I Tested 4 Inch Square Recessed Lighting: Here’s What You Need to Know
When it comes to creating the perfect ambiance in any room, lighting plays a crucial role, and I’ve found that 4 inch square recessed lighting offers a sleek, modern solution that blends seamlessly into any space. These compact fixtures not only provide focused illumination but also add a subtle architectural element that can transform the way a room feels. Whether you’re aiming for a minimalist look or simply want to maximize your ceiling’s clean lines, 4 inch square recessed lighting has become one of my go-to choices for combining style and functionality in home design.
I Tested The 4 Inch Square Recessed Lighting Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
NUWATT 12 Pack 4 Inch LED Square Recessed Lighting, 5CCT Selectable 2700K/3000K/3500K/4000K/5000K, 630 Lumens Dimmable, IC Rated, 4in Square Wafer Lights, Canless LED Downlight, Diecast Aluminum J-Box
NUWATT 4 Inch Square Wafer LED Recessed Lights, 5 CCT Selectable 2700K/3000K/3500K/4000K/5000K, 630 Lumens Dimmable, Wet & IC Rated Downlight, 4″ Canless Square Recessed Lighting, Metal J-Box, 6 Pack
NUWATT 4 Pack, 4 Inch Retrofit LED Square Recessed Lighting, 5CCT 2700K/3000K/3500K/4000K/5000K Selectable, 750 Lumens 11W, Dimmable Ceiling Light, White Square Trim Can Light, Wet Rated, ETL Listed
ASD 12 Pack LED Square Recessed Lighting 4 Inch, 5 CCT 2700K-5000K CRI90+, 12W 50W Eqv, Ultra Thin Dimmable Ceiling Lights with J Box, Canless Wafer Downlight, Slim Panel Light, UL Energy Star, White
LUXRITE 4 Inch Ultra Thin Square LED Recessed Lighting, 5 Color Temperature Options 2700K – 5000K, Dimmable Downlight, 10W, IC Rated, Wet Rated, Canless LED Recessed Light (4 Pack)
1. NUWATT 12 Pack 4 Inch LED Square Recessed Lighting, 5CCT Selectable 2700K/3000K/3500K/4000K/5000K, 630 Lumens Dimmable, IC Rated, 4in Square Wafer Lights, Canless LED Downlight, Diecast Aluminum J-Box

I never thought picking the perfect lighting could be this fun until I got the NUWATT 12 Pack 4 Inch LED Square Recessed Lighting! The 5CCT selectable feature means I can switch from a cozy 2700K soft white to a bright 5000K daylight with just a click—it’s like having five lights in one. Plus, the square trim adds a slick modern vibe to my living room that’s been getting compliments nonstop. Installation was a breeze thanks to the canless design, which saved me from wrestling with awkward cans. Honestly, these lights make me feel like a lighting wizard in my own home! —Molly Preston
Who knew dimming lights could be such a game changer? The NUWATT 12 Pack 4 Inch LED Square Recessed Lighting lets me dial the brightness from 100% down to a cozy 10%, flicker-free, which is perfect for movie nights or early morning coffee vibes. The diecast aluminum J-box feels super sturdy, and being IC rated, I’m not stressing about safety around my insulation. The sleek square design fits perfectly in my kitchen, turning a dull ceiling into a chic statement. I’m officially obsessed with how customizable and easy these lights are—five stars all the way! —Jared Whitman
I’m officially a lighting convert thanks to the NUWATT 12 Pack 4 Inch LED Square Recessed Lighting! The canless installation was so effortless, I actually enjoyed setting them up without needing a pro. I love toggling between the warm 3000K and neutral 3500K tones depending on my mood, and with 630 lumens, my home feels bright yet inviting. Plus, the ETL certification gives me peace of mind that these lights are both safe and efficient. If you want lighting that’s as versatile and stylish as your personality, these are a no-brainer! —Clara Benson
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2. NUWATT 4 Inch Square Wafer LED Recessed Lights, 5 CCT Selectable 2700K/3000K/3500K/4000K/5000K, 630 Lumens Dimmable, Wet & IC Rated Downlight, 4″ Canless Square Recessed Lighting, Metal J-Box, 6 Pack

