It doesn’t matter how great your kitchen looks. It’s pretty much a zero sum game if you can’t actually see what you’re doing in there. The lighting fixture at the center of the kitchen ceiling isn’t of much help when you’re standing between it and the counter. Not to mention the overhead cabinets casting shadows over your work area.
If this sounds all too familiar, it’s a miracle you’ve come this far without nicking yourself while chopping up your veggies. It might be time to get an under cabinet lighting fixture to illuminate your countertops. Now, we’re not talking about getting a full kitchen remodel here. They are nifty little devices that you can buy and install yourself with no hassle whatsoever.
We tested the best wireless under cabinet lighting fixtures on the market right now to bring you our top picks for 2021.
How We Tested and Compared These Products
Not all under cabinet lighting fixtures are created equal. We only tested products from reputable manufacturers like Brilliant Evolution, Lightbiz, OxyLED, URPOWER, and other credible brands known for their high-quality standards.
We were also interested in the switch installation type. The units that gave users the option of using screws or adhesive ranked pretty high on our list. We’re all about options and convenience around here.
The other thing we checked for was the lighting system adopted. We tested a couple of linear and puck lights, both of which vary based on the light intensity generated and the size of the area illuminated.
We were also interested in what other consumers had to say about their experience using the products to evaluate how durable and effective they are. Based on this information, alongside our own independent tests, below are our top recommendations if you’re in the market for the best wireless under cabinet lighting.
| Brilliant Evolution Puck Lights | Brilliant Evolution Light Bar | Lightbiz Motion Sensor Light | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Best Linear | Best Versatile | |
| Type | Puck | Linear | Linear |
| Brightness | 55 lumens | 65 lumens | 78 lumens |
| Dimmer | Yes | No | Yes |
| Installation type | Screw-in, adhesive | Screw-in, adhesive | Stick-on magnetic |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Our Pick: Brilliant Evolution LED Puck Light – Best Overall
Features:
- Type: Puck light
- Power source: Battery-powered
- Brightness: 55 lumens
- Dimmer: Yes
- Installation type: Screw-in, adhesive
Brilliant Evolution is no stranger to the lighting fixtures space. The company has been around for over a decade and is well-known for its high-quality products. Their range of LED under cabinet puck lights is no exception. Everything about them has been built for performance.
One pack comes with six units, each providing a 3,000K, 55-lumen warm, white glow. They’re the perfect accessory if you need something that’s both functional and elegant for mood lighting. The best thing about them is – you’ll never need to replace them. That’s right. Once you install them, you’ll never have to do anything else. Talk about low maintenance. Speaking of installation, there’s the option to screw them onto the surface or simply use the adhesive tape they come with to stick them on. Installation is a walk in the park.
It comes with a wireless remote that you can use to control the lights from up to 15 feet away. They have an optional automatic on/off timer to customize when you want them to power on or off, respectively. The timer can be set to 15, 20, 60, or 120 minutes based on how long you want to keep them on.
We also found the dimmer of this cabinet lighting option quite handy. You can use it to alter the brightness and switch between 50% or 100%, depending on your brightness. The Brilliant Evolution puck lights are battery-operated with a 100-hour run time. The units we tested ran for a little over the 100-hour mark, which was quite impressive. Each of them requires three AA batteries. The pack comes with 18, so we didn’t have to purchase them separately.
All in all, they are functional and designed to complement the aesthetics of any type of kitchen countertop or other under cabinet space you might have. It’s a certified winner in our books.
- Economical
- Dimming Function
- Remote Control
- Energy efficient
- Timer function
- Only available in white-colored exterior
- MOUNTING TAPE, SCREWS & BATTERIES INCLUDED - Install your new...
- WIRELESS REMOTE & SELECTABLE DIMMER – Use the wireless remote to...
- OPTIONAL AUTO-OFF TIMER & TAP LIGHT - Set the lights to turn OFF in...
