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Oct 31, 2024

The 9 Best Under-Cabinet Lighting Options, Reviewed by BHG

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Instantly brighten your countertop workspaces and set an ambient mood with these

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

Instantly brighten your countertop workspaces and set an ambient mood with these picks.

Adria Valdes Greenhauff has written for numerous publications including Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, Southern Living, and Allrecipes.

In This Article

Better Homes & Gardens / Eric Brockob

You don’t need to rely on your existing kitchen lighting to ensure optimal visibility. Under cabinet lighting is a great way to shine the spotlight on your cooking surfaces and can be installed right onto existing cabinetry just as easily as it can be hardwired into cabinetry renovations.

Tim Vislay, vice president of showroom sales at Legrand, says, “[Under-cabinet lighting] gives you light directly on the work surfaces as you prepare meals and eliminates shadows that can be created by your overhead lighting.”

There are myriad options available—built-in, strip, puck, and battery-powered, among others. To save you time and effort, we’ve put together a list of the best under-cabinet lighting you can buy.

To narrow down our selections, we took into consideration installation, power source, light type, and special features. We also tested two of our favorite picks at home.

Our top pick comes on a roll-like tape for bending into whatever shape you need.

The power box is very large and heavy, making it difficult to conceal.

During testing, we found that the Commercial Electric LED Tunable White Tape Light Kit had the most practical dimming settings, ranging from cozy and soft to surprisingly bright that is perfect for cooking or cleaning. It comes with a remote control, making it easy to adjust the settings.

The all-in-one LED light is ready to go out of the box. It’s a tape-like roll backed with 3M-brand adhesive, which can be stuck to almost any surface for immovable hold. Cut the tape to size, and use connectors (sold separately) to bridge gaps and make turns. Once the lights are installed, they have a 36,000-hour lifespan.

They emit soft white light at 3000 Kelvins, while using a mere 36 watts of electricity. You can control the lights with a remote, tuning them dimmer or brighter with ease. We were highly impressed with the temperature and brightness settings.

The light adds a high-end look to cabinets that we felt would be right at home in a modern kitchen. Our main complaint was the power block, which is large and heavy and difficult to conceal. This wouldn't be an issue if you had it hardwired, though.

We found the installation a touch cumbersome compared to other styles, but it's standard for a highly customizable tape light. Plug it into a regular household outlet or have an electrician hardwire it to a switch.

Product Details: Wattage: 36 | Lumens: 2950 | Color: White | Power Source: Hardwired | Light Type: Tape

The light is super bright with a run time of over 100 hours.

The adhesive pulled paint and finishings off our cabinet.

If you’re looking for the best option for a small kitchen, consider the battery-operated Brilliant Evolution Wireless Ultra Thin LED Light Bar. Priced at under $20, the light is super bright and long-lasting, emitting a warm, white glow that’s perfect for brightening areas like your sink or stovetop.

The LED bar light operates on three AA batteries (not included) and has a run time of over 100 hours. Turn your lights on and off by simply tapping the lens. You can also use the included remote control for added convenience. Installation is easy with adhesive tape or screws (both included).

It took less than 5 minutes to set up with the adhesive tape, which is incredibly sticky (we weren't able to make minor adjustments once we laid the tape down). We like that it doesn't have any cords to clutter up the space, though we noticed the lights dimmed significantly as the batteries drained.

Another note about that sticky adhesive—thought it claims to be furniture-safe, we noticed that it peeled the paint and finish off the bottom of our cabinets when we removed it. This is important to keep in mind if you'd like to use the adhesive, especially if you're a renter.

These aren’t the longest lighting strips, measuring 8.5 inches long; you might need a few of them to illuminate your entire countertop. We did notice that the light could dislodge from the adhered back if you pressed it a certain way. This only happened once or twice—after you get the hang of where to push it’s easy to use.

Product Details: Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 2 x 0.9 inches | Wattage: 1W | Lumens: 65 | Color: Warm white (3000K)

This Philips light strip shines either white or colored light wherever you put it, with preset options that cater to your mood.

To add to the light strip, you need to purchase extensions from the same brand and the same model.

The Philips Hue Bluetooth Smart Lightstrip is flexible like a hose, so it can snake around corners or into various shapes—whatever you need to illuminate your kitchen countertops, highlight a bar, or showcase the contents of glass-front cabinets.

Once you have it where you want it, you can control the lights with your voice. The strip is Bluetooth-enabled; connect it to the Philips Hue app on your phone or tablet, or with a voice or smart home assistant, such as Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Homekit.

