Does a higher-wattage light bulb always produce more light?

No. A higher wattage does not always mean more light, especially when comparing different lighting technologies. Watts measure electrical power consumption; lumens describe light output.

The FTC illustrates this with a traditional 60-watt incandescent bulb and an LED using about 9 watts, both producing roughly 800 lumens. Energy Saving Trust independently recommends comparing lumens because efficient bulbs need fewer watts.

Wattage was a familiar shortcut when comparing traditional bulbs, but it is not a universal brightness scale. Light appearance is another separate characteristic: a warmer or cooler color does not replace the lumen rating.