xenon vs bi xenon

Xenon vs Bi-Xenon Headlights – Your Illuminated Guide 2023

There has been a debate about Xenon Vs. Bi-xenon headlights in the automotive space.

Many automobile enthusiasts have argued that both headlights are similar. Others have argued against the first party, standing on the ground that both headlights differ.

Do you think Xenon and Bi-xenon headlights are similar? Or do you think they are entirely different? Well, some car owners may not be able to prove whether they are similar or different.

So, let’s dig deep into details about the two headlights to unveil whether they are similar or not. Spare some time to look into the subsequent sections of this article to enable you to understand the subject of contention.

Xenon Vs Bi-Xenon – Comparison

Many vehicles are now being fitted with Xenon headlights, as they are becoming very popular in the automotive industry.

Xenon headlights are designed for superior brightness, efficiency, and durability; hence, the reason why they are chosen over regular halogen headlights.

Xenon and Bi-Xenon vehicle headlights are not “grossly” different from one another, being that they use similar xenon bulbs.

However, the slight difference is traceable to the number of bulbs that each of the headlights uses.

Besides the number of bulbs in use on the two different headlights, they also feature a number of slight differences that can serve as the basis for differentiating them; otherwise, they are similar from a fundamental point of view.

The direct comparison table below unveils some differences that may not be easily spotted vividly about Xenon and Bi-xenon headlights.

Difference Between
Xenon Headlight
Bi-Xenon Headlight
Product Image
Philips D5SC1 Standard Authentic Xenon HID Headlight Bulb, 1 Pack
Innovited 55W AC HID Bundle with (1 Pair) Slim Ballast and (1 Pair) Xenon Bulb H11 H9 H8 Green
Number of Bulbs Used
4 bulbs
2 bulbs
Light Beam Pattern
Xenon headlights come with single-beam bulbs that cover one beam per time (high, low or fog). They are designed to switch between its two sets of bulbs to get high and low light beams.
Bi-xenon headlights come with dual-beam bulbs that cover high and low beams together in one bulb. They are designed with a mechanical system that helps to set the light beam.
Probability of Failing
Xenon headlights fail faster because each headlight consists of 2 bulbs.
They do not fail easily compared to Xenon headlights because the two headlights have a single bulb each.
Mechanical Malfunction
Xenon headlights are designed to resist mechanical failure because they do not have any moving parts.
Bi-xenon headlights are prone to mechanical failure due to constant (repeated) transition from low to high and vice versa.
Pricing
A little bit pricey
Relatively cheap
Difference Between
Xenon Headlight
Product Image
Philips D5SC1 Standard Authentic Xenon HID Headlight Bulb, 1 Pack
Number of Bulbs Used
4 bulbs
Light Beam Pattern
Xenon headlights come with single-beam bulbs that cover one beam per time (high, low or fog). They are designed to switch between its two sets of bulbs to get high and low light beams.
Probability of Failing
Xenon headlights fail faster because each headlight consists of 2 bulbs.
Mechanical Malfunction
Xenon headlights are designed to resist mechanical failure because they do not have any moving parts.
Pricing
A little bit pricey
Check Price
Difference Between
Bi-Xenon Headlight
Product Image
Innovited 55W AC HID Bundle with (1 Pair) Slim Ballast and (1 Pair) Xenon Bulb H11 H9 H8 Green
Number of Bulbs Used
2 bulbs
Light Beam Pattern
Bi-xenon headlights come with dual-beam bulbs that cover high and low beams together in one bulb. They are designed with a mechanical system that helps to set the light beam.
Probability of Failing
They do not fail easily compared to Xenon headlights because the two headlights have a single bulb each.
Mechanical Malfunction
Bi-xenon headlights are prone to mechanical failure due to constant (repeated) transition from low to high and vice versa.
Pricing
Relatively cheap
Check Price

Now, it is clear that although Xenon and Bi-xenon headlights both use xenon bulbs, there are some differences that can be spotted to enable a car owner to make the best choice between both headlights in case of a replacement of a current vehicle’s headlights.

Based on the information provided above about Xenon and Bi-xenon headlights, you should be able to determine whether your vehicle is fitted with any of the headlights, as explained in the comparison table.

Is my BMW halogen or xenon?

It’s quite easy to determine whether your BMW is fitted with halogen or xenon headlights. If this is your contemplation, take a moment and perform this exercise to know whether your BMW is halogen or xenon:

  • Turn on the car.
  • Turn on the car’s high beams.
  • Stand in front of any of the car’s headlights.
  • Look straight into the headlight for at least 10 seconds.

During the exercise outlined above, if you automatically become partially blind, the headlight is halogen. On the other hand, if you become totally blind while staring into the light, it means it is xenon.

FAQs

Are Bi-xenon headlights expensive?

Bi-xenon headlights are pretty expensive compared to LED or halogen. The good thing about the price of the Bi-xenon headlights is that it matches the quality, performance, and durability of the headlights.
Bi-xenon headlights come with more benefits than LED or halogen. They shine brighter and last longer than LED or halogen. So, in spite of the amount you are paying for the Bi-xenon headlights, you can be sure of getting maximum satisfaction from using the headlights.

Can you replace normal headlights with xenon?

Of course, you can replace your vehicle’s normal headlights with xenon. Xenon headlights are known for their sharp brightness, which cannot be contested by a halogen or any other normal headlights.
Xenon also lasts longer than regular headlights, up to an equivalent of 2,000 hours. The brightness of the headlights is such that it guarantees a long distance of visibility on dark roads during night driving.
If you are currently not satisfied with the light beam produced by your car’s headlights, or you are considering a replacement for the current headlights because of damage or any other reason, xenon can be a great choice to make.

Can xenon bulbs be replaced with halogen?

Yes, it is possible to replace xenon bulbs with halogen because they are interchangeable. However, there will be a slight difference in their performance.
A xenon bulb comes with gas inside its glass which enables it to produce a white glow. This is quite different from that of halogen. Also, Xenon bulbs produce minimal heat compared to halogen, which is usually very hot and they last longer than halogen bulbs.

Do Xenon lights fade over time?

Xenon lights actually fade slowly over time. However, high-quality xenon (HID) headlights have been proven to have a very long durability period. The headlights can last up to 15,000 hours under normal working conditions.
You can be sure of getting the best of the xenon headlights before they start fading gradually. This is a period long enough to get a replacement for the headlights.

Final thoughts

If you are contemplating Xenon Vs. Bi-xenon headlights, you should look beyond the fact that they both use the same bulbs.

Since the headlights both use xenon bulbs, that factor can be a fundamental similarity. However, some differences have been spotted in the comparison table above.

So, if you are considering opting for a different kind of headlight to replace your vehicle’s existing headlights, take a moment and find out which suits your personal preference between Xenon and Bi-xenon headlights.

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