(Part 2) Best recessed light fixtures according to redditors

I don't think LED is where it needs to be for shop lighting at the moment.

To be clear, I love LEDs and they're headed in the right direction. The inside of my house is 90% LED now, with just a couple halogen spotlights on dimmers and a few bare incandescent bulbs in the furnace room.

But for shop/garage lighting, it's still not clear cut. I've crunched the numbers on a few different options:

1. T8 Fluorescent are the old standby. At 350 Lumens/$ including tubes and fixtures, they're the absolute best choice for your money, and at 90 Lumens/Watt they're pretty damn efficient as well.
   
2. T8 High Efficiency tubes are a bit dimmer and a bit more expensive, but drop right into regular T8 fixtures. This brings you to 300 Lm/$ and 100 Lm/W, very good numbers if you're power-limited.
   
3. T5 are the more modern replacement to T8. They're rare and hard to find, and at 115 Lm/$ and 103 Lm/W I'm not sure it's worth trying.
   
4. T5HO have been showing up lately, and my goodness are they impressive to look at. They make all the other lights in a store display look awful. 200 Lm/$ and 93 Lm/W doesn't hold up quite as well when you see them in isolation, but on the plus side these fixtures all seem to come with -20° ballasts, which you usually have to buy separately at added cost for T8 fixtures.
   
5. The most impressive LED shop light I've seen is this guy. In the store display it's as impressive as T5HO. At 116 Lm/$ and 84 Lm/W it looks less interesting, but because LEDs are directional it puts more light where you want it. Hard to say how much, but most reports figure fluorescent tubes only get around 70% of their light onto your task. If you boost the LED numbers by 43% (1/0.7) they come out to an effective 165 Lm/$ and 120 Lm/W. On top of that, they start instantly and don't mind being turned on for ten seconds while you grab something and leave. I've thought about putting these in my shop but as of today I'm not sure they're worth the money against my T8 stuff. In a couple years I figure they'll be even better.
   
6. I went ahead and ran some numbers for LED tape, doing it properly with an aluminum channel for mounting and heatsinking. Numbers are based on this led tape in this aluminum channel with a $10 allowance for whatever power supply. That's 125 Lm/$ and 150 Lm/W - not great for your money, but the efficiency is damn good even if you figure in power supply efficiency. If you decide to go for the dorm-room look and skip the aluminum channel, cost-effectiveness jumps like mad to 415 Lm/$, but you might have to worry about longevity. Edit: On further reflection, I doubt that LED strip is quite as bright as it claims. It seems high, and the reviews for that particular roll of tape are mixed. A strip with more common 5050 diodes would be a safer option, but at lower brightness the efficiency and value drops well below the fluorescent options. If you don't strongly require the immediate full brightness of the LEDs, fluorescent tubes are still the way to go, and if you do need LEDs I'd recommend the commercial fixture with a warranty.
   
7. I'll also throw in bare incandescent bulbs here, for laughs. A cheap 60w bulb in a $2 ceramic base. That's 300 Lm/$ and 15 Lm/W. Not quite as good as I expected for the money, and garbage efficiency as expected. Just fun to compare.
   
   
   
   EDIT: Added numbers for LED tape and incandescent.
   EDIT2: Added comment about LED strip quality.

Be careful about any lighting cans that might be poking through into the attic. You want to make sure they are IC (in contact) rated to be actually touching the insulation or it is a fire hazard.

If the home is older, they are likely not IC rated. You can buy covers for the cans like this so you can pile insulation over the cover.

I went through this when I had insulation blown in and had to add those covers to several old cans.

I absolutely hate can lights, especially old work ones. You guys need to check out those LED wafer lights. They're so much better than recessed cans. With the wafer lights you also have a lot more flexibility with where you can put them. Here's some cheap ones on Amazon that I've used and they're pretty good. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D8QWY7M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YE6lDbR3ERZEN

Lithonia makes some too that we use a lot but they're pretty expensive.

This is a rather common problem. You can purchase ionsulated covers, or make them yourself:

https://www.amazon.com/Insullite-Recessed-Vented-Light-Cover/dp/B01MCQHSH9

https://www.amazon.com/CanCoverIt-RLC-Universal-Series/dp/B00545DDWI

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Tenmat-Recessed-Light-Cover-FF130E/204286308

The rest of it you can do yourself. Killing mold, adding vents, and adding additional insulation is a very easy DIY kind of project.

Bet you can do it for 1/4th the cost, and probably a better job while you are at it.

