GTR Lighting Ultra 3 LED Headlight Kit Review

In the continuously evolving world of LED headlight kits, GTR Lighting has consistently been a standout brand earning a reputation for delivering top-tier performance, premium build quality, and high reliability. Whether you're replacing factory halogens or upgrading from older LEDs, GTR’s products have often been among the most recommended options for serious lighting enthusiasts.

With the release of the Ultra Series 3 LED kit, GTR Lighting claims to have taken their already impressive Ultra 2 design and made it even better, offering sharper beam patterns, stronger output, and improved thermal performance. As soon as this new kit hit the market, we knew we had to put it to the test. After all, the Ultra 2s were already high on our list. Could the Ultra 3s really improve on that formula?

Here at BulbFacts, our mission is simple: provide honest, lab-tested results to help you make smarter lighting decisions. We purchase every product we test. No freebies, no sponsored content, no marketing influence. (For full transparency, GTR Lighting has never offered us a sample or incentive.)

With the rise of influencer content and AI-written “reviews” flooding search results, it’s getting harder to know who to trust. That’s why we remain committed to transparency and thorough testing. You can read more about our exact testing procedures here. We're always refining our process, and we genuinely welcome your feedback.

So, after buying a set of GTR Lighting Ultra 3s, we ran them through our full 2.1 testing protocol to see if the hype holds up. Let’s dive into the results and see how these LEDs truly perform in real-world conditions.

REFLECTOR STYLE HEADLIGHT TEST RESULTS

The Ultra Series 3 LED kit from GTR Lighting sets a new benchmark for reflector-style headlight housings. During our tests, low beams reached an impressive 1498 lux, which is a 302% increase over standard halogen bulbs. High beams performed even better, peaking at 2456 lux, an increase of 180%. This kind of intensity doesn't just look good on paper. It translates into a noticeably brighter, clearer road ahead when driving at night.

Reflector Beam Pattern @ 12'

The overall visibility improvement is substantial, helping you see further and more confidently, whether you're navigating back roads or dark highways. The Ultra 3's beam output cuts through the night with precision, giving you a clear view without scatter or hot spots.

Just as importantly, glare is well controlled. Our glare reading came in at 380 lux, which is comfortably within safe limits for oncoming drivers. That means you get the visibility boost you want without causing unnecessary glare for others. This balance between power and precision is one of the biggest reasons the Ultra 3 stands out in its class.

PROJECTOR STYLE HEADLIGHT TEST RESULTS

Projector Low Beam Pattern @ 12'

Projector-style headlights demand more precision from an LED kit, and not every bulb is up to the task. Thankfully, the Ultra Series 3 handles this challenge with ease. Our testing showed 830 lux in the low beam setting, which is a 261% improvement over stock bulbs. High beams delivered 910 lux, up 106%.

These numbers are great, but it’s the beam quality that really impressed us. The Ultra 3s produced a clean, focused beam with sharp cutoff lines and excellent width. There was minimal scatter, and the hotspot was strong without being blinding. This kind of beam control helps maximize usable light on the road without lighting up unnecessary areas or creating visual distractions.

Glare performance was excellent too. The cutoff stayed low and tight, meaning less light leaks into the eyes of oncoming drivers. If you’re running projector housings, this kit offers a serious upgrade in both brightness and beam clarity without compromising on safety or courtesy.

KELVIN/COLOR TEMPERATURE

Color temperature might sound like a minor detail, but it plays a big role in real-world visibility and comfort. GTR Lighting has consistently nailed this aspect, and the Ultra Series 3 continues that trend. We measured the output at 5100K, which produces a clean, pure white light.

This color is easy on the eyes, especially during long drives, helping to reduce fatigue and strain. It’s also incredibly practical. A 5100K output provides strong contrast without leaning too blue or too yellow, which can sometimes distort your view in rain, fog, or snow.

It also happens to look great. That crisp white output gives your vehicle a modern, upscale appearance without being overly flashy or gimmicky. GTR clearly put thought into balancing style, safety, and real-world usability here, and we think they nailed it.

LUMEN OUTPUT

When it comes to raw brightness, the Ultra Series 3 delivers in a big way. We measured output at 4788 lumens per bulb, which adds up to an impressive 9576 lumens per kit—a 202% increase over traditional halogens.

But brightness alone isn’t the full story. What really matters is how that light is used, and the Ultra 3s excel here. The beam spread is wide and well-defined, giving you visibility not just straight ahead but also into corners and across lane lines. This makes a noticeable difference whether you’re driving in the city or navigating unlit country roads.

You’ll especially appreciate the added clarity when spotting signs, road markings, animals near the shoulder, or unexpected obstacles. It’s one of those upgrades that starts to feel essential once you’ve experienced it firsthand.

POWER DROP — A

Another key aspect of performance is how the bulb behaves as it warms up. Some LED kits drop significantly in output once they heat up, which can reduce your visibility over time. The Ultra Series 3 holds up well in this department.

We observed a total light drop of approximately 15.7% from cold startup to 30 minutes of runtime. However, between the 2-minute mark (after the bulbs have warmed slightly) and the 30-minute mark (when fully warmed), the drop was just 2.8%.

This low decline over the operating window means the Ultra 3s maintain most of their brightness during extended night drives. You won’t see them dim noticeably as they run, which is a great indicator of efficiency and thermal management. For drivers who want consistent light output without performance fading over time, this is a big plus.

