What Are The Best HID Conversion Kits of 2022?
The factory-installed headlights on your vehicle keep you safe when driving at night, but usually don’t do much more. Upgrading your headlights can not only increase visibility in low-light conditions, but new beams can also increase your car’s style.
HID Headlights, also called Xenon headlights, are a popular, stylish option. Plus, you can easily install them yourself. Not sure what HID lights are or which ones are best to buy? Our complete guide will shine some light on the subject:
Page Contents
- Best HID Conversion Kits 2022
- Our #1 Pick – Xentec Xenon Bulb with Digital Slim Ballast
- Our #2 Pick – Innovited HID Bulb and Ballast Set
- Our #3 Pick – XtremeVision HID Lights with Premium Slim Ballast
- Our #4 Pick – OPT7 Boltzen HID Kit
- Our #6 Pick – Innovited Bi-Xenon Dual Beam HID Kit
- What are the Benefits of HID Headlights?
- Increased Energy Efficiency
- Increased Brightness
- Style
- What are the Downsides?
- What’s It Like Driving with These Headlights?
- Can I Install These Headlights Myself?
- How Do They Work?
- What is a Ballast?
- How are HID Ballasts Different than Traditional Ones?
- Ballast Location
- Final Thoughts
Best HID Conversion Kits 2022
Our #1 Pick – Xentec Xenon Bulb with Digital Slim Ballast
Our top pick for 2022 is a complete HID conversion kit featuring a pair of high-quality bulbs and ballasts from Xentec, a trusted name in Xenon car lights.
Pros
- Complete kit with two HID bulbs and ballasts
- Available in a wide range of colors
- Includes easy-to-follow installation instructions
Cons
- 12000K isn’t usually considered safe for driving
Xentec’s kit contains bright lights in a small package. Our top choice combines easy installation with a durable, reliable product.
Each kit contains two Xenon bulbs, two 55W Slim Ballast, and an installation diagram. Bulbs are available in colors from 3000K to 12000K. Once installed, they consume 55 Watts.
Xentec’s set is a versatile choice which should fit in just about any type of vehicle. Plus, they have an excellent reputation for standing by their products.
Our #2 Pick – Innovited HID Bulb and Ballast Set
An easy-to-install kit which fully protects the ballast from damage, shock, and water.
Pros
- Easy to install “plug and play” design
- Includes bulbs, ballasts and mounting brackets
- Water, shock and dustproof
Cons
- Light can cut out if brackets aren’t installed correctly
Installing these HID headlights should take no more than 20 minutes. They plug right into your vehicle and require no extra resistors or extra wiring.
The kit includes two HID bulbs, two HID ballasts, mounting brackets and instruction manual. The bulbs are available in colors from 3000K to 12000K. They last approximately 5,500 hours (which is 229 full days).
They’re a great choice if you frequently drive across rough terrain or in severe weather. The bulbs and mounting brackets are designed to be 100% dustproof, waterproof and shockproof. Plus, they last five times as long as a halogen bulb while using 35% less power.
Our #3 Pick – XtremeVision HID Lights with Premium Slim Ballast
Able to resist shocks and water, this HID kit is backed by live phone support and a two-year, hassle-free warranty.
Pros
- Full set of headlights, ballasts and mounting harness
- Wide range of color options
- The manufacturer offers phone and email support
- Includes two-year warranty
Cons
- High beam feature not as bright as traditional high beams
- Bright blue colors might be restricted in Texas (and other states)
Are you new to installing a HID kit? Looking for some guidance during the installation process? XtremeVision offers live support by both phone and email. Plus, you can return the kit for any reason up to two years after purchase.
The kit includes two 35W Slim Digital Ballasts, two 35W Xenon bulbs, a plug-and-play wiring harness, and instructions. They’re designed to be 100% shockproof and waterproof.
Our #4 Pick – OPT7 Boltzen HID Kit
The bulbs and ballasts in this kit from OPT7 are so reliable and long-lasting they rival factory gear.
