Best 250 Watt HPS Bulbs for Outdoor Lighting and Grow Rooms
Choosing a 250 watt high-pressure sodium (HPS) bulb involves evaluating brightness, efficiency, compatibility, and lifespan. This guide highlights five reliable options, explains how to match bulbs to your ballast, and compares light output, color temperature, and durability. Whether you’re upgrading street lighting, parking lot fixtures, or a grow operation, these bulbs offer strong performance and dependable operation.
The following quick-reference table lists the selected products, their brands, and key characteristics to help you compare at a glance.
| Product | Brand | Lumens | Base | Color Temperature | Approx. Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRUOTVSZAK LU250/MOG 250W HPS | GRUOTVSZAK | 30,000 | E39 Mogul | 2100K | 24,000 h |
| Sunlite LU250/MOG 250W HPS | Sunlite | 28,000 | E39 Mogul | 2100K | 24,000 h |
| Satco S1940 250W HPS (ET18) | Satco | — | E39 Mogul | 2100K | — |
| SYLVANIA LU250/ECO 250W HPS | SYLVANIA | ~30,000 | E39 | 2100K | — |
| AgroMax 250W HPS | AgroMax | 35,000 | Standard HPS base | 2100K | — |
GRUOTVSZAK LU250/MOG 250W HPS Bulb
The GRUOTVSZAK LU250/MOG is a 250-watt HPS lamp with a Mogul base (E39) designed for ANSI code S50 ballast compatibility. It delivers about 30,000 lumens and is built for long life, with a claimed total life over 24,000 hours. The bulb’s clear design emphasizes brightness for outdoor flood lighting or industrial fixtures, and the 2100K color temperature is typical for HPS applications, promoting a warm, amber glow that enhances contrast on large outdoor surfaces.
Sunlite LU250/MOG 250W HPS Bulb
Sunlite’s 250W LU250/MOG delivers 28,000 lumens with a 2100K color temperature. It features an E39 Mogul base for easy replacement in large outdoor fixtures or industrial lighting setups. This bulb targets high-intensity applications with a focus on long life and consistent performance, ideal for perimeter lighting, street fixtures, and parking areas where a bright, uniform light is needed.
Satco S1940 250W HPS Lamp
Satco’s S1940 is a 250-watt HPS lamp with a clear ET18 glass and Mogul base. It is designed for use in HID lighting fixtures common in outdoor and industrial settings. The lamp’s 2100K color temperature produces a warm, amber light that improves nighttime visibility and color rendering of large surfaces. It is sized to fit standard 9.63 inch length and 2.25 inch diameter fixtures.
Technical Precision 250W HPS Bulb
The Technical Precision 250W HPS bulb is a replacement for PHILIPS C250S50 lamps, featuring an E39 mogul base and clear glass. It is designed to fit standard 250W HPS fixtures, offering straightforward compatibility with existing ballast configurations. The 120V rating and single-pack packaging make it a practical option for replacement in labeled MOG units and related outdoor or industrial lighting applications.
SYLVANIA LU250/ECO 250W HPS
SYLVANIA’s LU250/ECO is a 250W HPS lamp in the ANSI S50 class with a clear ET18 bulb and 2100K color temperature. Marketed under the Lumalux ECO line, this bulb emphasizes compliance with environmental testing and robust burn characteristics. It’s suitable for large outdoor luminaires where reliable startup and stable light output are required across long operating cycles.
AgroMax 250W HPS
AgroMax offers a 250W HPS bulb tuned for agricultural and horticultural lighting semantics, with an emphasis on higher lumen output and a targeted spectrum designed for plant growth. Reported lumens around 35,000, the bulb produces a distinct, warm hue at 2100K. While tailored to growing environments, it remains applicable to outdoor or industrial fixtures that rely on HPS technology for broad-area illumination.
Buying Guide
Key considerations when selecting a 250W HPS bulb include ballast compatibility, base type, color temperature, lumen output, and life expectancy. Most 250W HPS lamps use an E39 Mogul base (MOG), which fits larger HID fixtures found in outdoor lighting and industrial settings. Always verify ANSI ballast code compatibility; the S50 designation is common for municipal and street lighting applications.
- Ballast compatibility: Ensure the lamp matches your ballast (ANSI S50 or similar). Mismatched ballast can cause startup issues or reduced performance.
- Color temperature and spectrum: 2100K bulbs emit warm amber light ideal for nighttime visibility and color contrast on outdoor surfaces. Agricultural settings may benefit from spectrum enhancements beyond standard HPS.
- Lumen output and efficiency: Higher lumens indicate brighter light, but consider beam angles and fixture efficiency to avoid wasted light and glare.
- Lamp life and maintenance: A longer life reduces replacement frequency but may come at a trade-off with initial lumen levels. Plan maintenance cycles accordingly.
- Environmental and regulatory considerations: Some bulbs follow TCLP testing standards or ecological guidelines; select bulbs that align with local requirements when used in commercial settings.
- For outdoor lighting: Prioritize bulbs with robust warm-color output and reliable cold-start performance to ensure consistent lighting after weather changes.
- For horticultural setups: Choose bulbs marketed with higher PAR output and spectrum optimization if the fixture is used for plant growth rather than general area lighting.
- Installation best practices: Handle bulbs with care, avoid touching the glass, and replace capacitors or ballasts if flickering or irregular startup occurs.
Across these options, you’ll find bulbs that balance brightness, longevity, and ballast compatibility. When shopping, consider warranty terms and vendor reliability to ensure continued performance and support for your lighting system.