LED downlights are a commonly used lighting fixture that can provide soft and uniform light for indoor spaces. However, the decoration effect will be unsatisfactory if you do not pay attention to some key issues when choosing downlights. The following is a complete guide to choosing LED downlights so that you can make a wise choice before buying.
Recessed downlights are lamps installed inside the ceiling, flush with the ceiling. They do not take up extra space and can create a simple and atmospheric visual effect. They usually use a reflector cup or lens to control the distribution of light, which can be divided into different types, such as narrow, medium, and wide, suitable for different lighting needs.
Surface-mounted downlights are lamps directly installed on the surface of the ceiling. They are easy to install and do not require grooving on the ceiling. It has a variety of appearance designs and can be selected according to different decoration styles. The light of surface-mounted downlights is more concentrated and suitable for local or accent lighting.
Adjustable beam angle downlights can change the direction of light by adjusting the angle of the lamp and are more flexible. This type of downlight is suitable for places where the lighting angle needs to be flexibly adjusted, such as display cabinets, bookshelves, etc.
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The power of an LED downlight determines its brightness. When choosing a downlight, the power needs to be determined based on the lighting needs and the size of the space. The power of an LED downlight ranges from 3W to 80W, meeting the needs of home, office, and commercial lighting.
The color temperature of downlights determines the color of the light.
Standard color temperatures include warm white (2700K - 3500K), natural white (4000K - 4500K) and cold white (5000K - 6500K).
Warm white light gives us a warm and comfortable feeling, suitable for bedrooms, restaurants and other places.
Neutral white light is close to natural light and is suitable for living rooms, study rooms, and other places.
Cold white light gives people a bright and refreshing feeling, suitable for kitchens, bathrooms and other places.
The color rendering index is an indicator to measure the downlight's ability to restore the color of an object. The higher the color rendering index, the more realistic the object's color. The CRI of LED downlight is at least larger than 85Ra.
The beam angle refers to the angle formed by the light emitted by the downlight in the space. Different beam angles are suitable for various lighting needs.
Downlights with narrow beam angles (15° - 24°) are suitable for accent lighting, such as illuminating decorations, paintings, etc.
Downlights with medium beam angles (24°- 45°) are suitable for general lighting, such as illuminating the entire room.
Downlights with wide beam angles (above 45°) are suitable for wall-washing lighting, such as illuminating walls or ceilings.
The immediate effect of glare is that our eyes feel uncomfortable and are more susceptible to eye strain. So, the anti-glare is also essential.
Choose LED downlights that are flicker-free, as the light is delicate, visually comfortable, and eye-friendly. Do not choose downlights that flicker, as prolonged exposure to flickering light can easily cause fatigue, headaches, decreased vision, and other problems.
The LED power supply is an important part of the downlight, and its quality directly affects the service life and stability of the downlight. A high-quality LED power supply has functions such as constant current, constant voltage, and lightning protection, which can ensure the normal operation of the downlight.
When choosing LED downlights, choose products from well-known brands. They have better quality and performance, and their after-sales service is also more complete. They also have CE or UL or other Certificates and test reports.
* The above selection method is enough if you are a reseller of LED downlights.
You must consider more details if you are a personal decorator or small project engineer.
The downlight's size is also one factor when choosing an LED downlight.
There are some colors of the reflector, like white, Black, Golden, Gray and Silver etc.
Choose a black cup for downlights, as the black cup is light-absorbing and has an excellent anti-glare effect;
choose a white cup, which is not as good as the black cup but is more straightforward and integrated with the ceiling.
If you like golden or silver, it is also a good idea.
The narrow side of the downlight is more integrated with the ceiling, and the style is more straightforward; do not choose the broad side, which will make it look abrupt.
The installation location of downlights significantly impacts their aesthetics and practicality. The principle of "even distribution and emphasis" should be followed when installing downlights.
First, the installation location and number of downlights should be determined according to the structure and layout of the room to ensure that the light can evenly cover the entire space;
Second, the lighting focus of downlights should be set according to different space requirements;
Finally, when installing downlights, attention should be paid to coordination and matching with the surrounding environment to avoid being too abrupt or affecting the overall aesthetics.
Downlights can be installed in two ways: embedded and surface-mounted.
Embedded downlights require slots to be cut on the ceiling for installation, which is difficult to install and requires professional installation;
Surface-mounted downlights can be directly installed on the ceiling surface, which is easy to install and can be installed by yourself.