Dimmer switches for LED lighting

[deckeda]

I'm reading at retailer websites (Lowe's, HD) that many of their LED fixtures are now compatible "with most" TRIAC dimmers.

I had to Google "TRIAC" dimmer. Apparently it's just an old school dimmer intended for incandescent light bulbs. So ... special dimmers are no longer required for LED lights? Or do they occupy some mysterious middle ground of, it-works-well-but-you'll-regret-it-even-though-I-can't-say-why.

Headed out to buy a replacement LED fixture for the kitchen. For now I probably won't be dimming it (that circuit is just on a regular on-off switch) but might consider getting a "smart" dimmer soon, because the new fixture will be brighter than the old and we won't always want full brightness where it's going.

[Buzz]

It's still the wild, wild west out there. Pretty much still trial and error. Buy from a place w/ good return policy. Don't believe the dimmer or the bulbs/fixtures without trying them together and making sure they play nice. The right combo will work, whereas the wrong ones will hum, crackle, hiss, wax/wane brightness, and in other ways not work properly. Good luck finding the right combo for your application.... maybe try to find a way to test desired fixture/wall switch combo before mounting them permanently.
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[Speedy]

Of course, for LED bulbs, you must buy bulbs that are dimmable.

[Cary]

1. The replacement LED fixture must be dimmable capable.
2. LED/CFL dimmers have an adjustable potentiometer that allows you to adjust the low point. If I were going to buy a dimmer, I would get an LED/CFL compatible one, even if the fixture doesn't "need" it.

[Microman]

And most dimmer off on switches, require a NEUTRAL. Usually WHITE wire, but not always.