The lighting possibilities are vast—white light and a rainbow of colored options like red and violet. Both types are completely dimmable, so they can be low and moody or bright and cheery. Customize the settings to exactly what color and brightness you want, or use presets, such as Read, Relax, Concentrate, or Energize.

The base kit comes with an 80-inch light strip, power adapter, and connector box (which reattaches cut pieces). To lengthen this strip up to 32 feet, you’ll need to buy 40-inch extensions and connect them to the main strip.

Note that the connector box is compatible only with this model, so you need to buy coordinating extensions to add to the light strip. And it’s suitable for indoor applications only.

Product Details: Product Dimensions: 80 inches; can be lengthened with extensions up to 32 feet | Wattage: 10 watts | Lumens: 1600 | Color: Warm white (2700K) and multicolor

These lights don’t require plugging into an outlet, and they have no visible cords.

The installation is more extensive than other options on our list, so it may not be the best option if you aren’t DIY-savvy. We recommend hiring a pro.

Hardwiring under-cabinet lighting is more complicated than installing other plug-and-play options. However, the result—no visible cords or power adapters using up your wall outlets—lends to a clean look that’s desirable in a kitchen.

The UltraPro 48-Inch Direct Wire LED Light Fixture offers a high-powered diffused LED light source with three color options: 2700K (soft), 3000K (bright), and 5000K (daylight). Whether it's a warm white light for ambiance or a cooler daylight look for functionality, you can customize your space to fit your needs and aesthetic.

We also like the sleek, non-bulky design, which fits well with most kitchen cabinets. Included is all the hardware needed for installation, including a direct wire for easy operation from a wall switch. Strain relief screws also help streamline the direct-wire process and keep your wiring setup safe and secure.

Keep in mind that these lights may be difficult to install if you’re not familiar with DIY wiring. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure proper and safe installation.

Product Details: Product Dimensions: ‎48.82 x 3.15 x 1.5 inches | Wattage: 20.6W | Lumens: 1585 | Color: Three setting options: 2700K, 3000K, and 5000K

Magnet strips make installing these lights a breeze.

A full charge can take about two hours.

Battery-operated lighting is convenient until you find yourself out of replacement batteries. With the rechargeable Szokled 20 LED Under Cabinet Lighting, you’ll save time, money, and the stress that comes with constantly remembering to buy batteries.

This pack includes four lights that are as simple and convenient as they come—each light is made up of 10 pure white LEDs with 100 lumens and 10 warm LEDs with 100 lumens, creating an ideal layer of color. The lights are easy to operate via the included remote with an on/off switch, dimming option, timer, and color change mode.

Turn on your entire set of lights using “auto” mode, or choose from three different color options –3000K, 4500K, or 6000K. You can also navigate through 10 levels of brightness, from 10% to 100%. Preserve battery life by using the timer function.

Automatic shut-off is available after 15, 30, or 60 minutes. Keep in mind that lights will turn off after 90 minutes if there is no timer setting selected.

We also love the included magnetic strip that makes these lights extremely easy to install—no hammers, drills, or screws are needed. These lights require four lithium-ion batteries (included) and take about two hours to fully recharge. The batteries can power the lights at 100% brightness for eight to nine hours before needing a charging session.

Product Details: Product Dimensions: ‎7.5 x 1.3 x 0.59 inches per light | Wattage: 1.5W | Lumens: 200 per light | Color: Three setting options: 3000K (soft), 4500K (bright), and 6000K (daylight)

These spotlights provide a high-end feel at a very accessible price.

Each individual light takes three AAA batteries.

Sometimes lighting is more about aesthetics than functionality. If you’re looking to add a bit of luxury to your kitchen without investing too much time or money, the Brilliant Evolution Stick-On LED Lights are a great option.

Unlike strip lights, which provide balanced illumination across an area, puck lighting provides more of a spotlight, which can show off specific areas of your counter, including your coffee bar, cookbook or wine collection, vases, and other decor.

Easy to install with heavy-duty adhesive tape or screws (both included), these lights provide long-lasting brightness with a 3000K warm glow. Use the wireless remote to turn the lights on and off, adjust the brightness, and set the timer function—available for 15-, 30-, and 60-minute time intervals.

These lights are also touch-sensitive, which means you can also operate with a slight tap of the lens when you aren’t near the remote control. Keep in mind that each light requires three AAA batteries (included).

Product Details: Product Dimensions: ‎‎3.4 x 3.4 x 1.25 inches per light | Wattage: 5.04W | Lumens: 55 per light | Color: 3000K

These lights give you endless color options to fit any aesthetic.

