenon
Editor’s Rating:
– HID Headlight Conversion Kit
– 35 Watt System
– Available in 3000k to 30,000k Kelvins
$39.99
Buy on Amazon
Kensun HID Xenon Quick Review:
The Kensun HID Xenon is CarAudioNow’s best HID conversion kit. It is 100% weather-proof. The Kensun powers the light with a 23,000 volt charge and keeps it bright through a 12-volt source.
It is a DIY kit with a plug-and-play system. What’s even more impressive is how easy and quick it takes to install. Just 20 minutes! The features that make this the best HID kit include:
35 watts
85% luminescence efficiency
Temperature range of 40 to 125 degrees Celsius
Available in several Kelvin degrees from 3000K to 30000K
Free technical support
2 Year warranty
Complete kit with two 9006 performance HID xenon bulbs, premium waterproof and shock-proof ballasts, brackets, aluminum carrying case, and instructions
Replacement bulbs available
Fits 9012, HIR and HIR2, 9006XS, 9006HP, and HB4 sizes
In addition, you will love their customer service. You’ll also love how stable these kits perform even on rough terrain. There were two minor issues that we noticed based on user feedback: either an installation problem (mostly user error) or a bulb that doesn’t work. However, under the warranty, these issues are easily addressed.
CarAudioNow
# 2. OPT7 Blitz HID
Editor’s Rating:
– HID Headlight Kit
– 35 Watt System
– Over 3,000 Lumens
$20.99
Buy on Amazon
OPT7 Blitz HID Quick Review:
OPT7 is a company from California that specializes in aftermarket headlights. The Blitz HID Xenon Conversion Kit is a great example of what the company aspires towards: the pursuit of a better automotive experience. This kit has a complete set-up with two ballasts, relay harness, two HID bulbs, and capacitors. Their OEM-sized Z-arc bulbs have an average life span of 5,000 hours. Temperature ranges from 3000K to 10000K. The color ranges from bright white to violet and pink shades.
These HID headlights are also 100% waterproof. They have several headlight housing options to choose from. They offer the smallest ballasts and simple installation. Additionally, they have a 360-beam pattern which means it emits light in all directions rather than just directly towards the front. If you need to replace the bulb, you will love their patented Quicksnap system which lets you change the bulb in three easy steps.
Also, under the Blitz 35W HID product line, the company offers two options: the regular HID and the slim version for smaller applications.
The specs of this kit include:
H7 bulb size, UV cut quartz
35 watts
Over 3,000 lumens
Bulb life span of over 4,500 hours
Aluminum casing, insulated wiring
Water resistance of up to 9 meters
Radio interference protection
Temperature range of -40 to 104 degrees Celsius
Lifetime support
2 Year warranty, 60 day return
CarAudioNow
# 3. Innovited AC 55W Xenon
Editor’s Rating:
– HID Headlight Conversion Kit
– Dual Beam
– 5,500 hr Life Span
$39.99
Buy on Amazon
Innovited AC55W Xenon Quick Review:
Three features of the Innovited AC 55-Watt HID Xenon Headlight Conversion Kit that impressed us were: the ballast, what’s included in the box, and value for its price. It has two HID bulbs with plastic and rubber gasket, wiring relay harness, and waterproof ballast. It also includes an easy to read instruction manual. Like the other HID headlight kits we selected, the Innovited works with 12 volts and has an operating temperature of -40 to 105 degrees. It has a life span of 5500 hours.
85% Luminescence efficiency with a 90-degree perimeter illumination
Dual beam
Bulb size H series, 9000 series, and 880 series
Weatherproof, water repellant
AC ignition voltage
Ballast runs cool
One year warranty (although some vendors offer two-year warranty)
Excellent customer service
It was difficult to find information on the company except that it is in Chicago with authorized dealers, and that the company has pending patents for the technology they use. The company does not have a working official website and very little social media presence. This may contribute to the number fake Innovited products in the market. So be careful when buying because the warranty will be voided.
CarAudioNow
# 4. Apex HID Xenon
Editor’s Rating:
– HID Headlight Conversion Kit
– 35 Watt System
– Slim Digital Ballasts
$29.95
Buy on Amazon
Apex HID Xenon Quick Review:
Another great value for your money is the Apex HID Xenon Conversion Kit which also comes as a complete kit. It is a plug-and-use product that takes just 30 minutes to install. Each package comes with two HID bulbs, two ballasts, wires, double sided tape, connectors, zip ties, two relay harnesses, and an instruction manual. Even people who are new to installing these HID lights will be able to complete the setup in no time.
What’s great about this kit is that the headlights are water-, shock-, and dust-proof. Its average life span is a little over 200 days (of 24hr continuous use), and its temperatures and colors range from 3000K to 30000K.
More features that make this product so great are the following:
Size is H11
Digital slim ballasts
35 Watts
Onboard CPU to prevent damage
Anti-error harness
Quicksnap connectors
Two year warranty
It is important to note that Apex is relatively new in the HID industry. Nonetheless, this kit performs well and needs minimal tweaking.
