This was generally true with incandescent recessed lights, but not with LEDs. When comparing the size of recessed lights, it’s easy to assume that 6-inch lights are brighter than 4-inch lights. Most homes use a combination of 4-inch and 6-inch lights, and you’ll find the best selection in these two sizes. Modern residential LED recessed lights range in size between 2-inches and 6-inches. Now that you’ve seen my choices for the best lights, I’d like to teach you about the 6 specifications you should be familiar with when deciding on the best LED recessed lights to use in your home. Guide To Buying The Best LED Recessed Lights For A Room The dimming range goes down to 5% without flicker, and the driver doesn’t buzz or hum like other brands that I’ve tested.Īmico bundles the lights in packs of 6, 12, and 16 making them an incredible value. It has the features I look for in a product line, such as trim color options, selectable color temperature (2700K-5000K), and simple installation using the integrated spring clips. Its combination of high brightness (1050 lumens) and very wide beam angle (110-degrees) make it ideal in areas with low or narrow ceilings like basements, hallways, closets, and bathroom soffits. While most major brands of recessed lights now offer an ultra-thin model, Amico’s ultra-thin 6-inch is my preferred choice. With a profile that is as thin as a sheet of drywall, they can fit where traditional “can lights” can’t.

The development of ultra-thin LED recessed lights has been a game changer in terms of what’s possible for recessed lighting installation. Why is It the best recessed light for Low ceilings? The Nora Lighting Onyx TW series checks all of the boxes listed above, and for that reason I believe it is the best value in recessed LED lights on the market.

Available at a competitive price for the consumer market.

Has a high lumen output so it could be used in high ceilings.

Rated to be covered with insulation (IC-rated).

Meets Title-24 requirements for efficiency.

The trim sits flush against the ceiling so it looks seamless without needing to caulk it in.

Dims smoothly, without flickering or buzzing.

Rated for wet locations so that it could be safely installed in bathrooms, above showers, and outdoors.

Has trim color options besides white, such as black, brushed nickel, and oiled bronze.

Available in 4-inch and 6-inch sizes so that you could use the same style lights for general and task lighting throughout a home.

Fits in most older style housings so that you could update (aka retrofit) existing incandescent recessed lights to match the new lights you install.

Why is It the best recessed light for Flat ceilings?Īs a lighting contractor, if I was asked to create a wish list for a LED recessed light, this is what it would look like: Since most sloped ceilings require a tall ladder to reach, the last thing you want is to have to get up there and replace a dead light every few years.

That translates to over 30 years of life when used an average of 6 hours per day. The final feature that makes these my top choice for sloped ceilings is their life expectancy of 70,000 hours. This is nice because you don’t need to use such a large recessed fixture on a sloped ceiling where they are more pronounced than flat ceilings.ĭimming is smooth and flicker-free, and I’ve had no issues with buzzing when paired with Lutron or Leviton LED dimmers. I also like the brightness of 768 lumens, which is equivalent to most 6-inch gimbal lights. These lights have a modern appearance that is nothing like the old “eyeball” recessed lights of the past. Most other gimbals have a gap that is visible when you look up at them. As far as appearance goes, what really sets them apart from other gimbal lights is their sealed design around the gimbal. The 4-inch Halo gimbal lights are my top choice for vaulted ceilings for a few reasons. This prevents glare and keeps you from feeling like you’re staring at headlights coming towards you. Why is It the best recessed light for sloped ceilings?Īs I’ve mentioned before, it’s always recommended to use an adjustable recessed light fixture with sloped ceilings so that the light can point downward towards the floor. Color Temperature: Selectable (2700K-5000K).

Led disc light