Lithonia Lighting CPANL 1x4 LED Flat Panel Light, 1 Ft. x 4 Ft. LED Light Panel, Ceiling Lighting Fixture, 4000 Lumens, 3500K/4000K/5000K Switchable CCT, Includes Direct Ceiling Mount Bracket, White

Why I chose this panel

I replaced a tired 1x4 fluorescent in a laundry/mudroom with the CPANL 1x4 panel from Lithonia. I wanted three things: a clean, uniform light without tube shadows, a low-profile surface mount that didn’t fight my low ceiling, and the ability to choose color temperature after seeing it in the space. This fixture checks those boxes and adds a few thoughtful touches that make installation and daily use straightforward.

Installation: faster than removing the old fluorescent

I opted for the included direct-ceiling mount bracket rather than a T-grid install. The bracket is the star of this package. It fastens to the ceiling with four anchors, and the panel then hooks on one side like a hinge and latches on the other. That hinged action lets the panel hang at an angle while you make wiring connections—no balancing act with one hand on the fixture and the other in the junction box. It’s a small, well-considered detail that matters a lot over your head.

A few practical notes from my install:
- Tools: a drill with a 1/2-inch bit for the included toggle anchors (if you’re not hitting joists), screwdriver, lineman’s pliers, and a non-contact tester.
- Wiring: standard black/white/ground leads. The driver is 120V only on this model, so don’t plan on 277V circuits.
- Strain relief: use a bushing/strain relief where supply conductors pass through metal. The knockout edge on the bracket is sharp, and protecting the conductors isn’t optional—code requires it. My panel didn’t include a clamp; I reused a standard 3/8-inch NM connector.
- Color temperature switch: it’s behind the panel, so choose 3500K, 4000K, or 5000K before you close the latches. You can always unlatch later, but it’s easier to decide up front.

From power off to lights on, the process was easy and tidy. Honestly, getting the old fluorescent and ballast down took longer than installing the new panel.

If you’re dropping it into a suspended ceiling, the integral T-bar clips make that straightforward as well. The slim 1.26-inch depth helps in tight plenums.

Light quality: even, bright, and versatile

At 4000 lumens, this panel lands in a sweet spot for utility spaces, small kitchens, hallways, and larger closets. It’s markedly brighter than a typical 2-lamp 32W T8 1x4 troffer, and the lens produces a diffuse, uniform field with no hot spots. The room feels evenly lit, not “glary,” and I don’t see shimmer or banding to the eye. A quick phone camera test didn’t reveal artifacts either—good news for those sensitive to flicker.

The selectable CCT is genuinely useful:
- 3500K (neutral) warmed up the laundry room without looking yellow.
- 4000K (cool) felt clean and crisp, good for task work.
- 5000K (daylight) is punchy and closest to what people expect in garages and workshops.

I settled on 4000K as a balance for white walls and gray tile, but it’s worth trying them in your own space—paint color and daylight change the feel more than specs on paper.

Color rendering is typical for this class (around 80 CRI). For closets, garages, and utility spaces, it’s perfectly fine. If you need higher CRI for color-critical tasks, this isn’t the panel for you.

Dimming: choose your dimmer carefully

This CPANL is triac dimmable at 120V. With a quality LED-rated triac/forward-phase dimmer, I had smooth control from about 20–100%. Below that, the driver started to lose regulation—fairly normal behavior for many LED panels on triac control. Two tips:
- Use a modern, LED-specific dimmer (e.g., the common LED+ lines from major brands) and match your load to the dimmer’s minimum/maximum rating.
- Avoid pairing with multi-fixture circuits that mix different driver types; that’s where compatibility hiccups often show up.

If you need deep dimming, 0–10V control, or integration with commercial-grade controls, this particular 1x4 SKU won’t meet that requirement. For simple residential dimming, it’s fine—just use the right dimmer.

Build and design

The panel uses a slim aluminum frame and a uniform diffuser that sits flush and clean. Fit and finish are tidy; there’s no light leak at the edges. The hinged/latch mechanism is robust enough for repeated access to the CCT switch. The panel is lightweight, which helps during install and reduces stress on the anchors.

A few design notes:
- The driver compartment is accessible but compact; longer pre-stripped leads would make wiring even easier. Not a big deal, just something I noticed.
- Edges around cable entries are sharp—as mentioned, a strain relief or bushing is a must.
- The low profile sits close to the ceiling and looks more modern than a typical wrap or basket.

It’s rated for damp locations, carries common third-party certifications, and has an L70 of 60,000 hours. In normal residential use, that’s many years of service. A five-year limited warranty is standard for the category.

Where it works best

• Laundry rooms, utility spaces, and mudrooms that need bright, even light.
• Walk-in closets and pantries where a broad, shadow-free panel outperforms point sources.
• Kitchens and galley spaces with lower ceilings that benefit from a slim surface mount.
• Garages and workshops—especially at 5000K—where uniform illumination is more important than accent.

In larger or high-ceiling spaces, you’ll likely want multiple panels or a larger form factor to maintain uniformity.

What I’d change

• Include a strain relief in the box. It’s a small part, but essential for a code-compliant, safe install.
• Make the CCT switch accessible without unlatching the panel (a side slot would be ideal). It’s not a daily adjustment, but easier access would streamline tuning in the space.
• Publish clear, tested dimmer compatibility lists for this exact model. Triac dimming is finicky across the industry; official pairings reduce guesswork.

Efficiency and noise

The panel runs quietly—no buzz or coil hum—and stays cool to the touch. It’s markedly more efficient than the fluorescent it replaced, and there’s no tube warm-up, no ballast flicker, and no lamp replacements to manage. If you care about energy use and maintenance, moving to an integrated LED panel like this is a straightforward upgrade.

Installation tips

• If your ceiling substrate won’t hold toggles (older plaster, crumbly backer), consider moving the bracket to hit joists or use appropriate anchors for your material.
• Mark and drill the bracket holes, then dry-fit the panel on the hinge before final wiring to confirm alignment.
• Set your preferred CCT with the room lights off and a task light in hand; you’ll get a truer sense of the color on your finishes.
• If you plan to dim, install the dimmer first and test the panel at full/low output before closing everything up.

The bottom line

The CPANL 1x4 panel is a thoughtful, well-executed upgrade for anyone replacing a fluorescent 1x4 or adding bright, uniform light to a utility area. The hinged bracket makes installation less stressful, the light quality is even and pleasant across three useful color temperatures, and the slim profile looks clean on the ceiling. Triac dimming works as long as you pair it with a compatible dimmer, and the 60,000-hour rating with damp-location certification suits most residential and light-duty commercial spots.

I recommend this fixture. It’s an easy install, delivers consistent light without fuss, and the selectable CCT means you can tune the feel of the room without swapping products. Just budget for a proper strain relief, pick a good LED-rated dimmer if you plan to dim, and set your color temperature before you latch it closed. If you need 0–10V dimming, deep dim-to-dark, or higher CRI, look elsewhere. For everyday spaces that need reliable, uniform illumination in a slim package, this panel gets it right.