LED Downlight Manuals & Owner Guides

Downlight types explained

Recessed

Installed above the ceiling in a housing or as a canless module that clips into the drywall. The cleanest look; requires a ceiling cutout.

Retrofit kit

An LED module and trim that replaces the bulb and trim in an existing recessed can, often using a screw-in E26 adapter.

Surface mount

A low-profile fixture that fastens to a ceiling junction box, with no cutout needed.

Pendant

A downlight suspended from the ceiling on a cord or stem.

Lumens, color temperature and CRI

Compare fixtures by lumens (light output), not watts. Color temperature, in kelvins, describes how warm or cool the light looks: 2700K is warm and similar to incandescent, 3000K is soft white, 3500–4000K is neutral and 5000K is cool daylight. CRI (color rendering index) measures how naturally colors appear; 90 or higher is considered excellent.

Efficacy, in lumens per watt, tells you how efficiently a fixture turns electricity into light — the higher the number, the lower the running cost for the same brightness.

IC, airtight and location ratings

• IC (insulation contact) fixtures may touch thermal insulation. Non-IC fixtures need at least 3 in. of clearance from it.
• Airtight (AT) fixtures limit air leakage through the ceiling, which many energy codes require in insulated ceilings.
• Damp-location fixtures suit bathrooms and covered porches; wet-location fixtures can be exposed to direct water such as rain or shower spray.

LED Downlight FAQ