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Nov 06, 2024

The 8 Best Under-Cabinet Lighting Options You Can Buy Online

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The easiest way to fall more in love with your kitchen. In This Article Real Simple

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

The easiest way to fall more in love with your kitchen.

In This Article

Real Simple / Eric Brockob

Under-cabinet lighting is growing in popularity among homeowners, and for good reason. First, it’s wonderful at providing a cozy atmosphere with its warm lighting, and second (and our favorite reason for DIYers), they’re easy to install no matter which form of attachment you choose.

For example, “LED strip lights are popular for their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and simple installation, making them ideal for providing even illumination across surfaces,” interior designer Kimberly Morris says. “LED puck lights are compact and easy to install, offering focused, bright light.”

In our list, we compiled not only strip lights and puck lights but also magnetic and screw-in options as well. To compile this list, we narrowed down the best options across the internet, considering factors like lighting type, power source, wattage, and light color. In addition to Morris, we also tapped Josh Weiss, vice president of Visual Comfort Co., and Kara Perdue, vice president of product management at GE Lighting, for expert insights on finding the best under-cabinet lighting solutions for your home.

The strips can be cut to fit your cabinet length or added onto extra kits.

The bonus features make it a splurge item.

For a simple starter under-cabinet lighting strip, we highly recommend starting with the Lightstrip from Philips. This strip extends out to 6 feet and is flexible enough to bend and fit in other places. But for an under-cabinet lighting pick, you get the best of both worlds in terms of lighting, as this strip can switch from white lights to multicolor after connecting the hue box to your Wi-Fi and downloading the Philips app. From there, you can control the ambiance and play music with Bluetooth capabilities.

Even though this kit comes with incredible entertainment features, like compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant, keeping the strip up can be challenging. These light strips are installed via adhesives on the underside of the lighting and may start to lose their grip over time.

Type: Adhesive | Power Source: Electric | Wattage: 20 watts | Color Temperature: White and multicolor

The strips can be arranged in three different ways: a single strip, two strips, or three strips.

Bigger kitchens may need additional kits.

The Wobane LED kit is a great budget-friendly solution for under-cabinet lighting that provides your kitchen with a new look and is easy to use. For under $17, this kit comes with six LED strips that reach up to 9.8 feet overall and are operated with a wireless control that can be used up to 60 feet away.

If you want to turn your lights off without having to turn them off physically, you can use one of the five timing options to turn them off automatically after the set time. However, this kit isn’t for you if you need multi-colored lights. The ambiance these LED lights produce is warm white lighting, which is the only setting compatible with these strips.

Type: Adhesive | Power Source: LED | Wattage: 16 watts | Color Temperature: White

There are three light modes to match the lighting of various environments.

The battery life isn’t long, and each pack only has two lights.

If you’re looking for under-cabinet lighting that turns on automatically, look no further than these LED motion sensor lights from Lepotec. Each set comes with two LED lights, and you can switch between three different light modes until you match the environment in which they are placed.

The lights are built with a 2,500mAh high-capacity rechargeable battery that lasts up to three hours if you keep it on “on” mode or three to four weeks with the motion sensor setting. These lights have an inner magnet that allows them to stick to iron surfaces easily, but if you need a different installation method, you can attach double-sided adhesive tape to stick them on other surfaces.

Type: Magnet or adhesive | Power Source: Battery powered | Wattage: 3 watts | Color Temperature: Silver-white

They come with multiple levels of brightness.

The fully charged motion-sensor battery length is spotty.

We recommend this set of two lights from Mcgor for a high-quality LED under-cabinet light. Each set comes with 63 battery-operated LED lights in the two strips and five different light settings. Plus, you have options when it comes to installation; you can choose between a magnet for iron surfaces or adhesive tape for non-magnetic surfaces.

You can choose between a soft white or bright white light color depending on your ambiance preference. The only thing to keep in mind is that each set comes with only two lights, so if you need more (which you likely will to light a kitchen), you might need additional sets.

Type: Magnetic or adhesive | Power Source: Batteries | Wattage: 2 watts | Color Temperature: Warm white or bright white

Its thin design makes it look seamless underneath kitchen cabinets.

This pack only comes with one light.

Under-cabinet lighting is becoming a fan favorite not only for the added ambiance but also for the hidden way it builds extra lighting into your kitchen. These thin LED light bars from GE offer an ultra-thin design packed with convenient features, like being battery-powered and easy to turn on or off with a tap of your fingers. They also claim to last up to four times longer than other LED strip lights.

While this kit offers many beneficial features for under-cabinet lighting, you can only choose between a one- and two-pack if you want to stick with wireless lighting (and keep in mind that you will also need three AA batteries that do not come with the kit). If you don’t mind a plug-in option, you can choose from a three, four, or six-pack.

Type: Adhesive or screws | Power Source: Batteries | Wattage: 1 watt | Color Temperature: White

You can either screw them into place or use adhesive tape.

Turning the lights off manually can cause the battery to drain.

Puck lights are great for under-cabinet lighting if you want more of a spotlight effect or you want to space out your lighting even more to maximize space and lighting in your kitchen. This GE pack of six puck lights offers efficiency thanks to their easy installation and wireless operation.

Each light turns on with a simple touch, but you will also have to touch each one again to turn it off. Even though these pucks' lights are very bright, they require three AAA batteries, which are not included with the kits, so you’ll have to purchase them separately.

Type: Adhesive | Power Source: Batteries | Wattage: Not listed | Color Temperature: White

It can be added to extra kits for more coverage.

It’s a more expensive option for some budgets.

The four-strip LED kit from BLACK + DECKER is a reputable pick for its high-quality lights and smart features like Alexa compatibility. Once you connect your light kit to Alexa, you can control the lights by adjusting the brightness of the white lights and switching to several light modes, including nighttime mode, which dims the lights down to 30%.