I'd highly suggest removing the current light fixtures and cans you have, keep the same zones in terms of switches but change out the switches to dimmers that support LED bulbs and put in this type of recessed lighting. The 4" makes them look updated and using LED bulbs makes them amazingly bright and super cheap and safe to run compared to halogen bulbs.

Here is the Amazon link, super inexpensive at less than 10$ per fixture. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008BG6ZUO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_A7rHAb2N26AX2

I'd create a perimeter around the room(s) 2 feet away from the exterior walls and space them every 3 to 4 feet apart.

Here are a couple pictures of what they look like in our kitchen.
https://imgur.com/gallery/8yplP

https://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Thin-Recessed-Junction-Downlight-Certified/dp/B07JBQTVFM/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=3000k+led+1200lm+downlight&qid=1551026499&s=gateway&sr=8-6

​

First, outstanding answer and the two of you clearly know your shit. This is the one I am looking at getting throughout the apartment. I have not thought about the beam angle in a sophisticated way. I vaguely know about lux but not how to organize what lighting where with any type of intention or specificity. In terms of specific positioning because it isn't marked on the link, I am just evenly spacing them. Is this appropriate?

​

Also, any thoughts about my questions regarding size in the different areas? How would you do this?

Ohhh I gotcha. Can-less will definitely be easier. I just installed these in my den (which were the cheapest wafers I could find on amazon at the time) and they have been good so far. Such an easy installation too.

For your application, I think it might be worth the extra pain in the ass to put in cans so you can have gimballs. Having the lights shining straight off the ceiling like that may look odd. But I'm not 100% confident of that. Maybe it'll be fine.

[time passes]

BUY HEY I just found these 4" slim canless swivel integrated LED panels that could work for you. I didn't see the maximum swivel angle, but it looks like there could be enough in there to even out your ceiling.

P.S., If the strip is going to be exposed, I would think of something like this: https://www.amazon.com/LightingWill-Internal-Aluminum-Mounting-Installations-U02B5/dp/B01DM7EZO4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1473899117&sr=8-2&keywords=light+strip+housing

I went with the most appropriate/cheapest 6" cans (no trim kit), and used these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D3PGUTI/

They make LED conversion kits for recessed lighting:

http://www.amazon.com/TorchStar-UL-listed-Dimmable-Retrofit-Recessed/dp/B00JUNY2D4

You screw in the plug to the existing fixture and affix the clips. They're not cheap in the short-term, but definitely in the long term.

That's just one example, there are lots of others to check out.

I put 9 - 5" LED lights in a similar sized space (my basement Rec room) and it is way overkill. I have them separated on 2 dimmer switches, 3 back and six front.

I usually only have the back 3 on low, but when I want more light I put the front size on low as well.

I can't remember the amount of light the put out, but this is the same model I installed in 4".

No, 4 prong bulbs; these:

https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/2807/FC26-GX24Q327OD.html

I was thinking of something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KLPFWNP/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0?psc=1

But 1800 lumens for the CFL vs 650 lumens for the LED seems like a non-starter to me.

I just replaced the old fixtures with these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L57MTYV/
They are airtight and are perfect replacement. There are other brands offering the same style on Amazon.

Finding lights that thin that are gimbaled will be super difficult. We have a vaulted ceiling and just installed can lights a couple months ago. We used these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FFPYWHJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_Tsn4DbRARSD5R

They are amazing. Since the screen is frosted the light is really diffuse and we don't have any shadow areas. (Which is why they say to use gimbal lights on vaulted ceilings. So the shadows don't make the room look weird.)

We used these gimbal lights in our kitchen to light up the counters: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JMCFV3R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_Vwn4DbZT5GJE3

They have definite edges/shadows and they're about 3" thick. They're good lights, but I'm glad we used the other ones in our living room. The light is so even and they look great.

Parmida (12 Pack) 6 Inch LED Slim Panel Recessed Ceiling Light with Junction Box, Dimmable, 12W (100W Eqv.), 800lm, Can-less Wafer Downlight, Energy Star & ETL, IC Rated Airtight, 3000K (Soft White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NPVQ2WW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FpBUDbDKDM5Q0

Price History

• JJC 4 inch LED Recessed Lighting,Baffle Trim,10W(40W Equiv.) Dimmable LED   ^PureLink
  CamelCamelCamel - [Info] │ Keepa - [Info]
  
