18W IP54 2700K Dimmable LED Downlight - Brushed Nickel

An 18W recessed downlight with the LED built in, so there is no separate lamp to buy or replace. It gives 1,360 lumens, which is main-light output rather than accent light, at 2,700K. That is warm white: the soft, slightly yellow light people recognise from the old halogen downlights these replace, not the crisp blue-white of a 4,000K office fitting. The beam opens to 90 degrees, so pools from neighbouring units overlap rather than leaving scallops. The bezel is brushed nickel, with a deeply finned heatsink behind it and sprung retaining clips on either side.

The IP54 rating decides where it can go. The 5 means dust protected and the 4 means splashing water from any direction, which is why it is cleared for bathroom zones 2 and 3: beyond 60cm from a bath or shower, and the ceiling above a basin. It is not rated for zone 1, directly over a bath or inside a shower enclosure. The same protection earns it a place over a kitchen worktop, where steam and the odd splash are a fact of life, and in a utility room, hallway or landing, where the warm tone keeps the light friendly rather than clinical.

Dimming is supported, so it can run from a mains dimmer rather than sitting at full output. LED loads are small, so choose a dimmer rated for LED and check its minimum load, particularly if only one or two units sit on the circuit. Rated life is 25,000 hours, roughly twenty years at three hours a day, and because the LED is built in that figure describes the fitting rather than a bulb. Each one is sold singly, minimum order one. The manufacturer does not state the cut-out diameter, so ask us before cutting a ceiling. It sits within our wider range of downlights, alongside CCT adjustable recessed round panel versions in white from 12W to 24W.

What size hole does it need in the ceiling?

The manufacturer does not state a cut-out diameter or an overall size for this fitting, so please ask us to confirm both before you cut a ceiling or order a replacement for an existing hole.

Can I use it in a bathroom?

Yes, in zones 2 and 3 only. That covers the ceiling above a basin and anywhere beyond 60cm from a bath or shower, but not directly above a bath or inside a shower enclosure.

Will it work with the dimmer switch I already have?

It is dimmable on a mains dimmer, but an older dimmer built for halogen may not hold a small LED load steady. Use a dimmer rated for LED and check its stated minimum load.

What halogen wattage does 18W replace?

The manufacturer does not state an equivalent wattage, so compare on output instead: 1,360 lumens is the figure to hold against whatever you are taking down.

What does 2,700K actually look like in a room?

Warm and slightly golden, close to the old halogen downlights most homes had. It flatters wood, brass and warm paint colours, and reads far softer than a 4,000K or 6,500K white.

How far apart should I space them?

On a standard 2.4m ceiling, downlights are commonly set around 1m to 1.2m apart. The 90 degree beam is wide, so pools overlap readily and you avoid bright spots between dark gaps.