“Vintage LED” is, to begin with, just a filament (the visible glowing wire in the glass) built into all kinds of glass bulb shapes. For the effect of a light, the shape matters almost more than the wattage – a large globe looks completely different from a slim tube, even though both can have the same colour temperature.
Edison ST64: the classic
The ST64 (diameter 64 mm, pear-shaped with a visible tip) is the best-selling vintage shape. Typically 4 to 6 watts at 300 to 500 lumens, E27 base. The filament is usually visible as straight or spiral and produces a warm but not too bright light – good for pendant lights over the dining table in groups of three to five, or on its own over a reading corner. At a distance of 60 to 70 cm from the tabletop, the ST64 is low-glare enough for direct eye contact at the table.
Globe G95, G125, G200: statement over function
Globes are round and named after their diameter in millimetres: G95 (small, understated), G125 (the standard size for exposed pendant lights), G200 (large, often as a single light above a seating area or counter). The bigger the glass, the more visible the filament pattern and the more the bulb itself becomes the design element – the lamp holder takes a back seat. Lumen values usually range from 400 (G95) to 800 lumens (G200) at 6 to 8 watts. Important: a G200 right at eye level causes noticeable glare, so large globes are either hung high (bottom edge from 1.90 m) or used with a lampshade or ceiling rose that directs light upwards. Large globes suit high rooms especially well – see also the Light bulb guide. There's a selection of globe shapes under Globe bulbs.
T30 and T45 tubes: slim and linear
Tubular bulbs (T30, T45 – the number is again the diameter in mm) look graphic and suit spider lights with several drops, because side by side they form a clear linear pattern instead of individual spheres. Typical: 4 watts, 300 to 350 lumens, often with a visible carbon-filament look (slightly orange rather than neutral warm). For a row along the wall or a ceiling light with five drops, T30s are the less obtrusive choice compared with globes.
Making sense of lumens and kelvin
Vintage LEDs sit at 1800 to 2700 Kelvin – noticeably warmer than the neutral 3000 K of many standard LEDs. 1800 K looks amber and almost like candlelight (good for mood, bad for reading); 2700 K is classic incandescent white and better for everyday use. On brightness: for a single pendant light as the main light source above the dining table, at least 400 to 500 lumens makes sense; below that, you'll usually combine several bulbs or add extra light. Ambient lights (reading corner, hallway, decoration) also work with 250 to 300 lumens.
Dimmability and glare
Not every vintage bulb is dimmable – it says so on the packaging, and it has to match the dimmer (see LED flickering: causes for compatibility problems). For glare, there's a rule of thumb: small and frosted (ST64 in smoked or amber glass) glares less than large and clear (G200 in clear glass). If you want to combine clear glass with a large shape, hang it lower over the table than over a walkway, or choose a lampshade that hides the light source from the side – see our lampshades.
Which shape for which light
Rule of thumb from the workshop: a single pendant light over a small table – ST64. A statement piece over a large table or counter – a G125 or G200. A spider with three to six drops – T30 tubes for a calm, linear look, or a mix of small globes for more texture. If you're not sure, order two shapes and swap them around to test – with an E27 base, every bulb fits every lamp holder in the range anyway.
Price and lifespan compared
Depending on shape and filament design, vintage LEDs usually cost between 8 and 20 euros each – noticeably more than a basic standard LED bulb, but with typical lifespans of 15,000 to 25,000 hours. At three hours a day, that's over ten years. Large globes (G200) are usually at the top end of the price range because they use more glass and a more elaborate filament pattern; T30 tubes are often the cheapest vintage shape because they use a simpler, straight filament. For multi-outlet ceiling roses with four or five lamp holders, it's worth looking at the total cost before deciding on the largest shape.
In the configurator you can preview every bulb shape directly on the chosen lamp holder and ceiling rose before you order.