LED panel lights have come a long way from the buzzing fluorescent troffers that used to light every office. Today's panels are slim, efficient and almost glare free, and they are just as at home in a garage, laundry, rumpus room or home office as they are in a commercial fit out. This guide covers everything you need to know before you buy: sizes, brightness, colour temperature, mounting options and the panels we recommend right now.

What is an LED panel light?

An LED panel is a flat, rectangular or square light fitting, usually 10 to 30mm deep, that spreads light evenly across a frosted (opal) diffuser. Because the light comes from a large surface rather than a single point, panels give soft, even light with very little glare or shadow. That makes them ideal for spaces where you need to see clearly for long periods, such as offices, classrooms, workshops and kitchens.

There are two main types:

  • Edge lit (side lit): LEDs run around the edge of the panel and a light guide plate pushes the light forward. These are the slimmest panels.
  • Back lit: LEDs sit behind the diffuser and shine straight through it. Back lit panels are usually more efficient, lighter and more resistant to yellowing over time.

LED panel sizes explained

Panels are built to suit standard 600mm and 1200mm suspended (T-bar) ceiling grids. The actual panel is slightly smaller than its nominal size so it drops neatly into the grid.

Nominal size Actual size Typical wattage Best for
600 x 300mm 595 x 295mm 18 to 27W Hallways, small offices, laundries, walk-in robes
600 x 600mm 595 x 595mm 30 to 42W Office grid ceilings, shops, square rooms
1200 x 300mm 1195 x 295mm 30 to 40W Offices, garages, kitchens, the "skylight" look
1200 x 600mm 1195 x 595mm 45 to 60W Large open plan areas, warehouses with grid ceilings, feature skylights

For homes, the 1200 x 300mm panel is still our most popular size. It is long and slim, looks deliberate on a plaster ceiling, and lines up nicely with benchtops, workbenches and desks.

How many LED panels do I need?

A quick rule of thumb using a 4000 lumen panel (a typical 40W 1200 x 300mm):

  • Offices, study and workspaces: about one panel for every 7 to 8m² of floor. This gets you close to the 320 lux that AS/NZS 1680.2.2 suggests for general office work.
  • Kitchens and laundries: about one panel for every 8 to 10m².
  • Garages, sheds and storage: about one panel for every 12 to 15m².

Ceiling height, wall colour and how detailed the work is will all shift these numbers, so treat them as a starting point. Space panels evenly and keep them roughly the same distance from the walls as half the gap between panels.

Choosing the right colour temperature

Colour temperature is measured in Kelvin (K). The lower the number, the warmer (more yellow) the light. Panels are generally sold in three tones:

  • 3000K warm white: cosy and relaxed. Good for living areas and bedrooms, but uncommon in panels because most people choose them for task lighting.
  • 4000K cool white (neutral): clean, natural white without feeling clinical. The best all rounder for homes, kitchens, laundries and most offices.
  • 5000K to 6000K daylight: crisp and bright. Ideal for garages, workshops, warehouses, medical rooms and anywhere you need maximum clarity.

Not sure which to pick? Choose a CCT (tri colour) panel. These have a small switch on the fitting or driver that lets you change between colour temperatures after installation, so you can see what works in the room before you commit.

Other specs worth checking

  • Lumens per watt (efficiency): lumens tell you brightness, watts tell you running cost. A good modern panel delivers 100 lumens per watt or better.
  • CRI (colour rendering index): how accurately colours look under the light. CRI 80 is standard. CRI 90 and above makes skin tones, timber and food look noticeably more natural, which is worth having in kitchens, retail and studios.
  • Flicker free driver: cheap drivers can cause flicker that leads to eye strain and shows up as rolling bands on phone video. Quality panels use a flicker free driver.
  • Dimmable or not: most panels are non-dimmable. If you need dimming, look for a DALI dimmable model and check it is compatible with your control system.
  • Emergency backup: commercial spaces often need emergency lighting. Emergency panels include a battery that keeps the light on during a power failure.
  • Warranty: look for at least three years.

Recessed, surface mounted or suspended?

LED panels can be installed three ways:

  • Recessed into a grid ceiling: the panel simply drops into a standard T-bar ceiling grid. No extra parts needed.
  • Recessed into plasterboard: cut a hole in the plaster and fit a recessed plaster frame (trim kit) so the panel sits flush with a neat edge.
  • Surface mounted: a surface mount frame screws to the ceiling and the panel sits inside it. This is the go-to for concrete ceilings, apartments, or anywhere you cannot or do not want to cut a hole.
  • Suspended: hang the panel on wire suspension kits for a floating look in high ceilings, shops and studios.

Most panels use an external driver with a flex and plug lead, which makes replacement simple once a plug base is in place. In New Zealand, any new wiring such as an added plug base must be tested and connected by a licensed electrical inspector if you do it yourself, so most people have a licensed electrician install it.

The skylight trick

One of our favourite uses for panels at home is to fake a skylight. A large panel recessed flush into a plaster ceiling, especially in a dark hallway, ensuite or walk-in robe, reads as a bright window to the sky. To get the look:

  • Use the largest panel the space allows: 1200 x 300mm for hallways, or 1200 x 600mm for a bigger room.
  • Choose 4000K for a soft, natural daylight feel, or 5000K for a bright, sunny look.
  • Pick a back lit panel with a smooth opal diffuser so the light looks even edge to edge.

Our favourite LED panels right now

1. Brilliant Backlit LED Panel 1200 x 300mm, 36W, CCT

Brilliant Backlit 1200 x 300mm CCT LED panel light in white with an aluminium frame

The Brilliant Backlit is the panel we now recommend first. It puts out 3900 lumens from 36W (over 100 lumens per watt), and a switch lets you choose warm white, cool white or daylight after it is installed. It has an aluminium frame, a polycarbonate diffuser, a CRI above 80, an IC-F rating, up to 30,000 hours of rated life and a 3 year replacement warranty. It is non-dimmable, indoor only, and runs from an external driver with a flex and plug.

2. Haneco Matrix G4 1200 x 300mm CCT

The Haneco Matrix G4 is a step up for commercial, education and healthcare jobs. It is designed for low glare to reduce eye fatigue over a long day, has tri colour (CCT) adjustment, and is cyanosis compliant, which makes it suitable for medical spaces where accurate colour rendering matters.

Looking for another size, an emergency backup panel or DALI dimming for a building with lighting control? Browse our LED panel lights and check the size, colour temperature and dimming options on each listing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put an LED panel in a plaster ceiling?
Yes. Cut the opening to suit and use a recessed plaster frame (trim kit) for a flush finish, or fit a surface mount frame and avoid cutting a hole at all.

Are LED panels good for homes?
Yes. They are a great choice for garages, laundries, kitchens, home offices, rumpus rooms and dark hallways, anywhere you want bright, even, low glare light.

What is the difference between a troffer and an LED panel?
A troffer is the older style of recessed office fitting, originally built for fluorescent tubes, usually with a louvre or prismatic cover. An LED panel is the modern, much slimmer replacement with a flat diffuser and better efficiency.

Can I replace my old fluorescent troffers with LED panels?
Yes. Panels are made in the same standard grid sizes, so they drop straight into the existing ceiling. Have an electrician disconnect the old fitting and connect the new driver.

Are LED panels dimmable?
Most are not. If you need dimming, choose a DALI dimmable panel and confirm it suits your control system.

How long do LED panels last?
Quality panels are rated for 30,000 to 50,000 hours. At 10 hours a day that is roughly 8 to 13 years of use.

Ready to choose? Browse our full range of LED panel lights, or contact our team for help working out how many panels you need for your space.