Brilliant Evolution LED Light Bar – Best Linear Option
Features:
- Type: Linear light
- Power source: Battery-powered
- Brightness: 65 lumens
- Dimmer: No
- Installation type: Screw-in, adhesive
Yet another wireless beauty from Brilliant Evolution. Unlike its puck light cousins, this LED striplight is linear and can light up a much larger surface area on your kitchen countertops. Don’t let its ultra-thin design full you. This sleek, elegant under cabinet lighting option generates a warm, white, 3,000K glow and produces 65 lumens worth of brightness.
Installation is super easy. You can choose to mount it using the adhesive tape provided or screw it on if you know your way around a power drill. Once you’ve installed it, lightly tap the power lens on the unit to switch it on or off. We would have preferred it to have a remote, but that wasn’t a deal-breaker for us.
The Brilliant Evolution LED bar light has an impressive 100-hour run time and uses three AA batteries. Unfortunately, you’ll need to purchase them separately.
Other than that, this bar light is a solid choice under cabinet and mood lighting. It looks and feels sturdy, so you don’t have to worry about it falling apart on you. Our favorite thing about it is no doubt its minimalist design. It is so thin that you’ll hardly see it once you mount it under your cabinet. All in all, it’s a solid choice for a wireless linear light.
- Contemporary design
- Long-running time
- Ultra-thin
- Easy to install
- Comes with screws and adhesive tape
- No dimmer
- MOUNTING TAPE & SCREWS INCLUDED - Install your new Brilliant Evolution...
- ON/OFF TAP LIGHT - This under counter light is touch sensitive so you...
- 65 LUMENS - Super bright, long lasting LEDs with a 3000K warm white...
Lightbiz LED Motion Sensor Light – Best Versatile
Features:
- Type: Linear light
- Power source: Battery operated lights
- Brightness: 78 lumens
- Dimmer: Yes
- Installation type: Stick-on magnetic
Lightbiz is another brand favorite. The company has been around for close to a decade and has built quite a sterling reputation for producing some of the best-rated lighting fixtures on the market. The Upgraded LED Motion Sensor light is a testament to the company’s experience.
First impressions – the LED under cabinet light looks and feels sturdy. Unlike the other products we tested, this unit is made of aluminum. It’s as solid as they come.
As far as installation goes, the panel comes with a built-in magnet at the back that allows you to stick it onto any metallic surface. If you need to mount it on a non-metallic spot, there’s a magnetic strip included in the package. All you have to do is stick the strip on your desired surface and then mount the LED panel on it. We liked how quick and easy the process was.
The other features we could not get enough of were the two sensor modes it comes with. The motion sensor automatically powers it on when it detects movement in daylight or total darkness when you come within 10 feet of the panel.
The sensor also powers it off when there’s no movement detected for more than 20 seconds. These features make it one of the most energy-efficient under cabinet lighting fixtures we’ve encountered.
The Lightbiz LED panel can be installed under kitchen cabinets, closets, in the bedroom, stairwell, garage, and virtually anywhere else you can think of. It’s as versatile as they come.
- Has a dimmer switch
- Easy to install
- Modish design
- Durable construction
- Light & motion sensor
- Rechargeable
- Takes time to charge
- 【 ADJUSTABLE BRIGHTNESS 】-- Contains 78 pure white LEDs and...
- 【 2 EASY INSTALLATIONS 】-- ① Built in magnet on the back of...
- 【 MOTION & NIGHT SENSOR 】-- With 2 Sensor Modes, it can detect the...
HONWELL LED Spotlight – Best Rotatable
Features:
- Type: Puck light
- Power source: Battery operated lights
- Brightness: 80 lumens
- Dimmer: Yes
- Installation type: Screw-in, adhesive
HONWELL is an industry leader when it comes to lighting fixtures. Its line of rotatable, accent, LED puck lights not only look great but are also ultra-functional and economical. This is in large part thanks to the multidirectional light heads they come with. Each of them can be rotated in any direction you need them to, eliminating the need to have more than one puck light in the same space.
Each battery-powered unit generates a 3,000K warm, white glow and produces 80 lumens worth of brightness. Now that’s impressive for such a small lamp. It comes with a dimmer switch that allows you to alter the brightness to 50% or 100%, depending on your preference.
