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Don’t worry! We’ve done some extensive research to help you choose the best hid kits. We compiled the data and specifications on the best HID kits that are in the market, to see which ones will give you the best new headlights. We checked out over 30 different models and were able to narrow it down to our favorite 7 HID kits.

Today, we’ll be helping you shed some light on the different kits available, and help you pick the best HID kit.

There is quite a range of conversion kits available in the marketplace, and these conversion kits are a great way to give you a brighter light in your existing car.

If you’ve gone out driving and been jealous of those bright white, sometimes bluish, looking headlights, you aren't alone. Sometimes our stock headlights just start to lose their shine or just aren't enough. Thankfully, the wonders of technology make it a relatively easy process to upgrade to those big pearly white headlights, and we’ve got a range of the best HID kits to choose from.

Still, overall performance is strong, and the color is, more often than not, as advertised.

Like the Kensun however, you’d be dipping into the wallet again if you need to sort out some of the common HID errors, with no relay harness and no capacitors included.

Still, the Innovited HID Kit comes with a warranty and is very energy efficient. It generates less heat than most HID kits during operation and does have a long-advertised service life.

With a set of 55-watt ballasts and bulbs, this HID kit is more powerful than most stock HIDs, giving a strong and crisp color. The bulbs, however, are of a lower quality than those in the OPT7 and Kensun range and do tend to wane in performance near the end of their shelf life of 5,500 hours.

Innovited’s mountings are known to be better suited for modern cars, so it’s recommended to check and see which cars have successfully installed this kit over others. The range of compatible fittings is quite vast and should cover most cars.

Inevitably, there are some cars where even the easiest of kits are impossible to install. Kensun ’s customer service is rated as some of the best out of all our HID kits, making it easy and simple to get replacement parts, service advice, and install support.

Another small drawback is that the bulbs are hard-fixed into their base, making it harder to replace the bulb should you require a new one.

Most users report an easy to install process for this HID Kit . However, on more complicated car setups, it can be a bit tricker. The lack of a relay harness or capacitors does drawback the bright lighting.

Assembly is pretty simple as well. With ballast mountings, and all items pre-wired, the kit is a plug and play option making it an easy install.

Boasting 55-watt ballasts and bulbs, this HID Kit is certainly more powerful than most conventional stock HIDs and provides a strong, more intense beam. This power along with the shock-proof construction, weatherproof ballasts, and bulbs create a very durable and long-lasting product.

The kit also comes with mounting brackets, and of course, the two HID Xenon bulbs. When purchasing, there is a wide variety of bulb fitting sizes available.

This conversion kit comes with a fancy metallic briefcase, the type you see in the movies and looks like it contains some serious stuff. Like many HID kits, the Kensun 55W HID Xenon Conversion kit comes with the ballasts, which are 100% water, weather, and shockproof.

There is, however, a very low range of fitting sizes, which does leave much to be desired when compared to the Kensun and Innovited range. It should still cover most modern car fittings.

The OPT7 Bolt 35-watt carries the OPT7 quality the brand is known for, but that’s not to say these HID lights come without some concern. Unfortunately, some owners of these HID lights have reported the same early burnout potential as we’ve seen with other models. We still rank these HID lights highly due to the two-year warranty and the Quicksnap technology. If you need to replace these bulbs, it shouldn’t prove to be problematic, in fact, it will be rather pain-free.

With only 35 watts, expect a lower quality light and lower brightness when you compare it to other aftermarket HID kits. Although, it’s worth remembering most stock car HID lights are 35 watts.

A two-year warranty and installation support are again featured in this kit, giving you peace of mind and quality assurance. The relay harness and capacitors you’ll receive in this kit allow you to fix some of the common installation errors many HID light owners complained about when putting in HID kits.

Not to mention, the bulbs also feature the Z-Arc technology, making these HID lights a top choice for those concerned about energy efficiency and energy saving technology.

This HID Kit features Quicksnap technology, allowing you to easily replace a damaged bulb or one that has passed its shelf life, a factor that helped this offering rank so high. You’ve got to love the ease of installation.

Not surprisingly, an additional great choice on our list is yet another option from OPT7 . They come in strong with the Bolt AC 35w Slim HID Kit . With the risk of sounding like a broken record, OPT7 puts many of the same inclusions in this kit as their others.