CarAudioNow
# 5. Innovited Premium AC Canbus
Editor’s Rating:
– HID Headlight Kit
– 35 Watt System
– 5,500 hr Life Span
$183.38
Buy on Amazon
Innovited Premium AC Canbus Quick Review:
Another one of our top HID headlight kits is the Innovited Premium AC Canbus. It is 100% error-free and promises zero issues with flickering, “headlights out” issues, or poor performance. While the AC Canbus ballast has a shorter lifespan and slightly pricey, is worth your money as an investment in contrast to the DC ballast kits available in the market.
Most AC Canbus kits are for specific car brands like the Audi, BMW, Volkswagen, and Dodge. This kit uses a universal ballast and can fit any motorcycle or car. It also comes with two HID bulbs, two Canbus ballasts, and an instructional manual.
The features that make this product one of the best in the market include:
Plug-and-use design
35 watts, 12 volts
Operating temperature range of -40 to 105 degrees Celsius
Lifespan of 5500 hours
Universal ballast fit
Low, slim profile
Waterproof and sealed, dust proof, shock proof, weatherproof
CarAudioNow
# 6. SDX HID Bi-Xenon
Editor’s Rating:
– Slim HID Headlight Conversion Kit
– 35 Watt System
– Plug and Play Install
$29.99
Buy on Amazon
SDX HID Bi-Xenon Quick Review:
The HID Xenon Headlight Slim Conversion Kit is unique because of its glass chamber, which means lower power consumption and better light quality. They also last a long time and are reliable. However, one major caveat is that this pair of headlights is best for off-road use.
The HID kit includes two HID bulbs, two slim ballasts, mounting brackets, and instruction manual. The light is available in neon, bright white, yellow, blue, pink, and purple colors. It’s also one of the most flexible as it fits many sizes including HB4, 9006HP, HIR, HIR2, 9006HP, and 9012.
The key features that make this a quality product are:
Waterproof
Shock proof
9006 (HB4) at 8000K
35 watts, 9 to 16 volts
85% luminescence efficiency
Operating temperature range of -40 to 105 degrees Celsius
Plug-and-use, making it quick and easy to install because it’s a
Outstanding customer service with full technical support
Certain vendors will offer a 3 year warranty but charge full price of $100
Compared to many of our best HID kits, you won’t get the same white brilliance from this conversion kit as you’d normally get from other Xenon kits. Another limitation is that you may also encounter problems with one of the bulbs. In its favor, the company has excellent after-sales service and the product is half the price of its other top-of-the-line competitors.
CarAudioNow
# 7. OPT7 Boltzen Canbus HID Kit
Editor’s Rating:
– HID Headlight Conversion Kit
– 3,500 to 4,200 Lumens
– 5,000 hr Lifespan
$79.99
Buy on Amazon
OPT7 Bolzen Canbus HID Kit Quick Review:
Boltzen Canbus HID Kit from OPT7 is a complete kit with capacitors and harness. We chose the 35-watt Boltzen which comes bundled with the H7 bulb. This emits a deep blue color. With the CanBus technology, you are sure of minimal HID error codes, if any at all. You also get a brighter Z-Arc bulb with a lifespan of 5000 hours.
Each kit comes with two HID bulbs, two ballasts, two capacitors, and a relay harness. It has many great features, including the following:
Plug-and-Use
AC power, 3500 to 4200 lumens
UV-city quartz HID bulb
QuickSnap connectors to lock bulbs securely
5 times brighter beam
Insulated wiring
Built-in ECM warning
Stainless case
OEM-grade silicon sealant
The key to finding the best HID kit is making sure it fits and performs well under most conditions. With Boltzen, you may have some issues with the fit especially if your car’s model is older than those manufactured in 2007. However, you can resolve this easily with their free installation support. Once the kit is setup properly, you are assured of error-free use.
CarAudioNow
# 8. H11 Morimoto Elite HID Kit
Editor’s Rating:
– HID Headlight Conversion Kit
– 35 Watt System
– 2,500 hr Lifespan
$149.99
Buy on Amazon
H11 Morimoto Elite HID Kit Quick Review:
Of all the HID aftermarket kits reviewed here, Morimoto impresses us most with its worldwide shipping policy. The H11 Morimoto Elite HID Kit System (and other Morimoto products) perform exceedingly well. Just make sure that when you are buying from this US-based brand, it is from an authorized dealer as there are fake Morimoto products, usually from China.
The H11 Elite falls under one of our best HID headlights because of the following features:
High quality bulbs
Headlight is either projector or reflector
Ballast input from 9 to 32 volts
Available in 35 and 50 watts
Heavy duty harness
5-year warranty for the 35 watts and 3-year warranty for 50 watts
The 35-watt bulb has a lifespan of 2,500 hours, while the 50-watt bulb has a lifespan of 2000 hours with 20% more intensity. The bulbs range from 3000 to 6500K.
Another thing to consider is that the kit system does not automatically fit on all cars and may need additional work. For instance, the harness may be too short for some models. Once the system is installed, expect zero flickering and a high-quality output.
CarAudioNow
The post Best HID Conversion Kit 2016 | Top HID Headlight Kits appeared first on CarAudioNow.