Recessed lighting brightens your room while avoiding the cluttered feel of pendant lights and chandeliers.
Our team researched the best recessed lights on the market today. Here are our top picks.
Top 5 Recessed Lights
- Ensenior Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Ceiling Lights: Best Lifespan
- TORCHSTAR Dimmable Slim LED Lights: Best For Small Spaces
- Amico Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Ceiling Lights: Best Power Savings
- Sunco Lighting Dimmable Recessed Downlights: Best Baffle Trim
- Sunco Lighting Six-Inch Slim LED Downlights: Best For Large Spaces
Compare Top Recessed Lights
| Product | Fixtures | Diameter | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
Ensenior Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Ceiling LightsCheck Price | 12 | 6 inches | 5 years |
TORCHSTAR Dimmable Slim LED LightsCheck Price | 6 | 6 pounds | 5 years |
Amico Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Ceiling LightsCheck Price | 12 | 6 inches | 5 years |
Sunco Lighting Dimmable Recessed DownlightsCheck Price | 12 | 5 or 6 inches | 7 years |
Sunco Lighting Six-Inch Slim LED DownlightsCheck Price | 24 | 6 inches | 7 years |
Best Lifespan
Ensenior Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Ceiling Lights
We like that these thin recessed lights have three color temperatures to choose between, including soft white, cool white, and daylight options. They’re also IC-rated for safe contact with insulation and Energy Star-certified for energy efficiency. Additionally, the lights have a long lifespan of 50,000 hours each.
Pros and Cons of Ensenior Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Ceiling Lights
- Has housing that’s made from lightweight and durable aluminum
- Available in multiple light colors and housing sizes
- Can be in contact with ceiling insulation
- Is more expensive than many other models
- Criticized for not being the advertised size
What People Are Saying About The Ensenior Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Ceiling Lights
Amazon customers we found praised these recessed lighting fixtures for making bright accent lighting. Many noted that these were easy to install and came well-packaged. Negative reviews we noticed said that the lights flickered and weren’t the advertised 6 inches.
Best For Small Spaces
TORCHSTAR Dimmable Slim LED Lights
This thin recessed light kit consumes less power than incandescent bulbs to produce 850 lumens of light. Our team found that each light also has a lifespan of 36,000 hours and a lighting angle of 110 degrees. The pack comes with six lights instead of 12, 24, or other quantities.
Pros and Cons of TORCHSTAR Dimmable Slim LED Lights
- Each light has a lifespan of 36,000 hours
- Has corrosion- and rust-resistant aluminum housing
- Has an ENERGY STAR certification for being energy-efficient
- Criticized by some for failing shortly after installation
- Some customers said that it wasn’t safe to touch insulation like the manufacturer advertised
What People Are Saying About The TORCHSTAR Dimmable Slim LED Lights
We noted that pleased customers said that these recessed ceiling lights were bright and easy to install and worked well with their dimmer. Some reviewers criticized this product for not fitting into a six-inch hole, having a small junction box, and not being safe to come into contact with insulation.
Best Power Savings
Amico Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Ceiling Lights
These thin recessed lights use minimal power to deliver a high output of 1,050 lumens. We also like that they’re IC-rated and ETL- and Energy Star-certified. In addition to these certifications, the Amica recessed ceiling lights are thermally protected, meaning they won’t overheat and start a fire.
Pros and Cons of Amico Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Ceiling Lights
- Works with most dimmers on the market
- Comes in multiple trim colors to match your room’s decor
- Fits into a small, 2-inch ceiling space
- Criticized for generating electromagnetic interference
- Sometimes flickered and flashed, according to customers
What People Are Saying About The Amico Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Ceiling Lights
Happy customers noted that these recessed ceiling lights were as good as more expensive models. We also noticed that many said that the adjustable colors and brightness levels were useful features. Unhappy customers we noticed criticized these LED recessed lights for flickering and flashing and for generating electromagnetic interference that messed with their television and other electronics.
Best Baffle Trim
Sunco Lighting Dimmable Recessed Downlights
We found that these baffled recessed lights feature an adjustable mounting bracket that can convert them between 5-inch and 6-inch diameters to fit holes of several sizes.
Pros and Cons of Sunco Lighting Dimmable Recessed Downlights
- Comes in other quantities
- Includes an E26 adapter to use with different bulbs
- Works in damp locations
- Noted by some that the parts didn’t fit together easily
- Criticized for having a poor instruction manual
What People Are Saying About The Sunco Lighting Dimmable Recessed Downlights
Customers like the energy efficiency and color and brightness options of these lights. However, we also saw some negative reviews that pointed out that these lights had electromagnetic interference. They also struggled to install them because the pieces didn’t fit together properly.
Best For Large Spaces
Sunco Lighting Six-Inch Slim LED Downlights
Each recessed light we found in this 24-pack comes with a junction box, an IC rating, and an Energy Star certification. These recessed lights are also easy to install. They require only two inches of ceiling space and have spring-loaded brackets that fold in as you push them toward the ceiling.
