Ceiling lights sit behind you, so at the counter you end up cooking in your own shadow. Under cabinet lights fix that by putting the light between you and the board. For a home cook who is dicing onions at night or checking whether a chile has charred, that makes a real difference.
The choice comes down to wiring first and specifications second. Hardwired bars look cleanest, plug-in bars are quicker, and smart bars do the most tricks. This guide sits beside our under cabinet range hood guide, which covers the other thing that hangs from your cabinets.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which under cabinet light to buy
For most kitchens, the pick is the Enbrighten 24 Inch Hardwired Under Cabinet Light: it has the highest light output on this page, a 93 CRI and an ETL listing. With no wiring at the cabinet, buy the Enbrighten 12 Inch Plug In Under Cabinet Light. For the run beside the sink, choose the Juno UCES 24 Inch LED Under Cabinet Light, which is listed for damp locations.
Five under cabinet lights compared
One light for each kind of kitchen, with output and listing as the maker or listing gives them. All seven are covered below.
| Light | Install | Output | Safety listing | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Enbrighten 24 Inch Hardwired Under Cabinet LightBest overall
|
Hardwired | 1,620 lumens | ETL listed | View on Amazon |
Enbrighten 12 Inch Plug In Under Cabinet LightBest plug-in
|
Plug-in | 855 lumens | ETL listed | View on Amazon |
Juno UCES 24 Inch LED Under Cabinet LightBest near the sink
|
Hardwired | Not stated | ETL listed, damp | View on Amazon |
| Plug-in or direct wire | 1,150 lumens | UL 153, damp | View on Amazon | |
WAC Lighting 18 Inch LED Light BarBest warm light
|
Hardwired or plug-in | Up to 1,075 lumens | ETL, damp | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best under cabinet lighting
Every pick here is a light bar made to mount beneath a kitchen cabinet, from an established lighting maker. We left out tape rolls, puck-only sets, TV light bars and battery lights.
1. Enbrighten 24 Inch Hardwired Under Cabinet Light – Bright, True Task Light
For a counter where you actually chop, this is the bar to fit. The listing gives 1,620 lumens from a 24-inch fixture, the highest figure on this page, with a 93 CRI. That second number matters when you are judging whether chiles have blistered enough or onions have turned. It is also the widest color range here, with five settings: 2700K, 3000K, 4000K, 5000K and 6500K.
It wires directly to an in-wall switch, so there is no cord to hide, and it dims with a compatible in-wall dimmer. Bars link with cords or end-to-end connectors, which are sold separately, so a run of cabinets can read as one strip of light. The body is metal, the light is fully diffused, and the fixture is ETL listed.
BestReviews named an earlier Enbrighten direct-wire bar its top pick, for bright, smooth light and dimmer compatibility, while warning that direct wiring takes someone who knows what they are doing. That review covers a different model, so read it as a note on the line and not on this exact bar.
Why we like it
- 1,620 lumens from a 24-inch bar
- 93 CRI, per the listing
- Five color temperatures
- ETL listed with a limited lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 82922-T1 |
|---|---|
| Length | 24 in |
| Output | 1,620 lumens |
| Color temperature | 2700K, 3000K, 4000K, 5000K, 6500K |
| CRI | 93 |
| Install | Hardwired; links with accessories sold separately |
| Dimming | With a compatible in-wall dimmer |
| Listing and warranty | ETL listed; limited lifetime warranty |
Why we recommend it
It suits a kitchen with wiring already behind the cabinets, or a remodel where an electrician is on the job anyway.
Skip it if you rent or have no wiring at the cabinet; the plug-in version below is the easier route.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most light on this page
- High color accuracy
- No visible cord
Cons
- Needs hardwiring
- Linking parts cost extra
- Listing doesn’t state a damp rating
2. Enbrighten 12 Inch Plug In Under Cabinet Light – No Electrician Needed
If you rent, or your cabinets have no wiring, this is the simple answer. It comes with mounting hardware and a 5-foot power cord, so all you need is an outlet nearby. The listing gives 855 lumens from 12 inches and a 92 CRI, which is strong for such a short bar. It offers the same five color temperatures as the hardwired model.
Controls are on the fixture. Press and hold the button to dim, and the light blinks when it reaches the top or bottom of the range. The feature we like is one-touch sync: link several bars, and a single press changes color, brightness and power on all of them at once.
You will see a cord, at least until you tuck it behind a canister or along the backsplash. An RF remote and a direct-wire converter are sold separately, which gives you a way to tidy up later if you remodel.
Why we like it
- Plugs in with a 5-foot cord
- 855 lumens, per the listing
- One-touch sync across linked bars
- ETL listed with a limited lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 82783-T1 |
|---|---|
| Length | 12 in |
| Output | 855 lumens |
| Color temperature | 2700K, 3000K, 4000K, 5000K, 6500K |
| CRI | 92 |
| Install | Plug-in; direct-wire converter sold separately |
| Dimming | Press and hold the button |
| Listing and warranty | ETL listed; limited lifetime warranty |
Why we recommend it
It suits renters and anyone who wants good task light over one stretch of counter this weekend.
