Best Under-Cabinet Lighting (2023 Guide)

In This Review: Our Top Picks | Buying Guide | Lighting Safety Tips | FAQ | Our Methodology

Under-cabinet lighting serves two primary purposes—creating a unique ambiance and illuminating your countertop.

To help you upgrade your bathroom, office, or kitchen cabinets, our team researched and reviewed the best under-cabinet lighting options on the market today. Here are our top recommendations.

Top 5 Under-Cabinet Lighting Kits

• Best Overall: Litever Under-Cabinet Lighting Kit
• Best LED Strip Lights: WOBANE Under-Cabinet Lighting Kit
• Best Battery-Powered Lights: Brilliant Evolution Under-Cabinet Lights
• Best Rechargeable Lights: RXWLKJ Portable Under-Cabinet Light
• Best Puck Lights: Cadrim Under-Cabinet Puck Lights

Best Under-Cabinet Lighting Overall

Courtesy Amazon

Litever Under-Cabinet Lighting Kit

• $56.99

Prices taken at time of publishing.

We found that this high-quality lighting kit gives you everything you need to mount and use the six bar lights, including adhesive pads, clips, screws, extension cords, and a dimmer. You can use three pads for a quick and easy setup or employ the included hardware for a more secure and lasting installation.

• $56.99 AT AMAZON

Pros and Cons

✔ Includes a dimmer to adjust the brightness between 0% and 100%
✔ Offers two installation options: plug-in or hardwired
✔ Comes with extension cords to reach far-away outlets

✘ Hardwiring requires a certified electrician
✘ Not compatible with pre-existing dimmer switches

What Customers Are Saying

We learned that customers who enjoyed their purchase said the lights were easy to install and provided bright illumination. However, our research also revealed several negative reviews, which raised longevity concerns and indicated that the lights burned out after several years of use.

Best LED Strip Lights

Courtesy Amazon

WOBANE Under-Cabinet Lighting Kit

• $20.99

Prices taken at time of publishing.

We like that you can arrange this low-profile lighting system in a line, rectangle, or zigzag pattern. Once you decide on a layout, you can remove the backing to reveal a sticky surface. Place and press the tape lights in your desired location, join the connectors, then plug the strip into the nearest outlet and adjust the brightness to fit any mood or task at hand.

• $20.99 AT AMAZON

Pros and Cons

✔ Kit includes four 20-inch strips with a combined length of 6.6 feet
✔ Adheres quickly to most surfaces with the included mounting strips
✔ Also affixes to furniture, TVs, ceilings, and other areas where you want subtle lighting

✘ Electric power source limits the installation location
✘ Does not come with a remote control

What Customers Are Saying

Our research revealed that satisfied customers praised this kit’s energy efficiency, brightness, and ease of installation. Many customers agreed that the lights were a fun way to add a subtle glow to their space. On the other hand, we noted that some users were disappointed that they weren’t dimmable.

Best Battery-Powered Under-Cabinet Lights

Courtesy Amazon

Brilliant Evolution Under-Cabinet Lights

• $34.98

Prices taken at time of publishing.

You can place all six puck lights in one space, pepper them down the hallway, use one or two as task lighting, or illuminate dim closets and nooks. Each puck runs on three AA alkaline batteries, which the manufacturer provides. We found that the batteries last 100 hours at full brightness or longer on dimmer settings.

• $34.98 AT AMAZON

Pros and Cons

✔ Included remotes to control brightness and timer settings
✔ Runs for up to 100 hours at 100% brightness before needing new batteries
✔ Features low-profile design, as the frame is only 1.25 inches thick

✘ Each puck runs off three AA batteries
✘ Only gives off 55 lumens per light

What Customers Are Saying

Our team found that happy customers thought these lights were easy to install and use. They also liked the lights’ hue and long-lasting battery life. However, we also found that a few customers were unsatisfied with their purchase because the lights occasionally turned on randomly.

Best Rechargeable Under-Cabinet Lights

Courtesy Amazon

RXWLKJ Portable Under-Cabinet Light

• $32.56

Prices taken at time of publishing.

These rechargeable battery-operated lights retain an impressive charge thanks to built-in motion sensors. The light turns on when it senses movement within 10 feet and turns off after 20 seconds of no movement. This provides you with just enough light to get by at night when walking through your kitchen cabinet for a snack.

• $32.56 AT AMAZON

Pros and Cons

✔ Features on, off, and motion-sensing modes
✔ Shuts off after 20 seconds of no movement to save energy
✔ Detects movement at a wide 120-degree angle

✘ Recharging takes several hours
✘ Not compatible with screw-in installation installation

What Customers Are Saying

Most customer reviews we encountered expressed satisfaction with the rechargeable light bars and indicated that the lights were easy to install, bright, and long-lasting. On the other hand, a minority of buyers felt like the motion sensor wasn’t sensitive enough, as the light didn’t always turn on when they stepped within 10 feet of it.

