Best Under Cabinet Lighting
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Nothing illuminates a kitchen work-space better than under-cabinet lighting. They can also be used to add ambiance to the kitchen making it more livable and fun to work in.
If you are looking to add accents and glamour to your kitchen, under-cabinet lighting is a good place to start. The following under-cabinet lights are some of the best you can choose to deliver ambiance and class to your kitchen.
The 6 Best Under-Cabinet Lighting
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#Budget Pick
- LEDs with 55 lumens which are super bright giving optimal illumination in the kitchen.
- 3000k CCT lights that give a warm white glow.
- The LEDs are long-lasting and won't need to be replaced.
- A dimmer which allows you to select the level of brightness you are comfortable with.
- An auto-off timer that you can set to switch the lights off automatically in 15, 30, 60 or 120 minutes.
- The battery run-time of 100 hours when the lights are set at 100% brightness.
- A wireless remote you can use to conveniently turn ON/OFF the lights.
- These lights produce a warm white grow which not only illuminates your kitchen but also avoids glare.
- The remote is a very convenient tool which you can use to turn the lights ON/OFF even when you are in another room.
- You can also use the optional timer to switch the lights off when you are done from the kitchen.
- With 100 hours battery run-time, these lights are energy efficient and cheap to maintain and operate.
These puck lights are designed to blend in with your kitchen décor while producing a warm white glow. They are easy to maintain and can be conveniently operated using a remote control or timer.
Moreover, the LEDs never have to be replaced so you don’t have to worry about the replacement costs if you choose to go with these lights. They are also easy to install.
#Our Pick
- A perfect lightweight design that allows it to be mounted anywhere.
- A sensor touch that turns the lights on and off with a simple touch eliminates fumbling around to look for buttons.
- Bright and long-lasting LEDs that don't need to be replaced.
- A choice of several lengths and 2 color temperatures depending on the effects you want in your kitchen.
- Two lighting modes to choose from.
- A slick silver chrome design that matches with kitchen décor flawlessly.
- A sensor touch makes it very convenient to use as you simply tap to switch it on and off.
- These lights are customizable to fit your desired needs and therefore create a perfect illumination for your kitchen.
- They are easy to mount and do not require a professional electrician to do the job for you.
- They are easy and cheap to maintain as you will never need to replace the LEDs.
This strip lights are an excellent choice when you want reliable and stable performance from your under-cabinet lighting. What we like most about these lights is that they are customizable to meet your lighting needs.
Moreover, you have the option of going for the warm glow or the neutral glow depending on your personal preference and style. The sensor-touch also makes them easy and convenient to operate.
#Blinking mode
- A linkable design that allows you to connect these lights one by one for simple and easy management. This also allows for extension in case you need to add more lights later.
- A 2-way installation; these lights can be hardwired or a simple wall plug installation works as well.
- With a low profile design, this flat pluck light will be almost invisible when installed under the cabinets until you turn them on.
- They are dimmable from 0% brightness to 100% brightness and also feature a blinking mode you can use for special occasions.
- Can be conveniently controlled using a wireless remote control.
- Their linkable design makes them easy to install as many as possible and manage them through a single outlet.
- Their low profile design allows you to install them virtually anywhere as they are unobtrusive.
- You can dim these lights or switch to a blinking mode to create special effects or during special occasions thereby helping create the right ambiance.
- You can conveniently control and manage these lights using a wireless remote.
These linkable puck lights are an exciting choice if you like a multi-purpose use lights for your kitchen. Their cool features such as blinking and dimming help create ambience especially when you hosting a party or special occasion.
Moreover, they are linkable which allows you to install as many lights as you want with simple wiring. They are also easy to manage and can be controlled conveniently with a remote control.
#energy saver
- It is wave activated; these lights use a sensitive IR sensor to turn ON/OFF the lights. This is not only convenient but helps avoid germs that can build up on remotes and switches.
- Touchless dimming control; all you need to do is hold your hand below the sensor to adjust the brightness of the lights.
- Low energy consumption with 24W rating. The LEDs are also long-lasting and environment-friendly.
- An option of 3000k CCT or 6000k CCT to give your kitchen a homely or professional light.
- Easy and quick to install
- They are energy efficient, economical and environment friendly which is also a good thing for your pocket as you will save money on running and maintenance costs.
- The touchless operation makes them the most hygienic option to use in your kitchen as you avoid build of germs and bacteria as opposed to using a remote control.
- These lights are made with premium and quality materials which are not only long lasting but which will also blend in with your kitchen décor.
These Eshine panel lights are an excellent way to give you kitchen professional look. They are easy to install and very economical to operate and maintain.
Their biggest attraction it the IR sensor which is wave activated to turn the lights ON/OFF. This is a very useful feature especially if you are busy in the kitchen as you don’t have to touch the lights with greasy or dirty hands. This is not only good for your health but will also ensure the lights maintain a pristine look as they will be seldom touched.
#steel housing
- A premium quality steel housing that is not only long but also adds décor to your kitchen.
- They are compatible with an in-wall dimmer and therefore giving you comfortable lighting options at all times.
- 3000k CCT provides a bright white light and you can select the light temperature to warm, cool or daylight.
- The LEDs are long-lasting, cool to touch and provide even light distribution.
- These lights are a direct-wire installation which will give your kitchen a professional look.
- The long-lasting LEDs and premium steel housing make these lights reliable and durable and won't need to be replaced.
