Recessed Lighting

Recessed can lights, also known as LED pot lights, LED downlights or high hat lights are installed within ceilings, creating a streamlined flush appearance. For home improvement projects, adding recessed lighting is a popular choice in spaces with low ceilings, when hanging or surface mounted fixtures take up too much vertical space. Recessed ceiling lights also reduce direct glare, since they are commonly angled downward. Modern recessed lighting unites the bulb and trim into a single integrated LED recessed light fixture, not only improving the ease of installation but also performance, energy efficiency and longevity. The latest evolution in modern recessed lighting includes canless LED lights, which eliminate the need for traditional recessed light housing. This innovation keeps the modern, flush look of LED recessed ceiling lights while offering easier installation.

In lighting, recessed light fixtures are installed within a ceiling so that only the light and its trim are visible. This design offers a low profile, modern look compared to surface mounted or hanging fixtures. Recessed light fixtures for ceilings are especially popular for low profile spaces, where minimalism and clean lines matter. Today’s recessed LED downlights are also easier to install than ever, making recessed can light conversion projects quick and affordable. For existing ceiling cans and housings, recessed light conversion kits use a standard E26 base adapter to connect the recessed downlight fixture directly into the canister. Newer wafer lights take it a step further, using an attached junction box for direct power connection, no ceiling cans required. Most recessed LED lights now feature spring clips and quick connect wiring, allowing for fast installation.

While both recessed can lighting and canless recessed lights are a major upgrade from outdated halogen fixtures, the decision between can vs canless recessed lighting depends on your goals for installing recessed lighting. A recessed can light fixture requires metal housing, which makes it the ideal option for retrofit recessed lighting projects in ceilings that already have can housings installed. In these cases, it's also easier to change recessed light bulbs, especially when upgrading to energy-efficient LED retrofit kits. Meanwhile, canless recessed lights don’t require any existing housing and offer a slimmer, more flexible design perfect for new builds, tight ceiling spaces, or modern renovations where ease of installation matters. LED canless lights come with their own junction box that takes the place of a can, ideal for new constructions. Slim recessed lighting is easier to install and connect to power, since it does not require installing can housing. However, if you are looking to change recessed light bulbs to LED, then retrofit recessed lights are the better option

Recessed ceiling light fixtures quickly start paying for themselves with greatly improved energy efficiency, along with a longer lifespan. Recessed led light replacements of halogen bulbs typically use around 80% less power, lowering energy costs. Our recessed lighting fixtures last up to 50,000 hours, saving users the expense and hassle of replacing burnt out bulbs. Unlike traditional lighting, recessed LEDs cans emit very little heat, making them safer.

The choice between 4" recessed lighting and 5 or 6 inch recessed lights depends on your space and lighting goals. 4 inch recessed lighting is ideal for hallway and bathroom recessed lighting, where smaller space calls of smaller fixtures, or for accent lighting projects. 4" LED pot lights are also great for kitchen recessed lighting with ceilings up to 10 feet high. 5 or 6 in. recessed lights are better for home office or living room recessed lighting, offering broader and brighter light coverage for larger spaces. 6 inch LED recessed downlights are a great choice for ceilings higher than 10 feet high as they are typically a brighter option.

NuWatt has a wide range of downlight LED fixtures to help you craft own aesthetic. We carry multiple wafer can lights sizes, from 3 inch recessed lighting and 4 in recessed lighting for strategic highlighting of features, to 6” LED recessed lighting for all-purpose illumination. Along with a variety of sizes, NuWatt can recessed lights come in a variety of styles, including square recessed lighting, trimless recessed lighting and gimbal recessed lighting. For users who want a touch of luxury to their interior, NuWatt also offers bronze recessed lighting and black recessed lighting trims that instantly elevate to any space. With 90 CRI, our LED replacement pot lights deliver richer and more vibrant colors compared to low CRI 80 lighting. Our commitment to energy efficiency, safety and performance is clear—just look for the Energy Star, Intertek ETL, and JA8 certifications on our packaging. NuWatt also offers UL263 2-hour fire rated recessed can lights, which provide enhanced safety by containing fire spread.