H4 vs H7 vs H11 LED Bulbs: Which Fits Your Car?

Short answer: H4 is a dual-beam bulb (high and low beam in one bulb), while H7 and H11 are single-beam bulbs. H7 is mostly used for low or high beam in projector and reflector headlights. H11 is common for low beams and fog lights and has an L-shaped plastic base with a side connector. They are not interchangeable, so match the code on the original bulb.

The three codes at a glance

	H4	H7	H11
Also called	9003 / HB2	–	–
Base	P43t	PX26d	PGJ19-2
Light sources	2 (high + low beam)	1	1
Typical use	Headlights with one bulb per side for both beams	Low or high beam	Low beam, fog light
Typical halogen rating	60/55 W	55 W	55 W

H4: one bulb, two beams

An H4 bulb contains two light sources, so one bulb per side does both the low and the high beam. You can recognise it by the round metal flange with three tabs and the three flat pins at the back. H4 is very common on compact cars, older models, pickups and many motorcycles.

For an LED H4 the important detail is the position of the two LED chips. They have to sit where the two halogen filaments were, otherwise the low-beam cut-off and the high-beam spot will be wrong. That is why H4 LED bulbs are a separate design rather than an adapter on a single-beam bulb.

H7: the common single-beam bulb

H7 has one light source and a PX26d base with two pins. Many European and Asian cars use H7 for the low beam, the high beam, or both (one H7 per function). H7 housings are often tight, and some vehicles hold the bulb with a clip or a plastic retainer, so the heatsink length and diameter matter as much as the base.

Some vehicles need a model-specific adapter or retaining ring to hold an LED H7. If you supply a market with many such vehicles, ask us which adapters fit before you order.

H11: the L-shaped base

H11 also has one light source. Its plastic base is L-shaped and the connector plugs in from the side. It is widely used for low beams and fog lights. H8, H9, H11 and H16 belong to related base families but differ in keying and wattage, so do not assume they are interchangeable.

How to choose the right LED bulb

Read the code on the old bulb. This is more reliable than a vehicle lookup table.
Check the space behind the headlight. Measure the depth available for the heatsink or fan and check the dust cover.
Check the vehicle electronics. Some vehicles monitor the bulb circuit and need a CANbus solution. See our guide Do LED headlights need CANbus?.
Choose the power class for the job. Flagship bulbs suit high beams, pickups and trucks; compact bulbs suit tight housings and volume replacement.

ShinVea models for H4, H7 and H11

All ten halogen-replacement models in the 2027 range are available in H4, H7 and H11. The BT, DT, XT, M and MINI series accept 9–36 V, so one model covers 12 V cars and 24 V trucks. The compact Q58 is a plug-and-play bulb close to halogen size; its H4 version is rated DC 11–30 V and its H7/H11 versions DC 12–16 V.

See the size pages: H4 LED bulbs, H7 LED bulbs and H11 LED bulbs.
Compare power, chip and voltage in the full range table.

FAQ

Can I put an H7 LED bulb in an H4 headlight?

No. H4 uses a P43t base with three pins and two light sources (high and low beam), while H7 uses a PX26d base with one light source. The bases and the electrical connections are different.

Is H11 the same as H8 or H9?

Not exactly. They belong to the same PGJ19 base family but use different keying and halogen wattages. Always order the code printed on the original bulb.

How do I find which bulb my car uses?

Check the code printed on the base of the original halogen bulb, the owner's manual, or the headlight housing label. Fitment lists by vehicle are a guide, but the code on the old bulb is the most reliable source.