One of the most important lighting features a person can add to their kitchen is under cabinet lighting. This type of light can be used to illuminate a back-splash, provide task lighting for preparing food and can be used as night lights in the evening hours. The best under cabinet lighting is versatile and can create a dramatic effect in a person’s kitchen. This type of lighting comes in a variety of different styles. There are fluorescent, LED and Xenon lights and these lights can be installed as either recessed lighting or as surface mounted lighting. In order to show my readers what’s currently available, I’ve assembled ten of the best under cabinet lighting products. These are models that serve their intended purpose quite well.
10. Brilliant Evolution Wireless LED Puck Light With Remote-6 Pack
This 6-pack of LED light provides some very nice lighting for under cabinet applications. They shine at 55 lumens and give off a warm white glow at a light spectrum of 3000K. They operate on three AA batteries and each one of the will last for approximately one hundred hours. They can be turned on via the wireless remote or the lens of the units can be tapped to power them off. These lights also have a dimmer function which allows them to be dimmed down to approximately 50-percent of their total brightness. And one of the more impressive features found on these units is the optional off time which can be set to turn the lights off anywhere from 15-minutes to 120-minutes.
9. Lightkiwi LED 12-Panel Kit
This 12-panel kit of 6-inch lights is designed to give off a warm white light of 3000K, and that’s a lighting range that improves the appearance of the items underneath it. This means that colors are usually more vivid and stand out when under these lights. The lights in this kit have to be hardwired under the cabinets each has a sturdy aluminum body. This kit meets both ROHS and T24 requirements and is UL-Listed as well. And since this kit is based on a modular system, additional lighting units can be used to expand it. With a lifespan of thirty-five thousand hours, this lighting kit should provide years of light to a person’s kitchen or workshop.
8. GetInLight Dimmable Lighting
This set comes with a 24-inch under cabinet fixture, a six-foot cord and plug, six-inch linking cord and the accessories needed to install it. Available in three different color levels, from a warm white of 2700K to a soft white of 3000K and a bright white of 4000k, there’s a color level for just about anyone. It’s built using integrated LED chips which never need to be replaced and has a three position switch which allows the user to turn the lights off, turn them down fifty percent or turn them on full brightness. Up to 20 separate units can be hooked up to a single power supply.
7. Lightkiwi Dimmable LED 4-Panel Kit
This expandable kit features four panels, each 12-inches long, that produce a nice warm white light at 3000K. With a lifespan of 35,000 hours, and with these lights meeting both T24 and ROHS standards, these lights are designed to be safe, durable and to last a long time. This hardwired set provides 100% flicker-free dimming thanks to this kit’s electric dimmer switch. Each light has a sturdy aluminum body, is UL-Listed and is designed to provide many years of use. And if the user ever wants to expand the kit in the future, it can be expanded with the purchase of additional units.
6. Torchstar Safe Lighting Kit
This lighting kit is composed of six 12-inch linkable light bars, a power adapter, and a motion sensor. It can be used to not only light under kitchen cabinets but can also be used as gun safe lighting, above counters or as a workshop light. Each light bar produces approximately 150-lumens of light and a 5000K daylight color. Whether this kit is used in the kitchen or as showcase lighting, it will provide a nice clear light and has a 30,000-hours lifespan. And its motion detector can detect movement up to 26-feet away. All of which makes this kit used to just about any household.
5. LED Concepts LED T5 Light Bar
With a nice modern design and, this 2-pack of T5 LED lights are an ideal solution for lighting up under cabinet or counter space. Up to 75 light bars can be linked together, with the purchase of additional units and power cords, and this set comes with a power cord that can power both of the lights in this set. Mounting hardware is included with this set, so mounting the lights in this set is fairly simple. Another feature to mention about these lights is since they are made with LEDs, they are cool to the touch and won’t heat up the area in which they’re installed.
4. EShine 6-Panels 12-Inch LED With IR Sensor
This set of lights includes 6-panels that are available in either warm white at 3000K or cool white at 6000k. This makes it ideal for any kitchen in which light is an important factor or to highlight architectural features of the home. They have an IR sensor and are hand wave activated so users can turn them on or off with a simple wave. These lights can be installed either with screws or by using 3M stickers. With an energy consumption of only 24-watts, these lights are also eco-friendly and are inexpensive to use around the home.
3. EShine LED Extra-Long 20-Inch Panel
Equipped with an IR sensor so it can be turned on or off with just a wave of the hand, this unit only lights up when the user wants it to light up. And since it uses a 12-watt power source and is made with LEDs, this unit is not only eco-friendly but saves the household money on electricity as well. With two different installation options available: either mounting it with screws or using 3M stickers to mount it, this kit is as versatile as it is useful. This unit is available in cool white at 6000K or warm white at 3000K. And since this product is made with high-quality parts, it’s designed to last for many years.
2. Litever Lighting Kit-6-Piece 12-Inch Lights
Designed to be used under cabinets, under shelves or in bookcases, this 6-piece light set consists of 12-inch cabinet light strips that produce a 2,000-lumens of light and has a color light of 3,000K. They can be easily installed using 3M self-adhesive pads and have a rotary switch dimmer that allows the user to dim the lights up to 100%. They have a diffused light cover so the user isn’t bombarded by glaring light or the typical LED dots seen in other models. And since this unit is made from quality components, it is UL-Listed and has an estimated lifetime of 30,000 hours.
1. EShine 12-Inch LED Panels-3 Pack
This three pack of 12-inch LED panels have a number of features which makes them great for just about anyone. They have IR sensors that allow them to be turned on or off with a wave of the hand, are available in either warm white (3000K) or cool white (6000K) and only consume 12-watts of electricity. They can be installed with 3M adhesive stickers or with household screws and come with wire clips to help with installation. And since this unit is designed with only the best materials, it should give the user many years of light.
A Guide To Under Cabinet Lighting
Under-cabinet lighting is so convenient, we wonder how anyone survived before it was invented. It not only provides us with the illumination we need for cooking, chopping veggies, doing dishes, and making sandwiches, but it also provides us with a convenient night light for those late-night forays into the kitchen for a midnight snack. So it goes without saying that these lights are a boon to just about any kitchen or pantry they’re used in.
As you looked over our list of the best under cabinet lighting devices, you have probably realized that these devices come in several different styles and with several different features. To help our readers determine which type of under cabinet lighting might be suitable for their needs, we’ve decided to write this guide In it, you’ll find out everything that you’ve ever wanted to know about these lights and how to buy them.
Step One: Choose An Under Cabinet Lighting Style
When it comes to these types of lights, consumers have three different style choices to choose from including Light Bars, Tape Lights, and Puck Lights. Although each of these lights can be used in much the same ways, they all can also be used in very specific ways that allow them to shine—if you’ll excuse our little pun. Let’s take a closer look at them, shall we?
Light Bars
Lightbars are available in sizes from 6-inches all the way to over 49-inches, and they’re the models that look the most professional when they’re properly installed. They can be used individually or linked together to create a nice kitchen lighting ambiance. They can also be linked together as needed by uses cables or lighting connectors, so they can all be connected on the same switch or dimming circuit for convenience.
Tape Lights
Even though tape lights don’t provide the professional look that lightbars provide, they are an affordable and easy-to-install option. They also a good option for people who don’t want to do complex wiring to install under cabinet lighting, or for people who need lighting in smaller spaces. They’re not the best option, but they do a trick in a pinch.
Puck Lights
Puck Lights not only add concentrated counter light, but they also add a bit of dramatic flair to any kitchen. They’re available in two basic models: DIY battery-operated models that are easy to install, and wired models that have to installed by a professional. Either type is good to use, but if you’re going to leave them on a lot, then you might want to avoid the battery-operated models, so you’re not constantly changing batteries.
Step Two: Consider How They’re Powered
The next thing that you need to determine is how you want your lights to be powered. Some models are battery-operated, models that are plugged into an electrical outlet and models that are wired directly into the home’s wiring. Let’s examine each of these different types of under-cabinet lights to determine which one is suitable for your home.
Battery-Operated Lights
These types of lights can be used anywhere because they depend on batteries as their energy source. This allows them to be placed not only over counters but also in pantries, bathrooms and anywhere else they’re needed. The biggest drawback to these types of lights is that they can go through a lot of batteries if they’re left on for long periods, so it’s not a viable option for mood lighting or full-time kitchen use.
Plug-In Lights
These lights are a good balance of convenience and ease of use. Because they are simply plugged into an electrical outlet, they’re easy to install and use. Of course, the main drawback of these types of lights is that they require an outlet to be close to them. If one isn’t close, or it’s being used by other appliances, then this type of lighting can’t be used.
Hardwired Lights
Hardwired lights don’t require batteries or access to an outlet, but they do require access to the home’s electrical wiring. This means that they have to be installed by a professional. However, once the services of a professional electrician have been secured, these lights can be placed virtually anywhere. And since they’re hardwired, they can be hooked up to dimmer switches quite easily.
Step Three: Think About All Your Options
Of course, as far as under cabinet lighting is concerned, we’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg. There are other things to consider before buying these types of lights, some of which we’ve listed below. However, once you’ve decided on the type of light you want and how you want it to be powered, it shouldn’t be that difficult to determine what extra features you want those lights to be equipped with. Below are some of the features that definitely should be considered before you decide on a particular model. That will ensure that you buy the best under-cabinet lighting available.
Features To Consider:
- Remote Control Operation
- Light Intensity Levels
- Mounting Options
- IR Sensors
- Rotary Dimmer Switches
