Best Recessed Lighting Housing & Trim Kits in 2022

Last update: December 10, 2022

Bbounder Lighting 12 Pack 5/6 Inch LED Recessed Downlight, Baffle Trim, Dimmable, 13W=100W, 5000K Daylight, 1000 LM, Damp Rated, Simple Retrofit Installation - UL + Energy Star No Flicker Review:


In our previous home, I installed the Sunco version of these lights, and the torsion clips proved to be a real challenge. It was the perfect set. With the exception of having to bend a few of the clips to allow room for the wiring harness enclosure on a few of my recessed cans, I bought two cases and installed 23 of the 24 without any problems at all (why they put those above the spring clips makes no sense and certainly no fault of these lights). I chose 3000k, and they appear 100 times better than the CFL bulbs we previously had in our cans. We picked these over LED lights since the trim on our previous cans was beginning to turn yellow, and I'm glad we did because the finished product looks wonderful. The packaging was also flawless.



TORCHSTAR Basic Series 6 Inch Slim Recessed Lighting with Junction Box, 12W 100W Eqv. 850lm Dimmable Light, ETL & Energy Star, 5000K Daylight, Pack of 6 Review:


I purchased two of these 6-packs just to check them out. Well, I ordered 3 more of the 30 total 6 (packs) since they look and function fantastic.To make sure there are no obstructions in the path, I would suggest drilling a tiny hole with irrigation flags where you want the light to be. You should also check the attic to make sure you are not drilling through a stud.I set the cutter to about 6 inches, but remember that the top of the light wafer is not perfectly circular. It includes screw notches, therefore a sheetrock hole might need to be slightly trimmed with a jab saw to fit snugly.Although you can select your own tools, this one worked for me.Tools from Home Depot used:Dimmer: Leviton Dimmer Model: DW6HD with WI-FI technologyR01-DW6HD-1RZ as a modelStore SKU: 1002374961 Internet # 300799634Milwaukee adjustable cutter, model number 49-56-0320, internet number 205744284, and item number 1001240064.Model # 53314, Internet # 100113095, and SKU # 136038 are irrigation flags.3/8-inch Halex clamp connectors:Model# 20511 Online Store SKU# 100133208 Online Store SO SKU# 1000518517Voltage tester from Klein Tool, model NCVT-1SENStore SKU: 780066, Internet # 100661787Model# 48-22-3079 Internet# 202966263 Store SKU# 547005 Store SO SKU# 1000092744 Milwaukee Wire StrippersModel number 48-22-0304 for the Milwaukee Jab Saw. Internet number 202206142. Store SKU 496462. Store SO SKU 1000387440.



TORCHSTAR Basic Series 8-Pack 6 Inch 12W Dimmable Slim LED Downlight with J-Box, 100W Eqv. Recessed Ceiling Light, 850lm, ETL & Energy Star Low Profile Light, 5000K Daylight, 5 Years Warranty Review:


It's time for me to share my experiences and give back to the community. Please be straightforward for the first review.Very pleased with these lights because they are simple to install, bright, uniform, and stylish. The classic recessed lights with cans were something I was considering when I first started the project, but I ran into issues with ceiling joists. There is no need to be concerned about where the ceiling joists are with these lights. They also save money. They cost, on average, $15 per, which is better than using cans.Suggestions for improvement 1) Wire clamps are required for the power box. The romex hangs on by wire nuts only in the absence of clamps. 2) Spring clamps attached to the ceiling drywall hold the lights in place. They are sturdy and secure, but if you remove and then reinstall the light, you risk damaging the edge of the ceiling drywall. There must be a better answer.I'd like to share a few of my experiences here in the hopes that other do-it-yourselfers would find them useful:- Color preference: I am aware that color is a matter of personal taste. I first got warm white (3000k), but I didn't like how yellow it was (even for the family room). In my perspective, cool white (4000k) is a much better option. My dining room measures 12 by 13 and has six lights mounted around the outside. In the middle stands the original chandelier. The room was really bright and welcoming because to the 6 Torchstar. However, the moment I turn on the chandelier's six warm white LED candelabra bulbs, the space feels like it is on fire. It came as a welcome surprise.- Plan the layout before you drill holes: Create your design first, then push pin it to the ceiling. 24" seemed to be a good distance, in my opinion. Depending on how many lights you wish to place, the distance between them can be 6 feet or even more. In any event, you would prefer a planned arrangement than anything haphazard. I've seen recently renovated homes with erratic recessed light schemes, and they're ugly.- Installing: Purchase a 6-3/8" (6" hole saw). Compared to using a drywall hand saw, it produces far better and cleaner cuts. I paid $20 for one from Lowes, but I'm sure other ones would function just as well. Instead of using the drill setting, use one of the clutched settings on a cordless drill/driver. Because of its size and potential for binding, the saw may damage the ceiling tile or, if it is placed on drill, may twist your arm. You'll find that the clutched setting is really convenient. When cutting through an existing hole (such as where a ceiling light currently is), screw in a thin piece of board across the hole first. While cutting, the board will keep the saw in the middle. If not, the saw will wander and ruin the ceiling.- Purchase dimmer switches: Dimmer switches are a necessity for the lights. Leviton Decora dimmer switches were the best match for my pre-existing Decora type switches, therefore I used these. However, any LED dimmer switch would function.



