LED DownlightsSurface Mount
Best Lighting APEN4-221L-5CCT-SM LED Downlight Manual
Setup, everyday use, maintenance and troubleshooting for the 4 in. surface-mount LED downlight, with verified specifications.
- Light output1,900 lumens
- Power20 W
- Efficacy95 lm/W
- Color temp.5000K
About the Best Lighting APEN4-221L-5CCT-SM
Best Lighting model APEN4-221L-5CCT-SM is a 4 in. surface-mount LED downlight that meets ENERGY STAR requirements for light output, efficacy and color quality. It produces 1,900 lumens from 20 W of input power, an efficacy of 95 lumens per watt. That efficacy is better than 90% of the 697 Surface Mount models in our database.
Light quality: the fixture offers a 5000K color temperature (cool white) and a color rendering index of 93, which renders skin tones, wood and fabrics accurately.
Notable features include continuous dimming, selectable light-output settings, and a wet-location rating. The rated light-source life is 55,000 hours.
Specifications
| Brand | Best Lighting |
|---|---|
| Model number | APEN4-221L-5CCT-SM |
| Fixture type | Surface Mount |
| Nominal size / aperture | 4 in. |
| Light output | 1,900 lumens |
| Input power | 20.0 W |
| Efficacy | 95.0 lm/W |
| Color temperature(s) | 5000K |
| Color rendering index (CRI) | 93 |
| Rated light-source life | 55,000 hours |
| Power factor | 0.96 |
| Continuously dimmable | Yes |
| Location rating | Wet location |
| Indoor / outdoor use | Indoor |
| Tunable / selectable white | Yes |
| Full-color tunable | No |
| Selectable light output | Yes |
| Occupancy sensor | No |
| Connected (smart) capable | No |
Safety information
- Turn off power at the circuit breaker — not just the wall switch — before installing, removing or servicing the fixture, and confirm the circuit is dead with a non-contact voltage tester.
- Installation must comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC) or Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) and local codes. Many jurisdictions require a licensed electrician and a permit for new fixture locations or new wiring; if you are not comfortable with household wiring, hire one.
- Use only the junction box, housing, or mounting hardware specified in the installation instructions, and do not exceed the box-fill limits of the junction box.
- Install the fixture only on a circuit whose voltage matches the label, and never modify the LED driver or module.
- Connect dimmable fixtures only to dimmers the manufacturer lists as compatible, and keep the total connected LED load within the dimmer's LED rating (often much lower than its incandescent rating).
Installation and first-time setup
Surface-mount downlights fasten directly to a ceiling junction box (and in many cases can also be attached to an existing recessed can, using an adapter if the instructions allow), so no cutout or attic access is needed. Its nominal size is 4 in.; make sure the fixture body will fully cover the junction box or can opening it mounts over.
- Check the box
Confirm there is a securely fastened, code-approved junction box at the location — a fixture cannot be wired to loose cable in the ceiling.
- Turn off power
Switch off the breaker and verify the circuit is dead.
- Mount the bracket
Screw the supplied mounting bracket to the junction box using the box's screw holes.
- Wire the fixture
Connect black (line) to black, white (neutral) to white and bare or green (ground) to the box ground, using listed wire connectors. Fold the wires neatly into the box.
- Secure the fixture
Attach the fixture to the bracket, making sure it seats flat against the ceiling.
- Restore power and test
Turn the breaker on and test the fixture and dimmer, if used.
Because this fixture is wet-location rated, it is suitable for locations exposed to water, such as covered porches, eaves and shower areas where the manual permits. Code requires fixtures within 3 ft horizontally and 8 ft vertically of a tub rim or shower threshold to be rated at least for damp locations — wet-location rated where subject to shower spray — and a GFCI-protected circuit is often required in these areas.
Using your downlight
Dimming
The fixture dims continuously. Check the manufacturer's compatibility list: most LED drivers work best with trailing-edge (ELV) or LED-rated dimmers, and some dimmers have a low-end trim adjustment that stops flicker at the bottom of the range.
Selectable light output
This model offers more than one light-output setting. The certified figures — 1,900 lumens at 20 W — apply to the configuration that was tested; lower settings use proportionally less power. Choose the lowest setting that lights the space adequately.
Light output and placement
At 1,900 lumens, this is a bright fixture for kitchens, work areas, commercial spaces and ceilings up to about 10–12 ft. LED fixtures reach full brightness instantly and are not shortened by frequent switching.
Care and maintenance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Every 3–6 months | Dust the trim and lens with a soft, dry microfiber cloth with the light off and cool. Do not spray cleaner directly onto the fixture. |
| Every year | Check that the fixture is still tight against the ceiling and the mounting bracket screws are snug. |
| When cleaning greasy kitchens | Wipe the lens with a cloth dampened in mild soapy water, then dry it. Avoid solvents and abrasive pads, which can cloud the lens. |
| Every year (outdoor/damp areas) | Look for insects, moisture or corrosion behind the trim and confirm any gaskets are intact. |
The integrated LEDs are not user-replaceable bulbs. The rated light-source life of 55,000 hours works out to roughly 50 years at 3 hours a day, or about 13 years at 12 hours a day. Over time the LEDs gradually dim rather than burning out; when output becomes too low, or if the driver fails, replace the fixture or LED module as the manufacturer directs.