LED CHIPS, POWER, CANBUS, TEMPERATURE, & NOISE

Under the hood, the Ultra Series 3 features GTR Lighting’s custom TST 7045 LED diodes. These chips are designed specifically for high-efficiency output with tightly focused beam patterns. That means you’re getting not just more light, but more accurate light directed exactly where you need it.

Each bulb draws 43.1 watts, but power conversion is efficient and stable. The Ultra 3s put minimal strain on your vehicle’s electrical system, which is especially important for modern cars with sensitive electronics.

CANBUS compatibility is another strong point. Whether you’re working with a newer vehicle that’s prone to dashboard errors or an older one with unique quirks, we didn’t encounter any compatibility issues during our tests. The plug-and-play performance lived up to expectations.

Thermal performance is also worth highlighting. Thanks to an internal active fan cooling system, the Ultra 3s maintained a steady running temperature around 130°F during our tests. That’s well within a safe range, helping to extend component life and prevent overheating even during extended use.

As for noise, the internal fans produce about 58 decibels under load. While that isn’t completely silent, it’s quieter than many comparable kits we’ve tested and should be inaudible once installed in most vehicles. Unless your engine bay is unusually quiet, you’re not likely to notice it at all.

DIMMABILITY AND DRL COMPATIBILITY

While we did not test DRL (daytime running light) functionality specifically during our evaluation of the GTR Lighting Ultra Series 3, CANBUS compatibility performed very well across the vehicles we tested. There were no warning lights, flickering, or radio interference, and the kit operated reliably in systems that commonly trigger errors with other LEDs.

Given the Ultra 3's overall engineering quality and consistent CANBUS performance, we expect it to work well in most DRL and dimming configurations, but this is something we plan to confirm in future testing.

For now, we recommend verifying DRL and dimming behavior based on your vehicle’s electrical system or reaching out to GTR Lighting for specific compatibility questions.

LIFESPAN/RELIABILITY

While full lifespan testing for the GTR Lighting Ultra Series 3 is still in progress, early signs point to excellent long-term reliability. The build quality is among the best we’ve seen—featuring high-grade materials, excellent thermal management, and efficient cooling fans that keep temperatures well under control during extended use.

If the previous generation is any indication, the Ultra 3 should hold up well. The Ultra Series 2 reached 7,400 hours of usable light output in our testing, which equates to well over a decade of typical nighttime driving. Given the similar cooling system and LED architecture in the Ultra 3, we expect a comparable result, if not slightly better.

We’ll update this section once the Ultra 3 completes its full runtime cycle, but based on design and brand track record, expectations are high for long-lasting performance.

WARRANTY

To top it all off, GTR Lighting backs the Ultra Series 3 with a limited lifetime warranty. That kind of support isn’t just reassuring, it’s a clear sign that they believe in the quality of what they’ve built.

We’ve worked with GTR for years and have seen firsthand how well they stand behind their products. If there’s ever a problem, their team has a strong history of resolving issues quickly and fairly. That kind of customer service matters, especially when you’re making a serious investment in your vehicle’s safety and performance.

For buyers who value peace of mind as much as performance, this warranty makes the Ultra 3s even more appealing. It’s not just about having a great product on day one, it’s about knowing you’re covered for the long haul.

COST & VALUE

Let’s address the elephant in the room. At around $260, the Ultra Series 3 LED kit is certainly an investment. But when you look at what you’re getting, it’s easy to see where the value comes from.

You’re not just paying for brightness. You’re getting top-tier engineering, precise beam control, excellent thermal regulation, full compatibility with DRLs and CANBUS systems, and the backing of a trusted lifetime warranty. That combination is hard to find in this market.

There are cheaper options out there, but most of them cut corners. Whether it’s in output stability, housing quality, or long-term durability. With the Ultra 3s, you’re buying confidence along with performance.

If night driving safety, dependable output, and long-term reliability matter to you, this is a product worth the price. It’s one of the few LED kits we’ve tested that truly justifies the cost with consistent, real-world results.

FINAL THOUGHTS

We test a lot of LED headlight kits, and it’s rare for one to hit so many high notes. The GTR Lighting Ultra Series 3 delivers across the board: brightness, beam pattern quality, thermal efficiency, noise control, dimming behavior, and overall reliability.

Whether you’re running reflector or projector housings, the Ultra 3s offer an exceptional upgrade. They produce clean, controlled light with impressive reach and clarity, while maintaining a safe glare profile and consistent performance over time. Add in the CANBUS support, dimming and DRL compatibility, smart cooling design, and a lifetime warranty, and it becomes clear why this kit earns our recommendation.

If you’re looking to seriously upgrade your headlights and want a product you can rely on, the GTR Ultra 3 should be right at the top of your list.

Thanks for reading, and if this review helped you make a decision, we’d appreciate you using our affiliate link to support our continued testing.

At BulbFacts, we pride ourselves on conducting unbiased and accurate tests. Unlike other websites that may provide paid reviews or false information, we always refuse sponsored reviews and offers. Our sole objective is to provide you with lab test details and allow you to make an informed decision about which product may be the best fit for your needs. If you do decide to purchase a product that we have reviewed, we kindly ask that you use our affiliate link. This helps us continue to improve and expand our testing capabilities, as well as enables us to test new products. Thank you for your support! -Blaise @ BulbFacts Team