Top 10 Recessed Lighting Manufacturers for Your Next Project (2024)

When it comes to seamless lighting design, recessed lighting has become a go-to solution for both residential and commercial spaces. As global shipping has become more accessible, buyers have the option to choose from hundreds of recessed lighting manufacturers. Even industry veterans often struggle to pick the right lighting supplier from a sea of competitors.

In this article, we’ll explore the top recessed lighting manufacturers in the world and highlight their key products and services.

3 Uses of Recessed Lighting for Your Home or Business

Recessed lighting provides flexibility and versatility in lighting design that enhances homes and businesses.

Here are three ways to use recessed lights in your indoor space.

1. Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting is the process of using luminaries to evenly illuminate an indoor space. An array of recessed lights in the ceiling ensures soft lighting, minimizing shadows and glares. Good ambient lighting leads to a well-lit environment that provides comfort and safety.

Recessed ambient lighting is ideal for living rooms, hallways, kitchens, retail shops, etc.

2. Task Lighting

Task lighting uses narrow beam angle fixtures to create a bright area in an indoor space. The narrower beam angle reduces the light coverage but increases light intensity in a small area. The focused light is ideal for specific tasks such as reading, electrical work, and tool use.

Recessed lights can be installed in ceilings in workshops, over kitchen islands, bathrooms, and hotel reception areas.

3. Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is the creative use of light fixtures to highlight sections of a building or fixtures. Recessed lighting can be mounted on ceilings, walls, or the underside of a table for unique styles. 

The Top 10 Recessed Lighting Manufacturers to Elevate Your Indoor Lighting

With so many lighting companies available today, choosing the right one for your needs can be quite challenging. Fear not, for we have done the legwork for you.

Here is a list of the ten best recessed lighting companies in the world based on product quality, brand reputation, and value-added services.

Please note that the order of these companies doesn’t indicate rank.

1. RC Lighting

RC Lighting is a custom LED lighting manufacturer that specializes in architectural illumination. It is a leading Chinese company that is quickly expanding its operations worldwide.

Although RC Lighting is a relatively new player in the lighting industry, it has quickly gained popularity in residential and commercial lighting spaces. The company’s rapid growth can be traced back to its company culture, which nurtures innovation and quality.

RC Lighting’s core team consists of passionate individuals who strive to create lighting fixtures with better illumination without sacrificing cost. The company’s passion for innovative design has led it to offer extensive OEM and ODM services.

Customization in LED lighting is a valuable trait. It allows home and business owners to tailor the fixture designs according to their specific lighting needs. Many companies forego this service because custom lighting solutions are time-consuming and have tighter profit margins.

RC Lighting’s commitment to customization shows its dedication to customer service. The company has always prioritized buyer experience over profit margins. Speaking of buyers, RC Lighting also offers significant discounts for B2B (business-to-business) companies.

The company has a state-of-the-art testing facility designed to simulate the toughest conditions for lighting fixtures. RC Lighting products comply with industry standards such as ISO9001, CE, RoHS, UL-listed, and more.

Company Advantages

• Fast Delivery
• Low Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ)
• OEM & ODM Services
• Exceptional Customer Service

Key Products & Services

• LED Recessed Lighting
• Landscape Lights
• LED Fountain & In-Ground Lights
• Bollard & Path Lights
• Track Lights

2. Juno by Acuity Brands

Juno is part of the Acuity Brands family, a mega corporation that is a major player in the lighting and home automation sector.

Acuity Brands owns nearly 30 lighting-focused brands, the vast majority of which focus on LED lighting products. Juno covers the premium lighting section in Acuity Brand’s catalog. It was established in 1976 and gradually rose in popularity.

Although Juno is widely considered one of the most reliable brands for LED track lighting, its recessed lighting products are just as good. In fact, Juno’s product catalog is full of high-quality and reliable lighting fixtures.

Juno’s association with Acuity Brands has given it access to more resources, enabling the company to expand its reach to a wider market. However, that same connection has also made it difficult for the company and its products to stand out. The company is unintentionally competing with other Acuity Brands for customer attention.

