Bulb Showdown: C9 vs G30

The C9 and G30 bulbs are the industry standard for seasonal roofline decorative lighting. They are also often used on large trees where 12” and up to 36” spaced bulbs are appropriate. But which one should you choose? Let's discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.

C9 Bulb

This is the traditional Christmas-light-shaped, or conical, bulb that people have grown up with. It evokes a nostalgic  “Christmas” feeling. Its faceted, shatter-proof, polycarbonate lens emits a sparkle effect when viewed closely. Big Star Lights’ version has a patented and high quality silicone plug inside its base to seal water out even with temperature fluctuations when bulbs are turned on or off in wet weather. A layer of epoxy glue between the base and the lens provides additional protection. 

Inside the lens is a unique optical cone that refracts light evenly up to 270 degrees so that its elegance can be enjoyed from a variety of viewing angles, which is particularly advantageous when these bulbs are used in trees where bulb angle cannot be controlled. High quality components on the inside include 3 SMD LED chips drawing a total of 0.45 watts. The brightness of the bulbs are equivalent to competitors, but they need to operate at 0.58W or 0.7W, which is far less stable.

At the bottom of the bulb is a contact point that is triple plated in nickel to ensure minimal corrosion. This is often seen when there’s contact with the base wire, which uses a dissimilar metal, particularly in wet conditions.

Lastly, Big Star Lights’s polycarbonate products use UV stabilizers to prevent them from going cloudy or turning yellow over time. This is particularly important in warmer climate or south-facing installations.

However, the C9 bulbs have some disadvantages due to their shape. The larger cone is more noticeable when the lights are off, which could be unattractive if you leave lights up year-round. The faceted lens also tends to accumulate grime, snow, or freezing rain more easily, posing a problem if you rely on magnetic clips that may not support the weight of such accumulation.

G30 Bulb

The G30 bulb shares the same internal components as the C9, except for an enhanced optical cone for a bright, beautiful look across 270 degrees. The most significant difference is its wonderfully round shape, which is more attractive for various occasions like weddings and festivals, not just Christmas. The lens behaves like a magnifying glass, giving the illusion of a brighter, crisper-looking light bulb.

Since its lens is noticeably smaller, the bulbs are more discreet when turned off or left up year round. Furthermore, the round shape of the lens tends to shed water, grime, snow, and ice much better than the C9 bulbs. Lastly the G30’s use the same UV stabilizers, operate at the same low wattage of 0.45 watts, and have the same industry-leading water resistance as the C9 bulbs. 

Important Note on LED Stability

LED stability is the ability of the LED to uphold its original brightness and color. All LED’s have an inherent property where these diminish over time. For example, warm-white will turn yellow, or pure-white will turn blue. Some brands market the point where their bulbs exhibit 80% of their original look as 50,000 or 100,000 hrs.This is also known as lifespan. 

However, the reality is often far different from what is advertised and varies on climate. When more power is passed through an SMD chip, it becomes less stable and changes are noticeable much sooner. This is particularly noticeable when you need to add or replace bulbs with new ones next to older ones. If you are a professional installer, LED stability is very important, particularly if you are offering a leasing program and reusing lights on different properties while also supplementing the decor with new lights – the bulbs won’t look nearly the same, which is very unattractive.

The decision of using the C9 or G30 as your choice of E17 retrofit bulbs on rooflines or large trees should be based on when you plan to enjoy the lights. If you want the flexibility of using them for occasions outside of Christmas, or if you want a bulb that is more discreet when turned off, the G30’s is without a doubt the better choice. If you want a more traditional shaped bulb, the C9 will be the better choice. If you are still undecided, we invite you to request samples to make an informed decision.