Soft White Vs Warm White (Know The Differences)

When you are comparing soft white vs warm white, warm white is yellowish-white with a color temperature rating of 3000-3500/4000K. On the other hand, soft white is yellow, having a temperature rating of 2700-3000K. Besides, soft white bulbs are more suitable for bedrooms, kitchens, dining, and outdoors. And warm white bulbs are recommended to use in the bathroom and offices.

Already you’ve understood the major differences between warm white and soft white. However, there are a few more differences you should know before getting one. So let’s dive into the extended comparison part. 

What Are Warm White Bulbs?

Warm white is a type of white light having a yellowish-white amber tint in its color temperature. The warm white bulb/led provides around 3000-3500/4000K temperature rating. It brings a comfortable and warm feeling, 

Besides, If you’re a makeup person then warm white is more suitable to have in the bathroom. It is brighter compared to soft white and doesn’t impact any disturbing or cozy feeling. Also warm white has no harmful effect on your eyes. In your office, you can use warm white LEDs to make the environment more focused. 

Read Also: Led Light Color Temperature

What Are Soft White Bulbs?

Now soft white bulbs emit a warmer glow and bring a cozy and welcoming feeling. They come with a temperature rating below 3000K. When it is 2700K then the light color is provided by an incandescent. And when it’s 2800K then it’s provided by a halogen bulb. 

The soft white bulbs also help to have a great good night’s sleep and relaxation in any place. So, for bedroom and dining, you can consider setting one without any doubt. Finally, just like warm white, soft white is also comfortable and harmless for human eyes.

Soft White Vs Warm White: Quick Overview

If you’re in a hurry then don’t worry. In the table below I explained everything briefly. You can just check it at a glance to have a quick idea. 

Comparison Facts	Soft White	Warm White
Color Temperature	2700-3000 Kelvin	3000-3500/4000 Kelvin
Appearance	Yellow	Yellowish-white
Lighting Effect on You	Comfortable and cozy	Neutral
Price	Available in both higher and cheaper price	Available in both higher and cheaper price
Electricity Consumption	15 Watt (Approximately when 120V)	20 Watt (Approximately when 120V)

Soft White Vs Warm White: Where to Use

The biggest comparison between soft white and warm white comes according to their usability in different places.

For Kitchen/Living Areas

If you’re looking for a light for the kitchen or living area when the ideal range should be between 2700-3500K. It covers both soft white and warm white. So, you can use both of them in your kitchen/living area. 

For Bedrooms

When it’s about bedroom lights then the range should be 3000K or below it. So, surely soft white should be a better choice for you. Among soft light, incandescent bulbs will be the best.

For Bathrooms

Now, the question is – soft white or warm white for bedroom?

For bathrooms, the ideal temperature range is actually upon personal preferences. Hence the range is slightly higher; 3500-5000K. So it is perfect to use a warm white light or a cool white light in the bathroom.

Moreover, if you use makeup allocation in the bathroom then cooler bulbs are recommended. 

NB: The range of a cool white light is between 4000-5000K

For Dining room

The ideal color temperature for a dining room is like a kitchen 2700-300K. Which indicates a soft white is a perfect choice for your dining room. 

It’s the most common color temperature which is considered neutral, welcoming, and comfortable. Moreover, for its cozy and luminous glow, it suits perfectly in the dining room.

For Office

So, which one goes best for the office between warm white and soft white? The office environment should be decorated with cooler color temperature lights.

Here the ideal range is 4000-5000K. That means none of the soft or warm white bulbs are suitable. Instead, a cool white is perfect for the office.

NB: According to different office environments, warm whites are often recommended to use in offices.

For Outdoor Lighting

A debate runs between whether daylight or a soft white for outdoors. As soft white is warm, cozy, and welcoming, the home improvement experts suggest (2500-2700K) warm white bulb/led is perfect for use outside when it’s a residential area. 

Below I have added a table for a quick view of when to go for a soft white and when for warm white.

Application	Suitable Light (Soft White or Warm White)
Kitchen	Both
Living room	Soft White
Bedroom	Soft White
Dining room	Soft White
Bathroom	Warm White
Office/Garage	Warm white/Cool White
Outdoor	Soft White

 

FAQ 

Is soft white and warm white the same?

Some people think soft white and warm white are the same. But they are wrong. Soft white and warm white are different in both color temperature and light shed. The color temperature range of soft white is 2700-3000K or lower but the range of warm white is 3000-3500/4000K.

Which bulb is brighter, soft white or warm white?

Warm white is comparatively brighter. The color temperature is higher in warm white. Moreover, it contains more blue light which makes the light brighter, 

Conclusion

I think by now you’ve understood the comparison between soft white vs warm white. 

Most of the cases soft white lights are used and it’s less power-consuming. However, about the price, it’s hard to say which one is cheaper. Because both of the lights have both cheaper and expensive models.

That’s all for today. I hope no next time you’ll purchase the ideal right for the ideal place.