E26 vs A19 | LEDVANCE

E26 and A19 are two of the most common standards in commercial and residential lighting applications, yet they’re often misunderstood or used interchangeably. 

If you can’t tell what’s the difference between E26 and A19, this guide will deliver a comprehensive comparison to support more informed purchasing and installation decisions.
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A19 is the most common standard bulb shape in the present market, which is commonly used in household and commercial lighting scenarios. 

‘A’ represents bulb shape like a classic pear and is the abbreviation of “Arbitrary”. 

‘19’ refers to the bulb’s maximum diameter of 19/8 inches. 

This size and shape have already become people's typical impression of ordinary light bulbs. A19 can be seen in almost every household and office.

One of the greatest advantages of the A19 bulb is its versatility. A19 is usually equipped with an E26 or E27 screw base that are respectively used in the North American and European markets. It is fully compatible with most lights, such as ceiling lamps, chandeliers, table lamps, wall lamps, etc. Therefore, no matter whether it replaces traditional incandescent bulbs or installs LED bulbs, A19 is a popular and easy-to-buy option.

The A19 bulb was mainly representative of incandescent bulbs. Nowadays, A19-shaped bulbs are prevalent in various types of light sources such as LED and fluorescent lamps. Especially LED A19 bulbs, due to their higher energy efficiency, are gradually replacing traditional incandescent bulbs and energy-saving lamps.

For buyers and engineering projects, A19 bulbs offer several advantages thanks to their standardized dimensions and mature technology. When buying in large quantities, you don’t have to worry about whether the bulbs will fit. Their standardized size ensures compatibility with most fixtures. During product design or lamp development, the A19’s wide adaptability cuts down on development costs and speeds up the process. 
 

The A19 bulb market is well stocked, so you can easily get what you need. Plus, prices are transparent, making them ideal for large-scale lighting upgrades in projects.

In short, A19 bulbs are a practical, cost-effective choice for any business needing consistent, reliable lighting solutions.

E26, known as a Medium Edison Screw (MES), is currently the most common bulb base specification in the North American market. 

Among them, "E" refers to the Edison screw, an innovative screw-in design pioneered by Edison. "26" indicates that the thread diameter is 26 millimeters. 

This socket type is extensively applied in various lighting fixtures for homes, offices, commercial spaces, etc., and remains one of the most commonly used mainstream lamp socket designs.

As long as the bulb has an E26 base, installing traditional incandescent bulbs, energy-saving CFLs, or modern LED bulbs is as simple as screwing them in by rotation which is very convenient to use. This universal compatibility makes E26 a key standard interface in lighting systems. It also makes swapping out or upgrading bulbs a breeze for companies.

E26 is the basic interface in regions such as North America and Japan and is compatible with over 90% of household and commercial lighting fixtures.
 

The E26 screw-type base is usually used in combination with various bulb shapes such as A19, ST64, G95, and T10. Among them, the most common one is the A19 bulb, which is also the pear-shaped bulb that everyone is most familiar with. As long as it is an E26 base, it can be easily installed on the vast majority of lamps.

A19 is a physical shape standard that affects the size and light distribution of the bulb. E26 is an electrical interface standard that determines the compatibility between the bulb and the lamp holder.
For better understanding, here are some bulbs named by different numbers.

Other bulb shapes, besides A19, include:

Other base types like E26 include:

As for application range, most A19 bulbs emit light in all directions and are suitable for uniform illumination. There are various types of bulbs with the E26 interface, including PAR, BR and so on. It is suitable for professional lighting applications.

When upgrading your lighting system, it is necessary to first confirm the interface type of the lamp, and then select the appropriate shape based on the lighting requirements to ensure a perfect match.

Whether it is home lighting or commercial space lighting, it is crucial to choose a bulb with stable performance and easy installation. As a professional lighting company, LEDVANCE offers high-quality E26 and A19 for a better lighting environment.

1. LEDVANCE Sylvania LED TruWave Natural Series A19 Light Bulb
Fits standard medium E26 base socket. These bulbs mimic natural sunlight by closely matching the sun’s color spectrum, helping to reduce excess blue light and support a healthy circadian rhythm. With a high color rendering index (CRI) of 90, they provide more accurate and vibrant colors compared to standard bulbs. 
 

Enhance your smart lighting solutions for modern office environments with SYLVANIA SMART+ Bluetooth mesh-connected lights and accessories. Compatible with standard E26 base sockets and intended for indoor use, they deliver customizable lighting experience with 16 million color options and  adjustable white color temperatures from 2700K to 6500K. Ideal for creating flexible, energy-efficient workspaces, SYLVANIA SMART+ lighting supports employee well-being and helps reinforce office security during off-hours.
 

Choosing us means not only choosing products but also choosing a professional provider of lighting solutions. We also have more A-line lamps and bulbs using E26 for you to select.

Contact us if you want to upgrade your lighting system with A19 or any bulbs with E26 base. Whether for stable bulk supply or customized professional lighting solutions, we're dedicated to serving you.

It’s important to note that E26 is mainly used in 120V voltage systems in countries such as the United States, Japan, and Canada. Meanwhile, E27 is typically used in 220-240V systems in Europe, Asia, and other regions. Therefore, when using these lamp holders across countries, buyers must confirm their voltage compatibility.
E26 and other screw-type lamp holders like E27 share similar appearances and functions. People can often use them interchangeably, especially with LED bulbs. Because they have strong voltage compatibility, in some cases, users can replace E26 with E27 and vice versa across regions. 
2. What are A19 bulbs used for?
It is ideal for home lighting and commercial space lighting, such as ceiling fixtures, hallways and offices. Many Wi-Fi and Smart bulbs come in A19 for easy retrofitting. In short, A19 is perfect for any space needing reliable and versatile lighting.
3. Is an A19 bulb compatible with an E26 socket for commercial or professional installations?
Yes, an A19 bulb can be used in an E26 socket. In fact, most A19 bulbs are designed with an E26 base, making them fully compatible with standard E26 sockets commonly used in residential and commercial lighting applications.