There is a wide range of fitting sizes available, which should cover most car types and sizes. Though we should mention, some users report slight issues with the fittings. With that in mind, you may find yourself needing some modifications to really make it work.

At only 35 watts, this is a lower power option than some of its peers. However, the strong shelf-life of the bulbs and CANBus capability should negate any downsides to this HID Kit.

The bulbs are bi-xenon, so if you’re after that dual beam, you are in luck. Just make sure to check both your car and the kit’s instruction manual before installing to avoid errors when transitioning from high to low beam.

This kit also comes with a relay harness, making it easier to install, and a warranty.

The core difference with this version is the CANBus compliant ballasts. Which, much like the OPT7 kit , can alleviate common issues when installing on cars with the CANBus system. You are in luck if you own an Audi, BMW, Volkswagen, or Dodge.

The Premium AC CANBus HID Kit mountings are well tailored to modern cars. Those who have installed these HID lights have experienced very positive results. Like the other kit we reviewed from Innovited, the Premium AC Canbus kit boasts a long lifespan--5,500 hours to be exact. Although you should take note, there are reports of decreased color quality near the end of its lifespan.

No matter, if the Morimoto fits your car, you’ll be treated with a strong color and a bright crisp light.

Another issue we found with the Morimoto Elite is the ballast mountings can be insufficient on many car models and may require some additional work to get it to fit. The relay harness, while durable, may prove to be a little too short to fit correctly in your car.

The hard part is finding the right fitting for your car. As we just mentioned, there are only a few fitting options available. The kit comes with one of the most durable relay harnesses available in HID kits, and should you have any issues, there is a strong warranty. The 35-watt systems offer a 5-year warranty, whereas the 55-watt option carries a 3-year warranty.

Morimoto is one of the most reputable brands in the HID Kit world, and this kit keeps with the tradition. It comes with two high quality HID bulbs which deliver a strong beam with crisp color – once you get it installed that is.

Next, let’s have a look at the Morimoto Elite Hid Kit . This HID Kit features 35-watt ballasts and bulbs but is also available in a 55-watt configuration.

Relay harness and capacitor are known to be ineffective in some cars

While this kit does have an easy to install system and the additional accessories, there are some issues with the kits not fitting as easily as other HID kits using the same fitting. The bulbs are of reasonable quality. But, that being said, they have been known to burn out quite early on. The relay harness and capacitors, while useful, may not prove as useful as more expensive custom parts.

For many car owners, the OPT7 Bolt HID Kit should be easy to install, as it also features a relay harness and capacitors should you need them. No need to buy any additional parts.

OPT7 boasts a brighter light than their competitors, and also comes with a weatherproof stainless steel casing. The Z-Arc bulbs have an average lifespan of 5,000 hours as well, giving you some assurance of quality and durability. However, should ever actually need to replace the bulb, OPT7 ’s patented Quicksnap system lets you replace the bulb with ease.

The second choice on our list of best HID kits is the OPT7 Bolt AC 55w Hi-Power HID kit. Just like the Kensun, this kit features 55-watt ballasts and bulbs. A range of standard fitting options means that most standard OEM fittings can handle this HID Kit.

Relay harness and capacitor are known to be ineffective in some cars 35 watts

Aside from the different ballast, the other inclusions remain the same as other options we’ll dive into below. There are similar drawbacks with the quality, suitability, and performance of the relay harness and capacitors and the same minor issues with the bulbs' burnout issues and performance.

Much like the OPT7 Bolt, it comes with Quicksnap technology for easy replacement, a two-year warranty, and the Z-Arc bulbs. A major drawback is the 35 watts, leaving much to be desired if you are after a crisp and intense color.

A CANbus Ballast can alleviate that issue. And the OPT7 CANBus HID Kit , as the name suggests, has one. A big benefit for those with CANBus systems in their car, and wanting to keep their dashboard clear of errors.

Cars with CANBus systems can still have some problems, as CANBus is often used by a car to relay errors and communicate with sensors. Meaning you may get the dreaded ‘Check Light’ warning light on your dashboard cluster.

We mentioned before to take a look at your car and check its compatibility with HID Kits, and this is one of those moments why. While a relay harness or capacitors can often fix those painful issues with your new kit, it won’t always be the answer.

Why do we need to worry about this for our HID Kits?

In layman’s terms, this means a system that lets our things talk to each other in the same language.

