Low beam vs. High beam: Basics differences

The high beam and low beam headlights are important for drivers. High beams release bright light with high intensity that helps to illuminate a larger area, and we can see at larger distances. High beam light comes with a higher tilt than low beams for different uses.

Low beam comes with a high-focused and controlled glow that is used for driving in a well-lit area. In this post we will cover details for low beam and high beam lights for finding their differences. So let’s get started.

What Are Low Beams?

Low beams are normal lights that release from car headlights and help to see at nighttime or in the dark for indoor parking areas. Low beams come with short-range focus and are also called dipped beams.

Low beams are an important and commonly used beam of a car. The light beam is set at ground direction for glowing roads, and it also prevents incoming vehicle drivers from becoming blind.
Normally it is recommended for drivers to use low beams, but new cars come with automatic features for detection of low-light areas and, as a result, glow.

What Are High Beams?

High beam, also called brights or full beam,that releases higher strength and more highly focused light than low beams. It is used for non-oncoming traffic areas and also badly lit areas.
High beams glow on the road at a larger distance than low beams and, as a result, provide high visibility.
The light beam for high beam has an upward direction angle for glowing surface area at a longer distance than low beam.
As compared to low beams, high beams do not turn on automatically. It needed manual controlling when required.
High beam used for a short time for providing extra light.

When to Use Low Beam Headlights

Low beam light helps to provide larger and highly diffused light that does not show any blind factor for incoming vehicles.
Low beam headlights are used for driving in well-lit areas. It is the default light for foggy, rainy, or snowy conditions for minimizing the effect of light reflecting off water droplet glares.
Low beams are also used for driving close to other vehicles. That is 500 feet of oncoming cars and a front car in range of 200 to 300 feet.

When to Use High Beam Headlights

High beam provides a high-intensity, larger beam of light for the glowing area since it is angled higher.
High beams are used for driving in areas where light is very poor, like in rural areas, and are normally used for speeds more than 40 km/h.
It is helpful for finding any coming cyclists, pedestrians, and other vehicles and animals.
It is also used for driving on highways and roads that have bad light.
High beams need to be used carefully and converted to low beams when in range of other vehicles.
Carefully use high beams in fog since intense light causes reflection and also affects visibility.

Advantages of Low Beams

Low beams are used for avoiding damage during oncoming traffic and provide safe driving.
For well-lit areas like streets, low beams are good to use since streetlights provide extra glow and high beams cause damage.
Low beams are good to use for rainy, foggy conditions and snowy areas since they reduce light reflection and cause glare that affects visibility.
Different legal codes say to use low beams for approaching vehicles, which helps to follow traffic rules without any hazard.
Low beam uses less power than high beam, which reduces the load of vehicle electrical power, which is good for older vehicles.
Energy Efficiency: Low beams consume less power than high beams, which can help reduce the load on your vehicle’s electrical system, especially in older vehicles.

Differences Between High Beams and Low Beams

Here we have discussed some differences between high beams and low beams.

Beam Angle

Low beams have features for direct light downward focus and somewhat outwards that glow on the road for seeing vehicles and reduce glare for drivers in front. Its angle is about 2 to 3 degrees downward.
High beam locates light straight to provide a concentrated light beam that covers a larger area. This upward angle is used for maximum visibility for darker roads.

View Field

Low beams cover a larger field of view and glow a larger area in front of the vehicle. The light covers the road and shoulder area in an effective way.
High beams provide a narrow, intense field of view focused ahead. This beam does not extend to a larger area and is not effective for glow but covers a larger distance.

Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical Illumination

Low beams normally provide asymmetrical glow, so they shine brightly and glow on road signs and obstacles without affecting glare on oncoming traffic.
High beams provide symmetrical illumination, releasing light in all directions over the vehicle centerline. This feature provides high forward visibility, but not for nearby vehicles, so it needs to be off when other vehicles are coming towards you.

Illumination Range

Low beams The glow road is in a range of 100 to 200 feet, so it is good to use for driving in the city and other locations.
While high beams cover 300 to 500 feet distance, so they are good to use for rural areas where long-distance visibility is important.

Brightness

Low beams have less brightness, so they are used to glow without glare. The intensity is about 700 to 1200 lumens based on vehicle lights.
high beam and intensity level in the range of 1,200 to 3,000 lumens. It provides high brightness for high visibility in dark conditions. It needed to be used only when no vehicle was incoming to avoidblinding drivers.

Switching Details Between High and Low Beams

Low beam

For urban areas and streets where streetlights exist, we can use low beams. It is also good for fog, rain, and snow for reducing glare.
When you are approaching other vehicles, use low beam, and for heavy traffic where visibility is less, use low beam.

High Beams

For darker rural roads where low lights exist and when no oncoming vehicles exist and the road in front of you is clear.
In areas where maximum visibility exists, like in remote areas

Switching Details

You can use low beams for a range of 500 feet of oncoming vehicles.
If you are following another vehicle, then use low beams in a range of 300 feet to avoid blinding the driver next to you.

Low Beam Vs High Beam Symbol

Low Beam Symbol

When we turn on the low beam light, you can see the symbol shown here on your dashboard. The low beam symbol is a headlight image with some diagonal lines. In this symbol arrow is pointing down to the ground, then pointing forward

High Beam Symbol

This symbol is seen on dashboard when using high beam mode. High beam releases rays toward the front side rather than the ground

Final Thoughts

The basic knowledge for finding the difference between high beam and low beam headlights is important. Since it has a headlight, it has its own features and limitations. Low beams are used for urban areas and bad weather conditions. While high beams are used for darker, open roads for clear visibility

FAQs

Is it good to use high beams in fog?

It is not recommended to use high beams in foggy conditions since they reduce visibility due to light reflection from fog droplets, causing glare. Low beams are effective for fog.

What are the guidelines for using high beams?

There are different laws for high beams in different areas. The driver should use a dim light for approaching oncoming traffic and for following vehicles.

What are the safety factors of using high beams improperly?

Improper use of high beams can cause blindness for drivers and cause accidents. It is important to use low beams when needed.

Do high beam headlights use more power than low beam headlights?

The high beam headlights use more power since they are made to generate a brighter light output than low beam headlights