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Tools & Materials

Philips SlimSurface LED Downlight

Designed to look like a recessed can

By Debra Judge Silber

Recessed can lights have gained a reputation as the go-to fixtures for inexpensive ambient room lighting. But they have their drawbacks. When placed in a ceiling and not sealed and insulated, they can bleed energy. When improperly air-sealed and insulated, they can present a fire hazard. One answer from Philips is an ultrathin surface-mount LED fixture. Measuring only 5/8 in. deep, the SlimSurface LED is designed to look like a recessed can when viewed from below, but unlike a can light, it leaves room for insulation in the ceiling. To create a uniform glow, Philips places LEDs at the edge of the fixture, relying on a specially designed lens to distribute the light.

The SlimSurface is available as a square (4 in. and 6 in.) or round (5 in. dia. and 7 in. dia.) fixture. The fixture has a rated life of 50,000 hours, and it comes in two color temperatures (2700K and 3000K), two lumen levels (630 and 980), and two color-rendering indexes (80 CRI and 90 CRI). It can be dimmed to 10% using electronic-low-voltage (ELV) dimmers. The Energy Star–certified light uses as little as 10w of power and produces 70 lumens per watt. Prices start at $40.

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Editor Test Results:

Overall RatingN/A

Manufacturer Specifications:

ManufacturerPhilips
Manufacturer's Web Sitewww.philips.com
Manufacturer's Phone Number888-744-5477
WeightN/A
DimensionsN/A

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