The Best Recessed Lighting

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber
Published on
August 20th, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Ben has over a decade of experience in cleaning projects of all types along the entire eastern seaboard of the United States. Ben’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician), WRT (Water restoration technician), CCT (Carpet Cleaning technician), as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Ben has managed teams involved in cleaning projects around the United States. Ben’s passion for cleaning and leading teams goes back as far as he can remember.

The Cleaning Institute

Recessed lighting works well to illuminate interior settings and is discrete on ceilings. The lights can be used in various rooms of the home to enhance the quality of the setting. Installing recessed lighting will create an updated, modern environment.

Testing Categories

When testing the various kitchen sink cleaners, there were a few important categories. Those categories included polish capability, protection capability, and shine capability. For the polish capability, we wanted to see an effective smooth surface. For the protection capability, we wanted to make sure the cleaner eliminates and protects from grime and water spots. For the shine capability, we wanted to make sure it could produce a very high surface luster. We also ensured the cleaners were good on multiple surfaces.

Top Pick

Globe Electric 4" Swivel
Round Trim Recessed
Lighting Kit 10-Pack

The Globe Electric Recessed Lighting Kit is easy to install with patented PUSH-N-CLICK clips and is constructed with durable steel and a large accessible electrical box.

Price Check

Most notable upside: These lights include adjustable trim with directional swivel gimbal for direct light that can focus on specific features in the room

Biggest downsides: Our testers found that some of the housing of the lights are flimsy.

Honorable Mention

Sunco Lighting 12 Pack 5/6
Inch LED Recessed Downlight,
Baffle Trim, Dimmable

These LED recessed lights are dimmable and are quick and simple to install. They’re UL certified and Energy Star listed for optimal performance and safety.

Price Check

Most notable upside: These lights fit any mood or decor because the lighting can be adjusted and include LED flicker-free technology. They don’t emit UV and are free of mercury.

Biggest downsides: They don’t work well with dimming low, and the tension clips are difficult to use.

Green Pick

TORCHSTAR 12W 6
Inch Ultra-Thin Recessed Ceiling Light
with Junction Box

These LED recessed ceiling lights are incredibly thin and only require two inches of ceiling space. They include high-efficiency lightness and meet ETL-listed safety standards.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The TORCHSTAR recessed ceiling lights have 5% to 100% smooth dimming and are compatible with most dimmers. They’re fast and simple to install.

Biggest downsides: We found that these lights are prone to flickering at times.

All Our Picks

Your Complete Guide on Recessed Lighting

Surface-mounted lighting are common, but have you ever heard of its counterpart?

Yes, we’re talking about recessed lighting.

Recessed lighting are fixtures that you can install in the ceiling, wall or ground. Also known as can lights, downlights, high hats or spotlights—they are versatile for being able to serve different purposes. Whether you want to light up an entire living room, accentuate a piece of furniture or radiate a pathway—recessed lights can be a brilliant addition to your home.

Before having recess lighting in installed in your home, you have to start with a lighting plan. Recessed lights are different from the surface-mounted lights, so it’s important that you know the basics.

There are three major parts of a recessed light.

Housing refers to the piece of fixture mounted to the ceiling or wall.
Trim is the part visible to the naked eye. This can vary in different styles and designs to complement a room’s visual appeal.
Lastly, you can’t call a light fixture without a bulb. They contribute to the overall look by illuminating your home in various colors.

Now that you know the parts of a recessed light, we’ll go to the specifics.

For the Housing:

New construction housings are built in new homes and additional newly-built rooms. This type of housing is usually installed before the ceiling is built.

Remodel housings serve an upgrade to your pre-built ceiling.

Airtight housings are used to control the airflow between the ceiling or wall’s hole, and the room where it’s installed.

Shallow ceiling housings are for ceilings with limited space. This type of housing for your lighting is built with two-by-six inch joists.

Slope ceiling housings are specially made for sloped or angled ceilings.

Insulation contact housings are designed for direct contact with insulation. Both should be placed less than three inches apart from each other. This prevents any risk of fire due to the heat transfer caused by the fixture.

Non-insulation contact housings are the opposite of insulation contact housings. They are supposed to be placed three more inches apart from the insulation. So a total of six inches apart from the insulation for safety reasons.

For the Trim:

Baffle trims are the most common type made up of ribbed interior to diminish glare.

Reflector trims are similar to baffle trims but made up of smooth, mirrored interiors that are best for direct lighting.

Open trims provide brighter illumination on large areas or in outdoor areas.

