Ever looked at your kitchen and thought, “It needs a little something more”? Maybe your countertops feel a bit dim when you’re trying to chop veggies, or perhaps you just want to add a touch of modern style. Kitchen cabinet lighting is a fantastic way to fix both of those things, and LED strip lights are a super popular choice. But with so many different kinds, colors, and features out there, picking the right ones can feel a bit overwhelming, right?
You want lights that look good, are easy to install, and don’t break the bank. It’s easy to get lost in all the technical terms and decide it’s just too complicated. But what if we told you that choosing the perfect LED strip lights for your kitchen cabinets could actually be simple and even fun?
By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly what to look for, understand the different types of lights available, and be ready to transform your kitchen into a brighter, more inviting space. Let’s dive in and make your cabinets shine!
Our Top 5 Led Strip Lights For Kitchen Cabinets Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Led Strip Lights For Kitchen Cabinets Detailed Reviews
1. Govee White LED Strip Lights
Rating: 9.0/10
Brighten up your space with the Govee White LED Strip Lights! This 16.4ft strip offers a crisp, daylight white glow, perfect for adding ambiance to any room. With 300 bright LEDs and easy dimming, you can customize your lighting for any occasion, from a cozy bedroom to festive Christmas decorations.
What We Like:
- Super Bright Light: The 300 LEDs provide excellent illumination with a clean 6500K daylight white color. It lights up cabinets, mirrors, and even entire rooms easily.
- Adjustable Brightness: Six different brightness levels let you control the mood. Dim it down for a soft glow or brighten it up for task lighting.
- Quick and Easy Setup: Installation is a breeze. Just peel and stick the strip to a clean surface. You can even cut it to size at the marked spots. The strong adhesive and included clips keep it secure.
- Flexible for Any Space: At 16.4 feet long, this flexible strip bends and wraps to fit wherever you need it. It’s great for mirrors, kitchen cabinets, bedrooms, and living areas.
- Safe and Reliable: The low 12V voltage and ETL-certified adapter make these lights safe to touch. They also have built-in protection against short circuits, so you can use them with peace of mind.
What Could Be Improved:
- The control box could be smaller for a more discreet look.
- While bright, the single white color might not suit everyone’s decorative needs.
This Govee LED strip is a versatile and safe way to enhance your home’s lighting. It’s a fantastic choice for adding a touch of brightness and style.
2. Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights
Rating: 9.1/10
Transform your space with the Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights. These smart lights bring vibrant color and dynamic effects to any room, especially your bedroom. They are easy to control with a smartphone app and offer a ton of customization options.
What We Like:
- RGBIC Technology: See multiple colors at once on a single strip for a stunning visual effect.
- Smart App Control: Easily change colors, brightness, and modes using the Govee Home App.
- DIY Customization: Create your own unique lighting designs and share them with others.
- Music Sync: Watch the lights dance to your favorite music with an awesome built-in microphone.
- Many Preset Scenes: Choose from over 64 scenes for parties, holidays, or just to match your mood.
- Easy Installation: The strip comes with adhesive for quick setup.
What Could Be Improved:
- No Alexa Support: These lights do not work with Amazon Alexa for voice control.
- Indoor Use Only: The product is not recommended for outdoor use.
- Surface Prep Needed: For best adhesion, the surface must be clean and dry.
These Govee lights offer a fantastic way to add personality and fun to your home decor. They are a great upgrade for anyone looking for dynamic and customizable lighting.
3. MCGOR 10inch Under Cabinet Lighting
Rating: 8.8/10
Tired of fumbling in the dark for light switches? The MCGOR 10inch Under Cabinet Lighting, a 2-pack of rechargeable motion sensor lights, offers a smart and convenient solution for your home. These wireless lights are perfect for kitchens, closets, stairs, and more, providing illumination exactly when and where you need it.
What We Like:
- The upgraded motion sensor is super responsive. It turns on automatically when it senses you moving in dimly lit areas and turns off after about 20 seconds of no movement. This is great for preventing trips in the dark.
- You can choose to have the lights always on. This is handy for tasks like reading, using them for camping, or even as a flashlight.
- These lights have 5 brightness levels. You can make them brighter for cooking or dim them down for a soft night light without disturbing anyone.
- They are USB-C rechargeable, so no need for batteries or complicated wiring. One charge can last a long time, depending on how you use them.
