10 Best shelf lighting under $100 in 2021

Save for Later

For both functional and aesthetic reasons, under cabinet lighting has grown in popularity. Over counters, sinks, and prep areas, these slim, centred light fixtures provide task lighting. The soft glow of under cabinet lighting, on the other hand, is a perfect way to illuminate the room without the harsh glow of a strong overhead lamp.

Fluorescent light fixtures were commonly used in under cabinet lighting in the past, but advances in LED technology have propelled these lights into popularity. LED light bulbs are long-lasting, produce little heat, and are energy-efficient.

When shopping for under cabinet lighting, you have the option of choosing between hardwired (also known as direct wire), wireless, or plug-in models that need an outlet. Direct wire under-cabinet lights offer the most customised look and eliminate the need for cables, but they typically require the services of an electrician to instal.

Under-cabinet lights that plugin is simpler to instal, but they do require a nearby power outlet. Wireless or battery-operated under cabinet lights solve all of these issues, but you’ll have to replace the batteries on a regular basis.

Model 38848, GE Premium LED Linkable Under Cabinet Light Fixture

Consider GE’s Linkable Light Fixture for a flexible under cabinet lighting alternative. A long-lasting LED bulb provides 803 lumens of soft white light in this under-cabinet light fixture.

The light beam angle is centred at 99.8 degrees, making it ideal for illuminating kitchen prep areas, providing over-sink lighting, or adding supplemental light to any space. Connect the light to a nearby outlet or convert it to a direct wire under cabinet light for a more sophisticated installation.

This light bar comes in four different lengths: 12, 18, 24, and 36 inches, allowing you to find the perfect fit for any cabinet in your home. These GE lights are linkable, which means you can use linking cords to connect up to 30 fixtures and power them all from a single switch.

If you choose an affordable light bar like this 8.5-inch edition from Brilliant Evolution, you can get the high-end look of under cabinet lighting on a budget. Although its diminutive size compared to many other under cabinet light fixtures on the market, it provides 65 lumens of task light on surfaces.

You’ll need AA batteries to power it, but the LED bulb inside will last up to 50,000 hours. This wireless under-cabinet light is a nice alternative to more costly plug-in or direct wire options, whether you have a small kitchen or a small budget.

Ecolight 3-Pack Battery Puck Light is the best puck light.

Puck lights are another choice for providing under-cabinet lighting. Using a round under cabinet light instead of a long light bar provides more concentrated lighting and a distinct aesthetic. The Ecolight Puck Light 6-Pack is an excellent option for soft lighting underneath cabinets or in other areas of the house, such as a closet. Damage-free 3M strips make it simple to stick them on.

You’ll get fewer lumens from each light (they only emit 40 lumens each), but you can combine all six to produce a specific lighting solution. Each light can be dimmed, and all of the lights can be controlled with a single remote control.

LED 5-Bar Under Cabinet Lights Kit by Black+Decker

A motion-activated under cabinet lamp, such as this one from Black+Decker, can provide light when and where you need it. These motion-activated LED lights with ten dimmer settings are common for their ease of installation and operation. They are available as a single light bar or as a linkable set of three or five lights.

Each light is 9 inches long and plugs into a nearby power outlet. It can be connected to other Black+Decker under cabinet lights. The built-in motion sensor allows you to switch on the lights without having to use your hands. If your outlet doesn’t have an on/off switch, or if you frequently have dirty hands in the kitchen while cooking or cleaning and want to turn the light on without touching it, this is a perfect setup.

It also means that you can have light only when you need it, rather than having to think about turning it off when you do not.

Ecolight’s 12-inch under-cabinet light bar is powered by a 12-volt battery.

When you choose a battery-operated under cabinet light, such as this inexpensive choice from Ecolight, you won’t have to worry about wiring or available outlets. The 12-inch LED light uses damage-free 3M adhesive strips to instal under cabinets and is powered by six AA batteries. According to the manufacturer, a new collection of batteries would have around 44 hours of battery life.

The built-in timer for automatic shut-off after one, five, or 15 minutes extends the battery life of these under cabinet lights. You may also choose to switch the light on or off manually. A bright white (4000K) LED bulb with 80 lumens is housed within this battery-powered under cabinet lamp.

Plug-in LED Under Cabinet Light for Commercial Use

An energy-efficient, long-lasting source of lighting for any room is an under cabinet light with an LED bulb. Hardwired and plug-in LED under cabinet lights are available, but this common option from Commercial Electric is a plug-in model. It comes in a variety of lengths to suit your cabinets, including a lightweight 9-inch version and a supersized 36-inch version.

The LED bulb has a brightness of 700 lumens and a life expectancy of 50,000 hours. And if the light was turned on for four hours a day, the bulb would last more than 34 years. One of the main reasons to choose an LED under-cabinet light fixture is its long lifetime.

You can also choose from three different colour temperatures for the light, depending on the task at hand or the ambience you want to create: warm white (2700K), gentle white (3000K), or bright white (3000K) (4000K).

