Luminaires

How to choose a luminaire

• Colour temperature. 2700 K is warm and evening-friendly, 4000 K is neutral task light, 6500 K is cool and energising. An adjustable fixture covers all three.
• Luminous flux. Reading needs 300–500 lm, a desk 500–800 lm, main living-room light 1500 lm and up.
• Colour rendering (CRI). CRI above 90 shows colours naturally — important for make-up, drawing and craft work.
• Dimming. A dimmable fixture gives you both task light and soft evening light from one lamp.
• Smart control. ZigBee (Philips Hue, Aqara) is fast and stable via a bridge; Wi-Fi models connect straight to your router.

Which type to pick

A desk lamp or monitor light (such as the BenQ ScreenBar) lights the desk without glare on the screen. A floor lamp suits the living room, while a rechargeable bedside lamp works best in the bedroom.

Related

See also light bulbs, decorative lighting and flashlights. Full department: lighting.

FAQ

Does a luminaire need a separate bulb? LED fixtures usually have the light source built in; models with a socket need a bulb with a matching cap.

Lumens or watts? Watts measure consumption, lumens measure actual light output. LED delivers the same light at a fraction of the wattage.