Table of Contents
Our Most Favorite | Second Best Option | Close Runner Up | Also Great | Also Great |
 |  |  |  |  |
Philips Hue Smart Light | Philips Hue White Ambiance Lights | Lumary Recessed Lights | iLintek Smart LED Can Lights | CLOUDY BAY's Smart Recessed Lights |
|
|
|
|
|
All You Need To Know About Recessed Lights
No matter what you call it, recessed lighting, overhead lighting, can lights, or pot lighting are known for their lighting versatility to change ambiance of the space.
Lighting applications depend on the purpose of the space. Both residential and commercial settings use recessed lighting as ambient, task, and accent lighting.
More specifically, these are circular fixtures with specific direction found in ceiling drywall. Recessed lighting is either ultra thin or contained in cans. You can manipulate them, direct light, and create accent illumination.
Three parts of Recessed Lights:
Â
-
-
Housing – protects the structure of recessed lighting fixture in the ceiling, holds electrical components of the light, and acts as the light’s base. This is why recessed lights are also called ‘canister lights’ or ‘can lights’.
-
-
-
Trim – is the decorative part of recessed lights. They come in different colors and designs, which impacts the overall appearance and quality of the fixtures.
-
-
-
Frame – secures the lights as it connects ceiling joists.
-
Smart Recessed Lighting
Lights usually function using wall switch. But technology creates smart switches to decrease brightness, turn on and off the lights, and even change lighting color through home automation.
LED light connects to either Wi Fi or Bluetooth. These smart ones function through app control and voice assistant — acting as the smart switches.
Smart recessed lighting innovatively and conveniently sets the mood of the space through its smart capabilities.
Do you know the best recessed lights in 2023?
Pick one compatible with Google Home or Amazon if you’re searching for something out of the box. Our team has researched the best smart lights for 2023 and added a buyer’s guide and smart lighting solutions at the end of the article to save you time and effort. Read on.
Our 5 Top Picks For Best LED Recessed Lights of 2023
Best Color Ambiance Recessed Lighting In The Market: Philips Hue Color Ambiance Downlight Recessed Smart Lights
Specifications and Features:
Â
-
-
Price: $ 55.00 each
-
-
-
Lifetime: up to 35,000 hours
-
-
-
10 watts
-
Philips Hue from Signify, widely regarded as the market leader, provides a wide selection of lights with different bulbs to guarantee compatibility with your existing lighting system. In addition to selling light modules, and fittings, the business also offers battery-operated, movable lighting, ceiling decorations, and more.
The Philips Hue product line also includes dimmers, motion sensors that turn on lights when you pass by (convenient for the nighttime restroom), and outdoor lights explicitly made for the yard.
Functions with voice command, Wi Fi, and Bluetooth, the Philips hue ambiance recessed downlight gives extra bright color and warm to cool white lighting to your space. If you have E26 medium base recessed cans with smart LED, this downlight is perfect for retrofitting.
Controlling up to 10 lights per room, the hue downlight is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri if you pair them with Google Nest, Amazon Echo device, and Apple HomeKit. Aside from these voice assistants, you can control these lights through a Bluetooth app of Philipps, Hue Hub.
It changes the color ambiance of your space through preset light recipes to set the mood of your activities.
All products in Philips hue lights are easily compatible with any home automation system. Hue Bridge gives access to millions of colors, setting the mood of the room through smart lighting. They also remain cool contrasting traditional bulbs that produce too much heat.
Pros:
-
-
Easy installation
-
-
-
Compatible with different home systems. ( Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and apple Homekit)
-
-
-
Long lifetime use
-
Cons:
-
-
Expensive
-
Best White Color Smart Recessed Lighting: Philips Hue White Ambiance Lights
Specifications and Features:
-
-
Price: $ 38.39
-
-
-
Lifetime: 35,000 hours
-
-
-
10.5 watts
-
-
-
Voice compatible (Alexa, Apple HomeKit / Siri, Hey Google)
-
If you’re looking for basic lighting but want to try a smart home system, Philips Hue White Ambiance is for you. You can watch a movie or read a book with a warm light scene and become productive with its cool white lighting.
Voice and Bluetooth app compatibility of this lighting makes it easy to set up and control. It directly connects to your bulb with a total lumen output fixture of 700 lm. It easily brightens and sets the mood of the space.
Users control up to 10 bulbs in a room, and it is possible to add a hue bridge to unlock more features of the Philips hue series. This smart bulb is installable on any E26 medium-base recessed can.
Philips hue series products are the best in the market in compatibility with different home automation systems like Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit.
