Final Verdict
The slender Jusjubr Under-Cabinet Light is our top pick for its thin frame that ensures it stays well-hidden under the cabinets, impressive brightness, and dimmable function that remembers your last setting. While this pick is affordable, if you want to save even more, opt for the Wobane Under-Cabinet LED Lighting Kit, which is available in three shades of white to create your desired kitchen aesthetic.
How to Shop for Under-Cabinet Lighting Like a Pro
Light Type
Under-cabinet lighting is an excellent and affordable way to update a kitchen and comes in three main types—pucks, light bars, or light strips/tape.
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Pucks are short, cylindrical light fixtures around 3 inches in diameter. They use halogen, xenon, or LED bulbs and affix them to the underside of the cabinets with mounting screws or adhesive.
Light bars are long and thin light fixtures for linear, consistent light distribution. While these lights used to be fluorescent, they now come in LED options, which have gained popularity. These lights can be hardwired or battery-powered and affixed to the cabinets with screws or strong adhesive tape.
Light tape or light strips come in reels of around 6 feet, with small LED lights along the length, and are flexible enough to be manipulated to fit around corners and crevices. You can install them on bumpier surfaces, and even cut them to the perfect length for your cabinetry. They are usually easy to install with adhesive or nails. Generally, they emit less light than the other two options.
Blake Sutton, the president of Est Est Interior Design, loves and recommends LED tape lights for under cabinets. “Every electrician is able to provide LED tape, making it convenient and easy to install in your kitchen,” he says.
Power Source
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Under-cabinet lights can use three power sources—battery-operated, hardwired electric, and plug-in electric. Plug-in options may show the cord (unless your outlet is under the cabinets), so while they are easy to install, they might be less sleek than other power sources.
Battery-powered under-cabinet lights can be charged by USB or use disposable or rechargeable batteries. “Battery-powered solutions are stand-alone and are more of a DIY solution,” says Sutton. “We would never use a battery solution when building a new space or remodeling an existing one.”
Both Sutton and Eric Marie of Get an Eric recommend hardwired electric under-cabinet lighting. “A hard-wired solution allows you to incorporate the under-cabinet lights into your overall lighting controls,” Sutton says. Marie adds that they are easier to manage, and batteries may cost more over time than installing hardwired lights.
“I don’t recommend that people try installing under-cabinet lighting on their own,” Marie says. “There are several products out there that seem like an easy DIY project, but when installed correctly under-cabinet lighting should be hardwired. This often means finding an electrical source, and at that point, you should really hire an expert.”
Color Temperature
Most under-cabinet lighting is cool white or warm white. However, many options also have multi-color lights in practically every shade, which you can change and set via remote control. For a timeless and functional look, opt for cool white lights. If you prefer a warm, glowing ambiance reminiscent of a sunset, opt for warm white lighting.
Features
Some under-cabinet lighting solutions, particularly battery-powered ones, have a range of colors you can change via remote control. Other features are dimmers, automatic timers, and automatic color modes.
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“Dimmers and color-changing lights are really the two things you should look for, along with LED lighting for longevity,” says Marie. “If you have a smart home, you can find some pretty good products that are voice or app activated. However, while it seems cool, it can go awry, and it’s not as fast as flicking a switch.”
Questions You Might Ask
Can under-cabinet lights save money on your energy bill?
While under-cabinet lighting might not be a standout energy-saving solution, it can minimize how often you use your high-powered overhead light. Most under-cabinet lights aren’t bright enough for kitchen tasks and cooking but can stand in for your heavy-duty overhead light for quick trips to refill a glass of water or grab a midnight snack.
What color light is best for under kitchen cabinets?
“Cool temperature colors are best for most kitchen styles and trends today, but the color you choose should really depend on the backsplash,” Marie says. “Too bright, light, or dark can change the aesthetic of your kitchen. Select a product that offers choices like a color-changing LED light strip.”
If your existing kitchen lights are a warmer tone, Sutton says that the temperature color of your under-cabinet lights should match the rest of the lighting for a more streamlined look. “Some LED tape light even gives you the ability to adjust the color temperature within a reasonable range,” he adds.
How long do under-cabinet lights last?
Most under-cabinet lights have LED bulbs, which boast a long life span lasting up to five years. “LED tape lasts a very long time, and you don’t even have to change out a lightbulb,” Sutton says. “LED tape duration is based on the specific product and usage but can last for years, making it a great low-maintenance option.”
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over 10 years of commerce-writing experience. Kat is also the Commerce Editor-at-Large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing. For this article, Kat reviewed multiple under-cabinet lighting products and researched and considered factors such as each product’s type, color temperature, power source, features, and value for money. She also spoke to Blake Sutton, the president of Est Est Interior Design, and Eric Marie of Get an Eric, a handyman/contractor company in Chicago.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens