Best Fit
Budget shoppers who want a simple fanless LED kit with decent reflector beam behavior and a clean white look, while understanding that newer chart results no longer place it among the strongest performers.
Current Chart Snapshot
- 426 lux reflector low beam and 763 lux reflector high beam.
- 138 lux projector low beam and 152 lux projector high beam.
- 6700K color, 2310 measured lumens, 16.7 watts per bulb.
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Current data note: This article began as a 2018 version 1.0 bench review. The original write-up was very positive for its time and price point. The live chart now includes newer version 2.0 data, where the BEAMTECH S1 is still inexpensive and easy to install, but no longer competes with stronger modern LED kits.
Newest video roundup: For the latest LED video overview, see The Ultimate LED Headlight Kits of 2023, then use the live chart for current rankings and availability.
When it comes to looking sharp on a budget, BEAMTECH had a lot going for it. We did not expect much from this low-cost kit when the original review was written, but once we ran the test, the results were better than expected.
The BEAMTECH S1 uses a slim LED pattern designed to mimic the original halogen filament position. That matters because the closer an LED can place light where the halogen filament used to be, the better chance it has of working inside a reflector headlight without scattering light everywhere.
At the time, that beam behavior was the reason this kit stood out from many other budget LEDs. It was simple, fanless, inexpensive, and much cleaner than a lot of generic LED kits that looked bright but produced messy reflector patterns.
Reflector Beam Pattern
The original review focused heavily on beam pattern because that was where the BEAMTECH S1 separated itself from many low-budget LEDs.
Reflector score
Lower reflector score; the review copy explains the beam and output limits. The 5.0 marker shows the reference point.
Because the beam pattern is so important, it was the first thing we called out in the original article. In a reflector headlight, the BEAMTECH S1 produced a clean pattern compared with many inexpensive LED kits from the same era.
When a generic kit gets thrown into a reflector headlight, the result is often scattered light and glare aimed toward oncoming drivers. The BEAMTECH S1 did a better job keeping the light under control, with a near-perfect cutoff in the version 1.0 reflector test.
That was the main reason the kit made sense as a quick, no-hassle drop-in option. There was no external driver box to mount, no fan noise to worry about, and the installation was easier than many multi-piece LED kits.
The main fitment warning is the large rear heat sink. If your headlight has tight dust-cap clearance or poor airflow, confirm there is enough room and keep an eye on heat after installation.
Output And Real-World Brightness
The original 2018 test was positive for the price, but the newer chart data gives a better comparison against the modern LED field.
In the original version 1.0 testing, the BEAMTECH S1 ranked second overall among the first 10 popular Amazon LED kits we purchased. In that test, peak low-beam reflector output was 49% brighter than stock halogen, or about 1.5 times brighter. High beam was 23% brighter than halogen.
Those numbers did not sound huge even then, but a small gain in usable light can still matter at night, especially when the beam is controlled and the product is inexpensive.
On the newer chart, the same basic product class is easier to put in context. The BEAMTECH S1 measured 426 lux in reflector low beam and 763 lux in reflector high beam. In projector testing it was much weaker, measuring 138 lux low beam and 152 lux high beam. That makes this more of a budget reflector option than a projector recommendation.
Featured In Early LED Testing
This kit was featured in one of the early BulbFacts LED comparison videos when budget Amazon LED kits were starting to become popular.
Kelvin, Lumens, And Hardware
The BEAMTECH S1 measured very cool white, with modest current-chart lumen output and simple fanless hardware.
Measured draw
30-min temp
Fan noise
BEAMTECH S1 Kelvin
BEAMTECH S1 lumens
Color temperature was close to the original 6500K claim. We tested this kit at 6700K, which gives it a typical cool white LED look with a slight blue tone. For people who mainly want to modernize the appearance of their vehicle, this kit delivers that white/blue LED style with some added output.
Current measured output is 2,310 lumens per kit, or about 1,155 lumens per bulb. That is modest by current LED standards, which matches the page's current-chart position as more of a budget reflector option than a high-output recommendation.
The fanless design is quiet, with no fan noise to measure, and the internal driver keeps the installation clean. That simplicity is a real advantage if you are short on space or do not want to mount external driver boxes.
The tradeoff is heat. The original facts block listed running temperature at 163°F / 73°C, and the rear heat sink is fairly large. Make sure the bulb fits without crushing wiring, blocking cooling, or forcing the dust cap into place.
The newer chart also marks this product as requiring a decoder for some vehicles. If your vehicle uses CANBUS bulb-out monitoring, PWM dimming, or low-voltage DRL behavior, check compatibility carefully after installation.
Cost, Value, And Final Thoughts
At around the mid-$30 range, the BEAMTECH S1 was always about value, not top-tier output.
Coverage
The original article called out the BEAMTECH kit at around $36, which made it cheaper than many upgraded halogen bulbs like Sylvania SilverStar Ultras or OSRAM Night Breaker Lasers. For a low-cost LED kit, that was part of the appeal.
Back then, we recommended it as a strong budget option because the beam pattern was clean, the price was low, and the kit was simple to install. Today, the recommendation is more measured. The BEAMTECH S1 is still inexpensive and easy to fit, but the LED market has moved forward dramatically.
If you already have this kit and it works well in your reflector housing, it is easy to understand why it became popular. If you are shopping today, use the current LED chart before buying. There are newer kits with much higher output, better chart scores, and more complete test data.
Buying through our Amazon affiliate link helps fund BulbFacts testing, equipment, and long-term product data at no extra cost to you.
Stay safe out there, verify your beam aim after installation, and use the chart data to decide whether a budget LED is really the right fit for your vehicle.
Full Test Details & Facts For BEAMTECH S1 LED Kit
Original article facts are included with updated chart context where available.
Current Chart Data
- Reflector low beam lux
- 426 per bulb
- Reflector high beam lux
- 763 per bulb
- Projector low beam lux
- 138 per bulb
- Projector high beam lux
- 152 per bulb
- Score
- 1.5 reflector / 0.7 projector
- Measured lumens
- 2310
Original Article Facts
- Low beam reflector lux
- 2400 per bulb
- High beam reflector lux
- 4350 per bulb
- Low beam projector lux hotspot
- 700 per bulb
- High beam projector lux
- 1294 per bulb
- Lumens per kit
- 4620
- Low beam pattern rating
- 4.5 stars
Electrical And Thermal
- Tested Kelvin
- 6700K
- Wattage
- 16.7 watts per bulb
- Running temperature
- 163°F / 73°C
- Cooling type
- Solid heat sink
- Noise
- 0 dB
- Driver type
- Internal
Fitment And Compatibility
- Rotatable
- Yes, 90° increments
- Heat sink size
- 39 mm
- LEDs per bulb
- 6
- Direction
- Flat
- DRL / high-beam dimmable
- No
- CANBUS note
- Requires decoder on some vehicles
- Warranty
- 1 year / previously unknown
Original facts came from the version 1.0 test bench. Current chart references are from the newer BulbFacts LED chart data. See how we test for details on testing changes and current procedures.