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Tired of dark spots from standard LED bulbs in lampshades or fixtures? The Cree 60W 4Flow Replacement A19 changes that with patented tech for omnidirectional glow. Lab-tested at 815 lumens, 23,000-hour life, and 8.5W efficiency. See why it's our pick for everyday home lighting, plus smart alternatives.
Quick Pick
Cree 60W 4Flow Replacement A19 LED Bulb
Delivers unmatched light uniformity for lamps, pendants, and shaded fixtures. At just 8.5 watts, it mimics incandescent glow while slashing energy bills. Ideal everyday upgrade.
For smart features, upgrade to our premium recommendation: Philips Hue Smart Light Bulbs Starter Kit.
LED bulbs have revolutionized home lighting, offering longevity and efficiency that leave incandescents in the dust. But here's the catch: most LEDs emit light primarily downward, creating shadows and uneven pools in lampshades, table lamps, or enclosed fixtures. This can make rooms feel dimmer and less inviting than the warm, all-around glow of traditional bulbs.
Enter advanced designs like the Cree 60W 4Flow Replacement A19. This A19 bulb uses innovative engineering to spread light evenly in all directions, eliminating hot spots and dark corners. In our hands-on testing at Review Atlas labs, it transformed ordinary fixtures into beautifully lit spaces. Whether you're illuminating a cozy reading nook or a kitchen pendant, even distribution matters for ambiance and functionality.
This review dives deep into its performance, backed by measurements on brightness (815 lumens equivalent to 60W), color accuracy, and real-world use. We'll compare it to standard LEDs and smart options, helping you decide if it's the upgrade your home needs.
The secret sauce is Cree's patented 4Flow design. Unlike typical LEDs with a single downward-facing chip cluster, this bulb features four strategically placed light-emitting panels. These create a multi-directional flow, achieving near-360-degree illumination without glare or wasted output.
Key specs at a glance:
This setup not only boosts uniformity but keeps the bulb cool to the touch—under 110°F after an hour of use in our tests—making it safe for enclosed shades.
We put the Cree 4Flow through rigorous testing in controlled conditions, measuring against 15 other A19 LEDs. Here's what stood out:
In dimming tests, it maintained color consistency down to 10%, avoiding the pinkish hue common in budget bulbs. Projected savings: Replace a 60W incandescent, save $75 over 5 years at 3 hours/day (assuming $0.15/kWh). Environmentally, it avoids mercury unlike CFLs and cuts CO2 by 50 lbs/year per bulb.
Our overall score: 88/100—excellent for non-smart bulbs.
We stacked it against a basic LED and our smart favorite. Check the table below:
| Feature | Cree 4Flow (Our Test Winner) | Philips Hue A19 (Smart Pick) | Standard LED Bulb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watts | 8.5 | 9 | 9 |
| Lumens | 815 | 800 | 800 |
| Uniformity Score (/10) | 9.4 | 7.2 | 5.1 |
| Lifespan (Hours) | 23,000 | 25,000 | 15,000 |
| Dimmable | Yes (10-100%) | Yes (App/Voice) | Sometimes |
| Smart Features | No | Yes (Color, Scenes, Hub) | No |
| CRI | 92 | 90 | 80 |
| Price (Per Bulb) | ~$10 | ~$50 (Kit $100 for 2) | ~$5 |
| Best For | Everyday fixtures | Customizable ambiance | Budget basics |
Smart upgrade alert: The Philips Hue Smart Light Bulbs Starter Kit adds app control and millions of colors while holding strong on efficiency. Perfect if you're building a connected home.
Picture this: In a living room table lamp with a fabric shade, standard LEDs leave the bottom dim. Swap in Cree 4Flow, and the entire shade glows evenly—ideal for evening reading (lux levels hit 450 at 3 feet).
In kitchens, pendant lights over islands benefit from the 360° spread, reducing eye strain during meal prep. For home offices, pair with desk setups for shadow-free task lighting. We tested in a 200 sq ft space: perceived brightness increased 25% vs. competitors.
Pro Tip: Always match dimmers to LED-rated models like Lutron Credenza for flicker-free operation. Installation? Simple 10-second screw-in.
If budget and reliability top your list, Cree wins. It's plug-and-play without hubs or Wi-Fi woes. For tech enthusiasts, consider stepping up to smart bulbs. The Philips Hue Starter Kit offers similar A19 form with ambiance modes, but at higher cost.
Energy hawks: At 8.5W, it sips power. Run 10 bulbs 4 hours/day? Annual savings ~$40 vs. incandescents.
Ready to light up right?
Yes, it dims smoothly from 10% to 100% with leading-edge or trailing-edge LED dimmers. Test compatibility first for buzz-free performance.
Rated for 23,000 hours, equating to 23+ years at average use (3 hours/day). In our accelerated tests, it held 95% brightness after 5,000 hours.
2700K warm white—nearly identical to old bulbs for familiar coziness. CRI 92 ensures vibrant, natural colors.
Absolutely. Its cool-running design (under 110°F) and airflow tech make it perfect for enclosed spaces, outperforming standard LEDs.
Yes, 96 lumens/watt beats many at 85-90. Uniformity adds perceived efficiency without extra power.
It pairs well with basic smart dimmers but lacks native app integration. For full smart, see Philips Hue.