Best Puck Lights

Courtesy Amazon

Cadrim Under-Cabinet Puck Lights

• $17.68

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This set of six battery-operated LED puck lights includes two remote controls and mounting tape. We were impressed that users can manually adjust their under-cabinet puck lights by touching the base of each light’s frame. The included slimline remotes control four auto-timer modes and 10 brightness levels.

• $17.68 AT AMAZON

Pros and Cons

✔ Adjust brightness levels manually or via remote control
✔ Includes 10-, 30-, 60-, and 120-minute timers
✔ Features easy-release mechanism for convenient battery replacement

✘ Remote control only handles four brightness levels
✘ Each puck runs off three AAA batteries

What Customers Are Saying

Our team noted that customers liked how this pack of lights came with two remote controls instead of one or none. Although customers found the adhesive installation process quick and straightforward, some said the included tape strips failed to secure the lights in place.

Under-Cabinet Lighting Buying Guide

Before you invest in under-cabinet lighting, it’s important to consider how each model’s specifications impact user experience. To make an informed purchase, we recommend considering the following factors.

Types of Under-Cabinet Lights

There are various types of under-cabinet lighting, with the most popular types of lighting being pucks, light bars, and strips:

• A puck light features a compact circular form factor closely resembling a hockey puck.
• The light bar design features a long, rectangular form factor and is the most common style on the market.
• LED strip lights are highly flexible and customizable to suit a wide range of tastes and settings.

Control Mechanisms

If you want to sync your under-cabinet lights with the rest of your kitchen lighting, look for a model that works with a wall switch.

You can also find lights with remote controls and integrated motion sensors.

Lighting Color and Tone

LED under-cabinet lighting can be found in various colors. While yellow and white lights are the most common, you can also purchase blue, green, red, and color combinations like white and blue.

You can also adjust the color temperature to adjust the ambiance of your kitchen or workspace.

Power Sources

In general, under-cabinet lights draw power from electrical cords or batteries.

Battery-powered models offer simple, versatile installation. Although most of these lights use disposable alkaline batteries, some models have rechargeable batteries. Electric-powered lights have limited mobility because they rely on a nearby outlet. However, they don’t need battery recharges or replacements.

Voltage and Brightness

Most under-cabinet lighting has either line voltage (120 volts) or low voltage (12 volts or 24 volts). Low voltage allows you to operate smaller lights and gives off less heat.

The brightness level of under-cabinet lights is typically measured in lumens. Light fixtures that produce at least 250 lumens per foot should provide ample light.

Lighting Brands

Some of the most trusted brands for under-cabinet and accent lights include:

• Brilliant Evolution
• Cadrim
• DAYBETTER
• GE
• Govee
• Litever
• Phillips
• Ultra Pro
• WOBANE

Safety Tips for Using Under-Cabinet Lighting

Under-cabinet lighting is a great option for saving space and adding ambiance to your home. However, our team found that there are some important safety tips you should consider when using and installing under-cabinet lights, such as:

• Check for Certification: When purchasing under cabinet lighting, look for products listed as ready for end-user use by recognized safety organizations, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL). These qualifications ensure that the lights have been tested and meet specific safety standards.
• Follow Installation Instructions Carefully: Read and follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully, as improper installation can pose safety hazards. If you’re unsure about how to install the lighting properly, consider hiring a professional electrician to do it for you.
• Turn Off Power Before Installation: Before installing or performing any maintenance on under-cabinet lights, always turn off the power supply at the circuit breaker. This will help prevent electrical shock.
• Avoid Overloading Outlets: Under-cabinet lighting should be plugged into outlets or circuits that can properly handle the load. Avoid overloading outlets by plugging in multiple appliances or lights at once. If you’re unsure, consult an electrician to make sure the load can be handled.
• Use Outdoor-Rated Lighting for Wet Areas: If you’re installing under-cabinet lighting in areas prone to moisture, such as the kitchen sink or bathroom, make sure to use lighting fixtures that are specifically rated for wet locations to help prevent electrical hazards.
• Keep Flammable Materials Away: Avoid placing flammable materials, such as curtains, paper, or plastic, in close proximity to the under-cabinet lights. Maintaining a safe distance from these materials will help reduce the risk of something catching fire.

Under-Cabinet Lighting FAQ

How do I hide the wires from my under-cabinet lights?

The best way to hide a power cord is to pin it to the underside of your cabinet using a cable protector.

Where should I install my under-cabinet lighting?

In most cases, very little time and effort are required to install under-cabinet lighting. It may be worth measuring and marking the mounting locations for your lights so that they are spaced out evenly. This ensures that a consistent amount of light reaches every area of your counter.

Can I leave LED strip lights on at night?

Yes. LED light strips use little power and produce little heat, so you can use them as night lights in case you get up in the middle of the night to get a snack or use the bathroom.

How We Selected the Best Lights

To provide our readers with the best lighting recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of under-cabinet lights with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why You Can Trust Us

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.

Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home improvement space, from ceiling fans and floor coating to doorbell cameras and garage door openers.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

Questions or Comments?

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.

Reposted by KVCore

Article Link: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/lighting/23220459/best-under-cabinet-lighting