The four main headlight types are halogen, HID/Xenon, LED, and laser — each using a different light-production method that affects output, cost, and housing compatibility.
Halogen headlights are the most common factory setup on vehicles through the mid-2010s, using a tungsten filament in halogen gas. HID/Xenon headlights produce light via an electrical arc through xenon gas and require a ballast module. LED headlights generate light through semiconductors and are increasingly standard on newer vehicles. Laser headlights are a high-output emerging technology found on select luxury models. Housing design and wiring differ across all four — a halogen assembly is not a drop-in replacement for a factory HID/Xenon setup, for example, because the mounting brackets and wiring connectors are physically different.
- Halogen headlights use a tungsten filament and halogen gas — the most common type on pre-2015 vehicles.
- HID/Xenon headlights require a ballast module and igniter; they are not compatible with halogen housing connectors.
- LED headlights use semiconductor diodes; LED-specific housings have optics engineered for LED light source positioning.
- Laser headlights produce the highest output of the four types and are currently limited to select high-end vehicles.