LED bulbs are made from small electronic diodes that remain cool to the touch, whereas incandescent bulbs are made up of filaments (wires or threads) that get hot and eventually burn out. LED bulbs are six or seven times more efficient than incandescent bulbs, using 80% less energy, however, they don't fit all situations.

The main difference between LED and incandescent lights lies in their fundamental technology and energy efficiency. Incandescent lights use a filament that heats up to produce light, while LED lights operate by passing an electric current through a microchip, illuminating tiny sources called LEDs.

Incandescents are traditional light bulbs with a warm light. LEDs are newer, more energy-efficient light bulbs with a cooler light. While LEDs cost more upfront, they last longer and save on energy bills. LEDs, incandescents, and CFLs are all popular home lighting options.

The key difference between the incandescent bulb Thomas Edison invented in the late 1800s and today’s LED bulb is how each converts energy into light. Think of incandescent technology this way: When you put a piece of metal into a bonfire, the fire makes it glow—and the filament inside an incandescent bulb does much the same thing.