They come in a roll, making it a challenge to get your strip to lay completely flat.

Bored by the idea of ordinary white lights and looking for a way to create colorful ambient lighting in your home? Then we recommend the TJoy Multicolored LED Strip Lights. Each 25-foot strip (two included) is outfitted with high-quality 5050 LEDs to give you vibrant color and illumination.

The 44-key remote controller comes with 20 preset colors, six DIY color options (mix hues of reds, blues, and yellows to create a custom color setting), and eight levels of brightness. Installation is simple thanks to the cuttable and linkable design that lets you adjust the length of the strip to fit your space.

Just cut along the marked areas to your desired length and link strips via the four-pin connector. The strong, self-adhesive mounting tape makes it easy to attach to any clean, dry surface. Keep in mind it may take a bit of time to get the strip to lay flat since it comes in a roll.

Product Details: Product Dimensions: ‎‎Two 25-foot-long rolls (width and height measurements not listed) | Wattage: Not listed | Lumens: Not listed | Color: 20 preset colors, six DIY color options

The USB plug allows you to connect multiple strips of the lights together on one outlet.

There is an audible buzzing sound on some settings.

Plug-in under-cabinet lighting is a great option if you’re working with a rental where hardwired lighting isn’t feasible. It’s also a decent alternative to battery-operated; you won’t have to worry about swapping out batteries every few weeks, which can offer a more permanent-seeming solution.

The Jusjubr Plug-in Under Cabinet Lighting comes equipped with a very discreet wire that can easily be hidden and plugged into an outlet on your kitchen backsplash. It has an on-off switch so you won’t have to unplug it to turn it off, and a built-in dimmer for adapting to your preferences.

It’s worth noting that the light strip features a USB plug, so you can connect multiple strips of light together and plug them into a single outlet. Keep in mind that some report a humming or buzzing noise when the lights are on certain settings.

Product Details: Wattage: 12 | Lumens: 400 | Color: Cold White | Power Source: Plug-In | Light Type: Strip

In addition to smart home compatibility, the light is motion controlled.

It’s expensive compared to other options, especially for a plug-in.

Under-cabinet lighting can be a major upgrade, and smart lighting like the Black+Decker 4-Cabinet Smart LED Lighting Kit takes it one step further. The set allows you to pair your lights with Amazon Alexa to control your lighting from your phone or with your voice.

This option is also motion-controlled, which is an excellent feature to have in the kitchen when you might have wet hands from cooking or tidying up.

We also really like that this option is dimmable and features three different color settings ranging from warm to cold white. Being able to set the mood when you want to—or opting for the brightest white for cooking and cleaning—is a major bonus.

The only real downside is that it’s a fair bit more expensive than other options on the list, especially considering it’s a plug-in power source and not hardwired. This makes sense due to the smart features, but it’s something to keep in mind.

Product Details: Wattage: 25 | Lumens: 335 | Color: Warm White, White, Cold White | Power Source: Plug-in | Light Type: Tape

We chose the Commercial Electric LED Tunable White Tape Light Kit as the overall best under-cabinet lighting option because of its flexibility, long life span, and the ability to plug it in or hardwire it.

If you prefer a hardwired option, we recommend the UltraPro 48-Inch Direct Wire LED Light Fixture, which allows you to customize the lighting color. It’s also extremely streamlined and low-profile underneath cabinets.

Under-cabinet lights come in a few varieties, typically plug-in, battery-powered, and hardwired. Plug-in and battery-operated lights are DIY-friendly for easy installation and instant gratification. Hardwired lights require a skilled electrician to install, but don’t require much maintenance after that.

Dondi Szombatfalvy, a kitchen, bath, and interior designer with more than 20 years of experience, explains, “[Hard-wired lights] are reliable, strong, and permanent.” On the other hand, plug-ins work well if “you live in a rental space and aren’t allowed any permanent changes.”

Puck, strip, tape, and rope lights are common styles. Josh Veselsky, co-founder of Vero Design + Build, elaborates: “Puck lights can offer a more spot-lit or decorative approach to under cabinet lighting, for example, if your goal is to showcase an object or highlight a design feature like custom millwork or beautiful backsplash tile.”

On the other hand, he adds, “Strip lighting offers more diffused, even light. It can also be hidden more easily, depending on the style of your cabinetry.”

Light temperature should also be one of the main considerations. One way to figure this out is with kelvins. “For example, 1900 kelvins is going to give you something similar to candlelight, warm and orange-reddish in color. Whereas 10,000 kelvins will be blue-ish, extremely bright and cool,” Veselsky says.

