How to specify, select and purchase the correct LED downlights for your home or business

This guide is designed to help you choose and purchase the correct LED Downlights for your home or business. LED Downlights are becoming a very popular alternative to halogen and are commonly used in the home and the workplace.

Please use the below product resource table to identify which downlight is best for your purpose.

Quick Links

LED downlights ranges
All In One LED downlight
What is colour temperature?
Halogen vs LED downlights
What’s the difference between IP20 and IP65?
LED downlight switches and accessories
Why choose LED downlights?

LED downlights ranges

Range	Diameter(s)	Colour temperatures(s)	Lamp life	Fire Rated?	Dimmable?
Britsesource 5w eco	69mm	3000k 4000k 6000k	50,000 hours	Yes – up to 90 minutes	Yes
Britsesource 8w	70mm	3000k	30,000 hours	Yes – up to 90 minutes	Yes
Britesource 10w All In One (7w available)	85mm	All major 3000k 4000k 6000k	50,000 hours	Yes – up to 90 minutes	Yes
Osram 7w	70mm	3000k	50,000 hours	No	No
Philips 6w	70mm	4000k	30,000 – 50, 0000 hours	No	Yes
Slim Recessed LED Downlights	105mm	4000k	30,000 – 50, 000	No	No

Range	Britesource 5w Eco
Diameter(s)	69mm
Colour temperatures(s)	3000k 4000k 6000k
Lamp life	50,000 hours
Fire Rated?	Yes – up to 90 minutes
Dimmable	Yes

Range	Britsesource 8w
Diameter(s)	70mm
Colour temperatures(s)	3000k
Lamp life	30,000 hours
Fire Rated?	Yes – up to 90 minutes
Dimmable	Yes

Range	Britesource 10w All In One (7w available)
Diameter(s)	85mm
Colour temperatures(s)	All major 3000k 4000k 6000k
Lamp life	50,000 hours
Fire Rated?	Yes – up to 90 minutes
Dimmable	Yes

Range	Osram 7w
Diameter(s)	70mm
Colour temperatures(s)	3000k
Lamp life	50,000 hours
Fire Rated?	No
Dimmable	No

Range	Philips 6w
Diameter(s)	70mm
Colour temperatures(s)	4000k
Lamp life	30,000 – 50, 0000 hours
Fire Rated?	No
Dimmable	Yes

Range	Slim Recessed LED Downlights
Diameter(s)	105mm
Colour temperatures(s)	4000k
Lamp life	30,000 – 50, 000
Fire Rated?	No
Dimmable	No

All In One LED downlight

Buy The All in One here!

£16.88

The Britesource 10w All In One stands out from the crowd as one of the best LED downlight, because:

It’s incredibly durable
Comes with 3 different colour temperatures (unlike standard downlights)
Fire rated for 90 minutes
Dimmable
Long life

It comes with 3 finishes, including:

Brushed steel
White
Chrome

The Britesource all In One also comes with three key colour temperatures, meaning that you can find the right lighting for your mood with one single products. The colour temperatures include:

3000k (warm white)
4000k (cool white)
6000k (daylight)

The All In One can be installed in shallow ceiling voids, lasts 50,000 hours and is dimmable via trailing edge dimmers. It has an IP rating of 65 meaning that it is protected against dust and jets of water and is fire protected for 90 minutes.

All that, plus a five year, no quibble warranty.

Why choose LED downlights?

They’re energy efficient
They save you money
They’re protected against water and dust
Great for the environment
Have an incredibly long lifespan
Safer than Halogen

Halogen Downlight vs. LED downlight

	Standard Halogen	LED downlight
Longevity	1000 – 2500 hours	30,000 – 50,000
Energy uses	High watt usage 35 -500 watts an hour 9 times as much electricity used compared to LED	Rated A+ 7 – 20 watts per hour
Temperature	20% light/ 80% heat Halogen create light by producing heat Heat from halogen can be dangerous Fires have been started by poorly insulated halogen bulbs	80% light/20% heat Runs much cooler than halogen Driver can get warm but rarely enough to cause damage
Environmentally friendly?	No High wastage Short life More energy usage = higher CO2 emissions	Yes! Long-life Low energy usage
Durability	Usually IP20 Protected against solid objects up to 12 mm No protection against water	Usually IP65 Dust tight Protected against water projected from a nozzle (splash proof)

LED downlight switches and accessories

Dimmer Switch

Varilight V-Pro 1 Gang, 2 Way LED Dimming Switch – Chrome/White

Can run up to 10 lamps from a single switch
Maximum load 120w
Can be used with LED and halogen lamps
Trailing edge – allows smoother and silent dimming
10 year warranty on components and faulty materials
Overload protection

Bezels

Bezels are the ring that goes around the front of you LED light fixture. They can add style and protection to your light.

Some example styles are:

Brass
Black
Brushed Steel
Chrome
Antique Brass
Gunmetal Grey

FAQs

What is colour temperature?

Colour temperature describes the colour of light emitted from different types of bulbs. Different colour temperatures create different visual effects and are appropriate for different environments.

Colour temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) on a scale from ‘warm’ to ‘cool’:

The ‘warmer’ the light, the lower the number of Kelvin.
The ‘cooler’ the light, the higher the number of Kelvin.

For more information, check out our guide to LED colour temperatures

What’s the difference between IP20 and IP65?

The higher the IP rating the more waterproof and dust-proof the light fixture will be.

IP ratings exist to provide consumers with more detailed information than general terms such as “waterproof” and “dust-proof”.

Using improperly rated light bulbs in places like the bathroom or outside can be dangerous as you could expose electrical components to damage and even risk electrocution.

The IP rating system begins with the letters IP and followed by two digits:

For more information, have a look at our guide: IP ratings for LED lights

Do you need fire hoods with LED downlights?

If you plan to have your lights recessed in the ceiling, you will need to ensure that they are fire rated. When you cut into a ceiling to install downlights, you affect the fire rating of the ceiling. Therefore, the LEDs need to be fire rated in order to stay on the right side of the law.

For more information about fire regulation and lighting visit firesafe.org.uk

Can I replace halogen downlights with LED?

Yes, with ease.

LED downlights are designed to be easily retrofitted in locations previously occupied by halogen/incandescent bulbs. Simply replace the standard bulb with a new LED light and it should work instantly.

The only time you may run into problems is if you are using a dimmer switch. LED lights generally do not work well with classic halogen dimmers. You can purchase specific LED dimmer switches and lights.

Do I need a transformer for led downlights?

No.

LED lights use a driver instead. Drivers are the LED equivalent of ballasts – they regulate the electricity required for optimum performance.

GU10s have a driver built into the bulb at no extra coast.

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