The right OttLite replacement bulb is the exact type specified for your lamp. The most important distinction is between 13W Type A tubes for magnetic-ballast lamps and 13W Type E tubes for electronic-ballast lamps. OttLite also uses 18W Type B and 24W Type C tubes. Equal wattage, similar glass or the same number of pins does not establish compatibility.
Start with the label on the lamp base and the markings on its old tube. This guide explains the main replacement families, identifies matching product listings and covers installation precautions. It is based on OttLite documentation and verified listings, not hands-on testing.
OttLite replacement types at a glance
| Type | Wattage | Manufacturer identifiers | Critical check |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 13W | PL13-A-FFP; older identifiers include T13330 | Magnetic-ballast lamp; OttLite’s guide points to lamps purchased before January 2008 |
| E | 13W | T1333E; PL13-E; PL13-E-FFP | Electronic-ballast lamp; check for the E marking |
| B | 18W | T18330; PL18-B-FFP | Exact 18W lamp specification and base style |
| C | 24W | B24553; PL24-C; PL24-C-FFP | Exact 24W lamp specification |
This table is a guide to the families, not a promise that every OttLite uses one of them. Other older lamp designs, screw-in bulbs and integrated LED lamps need their own model-specific information.
13W Type A: PL13-A-FFP for a magnetic-ballast lamp
OttLite’s Type A product page identifies this as its magnetic-ballast 13W replacement. The current manufacturer SKU is PL13-A-FFP. OttLite lists T13330 and several other older bulb identifiers in the same family.
Its selection guide uses the lamp’s purchase date as an initial clue: lamps purchased before January 2008 point toward the older magnetic-ballast tube. For a secondhand lamp or one with an unknown history, rely on its model information and contact support rather than guessing from age or appearance.
The linked listing is one PL13-A-FFP tube. Despite wording such as “with magnetic ballast” in some retail titles, confirm what is supplied; this is a replacement tube listing, not a repair kit for the lamp’s internal ballast.
OttLite PL13-A-FFP Type A Replacement Tube, 13W Magnetic-Ballast Lamp, 1-Count
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13W Type E: T1333E for an electronic-ballast lamp
OttLite’s electronic-ballast replacement page identifies T1333E and PL13-E-FFP, and lists PL13-E among the associated identifiers. Its guide directs owners of newer 13W lamps to look for an E on the tube or packaging.
Choose this family only when the lamp documentation or OttLite confirms Type E. The identical 13-watt rating does not make Type A and Type E interchangeable. If the marking is unreadable, take a clear photo of the lamp label and old tube base before ordering.
The listing below identifies T1333E and a single replacement tube. Check the model on the package when it arrives and keep the receipt until fit and operation have been confirmed.
18W Type B: confirm the base revision with OttLite
The 18W replacement page identifies T18330 and PL18-B-FFP as Type B. There is an important extra check here: OttLite acknowledges that an existing Type B base may look different from the newer version and asks owners to contact its customer-service team for help.
If the old tube and replacement differ at the base, stop rather than forcing it or removing parts from the lamp. Send OttLite the lamp model and photographs so it can provide the instructions appropriate to that fixture.
An older Amazon T18330 listing has conflicting model information, so it is not linked as a verified purchase option here. Use the manufacturer page to confirm the replacement and compare the exact supplied model before buying. A marketplace title alone is not enough for this compatibility-dependent part.
24W Type C: B24553
OttLite’s 24W Type C page identifies B24553 and PL24-C-FFP, with B24556, T40J34 and PL24-C among its additional bulb identifiers. The verified retail listing identifies B24553 and a one-count package.
Use this tube when your specific lamp calls for the Type C family. It is not a brighter upgrade for an 18W lamp. The fixture’s electrical design and physical support determine the required replacement, not a desire for more light.
How to identify your lamp before ordering
- Unplug the lamp and let it cool. Do this before handling the tube or trying to inspect the socket.
- Record the lamp model. OttLite says it is usually on the bottom of the base. Photograph the complete label so suffixes and electrical information are preserved.
- Read the tube markings. Note the wattage, type letter and part number. Keep the old packaging if you still have it.
- Find the manual for that model. OttLite’s FAQ explains that instructions are linked from its product pages. Ask support for older instructions if the lamp no longer appears online.
- Compare the exact listing. Check brand, model, type and quantity. “Replacement for OttLite” can describe a third-party product rather than an OttLite-branded tube.
Do not identify a tube using only a rough length such as “13-inch Ott light.” That description can be confused with 13 watts, and dimensions shown by marketplaces may describe packaging rather than the full bulb. The model label provides a much better starting point.
Can you replace an OttLite CFL with an LED?
Do not assume a pin-base LED is a drop-in replacement simply because it appears to fit. A fluorescent lamp’s ballast and the replacement’s electrical requirements must be compatible. Obtain explicit guidance for the exact lamp and replacement; this guide does not recommend bypassing a ballast or rewiring the lamp.
Some OttLite products already contain integrated LEDs. For example, the Travel Rechargeable LED Lamp manual says the consumer cannot replace its lamp head. A CFL tube will not solve a failed LED panel. Check that model’s troubleshooting instructions and service options instead.
Installing a replacement without damaging the lamp
Follow the exact lamp manual because shade clips and covers vary. As one example, the 13W Magnifier Task Lamp instructions require unplugging it, allowing about five minutes to cool, holding the replacement by its base and inserting it straight. They warn against twisting the tube during removal.
That manual also says its fluorescent tubes are not dimmable. Do not add an external dimmer unless your lamp’s own documentation explicitly permits one. A bulb that resists proper insertion, has damaged glass or leaves the shade unable to close should not be forced into service.
If a correctly specified replacement does not work, contact OttLite product support with the lamp model, tube number and symptoms. A new tube cannot repair every switch, socket, cord or ballast fault. Stop using a lamp with a damaged cord, burning smell or visible electrical damage.
Buying restrictions and CFL disposal
Check shipping eligibility before ordering. On the manufacturer product pages reviewed in October 2026, OttLite says it cannot sell its pin-based CFL bulbs and the lamps using them to customers in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont. Confirm current restrictions with the seller for your delivery address rather than assuming a listed product can be shipped everywhere.
Fluorescent tubes contain mercury and require appropriate handling. Keep an intact used tube protected from breakage and check your local recycling or household hazardous-waste program. If one breaks, follow the EPA’s CFL cleanup instructions: move people and pets out, ventilate the room for 5–10 minutes and switch off forced-air heating or cooling before cleanup. Do not start by vacuuming, which can spread mercury-containing material. The EPA page provides the remaining collection and disposal steps.
Frequently asked questions
Can Type A and Type E replace one another?
No. Treat them as different 13W replacement families. Confirm the type letter and the lamp specification before ordering.
What if I cannot find my old part number?
Send OttLite the complete lamp model and clear photos of the old tube and base. A seller’s broad compatibility list is less useful than confirmation of the specific replacement family.
Should I buy the tube with the longest claimed life?
Compatibility comes first. A life rating does not make a mismatched tube suitable or guarantee how long it will last in your particular lamp. Resolve the type and condition of the fixture before comparing cost or pack size.
Image note: Existing category illustration retained from the original article.
