Shopping for light bulbs has never been easier. Thanks to the wide variety of online retailers that are able to stock hundreds or thousands of types of light bulbs - far more than a typical store - finding the type of light bulbs you need has never been easier. No matter if you are looking for simple incandescent light bulbs, high-efficiency fluorescents, or specific bulbs like halogen, metal halide, aquarium or underwater lighting, many online retailers carry them, and are ready to ship quickly. Even better, many online retailers have proven pricing below traditional hardware stores.

Nevertheless, when shopping for light bulbs, either for home, commercial or industrial use, be sure to consider the following:

- Specifically what type of bulb and wattage do you need?
- Consider purchasing light bulbs in bulk. Even if you might not use them for some time, it is often considerably cheaper.
- Be on the lookout for shipping costs. Some online light bulb retailers will ship for free if you make a minimum purchase, or for minimal charges. Others may not.
- Compare pricing. Although typically less than traditional stores, there are still price differences between online retailers.
- Look for the expected life of a bulb. Buying light bulbs with shorter lives may seem cheaper up front, but actually cost more in the end.