Pros
- Bulbs last up to 5,000 hours
- Z-Arc “mini ball” helps conserve energy
- Waterproof and shockproof with aluminum casing
Cons
- Customer support can be difficult to reach and unhelpful
These Xenon bulbs replace any light which uses the standard H10 bulb size. Once installed, the Z-Arc “Mini ball” provides five times the light of halogen with 35% less power usage. The estimated lifetime of the bulb is 5,000 hours.
A waterproof seal and aluminum casing keep the ballasts and bulbs shining brightly even when driving in rough and rocky conditions. They last about six times as long as traditional halogen bulbs. AC canbus (resistor) technology helps maintain consistent, steady light at all times.
Our #6 Pick – Innovited Bi-Xenon Dual Beam HID Kit
Another excellent option for bi-Xenon lights, Innovited’s kit is easy to install and backed by a two-year warranty.
Pros
- Quality construction from Innovited
- Bi-Xenon design with HID high and low beams
- No delay when switching between beams
Cons
- Harness relay has limited reach
Innovited’s traditional xenon conversion kits are generally well-made, so it’s no surprise they make a quality bi-xenon conversion kit, too. It includes two 55W AC ballasts, two bi-Xenon bulbs, and a harness relay.
Switching from low to high beams has no delay. The high beams are bright without blurring the landscape.
While the included harness relay works, it’s reach is small. You’ll probably want to augment the harness with a zip tie weave (we’ll show you how to do that below).
What are the Benefits of HID Headlights?
HID kits are popular for a few reasons:
- Increased energy efficiency
- Increased brightness
- Style
Increased Energy Efficiency
When they’re first turned on, HID kits require a rather significant burst of electrical power, more than a halogen or LED bulb. But once they’re on, HID kits only need a small amount of energy to maintain brightness.
HID headlights are the most energy-efficient option. They require roughly half the energy of a standard halogen bulb. Plus, they last much longer than halogens.
Increased Brightness
When comparing brightness levels between halogen and HID, the results aren’t even close. HID bulbs are significantly brighter than halogen ones. Typically, HID bulbs increase brightness by a multiple of three to five.
Additionally, HID bulbs illuminate more of the landscape. The design and brightness of the bulbs create a broad field of vision, including increased peripheral vision. Plus, the white light is clearer and sharper than the dull, yellow light from halogen bulbs.
Increase brightness leads directly to increased safety behind the wheel. You’ll have an easier time spotting people, obstacles, hazards, and more. HID is the far better option when driving at night during bad weather, in areas without streetlights or other extremely dark conditions.
Style
Many people simply like the HID style. The bright, white beams do help your car stand out on the road. Plus, HID lights are featured in tons of popular movies, including the Fast & Furious franchise.
Let’s face it: many car accessories are selected mainly because they look cool. While the increased brightness and energy efficiency are certainly pluses, you don’t need a reason to install HID lights aside from liking the way they look.
What are the Downsides?
Before installing new headlights, consider these potential drawbacks:
HID bulbs are more expensive than halogen bulbs. Because Xenon bulbs last at least three times as long as halogen, they’re the more economical option over time. But they do cost more initially. Also, they cost more to replace if broken.
Additionally, xenon bulbs can blind other drivers. Truthfully, these bright bulbs don’t always have the best reputation on the road. When improperly installed, HID kits can easily point directly into the windshields of oncoming traffic. That’s why proper installation is so important.
Finally, they’re not great in fog. The unique light reflects off the fog into the driver’s face easily. It can be pretty dangerous when driving in thick fog, especially with bright HID headlights.
However, 3000K HID lights can be an exception. In some cases, they’re used to replace factory fog lights. Their effectiveness will vary based on the conditions in your area. In some places, like the Pacific Northwest, halogen fog lights are the safest option.
What’s It Like Driving with These Headlights?
