You’ll want to look for this specific version that has the base that you screw in like a light bulb. Any other version takes electrical know how and isn’t really necessary. 

We loved that you can change the warmth of the lights with these: 

You have to pick what warmth you want before installing, but it’s very easy to change them to a different “color” after they are in the ceiling. 

Before you start, if you have the adjustable option, decide on the warmth you want first. Well, you may want to install one and see how it looks to decide. But after picking, I highly recommend going through the lights before installation and moving them to the right spot. Otherwise you’ll forget and turn them all on and only one will be right. Speaking from experience. 😉

Soft white is the most “yellow” or warmest version, and the least bright. Cool daylight is a more white look and much brighter. Daylight or cool daylight are what I prefer for bathrooms or spaces without natural light. 

Mine came with a bracket that didn’t work for our fixtures, so I had to remove them: 

And replace them with the wire clips that come with the lights: 

See how I have the clips pulled all the way out? Our ceiling holes are six inches. For five inches you want to install them closer to the fixture. Smaller options are available as well. 

That’s the only prep to get them ready for installation! To replace your old fixtures, first TURN OFF THE POWER at the breaker box. This process is almost as easy as replacing a light bulb, but you will be up inside the fixture where there are wires. Always better safe than sorry. 

Remove the light bulb and then just pull down on the metal trim: 

Grab the metal clips and squeeze to remove them from the ceiling fixture: 

Then grab the part where the bulb screws in and squeeze the two metal brackets on the side to remove it from the metal can: 

Now you’re ready to install the new one! 

Take your LED light and screw it in like a light bulb: 

Grab the metal clips and squeeze them into the brackets inside the ceiling fixture: 

Make sure the wires are tucked in above the fixture and then push it up into the ceiling. That’s it!

Attaching the new light with the metal clips is the hardest part, and even that isn’t bad. I found it helpful to wear rubber garden gloves when I was installing a bunch of cans at a time. 

These lights aren’t just money savers, they look much better (in my opinion) than the standard recessed trim kit. The new ones don’t create a dark hole in the ceiling when the lights are off: 

You can get LED can lights that are completely flush with the ceiling as well. 

I’ve replaced all but a couple recessed lights in our house — and it was a lot! But once you get the hang of it, it only takes a couple minutes each. 

I finished up our loft this week. It’s hard to capture the huge difference in photos, especially if you are keeping the warmth at a softer level like the originals. 

The LED versions have 70 more lumens than the incandescent bulbs we had before. So at the very least, even at the warmest light, they are still brighter! Here’s the before: 

And here’s the after!:

I used the warm white setting and it’s much brighter and way less yellow! 

I’ve talked about changing your bulbs to cooler tones in some rooms for years now. The slightly cooler lights take all of the yellow out of the space and let you see the real colors in the room!

Here’s another view before:

And after — see how the lights wash the walls with more light?:

You can’t beat it — brighter, cleaner light for less money!

• In general, I prefer the warmer tones in living spaces and bedrooms. But in rooms with no windows or very little (like a basement) I always go with the cooler lights. Bathrooms are the perfect place for daylight or cooler bulbs — you’ll see what your makeup TRULY looks like!
• Depending on how many bulbs and what warmth you use, you may want to consider adding a dimmer switch as well. If you go with a cooler tone it can be really bright!
• The metal trim on the standard recessed lights tends to yellow over time. I’ve heard that’s due to the high heat from recessed bulbs. LED bulbs will cool down rooms with can lights, especially if you use halogen bulbs before!
• Overall these save a ton of money — our electrical bill dropped by $70 and I’m not even done replacing them all. We’ll make up the cost of the new fixtures in just a few months! 

Have you changed out your old recessed can lights with brighter, energy saving LED versions? I’ve finally embraced the LED — I used to hoard incandescent bulbs. 😂 Now I appreciate how far the LED options have come!

Here are a few LED can light options. You’ll save money by buying a set:

• The same set we used with adjustable warmth
• Our version in the 2700K warm light
• These are adjustable and the set of 12 comes to only $5 each!
• This set of 12 can be purchased an any warmth 
• Set of four LED lights (pick your warmth)