Troubleshooting
Most downlight problems trace back to dimmer compatibility or wiring connections. Always turn off the breaker before opening the fixture or the junction box.
| Problem | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Light does not turn on | Breaker off or tripped; loose wire connection; switch or dimmer failure. | Check the breaker; with power off, confirm connections in the junction box are tight; test with a standard switch. |
| Flickers or buzzes when dimmed | Dimmer not compatible with the LED driver; dimmer low-end trim set too low; too many or too few fixtures on the dimmer. | Use a dimmer on the manufacturer's compatibility list; adjust the dimmer's low-end trim; keep the load within the dimmer's LED rating. |
| Faint glow when switched off | Illuminated or smart switch leaking a small current; shared neutral wiring issue. | Try a standard switch; use a smart switch that has a neutral connection; have an electrician check the wiring. |
| Does not dim smoothly or turns off at low settings | Dimmer range not matched to the driver. | Raise the dimmer's minimum setting; consult the dimmer and fixture compatibility notes. |
| Color looks different from the other fixtures | Fixture has a different color temperature from neighboring fixtures. | Use fixtures with the same color temperature (this model is 5000K). |
| Fixture pulls away from the ceiling | Mounting bracket loose; junction box not secured to framing. | Turn off power and tighten the bracket screws; have the box secured if it moves. |
| Turns off by itself after running a while | Driver overheating, often from insulation packed around a fixture or a loose connection. | Turn off power and check the installation. Do not cover Non-IC fixtures with insulation; call an electrician if the problem continues. |
| Moisture inside the lens | Gasket not seated; fixture exposed to more water than its rating allows. | Turn off power, dry the fixture and reseat the gasket; replace with a wet-rated fixture if needed. |
Energy use and running costs
The Best Lighting APEN4-221L-5CCT-SM draws 20 W. Used 3 hours a day — a typical home assumption — it consumes about 21.9 kWh a year, roughly $3.72 per year at an electricity price of $0.17 per kWh. In a commercial space lit 12 hours a day, the same fixture uses about 88 kWh, or $14.89 a year.
Efficacy — lumens of light per watt of electricity — is the best single measure of a fixture's efficiency. This model delivers 95 lm/W. That figure is better than 90% of the 697 Surface Mount models in our database.
| Daily use | Energy per year | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 7.3 kWh | $1.24 |
| 3 hours | 21.9 kWh | $3.72 |
| 6 hours | 43.8 kWh | $7.45 |
| 12 hours | 87.6 kWh | $14.89 |
The listed power factor is 0.96, high enough that the fixture draws current efficiently from the supply — useful in commercial buildings with many fixtures on one circuit.
Dimming reduces power roughly in proportion to light output. Choosing a lower output setting also reduces consumption.
Frequently asked questions
How bright is the Best Lighting APEN4-221L-5CCT-SM?
It is rated at 1,900 lumens while drawing 20 W, for an efficacy of 95 lumens per watt.
Is the Best Lighting APEN4-221L-5CCT-SM dimmable?
Yes. It is continuously dimmable. Use a dimmer the manufacturer lists as compatible for flicker-free operation.
What color temperature is the Best Lighting APEN4-221L-5CCT-SM?
It is a 5000K fixture with a CRI of 93.
What size is the Best Lighting APEN4-221L-5CCT-SM?
Its nominal size is 4 in. Confirm the exact cutout or housing dimensions in the manufacturer's installation sheet before purchasing.
Can I install the Best Lighting APEN4-221L-5CCT-SM in a bathroom or shower?
It is wet-location rated, so it can be used where it may be exposed to water, including shower areas where the instructions permit. Follow local code for GFCI protection.
How much does it cost to run the Best Lighting APEN4-221L-5CCT-SM?
At 3 hours a day and $0.17/kWh, it costs about $3.72 a year to operate.
Sources and disclaimer
Specifications on this page come from the ENERGY STAR certified led downlights dataset published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (record certified July 30, 2025), retrieved October 7, 2026.
The setup, operating, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance is written by ManualHarbor's editors for this specific product type and configuration. It is an independent guide — not a reproduction of the manufacturer's manual — and ManualHarbor is not affiliated with Best Lighting. Always follow the safety instructions, installation requirements and warranty terms supplied with your unit, and contact Best Lighting or an authorized service provider for warranty repairs and replacement parts.
Running-cost figures use assumed U.S. average utility prices and are estimates for comparison only. See our editorial methodology for details.
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