X

Take a look at the best-looking light bulb we've ever tested

They don't come cheap, but Buster Bulbs from London-based design company Buster & Punch are about as classy as LED light bulbs get.

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
buster-punch-bulbs-1
1 of 9 Chris Monroe/CNET

Looking for an artsy lighting upgrade? London-based design studio Buster & Punch thinks its extravagant LED Buster Bulbs are the answer. After launching in the UK in 2015, the bulbes are finally available in the US too -- but with prices starting at $50 per bulb, they certainly won't come cheap.

buster-and-punch-led-heavy-metal-trio.jpg
2 of 9 Buster & Punch

Multiple designs

The Buster Bulb comes in three different tints: gold, smoke, and crystal. Each one features a resin "light pipe" running down the center that refracts the light from the diodes out into your home for a striking, modern spin on the old-school incandescent light bulb.

img-7836
3 of 9 Ry Crist/CNET

Light pipe

Here's a closer look at that light pipe. It's really just a textured, semitranslucent tube.

buster-pinky-bulbs-2
4 of 9 Chris Monroe/CNET

Patterned light

Here's how the bulb looks from above -- you can see the light scattering out in all directions.

img-7841
5 of 9 Ry Crist/CNET

On the wall

Here's how that light looks on the wall. You really only get that patterned effect directly above the bulb.

buster-pinky-bulbs-4
6 of 9 Chris Monroe/CNET

Dimming?

The Buster Bulb comes in both dimmable and nondimmable varieties -- but the dimmable bulbs cost an extra $15.

7 of 9 Ry Crist/CNET

Flicker?

Buster & Punch recommends using the dimmable Buster Bulb with modern Lutron dimmer switches designed for use with LEDs. Use one with an older rotary dial designed for incandescents like I did here, and you might see a little bit of flicker at medium settings.

buster-pinky-bulbs-3
8 of 9 Chris Monroe/CNET

Different specs

The different-tinted bulbs also come with slightly different specs. The crystal-colored bulbs go as high as 320 lumens bright, for instance, while the gold- and smoke-colored bulbs here don't get any brighter than 160 lumens.

buster-pinky-bulbs-5
9 of 9 Chris Monroe/CNET

Nice, but pricey

With nondimmable bulbs selling for $50 each and dimmable versions selling for $65, the Buster Bulbs are some of the most expensive LEDs we've ever tested. Want to know if they're worth it? Check out our full review.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos