For a long kitchen worktop, LED strip lights in a suitable aluminium profile are a good starting point for continuous lighting. Choose linkable LED bars when you prefer ready-made fittings, or puck and slim panel lights for individual cabinet sections. The best choice depends on the cabinet layout, the finish you want and how you will power and control the lights.
This guide compares the main types of under-cabinet lighting and gives examples from the Simple Lighting range. Our selections are based on published product specifications and suitability for each layout; they are not an independent test of every light on the market.
Types of Under-Cabinet Kitchen Lighting
Start with the worktop you need to illuminate. A continuous run and a small coffee station need different layouts. The comparison below shows the main trade-offs, with product details further down.
| Type | Good choice for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| LED strip | Long worktops and a continuous line of light; can be cut at marked intervals. | Matching driver, strip width, cut points, profile and controller. Allow space for cables and the power supply. |
| Linkable LED bar | Straight cabinet runs using ready-made fittings in fixed lengths. | Length including connectors, linking limits and control compatibility. Mains models such as the T5 range below need no separate driver. |
| Puck light | Individual cabinets, shelves and smaller work areas with pools of light. | Spacing to avoid dark gaps. Surface and recessed options differ; low-voltage models need a matching driver. |
| Slim LED panel | Shallow cabinets where you want a discreet surface-mounted fitting. | Panel dimensions, cable routes and whether a driver is included. Check dimming separately from colour selection. |
LED Strip Lights
LED strip lights follow the length of the cabinet to spread light along a worktop. COB strips give a more continuous-looking light source than strips with widely spaced visible LEDs, which can be useful above reflective surfaces. Check the effect in your kitchen before fixing everything permanently.
Adhesive backing helps with mounting, but the surface must be clean and suitable. Use the mounting and heat-management method specified for the strip. LED strip lighting kits can simplify component selection; check exactly which driver, connectors and controls the kit includes.
Puck Lights
Puck lights are small, round fittings that create separate pools of light. They suit individual cabinet sections or a coffee station. Several may be needed across a long worktop, and their beam angle, height above the worktop and spacing determine how evenly the light overlaps.
For a compact example, the 75mm round white cabinet light is a surface-mounted fitting with a magnetic cover. It still uses screw fixings and a wired connection: magnetic does not mean battery-powered or wire-free.
LED Linear Lights
Linkable LED linear lights are rigid bars available in set lengths. They are useful when you prefer complete fittings to cutting LED tape. Compatible linking cables can bridge a corner or cabinet gap, while direct connectors join aligned fittings.
Leave room for the connectors as well as the light itself. Only link fittings and accessories approved for the same system, and follow the manufacturer's maximum connected load or number of fittings.
Recessed Profiles and Channels
A profile is a housing for LED strip, rather than a separate light source. Recessed LED aluminium profiles can give a flush finish, but require a suitable groove in the cabinet. Surface-mounted profiles are an alternative when you want to avoid routing the furniture.
Match the strip width to the profile's internal dimensions and check the diffuser and end caps supplied. A diffuser can soften visible dots, but the result depends on the LED spacing and profile depth. A standard profile does not make a strip waterproof.
Our Under-Cabinet Lighting Picks by Kitchen Layout
These examples address different needs, so there is no single overall winner. Check the product page for the latest specification and available options before ordering.
For a continuous warm glow: COB LED strip
Our warm white COB LED strip uses 14W per metre, runs on 24V DC and has a 10mm-wide strip. It is cuttable at 50mm intervals. Its continuous-looking light source suits a neat run beneath cabinets, with a compatible profile chosen separately.
Plan for: a compatible 24V DC driver and the right control components if you want dimming. This is a fixed warm-white strip, not a colour-switchable fitting. We offer a cutting and cable-soldering service for this strip; supply each run length in the permitted increments and allow for connections.
For ready-made linkable runs: CCT T5 LED bars
The switchable CCT T5 under-cabinet light comes in 304mm, 575mm, 875mm, 1175mm and 1475mm lengths. The built-in colour selector offers 3000K, 4000K and 6000K. It connects to mains power without a separate external driver.
Plan for: the correct power connection and compatible link leads where needed; linking cables are sold separately. Fixed lengths cannot be trimmed like LED tape. Colour selection changes the shade of white, so do not assume it also provides dimming.
For a shallow cabinet edge: Black Recti three-light kit
The Black Recti Superslim three-light kit includes three 5W, 12V DC surface-mounted lights and a compatible 15W driver. Each fitting is only 4mm thick and has a side switch for warm, natural or cool white light.
Plan for: space for the driver and the cable from each light. The thin fitting does not remove the need to accommodate its power supply. Additional remote or smart control requires the compatible components specified on the product page; it is not built into the standard kit.
For smaller cabinet sections: 75mm round white light
The 2.6W round white cabinet light provides 290 lumens at 4000K and is 6mm deep. It uses a 24V DC supply, with a suitable driver sold separately. The magnetic frame covers the screw fixings for a tidy surface-mounted finish.
Plan for: a compatible driver and connector system, plus enough fittings for overlapping coverage. This model has fixed natural-white light. If you want a continuous line along a long worktop, compare it with strip or linear lighting before choosing.
Why Under-Cabinet Lighting Matters
1. It Improves Task Lighting
Ceiling lighting can leave shadows where your body or wall cabinets block the light. Under-cabinet fittings place light closer to the worktop for food preparation and cleaning. Aim for even coverage of the working area rather than a bright patch on the splashback.