BRRC120IR4

Choose wireless under cabinet lamp, such as this one from Brilliant Evolution, to get some light without having to plug something in. Since the set of four light bars is totally wireless, there is no need for a direct wire or socket. Instead, three AA batteries are used to power each 8.5-inch light bar, which will last for around 100 hours.

You can switch the light on or off by tapping it, or you can use the included remote control to control the lights from up to 15 feet away. Wireless under cabinet lighting is a great option for kitchens with small outlets or a lot of competing appliances. Warm white light (3000K) and 80 lumens are emitted by each LED bulb within these Brilliant Evolution light fixtures.

LED Under Cabinet Light by GE Enbrighten

You won’t have to worry about battery life or outlet availability with a hardwired under cabinet lamp. The GE Enbrighten comes in 12 and 24-inch lengths to suit your room and has a long-lasting LED bulb with 1105 lumens that can last up to 50,000 hours.

The switch, which allows you to choose between three light temperatures: warm white (3000K), cool white (4000K), and daylight, is one of the most impressive features (5000K). Switch to warm white for smoother, ambient lighting after using daylight or cool white for tasks that require crisp, bright light.

The operation of this direct wire under cabinet light needs hardwiring, which is a job best left to an electrician unless you have extensive experience with electrical projects. This not only frees up under-cabinet outlets but also removes hanging cords and unsightly connectors, giving your under-cabinet lighting a tidy, professional look.

LED Under Cabinet Light Bar by LightBiz

Choose a rechargeable under cabinet lamp, such as this package from LightBiz, to cut the cord and avoid regular battery replacement. Each 24-LED under cabinet light bar can be installed on any magnetic surface, but it also comes with an adhesive magnetic strip to make installation in your kitchen, wardrobe, or anywhere else a breeze.

As compared to hardwired under cabinet lighting options, light output is minimal, but with 150 lumens and a 120-degree beam, this package is adequate for providing spotlighting anywhere you need it. This under cabinet light can be set to “Always On” or one of two motion-sensing modes.

If you choose continuous operation, battery life is obviously reduced, but in motion sensor mode, these under cabinet lights have a battery life of seven to twenty days. In only two to three hours, you can recharge your phone using a USB cable. Because of the magnetic mounting method, removing the light, charging it, and then easily reinstalling this under cabinet lighting is a breeze.

Under Cabinet 18-LED Newest Version Dimmer Motion Sensor Closet Light

Brighter and more effective with 18 bright LEDs and an advanced anti-glare screen, it offers bright, gentle, and flicker-free illumination, so you won’t damage your eyes or annoy anyone when it’s dark, and you won’t trip in the dark. Built-in 600mAh USB rechargeable battery that can be charged using any USB port, such as a socket, power bank, or laptop.

With passive infrared technology, it will light up if it detects movement within 10 feet and turns off after around 20 seconds if no movement is detected. Also, in the event of an emergency, our true wireless LED Light emergency lighting comes in handy! Very handy and transportable.

TWO ADJUSTABLE WAYS AND FOUR WORKING MODES- Three brightness levels and stepless dimming. From 0% to 100%, you can change the individual brightness to your liking. There are four different operating modes to choose from: Motion & Light Sensor ModeOnly Motion Sensor ModeAlways On ModeOFF.

USE – Perfect for the bedroom, wardrobe, cabinet, workshop, garage, stairwell, corridor, and storage space, among other places. Better lighting equals a better life!

Characteristics

Wireless Remote Control

Remote control is included with these LED lights. The brightness can be adjusted in two ways: 50% brightness and step-less dimming by pressing the +/- button on the remote control. The optimal remote control range is 1.6 to 21 feet. It’s simple to operate and monitor.

Superb Night Light

Each LED light bar has a high-quality ABS aluminium alloy case with 24 bright LEDs that emit a white glow in dark areas. Enough light to prevent you from tripping in the dark. Ideal for use as a night light on a regular basis.

Sensors for Motion and Night

The motion of a person in the dark can be observed using passive infrared technology. Within 10 feet, auto-on, and after about 20 seconds with no motion detected, auto-off.

Gentle Lighting for Eye Care

When it’s dim, use the advanced anti-glare panel to provide bright, gentle, and flicker-free illumination that will never harm your eyes or annoy anyone. It’s also very straightforward to find what you’re looking for, and it’s ideal for brightening up dark places in your home.

Widespread Use

Not only is it ideal for small spaces, but it is also suitable for large spaces. For example, a closet, wardrobe, under kitchen cabinet, bathroom counter, cabinet, under the stair, shoe-box, gun safe, garage, storage space, basement, or anywhere else where a little light is required.

Buyer’s Guide

The shaded areas under the cabinets, if there was ever a spot in the house that required more sun, this is it. When you look under the cabinets, you’re standing between the ceiling light and the area under the cabinets, further dimming the light.

Under-cabinet lights are the way to go if you need more illumination in the kitchen, the closet, over your workbench, or for your computer desk. But for a few, they’re all LED lamps, which use very little energy. LEDs used to emit an artificial-looking light that was difficult to see, but technology has progressed. They can now emit either a warm, soft glow or a bright white light without harming your eyes.

