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.

6000 and above too glaring for me.

used 4000 for whole house

Mine depends on area and task (mix of task lighting, accent/decor light and ambient/general light)

General for living & bedroom: 3500k or 3000k (warm light that looks cozy and comforting without being too harsh)

General for bathroom & kitchen: 4000k (bright light that lets me see things clearly but not so cold that it's too clinical)

General for study/home office & laundry yard: 6500k (coldest temp in the house, allows brightest contrast and promotes alertness, but this kind of brightness will disrupt sleep patterns so better not spend too many late study/work sessions).

Accent/decor lights (only in bedroom and living): 1000k to 2500k (still on warm spectrum so won't clash if turned on with the warm general lights on as well, gives a soft intimate glow if used without general lights).

Task lighting in kitchen: 4500k (specific for under overhead-cabinet lights to see countertop/hob while doing kitchen things)

hi guys , i been looking around LED downlight , recently seeing alot of RM6-8 LED downlight with SIRIM , is that they are good enough as long as got SIRIM?

some recommend me MEGAMAN brand around RM16-19 per unit


i not sure those brand actually make huge diff?

Basically led lights around Rm6-8 , even tho Rm16-30 also made in China.
Maybe about lifespans on 6-8 lesser a year and make sure buy extra light bulb to keep for spare

those expensive can tahan ke? i last time using the Perfect One brand around Rm20-30 without sirim one , some also can't tahan more than a year , some become dim too , now my "perfect one" spare unit LED already finish replace those broken LED , just recently try search shopee/lazada and found out alot of SIRIM LED nowaday RM6-9

maybe i buy 2pcs to try it out?

This post has been edited by chongkiatz: Jun 23 2024, 05:05 PM

Get those better ones from PHILIPS, surely you will not regret it. Basic PHILIPS MESON are good enough for most homes. Discerning owners will want to try something like PHILIPS DN027- comes with 3-Year Warranty amd low power.
Eg.
PHILIPS MESON D150 1200lm = 17W
PHILIPS DN027 D150 1300lm = 12W

my friend told me last time philips is good , but nowaday de philips quality macam not so good already

the best downlight. IMO lah. is the E27 bulb holder, and get E27 LED bulbs from IKEA. Little known secret, IKEA makes the best affordable LED bulbs, with CRI >90 and very good efficiency beating all major lighting brands such as Philips, Osram and Megaman.

All these LED downlight.. during removal you need to remove from plaster ceiling is troublesome, and may damage the plaster ceiling. Using E27 can easily unscrew/screw and you are done.

That's my honest opinion after having installed led downlight. For home setting, overall I prefer 3000k as it is more comfortable, with the exception of kitchen where I have 4000k task light when needed. Bathrooms are also 4000k.

If you want something that looks aesthetically more pleasing that the E27 holders, can look at GU10 led bulbs with holders.

another vote for e27.

the ceiling lamp is messy to dismantle and replace. during the process, you may damage the plaster board.

Yup , during change downlight, have some chance to damage a little of plaster board , can easily get the Filler Putty from Mr Diy , most of the time the outer Downlight White Frame can cover up those damage plaster

i been DIY and change myself the led downlight for around 10 year time already , within this 10 year i think got change around 20 unit already (bought 4 time x5 spare unit) , just recently found out some cheap LED with SIRIM for only price RM7-8 , holy shit LOL ,

last few day i order the MEGAMAN downlight for RM16.90 1 unit to test out from lazada (because i no dare to order those RM6-8 downlight yet) , now i gonna test out those cheap SIRIM LED and see how is the quality and life spend ....


and do expensive vs cheap LED play jimat electric roll ? or same only because both 12w

Your house your choice. Your friend all this while using PHILIPS?
My home upgraded to PHILIPS DN027 during 2020 and till now, no single failure or flickering.

Previous house he using philips , now he move to new house and using MEGAMAN this brand , and he saying that this brand is very famous now, price range rm16-19 , cheaper alittle bit compare to philips which is around rm20-22

He do satisfy with megaman and recommend me , so i just give it a try 😀

But i do wan to try those cheap sirim downlight , see will have huge diff or not 😆

recessed e27 reflectors require to be oversized for heat dissipation. otherwise you end up changing them every 2-3 years. And their light are more narrower require either up the W or add more. With modern downlight eg osram or philips lasting 6-8 years, really don't see the reason unless you want scene switch or some smart settings.

those osram / philips brand , after 2-3 year also wont dimming? Sometime the light no rosak , but can see very obvios dimming already

Get yourself a digital light meter if you plan to test out the market available Downlight.

