Lithonia Lighting CPANL 2x4 LED Flat Panel Light, 2 ft. by 4 ft. LED Light Panel, Ceiling Lighting Fixture, 4000 Lumens, 3500K/4000K/5000K Switchable CCT, Includes Direct Ceiling Mount Bracket, White

Why I Tried the CPANL 2x4 Panel

I replaced a finicky fluorescent troffer in a utility space with the Lithonia CPANL 2x4 panel, and the contrast was immediate. The room went from uneven, humming light to a clean, uniform wash that makes everything easier to see. I’ve since installed the same panel in a closet and in a small workshop bay; each time the experience has been consistent: simple install, practical options, and a slim profile that disappears into the ceiling.

For this review, I’ll focus on surface-mount installation (since that’s where the design really shines), performance, dimming behavior, and a few caveats I picked up along the way.

Installation: Thoughtful Hardware, Minimal Headaches

The CPANL ships with two mounting paths: T-bar clips for dropping into a 2x4 grid ceiling, and a direct ceiling surface-mount bracket for drywall or plaster. I used the surface bracket. It’s lightweight, and the panel’s frame hooks onto one side of the bracket so it can pivot down while you make wire connections—crucially, you’re not stuck supporting the full fixture with one hand while twisting wire nuts with the other. This alone makes it a standout for solo installs.

A few nuts-and-bolts notes from my installs:
- The bracket gives you plenty of forgiveness to square the fixture. I marked out four anchor points, used toggles in old lath/plaster on one job and anchors into joists on another. Once the bracket is up, the panel latches closed cleanly.
- The low profile (about 1-1/4-inch thick) helps in tight plenums or where you’re close to sprinkler pipe or conduit runs.
- The knockouts on the fixture are snug, and the metal edges are sharp, so use a proper cable clamp/strain relief. Don’t skip it—protecting the conductors at the entry point matters.
- The color temperature switch lives inside the housing. Decide on 3500K, 4000K, or 5000K before you button it up. You can change it later, but you’ll need to swing the panel down again.

If you’re retrofitting from a fluorescent troffer, expect most of your time to be spent removing the old ballast and fixture. The CPANL itself goes up fast.

Build and Design

The fixture feels solid for its weight, with a sealed diffuser that eliminates glare and hot spots. Nothing creaks or oil-cans when latched, and there’s no light leak along the frame. I appreciate the neutral, clean white finish—this is a panel meant to disappear into the ceiling rather than become a design moment, and it does that well.

The footprint is standard 2x4 (roughly 47-4/5" x 23-4/5"), so it matches common cutouts and grid openings. For drywall installs, the included bracket does the heavy lifting. I’ve seen more complex surface kits from other brands; Lithonia’s approach is refreshingly simple.

The panel is rated for damp locations, which makes it a good fit for laundry rooms, bathrooms (not in a shower), and covered entries. It’s CSA and DLC certified, and it carries a 5-year limited warranty with an L70 of about 60,000 hours (>70% lumen maintenance at that mark). In practical terms, it’s not something you’re going to be maintaining regularly.

Light Quality and Output

Light quality is the reason to choose a panel over a strip or retrofitted troffer, and this one delivers. The diffusion is even edge-to-edge, with no visible diodes or banding. It starts cleanly with no perceptible flicker, even when dimmed correctly.

At roughly 4000 lumens, the CPANL is a noticeable upgrade over many aging 2-lamp fluorescents in small to medium spaces. In my laundry room, it completely eliminated the shadows that lived under cabinets. In the workshop bay, it made bench work easier without feeling clinical.

The selectable CCT is genuinely useful:
- 3500K is a soft neutral that flatters paint and finishes in living spaces.
- 4000K is a classic cool white—crisp without being harsh.
- 5000K delivers a daylight feel that’s great for task-heavy spaces or garages.

My preference for general areas is 4000K; for shop work, I bump it to 5000K to improve contrast. If you’re blending with other fixtures in the same room, match the setting before final install.

Dimming and Controls

The CPANL supports triac (forward-phase) dimming at 120V. Performance will depend on your dimmer. On a Lutron Diva LED+ I tested, the panel dimmed smoothly to a low level with stable behavior across the range. On a cheaper “LED-rated” dimmer from a big-box store, I saw shimmer at low levels and a narrow usable range.

If you plan to dim:
- Use a quality, LED-specific forward-phase dimmer (Lutron Diva LED+, Lutron Maestro CL, or equivalent).
- Set the low-end trim on the dimmer per the instructions; this often eliminates low-end flicker.
- Keep mixed loads (different LED types on the same dimmer) to a minimum; mixing drivers can introduce noise.

If you don’t need dimming, a standard switch is perfectly fine—the panel is quiet and stable at full output.

Where It Fits Best

• Utility spaces: laundry, mudrooms, pantries—anywhere you want bright, even light and low profile.
• Kitchens: over islands or in general grid layouts, especially where you want a more modern look than a bulky box.
• Garages and workshops: pick 5000K for a daylight feel and pair with a good dimmer if you want flexibility.
• Offices or basements with grid ceilings: drop-in installation is straightforward using the T-bar clips.

It’s damp-rated, so bathrooms without direct spray are fair game. I wouldn’t use it outdoors or in areas with high vibration.

What I’d Improve

No product is perfect, and a few details are worth noting:
- Dimming is only as good as the dimmer. If you’re upgrading an old rheostat or a bargain LED control, budget for a proper dimmer to avoid flicker.
- The CCT switch placement means you need to lower the panel to change settings. Not a dealbreaker, but plan your color choice before final installation.
- The wire entry needs a proper strain relief, and depending on your supply cable, you may need to supply your own. It’s a small piece, but it’s essential.
- 4000 lumens is plenty for most residential and light commercial rooms, but larger shops may want multiple panels or a higher-output option.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Install

• Preselect color temperature based on the room’s finishes (warmer for wood and soft finishes, cooler for task areas).
• Use a cable clamp/strain relief at the knockout to protect conductors.
• If anchoring to drywall, use quality toggles or hit joists; the panel is light, but the connection should be solid.
• For dimming, pick a reputable LED-rated forward-phase dimmer and adjust the low-end trim.
• Keep your hands clean during install; fingerprints on the diffuser are visible and a pain to remove later.

The Bottom Line

The CPANL 2x4 panel strikes a sweet spot for people who want an unobtrusive, professional-looking fixture with reliable light quality and a painless install. The surface-mount hardware is well thought out, the panel’s output is even and flicker-free, and the selectable color temperature makes it versatile across different rooms. It’s damp-rated, slim enough for tricky ceilings, and backed by a reasonable warranty and lifetime.

Would I recommend it? Yes. I recommend the CPANL 2x4 for anyone upgrading from fluorescent troffers or bulky flush mounts in residential or light commercial spaces. It’s easy to put up, produces clean, uniform light, and offers practical flexibility without gimmicks. Just pair it with a good LED dimmer if you plan to dim, choose your color temperature before closing it up, and use proper strain relief on the knockout. Do that, and you’ll have a bright, quiet, low-profile fixture that should run for years with zero fuss.