Installation of this cabinet light fixture is quick and easy as well. You can either screw it onto the surface or use the hook and loop tapes it comes with. We found the unit to be a little heavier, so we recommend screwing it on to prevent any mishaps. All in all, we were pretty pleased with its performance.
- Stylish Design
- Multi-directional light heads
- Comes with a user manual
- Remote Control
- Dimming Function
- Not as Energy-efficient as others
- BATTERY OPERATED PICTURE LIGHT - 80 Lumens, long lasting LEDS, 3000K...
- ONE TOUCH ON/OFF SWITCH PLANTS SPOTLIGHT - Press once for full...
- TIMER AND DIMMER PRESETS PAINTING LIGHT - Remote Control: ON , OFF,...
Best Wireless Under Cabinet Lighting Buyer’s Guide:
Venturing in an electrical store, you’ll be amazed to find the shelves filled with different types of under cabinet lighting systems.
As a novice buyer, you might get pretty confused as to which lights are the best and might end up making the wrong decision. Hence, it is better to acquire knowledge and consider a few factors before purchasing.
Here are a few factors to consider:
Choosing between Puck Lights and Linear Lights
By definition, puck lights are small under-cabinet lightings that resemble the shape of a hockey puck. They are sometimes round, oval, or square-shaped with a prominent bump or round.
Usually, these lights are two to three inches in diameter. And most of the puck lights today use light-emitting diode bulbs instead of halogen, xenon, or fluorescent bulbs. They save more power.
Puck lights are ideal for places or counters that require a concentrated pool of intense light. These lights cover the area situated directly below them, in literal terms.
On the other hand, the linear lights, as the name suggests, are light strips or linear fixtures. Unlike the puck lights, they have a greater length, and so they lighten up greater space.
These lights are ideal for places that require evenly distributed light. Certainly, the light intensity will not be as concentrated as puck lights.
Instead, it would comparatively provide a shallow luminosity, in spite of being placed right above the counter or surface.
If opting remains confusing, then take a step back and absorb in the view of your place. Decide whether you’re installing the lights for looks or ease.
If looks are your concern, then you should know that puck lights bring a spotlight, making only certain areas look brighter. Hence, maintaining relatively dim surroundings and making the objects right underneath the lights, attention grasping.
Linear lights make the entire room appear brighter, which tends to lift the moods and the spirit of the room. Hence, augmenting the looks of interiors.
The decision, however, remains dependent on preference.
Decide the type of lights
Apart from the lighting system, the type of lights matter a lot too. It is on the type of light that you’ll get to know the brightness extent and durability. Currently, there are 4-types of lights available in the market, including:
Power Source
Usually, two types of batteries power wireless under cabinet light:
- Removable Battery
- Non-removable Battery
In most of the models suggested above, you will find the requirement of 2 to 4 double-A or triple-A batteries. These classify as the ones powered by removable batteries.
The brands that provide the batteries with the package charge accordingly.
Very few companies equip under cabinet lights with non-removable batteries. That’s because lights with these batteries have a relatively shorter lifespan. Once the battery runs out of its power, you will have to buy a new pack.
Therefore, we suggest lights with removable batteries. To avoid spending again and again on batteries, you can buy a battery charger.
Some varieties feature a 2-in-1 function. For example, the BLS LED closet light mentioned in this list of best wireless under cabinet lighting. You can turn on the light by plugging the main power cable into the socket or use the light on its battery mode.
So, if there’s ever a power breakdown, you need not worry. You can use the lights on their battery mode.
It’s best to purchase lights with the 2-in-1 feature as it saves you from becoming dependent on the power source.
Visually-Appealing Aesthetics
Apart from being a light source, the under cabinet lights contribute to the ambiance and atmosphere too.
The design and construction of the light affect the overall look of your room. Also, the light color will affect too.
For example, blue Led lights will suit a room with a dark-themed interior better than yellowish lights. It is because the presence of bluish LED lights will add a bit of liveliness to the atmosphere.
Additional features
Although the primary purpose of the light is to illuminate places, it is better to get one that has additional features. Here are a few that you may consider before purchasing an under cabinet lighting system.