Wattage is another aspect to think about. “If we only need this lighting as an accent, then we can use a lower wattage of 1.5-3 watt per foot,” Veselsky explains. “But if this is a task light or needs to illuminate a larger area, then a 4+ watt per foot may be needed.”

Under-cabinet lighting can add depth, dimension, and visual interest to a variety of spaces, or highlight architectural features like a tray or coved ceiling. They can also reduce the problem of shadows interfering with your working spaces, making food preparation safer.

Some lights come equipped with motion sensors, dimming capabilities, color options, and smartphone compatibility for better accessibility, and the ability to create ambient light or control the settings from the couch or even outside the home.

“And if you want to protect the environment, switch to timers, as they are highly energy-efficient,” Szombatfalvy says.

“A homeowner can easily learn how to install under-cabinet lighting,” says Nate Johnson, a real estate investment expert at NeighborWho. “With proper planning, this is a relatively easy DIY project that shouldn't take too long to complete.”

The most convenient way to install LED under cabinet lighting, Johnson says, is to hardwire it to a wall switch. This will allow you to control them without having to run wires and plugs throughout your space. If you are unsure how to proceed, Johnson recommends talking to an electrician first.

“A good electrician can help you with your electrical concerns,” he says. “In addition, local industry professionals can make sure you are complying with all the required codes related to your city, county, and state.”

While hardwired LED lighting might be the most convenient, peel-and-stick LED tape might be the easiest. “These either come battery-operated or [are] plugged in directly to a wall outlet. What’s amazing is you can outfit all of your cabinets in under 20 minutes and for under $50," Johnson says.

Some of these light strips even come with smart assistants and smartphone integrations, allowing consumers to control them via voice or phone command. Other LED stick-and-go options boast motion sensor capabilities, turning on only when movement is detected to save on battery life too.

The most convenient way to install under cabinet lighting, according to Johnson, is hardwiring it to a wall switch. This will allow you to dim or control the lights without having to run wires and plugs throughout your space.

If you are unsure how to proceed, Johnson recommends talking to an electrician. “In addition, local industry professionals can make sure you are complying with all the required codes related to your city, county, and state,” Johnson says.

While hardwired lighting might be the most convenient, peel-and-stick tape is the easiest. According to Johnson, “These either come battery-operated or [are] plugged in directly to a wall outlet. What’s amazing is you can outfit all of your cabinets in under 20 minutes and for under $50.”

Most experts agree that the best option for under-cabinet lighting is LED. LED strip lights have a great color rendering index, also known as CRI, meaning they can reveal the actual color of objects compared to other lighting sources.

LEDs also consume 75% less energy and last up to four times longer than fluorescent lights, or up to 40 times longer than the average incandescent bulb.

When we talk about warm vs. cool light, we mean color temperature, which is measured in Kelvins. The higher the Kelvin rating (which is abbreviated K) the whiter—cooler and bluer—the light will be; the lower the Kelvin rating, the warmer and yellower the light.

Household lighting ranges from about 2700K to 3500K, on the warm end of the spectrum. In addition to a Kelvin rating, lighting manufacturers often use terms like warm white (equivalent to about 2700K), soft white (3000K), neutral white (3500K), and bright white (4000K).

“If you want a warm, cozy feel, then you want to look for something under 3,000K,” says Shannon Eddings, an interior designer in Austin, Texas. “If you want a brighter, cooler, more ‘daylight’ feel, then look for something in the 4000–5000K range."

"I love a lower-Kelvin, warmer light output personally for mood, but I also appreciate something brighter for function, especially chopping food," Eddings adds. Get the best of both worlds by opting for warmer ambient light in overhead fixtures and cooler task lighting under cabinets and over the sink.

Lumens measure of how much light a bulb or fixture emits. More lumens translate to brighter light; fewer lumens mean it’s a dimmer light. “If you want under-cabinet lighting that is bright—for things like food prep and cooking—then you will want to find something with high lumens,” Eddings says.

Between 3000 and 4000K is ideal for the best under-cabinet lighting in a kitchen, but you can go higher or lower depending on your kitchen’s size and how much other lighting, both natural and artificial, is available.

This article on the best under-cabinet lighting was written by Adria Greenhauff, who has been writing about food and lifestyle topics for over a decade, Sarah Halverson, who has more than 25 years of experience writing about home and kitchen design, and Kaitlyn McInnis, a freelance contributor.