Hykolity 6 Inch LED Recessed Lighting with Junction Box, Smooth Trim, 12 Pack, 12W= 100W, 5000K Daylight, 850lm Dimmable Wafer Light, Canless Soffit Lighting for Shallow Ceiling, ETL Review:


fantastic stuff simple to install Several observations based on our experience1. They are colorful! We chose the 6-inch, 3-000-lumen product since 12 would have been too much for the living area. We had to part ways. 2.2. Use caution when drilling holes. The Milwaukee adjustable entire cutter worked well for us. Due to the drill not being tightly kept against the ceiling, one of the holes was slightly larger than 6.25". Since the light's flange is small, there is now a space between it and the ceiling. Fixable, however I wish we had been more cautious while cutting the drywall for the ceiling.3. There should be three punch out holes since the metal box is too tiny for multiple wire connections.4. In order to reveal more conductor wire, we had to strip each wire.We have no issues about the overall quality of the goods. Will be purchasing more for the home's other rooms.



Sunco Lighting 10 Pack 4 Inch LED Recessed Downlight, Baffle Trim, Dimmable, 11W=40W, 3000K Warm White, 660 LM, Damp Rated, Simple Retrofit Installation - UL + Energy Star Review:


With these LED lights, you surely can't go wrong, especially for the price. The adapters come with the lights to use them in other fixtures, but I installed all ten of these (2700K variety) in the ceiling under our waterproof deck using Sunco's 4" recessed fixtures (cans), which allow direct plug-in without screw-in "light bulb" adapters. This combination made for ten complete recessed lights for about $17 each, which is a great price. I also wired in a Lutron Diva dimmer, and you can dim these lights to any desired



Sunco Lighting 12 Pack 4 Inch Slim LED Downlight with Junction Box,10W=60W, 650 LM, Dimmable, 3000K Warm White, Recessed Jbox Fixture, Simple Retrofit Installation - ETL & Energy Star Review:


Six of these 4 inch models, which I recently finished placing in my living room. Overall, the price/quality ratio makes the purchase worthwhile. The light is brilliant, and the finishing touches are quite lovely and flush.a few installation-related points. To fill the knockout holes in the black junction box, you will need to purchase some half-inch connectors. I'm referring to the plastic connections that just snap in as opposed to the metal connectors that require a nut to be secured before the wire can be tightened. Home Depot carries these.If your stud is exactly in the center of the hole you made in the drywall, etc., the 4 inch version prevents you from pushing the black junction box into the ceiling (Photo attached). I'm glad I have access to the attic because else we would have had to cut the drywall to get the cables across. I don't think you will have this issue with even one stud if you purchase the 6 inch version; the 6 inch version never gives me problems.These also have wire nuts, albeit it is challenging to put two wires beneath them. After twisting the two 14 gauge wires together, I utilized the supplied wire nuts and trimmed the copper to a shorter length.Home Depot sells a version of this made by Halo. The best and simplest installation, although it costs about $28 per unit and doesn't include connectors or push-in wire nuts. You get what you pay for; you may also alter the tone of the colors.These lights are also offered by commercial electric for about $26 each. Although you must use wire nuts and connectors, you can also alter the color.Overall, these are excellent value for the money. Just be sure to choose the appropriate size and color for the situation... I hope this helps...



Sunco Lighting 12 Pack 5/6 Inch LED Recessed Downlight, Baffle Trim, Dimmable, 13W=75W, 3000K Warm White, 965 LM, Damp Rated, Simple Retrofit Installation - UL + Energy Star Review:


Wonderful item that is completely worth it. Quite inexpensive when compared to big-box retailers. These meet the criteria for my budget even though 5000k lighting can be really expensive. But aside from the expense, my entire house looks and feels completely different. When I installed all new lighting fixtures, I had originally planned to get led lighting for my entire house, but I was forced to settle with 3000k lighting because I bought it from a big box retailer and could not afford the nicer lighting. But it didn't have the desired appearance; it just seemed too drab. I ultimately came across these and gave them a try. Let's just say that these lights have now illuminated my entire house. I would suggest them to everyone. So don't think twice.And if you're looking for an even better deal, I've also bought these through Amazon warehouse sales, which simply means that while the product package may have been broken, the lights or other item inside is still in fine shape and you get to save a little money. I haven't encountered any issues. And if there is, you can return them and try again with no problem; for this reason, I buy everything from Amazon.I've included a visual comparison. A room's colors are brought out much more clearly by the 5000k Sunco lighting than by the 3000k lighting on the left. It is also less yellowish.



