The Best LED GU10 Spotlights for the Kitchen

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Picking the proper spotlights for the kitchen can be a daunting task as several factors must be considered. This post attempts to simplify the selection process for you.

If you are simply replacing your existing bulbs, then you may be able to jump to our GU10 LED section. If you are planning a new kitchen, unhappy with shadows or dark areas in your existing one or just want a quick scan of your best options – this article is for you.

In this guide we help you:

Task, ambient and accent bulbs for the kitchen.
What to look for in a good kitchen GU10 LED.
Best GU10 spotlights for the kitchen by price.
Useful websites & further information.

Task, ambient, and accent bulbs for the kitchen

Selecting the right LED GU10 spotlights for your kitchen begins with knowing the different types of lighting you can opt for - task lighting, ambient lighting, and accent lighting. You can implement these types of lighting for various locations in your kitchen.

Type	When Used
Ambient Lighting 2700-3000k	Great when the meals are cooked, the pots are in the dishwasher, and the kids have gone to bed. Perfect for open plan kitchens with runoff seating areas or lighting larger areas of the kitchen.
Accent Lighting 2700-3000k	Use it to emphasise certain aspects of the kitchen such as work surfaces, cabinets & units and features such as sinks and hobs. Accent lighting gives your kitchen the wow factor.
Task Lighting 4000k +	Vital for lighting food prep zones such as hobs as well as food preparation work surfaces.

Used together, these lighting types can produce incredible results for your kitchen space.

LED Colour Temperatures

Colour Temperature Guide for Domestic LED Bulbs

GU10 LED’s

Know what you're looking for? Here are our current best-selling dimmable halogen replacement spotlights.

Brand	Wattage	Colour Temperature	Lumens	Life Span (hrs)
Sylvania	5W	3000k	345	15,000	Buy Now
Osram	8.3W	4000k	535	25,000	Buy Now
Osram	4.3W	4000k	350	25,000	Buy Now
Energizer	5.5W	3000k	345	15,000	Buy Now
Philips	4.9W	2700k	355	25,000	Buy Now
Energizer	5.5W	3000k	345	15,000	Buy Now
Osram	8.3W	4000k	535	25,000	Buy Now

“Use LED spotlights in conjunction with other lighting sources in the kitchen such as a dining area pendant, to balance out the light. Rotating downlights can be positioned to reflect off walls for ambinece or to light up task areas. This means you can tailor the perfect lighting scheme to your desired look and feel, whilst being practical too.”

Jennifer Kay

Owner, The Mini Interior Design Company

https://theminiinteriordesigncompany.com

What to look for in a good kitchen GU10 LED

Specification	Comments
Rendering Index (CRI)	Check this on the packaging because it can materially impact the colour temperature output. In general look for a CRI of above 80% but aim for higher if your budgets allow. Philips, for example, have bulbs available with a CRI of 97%. If getting precisely the right colour is crucial, then we recommend bulbs that offer a higher CRI value.
Fire Rating	All installed GU10 LED's should be fire-rated up to 90 minutes.
Lumens (Light Output)	As a general rule, Lumen output increases with Wattage. However cheap bulbs may offer less light output against a quality alternative when comparing like-for-like. Likewise, quality bulbs may provide you with more light output at a lower wattage, so it is worth shopping around for the best deals.
Brands	a Philips is widely recognised as the best brand in the industry, holding many more technology patents than its competitors. Osram, GE and Sylvania also boast top-rated ranges. JCB is a less well-known supplier of quality bulbs.
Warranty	Longer is better when it comes to bulb warranty. Cheaper bulbs may also ship with day to day problems that impact the enjoyment of your living space, in general stick to the best brands below.
Average Life	The average life of a bulb is a good indicator of quality. LED bulbs generally last ten times longer than a Halogen equivalent. As a rough guide, a life span of around 50,000 hours indicates an excellent quality LED. Cheaper LED bulbs may last 15,000 hours which is still a very long lifespan compared to a typical halogen.
IP Rating	No specific IP rating requirement exists for Kitchens. However, if you are aware that the fixtures may be subject to moisture, steam or water, please use our guide to help select the correct bulb.
Beam Angle	Wider beams are the right choice if you currently have annoying shadowy areas in the kitchen, want to save money on bulb costs or just want to use the lighting for creating a nice even light across the larger spaces in the kitchen. Narrow beams are more suited to task or accent lighting where specific areas of the kitchen are the focus, and you don't want to shine a light on neighbouring parts of the kitchen.
Energy Rating	Better bulbs save more energy. A++ represents a top-rated, high-quality bulb.
Price	As with most things in life, if you are unsure and worried about quality, look for higher-priced bulbs. While it may be tempting to pay £1 per bulb, the impact will invariably be a mixture of the above.

How many lumens do I need?

The general equation for establishing the amount of Lumens needed is as follows:

Room square footage X footcandle requirement

The more wattage a bulb boasts, the brighter (lumen output) the light it will produce. But keep in mind that the higher the wattage, the more power the bulb will consume, so make sure you don’t go overboard.

Read our quick guide on Lumen requirements here to help establish how many bulbs you will need room by room.

Best Value for Money Kitchen Lights

4000K (Cool White) GU10

The perfect replacement for a standard 50w Halogen GU10.
4000k colour temperature provides a cool white light great for focus and alertness.
Perfect for food preparation in the kitchen.
Fully dimmable
90% savings in energy when compared to the equivalent halogen GU10.

3000K (Warm White) GU10

The perfect replacement for a standard 50w Halogen GU10.
3000k colour temperature creates a warm glow (similar to halogen bulbs).
Perfect for creating a more welcoming atmosphere in the kitchen or dining area.
100° wide beam
90% savings in energy when compared to the equivalent halogen GU10.

Further Help & Advice

LED kitchen lights: planning and fitting the right lights

https://www.lampshoponline.com/advice/led-kitchen-lights

Dining room lights: types, ideas and the best lights available

https://www.lampshoponline.com/advice/dining-room-lights-types-ideas

Children’s bedroom lighting: types, planning and ideas

https://www.lampshoponline.com/advice/children-bedroom-lighting

Bedroom lighting: considerations, mood lighting and LED lights

https://www.lampshoponline.com/advice/led-lights-bedroom

Understanding Colour Temperatures

https://www.lampshoponline.com/advice/guide-led-colour-temperatures

IP Ratings for LED Lights

https://www.lampshoponline.com/advice/ip-ratings-led-lights

Choosing GU10 Bulbs – Dimmer Switches, Prices & Brands

https://www.lampshoponline.com/advice/how-to-choose-right-gu10-leds

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