This is branded as an error-free HID, thanks to its CANBus technology compatibility. Kiril Mucevski, an automotive engineer tells us that the Controller Area Network, known as CANBus is a vehicle bus standard designed to allow control units and devices to communicate with each other, without a host computer.

Our top choice is an offering from OPT7 : the Boltzen AC 35W CANBus HID Kit . Featuring many of the same features as the OPT7 Bolt which we’ll discuss below.

Obviously, you’ll get a bulb that’s typically shaped like a tube. Be extra careful handling this one, aside from it being one of the most important parts of your HID Kit, they contain many little bits and pieces, like metal and gas.

Good question. It’s very important to know exactly what’s coming when you order the best HID kit, mainly because it’s most likely going to be confusing if this is your first experience with HIDs.

Metal-halide probably doesn’t get the sales till ringing as much as ‘Xenon’, so I’ll give our car manufacturer friends a pass on that one.

If we really want to get technical, the HID kits found in most modern cars, aren’t actually traditional ‘Xenon Lights’, but rather metal-halide lamps containing Xenon gas. This allows the lamp to produce an adequate amount of light upon start-up, meaning minimal run-up time to the light’s full capacity.

That’s where our friend ‘Xenon’ comes in. It is a type of gas, and it starts the actual light in our HID bulbs.

HID lamps produce light with an electric arc, as opposed to the glowing filament you see in a standard light bulb. The ‘bulb’ or tube is filled with a noble gas, and often suitable metals or metal salts. The gas acts as a starter to enable the arc. Once it’s started, the heat evaporates the metals in the tube.

While the lamps in your HID kit seem like a reasonably new introduction to the everyday car, the Xenon HID Lamp has been around for quite some time. In fact, the first of these were developed in Germany in the 1940s. They’re actually the same types of lights used in theater movie projectors.

It’s no wonder why so many car owners are looking to make the switch over, but before we take our buyers’ hat off and the mechanics’ overalls, let’s break down the science of the parts in your HID kit. After all, an informed buyer makes the best decisions!

Anyone who’s been to a new car dealership in the past few years has heard of a certain type of HID light very common in vehicles referred to as ‘Xenon’. I’m sure you’ve heard the sales pitch too. Longer lifespan, improved visibility, more natural light, and a status of your success.

An HID Kit serves a range of different purposes and can prove to be useful for any car owner. You could be looking to give your car a fresh look, get better lighting when off-roading, or simply replace those aging, old headlights that are starting to run past their use-by date.

But, before you make your final purchase decision, we wanted to share some insider tips on how to make the right choice. If you’re new to buying HID kits, or are love doing your due diligence through research, pay careful attention to the following section. We’ll go into detail about the most important considerations when narrowing down your selection of the best HID kits.

As noted, we spoke to an automotive engineer, a mechanic, and an electrician before opening up each of the seven best-selling HID kits to see which one will light up your drive. They helped us understand that the best HID kit isn’t based solely on its power or the temperature ratings. It can make a difference based on the car you own. Some kits are better tailored toward more modern, European cars, where some may be a better fit for your older car in need of a brighter light.

THE WINNERS

NOTE Trust me, it will not be fun to clean up if it breaks. Not to mention, the oils from your hands can damage the bulb, deteriorating them and limiting their performance.

