Review: Sunlike 3-5 E14/E27 Warm LED Bulbs (2200K, CRI97)

SunLikeLamp.com sent me two of their warm LED bulb for testing.
Manufacturer website: SunLike3-5 светодиодная лампочка

The E27 bulb is the standard A19/A60 size. The candelabra version with the E14 base is quite long so it’s probably best suited for chandelier type fixtures.

The main specs by the manufacturer:
–2200K color temperature
-Chinese SOL COB LEDs
-CRI (Ra) 97
–4.4/5W power rating
-AC voltage of 85-285V, also available as a 3-35V DC version
-lifetime estimate 20 years
-warranty 11-22 months depending on payment method

Measurements

Measurements were made in a 50cm integrating sphere with an x-rite i1pro spectrometer after the bulbs had warmed up for 1 hour. Intensity (lux at 1 meter, candela) was measured outside the sphere at 50cm.

The bulbs were connected to mains power which at the time of testing was at 224V.

Output at 1 hour is 235 lumens at 4.3 watts for the E14 model and 310 lumens at 4.7 watts for the E27 model. Manufacturer doesn’t specify output.

Efficiency is mediocre even for a very warm and high CRI light source at 55 and 66 lumens per watt respectively. I was surprised about the efficiency difference between the lights, since they seem to share both the LED and driver topology. Maybe the peculiar candelabra optic isn’t as efficient as the plain diffused bulb. It does look like the optic opening isn’t perfectly suited for a larger COB led used in the bulb.

For all practical purposes maximum output is reached immediately. Light output in lumens was plotted over one hour. Output drops only a little during the first hour and doesn’t take long to plateau. Output is perfectly stable regardless of house AC voltage fluctuations.

Color rendering

The CRI data was measured integrated after a 1 hour warm-up in an integrating sphere.

E14 sample

E27 sample

Color rendering is good reaching CRI Ra of 97 and R9 of 88-94. TM-30-18 fidelity index Rf of 93 and gamut index Rg of 95 are good, but there’s some desaturation in the yellow and magenta. This doesn’t really matter as the 2200K LED doesn’t exactly pop out colors anyway. Visually the light has a very slight orange tint verified by the measured positive duv. The super low color temperature is good for sustaining melatonin levels at night.

Here is the color data when the bulbs are installed in a light fixture (Ikea Tertial) and measured directly below. Results are pretty much the same as when measured integrated in a sphere. One notable difference is the better R9 value on the E27. The E27 provides twice as much lux at a target at a similar power level than the E17 bulb in a real life situation.

E14

E27

Load IES TM-30-18 Color Rendition Reports by clicking the thumbnails:

CGATS CRI Data files:
E14 bulb: SunLike 3-5 2200K E14 LED bulb - Pastebin.com
E27 bulb: SunLike 3-5 2200K E27 LED bulb - Pastebin.com

Color temperature and tint

Tint is slightly above the black body line on both bulbs. Remember that when LEDs heat up, their duv value almost always decreases and becomes less green/yellow. This was measured after 1 hour in an integrating sphere when the output and tint were already stable.

Tint shift is not an issue on either of the bulbs.

Flicker

Flicker is not an issue. Slight ripple at ~90kHz and a snob index of 0% guarantees visually stable output.

AC power draw

Electrically both bulbs behave identically. Current is drawn in short pulses 100 times a second as the input voltage gets high. Power factor is low at 0.55-0.57.

E14

E27

Cyan line: mains line voltage
Yellow line: current draw of the bulb
Violet line: power draw (voltage * current)

Noise

Both bulbs emit a slight buzz. The E27 model was subjetively louder and was clearly audible at one meter. Installing the bulbs into a light fixture with a reflector (Ikea Tertial) amplified the noise.

Verdict
The Sunlike 3-5 2200K LED bulbs are very warm and cozy lights with a good color rendering for night time use. They will be good at sustaining melatonin levels and not messing your sleep cycle. Downside of super warm light and good color rendering is the low efficiency, but as these lights are probably meant for occasional use in small quantities, that shouldn’t really matter.

The one drawback is an audible buzz heard from both bulbs. It’s probably not an issue in an enclosed light fixture, but annoying if used close to the user as a bedtime reading lamp for example.

Please note that the test was done when the bulb was brand new. I can’t guarantee that they will perform similarly after months or years of use.

Thanks!

Maximum in e14 body of this size is 4.4w

In E27 body is 5w

With 6w COB LED

It is the same model of led driver inside for all 3-6w models, but different input (400v) capacitors.

Sample models is 95-285v. If model marked 220v, it is with reusable fuse and 1.5-350CA supressor.

In this sample I placed wrong resistor for 5w (2.4ohm), it must be 2R2 for 5.0w (for hot bulb)

Diffuser of e14 watt model can be matt (your also can do it by yourself with 646 solvent)

Of E27 round or ordinary

This LEDs was maded special for me by 1000pcs (thanks them ond covid-19 (may be) that not 2000pcs as usually) by Smart Eco Lighting co. ltd (spe cial thanks to Edwin!) Link

I like bedtimeBulb philosophy, and it was the reason why I ordered lEDs with 2250k. Yes, 2250k without diffuser. But bedtimebulbs have blue peak, SOLs (by SmartEcoLighting) have no any blue peak!

Optic of e14 bulb can be replaced easy by yourself. It is for 1-3w emitter leds. And cover (diffuser) can be matted.

BedtimeBulb’s spectrum sucks =)

Thanks for the excellent review as always. A bit disappointing that they don’t have a neutral tint unlike the other SOL COBs.

Been looking for replacement for my old bulbs and Sunlike is winning. IKEA is close to me but being CRI freak and the fact that Ledare has low R9, Sunlike will be my choice.

I do have some of the 2019 Ledare in 2700K, their R9 is a bit higher than the older 4000K and 5000K, which were truly low R9. I do not think there is even any other LEdare these days but in 2700K, at least I have not seen any.
That being said seems like regular folks, are happy with really bad LED bulbs, Ledare in 2700K even if it looks way better than certain other random cooler and warmer bulbs tested in reality simply make no impression on most people. I mean it is quite impressive how much more specifications act on perception than blind tests with non-light freaks.

Too bad it’s positive duv. So hard to find a negative duv ultra warm white bulb

Fix it yourself if it is critical for you, use some color paint in the diffuser inside or outside.

I agree, it might be possible to get a Lee minus green filter installed, or it may be possible to coat or tinted the I side of the bulb rose.

I got my example of a 2200K Sunlike bulb. I do not hear whining from my example. The color is quite cosy, but it is a positive duv tint. The positive duv doesn’t bother me that much as my previous 2400K Archipelago LEDs also had a positive duv, but much lower color rendering. This light will be for my bedroom. I think it is rather neat heaving white light LEDs without the blue/violet spike.