This guide breaks down the real differences between LED and halogen trade show lighting to help you make a confident decision before your next show.
The Short Answer
For most modern trade show applications, LED is the practical choice across energy consumption, heat output, running cost, and lifespan. Halogen lighting still has a place in specific applications — particularly for exhibitors with existing halogen systems or those who prefer a replaceable-lamp design. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right solution for your situation.
LED vs Halogen: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | LED | Halogen |
|---|---|---|
| Energy consumption | 16–50W typical | 50–150W typical |
| Brightness (lumen output) | High (CRI 90+) | High, natural spectrum |
| Heat output | Low — safe near fabric displays | Higher — check clearance and venue requirements |
| Lifespan | 30,000–50,000 hours | 2,000–5,000 hours |
| Running cost (per show) | Low | Higher |
| Color accuracy (CRI) | 90+ (excellent) | ~100 (natural spectrum) |
| Color temperature options | 3000K / 4000K / 5000K and tunable | Fixed ~2700–3200K (warm white) |
| Lamp replacement | Not required | User-replaceable lamp |
| Venue compatibility | Generally accepted everywhere | Check requirements before use |
Heat Output: A Key Practical Difference
Halogen lamps convert a significant portion of their energy into heat. In a trade show environment, this has practical implications: adequate clearance from fabric graphics and display materials is important, and some venues restrict or require pre-approval for halogen lighting. Always check the exhibitor manual for your specific show before using halogen fixtures.
LED trade show lights run significantly cooler. For booth staff comfort and product safety — especially for heat-sensitive items — this is a meaningful advantage in most exhibition environments.
Energy Consumption: What the Numbers Look Like
A simple comparison for a booth using 4 lights over a 3-day show (8 hours/day = 24 hours total):
- 4 × 100W halogen: 400W × 24h = 9.6 kWh
- 4 × 25W LED: 100W × 24h = 2.4 kWh
That's a 75% reduction in electricity consumption. At most exhibition venues, lower consumption means lower cost or more headroom in your power allocation for monitors and demo equipment.
Choosing an LED Replacement: What to Look For
If you're replacing halogen booth lights with LED, here's what to check:
- Lumen output: A 25W LED typically replaces a 75–100W halogen in terms of perceived brightness.
- Beam angle: Match the beam angle to your application (15°–30° for focused product highlighting).
- Color temperature: For a similar warm look to halogen, choose 3000K LED. For a crisper feel, go 4000K or 5000K.
- CRI: Choose CRI 90+ to maintain accurate product color rendering.
- Certification: For US shows, look for UL or ETL listed. For European shows, CE and UKCA.
When LED Is the Better Choice
- Building a new booth from scratch
- Venues with strict halogen restrictions or fabric-heavy displays
- Exhibitors who show frequently and want to minimize maintenance
- Applications requiring color temperature flexibility
When Halogen May Still Be Relevant
- Existing display systems built around halogen fixtures
- Applications where a user-replaceable lamp is preferred
- Exhibitors who specifically want the traditional warm halogen light character
- Venues where halogen is permitted and the application is compatible
For a detailed discussion, see: Halogen vs LED Trade Show Lighting: When Does Halogen Still Make Sense?
The Bottom Line
For most exhibitors building or upgrading a booth, LED exhibition lights offer lower heat output, longer lifespan, lower power consumption, and more color temperature flexibility. The upfront cost difference has narrowed significantly, and the total cost of ownership over multiple shows typically favors LED.
For exhibitors with existing halogen systems or specific application requirements, halogen remains a viable option — with the important caveat that venue requirements should always be confirmed before use.
Browse our full range of LED trade show arm lights — or explore our 150W R7s Halogen Exhibition Spotlight for traditional halogen display applications.