If you’ve never seen these headlights from the driver’s seat, you’re probably going to be surprised at how different they are from halogens. They’re not “halogens but brighter.” Instead, they create an entirely new way of looking at the road.
Halogen headlights, like the lights which are probably in your house, fade away with distance. You can’t see a precise moment where the light stops.
Xenon lights work differently. They stop, rather cleanly, at a certain range. The effect on your eye can feel disorientating, especially when driving at high speeds.
Can I Install These Headlights Myself?
Absolutely! Swapping out your factory headlights for Xenons is a fairly simple project. Most D.I.Y. mechanics should have no problem. Installation typically takes 15 to 20 minutes per headlight.
However, if you’re not comfortable installing the lights yourself, practically any local mechanic will be able to install them for you. If you purchase the lights separately, installation costs should be minimal.
The trickiest aspect with installation is aiming the headlights in the right direction. Even a minor misalignment can result in your lights shining right into the faces of other drivers.
How Do They Work?
Before we start the installation process, let’s take a quick look at what the different components are and how they fit together.
The HID Bulb fits behind the front lens. It provides the light. The bulb fits into the stock harness, which is the same connection the regular halogen bulb uses. However, with HID lights, the harness plugs into a new component, an adaptor/extension wire. Finally, the wire plugs into the ballast.
What is a Ballast?
A ballast is probably the single most important part of the headlight kit – even more important than the bulb itself! If any problems occur with your HID lights, the ballast will be one of the first items to troubleshoot. Understanding how the ballast works and where its located can help prevent headlight headaches down the road.
Ballasts have existed for decades. They’re a crucial component in fluorescent light but have recently grown in popularity because they’re needed in High-Intensity Discharge lights, too.
The ballast has two functions:
- It provides energy to start the light
- It steadies the power supply
When the headlights are turned on, the ballast sends a surge of electricity from the car to the headlight. By creating an arc between two electrodes, the bulb lights up.
Once the electrical arc is established, the ballast performs a second function. It reduces the voltage then regulates the electric current, keeping the light steady and free from flickers.
If the ballast isn’t working properly, the headlight will draw power too quickly. The headlight can burn out within minutes. The effects of a broken ballast can resemble a blown-out bulb. If a headlight seems to be constantly blown-out, even after replacing it with a new bulb, check the ballast.
How are HID Ballasts Different than Traditional Ones?
HID ballasts have a few different features than the ones found in fluorescent lights. First, they’re fast acting. After all, your headlights can’t warm up. They have to provide instant illumination.
The lights also need to be able to turn on and off as quickly as needed. With halogen lights, this isn’t an issue. However, it becomes more complicated with Xenon gas.
The gas needs to cool down before the current can be administered. HID ballasts use special circuitry to regulate the gas allowing it to turn on and off without any delays.
Finally, the ballast converts DC to AC. HID bulbs require AC, but most in-car power systems create DC.
Never use a HID kit with a non-HID ballast. Doing so will almost certainly damage the bulb and possibly your entire lighting system.
Ballast Location
Each HID light uses its own ballast. Most conversion kits include two ballasts. They’re thin, rugged rectangles which attach to the adaptor wire.
Ballasts are often secured inside an included mount. Typically, the mount is placed near the back of the headlight. (The best way to mount a ballast is covered in the Installation section below.)
Factory-fitted HID ballasts are different than the ones found in kits. Factory ballasts often connect directly to the bulb or are otherwise installed permanently into the car. If your car has stock HID lights, the ballast can sometimes be difficult to access.
Final Thoughts
HID lights look cool, but their benefits extend beyond style. Xenon bulbs increase clarity and visibility for the driver. Plus, when properly installed, they won’t bother others on the road.
Installing new high-intensity discharge headlights is usually a fairly simple task which should take you no more than half an hour. Use our guide above to help find the perfect HID conversion kit for your ride – and you’ll soon see the road in a whole new light!