It does, but not obvious.

The cheap SIRIM LED from shopee just arrive 2 day ago , really susprise nowaday LED so light weight and with build in Driver , yesterday install it and let see can tahan how long to get DIM or burn out

The old LED that i replace was 2015 date Chop at the LED (actually this LED stil working , just become dimming) , and the old one with driver is heavy , time fly already 9 year using that LED , back to 9 year ago it was consider as China Unbranded RM30 LED , at that moment those Philips branded need RM60-70 for 1 Unit LED (nowaday philip LED only need around RM20++)

This post has been edited by chongkiatz: Jun 29 2024, 11:31 AM

indeed, led changed the land scape. But the earlier ones were really not that efficient compared to tube. the efficient really came from being compact enough to distribute lumens better in a given space. So it was really a lot of investment in wiring extra switches. I started with Philips 2nd gen recessed when it only does 700lm/W @ 35myr per pop for 10w ones at bulk price.

actually i wan to test out the Philip downlight too , but i see the outer size for philip is only 140mm , compared to my old china & megaman downlight which is 145-150mm+- , the philip run small , my inner hole is 130mm , just wonder why philip didnt follow standard 4inch size outer which is 145-150mm

if replace the old light to philip , confirm will saw the square black mark , can be solve easily with repaint a little at the edge of downlight , just need do extra step

This post has been edited by chongkiatz: Jun 29 2024, 01:43 PM

hard to say its not standard. it just standard to different region. I remember philips is interchangeable with osram. never used them i think they are over priced. in fact i like them compact and less intrusive

Any sifu here can provide some advice on how to test out newly purchased surface lights/downlights?

Can we connect it directly to the wall outlet and turn on the switch? Not sure if it works and if its safe to do so.

Hi there.. How's your testing going so far? I'm in the verge of getting some downlights. Is the cheaper SIRIM LEDs worth it or still stick to Phillips? Thanks.

I been using the light since 06-2024 til today , so far non of them are shutting down , i actually quite surprised for the quality at this price 😅

I even repeat order few time and replace some of my dimming old LED downlight. Now my storage stil have 3unit for spare , for rm6-7 1 unit , that really insane. Cheaper than 1 plate of chicken rice 😂



This post has been edited by chongkiatz: Aug 6 2025, 08:50 AM

Wow, that's really good to hear. At least one year on and no issues. Can you please share the link? Can pm also if you prefer. Much appreciated.

Another thing, what do you all think about those non-smart multi-color LED downlights? For use in say bedroom, sometimes need really bright light, while other times, just warm cosy lights. Contractor says they aren't as reliable. True?

Here the link , I think as long as with sirim approved will be good to go.

https://my.shp.ee/5xeMgDG , u might go to the seller profile to look for other size or option.

About the multi-color led , i cant comment much as i dont use any of them, i feel it just a gimmick , because i stay few airbnb with multi-color LED but i dont feel i need it , might be excited for few day or to show off to friend & family member , but after this will be like.....trash.

Since multi-color led not that expensive too, not a bad choice to try it , if next time really rosak le , just change it , its so easy to replace an downlight LED.

life short bro , just go for it if u really want to try , u can change back anytime if it causing u problem , for me not a big deal.

Hmm, will try in shop first & consider the tricolour for one room je. At 1/3 cost, can use single color variant everywhere else. These options might be worth it. Might also just play around with spot downlights too or cove lighting.

My other concern is how easy to change the LEDs. Of course no choice, have to be careful not to damage the plaster ceiling. Nevertheless, it's just plug & play right? Me first time messing with this. Current ones are screw/unscrew bulbs in housing. A pain though, cuz small housing & installed horizontally.

This post has been edited by voncrane: Aug 6 2025, 10:48 AM

My home was Square type of downlight , exchange the LED downlight might cause some damage the plaster ceiling especially if the spring is TIGHT one , but this cheapo SIRIM LED spring was not that tight , very easy to take down

For the broken plaster ceiling , i just get the PYE Putty Filler , can easily get from Mr Diy , and because my home ceilling was paint with maxilite plus (that most majority home ceiling paint) , so i just go to shopee buy 1L around RM10-15 for stand by if needed to repaint at the filler area , so far so good