Pros and Cons of Sunco Lighting Six-Inch Slim LED Downlights
- Uses thermal protection to prevent overheating
- Doesn’t emit harmful UV rays
- Comes with a seven-year warranty
- Will take a while to install every fixture
- Fragility was noted by some customers
What People Are Saying About The Sunco Lighting Six-Inch Slim LED Downlights
Many customers we found pointed out that these lights were easy to install, provided a good amount of light and used less power than other types of lighting. Customers also said that they were clean-looking and took up little space. On the other hand, we noted that unhappy customers said that newer versions of these lights weren’t as high-quality.
Recessed Lighting Buying Guide
Whether you’re remodeling your home, building new construction, or just looking for a lighting upgrade, recessed lights add brightness and warmth to any space in your house. We created this buying guide to help you choose the best recessed lights for your kitchen, bathroom, living room, or other room.
Brightness
Recessed lights light a large portion of a room, so they’re usually bright. However, if you want the ability to dim the light for a more relaxing environment, choose a model that features a dimmer switch.
Color Temperature
The color temperature of a light bulb affects the type of light it produces. There are four standard color temperatures. Neutral light is white. Cool white light is blue-white, sharp, and crisp. Warm white light is typically shaded yellow-white or orange-white, giving a homey feel. Daylight mimics the color and brightness of natural sunlight.
Choose a color temperature for your recessed lighting that best suits the room it will be in. Generally speaking, cool light, white light, and daylight are recommended for rooms where work is done, such as offices and craft rooms, while warm light is recommended for rooms centered around socializing, such as living rooms and bedrooms.
Trim
Recessed lighting can feature several styles of trim. Popular trims include:
- Baffle: This trim features a ribbed interior to minimize glare.
- Canless: This trim features a thin disk and integrated LEDs in a single unit that connects to your electrical wiring.
- Eyeball: This trim allows the light bulb to pivot or rotate.
- Gimbal: This trim uses a combination of eyeball and baffle styles.
- Pinhole: This trim narrows the stream of light to focus on a single area.
- Reflector: This trim features a mirrored inner surface to amplify the brightness.
- Shower: This trim features tempered glass for moisture resistance, making it best for bathrooms.
Housing Finish
The area surrounding the bulb, called the housing, comes in different finishes. The most common finish is a neutral white because it matches the design of any room. However, you can also purchase recessed lights with matte finishes or metallic finishes, such as chrome, bronze, nickel, and silver.
Energy Efficiency
Recessed lighting originally used incandescent light bulbs. However, many recessed lights are starting to support fluorescent or LED bulbs. These bulbs are longer-lasting and more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs. They can also save you money, as you don’t have to replace the bulbs as frequently.
Recessed Lighting Tips
Using recessed lighting can provide a sleek and modern look to your space. To get the most out of your recessed lighting, here are some helpful tips.
Plan Your Layout
Before installing recessed lighting, plan how you want it laid out to ensure optimal coverage and placement. Consider the size of the room, the desired lighting effect, and any specific areas that require focused lighting.
Choose the Proper Size
Recessed lights come in various sizes, so it’s important to pick a size that works best with your space. Consider the ceiling height and the area you want to illuminate. Larger rooms or higher ceilings may require larger recessed lights to provide adequate lighting coverage.
Be Mindful of the Installation
Ensure that the installation of recessed lighting complies with local electrical codes and regulations. If you’re not comfortable with electrical work, it’s best to hire a licensed electrician for installation. Make sure to turn off the power to the circuit before starting any installation or maintenance work.
Consider Dimmer Switches
Dimmer switches can add versatility and control to your recessed lighting. They allow you to adjust the brightness according to your needs and create different moods or ambiances. Dimmers are particularly useful in areas where flexible lighting options are desired, such as living rooms, bedrooms, or dining areas.
Optimize Your Space
Proper spacing between recessed lights is crucial to achieving uniform lighting without dark or overlit spots. As a general guideline, space recessed lights are approximately 4 to 6 feet apart for standard 8-foot ceilings. Adjust the spacing according to the ceiling height and the desired lighting effect.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Keep your recessed lighting clean and free of dust or debris to maintain optimal performance. Regularly check the bulbs for any signs of damage or dimming and replace them as needed.
Recessed Lighting FAQs
Why should I choose recessed lighting?
We like that recessed lighting takes up less room than a hanging light. This will help your room feel bigger.
How do I clean my recessed lights?
Follow these steps to clean recessed lights:
- Turn the light off at least one hour beforehand to allow the bulb and housing to cool.
- Remove the bulb and gently clean it with a damp cloth.
- Dust the inside of the housing and the trim.
- Screw the bulb back into the housing.
What does an IC housing rating mean?
An IC housing rating indicates that the recessed light has been proven to be cool enough to use near insulation.
Recessed lights are typically installed between existing ceiling joists, either by DIY-focused homeowners or by professional electricians. In many houses, these spaces are filled with insulation, which can be flammable or release toxic fumes when it gets too hot.
Our Methodology
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of lighting options with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we compared each model’s feature set to create a final shortlist, selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.