Cree introduces its first 8-inch LED downlight to expand its product portfolio. (Cree/LEDinside)

Cree introduces new KR8^™ and LR6^™ LED downlights, designed to deliver better lighting performance and better value for new and existing commercial spaces. The new KR8 downlight expands the KR Series by adding Cree’s first eight-inch downlight, and features Cree WaveMax^™ Technology and Cree TrueWhite^® Technology.  This revolutionary combination brings even more beautiful light through optical efficiency, precise beam control and long product life to higher ceiling applications, such as theaters, airports and auditoriums. Cree also announces the newest generation of its pioneering, market leading LR6 downlight, which provides even better light quality at a lower price. These new LED lighting solutions further enhance Cree’s product leadership in the commercial downlight market.

“With today’s announcement, Cree continues to accelerate the adoption of better commercial LED lighting with innovative technologies that provide superior light experiences,” said Betty Noonan, Cree chief marketing officer. “These new products continue our track record of delivering industry-leading designs that provide unprecedented efficiency and light quality.”

With the new KR8 downlight, Cree’s architectural downlight portfolio now addresses ceiling heights from eight feet up to 40 feet. Additionally, the KR8 downlight covers most commercial and retail applications with 6,000 and 8,000 lumen outputs, achieving what other high-lumen output LED downlights have not been able to deliver with more light, a range of beam spreads and unrivaled optical control. The specification-grade downlight integrates Cree’s WaveMax Technology and uses a unique dual optic design that enables industry-leading precision with beam angles as tight as 15 degrees, providing unmatched light uniformity and better color performance with a 90-plus CRI.

The new KR8 downlight provides double the lifetime of its nearest competitors, and delivers dimming capabilities down to one percent for lower energy bills and payback of less than two years*. Designed with contractors and electricians in mind, the KR8 downlight features an easy two-step installation, and is offered in warm, neutral and cool color temperatures. The new Cree^® KR8 downlight is sold through Cree lighting sales channels throughout the United States and Canada, and is backed by an industry leading 10-year limited warranty.

The new Cree LR6 downlight provides an unparalleled combination of light quality, simplicity and efficacy, with more value than ever before. It delivers up to 1,800 lumens of exceptional light with superior color quality at a minimum CRI of 90. The downlight delivers up to 100 lumens per watt, using up to 89 percent less energy than the incandescent downlight it replaces and up to 58 percent less than a CFL. This breakthrough performance is achieved by combining Cree’s TrueWhiteTechnology with an integrated driver and thermal management design.

Cree’s LR6 downlights are the simplest to install retrofit LED lights on the market, featuring Cree’s patented Flip-Clip technology that easily secures into all six-inch IC and non-IC housings without the need for professional installers. The LR Series can also be used in new construction for recessed or pendant lighting applications, and is available in warm or neutral color temperatures, with three lumen packages and a variety of trim options. Like the previous generation product, the new LR6 downlight is covered by a 10-year limited warranty - typically double the warranty of the nearest competitor solutions.