The kitchen is perhaps the busiest part of any home. Besides, the it is where the heart is. Since we carry out so many activities in part of the house, it would help to back the tasks with the best LED under cabinet lighting. Not only is the light aesthetically pleasing, but it also helps in carrying out functional tasks in the kitchen. Plus, the light also defines the feel and style of your space.
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We have reviewed the best LED lighting in the market that are fit for use as under cabinet lighting to help you choose the right quality. More than this, we have compared the different types and designs, and have come up with essential and helpful advice in the form of a buyer’s guide.
Contents
How to Choose the Best LED under Cabinet Lighting
The Type
There are different types of under cabinet lights, each with its advantage and impressive features. Let us look at the most popular shapes and designs.
- Light bar: Under cabinet light bars are the most common types and are characterized by their slim design and aluminum housing. The light is also easy to install and stays hidden beneath the cabinet. Its plug n play design makes installation easy as there is no need for extra wiring. Plus, they are available in different lengths and can be connected for a seamless linking through end connectors.
- Tape or strip light: This type of lighting is flexible and is best for flat or shallow cabinet recess. Since it does not have an aluminum housing, there is a 3M adhesive tape for secure adhesion. Plus, it is slim and is not conspicuous. Strip lights usually come in rolls and are easy to install with no need for screws. However, they are not dimmable without a switch.
- Puck lights: Puck lights are low-profile lights that give a pool of light and won’t illuminate across your counter. This type of light is battery-operated or plug-in and can be mounted in various positions and at different angles.
- Hardwired: hardwired under cabinet lights are versatile, but tricky to install. They are compatible with dimmers and feature adjustable temperature settings. The light generated by hardwired lighting is uniform and brighter than most products. Plus, you can link more than one light together.
Method of Installation
The different types of LED lighting support different installation methods. The popular ones include the use of screws and adhesive tapes. Tapes are handy if you don’t want to drill; however, they tend to lose their adhesiveness with time. We recommend that you predrill the holes for lighting with screws to prevent the screws from stripping. There are three types of wiring for under cabinet lighting. The Plug-in features require access to an electric outlet, while battery-operated lights need a battery. The hardwire option requires direct installation inside the walls. As a note of warning, the process of installing hardwire is tricky and should be left to professionals.
Energy Efficiency
LEDs with dimming capabilities save more energy than lights without dimming capabilities. This type of lighting also gives off less heat. More than this, however, you should look for products with enough brightness. This feature is especially handy if you have a glossy countertop as it reflects to make the environment brighter. Be careful, though, not to purchase a product that would cause a glare problem. To take care of this, look for lights with diffusers and dimming capabilities.
Smart Control
Improvement in technology and design have made the operations of LED lighting impressive. Features like remote control, in-built voice control, interconnectivity feature with Wifi, and Bluetooth, among many others, are features to desire. Hence, look for as many smart features as you can before proceeding to buy the product.
15 Best LED Under Cabinet Lighting
Brilliant Evolution LED Puck Wireless LED Under Cabinet Lighting
The Puckwireless LED light by Brilliant Evolution tops our list of the best LED under cabinet lighting for all good reasons. The product gives off a 300K warm white glow and comes with all the necessary hardware for fast and easy installation. With 55 lumens, the wireless lights are sure to light up your kitchen. It also features remote control features that let you activate and deactivate the light from up to 15ft away. Besides, there is an optional timer that disables the light automatically after 15, 30, 60, or 120-minutes. The battery-operated lights work for different parts of the home.
Pros
- Selectable dimmer
- Optional auto-off timer
- Wireless remote
Cons
- The unit is a little big and thick, but nothing massive
Govee 32.8ft LED Strip Lights
The Govee 32.8ft LED Strip Lights is another impressive handy product for lighting up your kitchen. Colorful lighting backed by a 32.8ft rope provides a wide coverage area. Although long, the strip light is flexible and bends with ease. The 5050 LED light features a built-in responsive microphone for turning it into a live light. It also comes in handy for use as decorative light. Thanks to its microphone features, the product works with google assistant and Alexa. Hence, it allows for voice-controlled operation. It also supports WIFI and Bluetooth wireless control for activation, customization, and deactivation from any part of the room.
Pros
- Strong M3 adhesive
- Colorful lighting
- Voice and wireless activation
Cons
- It doesn’t have alternating colors in strobe mode
Brilliant Evolution Wireless Ultra Thin LED Light Bar
A single light bar of the Brilliant Evolution LED light offers 65 lumens of brightness combined with a warm white glow. The LEDs on the product are 3000K, and it boasts of four times more run time as most products in the market. A battery-operated design with three AA batteries gives the product a run time of more than 100 hours. It is also less than 1-inch thick, hence, fits snugly beneath your cabinet. The product package contains an adhesive tape and screws, both of which can be used to mount the light effortlessly.
Pros
- Ultra-thin design
- Bright and lasting
- Quick on-off functionality
Cons
- The motion feature is not consistent
WOBANE LED Under Cabinet Lighting Kit
Upgrade your cabinet with the WOBANE LED Under Cabinet Lighting Kit. The kit features a plug-n-play or fast installation for flexible use. Each light bar features 30 pieces of high-quality LEDs and delivers up to 270 Lumens of brightness. However, it has a low power consumption of 2.5 Watt. Combine the lumens, and the product gives a total of 1200 lumens with more than 80 high color rendering index. This allows the light to reproduce colors pleasantly, and it does not contain UV to make it safe to touch. U-connectors and the extension connectors are backed with 3M tape and are flexible for convenient connection.
Pros
- Safe to use
- Easy to install
- Adheres fairly well
Cons
- The power cord is a little short
EShine LED Dimmable Under Cabinet Lighting
Touchless dimming control and hand wave activation are few of the exciting features of the EShine LED Dimmable Under Cabinet Lighting. The product is fitted with a sensitive sensor that responds to a wave for easy use. It also has a memory function that remembers the last brightness setting for reliable performance. Better still, the design lets you adjust the brightness by holding your hand over the light sensor. As a result, it is easy to create the perfect kitchen scenario. It is also available in black and white finishes, and you can choose a color temperature for your kitchen.
Pros
- Hand wave activation
- Touchless dimming control
- Memory function
Cons
- The tiny screws strip out easily
TORCHSTAR LED Safe Lighting Kit
You won’t touch the stars with this product, but it offers enough brightness to make your cabinet a star and the centerpiece of your kitchen. The TORCHSTAR LED Safe Lighting Kit is user-friendly thanks to its plug-n-play design. There are two mounting ears for a more secured operation. It also comes with extendable end-to-end connectors and extension cables for connecting it to a longer cabinet. Plus, high adhesive tape backing on either side improved its adhesive capability. A rocker switch control lets you activate and deactivate the light, and each bar features 150 lumens of light for ultra-bright performance.
Pros
- Quality construction
- High-grade adhesive
- Long cord length
Cons
- The sensor is a little picky
ASOKO Dimmable LED Under Cabinet Lighting
The ASOKO Dimmable LED Under Cabinet Lighting features simple dimmable design for comfortable use. Three levels of brightness are backed by a soft silicone switch that lets you adjust the brightness with a quick press. The 5000K neutral light, coupled with a memory function design, eliminates the need to reset the brightness level every time you power it on. Built-in magnets make installation more comfortable, especially on an iron surface. Instead, you can make use of stickers. The product also comes with two cable clips for securing the plug cord for tide use. It has a USB port for indoor use and outdoor use with a power bank.
Pros
- Small and lightweight
- Easy to install
- Sensitive touch sensors
Cons
- Limited cord length of 5ft
Under Cabinet Lights,10 LED Motion Sensor Lights
The Under Cabinet Lights,10 LED Motion Sensor Lights by Otinlai, is sturdily built for reliable and lasting use. It sticks on any surface thanks to its built-in magnet, iron sheet, and double-sided 3M tape. You can also remove it easily and stick it onto another surface if you need to. It has a motion-sensing mode that is activated 20 minutes after no motion is detected, and an on/off mode for manual operation. Its compact design is also attractive and offers a long-lasting charge that is bright enough for your needs.
Pros
- Easy to attach with magnetic strips
- Lasting charge
- Efficient motion sensor
Cons
- Some buyers wished the motion sensor stays longer than 20 seconds
Under Cabinet LED Lighting kit, 6 PCS LED Strip Lights
Six pieces of the Under Cabinet LED Lighting kit by WOBANE is bright, adjustable, and delivers 1500 lumens of clear light. The product supports two distinct control methods for convenient use. You can control it via an RF wireless remote control with a control range of up to 50ft. Another way is via the off/on button, which also lets you adjust the brightness from minimum to maximum. The product has a working voltage of DC12V and does not give off too much heat. It is also backed by a clean-stick-on connection and a strong 3M tape and screws.
