Ultimate Guide to Recessed Light:4 Inch vs 6 Inch Recessed Light

At Vertex, we understand that choosing the right size of recessed lighting—whether 4-inch or 6-inch—can be a daunting task for many homeowners. This guide is designed to demystify recessed lighting, explaining its components and helping you compare the benefits of 4-inch versus 6-inch models to find the best fit for your space.

What is Reccessed Light?

Recessed lighting, commonly referred to as downlights, is a contemporary lighting solution that integrates directly into a ceiling, wall, or other surfaces. Each light consists of three main components: housing, trim, and bulb. The housing is the core of the fixture and remains concealed within the installation surface. Both 4-inch and 6-inch sizes are popular choices, each serving different lighting needs effectively. 

What Size Recessed Lights for Kitchen?

In kitchens, 4-inch and 6-inch recessed lights are optimal for providing focused overhead countertop lighting, while 6-inch models are preferred for general ambient lighting. Additionally, larger 8-inch LED downlights can be used effectively as wall washers to illuminate large surface areas uniformly.

What Size Recessed Lights for Bed Room?

The choice of recessed lighting size in bedrooms depends largely on the room's dimensions. For larger bedrooms (over 350 square feet), 6-inch recessed lights provide ample general lighting. In contrast, 4-inch recessed lights are perfect for smaller bedrooms, offering sufficient illumination without overwhelming the space.

4 Inch vs 6 Inch Recessed Lights: Key Differences

Both 4-inch and 6-inch recessed lights are versatile and can be used across various settings. This section highlights the distinct advantages and applications of each size, helping you understand which might better suit your specific needs.

Energy

The 4 inch recessed downlight has a smaller size than the 6 inch downlight. And, the smaller downlight tends to consume less energy for the operation, so it is more energy-efficient. Also, the 4 inch recessed downlight requires less material to make.

Style

The 4 inch recessed downlight led is more modern. The delicate size of the 4 inch recessed downlight presents a more modern-looking. It also offers more options for specialty trims or gimbals.
 

Lighting Space

Generally speaking, the 6 inch downlight is regarded as the standard recessed light. The 6 inch recessed downlight is the first lighting option in most regular-sized rooms because it makes the room look better. Also, when comes to the lighting solution for the large-sized room, 6 inch recessed downlights could be the right choice. They look more proportional in larger rooms.

4 inch recessed downlight could make a visual illusion, making the smaller-size room look bigger. Although the 6 inch downlight is the standard light, you had better not install it in a small-sized room. It is because its size would make your small room seem compact visually. Small recessed downlights are highly recommended to be installed in the small-sized room.
 

Lighting Ability

The 6 inch recessed downlight is used for the general lighting. When comes to the comparison between 4 inch and 6 inch recessed downlights, the 6 inch recessed downlight is better in lighting ability. It is because it has a higher lumen output and a wide beam angle. 4-inch lights usually act as cabinet downlights to highlight surfaces or light up smaller closets.

4 Inch VS 6 Inch Recessed Downlight: Which is Better?

Since you have already known the differences between these two sizes of recessed light downlights. You may wonder which is better. My answer is it depends on where it is installed.

According to the previous section, we can learn that the 4 inch recessed downlight is the best lighting solution in a small-sized room and the 6-inch recessed downlight is the ideal lighting solution in a large-sized room.

4 Inch VS 6 Inch Recessed Light: How to Choose?

When you determine which size of the recessed downlight, you need to take these three key factors into the consideration.

Installation Location

The 4 inch recessed downlights make a better performance in the smaller spaces, so they are the great kitchen cabinet downlights and under cabinet downlights. If you want to install downlights in a large-sized room, the 6 inch large downlights are the ideal lighting solution.

Interior Style

The recessed downlight usually helps you create a minimalist style in your homes and business. And, the 4 inch recessed downlight is a good choice for you to create a modern and minimalist style.

Budget

Before buying the recessed downlight, you first need to keep your budget in mind. And the indoor led downlights are a bit more expensive than their counterparts, but you can buy fewer of these led lights downlights to create a similar illumination outcome.
 

Conclusion

Choosing the right recessed lighting involves considering factors such as the installation location, desired aesthetic, and budget. Both 4-inch and 6-inch options offer unique benefits in terms of style, lighting capability, and cost, enabling you to tailor your selection to your specific needs.

Vertex is a professional manufacturer and supplier of led downlights, recessed spotlights, smart downlights, etc. If you want to find the best 4 inch and 6 inch led recessed downlight, please contact us +86-757-8252 5260.