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Have you ever noticed that the same products appear different under different lighting? The difference in appearance is due to a term called the color rendering index (CRI).
This article will explain CRI, why it matters, and why designers prefer high-CRI LED Bulbs in commercial fixtures. Read this article to choose the right CRI lighting for your requirements.Â
The color rendering index, commonly known as CRI, measures a light source’s ability to display color as naturally as it appears in sunlight or natural light.
A higher CRI means that the light displays vibrant and natural colors. Similarly, a lower rating indicates that the light source distorts and fades colors.Â
To better understand CRI, think of it as photo filters. Like filters, some lights fade out or enhance colors, while others display them naturally. Generally, a CRI of above 80 is considered good, while a CRI of 90+ is considered excellent.
Different light sources have varied ratings; you must choose the type that suits your lighting and rating requirements.
A breakdown comparison of the CRI scale, along with its best use, is provided in the table below:
| CRI Range | Description | Used in |
|---|---|---|
| 95–100 | Excellent - Display color same as daylight | Studios and Art galleries to capture and display accurate colors |
| 90–94 | Great - Display accurate colors. | Retail stores, hospitals, and makeup studios use lights with this CRI to see accurate colors and perform critical tasks. |
| 80–89 | Good - Most commonly used | Homes, offices, and schools use this index to perform routine tasks easily while preventing eye strain. |
| Below 80 | Poor - Displays colors very differently from natural light. | Warehouses and parking lots use this CRI index as accurate color representation is unnecessary. |
Some uses of each CRI range are given below to make it even easier for you to understand where to use which CRI range:Â
As stated, the higher the CRI, the better the lighting. Due to high CRI’s benefits, business owners, decorators, and retailers prefer to buy high-CRI lights in bulk. Mentioned below are some benefits that can be reaped by opting for High CRI Lighting:
High CRI light ensures a natural, vibrant, and accurate display of colors. It is used in retail and fashion stores to make products appear vibrant. Restaurants also use high CRI lights to make the food appear fresh and visually appealing.
The health department also uses high CRI lights to ensure accuracy in diagnosis. High CRI is needed in healthcare as patients may appear paler under low CRI lights. Also, Medications, lab samples, and emergency equipment often use color coding, and a low-CRI light could make a red label look brown.
As CRI acts as a diagnostic tool in healthcare, hospitals install CRI 90+ LED or fluorescent lights for accurate diagnosis. Salons also use High CRI lights in makeup mirrors to analyse skin tone correctly and clearly understand shades.
Lighting significantly impacts human physiology; blue-rich daylight stops the production of sleep hormones and makes the brain active. Similarly, dim and warm lights help your body to relax.
People often use High CRI lighting to uplift their mood and boost productivity. Because high CRI light is close to natural daylight, it helps people stay active, focused, and productive.
Lighting experts and decorators suggest using lights with a high color rendering index in classrooms, gyms, and offices. These highly rated lights help improve productivity and create a refreshed mood.
Places with high CRI lighting offer a warm and inviting atmosphere compared to areas with lower CRI score lighting.
High CRI lights are generally used in homes, restaurants, and hospitality sectors to create welcoming, natural, and comfortable atmospheres. However, prolonged exposure to any lighting source can strain the eyes, so you need to be careful with the choice of lighting.
High CRI LED lighting is extremely important in places that need an accurate representation of colours. The areas where using a high CRI rating is necessary include:
The selection of light in retail and showrooms impacts sales. If the light source that makes the colors appear faded is used, customers will not be attracted to the products, and hence, the sales figures will be low.
Using high CRI lights in commercial spaces is linked to motivating customers to buy products. Alternatively, a retail or showroom illuminated with warm and inviting light will boost customers’ moods.
You may have noticed that the lights in hospitals are often too bright. This is because an accurate representation of colors is needed for a precise diagnosis.
A maximum rated CRI light is used in the healthcare sector to ensure safety and prevent accidents. Also, doctors must perform medical procedures actively, and a high CRI helps them stay focused.
High CRI lights are standard indoor lighting fixtures, as they offer ample light to assist with tasks such as reading and writing. Schools are required to install lights with brightness and uniform lighting distribution to improve students’ performance.
Similarly, a high CRI index helps employees focus on work in offices. Low CRI and dim lights also cause eye strain, so they are not advised for use in offices and schools. Due to the high cri benefits, any high CRI-rated light source is an ideal replacement for typical study lamps.
