Pros and Cons of Integrated LEDs vs LED-Ready Lights

LEDs have quickly become the top choice for lighting solutions due to their increased efficiency, longevity, and reliability. When shopping for LEDs for your home or business, there are two main LED fixture types you can choose from: “integrated LED” and “LED-ready.” However, you might not know what they mean or which is better for you. We’ve compiled a list of the pros and cons for each fixture type to help assist in your purchasing journey.

In an integrated LED light, the LED chips and arrays are built directly into the fixture. This means there is no socket for a bulb to be screwed or fitted in. You will often see rows of LED chips on the printed circuit board. Integrated LED lights offer the same reliable lighting as traditional screw-in light sources but with a few added benefits. These lights are often dimmable, weatherproof, and available with selectable wattages and CCTs. There are a wide variety of integrated LED fixtures across the landscape, residential, commercial, and vehicle lighting categories. Common fixtures include: 

• Landscape: flood lights, flag lights, spotlights, well lights, hardscape lights, and path lights
• Residential: recessed downlights, flush mount ceiling lights, under cabinet lights, and track lights
• Commercial: UFO high bays, parking lot lights, wall packs, gooseneck barn lights, and canopy lights
• Vehicle: off-road light bars and pod lights, license plate lights, strobe lights, rock lights, and accent lights

An “LED-ready” fixture, also known as a “lamp-ready” or “drop-in” fixture, is a more traditional kind of lighting fixture. They allow for an LED bulb or tube to be installed and removed as desired. LED-ready lights are usually only compatible with one specific type of bulb, so you must find a compatible bulb that fits the base type and voltage output your fixture offers. LED-ready fixtures are most often found among landscape, residential, and commercial products. Common fixtures include:

• Landscape: spotlights, flood lights, in-ground well lights, hardscape lights, and path lights
• Residential: chandeliers, lamps, recessed lights, and sconce lights
• Commercial: high bays, strip light fixtures, and gooseneck barn lights

• Longer lifespan: Integrated LEDs typically last longer than the bulbs in screw-in fixtures because they are designed for optimal heat dissipation. These fixtures dissipate heat through integrated heat sinks, which move heat away from the LED chips to regulate the temperature better. This lower temperature helps extend the lifetime of the lighting unit. You can find integrated LED lights with an L70 lifetime ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 hours.
• Smarter light emission: Many integrated LED lights, such as off-road pod lights or light bars, utilize advanced secondary topics that focus and direct the light beam. Secondary optics and the design of LED chips reduce wasted lighting to lower overall energy consumption. This differs from traditional light bulbs, which emit light in every direction and sometimes rely on inefficient reflectors to direct light.
• Guaranteed compatibility: Choosing integrated LED lights means you can skip the hassle of finding a bulb compatible with your fixture. Instead, you only need to shop for the fixture that has the specs you need, eliminating any potential compatibility issues.
• Design benefits: LED chips take up significantly less space than LED light bulbs do. Because of this, certain integrated fixtures can have a slim, flat design. For example, our ultra-slim recessed downlights require as little as 0.5” of ceiling depth. Additionally, certain integrated lights have a specialized waterproofing design to prevent water from getting into the lighting unit. In an LED-ready fixture, however, there is a higher chance of water intrusion where the socket and bulb base meet.
• Easy installation: Integrated LEDs come ready to wire and install, making them a quick and easy lighting solution. 
• Lower maintenance: Without the need to replace bulbs, these fixtures require minimal maintenance over their lifespan. 

For more information on the benefits of integrated LEDs, click here.

• Higher up-front cost: When compared to the bulb used in a drop-in LED fixture, integrated LEDs typically cost more. However, over time, this cost can be justified by eliminating the need for replacement bulbs and lowering maintenance costs. 
• Total replacement: When the LED chips in your integrated fixture dim, you will have to replace the entire fixture instead of installing a replacement bulb. If one of your integrated fixtures needs to be replaced before the rest of your fixtures (in a line of downlights, for example), you will have to find a replacement fixture that matches the color and style of your existing fixtures. This may be hard to find depending on when and where you bought your integrated fixtures.
• Harder to change light output: With LED-ready fixtures, it is easy to change your light’s output by installing a new LED bulb. However, if you choose an integrated light with a single brightness or color temperature and decide later you want a change, you will have to buy a whole new light fixture. Luckily, most of our integrated LED lights feature selectable wattages and color temperatures, so you can adjust the light output with ease.

• Lower upfront cost: LED-ready fixtures are usually less expensive upfront. They offer the added benefit of only needing bulb replacements when adjustments or replacements are necessary. As long as you take proper care of your fixtures, they can last for a considerable amount of time. This means you only need to worry about buying replacement bulbs, which are relatively inexpensive.
• Easy to change light output: If you decide you want to change the output of your lights, you can easily purchase new bulbs with the color temperature, brightness, or color you desire. This is cheaper and easier than buying brand-new integrated fixtures. And, as LED technology advances, you can swap out old bulbs for newer, more efficient ones to increase the efficiency of your lighting system.
• Reduces the need to mess with wiring: When the chips in an integrated LED light dim and you need to replace the fixture, you will have to wire in the fixture each time you replace it. However, with LED-ready fixtures, you only need to screw in or insert in the bulb. This is commonly desired by those who do not feel comfortable touching their home’s electrical system.

• Compatibility: LED-ready fixture sockets typically only accept one type of LED bulb. Therefore, you must buy the exact bulb type that will work with your fixture. Drop-in fixtures from Super Bright LEDs come bundled with a compatible bulb, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues.
• Ineffective heat dissipation: Some drop-in fixtures do not efficiently transfer heat away from the bulb, leading to a shorter lifetime for both the bulb and fixture.
• Higher chance of element intrusion: Since the area where the socket meets the bulb base is exposed in an LED-ready fixture, there is a higher chance of water and dust intrusion. If excessive, this can lead to problems with the fixture.
• Higher upkeep costs: LED replacement bulbs generally have a shorter expected lifetime than integrated lights. Their frequent replacements can lead to a higher upkeep cost over time.

Deciding between an integrated light fixture and an LED-ready fixture will depend purely on your preferences. Many consumers enjoy integrated lights because of the efficiency and longevity benefits they offer. However, LED-ready fixtures are more widely preferred for those who desire quick and inexpensive customization options. Whichever fixture type you choose, Super Bright LEDs has you covered. We offer an extensive selection of drop-in fixtures and integrated LEDs across our residential, landscape, and commercial product lines.