2. It Enhances Aesthetic Appeal
Lighting beneath cabinets highlights worktop and splashback finishes and adds a separate layer of light to the room. With compatible dimming, the same installation can provide brighter task lighting and a softer evening setting.
3. It’s Energy-Efficient and Versatile
LEDs can use less electricity than older halogen lighting for a similar light output. Compare lumens as well as watts: watts measure power consumption, not brightness. Lifespan and efficiency vary by fitting, and LED strips and drivers still generate heat, so follow their installation and ventilation instructions.
Choosing the Right Colour Temperature
Colour temperature describes the shade of white light in kelvin (K), not its brightness. Choose a shade you like alongside your cabinet finish and existing lights.
Warm White (2700K–3000K)
A warmer tone can suit a cosy kitchen or an open-plan dining space. It can also provide task lighting when the output and placement are suitable; warm white is not restricted to decorative use.
Natural White (4000K)
4000K is a useful starting point if you want a neutral-looking white for everyday worktop tasks. Simple Lighting calls this natural white; colour names vary between brands, so compare the kelvin figure.
Cool White (5000K–6000K)
Higher colour temperatures give a cooler appearance. They may suit your preference for a crisp-looking kitchen, but do not automatically provide more light. A colour-switchable fitting lets you compare supported settings in the actual room.
For more on matching finishes and light colour, read how to choose the colour of your under-cabinet lights.
Placement and Installation Tips
Positioning for Maximum Effect
Plan each cabinet run separately and check where the light lands on the worktop. Position fittings so cabinet edges do not block the beam. Test the proposed position before permanent fixing, including from standing and seated viewpoints.
Avoiding Shadows & Glare
Glossy worktops and splashbacks can reflect the light source. Compare positions and consider a suitable diffuser or a more continuous-looking strip to reduce distracting reflections. Diffusers alone cannot correct gaps caused by poorly spaced fittings.
Wiring & Power Considerations
Low-voltage lights need the specified driver: a 12V light and a 24V light are not interchangeable. Some mains-powered fittings have their control gear built in and need no separate driver. For strip, calculate the load as watts per metre multiplied by the total metres connected, then follow the driver manufacturer's loading, headroom and ventilation guidance. Use the specified supplied driver for a matched kit.
Keep drivers and connections accessible. Do not connect low-voltage lights directly to mains electricity. Use a qualified electrician for hardwiring or changes to fixed wiring. For planning detail, read our under-cabinet LED strip installation guide.
What to Measure and Check Before Ordering
- Each run: measure the usable underside of each cabinet, not just the full wall. Note corners, gaps, sinks and cooker areas.
- Fitting space: check the width and depth available behind the cabinet lip, plus any recessed cut-out and connector clearance.
- Light output and colour: compare lumens per fitting or per metre, then choose the kelvin value. Do not compare a whole bar's lumens with one metre of strip without allowing for length.
- Power: identify the supply point, driver position and cable route. Confirm voltage, total load and connection type.
- Controls: decide between on/off, dimming, sensors or smart control before selecting the driver. Colour switching and dimming are different features.
- Complete order: check lights, driver where required, profiles, diffusers, end caps, leads, connectors and mounting parts. A product photo does not necessarily show only the items included.
- Location: check suitability for moisture and heat near sinks or hobs. An IP20 fitting is for dry indoor locations, not direct water exposure.
Design Ideas & Creative Uses
Use separate lighting for worktops and decorative areas: warm light on open shelves, cabinet lighting to highlight glassware, and ceiling lights for general illumination. RGB lighting can add colour to plinths or shelving, but choose suitable white task lighting for food preparation. Add smart controls only where the lights, driver and controller support the features you need.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying by wattage alone: check light output, coverage and placement.
- Mixing incompatible systems: similar-looking plugs do not prove that voltages or controls match.
- Assuming every LED dims: confirm the fitting, driver and dimmer combination before buying.
- Forgetting gaps and connectors: leave room for leads and avoid straining cables around corners.
- Hiding the driver permanently: allow the access and ventilation the product needs.
Under-Cabinet Lighting FAQs
Are LED strips or puck lights better under kitchen cabinets?
Choose LED strips for a continuous line of light along a worktop. Choose puck lights for separate cabinet sections or focused areas. Pucks can also light a longer worktop if their beams overlap sufficiently; the best option depends on layout and the effect you prefer.
How bright should under-cabinet lighting be?
There is no single lumen figure that suits every kitchen. Cabinet height, worktop depth, surface colour and the number and position of fittings all affect the result. Compare lumens on a like-for-like basis and plan even coverage. Our under-cabinet brightness guide explains the factors to consider.
Can I dim colour-switchable cabinet lights?
Only if the particular fitting and its control system support dimming. A CCT switch changes the shade of white; it does not establish compatibility with a wall dimmer. Check the complete combination of light, driver and controller.
Do under-cabinet lights need a separate LED driver?
Low-voltage models normally need a compatible external driver, which may be included in a kit or sold separately. Mains-powered models with built-in control gear do not need a separate one. Check the exact model before ordering.
Can LED strip be cut to fit my cabinets?
Yes, where the strip is designed to be cut, but only at its marked intervals. Our featured COB strip has 50mm cut points and an available cutting and cable-soldering service. Measure each run and leave room for its connections.
Choose Under-Cabinet Lighting for Your Kitchen
Start with your cabinet measurements, then choose the lighting type, colour and control method. Browse under-cabinet lights at Simple Lighting, or send us your run lengths and preferred finish if you need help matching components. For the wider room, read Choosing the Best Lighting for Your Kitchen.
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