The best part is that even though this kit is powered by a plug-in, no tools are necessary for installation. All components are pressed onto a surface with adhesive tape to keep them in place. All you need to do is make sure there’s an outlet nearby to plug in the connecting box to power the lights.

Type: Adhesive | Power Source: Cord | Wattage: 25 watts | Color Temperature: White

They come with a five-year warranty if you need a replacement.

One fixture per box means you’ll need several kits.

Even though this kit requires hardwiring the lighting into the wall or cabinet, doing so hides your cord from plain sight, which can be a plus for visual aesthetics (see you later, unsightly cords). Everything you need to set up the lighting comes in the kit, along with detailed instructions to make installation a breeze—no professional is required!

One less-than-ideal aspect of this pick is that each kit comes in only one color. Though the lights reach 24 inches in length, you will likely need to purchase several kits to provide your kitchen with the lighting you’re dreaming of, although the lights in each set perform exceptionally well and come with 50,000 hours of usage.

Type: Hardwired | Power Source: Electric | Wattage: 16 watts | Color Temperature: Warm white and bright white

Our best overall pick for under-cabinet lighting is the Philips Hue Lightstrip Starter Kit because of its white and multicolor light settings and incredible smart integrations. However, if you need a more budget-friendly option, the Wobane Under-Cabinet LED Lighting Kit is the next best option for instilling a warm ambiance in your kitchen.

Even though under-cabinet lights have one purpose—to produce light without being seen—different types of under-cabinet lighting affect the overall goal. For instance, puck lights are disks that produce a spotlight effect, while task lighting lights up a larger area because the product is longer. If you’re looking for task lighting, the Harrrrd Hardwired LED Under Cabinet Task Lighting is a solid choice, while the GE Wireless LED Puck Lights are our top pick for a battery-operated puck light.

Before making your selection, take a moment to carefully consider the type of light you like best and think will provide the best look and ambiance for your kitchen.

“The fixture’s power source is an important consideration when shopping for undercabinet lighting, as it affects installation, convenience, and flexibility,” says Kara Perdue, VP of product management at GE Lighting. “There are three ways to power under-cabinet lighting: hardwire, plug-in, or battery, and each has its pros and cons, with the best choice depending on your specific needs.”

Under-cabinet lighting that doesn’t need to be hardwired into the cabinet seems to be the easiest to install. Magnetic or adhesive tape options make installation easier, but hardwired provides more security because tape can wear off over time. Before making your selection, read the installation requirements of each option and choose the one you feel most confident setting up.

It should go without saying that brightness and color temperature are two of the most important factors to consider when selecting under-cabinet lighting. After all, they are responsible for setting the mood in one of the most beloved rooms of the home, so it’s important that you check the brightness level of each kit to pick the brightness level you’re looking for.

“If you want to feel calm and relaxed in your kitchen, you will likely want to choose a lower temperature, and if you want to feel inspired and energized, you will likely want to choose a brighter temperature,” Morris says. “Dimmer, warmer tones tend to please most people (in the 2,700 to 3,000K range) because they create a sense of warmth and calm. Brighter, cooler tones (in the 5,000 to 6,500K range) appeal to some because they inspire energy and creativity.”

Some under-cabinet lighting picks come with convenient features like dimming, automatic timers, and smart integrations that make usage much easier (and more enjoyable). For instance, the Philips Hue Starter Kit connects (with Wi-Fi) to a hub that allows you to play music with your lighting while also using their app to control the brightness of your lights and other features. Another cool feature some strips come with is an automatic timer, like the one built into the Wobane Under-Cabinet Lighting. This pick features five different timer settings to which you can set your lights that will shut off after the allotted time.

Morris recommends hardwired, bar-shaped LED lights for a few reasons. “First, hardwired lights are easy to control from a switch, which is convenient and the cleanest since there are no cords to hide or batteries to charge and store,” she says. “Second, LED lights are long-lasting, energy-efficient, and available in blue or warm tones, depending on your preference.”

Regardless of placement for under cabinet lighting (because, spoiler: they don’t just have to go under your cabinets), Weiss says that your lighting pick should be bright enough for functionality as much as it is for aesthetics. “To ensure there’s enough light for tasks without causing eye strain or safety hazards, I generally recommend under cabinet lighting that provides between 250 to 400 lumens per foot, depending on the amount of supplemental light available,” he says.

Placement for under-cabinet lighting depends on how you want to use your lights. For instance, if it’s for task lighting—to see when cooking or working in the kitchen—the best placement is toward the front of the cabinet so that you have as much light as possible when working. If your main goal is to build aesthetics and ambiance, you’ll want to install your lighting toward the back end of the cabinets for the perfect warming glow.

Using cool or warm tones for under cabinet lights depends solely on your preference and how you want the room to look and feel. “In most residential spaces, I prefer 2,700K or 3,000K,” Weiss says. “The 2,700K mark is a warmer temperature that’s inviting and cozy, similar to traditional incandescent lighting, and looks natural when dimmed. 3000K is ideal for kitchens, particularly during food preparation, since it offers a slightly crisper white light, reminiscent of halogen.”

This article was written by Ashlyn Needham, a contributing writer for Real Simple. Ashlyn has nearly eight years of experience writing home and garden content for various brands and publications. Her work has been published in places such as Southern Living, The Spruce, House Beautiful, PEOPLE, U.S. News & World Report, and other online publications. To put together this list of under-cabinet lighting, she consulted Josh Weiss, vice president of Visual Comfort & Co., interior designer Kimberly Morris, and Kara Perdue, vice president of product management at GE Lighting, for expert insights.