What Is The Difference Between Can And Canless Recessed Lights?

Whether you’re trying to figure out a problem with a light you already have installed in your home or planning a complete renovation, including light fixtures, you need to know what type of lights you’ll be dealing with.

Canless and can lights are used a lot in modern lighting designs, but what do they mean, and, more importantly, what is the difference between them?

Recessed lights refer to any light fixture recessed in the ceiling – so that the light is either flush or almost flush with the ceiling itself. Both canned and canless lights are a type of recessed lights.

To explain this in a little more detail, let’s look at:

• Is can light type of recessed lights
• Differences between caned and canless recessed lights
• Typical dimensions of can lights

Is Can Light Type Of Recessed Lighting?

As I say, recessed lights and can lights aren’t different.

Can lights are one variant of recessed lights. To better explain, let’s define both terms.

Recessed light is recessed within a ceiling.

That doesn’t mean the light is completely recessed – the bulb/LED diode may sit flush or even just below the ceiling itself.

But the main fixture is installed within the ceiling.

Recessed lights have existed for a long time but are becoming popular again with changes to lighting design due to the clean look they create when they sit neatly against a ceiling.

They’re also popular in rooms like kitchens, where you might want to avoid lower-hanging pendants that may obstruct cooking or attract grease before any fumes are extracted.

Canned lights are a type of recessed lights.

They get their name from the fixture that sits within the ceiling, which is a cylinder, almost like a metal can.

This can is essentially the holder for a light bulb, instead of having a lower-hanging pendant that you would install the bulb into.

So, in summary – all can lights are recessed lights. But not all recessed lights are canned lights…

Differences Between Can And Canless Recessed Lights?

Now that we’ve established what a can light is, how do they differ from canless lights?

After all, as I’ve said, there are different types of recessed lights. So what are the differences between those with a can and those without?

Well, it depends on the type of canless lighting we’re talking about. There are a few different options.

• Recessed fluorescent lights
• Downlights
• Pot lights

Usually, when we talk about canless recessed lights, we talk about pot lights. But to be thorough, let’s explain the other two types as well.

Recessed fluorescent light fixtures are recessed within the ceiling, with a flush cover to mask the actual tubes and act as a diffuser for the light.

They’re common in commercial properties, but some older homes have them too.

Downlights are very similar to can lights in that they’re installed within a recessed hole within the ceiling and shine a light down below.

They’re almost like a miniature version of a can light, as the fixture and bulb are smaller – they usually use G10 bulbs that sit flush within the fixture.

Some downlights have a bulb that can be tilted in a sort of disk to act like a spotlight and direct their beam in a different direction instead of completely vertical.

When you say canless lights, you would normally be talking about pot lights.

These are essentially almost-flat disk lights that use LEDs instead of a bulb, so they don’t need to be very deep.

Canned lights need a lot of space in the ceiling for the can to be installed.

But with pot lights, the actual part of the light that is recessed within the ceiling is very thin.

The light doesn’t tend to be flush with the ceiling but instead sits against it.

More light is below the ceiling than above, although they often have a very low profile.

Now, which is better?

There’s a lot of debate about this because both have pros and cons.

Canned lights are easier to install if you haven’t finished the drywall yet and if the light fails, you only need to replace a bulb.

Canless lights are easier to install on a ceiling that’s already finished.

If the light fails, you have to replace the whole unit, but the wiring is easier since it’s just a single cable running from the driver box.

However, you’re relying on the same light still being manufactured, and it might not be.

Neither has a better lifespan because you can also use LED bulbs in a canned light.

They tend to be similar sizes, too, although you can buy pot lights that are much bigger as well.

So it’s hard to say one is definitely better than the other.

If you’re looking to add lights to a pre-finished ceiling and want to do it yourself, canless will be easier, but canned lights have their benefits too.

Either looks great when finished, so it’s down to personal preference.

Also read: How To Install Canless Recessed Lights?

Recessed Can Lighting Dimensions

When it comes to residential properties, there tend to be three main standard sizes used for can lighting.

The most common size is 6 inches, although 4-inch and 5-inch lights are sometimes used.

These sizes refer to the diameter of the can housing – not the depth.

There are two different depths, standard and shallow, and these are standard for 5-inch and 6-inch lights but are slightly smaller for 4-inch versions.

Here’s a guide to typical recessed can lighting dimensions:

Light type	Housing diameter	Hole diameter	Standard can height	Shallow can height
4-inch	4 inches	4 ⅜ inches	5 ½ inches tall	3 ½ inches tall
5-inch	5 inches	5 ⅝ inches	7 ½ inches tall	5 ½ inches tall
6-inch	6 inches	6 ⅜ inches	7 ½ inches tall	5 ½ inches tall

It’s worth checking these tips for measuring recessed lighting if you’re planning on installing any new ones.

Final Words

There are a lot of different terms used for lighting, so it’s pretty easy to accidentally confuse canless and can lights.

Just remember that recessed lights are a literal term for any lights that are recessed.

You should then recognize that can, and canless lights are a type of recessed light – but there are other options available too.

Do you have a can light in your home or another recessed light?

Have you considered upgrading the recessed can lights in your home for a more modern option?