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GE CMH20MR16/830/FL 1 MR16 Ceramic Metal Halide Lamp 20W — main product image
GE CMH20MR16/830/FL 1 MR16 Ceramic Metal Halide Lamp 20W
GE CMH20MR16/830/FL 1 MR16 Ceramic Metal Halide Lamp 20W
GE CMH20MR16/830/FL 1 MR16 Ceramic Metal Halide Lamp 20W
GE

GE CMH20MR16/830/FL 1 MR16 Ceramic Metal Halide Lamp 20W

★★★★★3.7 (9 reviews)

A 20W ceramic metal halide MR16 that delivers 1000 lumens of warm, color-accurate light for precise accent and display work.

$27.19*$28.80Save 5%
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The GE CMH20MR16/830/FL produces the kind of warm, stable light that makes merchandise and architectural details look their best. Drawing just 20 watts while outputting 1000 lumens, this ceramic metal halide lamp delivers a luminous efficacy that eclipses traditional halogen MR16s by a wide margin. The 3000K color temperature provides a warm white tone suited to retail displays, hospitality environments, and architectural accent work, while the 25-degree flood beam angle creates a controlled pool of light that highlights without spilling into surrounding areas. The ceramic arc tube technology maintains more stable color output over the lamp's life compared to older quartz metal halide designs.

The MR16 form factor with GX10 turn-and-lock base fits into compact accent fixtures designed for ceramic metal halide sources. At 12,000 hours of rated average life, this lamp drastically reduces the frequency and cost of re-lamping in commercial installations with extended operating schedules. It does require a compatible 20W CMH ballast and operates at 95 volts, so fixture and electrical compatibility should be confirmed before specifying. The CRI of 80 serves most display and accent applications well, though environments demanding the highest color fidelity may want to consider higher-CRI alternatives.

Specifications

Brand
GE Lighting
Model
CMH20MR16/830/FL 1
Light Type
Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH)
Wattage
20W
Base Type
GX10 Turn and Lock
Lumens
1000
Color Rendering Index (CRI)
80
Color Temperature
3000K (Warm White)
Beam Angle
25 Degrees (Flood)
Average Rated Life
12,000 Hours
Operating Voltage
95V

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Produces 1000 lumens from just 20 watts, delivering outstanding efficacy for small-form-factor accent fixtures.
  • The 3000K warm white output renders skin tones and warm materials naturally without the harshness of cooler sources.
  • At 12,000 hours rated life, it dramatically reduces maintenance cycles compared to halogen MR16 alternatives.
  • The compact MR16 form factor fits into tight display and architectural fixtures where larger lamps cannot reach.
  • Ceramic metal halide arc tube maintains more consistent color temperature over its lifespan than quartz metal halide equivalents.

👎 Cons

  • CRI of 80 may not satisfy applications demanding critical color accuracy, such as gallery lighting or on-camera work requiring 90+ CRI.
  • Requires a dedicated CMH ballast, adding cost and complexity compared to drop-in halogen or LED MR16 replacements.
  • The GX10 base limits fixture compatibility — you cannot swap this into standard bi-pin MR16 sockets.
  • Metal halide lamps require a warm-up period of several minutes to reach full output and cannot be instantly restruck after power loss.
  • The 95V operating voltage through a ballast means this is not a simple retrofit into existing halogen track systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

It carries a CRI of 80, which provides good color accuracy for retail display and architectural accent applications, though it falls short of the 90+ CRI preferred for critical on-camera lighting.
It uses a GX10 turn-and-lock base, so you need a fixture with a compatible GX10 socket — standard MR16 bi-pin fixtures will not accept it.
The flood designation delivers a 25-degree beam angle, producing a focused but usable spread ideal for accent lighting, display cases, and spot highlighting in architectural settings.
GE rates this lamp at 12,000 hours of average life, which significantly reduces re-lamping frequency compared to standard halogen MR16s in high-use commercial environments.
Yes, as a ceramic metal halide source it requires a compatible 20W electronic or magnetic ballast designed for CMH lamps — it cannot be plugged directly into a line-voltage socket.

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