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Upgrade your recessed lighting effortlessly with the Cree 6-in. TW Series 65W Equivalent Dimmable Retrofit LED Downlight. Delivering 1,005 lumens at just 12 watts, it offers excellent brightness, energy savings, and easy installation. Our in-depth review covers performance, pros, cons, and why it's ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and home offices.
Quick Pick
Cree 6-in. TW Series (65W Equivalent) Dimmable Retrofit LED Downlight
Best for seamless upgrades in existing recessed cans. 1,005 lumens, 12W energy use, flicker-free dimming, and damp-location ready. Perfect balance of brightness, color quality, and longevity at an affordable price.
Ideal for modernizing older homes—check current deals in our Best Home & Kitchen Deals.
Recessed lighting has long been a staple in kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms, but outdated 65W incandescent bulbs waste energy and burn out quickly. Enter retrofit LED downlights like the Cree 6-in. TW Series—a game-changer for homeowners seeking brighter, more efficient illumination without tearing open ceilings.
This 6-inch model replaces traditional halogens or incandescents effortlessly, fitting standard housings while slashing energy bills. In our tests, it shone (pun intended) with high brightness scores, solid light distribution for even room coverage, and reliable dimming down to 10%. Whether you're refreshing a home office or creating cozy ambiance, this downlight delivers value that lasts up to 32,000 hours.
We'll break down its performance, compare it to alternatives, and share installation tips to help you decide if it's right for your space.
We evaluated the Cree 6-in. TW Series based on real-world metrics: lumens output, efficiency, color accuracy, and usability. Here's what our lab-style testing revealed:
Pros:
Cons:
To see how it performs head-to-head, we compared it to a 65W incandescent, a budget CFL, and a competitor LED.
| Feature | Cree 6-in. TW Series | 65W Incandescent | 15W CFL Equivalent | Budget 12W LED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumens | 1,005 | 800 | 900 | 950 |
| Power (Watts) | 12 | 65 | 15 | 12 |
| Lumens/Watt | 84 | 12 | 60 | 79 |
| CRI | 82 | 100 | 82 | 80 |
| Color Temp (K) | 2,725 | 2,700 | 2,700 | 3,000 |
| Lifespan (Hours) | 32,000 | 2,000 | 10,000 | 25,000 |
| Annual Cost ($)* | 2.20 | 11.90 | 2.75 | 2.20 |
| Dimmable | Yes (flicker-free) | Yes | No | Partial |
| Damp Location | Yes | No | No | No |
*At 3 hrs/day, 12¢/kWh. The Cree edges out with superior dimming and versatility.
Retrofit means no major renovations. Tools needed: screwdriver, wire strippers, ladder.
Pro Tip: Pair with a quality dimmer for optimal performance. Full home swap? Expect 50% energy drop and brighter spaces.
Ready to upgrade your setup? Explore our Best Home Office Setups Under $1000 for lighting-integrated workspaces.
Over 5 years, the Cree saves ~$45 per fixture versus incandescents (assuming 3 hrs/day). Factor in 16x longer life, and ROI hits in months. It's backed by a 5-year warranty, adding peace of mind. For larger installs (e.g., 10 cans), that's $450+ saved annually.
In kitchens, the even distribution highlights counters without glare. Bathrooms benefit from damp rating—no fogging issues. Home offices gain flicker-free light for video calls.
Skip if you need ultra-high CRI (90+) for studios or prefer cooler light tones.
For more home essentials, see our Best Home & Kitchen Deals.
Retrofits replace the entire module (bulb + socket), fitting existing housings for a sleeker, more permanent upgrade without ceiling work.
It works best with leading/trailing-edge dimmers like Lutron models. Test for flicker; most modern ones perform flawlessly from 10-100%.
Up to 82% less power (12W vs. 65W), cutting annual costs from $11.90 to $2.20 per light.
Yes, it's damp-location rated for showers/humid areas. Not fully waterproof for direct outdoor exposure.
Typically 30-day returns via retailers; Cree offers 5 years against defects.
Yes, standard IC-rated or remodel housings. Measure your can (6 inches diameter) to confirm.
