LED Downlights: an Alternative to BR30 and BR40 LEDs

Recessed lighting cans (or canisters) are everywhere, and normally house a reflector bulb like a BR30 or BR40 bulb. (Some people use any light bulb at hand in a can; and some want more focused light, so they'll opt for PAR light bulbs. But "reflectors" like BR30 and BR40 lamps are perfect for general recessed lighting.)

With today's drive toward efficiency, many people now opt for the financial savings of BR30 and BR40 LEDs rather than incandescents, halogens, and CFLs. This is especially true as even name brand LEDs have truly approached the price point of older bulbs -- such as the 2-pack of BR30 LEDs we sell (at the time of this writing) for just $7.98 ... or $3.99 per bulb.

You probably know how these look, and might have one nearby to look at as an example. As you can see in this image, there is some space around the bulb (especially if using a BR30 in a 6" can) and, when choosing a BR40, the lamp may even extend slightly from the can. In any case, if you really think about it, there is nothing clean about the appearance. Yet we are used to the look, to the point that these cans and bulbs may become more or less invisible to us.

​But did you know that, with LED technology, there's a sharp looking alternative to recessed lighting?

LED downlights combine the trim and lamp in a single, flush looking fixture that eliminates visible space in a lighting can and does away with bulbs sitting crooked or extending too far from the can. And this modern look is easy to achieve, since they're designed to replace older bulbs almost as easily as any other bulb. They have a base attached to wires that gets screwed into a light socket like any lamp; then the fixture is slid up into the can with spring clamps to hold it in place.

It really is that simple, and we encourage you to check out our available LED downlights. They come in a variety of color temperatures for different settings, and different wattages to accommodate different ceiling heights or brightness preferences.

Need to fit this kind of lighting in places that have no room for a recessed can? (Insulated ceilings or soffits, for instance?) No problem. Lotus LED Lights has produced super thin LEDs that look similar to those pictured here, but they can fit into a space with as little as 1/2" of depth. Check them out!

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