Best Under Cabinet Lighting Picks for Your Home

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If you’re thinking of ways to make your kitchen more efficient, consider installing the best under cabinet lighting. Not only are they great for illuminating kitchen prep, but they could also cut electricity bill costs. With this, we made this complete guide about the types of under cabinet lighting and the best options in the market to make your kitchen well-lit and functional.

Why Should You Buy the Best Under Cabinet Lighting

Good lighting makes a huge difference to every corner of your house. Since the kitchen primarily holds the place for food preparation, storage, and seating, it needs increased visibility with appropriate lighting. Yet sometimes, ceiling lights don’t give the desired amount of illumination we need for a specific task.

This is why you need the best under cabinet lighting. It’s an efficient way to use light since it’s only focused on giving illumination in places you work on. From its name, you place it underneath cabinets to make full use of your counter space. It also reduces the overall electricity consumption since you won’t have to turn on every light to get a glass of water. They’re pretty easy to install and more non-invasive than pendants and other bulb counterparts.

Besides, poor lighting can contribute to several safety and health problems. Take chopping as an example. Some recipes require precise cuts of produce so you can cook them properly and make the dish palatable to the eyes. Also, the kitchen houses most of the appliances and tools that can cause injuries like burns, cuts, and more, which is something to be concerned about.

Aside from risk factors, proper kitchen lighting can also affect the mood and tone of your guests and interiors. It gives the kitchen character and a sense of openness as you situate yourself in a bright, well-lit room. Under cabinet lighting is also considered decorative light as it accentuates specific spaces of your home.

Types of Under Cabinet Lighting

Light Bars

Bar lights are the best for your kitchen if you want uniform, bright lighting in your counter space. A bar light is a long tube of light that comes in various lengths. Some models are linkable, so you can connect multiple bar light fixtures to achieve the desired lighting with a single remote, switch, or dimmer. Out of all the types, light bars are considered the most professional-looking in any kitchen setting and produce little to no heat. Hence, they’re more comfortable to work under.

Puck Lights

Puck lights got their name from hockey pucks due to their similar appearance. They’re round, easy to install, and a stylish way to build illumination and drama to your counter space. Aside from that, they’re available in varying styles and colors for that added customization. One thing to note about installing such light fixtures is they should have even spaces for a uniform and clean look. Overall, they’re the perfect DIY solution if you’re looking for battery-operated under cabinet lights.

Tape Lights

Easier to conceal because of their shallow profiles, tape lights are great for creating a cozy ambiance without any bulking bulbs and hardware. Out of all the types, they’re the most energy-efficient and durable option of lighting. Not to mention that they’re quite a breeze to install because they are flexible, bendable, and offer a highly uniform layer of illumination.

However, you would need a licensed electrician when installing tape lights for hardwiring and cutting. But if you want a quick DIY project, you can buy them as plug-ins under cabinet lighting as they come with clips and adhesives for easy installation.

Things to Consider When Buying the Best Under Cabinet Lighting

Power Source

If you’re looking for the best kitchen under cabinet lighting, you must first consider the power source. Most under cabinet lighting come in three installation options: hardwired, plug-in, and wireless. Hardwired offers a faster and more reliable light source since they’re connected to your household wiring. Yet, they have a costly installation since you need a professional to do the job.

On the other hand, a plug-in is less expensive since you can install them all by yourself. Now even though they’re cheaper, plug-ins can look disorganized due to visible and tangled wires when not done skillfully — something you wouldn’t want in a busy kitchen.

Lastly, wireless under cabinet lighting solely relies on battery power. They’re quick to install and remove, making them the perfect option for rental situations. While you can benefit from the absence of wires, batteries can only last you so long. Hence, you need to replace batteries regularly or invest in rechargeable ones to save money.

Types of Light Bulb

The most popular and practical choice of under cabinet lighting is LED. It’s energy-efficient, long-lasting, and has the lowest cost in terms of price and installation. Above all, it generates little to no heat, making LED under cabinet lighting ideal for kitchens where food and appliances are stored.

Aside from LED lights, you can also choose fluorescent bulbs as they produce less heat and are available in various brightness and color temperatures. They’re also energy-efficient and have a relatively low cost. But, not all like the illumination that fluorescent bulbs produce. Some may even describe it as having visual stress, leading to eye discomfort.

There are also halogen or xenon bulbs available in the market. Though they produce very bright light, these bulbs yield a lot of heat. Hence, you might feel uncomfortable working under them when preparing food for extended periods. So when browsing for under cabinet lighting, it’s best to always check the type of light used and avoid such bulbs.

Design and Placement

Design is as important as the amount of illumination you get from under cabinet lighting. They should be discreet and shallow enough to not serve as obstructions in working spaces. As for placement, you should place lights near the middle front edge of your cabinet if you intend it for task lighting. For accent lighting, place lights at the back so they become dispersed when the light bounces to the walls.

Extra Features

The best under cabinet lighting is often equipped with “smart” features that make it more convenient. You can buy models with dimmers to control lights for meal prep or dramatic ambiance. Some lights even have remote controls for when you’re too preoccupied to go near the switch.

Best Under Cabinet Lighting

1. LED Under Cabinet Lighting by NSL

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Manufactured by NSL, this LED under cabinet lighting offers a smooth luminance to your kitchen. What’s best about this is that it has three unique features: dimmable, three-way switching, and an instant-on mechanism. It’s compatible with most ELV dimmers and has two installation options to fit your preferences. Also, it has a low-profile design perfect for mounting under, beside, or inside cabinets.