Sunco Lighting 4 Pack 5/6 Inch LED Recessed Downlight, Baffle Trim, Dimmable, 13W=75W, 3000K Warm White, 965 LM, Damp Rated, Simple Retrofit Installation - UL + Energy Star Review:


Wonderful item that is completely worth it. Quite inexpensive when compared to big-box retailers. These meet the criteria for my budget even though 5000k lighting can be really expensive. But aside from the expense, my entire house looks and feels completely different. When I installed all new lighting fixtures, I had originally planned to get led lighting for my entire house, but I was forced to settle with 3000k lighting because I bought it from a big box retailer and could not afford the nicer lighting. But it didn't have the desired appearance; it just seemed too drab. I ultimately came across these and gave them a try. Let's just say that these lights have now illuminated my entire house. I would suggest them to everyone. So don't think twice.And if you're looking for an even better deal, I've also bought these through Amazon warehouse sales, which simply means that while the product package may have been broken, the lights or other item inside is still in fine shape and you get to save a little money. I haven't encountered any issues. And if there is, you can return them and try again with no problem; for this reason, I buy everything from Amazon.I've included a visual comparison. A room's colors are brought out much more clearly by the 5000k Sunco lighting than by the 3000k lighting on the left. It is also less yellowish.



Sunco Lighting 12 Pack 6 Inch Slim LED Downlight with Junction Box, 14W=100W, 850 LM, Dimmable, 3000K Warm White, Recessed Jbox Fixture, Simple Retrofit Installation - ETL & Energy Star Review:


Excellent Sunco LED lights! They are quite bright, and installation was not too difficult. Make your hole somewhat larger to accommodate this while cutting a hole in the ceiling to account for the wings where the clips are attached, which extend slightly beyond the circular base.Sunco's lack of attention to detail in their description disappointed me. A 5 year warranty is mentioned in some product descriptions, but a 7 year warranty is mentioned in others. Which is accurate? Much deception? This holds true for both their website and the Amazon listing. The same mistakes can be found. The box I received and the specs sheet on both websites both mention 5 years, however the pictures on both sites indicate 7 years.Regarding a different topic, I really wanted to incorporate this lighting system into my plan for a smart home. In other words, I intended to use Amazon Alexa and my iPhone to remotely control these lights. Sunco confirmed me after I called that there are no smart dimmer switches available to make this happen. One smart switch that is compatible with these lights was mentioned, but it just has an on/off function and no dimming capabilities.Well, I was able to add 2 and 2 after completing a lot of research. For those who are unaware, this lighting system is an ELV (Electronic Low Voltage). Only one smart dimmer switch that I discovered online that might be compatible with my Sunco recessed lights allowed me to take a chance. I bought the PD-5NE-WH Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch for ELV. I'm glad I did because it was wonderful!! This may be the only smart ELV dimmer switch on the market that can pair with other common devices and operate with low voltage lighting systems. The Lutron Caseta Model # PD-6WCL-WH should NOT be purchased since it is incompatible with low voltage lighting.The only reliable option I've discovered to work with ELV lights is model # PD-5NE-WH. Not a cheap model, this one! You'll wind up spending around $100, but I believe it was well worth it to have a smart dimmer switch and the ability to manage it from anywhere. The ELV dimmer switch I ordered from Amazon arrived the following day. Although they are listed on the websites of other well-known home improvement retailers, they won't have them in stock and will need to send them to you. The best option is Amazon if you need it quickly. Anyway, just follow the given directions, and you'll find it to be extremely simple.I should include one more thing as well. You'll either need their hub or the Wink 2 Hub if you decide to get the smart dimmer switch I listed above to work with your Sunco Slim LED lights. It may be easily connected to the Wink hub and paired with your Alexa account. Everything went as easily as possible.



Sunco Lighting 12 Pack 5/6 Inch LED Recessed Downlight, Baffle Trim, Dimmable, 13W=75W, 5000K Daylight, 965 LM, Damp Rated, Simple Retrofit Installation - UL + Energy Star Review:


Wonderful item that is completely worth it. Quite inexpensive when compared to big-box retailers. These meet the criteria for my budget even though 5000k lighting can be really expensive. But aside from the expense, my entire house looks and feels completely different. When I installed all new lighting fixtures, I had originally planned to get led lighting for my entire house, but I was forced to settle with 3000k lighting because I bought it from a big box retailer and could not afford the nicer lighting. But it didn't have the desired appearance; it just seemed too drab. I ultimately came across these and gave them a try. Let's just say that these lights have now illuminated my entire house. I would suggest them to everyone. So don't think twice.And if you're looking for an even better deal, I've also bought these through Amazon warehouse sales, which simply means that while the product package may have been broken, the lights or other item inside is still in fine shape and you get to save a little money. I haven't encountered any issues. And if there is, you can return them and try again with no problem; for this reason, I buy everything from Amazon.I've included a visual comparison. A room's colors are brought out much more clearly by the 5000k Sunco lighting than by the 3000k lighting on the left. It is also less yellowish.