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Meet Cree's rugged new LED (pictures)

This bulb puts out 1,500 lumens from 18 watts of power and can stand up to the rain.

Ry Crist
Originally hailing from Troy, Ohio, Ry Crist is a writer, a text-based adventure connoisseur, a lover of terrible movies and an enthusiastic yet mediocre cook. A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking.
Ry Crist
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1 of 6 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Cree 90-watt Replacement PAR38 LED

North Carolina-based manufacturer Cree added a new 90-watt replacement PAR38 LED to their lineup of lights. Click through for a closer look.

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Bright, focused light

Cree's PAR38 LED uses 18 watts to put out 1,500 lumens of light. The PAR38 bulb shape reflects and focuses the light outward, like the headlight of a car. This makes it ideal for overhead recessed lighting setups.

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Wet-rated, with a warranty

Like all Cree bulbs, the PAR38 LED comes with a 10-year warranty. Unlike the others, which are only rated for dampness and humidity, the PAR38 is rated for wetness, too. This makes it an ideal outdoor light, since it can stand up to the rain.

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4 of 6 Colin West McDonald/CNET

Beam angle options

This bulb has a 47-degree beam angle, which makes it a suitable for wide, general purpose flood lighting. A 27-degree beam angle version is also available for spot lighting that's tighter and more focused.

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Color temperature

The PAR38 LED shines at a color temperature of 3,000 K, which puts it comfortably on the yellow end of the spectrum.

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Price point

Cree sells its bulbs exclusively at Home Depot. The PAR38 LED won't arrive in stores for another few weeks, but you can buy it online today for a MSRP of $24.97. That's cheaper than most competing PAR38 LEDs of similar brightness, which typically sell for at least $30 or more.

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