Illuminate Your Kitchen Brilliance with Under Cabinet Lighting
Is your kitchen perpetually cast in shadows? Do you struggle to see what you're chopping and preparing? Dingy, dim kitchen lighting can make cooking safely a real challenge. But it doesn't have to be this way. Installing under cabinet lighting can completely transform your kitchen environment - allowing you to truly unlock its full potential.
With focused task lighting right where you need it most, under cabinet fixtures illuminate your kitchen countertops and workstations to make meal prep safer and easier. But utility aside, under cabinet lighting also introduces beautiful accent lighting and stylish ambiance. LED lighting strips and puck lights create a modern, designer look perfect for showing off your backsplashes and kitchen aesthetic.
Benefits of Under Cabinet Lighting
Brightens Up Food Prep Areas
First and foremost, under cabinet lighting provides superior visibility on kitchen countertops, islands, and sinks - precisely where you chop, mix, and clean. Positioning lighting fixtures directly under wall cabinets puts high intensity, focused illumination precisely where you need it most.
Other overhead lighting can often leave counters shaded and dim. And straining your eyes to see while prepping ingredients raises your risk of cutting your fingers. Under cabinet task lighting solves these problems by brightly and uniformly lighting up food prep surfaces so you can work safely, comfortably, and accurately.
Creates Ambiance and Accent Lighting
While under cabinet lighting serves the all-important function of brightening task areas, it also introduces beautiful, soft ambient lighting. LED strip lighting installed under cabinets creates a modern, sleek look - especially when outfitted with aluminum channels or diffuser covers.
Accent lighting positioned under cabinets also highlights and complements your kitchen's decor. Illuminating your lovely backsplash and accentuating your wall paint colors. It adds depth and personality to your design scheme. Under cabinet lighting casts your kitchen in a warm, welcoming glow.
Energy Efficient and Long-Lasting
LED lighting technology has revolutionized under cabinet fixtures. With extreme durability and energy efficiency, LED strips and puck lights are ideal for permanent kitchen installation.
High quality LEDs last up to 25,000-50,000 hours - meaning decades of continuous use without any bulb replacements. This longevity saves you money over time. LEDs also use up to 80% less electricity than incandescent lighting. So your energy bills stay lower.
Installs Easily Under Cabinets
The best thing about under cabinet lighting is its sheer simplicity. Many LED strip lights come with strong adhesive backing for fuss-free installation right onto your cabinet base.
Just measure, stick, and plug in. For a more seamless look, aluminum channels neatly encase the strip lighting. Puck lights may require some minor wiring to connect fixtures. But overall, under cabinet lighting installs easily without the need for an electrician or remodeling.
Key Considerations for Choosing Under Cabinet Lighting
With so many under cabinet lighting options on the market, it helps to know what factors to look for. Keep these key considerations in mind when selecting fixtures to beautifully illuminate your kitchen.
Lighting Type
LED strip lighting and puck lighting are the two main under cabinet lighting types. LED tape strips cast uniform ambient and task lighting under cabinets. Available in reels from 16 to 98 inches, LED tape allows you to illuminate as much or as little cabinet space as needed.
LED puck lights provide more focused beams of light directed right where needed. Installing several puck lights spaced evenly gives tailored coverage. Fluorescent and halogen under cabinet lighting is also available, but LEDs are superior in longevity, efficiency, and light quality.
Light Quality and Color
Pay attention to the light color temperature, indicated in Kelvin (K) units. For kitchens, warm white lighting in the 2700K to 3000K range creates a welcoming, vibrant ambiance. It shows off food, counters, and backsplashes naturally.
Cool white lighting above 4000K can make spaces feel sterile and stark. It also drains the color from foods, making them appear dull and lifeless. Stick with soft, warm under cabinet lighting for best kitchen illumination.
Brightness Levels
Consider the brightness, or lumen output, needed for your under cabinet installation. Most standard LED tape lighting delivers between 2000 to 4000+ lumens. High lumen output produces light capable of handling kitchen tasks like cooking and food prep.
Mini LED puck lights often emit a lower 300 to 900 lumens per fixture. Use multiple units spaced close together to get sufficient brightness. In general, the more lumens, the better visibility under cabinets.
Controls and Dimming Ability
Look for under cabinet lighting with dimmable functionality for maximum flexibility. Dimmable LED tape and puck lights allow you to easily control the exact light intensity you need moment to moment.
LED strips with built-in dimming give you fingertip light control. Or install lights compatible with an external LED dimmer switch. Dimming enables you to set just the right mood lighting for breakfast, intensify for lunch prep, and dim for ambiance at dinner time.