The second core part of your HID Kit is what’s called the ballast. This little piece of tech limits the amount of current in an electrical circuit. This is very important, particularly in cars where the voltage source comes directly from AC wiring. Without it, the current will increase until the bulb destroys itself. Obviously, this is not what we want. There are two main types of ballast, namely an AC and a DC ballast. The difference is related to the flow of current in an electrical circuit. AC or alternating current is generated by a device called an alternator. If you’re a car enthusiast, you may be quite familiar with an alternator, and what happens if it acts up (hint, say goodbye electronic systems). In short, an AC is a flow of charge that changes direction periodically, and as such the voltage level reverses along with its current. In most applications, AC is used as less energy is lost over higher voltages. Higher voltages mean lower currents, which mean less heat generated in the circuit. DC, or direct current, is more straightforward as it doesn’t reverse or change direction periodically. Rather, it provides a constant voltage or current. Back to AC or DC ballasts, a DC ballast does have potential benefits, as it is slightly more reliable in terms of energy output. The downside is it will generate more heat, and use more power – draining your battery. The heat can affect your bulb, giving it a shorter lifespan, and even permanently damaging your headlight housing. AC ballasts, on the other hand, produce a more consistent current and lower the possibility of flickering. The lower heat used to power your HID kit will also keep your bulbs lasting longer. Luckily, most HID kits use AC ballasts. Another item that may be included in your HID Kit, is the HID relay harness. This handy little piece of wiring makes installing the HID kit super easy. It simplifies the process by allowing you to bypass the potentially complicated wiring and electronic control systems in more modern cars. This will fix a number of potential problems, including lower currents, delayed start, light flickering, or uneven brightness. Capacitor kits are included in some of our selected HID kits and are another component that fixes many common issues with some HID Kit installations. They are also one of the easiest pieces of an HID kit to install and generally look like a set of wires with a tube in the middle. Our friends at HIDExtra tell us that capacitors will fix issues such as flickering or inconsistent beams and error codes in your dashboard. They work by ‘pulsing’ voltage to the HID Kits. This is particularly common in modern cars with daytime running lights or autosensing headlights. How to Choose the Best HID Kit Now that you know what to expect inside your HID Kit, let’s have a look at what to look out for when selecting the best HID kit to suit your needs. Fitting Size Not all lights are made the same. It’s quite important to make sure you actually choose the right fitting to avoid having to send something back or having to muck around to make your new HID Kit fit. There are a few ways to check, and, luckily, they don’t all mean getting your hands dirty. The first way is to check your vehicle handbook. It’s highly likely that the fitting details are listed in your handbook somewhere. There is a range of different formats and usually have either an H, W, P, or D with a single or series of numbers following.

NOTE If that doesn’t work, you can take out your existing bulb, and the base will generally state the fitting type.

Luckily, the easiest way is thanks to our friends at Amazon. Sign into your account and go to to ‘Your Garage’. You can use this handy feature to search Amazon’s database for all the different fittings for your car. Colors The color choices in your HID kits aren’t just for looks. There’s a range of colors, and some suit certain driving conditions better than others. Ultra-bright is not good in fog, whereas odd and intense colors can be distracting for other drivers. While we are talking colors, the color of your bulb is generally determined by the temperature of the light it emits. This is measured in Kelvin degrees. A temperature, such as 3,000k, will give you a yellowish light, and as you go higher, the light will be more ‘white’. You can go up to 35,000k, but these aren’t normally used in vehicles. [wpsm_box type=”info” float=”none” text_align=”left”]It would also be useful to check the laws in your local area and compare it to the temperature of the HID kit you’re considering using. Some colors will attract attention, but not the type you hope for.[/wpsm_box] Your Car While some kits are designed to be plug and play, check the compatibility of your car with the HID kits you have in mind. Some cars, with their fancy, modern tech, can be incompatible with your car–and we aren’t just talking about the fitting. The ballasts and voltage may not be compatible, and an adaptive kit may also be required to make it work. Beam You may have heard the term dual beam or bi-xenon. Most cars these days have a ‘high beam’ and a ‘low beam’. It’s highly likely you know what a low beam is, as you would use it every night when you drive. Alternatively, a simple flick of the switch will turn on the high beams. Now, HIDs’ don’t affect your ability to use high-beams, but you might find them to be largely ineffective with some HID kits. Bi-Xenon or dual beam HIDs will allow the new Xenon bulbs to be used as the high-beams. If your HID kit does not have bi-xenon or dual beam technology, your car will likely resort to the existing halogens for it. Chances are though, with the bulbs in an HID kit, you might not need high beams at all. Power Most stock HID lights–Xenons or Halogen–are 35 watts. Of course, it’s very easy to assume 55 watts HID lights are brighter, thus better. But is it really? Not always: There are a number of pros and cons when it comes down to the wattage. It’s a decision you have to make based on your expectations and goals for your car’s new headlights. The first thing to take into account is that a 55-watt bulb is longer than a 35-watt bulb. And likely longer than the stock bulb in your car. It’s worth noting because if the longer bulb doesn’t fit, the rest of the benefits aren’t worth considering. We’ll revisit the length of the bulb in a moment, but first, let’s look at the comparisons between the two types. As you can see, there are a number of things to weigh up before you choose between the 35-watt and 55-watt system. Effectively, 35-watt HID lights are more efficient and last longer. But they also have a lower brightness and lower temperature (which, as you’ll recall, affects the color). On the flip side, 55-watt bulbs are less efficient, have a lower lifespan. They are, however, brighter and have a higher temperature (which, again, affects the color). Now before we jump to conclusions here, while a different color and higher brightness may sound appealing, don’t jump to conclusions just yet. The lower efficiency and lifespan means there’s a chance you’ll have to replace the bulb more often with a 55-watt system. This can be particularly tricky if your kit’s bulb is hardwired into the wiring. Replacing the whole HID kit may be painful and rather annoying to install. That is unless you like tinkering with your car.

