Can I mix different brands of LED bulbs in the same fitting?

Yes you can mix different brands of LED bulbs within the same fixture or fitting but it is not recommended.  This is because it can affect the consistency and performance of the lights due to slight variances between manufacturers.  

One of the main issues is this risk of variation in light output and colour temperature.  Even if two bulbs are labelled as the same colour temperature (warm white or 6500k for example) there can be slight differences in tone between manufacturers.  This can lead to uneven lighting as some bulbs appear slightly warmer or cooler than others.

Another factor to consider is brightness (lumens).  Different brands may produce varying light levels even though they have the same wattage.  This can become very noticeable in multi-bulb fittings such as chandeliers or spotlights.  If you find that you need to use different brands you should go by the lumens of the light to make sure they match as closely as possible.  However, even going by this you cannot 100% guarantee that they will be the same as it is likely that the lumens have been tested in different environments and under different conditions.

Dimming compatibility is also something you will need to consider with mixing different brands of bulbs.  If you’re using a dimmer switch mixing brands can lead to flickering; uneven dimming or some bulbs turning off before others.  This is because different manufacturers use different driver technologies and different brands of bulbs may not be compatible with the same dimming switch.  Issues can also arise if the dimming switch is interpreting mixed signals from differently branded bulbs.

For the best results we would suggest:

• Using the same brand and model within a single fitting
• Matching the colour temperature and lumen output carefully of each bulb
• Ensure that all bulbs are described as dimmable if you are using a dimmer

To summarise - It is recommended that you use the same brand of bulb for your lighting fixture, especially if it is a design focused or work space.  In a less critical area such as a utility room or a garage mixing brands may not be an issue as the light will not be used as often.