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Instantly brighten your countertop workspaces and set an ambient mood with these picks.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
There are myriad options availablebuilt-in, strip, puck, and battery-powered, among others.
We also tested two of our favorite picks at home.
The power box is very large and heavy, making it difficult to conceal.
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It comes with a remote control, making it easy to adjust the controls.
The all-in-one LED light is ready to go out of the box.
Its atape-like rollbacked with3M-brand adhesive, which can be stuck to almost any surface for immovable hold.
The roll comes with a tape-like adhesive backing, which made installation simple.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Eric Brockob
Cut the tape to size, and use connectors (sold separately) to bridge gaps and make turns.
Once the lights are installed, they have a 36,000-hour lifespan.
They emit soft white light at 3000 Kelvins, while using a mere 36 watts of electricity.
We were highly impressed with the temperature and brightness options.
Thelight adds a high-end look to cabinetsthat we felt would be right at home in amodern kitchen.
Our main complaint was the power block, which is large and heavy and difficult to conceal.
This wouldn’t be an issue if you had it hardwired, though.
Plug it into a regular household outlet or have an electrician hardwire it to a switch.
The adhesive pulled paint and finishings off our cabinet.
Turn your lights on and off by simply tapping the lens.
you might also use the included remote control for added convenience.
Installation is easy with adhesive tape or screws (both included).
We did notice that the light could dislodge from the adhered back if you pressed it a certain way.
This only happened once or twiceafter you get the hang of where to push its easy to use.
The lighting possibilities are vastwhite light and a rainbow of colored options like red and violet.
Both types are completely dimmable, so they can be low and moody or bright and cheery.
And its suitable for indoor applications only.
We recommend hiring a pro.
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Hardwiring under-cabinet lighting is more complicated than installing other plug-and-play options.
We also like the sleek, non-bulky design, which fits well with most kitchen cabinets.
Strain relief screws also help streamline the direct-wire process and keep your wiring setup safe and secure.
The light turns on manually by pressing up on the bar.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Eric Brockob
Keep in mind that these lights may be difficult to install if youre not familiar with DIY wiring.
We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure proper and safe installation.
A full charge can take about two hours.
Battery-operated lighting is convenient until you find yourself out of replacement batteries.
Preserve battery life by using the timer function.
Automatic shut-off is available after 15, 30, or 60 minutes.
Keep in mind that lights will turn off after 90 minutes if there is no timer setting selected.
These lights require four lithium-ion batteries (included) and take about two hours to fully recharge.
Each individual light takes three AAA batteries.
Sometimes lighting is more about aesthetics than functionality.
Keep in mind that each light requires three AAA batteries (included).
They come in a roll, making it a challenge to get your strip to lay completely flat.
Then we recommend theTJoy Multicolored LED Strip Lights.
Just cut along the marked areas to your desired length and link strips via the four-pin connector.
The strong, self-adhesive mounting tape makes it easy to attach to any clean, dry surface.
There is an audible buzzing sound on some controls.
Plug-in under-cabinet lighting is a great option if youreworking with a rentalwhere hardwired lighting isnt feasible.
Keep in mind that some report a humming or buzzing noise when the lights are on certain options.
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Its expensive compared to other options, especially for a plug-in.
This makes sense due to the smart features, but its something to keep in mind.
Its also extremely streamlined and low-profile underneath cabinets.
Installing the light strip was simple thanks to the peel-off adhesive backing.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Eric Brockob
Plug-in and battery-operated lights are DIY-friendly for easy installation and instant gratification.
Hardwired lights require a skilled electrician to install, but dont require much maintenance after that.
On the other hand, he adds, Strip lighting offers morediffused, even light.
It can also be hidden more easily, depending on the style of your cabinetry.
Light temperatureshould also be one of the main considerations.
One way to figure this out is with kelvins.
Whereas 10,000 kelvins will be blue-ish, extremely bright and cool, Veselsky says.
Wattage is another aspect to think about.
They can also reduce the problem of shadows interfering with your working spaces, making food preparation safer.
Your Questions, Answered
How do I run power to under-cabinet lighting?
With proper planning, this is a relatively easy DIY project that shouldn’t take too long to complete.
This will allow you to control them without having to run wires and plugs throughout your space.
If you are unsure how to proceed, Johnson recommends talking to an electrician first.
A good electrician can help you with your electrical concerns, he says.
While hardwired LED lighting might be the most convenient, peel-and-stick LED tape might be the easiest.
These either come battery-operated or [are] plugged in directly to a wall outlet.
Whats the easiest under cabinet lighting to install?
If you are unsure how to proceed, Johnson recommends talking to an electrician.
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While hardwired lighting might be the most convenient, peel-and-stick tape is the easiest.
According to Johnson, These either come battery-operated or [are] plugged in directly to a wall outlet.
What kind of under-cabinet lighting is best?
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Most experts agree that the best option for under-cabinet lighting is LED.
Should you use warm or cool light under cabinets?
When we talk about warm vs. cool light, we mean color temperature, which is measured in Kelvins.
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Household lighting ranges from about 2700K to 3500K, on the warm end of the spectrum.
How many lumens do you need for under-cabinet lighting?
Lumens measure of how much light a bulb or fixture emits.
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More lumens translate to brighter light; fewer lumens mean its a dimmer light.
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