Continue reading to find the best light for your needs, whether it’s a direct-wired light, a battery-operated light, or a light with a standard socket.

Consideration

Dimensions

The physical dimensions of under-cabinet lights are crucial. You have a small amount of room under the cabinets and don’t want large lights to take up too much of it, so you’ll need flat lights that are flush with the mounting surface. Rolling strips, rough light bars, and circular puck lights are examples of lighting styles.

Measure the distance between the bottom of the cabinets and the top of the tallest appliance or object under the cabinet with a measuring tape. A light that hangs down two and a half inches isn’t going to work for you if you only have two inches left.

Source of energy

Lights that are hardwired to the wires in the wall are known as direct wire lights. You can employ an electrician to instal them if you aren’t comfortable doing electrical work. Keep in mind that this would save you money in addition to what you’re already paying for the lighting.

Batteries: Battery-powered lights are useful, but they rarely last as long as the manufacturer says — lights drain batteries more quickly than you would expect. Batteries are often harmful to the climate.

Plug: The easiest lights to mount and manage are those that plug into a standard wall socket. There’s no need to buy new batteries or hire an electrician to instal them. They, on the other hand, have unsightly wires hanging from them. With a staple gun or wire holders, you may secure the wires out of sight.

Form of light

LED: LED lights are by far the most common and widely available lighting options on the market. LEDs are low-cost to manufacture. They don’t produce a lot of heat and have a much longer lifespan than regular light bulbs. They’ve changed in terms of technology, so they’re no longer as hard on the eyes as they once were.

Fluorescent: When you switch on fluorescent bulbs, they give off an institutional glow, but they’re cheap, long-lasting, and low on your electric bill. They aren’t as popular as they once were, but you can still find them if that’s what you’re looking for.

Lumens are the units of measurement for light.

Lumens measure the brightness of a light, while watts measure the amount of energy used. Unfortunately, for many years, incandescent light bulb manufacturers muddled the problem by measuring brightness in watts. A 100-watt bulb, for example, shone brighter than a 75-watt bulb, which shone brighter than a 60-watt bulb, and so on.

All of that had to change with the introduction of LEDs, which use a fraction of the wattage to produce the same amount of light. The wattages for LEDs are based on industry averages. It’s possible that your lighting would differ.

SPECIFICATIONS

Constraints

LED lights are often equipped with wireless remote controls. Every machine came with a physical remote in older models. Modern systems are often operated by an internet connection, allowing you to switch them on and off with your mobile.

Inline switch: Some under-cabinet lights that plug into the wall have an inline switch built into the cable. You won’t have to reach under the cabinet to find the on/off switch this way. It’s becoming a more common choice on a growing number of models.

Dimmer knobs are also very common. They can be found on remote controls or inline switches. A dimmer feature is almost always included in online systems, and it can be accessed from your smartphone.

Sensors that detect movement

Under-cabinet light motion sensors have a shaky track record. In and of themselves, motion sensors are a fairly technical device. Using them in an under-cabinet light means either a significant increase in the price of the lights or a significant reduction in the motion sensor’s output. We advise caution since neither is a good choice.

Work on the building

A bar light is just what it sounds like: a long, rigid bar with LEDs embedded in it. The bar’s physical measurements cannot be modified. You get what you pay for, so make a mental note of the length, depth, and width before purchasing to ensure they’ll fit under your cabinets.

Cuttable/adjustable strips are flexible material rolls with LED lights strung around them. Although there are some drawbacks, they can also be cut to a custom length. They’re often marketed as being able to be adjusted. Puck lights are ground lights that are flush-mounted on the underside of cabinets. They are almost always powered by batteries.

Mounting technique

Since LED lights are so lightweight, they can be installed with an adhesive backing rather than screws or drywall anchors. If you prefer, you can still use certain techniques, but they aren’t always required. The disadvantage is that the adhesive does not always adhere.

Screws: The older, more common method of mounting lights under a cabinet is to use screws. It’s a long-term mounting solution that’s safe and stable, and it doesn’t have the drawbacks of adhesive backing.

It’s more difficult to instal; you’ll normally have to work on your back while attempting to put tiny screws in place while keeping the light up over your head. This will necessitate a two-person installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the maximum number of LED strips that can be connected together?

A. The response is determined by the wattage used. You can run 80 watts of LEDs from a single plug for most applications until the power begins to drop at the end of the line.

Q. What is causing my under-cabinet lights to flicker?

A. It’s possible that you have a faulty dimmer. You could, on the other hand, have a newer dimmer with trim changes that allow for flicker at specific points on the dial. To find out how to minimise flicker, consult your manual.

Q. Is it possible to keep food warm using under-cabinet lights?

A. No, it’s not true. Heat is not generated by LEDs or fluorescent lights. While incandescent bulbs generate a lot of heat, they are rarely used in under-cabinet lighting.

Save for Later