LED Panel Lights Explained: Sizes, Uses & Buying Tips
What is an LED panel light?
An LED panel light is a slim, flat luminaire that delivers a wide, even wash of light across its whole surface rather than a single bright point. Because the light is diffused through a frosted panel, you get soft, glare-controlled illumination that is comfortable to work and live under. That combination of a low profile, high efficiency and even output has made LED panel lights one of the most popular choices for offices, kitchens, laundries, garages and retail spaces across Australia.
Panels replaced the old fluorescent troffer for good reason. They run cooler, last far longer, switch on instantly with no flicker or hum, and use a fraction of the energy for the same brightness. Most modern panels are also thin enough to sit almost flush in a ceiling, giving a clean, contemporary finish.
Edge-lit vs backlit LED panels
There are two ways a panel produces its glow, and the difference matters when you are comparing products.
Edge-lit panels
In an edge-lit panel, the LEDs sit around the outer frame and fire their light into a light-guide plate that spreads it evenly across the face. Edge-lit designs are the slimmest option, which makes them ideal where ceiling depth is tight. They have historically been the most common style and remain a dependable, cost-effective choice.
Backlit panels
A backlit LED panel places a grid of LEDs directly behind the diffuser, firing light straight out through the face. This tends to produce a more uniform, "cleaner" glow with fewer dark corners, often better efficiency (more lumens per watt), and a slightly deeper body. If you want the most even surface brightness and best long-term efficiency, backlit is usually the pick. Brands such as SAL, Domus, Havit and Brilliant offer both styles, so it is worth checking the product description to see which technology you are buying.
Common LED panel sizes and where each suits
Panels are sold in a handful of standard footprints, largely because they were designed to drop into modular grid ceilings. Choosing the right size is mostly about matching the panel to the ceiling and the space below it.
- 600x600 — The workhorse size. It drops straight into a standard 600mm suspended grid ceiling, making it the default for offices, meeting rooms, clinics, classrooms and commercial fit-outs.
- 1200x300 — A long, rectangular panel. The LED panel light 1200x300 suits corridors, galley kitchens, laundries, walk-in robes and narrow rooms, and it also fits neatly into a 1200x300 grid module. Its shape throws light evenly down a long, thin space.
- 300x300 — A compact square that works well in small rooms, bathrooms, hallways, entryways and as a discreet fill light where a full-size panel would be overkill.
- 1200x600 — The large-format option. It covers more area from a single fitting, which suits open-plan offices, retail floors, warehouses, showrooms and larger commercial rooms where you want fewer fittings and a big, even spread.
As a rule of thumb, garages and workshops reward larger, brighter panels for shadow-free task light, kitchens and laundries do well with a bright neutral-white panel sized to the room, and offices lean on 600x600 or 1200x600 panels laid out in a grid.
Mounting: recessed, surface-mount or suspended
How a panel attaches to the ceiling is just as important as its size.
Recessed into a grid ceiling
If you have a suspended T-bar grid ceiling — common in offices and commercial buildings — the panel simply drops into a matching module and sits flush. This is the neatest, most integrated look and the reason the standard sizes exist.
Surface-mount frame kits
Plasterboard and solid ceilings have no grid to drop into, so a surface-mount frame kit is used. The frame fixes to the ceiling and the panel mounts inside it, sitting just proud of the surface. This is the go-to for homes, renovations, garages and laundries where there is no cavity or grid.
Suspended
Panels can also be hung on suspension wires or cables below the ceiling — useful in spaces with high or exposed ceilings, or where you want the light closer to the work surface. Check that a suspension kit is available or compatible with your chosen panel before you buy.
Brightness and colour temperature
Two specifications shape how a panel actually feels in a room: how much light it puts out, and what colour that light is.
Brightness is measured in lumens, not watts. Watts tell you energy consumption; lumens tell you how bright the fitting appears. When comparing panels, compare total lumens for the coverage you need, and look for a good lumens-per-watt figure as a sign of an efficient fitting.