  _
  These prices aren't just Black and White.
  ^(Info) ^| ^(Developer) ^| ^(Inquiries) ^| ^(Support Me!) ^| **[^(Report Bug)](/message/compose?to=The_White_Light&subject=Bug+Report&message=%2Fr%2Fredditdeals%2Fcomments%2Fdm9kpj%2Famazon199_of_4_inches_led_recessed_downlightwith%2Ff4yq9ev%2F%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0APlease+explain+here+what+you+expected+to+happen%2Fwhat+went+wrong.)**

Thank you! sorry if its a dumb question but considering i am good with neutral wire and line voltage:

1. i will need something like this for recessed lights -- https://www.amazon.com/Sunco-Lighting-Ultra-Thin-Recessed-Retrofit/dp/B07D8BRDT9/ref=sxin_3_ac_d_rm?ac_md=0-0-cmVjZXNzZWQgbGlnaHRz-ac_d_rm&crid=1WMSHS7DVV2GU&keywords=recessed+lights&pd_rd_i=B07D8BRDT9&pd_rd_r=b4376d19-154e-40a5-90b6-0a3931446df3&pd_rd_w=dOF5G&pd_rd_wg=s3DTm&pf_rd_p=983984df-2ad2-4c97-ba7f-4c5a90291c2b&pf_rd_r=MVN1JBGQRBJW3DX7CZ7P&psc=1&qid=1570065201&s=gateway&sprefix=recessed+lights+%2Caps%2C335
   
   
2. and a GE z-wave swith (example) -- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RRBT6W5/ref=twister_B07XC7MG8R?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
   
   Anything else?

I bought a case of recessed cans off of Amazon, 12 for $154 and they are awesome!

Sunco Lighting 12 Pack 6 Inch Slim LED Downlight with Junction Box, 14W=100W, 850 LM, Dimmable, 5000K Daylight, Recessed Jbox Fixture, Simple Retrofit Installation - ETL & Energy Star https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D2M1TMM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_

Here's what you're supposed to install over it https://www.homedepot.com/p/Tenmat-Recessed-Light-Cover-FF130E/204286308

I'd strongly consider these over any recessed can light, even any retrofit work. They are way easier to install, better air seal, and IC rated

https://www.amazon.com/Sunco-Lighting-Ultra-Thin-Recessed-Certified/dp/B07D2LFVKP/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=recessed+thin+led&qid=1568640960&sr=8-6

I’m not sure about the circle plastic thingy you’re talking about (photos would help)

IMO that’s excessively expensive. Depending on your wiring situation, the first light would be the most difficult to run. After that, they can do all the work from the interior and fish the wires from hole to hole.

When I bought my can lights I bought these lights with these housings

Have you looked into hiring a handyman? At least get another quote.

AFAIK it’s your home, go where you want.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X6BDQC4/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071GSFKD9/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm thinking of cheaping out and going with the following two decently rated 4" lights from amazon. For 10 bucks a pop, doesn't it make sense to replace them with something better in 5 to 10 years?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X6BDQC4 - 4" cans
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y4M1S4W - 4" trims

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JUNY2D4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00

I found these bulbs at Home Depot that were kind of neat, they can mount directly in junction boxes instead of requiring a full metal can installation. Plastic junction boxes are like $1 and way easier to install than the metal cans IMO. Plus there's virtually no chance of them rattling from bass. (I had metal cans in my previous basement that rattled though they may not have been installed correctly.) They aren't smart though, so you'd need to get smart light switch to control them. I'm considering them for my basement build out, but that's a ways off.

You might be able to reduce the number of can lights needed if you look at the cree t47 and t67. These lights will usually fit in a 4" ceiling box as long as it's not a shallow one. Be aware that to dim these you need a electronic dimmer, otherwise they buzz a lot with a standard LED dimmer.

Do you know which way your joists run? Also, try finding a 10-pack of pot lights on Amazon. You can get good quality for a decent price. Check this out.

acutally i am a pro photographer and one thing i never understand is when i am adjusting K temp for an image the higher I go, the warmer the light, where as with lighting it seems to be the opposite? i.e. 4100 flourescent seems to be much cooler than 2700K incandescent.

anyway, back to the relevant stuff...
I think LED seems good as ampersand mentions it has broader coverage and lower energy than halogen.

i went to the lighting store and they recommended something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Halo-Recessed-RL460830WH-4-Inch-Retrofit/dp/B0081K4TKI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

something tells me this isnt what i want, though im not sure why. im also not sure what retrofit means?

i think i want a more standard can/trim/lamp with dimmer as you have mentioned. any idea on budget for that setup if I have about 6-8 lights.

thanks!