Juno sells about forty different types of LED recessed lighting and at least a dozen different trim options. Such diverse product offerings ensure buyers get the right downlight for their indoor or outdoor space.

The company’s commitment to energy-efficient lighting has been the driving force behind its product designs. Juno designers ensure their lighting products are energy-efficient and manufactured using sustainable fabrication techniques.

Company Advantages

• Fast Delivery
• Available in Every US State
• Diverse Product Range

Key Products & Services

• Canless LED Recessed Lights
• LED Track Light Systems
• Incandescent Recessed Lights
• Smart Home Lighting Solutions
• Indoor Fire Prevention Solutions

3. ERCO Lighting

ERCO is a German commercial lighting manufacturer. The company was founded in 1934 in Lüdenscheid, Germany. At the time, ERCO was just another incandescent lighting manufacturer. However, during the 1940s and 50s, the company began working on a new architectural lighting concept.

Prior to ERCO’s intervention, many Europeans didn’t see a difference between residential and commercial lighting. The idea of a special lighting technique that incorporated light fixtures into a building’s architecture seemed like a foreign concept.

However, ERCO was committed to developing specialized architectural lighting for the commercial sector. By the 1960s, the company was widely considered a pioneer in architectural lighting across the European Union.

From its very origins, the company has been interested in innovation. With the introduction of LED lamps, ERCO saw its future shifting to sustainable lighting solutions. Today, ERCO Lighting sells its LED lighting products in 55 countries around the world.

In 2010, the company decided to shift its headquarters to the United Arab Emirates. While its home may have changed, the heart at the center of ERCO remains the same.

ERCO has over a thousand dedicated employees who share the company’s vision of sustainable lighting products and advancement in green lighting technology. You can find ERCO lighting products throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, North America, Central America, and South America.

However, a small drawback is the lack of retail shops. ERCO sells its lighting solutions through third-party contractors. Potential buyers can get free consultations from the company. Share your exact specifications with ERCO, and they will design a lighting plan accordingly.

Company Advantages

• Global Presence
• Years of Lighting Expertise
• Experience with Large Scale Projects
• Diverse Products Catalog

Key Products & Services

• Recessed Luminaires
• Pendant Luminaires
• Track Lighting
• Showcase Lighting
• Light Projectors

4. Lixero

Lixero is a family-owned LED lighting solutions provider from the Netherlands. Founded by the Arons family, the company has been designing elegant lighting solutions for over 40 years. Since its humble origin, Lixero has been committed to innovation.

A quick look at the company’s past projects shows how far it has come in just a few years. To implement sustainable and reliable LED lighting, Lixero has worked with healthcare institutes, luxury hotels, supermarkets, sports arenas, and private offices.

During its early days, Lixero was partly known as an interior design and furnishing company. However, the introduction of LED technology brought a new business opportunity for the Dutch company. LEDs are efficient illumination devices with compact housing, making them more flexible than older incandescent lighting.

The Arons family saw LEDs as part of a building’s architecture. Thus, Lixero shifted its business to focus exclusively on LED technology.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is another core element of Lixero’s business. The company believes it shouldn’t relegate its suitability and environmental efforts to just LED lighting. In addition to its business ventures, Lixero also supports non-profit organizations, sponsors a children’s hockey club, and invests in employee education and training.

All Lixero products are manufactured locally within the Netherlands. Local production not only boosts the regional economy but also ensures effective monitoring and evaluation of the manufacturing process.

Company Advantages

• Expertise in LED Lighting
• Excellent Quality Control
• State of the Art Manufacturing Equipment
• CSR Efforts

Key Products & Services

• Pendant Luminaires
• Surface-Mounted Luminaires
• Recessed Luminaires
• Waterproof Luminaires
• High Bay Light Fixtures
• LED Lighting Accessories

5. Philips Hue

Philips Hue is the residential lighting brand of Philips Lighting. For over a century, the Phillips name has been synonymous with lighting. However, the company has undergone significant changes in the last two decades, expanding into other business ventures.