Colour temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) and describes the warmth or coolness of the light. Warm white (around 3000K) feels cosy and relaxed and suits living areas. Neutral white (around 4000K) is clean and balanced, and is the popular all-rounder for kitchens, offices and retail. Cool white (around 5000-6000K) is crisp and energising, favoured in garages, workshops and some commercial settings. Many current panels are tri-colour (CCT selectable), letting you switch between warm, neutral and cool via a small switch on the fitting so you can dial in the right mood after installation.
Dimmable, DALI and drivers
Every LED panel runs on a driver — the small power supply that converts mains voltage to the low-voltage DC the LEDs need. The driver's quality affects flicker, lifespan and how the panel dims, so it is worth buying from reputable brands.
If you want to control light levels, choose a dimmable panel and confirm it is compatible with your dimmer type (typically TRIAC/leading-edge or trailing-edge in homes). For larger commercial installations, look for DALI dimming — a digital control protocol that lets you address, group and dim many fittings precisely from a building control system. Not every panel supports DALI, so check the specification before specifying it for a project.
UGR and glare for offices
In workplaces where people look at screens all day, glare control is a genuine comfort and compliance issue. This is captured by the UGR (Unified Glare Rating). A lower UGR means less glare — panels rated UGR<19 are generally recommended for offices and screen-based work. If you are lighting an office, meeting room or classroom, prioritise a low-UGR panel; the difference in eye comfort over a full working day is significant.
LED panel selection checklist
Before you buy, run through these points:
- Ceiling type — grid ceiling (recessed), plasterboard/solid (surface-mount kit), or exposed/high (suspended)?
- Size — match the footprint to the space and, if applicable, the grid module (600x600, 1200x300, 300x300 or 1200x600).
- Brightness — enough total lumens for the room and task, with a healthy lumens-per-watt efficiency.
- Colour temperature — warm, neutral or cool, or a tri-colour panel for flexibility.
- Edge-lit or backlit — backlit for the most even output and efficiency; edge-lit for the slimmest profile.
- Dimming — dimmable and dimmer-compatible for homes, or DALI for commercial control.
- Glare — a low UGR rating for offices and screen work.
- Brand and driver quality — trusted names such as SAL, Domus, Havit and Brilliant, and a solid warranty.
Ready to compare options? Shop LED panel lights to see the range, or browse our wider commercial lighting collection for fit-out projects.
Frequently asked questions
What size LED panel do I need?
Match the panel to the space and the ceiling. Small rooms and hallways suit a 300x300, corridors and narrow rooms suit a 1200x300, standard offices and rooms suit a 600x600, and open-plan or large areas suit a 1200x600. If you have a suspended grid ceiling, choose the size that matches your grid module so the panel drops in flush.
Can I install an LED panel on a plasterboard ceiling?
Yes. Because there is no grid to recess into, you use a surface-mount frame kit that fixes to the ceiling, or a suspension kit to hang the panel below it. All electrical work should be carried out by a licensed electrician.
What is the difference between edge-lit and backlit panels?
Edge-lit panels have LEDs around the frame that shine into a light-guide plate, giving the slimmest possible body. Backlit panels have LEDs directly behind the diffuser, giving a more uniform glow and often better efficiency in a slightly deeper fitting.
Are LED panels dimmable?
Many are, but not all — check the product specification. For homes, choose a dimmable panel and a compatible dimmer. For commercial projects, look for DALI-compatible panels for precise digital control of many fittings at once.
Which colour temperature should I choose?
Warm white (about 3000K) for relaxed living spaces, neutral white (about 4000K) as a clean all-rounder for kitchens, offices and retail, and cool white (about 5000-6000K) for garages, workshops and task-focused areas. Tri-colour panels let you switch between all three after installation.
Get expert help and fast delivery
Lights For You stocks LED panels from trusted brands including SAL, Domus, Havit and Brilliant, with fast delivery Australia-wide. If you would like to see panels in person or talk through a project, visit our Ashfield showroom in Sydney, where our team can help you choose the right size, output and mounting for your space. Explore the full range and shop LED panel lights today.
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