The H&G’s opinion on canless recessed lights for retrofits

I have 8 canless that I installed about 5 years ago with no issues.

Where I needed them happened to be under ceiling joists so I had to use the ultra thin ones and they worked perfectly.

I recently had my hallway globe fixtures replaced with canless recessed lights - I’m real happy with them. Also had canned recessed lights installed in living areas, more so for aesthetics - very happy with those as well.

Ive had good luck with a few and some others burned out. They were the PARMIDA ones on amazon. I would buy again. One thing that concerns me is that as I understand, heat is what kills LEDs. These thin lights have almost no metal to act as a heat sink. Also, many on amazon claim to be UL listed but as far as I know, non of them honestly carry the "listed" name and at best are UL "classified" which is a lesser rating. Then again, a lot of electronics, even name brands, are merely "classified" and not "listed". The last few years of buying chinese garbage off amazon have made me very leery. They really DGAF if your house burns down.

But the disc lights sure are easy to install. Pretty much can put them anywhere even a pancake box can be cut in. I think there are some that can even be installed direct to drywall. Fyi, I have some on a dimmer and they work there too.

What do you mean by “directly to drywall?” As opposed to what?

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What do you mean

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I guess it might be what you were referring to by "canless". You just cut a hole in the drywall and the light clips to the edges of the hole. There is a metal box that it connects to via foot long or so wire that sits up in attic. I didn't realize these were called canless until I just looked at homedepot site.


The ones I've used I've put in a round electric ceiling box and fastened the disc light into the mounting holes. not unlike a traditional light fixture.

I am putting these in our Barndominium and I’m installing more than necessary, but using a dimmer to get the level needed. I’m running the great room and bedrooms through Kasa smart dimmers. I like running a pattern to eliminate shadows.


Added: I bought the 6” hole saw and use the drill on low with the slip set to highest clutch setting just below drill. I had a few near misses with getting thrown off the ladder before I wised up. Also use the dust bowl. Catches every bit of rock dust.