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Adding sophisticated indoor lighting is a good way to improve your property’s appeal in the eyes of everybody. However, you better figure out the right type of lighting for your needs – or else you will end up with hefty electricity bills to pay at the end of every month.
That is where LED recessed lights come into play. And in order to help you fulfill your lighting responsibilities as a homeowner, here is our extensive review to the best LED recessed lights on the market today. Let’s dive into it:
When it comes to LED recessed lights, you can find them in any rooms of the modern home. More than just a staple in living rooms and hallways, they are widely utilized as the illumination source for a wide variety of spaces – from small to large. They have now found their way into the kitchens and bedrooms – and the most iconic look for them is the ones under the kitchen cabinets in world-class restaurants.
Some options are specifically designed for task lighting and illuminating walls – which are newer applications that are not available for traditional models.
With appearances in several areas of the modern home as aforementioned, you better purchase several packs of LED recessed lights at once in order to truly lift the overall lighting up a notch. And do not forget to set them up in parallel so that you will not have any further problems once a bulb fails.
In combination with the sophisticated decorative purpose of recessed lights, LED options are even more superior. They provide better, brighter quality of light for longer periods – saving you a ton of money on electricity bills, maintenance and replacement while protecting the environment at the same time. Modern LED recessed lights can also be dimmable to suit your needs – which means you can fully customize them without compromising on any other aspects of lighting.
1. Globe Electric 3" LED IC Rated Recessed Lighting
Specifications:
- IC rated
- 400 lumens
- 3000K
- 25000 hours
Pros:
- Adjustable trim
- Strong beam
- Easy installation
- Nice finish
Cons:
- Too intense light
2. Globe Electric 4" Recessed Lighting
Specifications:
- IC rated
- 540 lumens
- 3000K
- 50000 hours
Pros:
- Affordable
- Durable
- Stylish look
- Easy installation
Cons:
- Quite the amount of heat generated
3. Lithonia Lighting LED Recessed Downlight
Specifications:
- High lumen
- IC rated
- 3000-5000K
- 50000 hours
Pros:
- Dimmable options
- Ultra thin
- Good for shadow ceilings
- Useful hole template
Cons:
- Compatibility issues
4. HALO Recessed Smart LED Downlight
Specifications:
- 685 lumens
- 2700-5000K
- 50000 hours
Pros:
- Dimmable options
- Works with other smart apps
- Deep baffle
- Customized settings
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Confusing instructions
5. Luxrite 6 Inch LED Recessed Lighting
Specifications:
- IC and wet rated
- 1000 lumens
- 2700-5000K
- 50000 hours
Pros:
- High lighting selectivity
- Easy to install
- Slim design
- Consistent results
Cons:
- Expensive
Whether you intend to use your LED recessed lights for decorations or proper lighting purposes, you can be sure that there are a lot of options waiting for you. If you are interested in figuring out whether a particular unit is suitable for you not, pay attention to the following details:
Number of lights: LED recessed lights often come in packs, and the quantity of lights that comes in a pack is already enough to illuminate a wide room – or multiple rooms, for that matter. The typical pack usually consists of either 12 or 6 units, and if you feel like 1 pack is not enough to serve you well – feel free to go for multiple packs to get the desired result.
Light size: The size or diameter (measured in inches) of those LED recessed lights are also important – as it has to fit the area that you intended to set them up initially. The typical size is 6, but it is not hard to find size 4 or 8 if your room requires something else. Larger diameter means better lighting output, but ideally – just go for the ones that are compatible with your ceilings.
Wattage/number of lumens: The wattage rating or number of lumens will give you an idea of how bright your LED recessed lights are. If you are more familiar with other types of bulbs, wattage might sound familiar. But when transitioning to LED, lumens will be your best friend. It is easy to convert one rating into the other using online conversion tools.
In general, due to the power-efficient nature of LED bulbs – 8-12 W (or about 800-1000 lumens, respectively) are more than enough to satisfy your needs in most cases. However, do not be afraid to go for options with higher ratings or numbers if you feel like brighter, more powerful light is needed.
Color temperature: If you want to know how “warm” or “cool” your light is, take a look at the color temperature (measured in K). “Cooler lights” means white or blue lights (on the higher end of the K scale), while “warmer lights” is usually yellow or orange (on the lower end of the K scale). For many options, the warmer color is usually listed at 3000K – and the cooler one is at 5000K
Warranty: Although it is true that LED recessed lights are known for their reliability and long-lasting performance, having a warranty included with the purchase is still necessary. In the end, it is all about ensuring that the lights exceed all your expectations – and a warranty of about 3-5 years will be beneficial.
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What are the steps to install LED recessed lights?
Here is what you can do to set up your LED recessed lights:
-
Carefully remove the old appliance and the junction box, but leave the cables intact.
-
Measure the old appliance’s diameter and create new holes.
-
Connect the harness and keep them secured. Attach the wires from the junction box to the ones from the ceiling – and remember to take care of the color-coded cables.
-
Insert the housing for the lamp – along with the respective deflector and trim. Assure that both sit flush against the ceiling and create no holes.
-
Insert the light bulb, and you are done with the installation process.
Do LED recessed lights have any drawbacks?
Although LED recessed lights bring many benefits to the table, there are still some minor drawbacks that need improvement.
First of all, the price tag for LED lights in general is higher than other types of bulbs – this can be viewed as an advantage or disadvantage depending on how you look at it. The upfront cost is higher, but you are guaranteed to get more out of LED options than other types of bulbs.
Secondly, although it is true that these LED lights require very little maintenance and replacement costs – this process can be a burden. This is mostly due to the fact that the majority of the lamp is hidden – but you can consult an experienced electrician for help if needed.
How to choose between can lights and spotlights?
In short, can lights give out broader illumination range – while spotlights provide a very narrow beam of light for concentration. Can lights are usually easier on the eyes, but you have to be careful when looking at the intense beam of spotlights.
If you want to illuminate an overall area (like a room), can lights should be the way to go.
If you want to create accents for certain decorations or details (such as artworks), you cannot go wrong with spotlights.
What do IC ratings mean?
If your bulb is classified as IC, it is designed to be used around insulation without causing any electrical problems. IC-rated bulbs can heat up when used for long periods of time, but it comes with a special device that keeps the heat away.
If your bulb is not classified as IC, you should not use it around insulation – unless there is enough open space for the heat to dissipate.
How can you change the way your LED recessed lights look on the ceiling?
If the LED recessed lights on the ceiling do not seem appealing to you after installing, here is what you can do.
Adjust the color or the intensity level of the lights, and see how they work out in your favor. Sometimes, this simple change is all you need to do to satisfy the eyes.
If you are still not satisfied, you can also change the trim of the fixtures for an entirely different look – although this adjustment requires more effort.
Contrary to popular beliefs, recessed lights do not have to be boring. With LED bulbs, more sophisticated designs, and extensive features – they are growing quickly in terms of versatility and popularity. From accent to ambient lighting, our recommended options can do it all.
HALO Recessed Smart LED Downlight and Luxrite 6 Inch LED Recessed Lighting are considered to be some of the best LED recessed lights for their modern features. But if you want something classic and more traditional, it is hard to go wrong with Lithonia Lighting LED Recessed Downlight. Set up a purchase plan with the knowledge that we have given you, and add those LED recessed lights to your home today!
Pawel Dimitri
Hey, I’m Pawel Dimitri, creator of BestLEDLightReviews. I’ve been blogging and writing guides/reviews on lighting items for over five years now.
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