Pros
- Wireless remote control
- Cool to touch
- Flexible design
Cons
- The strips don’t conform to corners and angles
LED Strip Lights White 16.4ft Dimmable Rope Lights
The 12V LED Strip Lights white 16.4ft dimmable rope works with a unique dimmer that lets you adjust the brightness with ease. The light also has a memory function that allows you to restore the last-used brightness setting. A blend of 300 pieces of high-quality LEDs produces light with enough brightness to fill any room. The backside of the light comes with custom foam tape with elastic and strong adhesives. It also comes with five pieces of adhesive clips for use in corners and angles. The light is safe for use as it features FCC and UL listed power adapter with short circuit protection.
Pros
- Memory function
- Safe to use and touch
- Dimmable
Cons
- The corner connector is more of a straight connector in contrast to the description
LEASTYLE Wireless LED Puck Lights with Remote Control
The LEASTYLE Wireless LED Puck Lights with Remote Control is available in a pack of six for extensive coverage. A battery-operated design lets the light run on three AAA batteries and the remote on one lithium-ion battery. The 3500-4000K LED light is perfect for kitchen and under-cabinet use. It features two control modes; remote control and manual on/off setting. It also has a selectable dimmer for controlling the brightness. Energy-saving and time preset design prevents battery consumption as the product is turned off automatically after 30 minutes of no operation.
Pros
- Manual and remote control
- Energy-saving design
- Wide use
Cons
- Battery drains fast
Lightkiwi E7574 Dimmable LED Under Cabinet Lighting
An aluminum enclosure on the Lightkiwi E7574 Dimmable LED Under Cabinet Lighting protects the chipset on the LED light. The configuration of the product is such that lets it expand without damage. The linear light is cool to touch and has a warm color, although not as warm as an incandescent. It is also attractive, dimmable, and has a stylish appearance. At full intensity, the hardwired light is exceptionally bright that most users wished it could be dimmed further down.
Pros
- Less energy consumption
- Expandable
- High-quality and safe construction
Cons
- The screws are tiny and soft
Under Cabinet Lighting Closet Light 20 LEDs 3 Packs
Avoid groping in the dark and purchase the Under Cabinet Lighting Closet Light 20 LEDs 3 Packs by HIBOITEC. The light features 20 LEDs, with each having a lumens brightness of 160 lumens to add charm to your kitchen. It has an intelligent sensing design that prevents the light from coming on when the surrounding light is strong. A passive infrared technology also lets it detect motion in darkness, and keeps it on until after 20 seconds of no detected movement. Built-in rechargeable battery coupled with a USB charging port makes it easy to charge the product with any supported device.
Pros
- Intelligent sensing
- Energy-saving
- Easy to use
Cons
- The motion detection lags sometimes
GetInLight 3 Color Levels Dimmable LED Under Cabinet Lighting
The GetInLight 3 Color Levels Dimmable LED Under Cabinet Lighting offers three colors in a single fixture for flexible use. It also has multiple color temperatures and is available in various options to convenient selection. The housing of the product features extruded aluminum, and it has a built-in driver with no adapter or transformer required. The ability to choose between the three color levels plus plugged-in and hardwired installation options places it among the best LED lighting in the market.
Pros
- Different color temperature
- Reduced energy use
- Easy to mount
Cons
- No replacement screws for panel
24″ Under Cabinet Lighting 4000K
The 24″ Under Cabinet Lighting by Lux light features a sensor switch and a 12V adapter. Impressive construction of the product gives it reliable performance. This includes anodized and hardened aluminum alloy and PMMA matte diffusor for smooth lighting effects and low luminous losses. It also comes with a built-in touch sensor that lets you switch off the light with a single tap. You can also choose between 24-inch, 36-inch, 12-inch, and 48-inch light and two distinct color temperatures. Its silver chrome design gives it an excellent blend with cabinets and furniture.
Pros
- The strip doesn’t heat up
- Easy to mount
- Two lighting modes
Cons
Conclusion
We hope our review of the best LED under cabinet lighting has brought you closer to buying the light of your choice. All the lights above are cost-effective, efficient, and valuable investment for your kitchen space.
