Surface Mount Can Light

The biggest advantage is you don't have to cut a big hole in your ceiling. That makes a surface mount can light perfect for renovations, or for ceilings made of concrete or old plaster where cutting is a major job. It's also the go-to choice when you have pipes, ducts, or joists right behind the drywall with no room for a recessed can.

It's a straightforward surface fixing. You get a mounting bracket that you screw directly to the ceiling surface or to a standard junction box. Then, the body of the downlight attaches to that bracket, usually with a couple of small, discreet screws on the side. All the hardware is included.

You can, but you must choose the right model. Most standard can LED downlights are only for dry indoor locations. For a bathroom, shower, or a covered porch, you need a fixture that's sealed against moisture. Look for an IP65 rating or higher for wet environments.

It's all about the beam angle. A spotlight has a narrow beam, maybe 15-24 degrees, to focus light on a specific object like artwork or a countertop. A floodlight has a wide beam, 60 degrees or more, for general room lighting. If you need both, our adjustable focus spotlight lets you manually change the beam from a tight spot to a wide flood.

Some are, some aren't — you have to check the specs for the specific model. A light that wires directly to AC power needs to explicitly state that it's dimmable (e.g., TRIAC or 0-10V). If it's a low-voltage model, the dimming capability comes from the driver you pair with it, not the light itself. Don't ever assume.

Yes, most of our surface can lights are line voltage, designed to work on AC86-265V. This means your electrician can wire them straight into your home's mains power at the ceiling junction box, with no need for a separate low-voltage driver. It simplifies the installation a lot.

It's mostly about the visual style. The classic, taller cylinder can lights make a bold architectural statement and are very popular in modern, minimalist, and industrial designs, especially with high ceilings. Our two slim, flat disk models are much more understated. They provide the practical benefits of a surface mount without taking up as much visual space, making them a great fit for rooms with lower ceilings.

Yes, the standard mounting bracket works just fine on an angled surface. The light will aim perpendicular to the slope. If you need the light to point straight down to the floor, you'll need a model with an adjustable head, sometimes called a gimbal. Many of our adjustable can lights offer this feature for exactly that situation.

For general ambient lighting, a good rule of thumb is to divide the ceiling height by two. For an 8-foot ceiling, you'd space the lights about 4 feet apart. This changes based on the beam angle and the lumen output of the fixture, though. For focused task lighting over a kitchen island, you'll want them much closer.