Established in 1897, Philips quickly became the premier supplier of incandescent bulbs. In the late 1980s, the company expanded its business into general electronics. In 2012, the Philips company split into three entities.

1. Signify – The successor to Philips Lighting. It acts as an umbrella company that owns Philips & Philips Hue.
2. Philips – A general-purpose electronics manufacturing company
3. Philips Hue – A retail lighting company focused on smart indoor illumination.

Today, Philips sells more kitchen appliances and self-care equipment than lighting. That is because all of the company’s lighting products are either sold under Signify branding or Philips Hue.

Signify owns over fifty different lighting companies ranging from consumer-focused brands, like Philips Hue and Wiz, to commercial and industrial brands, like LEDALITE and Stoneco.

Even today, Philips (Signify) has maintained a dominant position in the lighting industry through its various acquisitions and expansions. In fact, Philips Hue played a huge role in the mass adoption of addressable RGB LED bulbs.

Philips has unparalleled brand recognition. Paired with its global presence, you can find Philips-manufactured LED lighting in any part of the world. It’s a safe and reliable choice for newcomers looking to buy LED products.

Company Advantages

• Excellent Regional Availability
• Diverse Range of RGB Lighting
• Easy Installation Smart Lighting Kits
• Intuitive Smartphone App

Key Products & Services

• RGB LED Lamps
• LED Light Strips
• LED Recessed Light Fixtures
• Home Security Systems
• Smart Lighting Controls

6. Cooper Lighting

Cooper Lighting is an all-in-one lighting solutions provider focusing on automation and smart lighting controls. Until recently, it was a subsidiary of the mega-corporation Cooper Industries.

Established in 1833, Cooper Industries was a farm equipment manufacturer in Georgia, USA. As the company grew, it expanded its operations into other sectors. During the peak of steam power, Cooper manufactured steam engines. Later, the company shifted to gas engines and eventually to DC electric motors.

Cooper Industries quickly took over the US manufacturing industry. By the 1980s, it was involved in the automotive, electronics, and petroleum industries. In 1987 the company created Cooper Lighting, a subsidiary exclusively focused on lighting technologies.

During the early 2010s, Cooper Industries was involved in so many businesses that it became overwhelming. Thus, in an effort to streamline its business, Cooper sold its lighting division to the Eaton Corporation.

Cooper Lighting’s stay at Eaton was short-lived. The mega-corporation decided to sell Cooper Lighting to the newly rebranded Philips (Signify).

With its acquisition of Cooper Lighting, Signify became the biggest lighting supplier in the United States. Signify’s lighting experience and Cooper’s distribution network mean faster turnaround times and faster deliveries.

Cooper Lighting primarily targets commercial and industrial clients. All of its products comply with state health and safety standards. Business owners buying from Cooper should specifically request UL-listed and NFPA-certified products.

Company Advantages

• Fast Delivery
• Diverse Product Catalog
• Excellent Availability Across the US
• Reliable Customer Service

Key Products & Services

• Architectural LED Lighting
• LED Recessed Downlights
• Industrial Lighting Solutions
• Sports Lighting
• Smart Lighting Solutions

7. Cree Lighting

Cree Lighting is one of the biggest names in the LED manufacturing sector. It started as a small start-up led by a group of six friends, five of whom were North Carolina State University graduates. In 1987, the group registered their business as a semiconductor research company called Cree Inc.

In its early days, Cree Inc. was an unknown entity. However, everything changed when the young company decided to work on a blue light-emitting diode.

The first light-emitting diode (LED) was created in 1958, and it was bright green. Later, in 1962, the world’s first red LED was invented. For the next 10 years, researchers struggled to create a blue LED.

After many years, a team at Stanford University managed to produce a blue-violet color LED. However, it was very dim compared to its red and green counterparts. Blue LEDs had proven to be impractical and difficult to manufacture.

