Best and Cheap Tanning Bed Replacement Bulbs to buy

I think I don’t have to tell you that tanning bulbs are the most important part of a tanning bed. After all, it is the rays emitted by these bulbs that give you the desired tanning. If your tanning bed has the best tanning bulbs, the chances are that you will have a wonderful tanning experience.

If you happened to have an old tanning bed or you bought a used tanning bed, you might have to replace these lamps very soon. Tanning salon owners are very much aware of the hardship in maintaining tanning bed light bulbs.

But the problem is the cost. Most of the top-rated lamps are very costly and you will have to make a thorough research to find the best, yet cheap tanning bed bulbs.

The best thing is that we have it done for you.

Read on!

Why should You worry about Tanning Bulbs?

When it comes to beauty and skincare, tanning beds are the most sophisticated and useful invention of this century. Since the time tanned and chocolaty skins became a part of the fashion benchmarks, tanning beds are a much-needed tool to cope up with the fashion needs.

They are nothing but a home to tanning bulbs and lamps to contact and change your skin. These tanning bulbs are the most important and vital parts of a tanning bed.

Here’s why:

  • Tanning bulbs are solely responsible for emitting the UV rays.
  • A good tanning bulb will release you of your worries to replace the bulb again and again.
  • It is important for your skin to get the correct and reasonable amount of UV radiation, thus a good tanning lamp.

The bottom line is that even if you have the best tanning bed in your home or salon, somewhere in it’s long run you will have to replace the tanning bed lights. Make sure that you use safe tanning bed bulbs that will give you the desired performance.

Best Tanning Bed Bulbs Reviewed

Finding a set of new tanning bulbs is always tricky. You have to make sure that these bulbs last longer and are not dangerous to your skin. There are many other kinds of stuff you need to be careful about (we will talk about later in this article).

We Tanning Girl has analyzed some of the top-rated tanning lamps in the market and narrowed down to top 5 picks. Read on their reviews to find the best one for your need:


1. Wolff Dark Tan II – Our Top Pick

You can check the current price by clicking this link to Amazon

The dark tan II is a perfect choice to make when looking for tanning bed replacement bulbs. This will be available in most places, online and physically because of its high demand.
Pros: Cons:
  • Perfect wattage
  • Extra radiation
  • Compact size
  • Recyclable
 
  • Batteries not included. (You can always get them online/offline shops)

Making it to the top of my list was this masterpiece. Wolff Dark Tan II F71 is a bulb worth it’s every ray of light.

Operating at a 100W, the light doesn’t leave a single cell of your body untouched. The light comes in the shape of a tube light, so the light area is widespread. Moreover, the light is pretty intensive too. Not in a way to hurt you, but that the kind of tan that normally requires 20 minutes of exposure requires around only 10 here.

Some tanning lamps I’ve used have problems fitting in universal lamp sockets (even if they are of the same size). I’ve used this lamp like a couple times now but they’ve fitted the same every time.

I commercially use these things so I had to replace them after almost 5 months but the lamp is supposed to give you at least 800 hours of effectiveness.


2. Wolff Bronzing Sun Plus – Best Bronzing Tanning Light Bulb

Check the current price on Amazon by clicking here

The Wolff bronzing sun plus is not just a lamp but another mini sun, like the name says. A total work of art.
Pros: Cons:
  • Universal size
  • High life expectancy
  • Bright radiation
  • Less power consumption
  • No significant cons

Wolff Bronzing Sun Plus F71 is the perfect choice for those who are looking for bronze skin. This one is a bronzing tanning bulb.

Just like the former from the same brand, this one also operates at 100W. Amazingly though, I’ve noticed that this tanning light lamp consumes a little less power than other lamps at 100W. That is probably because of the lesser amount of materials consumed to manufacture it. The lamp is itself lightweight and compact. The lamp comes in the shape of a fluorescent tube.

If you’ve just bought the lamp, I’d recommend you to spend less time than required. Especially for the new lamps as compared to olds, this one is very effective. Moreover, the claimed life expectancy is a huge 1000 hours and is also economical in price so I guess, this might be a good investment for you.

Size of the tube is universal and specially designed for the 16rs beds. It fits perfectly most of the time.


3. Brilliance Bronzer F73

Check out the current price on Amazon by clicking here

Pros: Cons:
  • Higher output
  • Fast tanning
  • Relatively cheaper
  • Good quality
  • No significant cons

The lamp that I’m going to talk about next, pure brilliance! Ha-ha, the name too.

The wattage of this lamp is 120W. Unlike the others we’ve been talking about, Brilliance tanning lamp will require a little more power but in return, will provide a greater output for faster tanning. What’s better is that you can also use it in replacement for 100W lamps and it will work just the same.

This is an amazingly performing bronzer tanning lamp. The best thing about this bulb is that it is relatively cheaper than its other competitors out there and also comes at par with their quality. So for me, it’s a better choice when I have to look for good and cheap tanning replacement lamps in case the last one ran out early.


4. Wolff Diamond Suntanning

Check the current price on Amazon

Wolff Diamond suntanning lamp may not appeal to everyone, but if you want to seriously invest in a good tanning bulb regardless of the price, this is it!
Pros: Cons:
  • Extended life expectancy
  • Efficient operation
  • Long lasting
  • Reliable
  • A little pricey.

Again back with a Wolff, this lamp may not be for everyone but only those who value quality over price.

Normally, you will find this more expensive than the other traditional tanning lamps and bulbs out there but it’s worth it. The Wolff Diamond Sun tanning bulbs are rated at 100W and are a perfect fit for high maintenance sun beds.