Dimmer
The dimmer allows one to adjust the brightness level of the light according to the need. For example, if you are performing less intensive work and require fairly bright light, then you can benefit from the dimmer.
But without dimmer, you’ll have to compromise with an unchangeable brightness level.
Dimmer also allows for conserving energy. A light operating on the same lumens, regardless of the need, will draw the same amount of energy and is not likely to last long.
Motion and Light Sensors
The motion and light sensors are present in almost every other lighting product to make it smart. Well, motion sensors detect movement, usually in dark conditions, and the lights turn on. Whereas, light sensors turn on/off the under cabinet lighting system according to the external light conditions.
Usually, light sensors require complete darkness to turn on the light.
However, some light sensors come with day mode also. So that you can use the light both day and night.
Price & Brand
On average, the cost of wireless under cabinet lights does not exceed a hundred dollars. Mostly, the amount on the price tag elevates with the increment of the additional features.
However, some brands charge unreasonably for basic and simple under cabinet lights. For that reason, you need to conduct complete research before purchasing.
Also, make sure you select a reputable brand. Read reviews, check out ratings and verified purchases, and go through their terms and conditions.
A reliable brand will always provide a warranty and guarantee availability if you have any queries or concerns after purchasing. Good brands may even provide a return or exchange policy.
FAQ
How to install under cabinet LED lighting
Installing wireless under cabinet lighting is the easiest. You only need to use mounting tape to stick it to a surface.
Just make sure that you place it correctly. That’s because you may not be able to change the position again and again. Ideally, you should place it on the front-end with about 8 to 12-inches between each light.
Some corded types of battery-operated or plug-in under cabinet lights require fulfillment of six following steps to function properly:
- Firstly, place the lights on the countertop with even spacing. Take out the mounting cap from the light and place it right above the respective light (on the cabinet surface). Use a pencil to mark the place.
- Next, drill shallow holes in the cabinet surface. And fix the mounting cap with appropriately sized screws.
- In a twist and lock motion, attach the lights to the mounting cap.
- Then, secure the power control and power hub under one cabinet surface with screws with even distance. You may need to route all wires to the hub to plug them.
- For a neat look, fasten all the excess cords to cabinet surfaces using small plastic clamps.
- Lastly, plug in the main power cord to the socket. And turn the switch on to enjoy your newly installed under cabinet lights.
How to hide under cabinet lighting wires
Under-cabinet lighting systems are effective enhancers of a room. However, the beauty of the lighting may get lost with exposed wires.
It is recommended to get the wires hidden as soon as the lighting system gets installed. Well, hiding under cabinet lighting wires is an easy job requiring no special technical assistance.
Here are some ways that you can do so:
- Hide it inside the cabinet. This particular method is the most reliable and will remove the wires out of sight at once. You will need to drill into the cabinet so that the wire can pass through.
- Also, it is better to run the wire on the front corner of the cabinet along the frame. If you decide to run the wire at the back corner, keep in mind that you’ll see the wire every time you open the cupboard.
- Hide it under cable protectors. Go for this option when the wires run a long way. There are different styles of protectors available and in different lengths. If there is more than one wire, tie them together before covering them with cable protectors. You can customize the protector to blend in with the ambiance.
- Hide it using clips-Select the clip method if you have wires hanging loose. You can use wire staples, clips with nails, and several others, depending on your preference.
How many lumens for under cabinet lighting?
A lumen is a unit used for the brightness level. The more lumens, the brighter it is.
However, we are talking about under cabinet lighting, and excessive brightness will reflect from the counter into your eyes, making task completion difficult.
So, it is better to opt for moderate lumens that will illuminate the area without being harsh on your eyes. Generally, 300-350 lumens per foot is ideal.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the best wireless under cabinet lighting uplifts the look of your cabinets significantly. These wireless lights upgrade your lifestyle and eradicate your wiring mess in terms of looks and installation.
To narrow down your options to only the best, we think you should first decide between puck lights or linear lights.
We advise you to read out the specs and review each product on the best wireless under cabinet lighting list. So, you may select only the best for yourself!
