LEDs are different from other bulbs in that they are more energy-efficient and have greater longevity. They also give off less heat and come in a wide range of color options. Much of those differences arise from how LED bulbs function. Unlike incandescent bulbs, which rely on heating a wire to produce light, LEDs use a pair of diodes. One diode has a positive charge while the other is negative. The interaction of those diodes gives off light in a highly efficient manner.