Under-Cabinet Lighting Is the Easiest Upgrade Your Kitchen Needs

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Adding under-cabinet lighting to your kitchen can be a great way to update your aesthetic, make it easier to navigate a quiet house when you come looking for a midnight snack, and to help make working in the kitchen a little bit easier. But with all of the kitchen lighting products on the market, how do you know which is the best under-cabinet lighting option for your space?

First, you need to ask yourself how you want to power your lights. There are three main options: batteries (rechargeable and standard), electric, and hardwired. The batteries are easier to install, don't require extra outlets, and can be put just about anywhere, whereas the electric options will need to be installed near a plug.

Hardwired picks, on the other hand, can be a bit trickier. Unless you're a skilled DIYer, we recommend hiring an electrician to install this type of lighting, which could increase the overall cost of your project.

That being said, there are plenty of great picks that include a variety of power sources, so you're sure to be able to find one on this list of the 10 best under-cabinet lighting options that fits both your kitchen and your budget!

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LED Rechargeable Battery Bars

When it comes to sustainable options, this two-pack of rechargeable lights from McGor are a hit. They come with adjustable features that include a motion detector, brightness option, and an indicator that lets you know when it's time to recharge them.

And while they will need to be occasionally recharged, reviewers mention those times are few and far between. The motion sensor option means that these won't stay on when nobody's around, which should make them last longer between charges. "Bought one 10 inch pair at first, then a second pair, then a third pair," on reviewer said. "One for an outdoor entry, a doorway, closet, kitchen, etc.. The first pair was charged upon delivery, installed, and I have not had to recharge the first two yet and it’s been over two months. The kitchen one comes on several times a day when needed, and have still not had to recharge."

Our main compliant with these LED light is that we wish they had a screw mount for a more secure attachment. Most kitchen cabinets don't have metal bottoms, meaning that users are reliant upon using the adhesive backing. Most reviewers noted that the backing is strong, though.

Light Type: Light bar | Dimensions: 10"L x 1.4"W x 0.57"H | Power Source: Rechargeable Lithium batteries

Wireless Ultra Thin LED Light Bar

Bargain hunters will love this LED light bar, since it offers all the benefits of under-cabinet lighting without the big price tag. This kit comes with one light bar containing four bulbs that can produce 65 lumens during a 100-hour runtime.

The wireless option can go just about anywhere and be installed using either adhesive tape or screws, both of which are included in the packaging.

"I needed cabinet lighting in a spot with no plugs. These were easy to install, low profile, and give enough light," said one reviewer. "It makes me want to get more! They stick on securely, but not so much that I couldn't wiggle one off when I realized I'd put it on backwards."

The 100-hour battery life is superb. Since these lights are touch-activated, you'll want to be sure you're diligent about turning them on and off regularly. As long as you do, it should be quite some time before you need to replace the batteries.

While this option is touch-activated, making it a good light for small, high-use areas, I'd advise paying a little bit more for the remote-controlled option if you want to cover the entire kitchen in under-cabinet lighting. The ease of just pressing on or off is worth the price instead of tapping each individual light.

Light Type: Light bar | Dimensions: ‎‎2"L x 8.5"W x 0.9"H | Power Source: 3 AA batteries

LED Strip Lights

Want something skinny and low profile that will help keep your lights hidden from view when they're not on? The ultra slim warm white light strips have got you covered.

Although small, these strip lights are definitely mighty. The six-piece strip has a remote control that will allow you to dim the light and set timers from up to 60 feet, and a motion-detection sensor works within a 12-foot range.

"I recently upgraded my kitchen with what I can only describe as the best under-counter lights I've ever encountered, and they have transformed the heart of my home into a well-lit and functional paradise," one reviewer reported. "From the moment I had these lights installed, it was clear that I had made an excellent choice. The design is sleek and unobtrusive, seamlessly blending with my kitchen decor. They provide a warm, inviting illumination that adds a touch of elegance to my space. The quality of these lights is top-notch. They are well-constructed and built to last. The LED bulbs are energy-efficient and have proven to be highly durable."

You can adjust the number of light strips you use to change the feel of your lighting. Because these are low voltage LED strips there's no worry about them getting hot. Use strips individually or build a brighter, more robust lighting network by lining several up together.

Something to think about, though: a common complaint among reviewers of this light set is that many people wish they came in shorter lengths for cabinets that are more unusual shapes and sizes.

Light Type: LED strip | Dimensions: ‎8D x 4W x 8H cm | Power Source: Electric

LED Puck Lights

With three different instillation options — including the ability for a surface mount, a buried wire surface mount, and a recessed mount — these LED puck lights can do it all.

Available in white or bronze, this three-pack is set to blend in beautifully with a variety of different cabinet colors. They also come with a dimmer with three different brightness options for the 2 watt soft white LED bulbs.

Just make sure you have extra outlet space for this pick, because there's no battery option, but the pucks can be added together to minimize the number of plugs you'll need to run them.

