The colour rendering index and the light colour are among the most important factors to consider when selecting the right indoor LED light. The CRI or Ra value provides information about the first of these features, and describes the quality of a lightbulb’s colour rendering. The higher the value, the more natural the colours are rendered. A classic incandescent lightbulb usually has a maximum value of 100, while LED lamps usually have a value between 80 and 90. Particularly high-quality modules achieve a colour rendering index of 95 to 98, which is almost as brilliant as that of incandescent lightbulbs.
The light colour is given in Kelvins. The ‘correct’ value here depends on personal tastes as well as the setting in which the light will be used. In principle, LED lights offer a wide range of light colours. They range from warm white (up to 3,300 Kelvins) to neutral white (3,300 to 5,300 Kelvins) to daylight white (over 5,300 Kelvins).
Warm white light has a high red component and an extremely soft and cosy appearance, making it ideal for living rooms and bedrooms. Neutral white light is somewhat cooler and more business-like, and is recommended for kitchens and bathrooms. Daylight white lamps with high blue components promote concentration, which makes them ideal for use in studies and workshops.
With some indoor lights, the light colour can be individually adapted, allowing you to creating lighting to match your mood or setting.