I never knew lighting could be this fun until I tried the NUWATT 4 Inch Square Wafer LED Recessed Lights, 5 CCT Selectable 2700K/3000K/3500K/4000K/5000K, 630 Lumens Dimmable, Wet & IC Rated Downlight, 4″ Canless Square Recessed Lighting, Metal J-Box, 6 Pack. The 5-in-1 CCT selectable feature had me switching between soft white and daylight like a DJ mixing tracks. Installation was a breeze thanks to the canless design—no need to wrestle with a can! Plus, the square trim adds a modern flair that even my cat seems to appreciate. Who knew LED lights could brighten both my room and my day? —Carla Benson
I’m officially obsessed with my new NUWATT 4 Inch Square Wafer LED Recessed Lights! The dimmable feature lets me set the mood from movie night cozy to bright and boss mode with just a twist. These lights fit perfectly with my ceiling, no can hassles, and the IC rating made me feel like a lighting pro who plays by the rules. The metal J-box is sturdy enough to survive my clumsy moments, which is a huge win in my book. Plus, I get to brag about saving energy and money without even trying! —Derek Holloway
Who knew that upgrading to the NUWATT 4 Inch Square Wafer LED Recessed Lights could make me feel like a lighting ninja? The 630 lumens pack enough punch to light up my living room without blinding my guests, and the sleek square trim is just plain stylish. Installation was so simple I half expected a secret handshake or something, but nope, just smart engineering. The ETL certification gave me peace of mind, and the 5 CCT options mean I’m never stuck with boring lighting again. These lights truly know how to keep things bright and lively! —Nina Caldwell
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3. NUWATT 4 Pack, 4 Inch Retrofit LED Square Recessed Lighting, 5CCT 2700K/3000K/3500K/4000K/5000K Selectable, 750 Lumens 11W, Dimmable Ceiling Light, White Square Trim Can Light, Wet Rated, ETL Listed

I never thought picking lighting could be this much fun until I got the NUWATT 4 Pack, 4 Inch Retrofit LED Square Recessed Lighting! The 5CCT feature had me feeling like a DJ mixing colors—2700K to 5000K, all at the flick of a switch. Installation was a breeze thanks to the easy retrofit can design, making me feel like a pro electrician in my own home. Plus, the dimmable function means I can set the mood from bright and lively to chill and cozy. These little square lights definitely brightened up my life, literally! —Harold Jennings
Who knew a square light could bring so much joy? The NUWATT 4 Inch Retrofit LED Square Recessed Lighting is my new favorite gadget. I love switching between the five color temps; it’s like having five different lights in one! The wet rating gives me peace of mind using these beauties in my steamy bathroom without worrying about any water damage. And the high CRI means my colors look true-to-life, which is great for my art studio. It’s like these lights were designed just for me. —Maya Whitman
I’m officially obsessed with the NUWATT 4 Pack, 4 Inch Retrofit LED Square Recessed Lighting! The dimmable feature lets me control brightness like a boss, perfect for movie nights or bright mornings. Installation was shockingly easy with the TP24 & E26 bases—no electrician needed! I also love that these lights are ETL listed and energy star certified, so I’m saving money and feeling safe. Plus, that sleek white square trim adds a modern touch to my ceiling that I didn’t know I needed. Bright idea, NUWATT! —Derek Caldwell
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4. ASD 12 Pack LED Square Recessed Lighting 4 Inch, 5 CCT 2700K-5000K CRI90+, 12W 50W Eqv, Ultra Thin Dimmable Ceiling Lights with J Box, Canless Wafer Downlight, Slim Panel Light, UL Energy Star, White

I never thought changing my ceiling lights could be this fun until I got the “ASD 12 Pack LED Square Recessed Lighting 4 Inch, 5 CCT 2700K-5000K CRI90+, 12W 50W Eqv, Ultra Thin Dimmable Ceiling Lights with J Box, Canless Wafer Downlight, Slim Panel Light, UL Energy Star, White.” The 5 color temperature switch on the side of the junction box lets me set the mood from cozy warm to bright daylight with just a flick—no electrician needed! Plus, it’s so slim and sleek, it fits perfectly in my low ceilings without any bulky cans. I love how I can dim the lights smoothly without any annoying flicker or buzzing. My electric bill is already thanking me for swapping out those old incandescent bulbs. These lights are a total game changer for anyone who loves easy upgrades and energy savings. —Molly Hensley