"I'm a professional electrician, and here's my take...I bought this set of puck lights to replace some 20 watt halogen pucks in a Butler's pantry," one reviewer said. "The 3000k is a perfect match to the halogen, and the 2 watt LED is a great replacement for 20 watt halogen... I like the Plug and Play feature, which means there are Factory connectors on all the wires and a bridge to plug them all into. No connections to have to make with wire nuts or crimpers or anything like that. The Transformer plugs into a receptacle, which in my case was located right above the cabinet."

Light Type: Puck light | Dimensions: 2 3/4"W x 2 3/4""D x 3/5"H,. 2 1/2" cutout | Power Source: Electric

Remote Control LED Lights

Want to control your cabinet lights from across the room? Check out this four-pack. The LED lights are wireless, and come with plenty of different options, including the ability to dim, set timers, adjust from warm white to cool white, all while being easy to install!

"They can be dimmed or changed from a white light to a more subtle warm tone light," one reviewer mentioned. "The remote works flawlessly and controls all the lights at once. The lights are solid and have an on/off button on the light if you choose not to use the remote, but as far as I can tell the remote offers many more lighting options than the power button on the light itself."

The magnetic strip installation is similar to a normal adhesive, but it's far easier to remove the lights when it comes times to replace the batteries.

While this set doesn't have motion detection, the timer feature is a close second in my book, and some users might even prefer it. The functional feature also helps to conserve battery life.

But, I do think that the timer feature could use a little improvement. It would be ideal if users could set the lights to run during a certain time period, like dusk to dawn.

This review is specific to the battery-powered non-motion detecting option, however the brand also offers both a rechargeable and motion-sensing options, as well.

Light Type: Light bar | Dimensions: ‎7.5"D x 1.3"W x 0.6"H | Power Source: 4 AAA batteries

Lights With Plugs

If you have easy access to an outlet, you'll love this three bar set of lights from Maylit. Not only does it come with a remote that allows you to control things like the brightness, set a timer, and even create flashing patterns, but it can also save you money on batteries since it can be added directly to an existing electrical source.

"I wanted under-cabinet lighting for my kitchen that I could plug in (I hate having to recharge lights) but that wasn't an eyesore either," one reviewer reported. "This set is perfect. Took less than 5 minutes to install, it's bright, dimmable, you can program a timer with the remote, and it even came with cable clips to hide the cords."

The real highlight of this light are the two installation options. Users can mount using either the included adhesive strip or the included screw-in mount. Both offer secure and durable installation, but having the option is always preferable.

One common complaint among reviewers is the short cord length of these lights. At three feet, it's most likely long enough for most under-cabinet lighting setups, but it is something to consider if you don't have outlets built-in to your backsplash.

Light Type: Light bar | Dimensions: ‎1"L x 1"W x 1"H | Power Source: Electric

Wireless LED Puck Lights

What we like: These are so perfect for small spaces and couldn't be easier to install.
What we wish they had: A timer feature or remote.

These easy-to-mount puck lights offer you a targeted light solution in those areas that may be too small for bar lights, like under skinny cabinets or in areas where you already have other items (like a paper towel rack) mounted. At 20 lumens, this touch light offers a nice glow that will help make things a little brighter in your kitchen.

"I really like these! Buying another set now," one reviewer said. "They are just the right output for adding some light to dark spots, but aren't obnoxiously bright like some lights. The touch on / off works great too! I like that much better than the old school button ones."

The low price-point of these lights is definitely a highlight, coming in at under $20 for a 6-pack. However, with the budget-conscious price also comes a lack of features most other brands have, like a timer and remote.

Since these lights are touch-activated, they're not an ideal option for all-over under-cabinet lighting in a kitchen. I'd only mount these puck lights in an area you work often, like a coffee station or above where you like to chop vegetables and other food.

Many reviewers also mention needing to use two lights per cabinet, as the 20 lumens provide a gentle but not substantial glow.

Light Type: Puck light | Dimensions: ‎0.75"D x 3"W x 0.75"H | Power Source: 3 AAA batteries

Under Cabinet Lighting

This hardwired option allows homeowners to connect their lights to their electric source, making it so that they can turn them off and on with the flick of a wall switch. As if that wasn't exciting enough, they come in a variety of different finishes, including white and bronze. Additionally, the lights come in a large variety of sizes between 9 and 48 inches.

"Our light above our kitchen sink was broken so we thought we would try this one out," one reviewer said. "Love it, you can have it really bright when you are doing dishes or you can dim it down if you want it for a night light. So easy to install took the hubby a couple of minutes."

The fixture itself has a switch on it, too, so it can be controlled at the source. Includes three color temperature options as well as dimming (dimmer switch not included).

If you like the features of this under-cabinet light, but you're not ready to take the plunge into hardwiring them yourself, then look into the option that plugs directly into the wall. It's almost exactly the same, except for the different power source.

Of course, all those features don't come cheap. A single 24-inch light will run you nearly $45, by far the most expensive of the bunch. But, for a truly hardwired option, it's worth the splurge for many users.

Light Type: Light bar | Dimensions: ‎24"L x 3.63"W x 1.13"H | Power Source: Hardwired

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