Eyeball trims have adjustable interiors where you can direct the light wherever you want. This the best option for accent lighting.

Wall-wash trims have half shields that highlight a particular area in your home.

Shower trims are for wet and damp areas such as bathrooms or pool areas. It has a glass cover to keep the light protected from moisture.

For the Bulb:

Incandescent light bulbs are the most common type. They’re energy-efficient and affordable at the same time.

LED light bulbs are the top energy-efficient choice which can save up to 90% of energy. They’re known for their longevity and can cut down on your electricity bill.

R-type bulbs are ideal for direct lighting. This type has a reflective surface which can highlight a specific area.

learn more about the other factors that can affect your purchase.

Location

You can choose among three options. Recessed lighting are commonly placed in the ceilings, but can be placed in other areas of the home as well.. You can highlight a piece of furniture or artwork by putting it in a wall, or brighten up a pathway through in-ground recessed lighting.

Material

You can choose housings and trims made from plastic and metal. Don’t worry—either of the two will work as both materials are heat resistant.

Shapes and Sizes

Recessed lights are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Round lights are the most popular ones, but you can also try square or rectangular-shaped lights.

For the size, lights are available in three to six-inch diameter fixtures. Consider the size of your room when choosing. You can use larger fixtures for large rooms, and smaller ones are ideal for rooms with limited space.

Style

You can personalize a recessed lighting that matches the style of your interior. Since the trims are the only visible part of the fixture, you can choose one with your desired color and design for your home. Most common colors are white and black, but you can also choose from bronze, nickel, chrome or silver finish.

Switch and Controls

For the switch, you can use a dimmer switch or knobs to adjust the light’s level of brightness. You can control some lights by using a remote control or smartphone. For tech-savvy users, a voice control option is also available.

Installation

You can either do the entire installation process on your own or seek help from a lighting designer. If you plan to go for the former option, a recessed lighting kit will make the installation easier. It’s a total package of everything you’ll need, which includes the housing, trim, and the wirings. If you’re not used to drilling holes and connecting wires, it’s better to ask help from an electrician or contractor.

In choosing a recessed light, planning is necessary. You can start by choosing which type appeals to you the most, then create a plan with a professional to execute the installation process. This will provide the perfect lighting for your home and enhance its style at the same time.

The Best Recessed Lighting

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Globe Electric 4" Swivel
Round Trim Recessed
Lighting Kit 10-Pack

Sunco Lighting 12 Pack 5/6
Inch LED Recessed Downlight,
Baffle Trim, Dimmable

TORCHSTAR 12W 6
Inch Ultra-Thin Recessed Ceiling Light
with Junction Box

All Our Picks

Globe Electric 4" Swivel
Round Trim Recessed
Lighting Kit 10-Pack

Sunco Lighting 12 Pack 5/6
Inch LED Recessed Downlight,
Baffle Trim, Dimmable

TORCHSTAR 12W 6
Inch Ultra-Thin Recessed Ceiling Light
with Junction Box

Your Complete Guide on Recessed Lighting

learn more about the other factors that can affect your purchase.

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The Best Recessed Lighting

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Globe Electric 4" SwivelRound Trim Recessed Lighting Kit 10-Pack

Sunco Lighting 12 Pack 5/6Inch LED Recessed Downlight, Baffle Trim, Dimmable

TORCHSTAR 12W 6 Inch Ultra-Thin Recessed Ceiling Light with Junction Box

All Our Picks

Globe Electric 4" SwivelRound Trim Recessed Lighting Kit 10-Pack

Sunco Lighting 12 Pack 5/6Inch LED Recessed Downlight, Baffle Trim, Dimmable

TORCHSTAR 12W 6 Inch Ultra-Thin Recessed Ceiling Light with Junction Box

Your Complete Guide on Recessed Lighting

learn more about the other factors that can affect your purchase.

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Globe Electric 4" Swivel
Round Trim Recessed
Lighting Kit 10-Pack

Sunco Lighting 12 Pack 5/6
Inch LED Recessed Downlight,
Baffle Trim, Dimmable

TORCHSTAR 12W 6
Inch Ultra-Thin Recessed Ceiling Light
with Junction Box

Globe Electric 4" Swivel
Round Trim Recessed
Lighting Kit 10-Pack

Sunco Lighting 12 Pack 5/6
Inch LED Recessed Downlight,
Baffle Trim, Dimmable

TORCHSTAR 12W 6
Inch Ultra-Thin Recessed Ceiling Light
with Junction Box