- Installation is a breeze. They have strong magnets to stick to metal surfaces, or you can use the included adhesive metal plates. They are also easy to remove for charging.
- These lights are versatile and can be used in many places like kitchens, closets, pantries, hallways, and bookshelves.
What Could Be Improved:
- The USB wall adapter is not included, so you’ll need to have your own to charge them.
These MCGOR under cabinet lights are a fantastic addition to any home, offering smart features and easy installation for everyday convenience.
4. DAYBETTER Under Cabinet Lights
Rating: 8.6/10
Tired of dim kitchens or cluttered cabinets? The DAYBETTER Under Cabinet Lights are here to brighten your space! This 6-piece LED strip light set, spanning 9.8 feet, offers a super bright glow that you can adjust from a cozy warm white (2700K) to a crisp daylight white (6500K). It’s perfect for adding light under cabinets, on counters, shelves, or even behind your TV. Installation is a breeze with strong adhesive tape, and the low voltage makes it safe to use.
What We Like:
- You can change the light color from warm to daylight white.
- The brightness is adjustable, so you get the perfect amount of light.
- It comes with a remote control for easy adjustments, and you can also touch the lights.
- The lights have a timer to turn off automatically after 60 seconds, which saves energy.
- They remember your last setting, so you don’t have to set them up again.
- Installation is simple with strong sticky tape, and the low voltage is safe.
- It’s great for kitchens, cabinets, closets, and many other places.
What Could Be Improved:
- The adhesive tape might not stick as well on rough or textured surfaces.
- The remote control range might be limited in very large rooms.
These lights make it easy to create a brighter and more organized living area. They are a smart and simple way to upgrade your home.
5. NOVOSTELLA 20ft Tunable White LED Strip Light Kit Dimmable 3000K-6500K 24V Tape Light with RF Remote Flexible Rope LED Ribbon for Bedroom Home Lighting Mirror Kitchen Bar Cabinet Daylight Warm White
Rating: 8.9/10
Transform your space with the NOVOSTELLA 20ft Tunable White LED Strip Light Kit. This versatile lighting solution brings vibrant, customizable light to any room. You can easily change the color temperature from a bright daylight white (6500K) to a cozy warm white (3000K), with a neutral white (4500K) in between. It’s perfect for setting the mood for any occasion. The kit includes everything you need to get started, making it a simple way to upgrade your home’s ambiance.
What We Like:
- Tunable White Options: Easily switch between Daylight White (6500K), Neutral White (4500K), and Warm White (3000K) to suit your needs.
- 10 Brightness Levels: Fine-tune the light intensity for the perfect glow, whether you need bright task lighting or soft ambient light.
- Easy Control: The upgraded RF remote offers 360° control from up to 40-45ft away, giving you flexibility without needing line-of-sight.
- Simple Installation: The self-adhesive backing and included screws make mounting quick and secure.
- Versatile Use: This flexible strip is ideal for kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, cabinets, mirrors, and stairways.
- Complete Kit: It includes the 20ft LED strip, a UL-listed power adapter, RF remote, controller cable, and mounting brackets.
What Could Be Improved:
- Limited Color Options: This kit only offers white light variations and does not include RGB color changing capabilities.
- Adhesive Strength: While it has an adhesive backing, some users might find it beneficial to reinforce it in certain environments.
This NOVOSTELLA LED strip kit offers excellent flexibility and ease of use for creating personalized lighting. It’s a fantastic way to enhance the look and feel of your home.
Brighten Your Kitchen: The Ultimate LED Strip Light Buying Guide
Tired of dim kitchen counters? Want to add a touch of modern style? LED strip lights for kitchen cabinets are a fantastic solution. They provide better visibility for cooking and create a warm, inviting atmosphere. This guide will help you choose the perfect lights for your kitchen.
What to Look For: Key Features
When you shop for LED strip lights, keep these important features in mind.
Brightness (Lumens)
- Lumens: This tells you how bright the light is. More lumens mean a brighter light. For under-cabinet lighting, aim for around 400-800 lumens per meter.
- Adjustable Brightness: Many LED strips let you dim the lights. This is great for setting the mood. You can make it brighter for chopping vegetables and dimmer for a relaxed evening.