Pros:
-
-
Works even without internet
-
-
-
Smart-home compatible
-
-
-
Always has firmware updates to change the behavior of bulbs when loosing power
-
Cons:
-
-
Basic hues of white
-
- Â
- Â
Best Deal for Recessed Lighting: Lumary Recessed Lights
Specifications and Light Features:
-
-
Price: $95.99
-
-
-
Color Temperature: from 2700K to 6500K
-
-
-
13 watts
-
-
-
Voice Control Operated
-
-
-
Smart bulbs with ultra thin body
-
Lumary offer smart light, customizable to the mood of the space. With 1,100 Lumens, this light bulb provides warm to cool white tones with easily switched brightness levels. With its quality and price, Luminary gives the best deal in the market.
These lights are compatible with Alexa or Google Home Assistant, so users can conveniently turn the lights on and off through a phone or verbal assistance. These smart lights are also remote enabled, controllable from smartphones.
People with wiring experience can easily install this. Lumary’s lightings require no attachment to ceiling joists while remaining firmly in place to the ceiling wall using spring clips. You can customize its glow to set the mood with its 16 million light color range.
Additionally, these smart light requires an installed Wi Fi network to work.
Pros:
-
-
Works with Alexa & Google Assistant
-
-
-
Smooth Brightness options
-
-
-
No Hub Required
-
-
-
Set Scenes & Schedules
-
-
-
App & Remote Control
-
-
-
Voice Command Control
-
Cons:
-
-
Lacks Apple HomeKit support
-
-
-
Requires Wi Fi Connection
-
Best Energy-Efficient Smart Color Rendering Recessed Light: iLintek Smart LED Can Lights
Specifications and Light Features:
-
-
Price: $ 109.99 for a 4 pack
-
-
-
Color temperature: 2700K-6500K color temperature
-
-
-
9 watts
-
iLintek Smart LED Can Lights has 2700K-6500K color temperature. You can tune your 4″ LED downlight to your preferred temperature to fit the mood. Create a multipurpose space by changing the color temperature with 16 million color brightness and 3 light modes. This creates an elegant space while staying on budget.
This recessed can lighting is suitable for indoor use. iLintek Smart LED Can Lights are compatible with Lumary App, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. Lights in different rooms are controlled with a group setting.
You can install and remove it with its elastic triangle legs design. They advertise as a one-second complete installation and removal process. Housing pushes clockwise to install and counterclockwise to remove the recessed lights.
This recessed fixture has a 1,1000-lumen output and is dimmable with the overwhelming bulk of wall-mounted dimmer switches, allowing you to tailor the lighting to your preferences while reducing energy consumption. Color temperatures between 2,700 and 6,500 Kelvin create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.
This recessed lighting set is Energy Star certified, so it has all these unique features, is also good as accent lights, and saves you money over other lighting options. They come in one convenient size of 4 inches.
Pros:
-
-
Easy to install
-
-
-
Controllable through Wi Fi connection
-
-
-
Sound-sync feature
-
Cons:
-
-
Hard to figure out the programming for group lighting
-
-
-
Not compatible with Apple HomeKit and Lumary Remote
-
Best Wide Angle Smart Lights: CLOUDY BAY’s Smart Recessed Lights
Specifications and Features:
-
-
Price: $125.99
-
-
-
Color temperature: 2700K to 6500K
-
-
-
15 watts
-
-
-
Plastic material
-
CLOUDY BAY’s Smart Recessed Lighting is the best option for your smart home if you’re searching for a combination of high quality and low cost.
This light can provide you with the ideal quantity of lighting thanks to its color rendering index of 90 or higher, unlike lumary recessed lights.
Additionally, you can adjust the brightness of these smart recessed lights from 0% to 100% with a simple tap of your phone. Altering the temperature and experimenting with various RGB color combos are also available tools to set the mood.
The app also has 8 smart features with predefined settings that can quickly switch between working, leisure, night, soft, read, dance, dazzling and gorgeous.
When you’re not at home and want additional property protection, you can use the timer and schedule feature to have them switch on whenever you like.
These digital lamps work with both Amazon and Google Assistant, so you can use your voice to adjust the brightness.Â
Pros:
-
-
Low-power-consumption, high-color-rendering-index (CRI) smart lights that simulate daylight
-
-
-
With Bright output and broad beam angle
-
-
-
Easy app control
-
-
-
Easy to install recessed lighting
-
-
-
It comes with voice assistants
-
Cons:
-
-
Not suitable with wall-mounted dimmers
-
Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for When Buying Recessed Lights
Different Types of Recessed Lights
Distinct Trim Types
A light’s trim encloses the housing’s sides and provides mounting points to the ceiling. Recessed lighting can give your house a sleek, modern appearance, but there are many accents to choose from to get the right effect.
Baffle Trim
A metal plate called a deflector shields the front of the light source. Its sole function is to prevent the bulb’s light from focusing straight on a person’s face and causing reflection.
Reflective Trim
The reflective rear of these lights allows for more excellent dispersion of illumination throughout the area than with standard recessed lighting. This light trim works best for over-the-counter job lights requiring lots of light.
Open Trim
These lights have no apparent framing and are installed level with the ceiling. Open recessed lights illuminate a space uniformly and have a minimalistic design that complements contemporary and classic interiors.
