X

Color rendering comparisons: Cree vs. GE (pictures)

These two LEDs both promise professional-level color quality. So which one looks better?

Ryan_Crist2.jpg
Ryan_Crist2.jpg
Ry Crist
cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-1.jpg
1 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

Click through to see how the Cree TW Series LED and the GE Reveal LED stack up to a 60-watt incandescent in terms of color accuracy.

cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-4-inc.jpg
2 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

We'll start simple, with five color swatches. Here's the 60-watt incandescent.

cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-3-cree.jpg
3 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

And here's the same shot lit by the Cree TW Series LED.

cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-2-ge.jpg
4 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

Now, it's the GE Reveal LED's turn. Notice that it isn't quite as bright (570 lumens, compared to 800 from Cree).

cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-5-inc.jpg
5 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

Next up: bell peppers. Again, we'll start with the 60-watt incandescent.

cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-7-cree.jpg
6 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

Here's the Cree TW Series.

cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-6-ge.jpg
7 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

And here's the GE Reveal LED.

cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-10-inc.jpg
8 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

Time for candy -- peanut M&Ms, to be exact. Here's how they look under a 60-watt incandescent..

cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-9-cree.jpg
9 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

...and here's how they look under the Cree TW Series LED...

cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-8-ge.jpg
10 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

...and here they are under a GE Reveal LED.

cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-11-inc.jpg
11 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

Here's a healthier option for that sweet tooth -- neatly sliced citrus fruits. Again, we'll start with the 60-watt incandescent...

cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-12-cree.jpg
12 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

...followed by the Cree TW Series LED...

cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-13-ge.jpg
13 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

...and finally the GE Reveal LED.

cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-16-inc.jpg
14 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

We'll finish with mixed berries. Here's the incandescent...

cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-15-cree.jpg
15 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

...here's the Cree TW Series...

cri-tests-gereveal-creetw-incandescent-14-ge.jpg
16 of 16 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Color rendering comparison shots: Cree TW Series vs. GE Reveal

...and here's the GE Reveal. Notice that the bowl looks more white and natural than the yellowy Cree-lit shot. In our tests, the GE Reveal actually outperformed Cree in terms of color rendering. What do you think? Which bulb do you prefer?

More Galleries

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone

18 Photos
Take a Look at Apple's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: New Colors, Prices and More
iphone 15 in different color from an angled view

Take a Look at Apple's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: New Colors, Prices and More

19 Photos
I Got an Early Look at Intel's Glass Packaging Tech for Faster Chips
Rahul Manepalli, right, Intel's module engineering leader, shows a glass substrate panel before it's sliced into the small rectangles that will be bonded to the undersides of hundreds of test processors. The technology, shown here at Intel's CH8 facility in Chandler, Arizona, stands to improve performance and power consumption of advanced processors arriving later this decade. Glass substrates should permit physically larger processors comprised of several small "chiplets" for AI and data center work, but Intel expects they'll trickle down to PCs, too.

I Got an Early Look at Intel's Glass Packaging Tech for Faster Chips

20 Photos
Astronomy Photographer of the Year Winners Reveal Our Stunning Universe
andromeda

Astronomy Photographer of the Year Winners Reveal Our Stunning Universe

16 Photos
Check Out the iPhone 15's New Camera in Action
A photo of a silhouette of buildings on the water taken on the iPhone 15

Check Out the iPhone 15's New Camera in Action

12 Photos
Disney Treasure Cruise Ship: Bookings Now Open for $9K+ Maiden Voyage
disney-treasure-tomorrow-tower-suite-3

Disney Treasure Cruise Ship: Bookings Now Open for $9K+ Maiden Voyage

16 Photos
Take a Closer Look at the iOS Settings You Should Change Right Now
A smart man holding an iPhone 14 Pro Max

Take a Closer Look at the iOS Settings You Should Change Right Now

10 Photos