LED Downlights

Fire Rated LED Downlights

A standard downlight cuts a hole in your ceiling. If that ceiling is a fire barrier between floors, you've just compromised it. A fire rated fitting seals that hole back up — for either 30 or 60 minutes depending on the product.

You need them wherever that ceiling is doing a fire separation job. Between a ground floor and the floor above, above a garage, in a loft conversion. The simple test: is there a habitable space on either side of that ceiling? If yes, you almost certainly need fire rated fittings. Check with your electrician or building control if you're unsure.

Our fire rated downlights come in IP20 for dry rooms and IP65 for bathrooms, fixed and tilt, GU10 and integrated LED. Bezels in white, brushed chrome, polished chrome, matt black and antique brass. Cut-outs are standard 70mm on most — always check the datasheet before you drill. Read our full guide on fire rated downlight requirements if you need to check compliance before ordering.

Dimmable LED Downlights

Our dimmable downlights work with leading edge and trailing edge dimmer switches, but compatibility does vary by product. Check each listing for the compatible dimmer types before you buy, particularly if you're running them on a shared circuit with other loads. Warm white (3000K) suits living rooms and bedrooms best where you want the option to drop the light level in the evening.

If you're fitting dimmable downlights for the first time, our LED dimmers collection covers compatible wall dimmers and our compatible dimmers guide for our 8w CCT fire rated downlight gives you a specific compatibility list. For more background on how dimming works with LED fittings, see our guide to dimmable LED downlights.

IP65 LED Downlights for Bathrooms

IP65 means the fitting is fully dust tight and protected against water jets, which satisfies zone 1 and zone 2 bathroom requirements under BS 7671. If you're fitting downlights directly above a shower enclosure or bath, IP65 is the minimum rating you should be using. Our bathroom downlights collection covers all IP65 options, including fire rated versions where you need both protections in one fitting.

Most of our IP65 downlights take GU10 lamps, so you can swap colour temperatures or upgrade the bulb later without changing the fitting. Check our IP ratings for bathroom lights guide if you're unsure which zone applies to your installation.

GU10 vs Integrated LED Downlights

GU10 downlights use a replaceable lamp. If a bulb fails after a few years, you swap the GU10 and the fitting stays in the ceiling. That makes them a practical choice for rental properties and commercial spaces where maintenance access matters. Pair them with our GU10 LED bulbs in the wattage and colour temperature you need.

Integrated LED downlights have the light source built in, with no replaceable lamp. They tend to run cooler, last longer, and in many cases produce better light quality. The trade-off is that if the LED driver fails, you're replacing the whole fitting. For most domestic installations fitted and forgotten, integrated units are a solid choice. Read more in our article on what integrated LED downlights are and how they work.

LED Downlight Cut-Out Sizes

The most common cut-out size in UK residential work is 70mm, and the majority of our downlights use this. However, cut-outs across our range run from 55mm to 100mm depending on the fitting. Always check the product datasheet before you drill, and measure any existing holes if you're doing a retrofit. Going smaller is fixable. Going larger is not.

Our LED downlight sizing guide covers how to measure your ceiling void depth, cut-out diameter, and bezel size so you get the right fitting first time. If you're retrofitting into an older ceiling with non-standard holes, look for adjustable bezel options in the range.

LED Downlights FAQ

What is the standard cut-out size for LED downlights in the UK?

The most common cut-out is 70mm. Our range runs from 55mm to 100mm. Always confirm the required cut-out on the product datasheet before drilling.

Do I need fire rated downlights?

You need fire rated downlights if your ceiling separates two floors or if there is a habitable space on either side of it. A standard downlight creates a hole in the fire barrier. A fire rated fitting restores that integrity for either 30 or 60 minutes. If you're unsure whether your installation requires them, check with your electrician or building control.

Can I install LED downlights myself?

In England and Wales, connecting mains lighting is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. In most cases you'll need a Part P registered electrician to carry out or certify the work. Replacing like-for-like fittings on an existing circuit may be exempt, but check with your local authority building control if you're unsure.

Why are my LED downlights flickering?

Flickering is usually caused by an incompatible dimmer switch, a loose connection, or too few bulbs on a dimmer circuit running below its minimum load. Check dimmer compatibility first. If the flickering happens on a non-dimmed circuit, check the wiring connections at the fitting.

How long do LED downlights last?

Most quality LED downlights are rated for 25,000 to 50,000 hours. At 8 hours of use per day, that's roughly 8 to 17 years of typical use before the LED output drops to 70% of original brightness (the standard L70 rating). Integrated units tend to last longer than GU10 lamp-based fittings because they run at lower temperatures.

What IP rating do I need for bathroom downlights?

IP65 is the minimum rating for zone 1 (above the bath or shower) and zone 2 (within 0.6 metres horizontally from a bath or shower edge). Outside these zones, IP20 is sufficient. IP65 means the fitting is fully dust tight and protected against direct water jets.