9005 vs. HB3 Headlights - What's the difference? | LED, HID, Halogen Bulbs

What is the difference between 9005 and HB3 headlight bulbs? Are HB3 and 9005 the same?

Last updated: August 23, 2023

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9005 (HB3) is one of the most popular automotive headlight bulbs used mainly as high beam bulbs across a variety of vehicles including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and in some cases, semi-trucks.

If you're in a rush, let us save you some time - 9005 and HB3 are the same bulb and can be used interchangeably. Neither is better than the other, they simply have different reference/part numbers.

If you've landed on this article, you are most likely trying to figure out which of the two you need, if they are the same, if you could use either, or if they are different. In the following sections, we get to the bottom of this debate in great detail.

🚧 IMPORTANT: Automotive light bulbs are vehicle-specific! If you're not sure which bulb size you need, use our Bulb Finder Tool, check your owner's manual, or contact your dealership to make sure you're buying the right bulbs to avoid fitment issues.

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Is 9005 the same as HB3?

Yes, 9005 and HB3 are the same bulb they just carry different part numbers the same way a shoe size 10 (US) is the same as a shoe size 43.5 (Europe).

This bulb is commonly referred to as "9005 (HB3)" - both together - to avoid confusion by manufacturers and automotive light retailers like us, XenonPro.

As a matter of fact, 9005 and HB3 are also the same H10, H12, 9040, 9145, 9150, and 9155 as you can see in our Headlight Bulb Cross Reference Guide.

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What's the difference between 9005 and HB3 bulbs?

There is no difference. 9005 and HB3 are the same bulb, the only difference is their part (reference) number. This bulb is most commonly used as a high beam bulb on many popular vehicles such as the F-150, F250, Silverado, RAM 1500, Sierra, Charger, Accord, CR-V, Grand Cherokee, Carmy, 4Runner, Tundra, Tacoma, and lots more.

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9005 vs HB3 Connectors (Plugs)

Since 9005 and HB3 are the same bulb they naturally have the same plug. As pictured above, it consists of two wide-set prongs enclosed in a plastic oval casing with a tiny plastic tab at the center.

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HB3 vs. 9005 Comparison Summary Table

HB3 and 9005 are the same bulb. Compare them side-by-side using our table below.

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Upgrading Your 9005 (HB3) to LED or HID (Popular!)

Looking to upgrade your 9005/HB3 bulbs with better, brighter, and more durable lighting?

At XenonPro.com, we developed LED and HID bulbs that fit right into your vehicle. With the same design and plugs, our bulbs are incredibly easy to install and will improve your light output by up to 300%.

Check out our award-winning products backed by our industry-best Lifetime Warranty:

• LED Headlight Bulbs Conversion Kit
• HID Headlight Bulbs Conversion Kit

Need help choosing? Learn about the difference between LED and HID headlight bulbs.

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9005 vs. HB3 LED Headlight Bulbs

If you've been reading along, you already know that the only difference between the two is the way the bulb is named.

When it comes to upgrading your 9005 (HB3) bulbs from halogen to LED there is also no difference. The bulb is available in the same range of wattages and colors, and the installation processes are identical.

For example, here at XenonPro, we offer the 9005 (HB3) bulb size in 25-, 35-, and 45-watt options and in 4 color options (white, yellow, blue, and purple). You can check it out below:

• 9005 LED Headlight Bulb Upgrade

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9005 vs. HB3 Xenon HID Headlight Bulbs

Similarly to LED, when upgrading your 9005 (HB3) bulb from halogen to HID there is no difference. Each bulb size is available in the same range of wattages and colors, and the installation processes are the same.

At XenonPro, we offer 9005 (HB3) in 35-watt and 55-watt in 7 color options ranging from yellow to white to purple. You can check them out below:

• 9005 Xenon HID Conversion Kit

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Which cars use 9005? Which cars use HB3? Can I use 9005 instead of HB3 Can I use HB3 instead of 9005? Is 9005 Brighter than HB3? Is HB3 Brighter than 9005? Is 9005 Better than HB3? Is HB3 Better than 9005?

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Sources:

• XenonPro.com Research
• Sylvania Automotive
• Philips Automotive (USA)

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Disclaimer: The information contained on this page is provided free of charge to our visitors. It was prepared to the best of our abilities and with all the information available to us at the time of writing. We reserve the right to change, remove or update any information contained on this page at any time and without notice to improve its accuracy. The most reliable method to determine the bulb size is by pulling your actual bulb(s) and reading the part number indicated directly on the bulb. The information compiled on this page comes with no guarantees or warranties.