2. GETINLIGHT 3 Color Levels Dimmable LED Under Cabinet Lighting

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Enhance your working space in the kitchen with this dimmable LED under cabinet lighting from GETINLIGHT. It features three color effects tailored to your needs. Whether for focused intensity, romantic glow, or natural radiance, you can set the perfect ambiance to suit the kitchen activity. Best of all, it’s easy to install and is available in seven lengths to match any cabinet layout.

Read more: Under-Cabinet Kitchen Lighting to Brighten Your Workspace

3. Motion Sensor Led Under Cabinet Lighting

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The best LED under cabinet lighting is in your hands when you purchase this one from PRIORARE. Equipped with a motion sensor option, this under cabinet lighting can detect movements within 10 feet day and night. It also has invisible lamp beads that produce a soft and comfortable light for your family. Though it would only last one to two months, this light is rechargeable and magnetic so that you can pop it back into its place in no time.

4. SZOKLED Under Cabinet Lighting

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No need for tools and extra screws when you have the SZOKLED under cabinet lighting. Since it’s wireless and rechargeable, you can adjust to its three color modes using a remote control. Besides, the remote has more than one functionality; you can use it for dimming and set timers to turn it off automatically. It’s also one of the best wireless under cabinet kitchen lighting on this list because it saves you electricity by shutting off after 90 minutes of use.

5. HOLKPOILOT Puck Lights with Remote Control

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If a spotlight with luminous efficacy is what you want for your countertops, the puck lights like this from HOLKPOILOT are your best bet. It has a remote so you can easily change the color, brightness, and timer at a distance. But if you ever lose the remote, don’t worry because you can manually switch it on and off with a gentle press.

6. EZVALO Under Cabinet Lights Closet Lights

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Light up dark corners and spaces in your kitchen with the EZVALO under cabinet lights from Amazon. Like most items on this list, it has an auto-mode that can last for up to two months. Plus, you don’t need to worry about available outlets since this lighting is battery-powered, and its detachable design makes recharging convenient. Since there are no visible and tangled wires, the installation becomes quick and effortless.

Read more: DIY Guide: Installing Under-Cabinet Lighting In Your Kitchen

7. WOBANE Under Cabinet Lighting

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Obtaining the best under cabinet lighting would likely do the trick whenever you need a boost of visibility or auxiliary lighting. This lighting from WOBANE is a great candidate as it offers intensive illumination and extendable connectors for a seamless junction. Plus, you can control it with its remote that works up to 60 feet away. You can even install this in places that need dramatic lighting like your showcase, bookshelf, bed, and even behind the TV.

8. 10 PCS LED Strip Lighting for Kitchen

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Looking for the perfect under cabinet lighting you can DIY on a whim? This LED strip lighting from JIELINWEE is flexible, cuttable, and versatile in any given setting. Aside from granting you creative freedom during installation, this light illuminates brightly and removes shadows so you can see everything in plain sight.

9. TORCHSTAR LED Under Cabinet Task Lighting

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Most household accidents happen in your kitchen space, and the risks heighten when you don’t have appropriate lighting. This is why you should invest in the best under cabinet lighting like this from TORCHSTAR. It’s safer than incandescent lamps and has in-line connectors to connect up to 37 pieces together for a continuous and luminous light effect.

10. UYICOO Wireless Color Changing Dimmable Under Cabinet Lighting

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If you like holding mini-parties in your kitchen or dining room, then the UYICOO color-changing light has your back. Made of high-quality ABS plastic, it’s relatively lighter than aluminum and easier to install with just the use of double-sided tape. For convenience, you can control these lights by pressing on each puck or via remote control. With 16 changing colors, you know you and your guests are up for some fun while dining.

Read also: 12 Best Under-Cabinet Range Hood for 2024

11. EverBrite Under Cabinet Lighting

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Gone are the days when you have to turn every light on just to get water in the middle of the night. EverBrite’s wireless motion sensor mechanism automatically turns on when it detects movement and shuts off after 20 seconds of no motion. More so, it provides uniform illumination that minimizes glare and visual fatigue — perfect for both day and night use.

12. MY BEAUTY LIGHT White LED Strip Lights

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LED strip lights have taken the world by storm for evident reasons. One, they give you ultra-bright, adequate lighting than other bulb types. Two, they generate little to no heat. Last, they are energy-efficient. This makes it perfect for hours of usage. They can also serve as decorative lighting for your mirror, wardrobe cabinet, and cloakroom.

13. 30-LED Motion Sensor Cabinet Light

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Make your kitchen and home safer and brighter with this 30-LED motion sensor cabinet light from LEPOTEC. It has a built-in 1000 mAh battery that you can cyclically recharge and a wireless motion sensor to get rid of messy wires on your kitchen countertops. Also, it’s easy to install and remove, thanks to the magnetic metal strip that you can stick on any surface with a strong adhesive or double-sided tape.

Countertops double as workstations, so they should be adequately lit during cooking and meal prep. This is why having the best under cabinet lighting is an excellent investment for added visibility and safety. Besides, lighting can completely transform the atmosphere in the kitchen, so adding one or two might just be a bright idea for your next dinner party.

If you want to renovate your kitchen space into something elegant and vintage-looking, try these English kitchen ideas. This setup can remind you, or at least let you experience, what it’s like to live in the countryside in the most sophisticated way.