If you choose the budget option of £5-£20, you will most likely get a light that is of poor build quality, with a short life, and no dimming capability or antiglare. The light quality is likely to be poor too. By stepping up to the next bracket, and spending between £40-£70, this would be a mid-range option. In this price category, you’d be able to expect good build quality, fire- rating and lamps which dim, have antiglare and a reasonable quality light output.
If you’re looking for very good quality build, which would be suitable for longer-term use in commercial settings or higher-end residential properties, you’ll need to move into the £80- £150 price range. This would also result in a downlight that offers high quality light output and dimming, as well as being aesthetically well-designed.
Finally, you could choose a downlight from the specialist and/or designer price range, which would cost £150 upwards. This could have specific advanced features such as variable focus light beams, wall washing, and other technical properties. At this price, you could expect high-quality engineering build or superior designer fittings.
There is no right or wrong when it comes to choosing how much you want to spend on a downlight. The more important choice is actually what you want your light to deliver, how long you want it to last, and how you want it to look. By identifying the end-result first, you can match the downlight to your needs.