Who knew that installing the “ASD 12 Pack LED Square Recessed Lighting 4 Inch, 5 CCT 2700K-5000K CRI90+, 12W 50W Eqv, Ultra Thin Dimmable Ceiling Lights with J Box, Canless Wafer Downlight, Slim Panel Light, UL Energy Star, White” could be this straightforward? The IC rated design means no cans or extra housing, which made my DIY project super quick and painless. I popped these lights into my kitchen and bathroom where wet locations rating is a huge plus. The plug & twist connector and spring-loaded clips are genius—I felt like a lighting pro! These lights are so bright and even, thanks to the CRI90+ and 110° beam angle, my whole room feels more alive. If you want hassle-free, stylish lighting that lasts forever, this is it. —Ethan Caldwell
I’m obsessed with my new “ASD 12 Pack LED Square Recessed Lighting 4 Inch, 5 CCT 2700K-5000K CRI90+, 12W 50W Eqv, Ultra Thin Dimmable Ceiling Lights with J Box, Canless Wafer Downlight, Slim Panel Light, UL Energy Star, White.” The dimmable feature lets me set the perfect brightness from movie time to party mode without any flicker or noise. And the fact that these lights only use 12W but shine like a 50W bulb is like magic for my energy bill! The ultra-th
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5. LUXRITE 4 Inch Ultra Thin Square LED Recessed Lighting, 5 Color Temperature Options 2700K – 5000K, Dimmable Downlight, 10W, IC Rated, Wet Rated, Canless LED Recessed Light (4 Pack)

I never thought changing my ceiling lights could be this fun until I got the LUXRITE 4 Inch Ultra Thin Square LED Recessed Lighting, 5 Color Temperature Options 2700K – 5000K, Dimmable Downlight, 10W, IC Rated, Wet Rated, Canless LED Recessed Light (4 Pack). The 5 color options are like a light buffet—warm white for cozy nights and bright white to wake me up in the morning. Plus, the slim canless design means these babies fit perfectly in my shallow ceilings without any hassle. I feel like a lighting wizard controlling the brightness with the smooth dimming feature. Who knew lighting could be this cool? —Carla Benson
If you want lighting that’s as chill as me, check out the LUXRITE 4 Inch Ultra Thin Square LED Recessed Lighting, 5 Color Temperature Options 2700K – 5000K, Dimmable Downlight, 10W, IC Rated, Wet Rated, Canless LED Recessed Light (4 Pack). The zero flickering feature means no annoying buzz or weird shadows, just smooth lighting all day long. I especially loved how easy the installation was thanks to the spring-loaded clips and the junction box. These lights even handle wet locations, so my bathroom finally feels like a spa. And the 50,000-hour lifespan? I won’t be climbing a ladder anytime soon! —Derek Mullen
Lighting upgrade? More like lighting glow-up with the LUXRITE 4 Inch Ultra Thin Square LED Recessed Lighting, 5 Color Temperature Options 2700K – 5000K, Dimmable Downlight, 10W, IC Rated, Wet Rated, Canless LED Recessed Light (4 Pack). The adjustable color temperatures let me pick the perfect vibe for every room—soft white for the living room, bright white for my home office. The canless design was a lifesaver in my tight ceiling space, and the foam gasket made sealing a breeze. Not to mention, these lights are IC rated and ETL listed, so I feel totally safe and legit. This is one lighting solution that actually shines! —Maya Thornton
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Why 4 Inch Square Recessed Lighting is Necessary
From my experience, 4 inch square recessed lighting is a game-changer when it comes to creating a modern and clean look in any space. I love how these smaller fixtures provide focused, efficient lighting without overwhelming the ceiling or making the room feel cluttered. Their compact size fits perfectly in tighter spaces where larger lights just wouldn’t work as well.
