Amerlux Unveils Hornet 2.5 Downlight with Market-Leading Output
Amerlux announced today that it has released the newest addition to its award-winning collection of architectural downlights, Hornet 2.5, a fully unified, low-glare recessed series that blends seamlessly into the ceiling while outperforming the competition in precision, comfort and beam control.
The award-winning design-and-manufacture lighting company says Hornet 2.5 delivers up to 2000 lumens at 100 lumens per watt, a market-best in its category, all from a discreet 2.5-inch aperture. Hornet 2.5 is designed to reduce ceiling brightness and trim glare, while its adjustable model delivers smooth 40° tilt-and-shift aiming with minimal beam cut-off—even past 30°.
“Our commitment to delivering performance without sacrificing comfort is at the core of the Hornet 2.5 design,” said Bill Plageman, VP of Marketing at Amerlux. “Hornet 2.5 brings everything specifiers want in a small-aperture solution—performance, comfort, flexibility and consistency—all in a form factor that virtually disappears into the ceiling. It was designed for elegance. It’s lighting that does the work without making a scene.”
Hornet 2.5 introduces a unified design that delivers a comfortable visual experience across downlights, wall washers and adjustable fixtures. The collection appears virtually identical from ground level, creating a cohesive, sophisticated ceiling aesthetic. Plageman says this harmony pairs high-performance illumination with refined elegance, elevating any interior space.
How Hornet 2.5 Solves Real-World Design Challenges
Modern ceiling design calls for simplicity, uniformity, and minimal visual clutter—yet designers must also meet demands for high lumen output, precise beam control and full aiming flexibility. Hornet 2.5 addresses these challenges head-on.
With its deep-regress trim design and converging optics, Hornet 2.5 eliminates glare while maintaining consistent brightness across the space. The result is visually quiet ceilings that prioritize occupant comfort. Plageman says this benefit is key in applications such as wellness-centric commercial spaces, upscale retail and galleries where distraction-free focus is essential.
Hornet 2.5 is offered in recessed downlights, wall washers and adjustables in round and square profiles, all sharing a unified architectural appearance. Designers can mix fixture types within a space while maintaining a seamless, consistent look from below. The wall wash optic provides smooth, even vertical illumination with virtually no back spill, offering greater control and a cleaner look when highlighting walls, textures and finishes.
Engineered for Precision and Flexibility
Hornet 2.5 also features a super-narrow 10° beam option for pinpoint illumination in gallery, retail and display settings, helping designers achieve flawless focus with subtlety and style. Each fixture is offered in six wattage levels (6W, 8W, 10W, 12W, 16W, 19W) and across four color temperatures (2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K), with 90+ CRI standard to support accurate, vibrant color rendering across all applications.
To accommodate diverse ceiling designs, the Hornet 2.5 line offers trimmed, trimless and millwork options, making it simple to integrate into any architectural vision. Fixture types include:
- Recessed Round Downlight
- Recessed Round Adjustable
- Recessed Round Wall Wash
- Recessed Square Downlight
- Recessed Square Adjustable
- Recessed Square Wall Wash
Recognizing the need for smart building compatibility, Hornet 2.5 supports both wired and wireless dimming protocols:
- Wired Options: TRIAC, ELV, Hi-Lume®, 0-10V, DALI
- Wireless Options: Lutron Athena RF Node, Bluetooth SIG 5.0
More information about the Hornet 2.5 from Amerlux
