Oh, how LED bulbs have fallen. The price that is.
In 2010 when Philips introduced the first 60-watt equivalent it cost about $40. Seven years later the price has fallen more than 80 percent on average, but now Bulbs.com is selling a 60-watt equivalent of the standard light A19 light bulb for $1.99 each in a 2-pack. The flash sale today only (March 22) is on a private label bulb (Bulbs.com brand).
Most retailers are selling the most popular selling LED lightbulb for $5 to $9. Home Depot, which is often the most price-competitive retailer with the best selection, sells versions of the A19 for $4 to $30 online. Ikea sells A19 shapes with slightly lower wattages for $5 to $10 and Wal-Mart.com starts at $3 but the lowest-priced models are out of stock. Menards often sells low-priced LEDs by FEIT, but its online prices are difficult to compare to stores.
The Bulbs.com $1.99 bulb is 800 lumens (standard for a 60-watt bulb), but it's not top-of-the-line. It has an expected lifespan of 15,000 hours or 13.7 years with daily use of three hours. It is not dimmable and must be used only in dry locations. Like most LEDs, it should not be used in enclosed fixtures or its lifespan will be shortened.
Shipping is a flat $9.95 for orders under $99.