High color rendering index adds to aesthetics and improves the overall appeal of the setting; thus, they are widely used in hospitality sectors. Interior decorators suggest using high CRI lights as decorative lights in restaurants, as this enhances the dining experience and improves ambience.
Also, people feel welcomed in restaurants with bright, high-CRI lighting, compared to restaurants that have installed low-CRI dim lights.
Using high CRI lights in museums and galleries is extremely important. Visitors visit museums to experience products and paintings in their natural form.
High CRI light is vital for preserving artwork and showing it in its actual color. If museums use dim light, visitors will not be able to see the artefacts clearly and will be disappointed.
Residential properties also use high-CRI LEDS in multiple places due to their numerous benefits. In kitchens, high-CRI lights provide natural light to make the ingredients look vibrant. In wardrobes, high-CRI LED strips are used to see the accurate colors of clothes.
High CRI lights create a soft, aesthetic vibe in living rooms and bedrooms. High CRI lights in homes also help maintain eye health by reducing visual fatigue and strain.
When you are in the market searching for high CRI bulbs, make sure to do your research to buy the correct high Color Rendering Index bulb.
Many types of light bulbs are available in the market, including E12, E26, BR30, and BR40. So, choosing the right one can be tough.Â
To choose high-CRI light bulbs, you need to consider certain factors. One such factor is to select a bulb labelled as CRI 90+.
A CRI of 90+ ensures that product colors appear as natural as possible. This is ideal for spaces with essential color clarity, like shops, salons, and studios.
You can check the CRI by looking at the box or the bulb specification sheet. Read the sheet or box thoroughly to find the light’s CRI index. Avoid bulbs with a CRI of less than 80 to ensure clear visibility and accurate color representation.
The second thing you need to do is choose the perfect color temperature. Color temperature refers to how cool or warm the light appears to the human eye.
It is measured in Kelvin (K). A light bulb with a color temperature of 2700K–3000K offers warm light and is ideal for bedrooms. A color temperature of 4000K–5000K is average for workspaces, as it provides natural white light.
Always ensure you choose a dimmable lighting source. Bulbs should also be flicker-free. You can check if the bulb is flicker-free by looking at the label or asking the manufacturer. LED lights are flicker-free and dimmable.
They offer a high colour index, consume less energy, and are environmentally friendly, so they are popular in indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures.
Whether buying a high-quality LED light or a high-rated CFI, take the necessary steps to select the right supplier. A reliable supplier will guide you in making the right choice and will be cost-effective in the long run.
Whether you are a homeowner, business owner, or designer, choosing a high CRI-rated light is essential. High CRI rating guarantees better lighting, which is directly linked to better performance.
The high color rendering index tubes and CFLS ensure accurate colour representation and are energy efficient. These lights’ ability to increase work productivity further makes them popular in offices.
So what are you waiting for? Transform your lighting experience by carefully analysing your CRI rating requirement and taking necessary action now.
Risun Corp is here to help you with all your lighting needs. Our decade-plus experience of providing tailored lighting solutions makes us more reliable.
Our vision of offering cost-effective lighting solutions allows us to provide our clients with reliable, money-saving lighting solutions.Â
So why waste more time? Get a custom quote for your bulk inquiries by contacting us now.
Yes, High CRI bulbs are worth it, especially in areas that require careful color consideration, like studios, salons, and showrooms.
High CRI bulbs ensure the colors appear as natural as possible and prevent eye fatigue. Compared to low CRI bulbs, these bulbs are expensive, but the benefits justify the high costs.
A CRI rating of 90+ is considered suitable for LED lights. This CRI accurately represents colours and is typically used in residential settings.
A CRI of more than 80 is also considered accurate but may not offer enough illumination for some settings. You must consider your lighting requirements to determine a good CRI rating for LED lights.
Yes, the difference between CRI 80 and 90 is significant. CRI 90 stands for perfect colour representation, whereas CRI 80 stands for good colour representation. Under CRI 90 lighting, the colours appear vibrant and natural, whereas under CRI 80 lighting, the products’ colour may seem dull.
No, a CRI rated 70 is considered low. CRI 70-rated lights distort colors and are not ideal for indoor settings. A good example of why a CRI 70 rating is not good is that a red apple may appear pale under CRI 70 light.
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