Ease of Installation
Opt for LED under cabinet lighting designed for simple DIY installation. LED tape strip lights typically attach right onto cabinet bases using the integrated adhesive backing. Just clean the surface, measure, peel, stick, and connect to power.
Hardwired LED puck lights involve slightly more wiring know-how to connect each fixture properly. However, wireless LED puck lights available today install without any wiring at all - just stick them up and power on. Choose lighting that suits your installation capabilities.
Top LED Under Cabinet Light Recommendations
After extensive testing and reviews, these top-performing LED under cabinet lights stand out for lighting up kitchen tasks and accenting interiors.
1. Best Overall: Litever 6-Pack Under Cabinet Light Bar Kit
For outstanding performance, value and ease of installation, the Litever 6-Pack Under Cabinet Light Bar Kit tops our list. This LED tape lighting system comes with an integrated LED driver and generous 8000 lumen output for brilliant illumination under cabinets.
The light bars feature a slim, low-profile aluminum housing and polycarbonate lens to splash-proof the LEDs while providing smooth, uniform lighting distribution. Warm 3000K lighting shows off colors true to life.
Installation is a breeze with the included metal clips or adhesive backing. Dimmable with an in-line switch, the Litever lights give you adjustable control from 20% to 100% brightness. An exceptional kit for DIY or professional under cabinet installation.
2. Best Value: Wobane 16.4ft LED Under Cabinet Lights
On a budget? The Wobane LED tape lighting delivers amazing brightness for an ultra-affordable price point. Available in 16 foot segments, this LED strip emits 2000 lumens for strong task lighting.
The flexible ribbon strip adheres easily to under cabinet surfaces with the built-in adhesive backing. No need for tracks or hardware. Link multiple 16 foot segments together to illuminate extra long spans. While color temperature is on the cooler side, the Wobane lights provide superb value.
3. Best Puck Lights: Brilliant Evolution Wireless LED Puck Lights
For concentrated beams of task lighting, Brilliant Evolution Wireless LED Puck Lights excel. These self-contained LED discs provide powerful 900 lumen focal illumination right where you need it.
The pucks affix directly to under cabinet surfaces with either screws or magnets for damage-free installation. No wiring required! Dimmable with the included remote control, the color temperature adjusts from warm to cool white for perfect customization.
4. Best Splurge: Philips Hue LED Under Cabinet Lighting
If your budget allows, treat yourself to the unmatched versatility of the Philips Hue Under Cabinet Lighting. This pro-level LED strip system syncs with the Philips Hue app and smart home ecosystem.
Not only can you voice control the color temperature and dimming with Alexa or Google Assistant, you can sync dynamic lighting effects to music, movies, and daily routines for next-level ambiance. While expensive, nothing beats Hue's smart customization.
FAQs About Under Cabinet Lighting
Still have some questions about installing under cabinet lighting? Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions.
What is the typical cost of under cabinet lighting?
Basic LED tape kits start around $15-$30 for shorter lengths. Complete LED strip lighting solutions with power supplies, aluminum channels, and diffusers range from $50-$150+ depending on cabinet coverage. Hardwired LED puck lights cost $10-$25 per fixture.
How long do LED under cabinet lights last?
High quality LED tape and puck lights last 25,000 to 50,000 hours or more. At about 3 hours of daily use, they can last over 20 years before needing replacement.
Can under cabinet lighting increase home value?
Absolutely. Well-designed under cabinet lighting makes kitchens more stylish, functional, and modern. Illuminated kitchens often appraise for higher values and sell faster.
Is a special electrician required for install?
In most cases, no. Many LED tape lights use plug-and-play installation that does not require rewiring. Hardwired puck lights may need a professional if you lack electrical expertise. But LED strips can be installed DIY without an electrician.
Do they provide enough light for cooking and prep?
Yes, quality LED under cabinet lighting provides ample illumination for safe food preparation. Look for tape or puck lights with over 2000 lumens for sufficiently bright task lighting when cooking or chopping.
Transforming a dated, dim kitchen is simpler than ever with the help of under cabinet lighting. Modern LED fixtures install with minimal fuss while powerfully brightening up food prep spaces. Accenting your kitchen's design with beautiful, functional illumination.
Choosing long-lasting, energy-saving LED tape or puck lights that suit your budget allows you to unlock your kitchen's full potential. No longer will you suffer through meal prep in dreary darkness. Let there be light under your cabinets!