Many had given up hope, until 1989, when Cree Lighting managed to produce a brighter Blue LED. It was the world’s first commercially viable Blue light emitting diode and Cree’s one-way ticket to success. The breakthrough solidified Cree Inc.’s position as one of the most innovative lighting brands. Nichia, a Japanese company, later invented an even “Bluer” LED. The journey towards true Blue LED is nothing short of a roller coaster ride. 

Nevertheless, the Blue LED’s success led to the creation of Cree Lighting, an LED manufacturing and supply brand. The lighting division quickly gained a reputation as one of the best LED lighting providers in the Western Hemisphere.

In 2021, Cree Inc. rebranded to Wolfspeed, a global semiconductor manufacturer. The LED manufacturing division was spun off into Cree LED and focused on SMD LED production. Finally, the retail lighting division was sold off to Ideal Industries, which still uses the Cree Lighting branding.

Company Advantages

• Diverse Product Range
• Excellent Customer Support
• Up to 10 Years of Product Warranty
• Partnerships with Local Electricians & Contractors

Key Products & Services

• Retrofit Downlights
• Exit & Emergency Lights
• Track Lighting
• Area Lighting
• Intelligent Control Systems

8. Nora Lighting

Nora Lighting is a Los Angeles-based LED solutions provider. The company was founded by an Iranian family after migrating to the United States. It is the embodiment of the “American Dream,” representing the success and opportunities enabled by hard work.

Nora operates on a much smaller scale compared to many other lighting brands. However, it more than makes up for its small size through its extensive products and services. Nora Lighting prioritizes customer experience above all else, which has helped the company develop a reputation among local buyers.

The company directly works with local contractors and offers significant discounts to its partners. Its “Contractor Series” is designed for B2B companies looking for high-quality equipment. Nora Lighting also has a “Quick Ship Series” of LED products.

“Quick Ship” fixtures are a set of select SKUs that are always available en masse. Eligible orders are available for same-day shipping. It is this attention to small details that shows care and passion for lighting that sets Nora apart from the competition.

Vast majority of Nora products fall under its Quick Ship program, ensuring contractors always have access to reliable LED lighting at a moment’s notice. Currently, Nora Lighting is only available in the USA, with limited availability in Canada.

Company Advantages

• Fast Delivery
• Good Customer Service
• Linkages with Local Contractor
• Diverse Product Catalog

Key Products & Services

• Energy Efficient Lighting Fixtures
• Exit & Emergency Lighting
• Decorative Downlights
• Low-Voltage Lighting Solutions
• Retrofit Lighting Kits

9. Amerlux

Amerlux is an architectural lighting manufacturing company owned by Delta Electronics. The company is focused on human-centric lighting solutions that emphasize comfort and warmth. It is one of the most trustworthy names in the hospitality lighting industry.

The Delta Group is a massive player in the building automation and security game. Amerlux’s innovative lighting designers come up with unique lighting solutions for commercial and industrial clients. Meanwhile, Delta provides building management systems that incorporate lighting controls, security, and HVAC systems into one access panel.

Sustainability isn’t the only thing Amerlux has going for itself. It’s also part of the WELL Building Standard, an international certification that ensures indoor spaces are designed to improve performance, nutrition, fitness, mood, and sleep patterns.

The company is a staunch advocate for green buildings that prioritize human health and environmental conservation. Amerlux sees sustainable LED lights as a necessity for our growing urban population. Its recent street lighting project in Los Angeles claims to reduce municipal energy costs by 75%.

Company Advantages

• Expertise in Urban Lighting Design
• Human-Centric Lighting Approach
• Availability All Over the US
• Sustainable Business Practices

Key Products & Services

• Architectural Lighting
• Area & Street Lighting
• Track Lighting Systems
• Anti-Microbial Lighting
• Building Automation Sensors
• Lighting Control Systems

10. PROLED

PROLED is a suitability-focused LED lighting company from Germany. The company is well-known across Europe for its addressable and easy-to-install LED strip lights.

