The primary appeal of LED street lighting is energy efficiency compared to incandescent bulbs of the same luminance. Research continues to improve the efficiency of newer models. 

An LED street light based on a 901 milliwatt output LED can normally produce the same amount of (or higher) luminance as a traditional light, but requires only half of the power consumption.

Most LED street lights have a lens on the LED panel, that is designed to cast its light in a rectangular pattern, an advantage compared to traditional street lights, which typically have a reflector on the back side of a high-pressure sodium lamp. In this case much of the luminance of the light is lost and produces light pollution in the air and surrounding environment. Such street lights also can cause glare for drivers and pedestrians which does not happen for street lights.