Eyeball Trim
Recessed lights in the shape of an eyeball are an excellent way to draw the eye and make a statement, especially in cramped spaces like restrooms and kitchens. This feature has a rotating interior disk to control the beam angle.
In addition to being straightforward to set up, this trim style also facilitates quick and simple light and cabling replacements within the luminaire without requiring the removal of the trim from its mounting bracket.
Wall-wash Trim
Wall-wash recessed lights are typically installed in the ceiling of a room to bathe a specific area in light, making it ideal for use as a decorative light in the living room or bedroom.
Special Features To Look Out For Before Buying
Size
Recessed lighting comes in a wide range of diameters, starting at 2 inches and going up to 7 inches in circumference. Best recessed lighting depends on what you need depends on the area’s dimensions, the number of lights you intend to place, and the intended use of the lighting.
If you want to use it as task lighting to shine on your kitchen counter, a 4-inch bulb is sufficient. However, to light the entire room, you should use a 6- or 7-inch bulb. What would look good with your LED recessed lights are ceiling fans that are smart too.
Bulb type
The bulb variety should be your top priority when shopping for recessed lights. The wattage of your bulbs is directly proportional to the amount of light they provide and their efficiency in terms of electricity and heat.
Some options today are incandescent, fluorescent, and LED lights. There are advantages and disadvantages to each variety.
Incandescent lights, for instance, produce a comfortable glow, but they have a short lifespan due to their high electricity consumption. As a result of their higher output and superior light quality, halogen lamps come at a higher price than their conventional counterparts.
LED lights are the most cost-effective alternative. They last up to 50,000 hours, need less energy, and produce less heat than traditional bulbs.
Brightness
The brightness count is a standard metric when discussing the brightness of recessed light fixtures. Choose light bulbs with a high brightness per watt number (lm/W) if you want more illumination from a given amount of electricity.
Recessed lighting has come a long way since its inception. Many modern models include flexible options that let you adjust the brightness of the light to suit the event without having to install additional lights.
This feature enables you to fine-tune the lighting of your living room, whether you need to get some work done at 3 a.m. or have an intimate candlelit dinner for two.
Â
Color Temperature
When buying recessed lights, you should also consider the bulbs’ color tone. The human perception of the warmth or coolness of a light source is expressed in terms of its “color temperature,” which is quantified in degrees Kelvin (K).
Color temperature preference depends on the function of the space. You can mix and match lighting temperatures depending on the mood of your room. People’s behaviors can be reinforced lightings temperatures. Therefore, you can use these to your advantage.
Â
-
-
Warm color temperature – gives relaxing vibe to the space and creates a laid-back environment.
-
-
-
Cooler color temperature – helps people to feel awake. People are more alert and attentive in this environment
-
Bedrooms, dining rooms, spa massage buildings, and other commercial and residential spaces intended for relaxation have warmer lighting in contrast with cooler color temperatures in hospitals and offices where productivity and alertness is primary.
For task lighting in the kitchen or restroom, where users need brilliant and attractive light for activities like making recipes or grooming in front of mirrors, bulbs with a low color temperature (around 3,000 Kelvin) create light comparable to sunshine.
Fixture Type
Remodel fittings and new building homes are the two kinds of luminaire support for smart recessed lighting. Snap spring clips attachments allow for quick installation of remodeled fittings into the wall hollow. However, new homes will come standard with screws and fixings that would enable the device to be securely attached to a ceiling beam.
Smart Compatibility
The days of settling for dull hidden accent lighting are over with smart technology. You can now buy lamps that work with both Alexa and Google Home. In other words, you can ask your voice assistant to switch the lights on or off without going to the wall switch.
The app allows for remote and ongoing control of these smart lights. The lights will switch on and off at the same time every day. This light is perfect if you’re looking for a unified lighting scheme throughout your house or want to avoid fumbling around in the dark first thing in the morning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s):
FAQ#1: How Can I Connect My Recessed Light To My Wi fi Network?
Get your Echo device. Open the Alexa app. After that, we’ll move on to Open devices. Select “Add device”. Choose “Light” and “Brand” to specify the electronic device you wish to link. Proceed as directed.
FAQ#2: Can Any Light Be Used In Recessed Lighting Fixtures?
Some light bulbs will only fit in a recessed light. Most makers suggest switching to LEDs or halogen lamps rather than conventional or compact fluorescent light smart bulbs (CFLs) due to their lower heat output. Use only incandescent or compact fluorescent lights approved in confined fittings to prevent overheating and cracking.
Conclusion:Â What’s The Best Smart Led Recessed Lights?
We are living in a technology-driven society, where convenience is a top priority. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of best recessed lighting on the market. Recessed smart lights are the most prevalent ceiling light in new homes today.
Making a trip to the nearby wall is not necessary anymore.
Recessed lights might appear to be a straightforward light source at first glance. However, there are a few factors to consider before installing it in your home.