Although it is a relatively new player in the lighting industry, PROLED has quickly made a name for itself as a trustworthy and reliable brand. PROLED also started the PROLED Group, a coalition of European LED manufacturing companies that share resources and collaborate on projects.

Each member of the PROLED Group focuses on a different sector of the lighting market to ensure complete coverage of services.

1. PROLED – Addressable Lighting, Lighting Controls & Accessories.
2. Uni-Bright – Commercial Lighting Solutions
3. Mawa Designs – Industrial Lighting Solutions

PROLED manufactures all its parts locally in Germany. The company oversees all aspects of LED production to ensure sustainable manufacturing processes, quality control practices, and worker safety. Local manufacturing also enables customization opportunities, such as OEM services.

The company is also committed to environmental protection and CO2 reduction. To encourage workers to switch to EVs, it has electric car charging spots around factory parking areas. PROLED is also using smarter manufacturing techniques to reduce factor CO2 production.

In recent years, PROLED has reworked its packaging materials to reduce plastic use. The company hopes to fully switch to recyclable packaging in the near future.

Company Advantages

• Diverse Product Catalog
• OEM Services
• Sustainable Business Practices
• Good Regional Availability

Key Products & Services

• LED Strip Lights
• LED Downlights
• LED Track Lights
• DMX, DALI & PWM Lighting Controls
• Power Supplies and Cables

Features Offered by Recessed Lighting Manufacturers

Recessed lighting is one of the cornerstones of modern lighting design. Nearly every recessed luminaire uses LEDs for low-profile designs. Thus, lighting manufacturers often focus on other services to enhance their appeal.

Most companies rely on smart lighting controls and diver product catalogs to entice customers. Contrarily, some brands showcase their CSR and sustainable manufacturing practices to stand out from the competition.

5 Major Benefits of LED Recessed Lighting

Today, LEDs are almost exclusively used for recessed lighting fixtures, so you might wonder why everyone is obsessed with them.

Here are five major benefits of using LEDs in recessed lighting fixtures.

1. Energy Efficiency

LEDs consume 75% less energy compared to traditional bulbs (incandescent, halogen, or fluorescent). A 10W LED recessed light produces the same amount of light as a 40W incandescent bulb.

2. Long Lifespan

An average LED light has a lifespan of 25,000 to 50,000 hours, which is roughly 30 times more than that of an incandescent bulb and 3-5 times longer than that of a CFL.

3. Design Flexibility

LEDs have a flat profile, enabling more lighting design and installation location flexibility. Modern LED recessed lights are wafer-thin compared to the older can lighting designs.

4. Enhanced Brightness and Color Options

LEDs can be customized based on brightness, color temperature, CRI, and RGB options. Higher quality LED recessed lighting is more flexible and more costly.

5. Reduced Heat Emission

As electrical energy is converted to light, heat is generated as a by-product. Incandescent bulbs waste 90% of supplied energy as heat. For larger outdoor venues, traditional lighting generates a lot of heat, leading to higher cooling costs.

Conclusion

Recessed lighting companies are a dime a dozen, but a handful stand above the competition based on their product offerings and customer service. Almost every lighting manufacturer prefers LEDs for their downlights. LEDs offer greater energy efficiency and enable manufacturers to create more unique fixture designs. Buyers looking to buy quality recessed lighting should consider value-added services like warranty periods, discounts, and contractor recommendations.

Get the Best Downlights from RC Lighting!

RC Lighting is one of the most prolific LED lighting providers in the world. We produce quality LED recessed lighting using state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. Our fixtures use LED chips from reputable brands like CREE, OSRAM, LUMILEDS, etc.

Customer experience is our top priority. Our team of experts is always ready and willing to guide new buyers. Talk to our engineers and get insights into our exception quality control program. RC Lighting products are designed to high international standards and are CE, RoHS, and UL/ETL certified.

Improve your indoor lighting design with the best products. Contact us Now!