Hi all,
For LED downlights, there are so many out there ranging from cheap few bucks to expensive branded $20+ ..

Can anyone share which one should I go for long lasting LED? Branded ones like philips, osram, panasonic? Or those no brand with sirim approved?

Also what size you all recommend for living hall and room?

Mix and match to experiment for the same point.

Branded and non also have their high and low end quality.

Is also depends on frequency of usage.

Generally all leds brightness will degrade in the long run.

I rather pay cheaper price for higher end non branded and change when necessary.

As the name said, downlight will shine only downward. How many? It depends on beam angle of specific light and the distance to the floor. Then you can figure out how much overlapping of beam for higher intensity or brightness perhaps.

China is cheap. Branded one is expensive. I'd just buy from local shop that can provide warranty. Normally you just pay slightly more for 2 or even 3 years warranty and still cheaper than branded one with 1 year warranty perhaps. These are also from China but selling for higher price. Some even made own brand but still I think this is still good deal.

Legrand 6" square LED in "Daylight" (6500k) or "Cool daylight/white" (4000k)

Price is about RM 22 - 25 depending on the quantity you buy, and the relationship you have with the shop people. I prefer to buy from an electrical shop, as I try to support local businesses. The construction of the lights are good (in my opinion as a person with 2 pieces of paper in the relevant industry) and they come with a 2 year warranty. I don't really like the very yellow "warm white" (2700k - 3000k Colour Temperature), and I explain this to all my customers. Turns out most of them also agree with this once they know the difference.

From L to R : 6500k, 2700k, 4000k Colour Temperature light samples

I don't prefer Philips (I find the quality not that great actually), and don't mind Osram. But Osram does 2700k CT for warm colour, and I prefer a single brand across all the fittings. If you buy at a shop, you can also get a better quantity discount.

I prefer square, because I think it looks better. Aligning the lights and making sure they are straight have stopped being a problem ever since I started using laser tools many, many years ago.

Some may say you should buy cheap, and replace when they die. Even though I make money from installing electrical items, I sincerely think you should buy quality, install once and then forget about it. After all, the price difference is about RM 10 from a cheap fitting. Maybe you can change the fitting yourself, and that is a great cost saving, but then can you be sure the fitting will be exactly the same, or even the CT? Sure, you can buy the "quality" non-branded, but how sure are you on the quality? Which forumer is going to tell you "I tested nnnnnn brand over 3 years, they were good, you can buy them here"? Just try to find the same Sh.pee or Laz.da shop after 3 years.

Let me give you an anecdote - You can buy a quality downlight from Wong Lighting, (if you are in PJ/KL) that they have gone to China and contract manufactured under their own brand name "Eluminuz". It's good quality, but the price is comparable to a branded downlight. In 3 years you'll have to go back to Wong lighting should you need a replacement, but if you bought Legrand/Osram/Philips, you'll be able to get a replacement in any electrical shop.

One final consideration. For my own place, I use downlights, but only when I need a lot of light in the area. Places like the kitchen, bathrooms, corridors etc. Living areas do have downlights, but the usually used illumination is from smart bulbs, where the brightness and the CT can be controlled using an app or Alexa/Google Home. These are installed in stand or table lamps. For bedrooms especially, I do not want lights from the ceiling shining directly into my eyes when I'm in bed. Plus the convenience of not having to get out of bed to turn OFF the lights when I'm ready to zzzzzz...

Sorry, not sorry for the long post. My good deed for the day posting as much information as I can, and the reasoning behind it, for you to read.

Edit : added a few sentences

This post has been edited by stormer.lyn: Sep 6 2021, 09:37 PM

I've probably tried all sorts of LED lights for maybe 10-20 years, cut my holes and fill them up multiple times because I can't seem to find the correct size everytime i need to purchase one.

In my experience, they are mostly the same. The quickest one in general to go bad on me, branded ones go bad for me just as quick as the cheap ones, and one of the longest lasting ones is not even branded.

I can tell you that the ones you turn on and off the most are the ones that probably breaks the most (bed room) but the balcony ones that are kept on every night with minimal on and off frequency lasted me a good 7 years or so. Turning it on and off is the factor and contributes most to it's wear and tear.

In and all, because of that, I don't think anyone can give you a reliable statistic on which will be better, I read somewhere that moisture and heat plays a part in it's lifespan as well. My frequently used ones goes out in quite a regular schedule, so I gave up on searching for the best and longest lasting ones, I just make sure that it's SIRIM certified for safety purposes and that's it, every downlight I ever bought lasted me at least 1-2 years, and they dont even cost as much.

My house use all Philip downlight, so far ok. Touch wood, only 1 down lights outdoors just recently not working, not sure the wiring problem or the light itself as that specific light always not as bright as others.
I found that those China made no brand I use in office not long lasting.

Not recommending here, just sharing personal experience.

I use Opple and Megaman.
Opple 2y warranty, Megaman 1y but at half the price.

Replaced 1 out of 18 Megaman in 3 years, the rest all standing strong.

Agree to skip the ultra cheap ones, gets dim pretty quick.

This post has been edited by gordonchin: Sep 6 2021, 11:44 PM

Thanks all for the reply... End up buying Opple downlight at about $16 per piece with 3 years warranty.

Anyone can recommend me smart downlight or smart bulb e27? So far I only saw Philips Wiz series, anyone using? How is it so far?

I recently bought a fair amount of Panasonic downlights (new model) that promises 20k hours (philips 15k) and 1 year warranty with sirim.

How's this Panasonic brand in terms of durability? I am thinking of continue to put these lights in my bedroom (where on and off a lot of times) or go with those E27 LED bulbs (easier to change myself).

May I know where you get at $16 per piece? 12W or 6W? Shoppee seems to sell above $18...

Bought from shopee $17.50 with their $50 voucher discount. Grab all the 5700k .. but still not enough.. they no more stock.. Just check their price now increase already ..

Shopee Link

Looks like your Opple is a good choice. Just curious though - Where are you going to find more of the fittings in 5700k CT from now on?

Cheap smart lamp. Quality unknown. But cheap!

This post has been edited by stormer.lyn: Sep 9 2021, 09:08 PM

Just open up my shipment today.. Ordered on 08/09 arrive 10/09.. I also bought other brand 1 piece just for comparison.. I think more or less the same only thing I believe the driver for Opple is built in.. Another unit from other brand comes with a square driver..

Plan not to use e27 for this moment that's why sticking to Led downlight straight..

I think Opple still sell those 5700k but more expensive now after I grab all of it

Hi guys..
Does Led downlight has any shelf life?

if unused unopened box can last how long?

If is stored in a box, at proper place and dont drop it during handling, I dont think it will degrade ....maybe the casing might discolored.

This post has been edited by mini orchard: Sep 12 2021, 07:06 AM

thanks.. thinking to keep some for spare units in case it goes off

Good idea. Just like CFL, its good to Keep a few sparing units..save time to go hunt for them again

I heard that removing downlights might damage the plaster ceiling due to the spring, so is there any method or tips for this?

Am thinking of putting some thin board/plastic between clips and plaster ceiling and also cutting slightly more for bigger allowance but not sure these will work

Sorry necro old thread. Which color temp do you guys prefer? Or is it according to area (Living Room, Bed room study room, kitchen etc)?

My choices of color temp: 6500K or 4000K

https://www.prolighting.com/blog/2020/06/16...-for-your-home/

This post has been edited by jimbet1337: Jul 3 2023, 01:04 PM

Used Opple eyeball Dow light. Close to 4 years now. Been a getting a few spoilt at around this period. Find that it’s not so lasting.

Notice that a lot of LED light like to promote long lasting hours of usage 15,000 hours etc. but the driver is the weak point I believe, might not last anywhere near that long of the LED bulb.