The life expectancy mentioned with the packaging is 800 hours, but I’ve taken it up till 1000 (since I keep a complete track of appliances’ performances). It was new to me, but I was glad to use such a product.

When operated, they don’t get too hot fast. Personally, I can safely recommend up to 20 minutes of usage without having to worry about the temperature.

I had a friend who used these lamps at her home and not commercially, she couldn’t stop talking about it for a long time.


5. X Power Twister tanning lamp

Check the price of these lamps on Amazon

Pros: Cons:
  • Doesn’t get hot fast
  • Unique design
  • Good for commercial use
  • Great life expectancy
  • No significant cons

If you’re a perfectionist and a beauty lover, this lamp isn’t only effective but also appealing to the eye.

The X power twister, true to its name, is shaped like a twister fluorescent tube. Not that it helps in the lamp function but looks beautiful to the eye. It is a must to use if you’re using it commercially.

Rated at 100W, the lamp uses the optimum wattage to deliver a smooth blend of UV light. The resulting light is warm and effective.

Moreover, the life expectancy of the lamp is more than a 1000 hours, that is normally mentioned on the packaging. It goes well beyond the time limit, trust me.


How to Buy the Best, Yet Cheap Tanning Bed Bulbs?

People who use their own tanning beds at home or those who run a tanning salon business know the pains one has to go through when replacing a bulb. It is a very hard choice to make since the lamps don’t come cheap and you have to invest wisely.

To make sure you make the best decision, here are some things you should consider before buying a tanning lamp.

1.      Wattage

Know it or not, wattage makes the primary difference to a bulb’s efficiency. In the market and over the counters, you’ll find tanning bulbs ranging from 80W to 160W. Normally and most commonly, lamps with the wattage of 100W are used. This is because they provide optimum performance as compared to power consumption, don’t get hot too fast and also give desired results in a nominal amount of time.

The wattage is also responsible for the intensity of the UV light the lamp gives out. Lamps with higher wattage may not suit everyone’s need because of their increased intensity and lower wattages may take longer to give you results.

You have to find the optimum wattage according to your needs, and that is 100W according to me.

2.      Compatibility

Not all lamps that you like are the lamps that you need. If you are buying the tanning lamp for your tanning bed, it is pertinent to check the compatibility beforehand, too.

Most tanning beds support bi-pin tanning lamps with standard lengths, but some require different too. The compatibility can be checked online or by questioning from the seller. The packaging of the lamp will guide you about its specifications, which you have to check against those of your beds.

3.      Life expectancy:

No one wants to spend hundreds of dollars on something that will die soon enough, do they? All tanning lamps have different life expectancies, after which the lamps lose their functioning and effectiveness. Normally this life expectancy is around 600 hours but can go up to 1000+. Before buying a tanning lamp, always ask the seller about the lifetime of the lamp, if it is not mentioned on the package already.

You will also come across products that promise 1000+ hours of life but they may sound too good to be true. Always check reviews and ask around for any people who’ve used the same thing before. There obviously are products that will go 1000+ hours but don’t think all will.

4.      Price:

This will be the final but a tough decision to make. I will not dictate you as to what the best price as everyone has their own budget, but always choose a lamp that is not too expensive (If you’re on a budget) and not too cheap. This is because cheap products tend to run out fast because they weren’t properly manufactured, hence the less price.

Pricier products may not always turn out to be good either, so you will have to a little research on your own before deciding the right price.

5. Regular or Bronzing Lights?

This is One of the most crucial decisions you have to take while buying a replacement bulb for your tanning bed. If you’re a tanning salon owner, you have to get both the types of lamps. Home users have to make a choice.

Let me tell you how to do this.

Bronzing lamps are which produces long-lasting and deep brown tans. They do it by emitting more UVA rays. On the other hand, regular replacement bulbs emit more UVB rays and create a gradual tan.

In our reviews we have listed both the types of tanning bulbs and I hope they will give you awesome resutls.

How to Change Tanning Lamps?

If you do not have a technician at hand, you can yourself change the tanning bulbs of your tanning beds. Follow these steps:

1.      Remove the worn out bulb

In order to change the bulb, the first step will be to remove it. To remove the bulb, you will first have to remove the grill and all other things associated with it. To do that:

  • Find the four screws located along the top of the end cap’s ridge.
  • Unscrew these screws carefully.
  • Remove the metal grid and slide it out of the bed.

Next, you will have to remove the bulb. To do that:

  • Slip the bulb a quarter turn.
  • Pull the bulb out of the socket slowly.

2.      Replace the new bulb.

After you’re done removing, you will have to replace the new bulb. But before putting it in, make sure:

  • The removed bulb and the new one are of the same type and wattage.
  • If possible, use the same bulb as a replacement (especially if you are under warranty because different kind of bulbs usage can void the warranty).

To replace the bulb:

  • Insert the pins of the bulb into the slots of the bulb holder.
  • Turn it a quarter.
  • Slowly, fix the bulb in place from both ends.
  • Screw the end-cap and grill back.

I believe the below video will explain the procedure in details.

Found a Good Replacement Bulb for Your Tanning Bed?

Coming towards the end of this article, I’m pretty sure you now have a fair idea of how tanning lamps play an integral role in the artificial tanning process and how are you supposed to pick the best. You should try to pick a safe tanning bed bulb to replace the existing one.

Tanning lamps are delicate structures so you will have to be extremely careful when handling them, as any breakage will harm you.

I tried to put all of my experience in one article to guide you through the process of choosing the best tanning bed bulbs for yourself. I really the effort has been helpful to you.

Happy tanning!