An old incandescent can light dims a room and wastes power every hour it runs, but you do not need an electrician or a torn-up ceiling to fix it. A retrofit kit screws into the existing socket and clips into place in about two minutes.
We spent weeks researching and comparing the top retrofit downlight kits on brightness, color accuracy, build quality, and install ease. Here are five picks, from the CRI-forward Feit to the Amazon best-seller Amico.
Top Picks at a Glance:
Light | Best For | Size | Lumens | CRI | Price/fixture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Feit Electric 5/6" | Best overall | 5/6-inch | 925 | 90+ | ~$6.66 |
Sunco 4" Flat | Best for 4-inch cans | 4-inch | 800 | 80+ | ~$6.50 |
TORCHSTAR Deep Baffle | Best premium/anti-glare | 6-inch | 1,200 | 90+ | ~$8.31 |
Commercial Electric 5/6" | Best wet-rated | 5/6-inch | 700 | 90 | ~$8.49 |
Amico 5/6" 5CCT | Best budget/best seller | 5/6-inch | 950 | 80+ | ~$8.75 |
1. Feit Electric 5/6-Inch: (Best Overall Retrofit LED Can Light):
925 lumens | 10.2W (75W equiv) | 90+ CRI | 2700K to 5000K selectable | 50,000-hr life | Editor's Choice
Most retrofit kits under $7 settle for 80 CRI. The Feit hits 90+ at that price, so food, skin, and decor look natural instead of washed out. Five selectable color temperatures cover any room, and it fits both 5 and 6-inch cans with adjustable torsion springs. Install is under two minutes: adapter in, springs out, push flush.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
90+ CRI, rare at this price point | Baffle lens attracts dust over time |
Fits both 5-inch and 6-inch cans | Sold only in multi-packs |
50,000-hr life, dims to 10% | No smart home control |
Best for: whole-house retrofits where consistent, accurate color matters.
2. Sunco 4-Inch Flat: (Best Retrofit LED Can Light for 4-Inch Cans):
800 lumens | 10W (60W equiv) | 2700K to 6000K | 50,000-hr life | 7-year warranty
Homes built after 2010 often use 4-inch cans, and the Sunco's flat trim sits almost flush with the ceiling, closer to the look of an expensive canless LED than a typical retrofit. Dimming runs smooth 10% to 100%, and it is damp-rated for bathrooms. On deep or vaulted-ceiling cans, expect a small visible gap at the trim edge.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Slim flat trim, modern canless look | 800 lumens is moderate for large kitchens |
7-year warranty, longest here | 80 CRI, less vibrant than the Feit |
Damp-rated for bathrooms and soffits | Slight trim gap on deep cans |
Best for: newer homes with 4-inch cans that want a modern, low-profile look.
3. TORCHSTAR Deep Baffle: (Best Retrofit LED Can Light for Glare Control):
1,200 lumens | 15W (120W equiv) | 90+ CRI | Aluminum housing | ETL, JA8, Title 24
If glancing up at a downlight hurts your eyes, this is the fix. The deep anti-glare optic sets the LED further back so you see light, not the source, from any angle past 45 degrees. It is also the brightest here at 1,200 lumens, with an aluminum housing that will not yellow like plastic competitors.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
1,200 lumens, brightest here | Most expensive option, ~$8.31/fixture |
Deep anti-glare optics, real comfort gain | Needs 4+ inches of ceiling depth |
Aluminum housing, ETL/JA8/Title 24 | Only sold in 8-packs |
Best for: open kitchens, dining rooms, and tall ceilings where people look up often.
4. Commercial Electric 5/6-Inch: (Best Wet-Rated Retrofit LED Can Light):
700 lumens | 9W (65W equiv) | 90 CRI | Wet rated | 5-year warranty
This is the pick when a fixture needs to work anywhere, showers, covered porches, exterior soffits. It combines a genuine wet-location rating with ENERGY STAR and UL certification, rare together under $10 a fixture, plus a 5-year warranty from a widely stocked Home Depot house brand.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
True wet-location rating, showers and soffits | 700 lumens, lowest output here |
ENERGY STAR and UL certified | Integrated LED, replace the whole fixture at end of life |
5-year warranty, widely stocked | Sold only in 4-packs |
Best for: bathrooms, covered outdoor spaces, and anywhere moisture is a concern.
5. Amico 5/6-Inch 5CCT: (Best Budget Retrofit LED Can Light):
950 lumens | 12.5W (100W equiv) | IC rated | ETL & FCC certified | #1 Best Seller
Amazon's current #1 best seller in recessed trims, and the one most homeowners actually buy. At 950 lumens it out-brightens the Feit, it is IC-rated for insulation contact, and a 4-pack runs about $35. The trade-off is CRI, unpublished but reported around 80, fine outside kitchens and art walls.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
950 lumens, brightest budget pick | ~80 CRI, less accurate than Feit or TORCHSTAR |
IC-rated for insulated ceilings | No smart dimmer compatibility |
#1 best seller, 4.5 stars, 300+ reviews | Plastic housing may yellow over 10+ years |
Best for: rentals, basements, garages, and whole-house budget retrofits.
Retrofit LED Can Light Buying Guide:
Measure your cans first. Standard sizes are 4, 5, or 6 inches, and a kit must match. Homes from 1980 to 2010 usually have 6-inch cans, newer builds often use 4-inch. Several picks here fit both 5 and 6-inch with adjustable clips.
Lumens by room: 600 to 800 for hallways and bathrooms, 800 to 1,000 for living rooms and bedrooms, 1,000 to 1,200+ for kitchens and task areas. Modern retrofits draw 75 to 87% less power than the incandescent BR30s they replace.
CRI: 80 is fine for garages and hallways. Pay for 90+ in kitchens, bathrooms, and anywhere color needs to look true.
Dimming: every kit here needs an LED-rated dimmer, an old incandescent dimmer will flicker or buzz. See how to dim LED lights for compatible options. For a broader look at recessed lighting across retrofit, new-construction, and premium-dimming options, see our guide on best LED recessed lights.
Install: no wiring or new junction box needed. Cut power, remove the old bulb and trim, screw in the E26 adapter, connect the quick-connect, and push the fixture up until the clips hold it flush. About two minutes per can, no electrician required.
Conclusion:
Every kit here is a real upgrade over old incandescent cans, it just depends on your ceiling and priorities. Most homes should start with the Feit for its rare CRI-at-this-price combo. Got 4-inch cans? The Sunco. Want the most comfortable overhead light? The TORCHSTAR. Lighting a bathroom or covered porch? The Commercial Electric. On a tight budget? The Amico is the one most people already buy.
Whichever you choose, you are two minutes and a screwdriver away from a brighter, more efficient room.
(FAQs):
Q1. Can I use a retrofit kit with any recessed can?
A: Most work with any standard E26-socket can (Halo, Juno, Lightolier, and more), as long as the size matches. Specialty GU10 sockets or very shallow housings under 4 inches may not be compatible. If your ceiling light needs troubleshooting first, see how to fix an LED ceiling light.
Q2. Do retrofit LED can lights dim smoothly?
A: Yes, with an LED-compatible dimmer. All five kits here dim 100% down to 5 to 10% without flicker on a modern LED dimmer, an old incandescent dimmer will not work well.
Q3. How much energy do retrofit LED can lights save?
A: They draw 9 to 15 watts against 65 to 120W incandescent, a 50 to 105-watt saving per fixture. Ten lights at 5 hours a day save roughly $16 to $30 a year, paying back the kit cost in 4 to 8 months.
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