Color Temperature (Kelvin)
- Warm White (2700K-3000K): This is like the light from old incandescent bulbs. It’s cozy and good for creating a relaxing feel.
- Cool White (4000K-5000K): This light is brighter and more natural. It’s excellent for tasks where you need to see details clearly, like food prep.
- Daylight (5000K-6500K): This mimics natural sunlight. It’s very bright and can make your kitchen feel more spacious.
Length and Cutability
- Measure Your Cabinets: You’ll need to know how long each strip needs to be.
- Cut Marks: Most LED strips have lines where you can cut them to fit. Make sure these marks are easy to find.
Durability and Protection
- IP Rating: This tells you how well the lights resist dust and water. For kitchens, an IP20 rating is usually fine. If you cook a lot and steam is common, consider IP44 or higher.
Ease of Installation
- Adhesive Backing: Most strips have sticky tape on the back. Good quality tape sticks well and lasts longer.
- Connectors: You’ll need ways to connect different pieces of the strip or to turn corners. Look for easy-to-use connectors.
Important Materials
The materials used in LED strip lights affect their performance and lifespan.
- LED Chips: These are the tiny lights on the strip. Higher quality chips last longer and produce a more consistent color. Brands like Epistar or Samsung are known for good quality.
- PCB (Printed Circuit Board): This is the strip itself. A thicker, more robust PCB helps dissipate heat better, which makes the LEDs last longer.
- Adhesive: The quality of the adhesive backing is crucial. Cheap adhesive can lose its stickiness over time, causing the strips to sag.
Factors Affecting Quality
Not all LED strip lights are created equal. Here’s what makes a difference.
- Heat Dissipation: LEDs produce heat. If the strip can’t get rid of heat effectively, the LEDs will degrade faster. Look for strips with good heat sinks or made with materials that help with cooling.
- Color Rendering Index (CRI): This measures how accurately the light shows the true colors of objects. A CRI of 80+ is good. A higher CRI (90+) is better for seeing food colors accurately.
- Brand Reputation: Established brands often use better materials and have stricter quality control. This usually means a more reliable product.
- Reviews: Read what other customers say. They often point out issues you might not see in the product description.
User Experience and Use Cases
LED strip lights offer more than just light. They enhance your kitchen experience.
- Task Lighting: Bright, cool white lights under cabinets are perfect for food preparation. You can see everything clearly and avoid mistakes.
- Ambient Lighting: Warm white lights create a cozy atmosphere. They’re great for evening meals or when you just want to relax in your kitchen.
- Accent Lighting: Use them to highlight decorative items or features in your kitchen.
- Energy Efficiency: LEDs use much less electricity than old light bulbs. This saves you money on your energy bills.
- Long Lifespan: Good quality LED strips can last for many years, so you won’t have to replace them often.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do I measure for LED strip lights?
A: Measure the length of each cabinet section where you want to install the lights. Add a little extra if you plan to run the strip around corners or need a small gap.
Q: Can I cut LED strip lights?
A: Yes, most LED strip lights have designated cut marks. You can cut them with scissors to fit your exact needs.
Q: What is Kelvin (K) and why is it important?
A: Kelvin measures the color of the light. Lower K numbers (like 2700K) are warm and yellowish, while higher K numbers (like 5000K) are cool and bluish.
Q: Do I need a power adapter?
A: Yes, LED strip lights need a power adapter to convert your home’s electricity into the correct voltage for the lights.
Q: How do I install LED strip lights?
A: Most strips have an adhesive backing. Clean the surface of your cabinets, peel off the backing, and press the strip firmly in place.
Q: Can I connect multiple LED strips together?
A: Yes, you can usually connect multiple strips using special connectors or by soldering them together.
Q: Are LED strip lights waterproof?
A: Some are, but not all. Check the IP rating. IP20 is not waterproof, while IP44 and higher offer some protection against water splashes.
Q: How long do LED strip lights last?
A: High-quality LED strip lights can last 50,000 hours or more, which is many years of use.
Q: What is CRI?
A: CRI stands for Color Rendering Index. It tells you how accurately the light shows the true colors of things. A higher CRI is better for seeing food colors.
Q: Can I control the brightness of LED strip lights?
A: Many LED strip lights come with a remote control or can be connected to a dimmer switch, allowing you to adjust the brightness.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
Hi, I’m Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!