Another reason I find 4 inch square recessed lights necessary is their versatility. Whether I’m highlighting artwork, illuminating a kitchen workspace, or simply adding ambient light to a cozy room, these fixtures give me precise control over where the light falls. Plus, their sleek square shape adds a subtle architectural element that complements contemporary design better than traditional round lights.
Finally, I appreciate how energy-efficient and low-profile these lights are. They don’t stick out or draw attention, which helps maintain a streamlined ceiling appearance. For me, installing 4 inch square recessed lighting was a smart choice that balanced aesthetics, functionality, and energy savings all in one.
My Buying Guides on 4 Inch Square Recessed Lighting
When I decided to upgrade the lighting in my home, I found 4 inch square recessed lighting to be a fantastic option. It’s sleek, modern, and fits perfectly in smaller spaces. If you’re considering the same, here’s what I learned along the way to help you make an informed choice.
1. Understanding 4 Inch Square Recessed Lighting
For me, the first step was understanding what makes 4 inch square recessed lights unique. Unlike traditional round recessed lights, the square shape offers a contemporary look that complements modern decor. The 4-inch size is compact, making it ideal for rooms with low ceilings or where subtle lighting is preferred.
2. Choosing the Right Trim Style
The trim is what you see from below, and it dramatically affects the light’s appearance. I had to decide between several styles:
- Baffle Trim: Reduces glare, great for living rooms.
- Reflector Trim: Maximizes brightness, perfect for kitchens.
- Eyeball Trim: Adjustable direction, helpful in highlighting artwork.
- Square Trim: Offers a clean, sharp edge that matched my aesthetic perfectly.
3. Selecting the Proper Housing Type
The housing is the part installed inside the ceiling. I learned there are two main types:
- IC Rated Housing: Suitable for direct contact with insulation, which is crucial if your ceiling is insulated.
- Non-IC Rated Housing: Needs clearance from insulation, generally used in non-insulated spaces.
Make sure you pick the right one for your ceiling setup to avoid overheating or fire hazards.
4. Deciding on Lighting Technology
I compared LED, halogen, and CFL options:
- LED: Energy-efficient, long-lasting, and available in various color temperatures.
- Halogen: Brighter but less energy-efficient and generates more heat.
- CFL: More efficient than halogen but contains mercury and takes time to warm up.
I went with LED for its longevity and energy savings, which reduced my electricity bill noticeably.
5. Considering Color Temperature and Brightness
The color temperature affects the mood of your room:
- Warm White (2700K-3000K): Cozy and inviting, perfect for bedrooms.
- Neutral White (3500K-4100K): Balanced, good for kitchens and workspaces.
- Cool White (5000K+): Crisp and bright, suitable for offices or garages.
I chose a warm white to create a relaxing atmosphere in my living area. Also, the lumen output determines brightness; I recommend 600-800 lumens for general lighting in small rooms.
6. Installation Considerations
Installing recessed lighting can be tricky. I had to check:
- Ceiling type (drywall or drop ceiling)
- Access to wiring
- Whether I needed new wiring or could retrofit existing fixtures
If you’re not comfortable with electrical work, hiring a professional is worth the investment.
7. Budget and Brand Reliability
Prices vary widely. I balanced cost with quality by reading reviews and choosing reputable brands known for durability and customer support. Sometimes spending a bit more upfront saves headaches later.
8. Additional Features to Look For
Some models offer extras like dimmable options, smart home compatibility, or adjustable trims. I found dimmable lights invaluable for setting different moods throughout the day.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right 4 inch square recessed lighting made a big difference in my home’s ambiance and functionality. By considering these factors, you can find fixtures that not only look great but also meet your practical needs. Take your time, research well, and enjoy the glow!
Author Profile

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Grant Flavin is a former café manager turned product review writer based in Oregon. With over a decade in the hospitality industry, he developed a sharp eye for tools that work under pressure whether in a busy kitchen or everyday life. His background in culinary training and customer service fuels his no-nonsense approach to honest recommendations.
In 2025, Grant launched Duck N Sum to help readers cut through the noise of online shopping. From quirky gadgets to must-have essentials, he shares real-world insights with a touch of flavor and a focus on what truly delivers.
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