When it's time to replace the light bulb in your range hood, the most important step is knowing which bulb type your hood uses. The wrong bulb won't fit — and in some cases, it can be a safety hazard. Here's a quick brand-by-brand breakdown of the most common range hood bulb types.
PAR16 (E26) — Broan-NuTone & Whirlpool
The PAR16 is a common spotlight-style bulb found in many popular range hoods, including models from Broan-NuTone and Whirlpool. It uses a medium screw base E26, so always check your max wattage rating and make sure the size and lens cover match your existing bulb before purchasing a replacement.
- Medium screw fitting
- Check max wattage before replacing
- Match size + lens cover
MR16 (GU5.3) — Zephyr
Zephyr range hoods commonly use the MR16 bulb with a GU10 base — one of the most popular small reflector bulbs on the market. Both halogen and LED versions are available, making it easy to upgrade to energy-efficient lighting. The MR16 delivers a great focused task beam, ideal for illuminating your cooktop.
- Halogen or LED versions available
- Match base type and wattage rating
- Great focused task beam for cooking
GU10 — Hauslane
Hauslane hoods use the GU10 base type, commonly found in hood spotlights. The GU10 is easy to replace with a simple twist-in mechanism. For best results over your cooktop, look for warm white color temperature and high CRI (Color Rendering Index) for accurate food color visibility.
- Easy twist-in replacement
- Pick warm white for cooking environments
- Look for high CRI for color accuracy
MR11 — ZLINE
ZLINE range hoods use the smaller MR11 reflector bulb, which operates at 12V. It's a compact low-voltage bulb that requires careful matching of both wattage and socket type. Always confirm the exact bulb spec in your ZLINE owner's manual before purchasing.
- Often 12V low-voltage style
- Small reflector size
- Match watts + socket type precisely
G4 (Bi-Pin) — GE
GE vent hoods use the G4 bi-pin capsule bulb — a two-pin design that operates at 12V. One important safety note: never touch the glass of a halogen G4 bulb with bare hands. Skin oils can cause hot spots that shorten bulb life or cause failure. Always handle with a cloth or gloves, and match the max wattage specified in your manual.
- Often 12V bi-pin capsule
- Do not touch halogen glass with bare hands
- Match max wattage exactly
Quick Reference: Range Hood Brand → Bulb Type
| Brand | Bulb Type | Base | Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broan-NuTone | PAR16 | E26 | 120V |
| Whirlpool | PAR16 | E26 | 120V |
| Zephyr | MR16 | GU5.3 | 12V |
| Hauslane | GU10 | GU10 | 120V |
| ZLINE | MR11 | GU4 | 12V |
| GE | G4 Bi-Pin | G4 | 12V |
Final Tips Before You Buy
Regardless of brand, always confirm the exact bulb specification in your range hood's owner manual. Bulb types can vary even within the same brand across different model years. When in doubt, bring the old bulb with you or note the part number printed on the base.
Looking for a specific replacement bulb? Browse our range hood bulb collection to find the right fit for your hood.