- They are energy efficient which will save you money on operating costs.
- Since they are compatible with an in-wall dimmer, you can create special effects during special occasions with these lights on your kitchen.
Although these lights will require a professional installation, these lights are an excellent choice if you want to give your kitchen a modern and long lasting look.
The LEDs don't need to be replaced while the steel housing is sure to last for a lifetime. Moreover, these lights provide even light distribution and can also be dimmable to suit your personal preferences.
#50000 hrs lifespan
- You have 3 color temperatures to choose from; soft white, neutral white and cool white in a single fixture.
- You can set the brightness level to high or low depending on the conditions.
- They can be easily installed in a plug-in installation or be hardwired.
- These lights can be linked up to 500W on a single run to provide ample lighting if your kitchen is big.
- These lights are dimmable and are compatible with most LED wall box dimmers.
- They are long lasting and boast of 50000 hours lifespan.
- Since they are linkable, you can add up as many as you want for up to 500 watts to create your desired level of illumination in your kitchen.
- They are energy efficient and economical to use which will save you money on operating and maintenance costs.
- With 50000 hours lifespan, you won't worry about replacing these lights for a long time.
- They can be used with most LED wall box dimmers to adjust their brightness levels to comfortable levels.
A thin profile is one of the best features we like about these lights. You can install them anywhere unobtrusively to offer perfect illumination for your kitchen.
In addition, these lights are linkable which allows you to control several of them using the primary light. They are also very easy to install and maintain as you don't need to replace the LED lights.
Their 50000 hours lifespan also make them long-lasting and reliable to offer even and excellent lighting for your kitchen.
Best Under Cabinet Lighting - Buying Guide
This guide will well you navigate through the options of under-cabinet lighting that you will love.
Fixture Types
Under-cabinet lighting is available in 4 fixture types as follows:
Puck Lights
Puck lights come in a variety of finishes that blend in with your décor easily. This light can be positioned to face the work surface straightly or direct unto the back splash to create an ambient glow.
If you have glass cabinet fronts or display shelves, then puck lights are the easiest and most appropriate to install for accent lighting. Spacing is an important consideration when you install puck lights.
There should be 1 light for every 8-a2 inches of cabinet space. This helps create even lighting, without scallops or pooling.
Light Strips
Light strips are available in several lengths and can be customized for cabinetry that is irregular. They are also available in low and normal voltages. For even lighting in your kitchen, you need to choose fixtures that match with the cabinet length.
When installing multiple light strips, go for fixtures that are linkable such that the fixtures work off a single outlet. This will allow you to control all the fixtures through the parent fixture.
Tape Lights
This lighting option is ideal when you need to save space. Tiny LED lights are embedded on a flexible tape strip which is then secured to the bottom of the cabinets using a peel-and-stick adhesive.
The tape strips operate from a standard power outlet but linking the light strips including running the wiring can be a tricky affair. You may need to hire a professional to do the installation if your floor plan is not straightforward.
Rope lights
These lights also use LED lights although they feature a larger diameter than tape lights. The LED lights are housed in plastic tubing which is the installed under cabinets or along toe-kicks. Usually, these lights come in 12V, 24V and 120V variants.
It is difficult to gauge the quality and look of the lights from the packaging. Therefore, you need to visit the display to ascertain the light output and color temperature. Moreover, if you need to ensure color continuity in your kitchen, you may need to buy fixtures from a family of products.
Directional under-cabinet lighting will allow you to direct the light source down to the countertop or back to the backsplash. These type of fixtures are usually customized and you may need to talk to a sales associate to help you customize one to fit your installation plans.
Under-Cabinet Lighting Installation
There are 3 installation choices when it comes to under-cabinet lights: hardwire, battery and plug-in. Battery and plug-in lights are easy to install in simple DIY steps and offer instant gratification. On the other hand, you will need the services of a skilled electrician for hardwiring lights.
Bulb Types
The choice of a lamp is responsible for the amount of light you will get from the under-cabinet lighting and also how much energy your fixture will use.
Color Temperature
The color temperature created by the bulb will affect the appearance of countertops, cabinets, and food. Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) which is measured in kelvins determines the type of glow a bulb will produce. 2,700 – 3500k CCT produces a warm glow while 3500 – 5000k CCT produce a cool light. Warm glow lights are ideal for ambient lighting while cooler temperature lights which are brighter are ideal for task lighting.
Lighting Placement
Regardless of the type of light you choose, you should check the fixture’s profile and ensure it disappears in the recess under your upper cabinets. This is important for 2 reasons; it eliminates glare for people seated across the room and it is important for aesthetics.
To avoid glare, affix the lighting fixture to the front of the cabinet and just behind face frame. You can also avoid glare by directing the light to shine towards the backsplash.
Lighting Systems
There are some under-cabinet lighting systems that will let you customize your kitchen experience using add-ons. On top of the lighting, you can ass a docking station, tablet cradles, speakers and additionally hidden outlets to make your workspace more functional.
Some under-cabinet lighting systems let you customize your kitchen experience with add-ons. In addition to lighting, you can add docking stations, speakers, tablet cradles and additionally hidden outlets for a more functional workspace.
However, you need to keep in mind that countertops matter a lot depending on the under-cabinet lighting you choose.
Gloss countertops create a reflection whole matte countertops create smoother lighting schemes. To minimize the reflection on the countertops, you may have to choose light fixtures that have a lens which softens the light output.