NOTE Another thing worth considering is the temperature and the length of the bulb. It is important to measure the space of the cavity in your headlight compartment. This is due to the fact that the 55-watt bulbs have a higher temperature. While this is generally associated with the color, the 55-watt bulb is hotter.

Some users of HID kits find the heat can often melt the fitting, or burn items within the headlight compartment. And, at its worst, can burn the plastic shroud over the headlights. Yikes! Keep this in mind if the space is particularly small. While the brightness of the 55-watt bulbs is definitely brighter, it isn’t as clear-cut as it seems. No electrical device is perfect. Some of the extra 20 watts are lost in heat, and, yes, while it is brighter, it’s only marginal. There’s a range of other factors that can affect this, such as the bulb and the color temperature – so definitely check all these when choosing your HID kit of preference. Lumens While it sounds like a magical spell from your favorite wizard book series, lumens is the universal measuring stick for brightness. Looking at watts is quite often everyone’s favorite way of determining the strength and brightness of your light, but there is a better way. The wattage in a light does loosely translate to the number of lumens a light can produce, however, there can be some exceptions to the rule. Let’s look at an example: We’ve got one halogen light, with a wattage of 55. Now, next to it, is an HID light, with a wattage of 35.

Naturally, you might think the halogen light will be brighter? In fact, when standing next to the two lights, looking toward them (but not at them – never look directly at any light source), the 55W Halogen will likely be a more intense and a seemingly ‘brighter’ light than the 35W HID light. Let’s now focus the two lights toward a wall in the distance. The halogen light will appear weaker, compared to the HID light. This is solely due to the number of lumens each light generates. The nature of an HID light means it creates more light. While a halogen bulb uses a metal filament (like a normal light bulb) to create light, the HID ignites the gas and metal salts. This chemical reaction creates a much more vast, and powerful light source. Some halogen bulbs in standard vehicles create 600-800 lumens, whereas an HID bulb will create anywhere from 2,800 to 4,000 lumens – dependent on the wattage and temperature of the bulb. The other consideration with lumens is the higher the lumens, the further the light will throw itself. A light with a high number of lumens will give you more distance with your light. Now, let’s get to the fun part…Looking into the best HID kits we tested. A Closer Look At The 11 Best HID Kits

An Expert’s Look Inside an HID Bulb As you can see, a light that generates 300% more light than standard halogen bulb is always going to be more complex! The casing that looks like the glass is actually a quartz capsule, that contains gases (like xenon), some tungsten electrodes and some metal salt. A little electronic spark sets off the gas and reacts with the metal salts to create a plasma. A bit like your plasma TV – the science is similar! Don’t forget, the temperature rating isn’t just for heat, it governs the color of your HID light. 3,000 Kelvin may appear slightly yellow, but 5,000 to 6,000 Kelvin will appear white, even slightly blue! Make sure to keep an eye on the temperature you are purchasing, and some places have regulations around it. Customize Your Ride With The Best HID Kit Lights On The Market Don’t forget, with HID kits, they aren’t always one size fits all. Check your car, the purpose, brightness required, and get ready for some trial and error! Read the manuals of both your car and HID kit carefully before installation, and install with care. These are very fragile pieces of tech! Now, let’s cut to the chase. Here are our two top picks–either of which will brighten up your way in style.

Best of the best OPT7 Boltzen AC 35w CanBUS HID Kit Does your car need new shiny lights? Get the best HID kit to get the best results. Here’s a guide on how to get the best ones for your type of car. Show Me

Most Buying OPT7 Bolt AC 55w Hi-Power HID Kit Does your car need new shiny lights? Get the best HID kit to get the best results. Here’s a guide on how to get the best ones for your type of car. Show Me