10 Best LED Recessed Lights In 2024 (2024)

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By fitting flush with the ceiling, recessed lighting bulbs, commonly referred to as can lights, conserve space and declutter the appearance of your home.

Recessed lighting could be an excellent choice if you want to increase the light in your house without harsh lighting or unsightly fixtures. From setup to selecting the best bulbs, we're going to explain all about recessed lighting today.

This article provides all the information you require, whether you're a homeowner undertaking a DIY project or an interior designer organizing a renovation. Are you looking to purchase a new lighting fixture? If so, has recessed lighting been considered? Both residents and interior designers should consider recessed lighting as an ideal option.

They can produce task and ambient lighting, and installation is simple. Homeowners often opt for recessed lighting because it produces uniform, glare-free light and provides you with the best-recessed lighting.

It might be challenging to choose the best-recessed light for your home because there are so many different varieties on the market. The ten best-recessed lights we can buy are listed in this article. We will also briefly describe each light and how it differs from the others. Read on to learn which recessed light is best for you whether you're looking to replace your current lighting or are remodelling your house.

Considerations Before Installing A Recessed Light, Also Known As Can Lights

What would you like to ignite? Do you like a bright area or a small space? Consider installing the required wiring for your new light. Do you require a fixture that is IC (Insulation Compatible), AT (Air Tight), or both? Which fixture size do you want? Which type of bulb do you wish to use? Can you install a dwelling from fresh construction or do you need to use a remodel fixture?

Cost

The price of recessed lighting may vary depending on its size, attributes, level of quality, and design. Individual fixtures can be purchased at large home improvement merchants for as little as $8 and as much as $50. Recessed lighting multipacks are offered at a discount in packs of four, six, or eight. LED lighting fixtures are often more expensive, but you will ultimately save money because of the overall energy cost savings they offer.

LED recessed lighting fixtures cost more than conventional surface-mounted or straightforward hanging lighting fixtures. This is so because a recessed light fixture may connect to circuit wiring, these light fixtures also need to have a metal frame, a canister enclosure that holds the bulb and socket, and a built-in wire connection box. However, recessed lighting is typically less expensive than hanging chandeliers and other elaborate lighting.

Types of Recessed Lighting

1. Circuit Type

If you need to feed wire from one joist bay to another, don't forget to drill a hole through the center of each joist. Also, keep in mind that the junction box that is attached to the fixture is where the connections for recessed lights are made. If you're utilizing Type NM (Romex) wire, seek fixtures with junction boxes that already have Type NM clamps built in. Get fixtures with that clamp built in if you're utilizing Type MC cable. You will gain significant time savings.

2. Type And Temperature Of Light Bulbs

You will see that some of the bulbs in these lighting fixtures have a screw-in or pin base. There are various sorts, including conventional bulbs, halogen, LEDs, and incandescent bulbs. LED light bulbs are regarded as the better option for efficient energy savings and are cool to the touch. Additionally, you need to decide whether you prefer bright, gentle, or daylight illumination in your home. Additionally, you can install dimmer switches to reduce the brightness of the lighting; just bear that in mind when buying dimmable bulbs.

3. Cut Type

The trim is the part of the recessed lighting fixture that is visible from the outside. Adjustable, baffle, pinhole, slotted, ornamental, shower, and open are just a few of the numerous trim styles. The adjustable trim type works well for shelf or accent lighting in cabinets. A shower is the best option for the recessed lighting for the bathroom because it is made to withstand wetness, whereas an open light trim is the ideal choice for lighting up a broad space, such as a kitchen or living area. Hence, an open light trim could be the best choice when it comes to best-recessed lighting for the living room or kitchen recessed lighting.

4. Renovation Fixtures VS New-Building Housings

Two different types of supports are used to construct recessed lighting. Metal clips are often pushed into the housing of a lighting fixture and fastened to the plaster or plasterboard at the top of the ceiling to hold it. Fixtures installed during new construction are held in place by fastening their frames to the ceiling joists with screws or nails.

You will probably have to use a new fixture if you can't run the wiring above the ceiling. However, you can install recessed lights that were designed for new construction in your existing ceiling if you have access to the area above the ceiling where the fixture will be placed. The benefits of doing this include the fact that new construction fixtures are frequently less priced and come in a wider variety of trim options than fixtures from remodels.

When And Where To Use Recessed Lighting

  • Accent / Spotlighting: If you want to draw attention to a focal point, such as a work of art or a fireplace mantle, use accent or spotlighting. When illuminating paintings, a 30-degree slant will minimize glare.
  • Ambient / General Lighting: When you want to brighten up a room that sees a lot of traffic like your kitchen or living room.
  • Wall Washing: You can bounce light into a space in a way that is less harsh than direct downlighting by positioning your recessed downlighting close to a wall and essentially bathing it in light.

Can Ordinary Bulbs Be Used In Recessed Lighting?

An incandescent, fluorescent, halogen or LED light bulb can be used with a recessed fixture that has a medium screw base lamp holder. Additionally, there are fixtures with unique lamp sockets that can only accommodate specific light bulbs, typically halogen or fluorescent.

How To Change A Recessed Light Bulb?

There are a few easy steps that you must follow while changing a recessed light bulb:

  1. Turn Off The Power
  2. Remove The Trim
  3. Remove The Bulb
  4. Replace The Trim
  5. Turn On The Power

What Size Fixture Are You Looking For?

The typical diameter range for residential recessed light fixtures is 3 inches to 7 inches. Consider the size of the space you wish to illuminate as well as the distance from the ceiling to get an idea of how to respond to this issue. The 6-inch fixture is the most common size. Because of this, 6-inch lights have a wider variety of trim options than fixtures of other sizes, providing you more freedom to select the trim you desire.

The type of light bulbs you choose in recessed lighting has a significant impact on the outcomes you want. Below are some best products listed for you:

Conclusion

Our top pick from the above-mentioned products could be Hykolity Recessed Light because this recessed lighting can be fitted in shallow ceilings, soffits, and drywalls because it is only 2.5 inches deep. Cutting a 6.2-inch hole in the ceiling, connecting wires with wire nuts, and then pushing the spring-loaded clips upward to hold the lighting fixture in place is all that is required for installation. They are IC-rated for direct contact with ceiling insulation, which completely eliminates the possibility of fire dangers. Additionally, this product has earned both Energy Star and ETL certifications, so you can be sure that it complies with all safety and efficiency regulations.

A light fixture fitted into a hollow ceiling aperture is a recessed light. When placed, it gives the impression that light is coming from a hole in the ceiling and is focused downward as a broad floodlight or a small spotlight.

10 Best LED Recessed Lights In 2024 (2024)
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