Skip it if a visible cord would bother you, or if your counter is far from an outlet.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Installs with a screwdriver
- Same color range as the hardwired bar
- Linked bars work as one
Cons
- Visible cord
- Short for a long counter
- Remote is sold separately
3. Juno UCES 24 Inch LED Under Cabinet Light – Damp Rated for the Sink
Water and steam are part of a working counter, and this is the bar we would hang by the sink. Juno’s listing says it is ETL listed to US and Canadian standards for damp locations, a clear statement on the listing itself. The housing is rugged steel with an acrylic diffuser, and the white finish wipes clean.
A switch selects five color temperatures, from 2700K to 5000K, and the model name gives 90 CRI. It runs on 17 watts at 120 volts and works with most standard incandescent dimmers. Power can enter from the back or the sides, integrated screws make mounting simpler, and the hardware comes in the box. At 24 by 2.55 by 1.07 inches it is low enough to hide behind most cabinet lips.
Two notes. The listing gives watts but no lumen figure, so compare it by watts or look up the spec sheet. Its stated operating range tops out at 104°F, so keep it clear of the heat above a range.
Why we like it
- Listed for damp locations
- ETL listed to US and Canadian standards
- Five color temperatures
- Steel housing and a 5-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | UCES 24IN SWW5 90CRI WH M6 |
|---|---|
| Length | 24 in |
| Output | Not stated; 17 watts |
| Color temperature | 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K |
| CRI | 90 |
| Install | Hardwired |
| Dimming | Most standard incandescent dimmers |
| Listing and warranty | ETL listed, damp location; 5-year limited warranty |
Why we recommend it
It suits the run of cabinets beside a sink or dishwasher, and any kitchen where the fixture will get a regular wipe-down.
Skip it if you need to compare lumen figures before buying; the listing doesn’t give one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear damp rating
- Steel body
- Flexible power entry
Cons
- Needs hardwiring
- No lumen figure on the listing
- Not for use over a hot range
4. Cync GE Reveal HD+ Smart Under Cabinet Light Bar, 18 Inch – Bright and App Controlled
This is the pick if you want your counter lights on a schedule or under voice control, and it doesn’t give up much as a work light. GE’s spec sheet lists 1,150 lumens for the 18-inch bar, or 900 with its Reveal setting, at 90 CRI. It covers 2000K to 7000K, plus 16 million colors.
It installs by plug or direct wire, and the power cord, linking cable and mounting accessories are in the box. The listing says no hub is needed and that it works with Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings and Apple Home, or with the Cync app. You can link up to 10 fixtures. GE’s sheet lists a UL 153 safety listing and a damp location rating, and an operating range up to 104°F.
This is the one bar here with a proper independent review. Michael Brown of TechHive installed two 18-inch bars in his kitchen in 2025 and praised the bright, high-quality light, the easy setup and the app. His warning is about Apple Home: Matter is the only way in, and connecting that way drops the Cync app’s features. The onboard Wi-Fi is 2.4GHz only, so check your router settings.
Why we like it
- TechHive reviewed it well in a real kitchen
- 1,150 lumens and 90 CRI, per GE
- Plug-in or direct wire
- UL 153 safety listing, damp rated, and a 5-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | CFIXUNCBR18CRVDMS |
|---|---|
| Length | 18 in |
| Output | 1,150 lumens; 900 with Reveal (GE) |
| Color temperature | 2000K to 7000K, plus color |
| CRI | 90 |
| Install | Plug-in or direct wire; links up to 10 |
| Dimming | App, voice or Cync dimmers |
| Listing and warranty | UL 153, damp location, per GE; 5-year warranty |
Why we recommend it
It suits a smart home built on Alexa or Google, and a cook who wants bright light with the option of a schedule.
Skip it if your home runs on Apple Home and you want the Cync app as well; TechHive says Matter costs you those features.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong output for 18 inches
- Install choices
- Excellent app, per TechHive
Cons
- Apple Home users lose Cync app features
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only
- Dims through the app, remotes or Cync dimmers, not a standard dimmer
5. WAC Lighting 18 Inch LED Light Bar – Warm Light With Half Power
WAC’s bar is aimed at kitchens that want warmth more than daylight. It selects 2700K, 3000K or 3500K, the range that sits comfortably beside tile and wood. There is no cool setting, so anyone who likes a crisp white should look elsewhere. A three-way rocker gives on, off or 50 percent, which is handy when you only want a low glow in the evening.
The listing says it is ETL and cETL listed for damp locations, with a 90 CRI and 50,000 rated hours, and that it is CEC Title 24 compliant. The body is extruded aluminum with an acrylic diffuser, and a slightly recessed reflector is meant to keep glare down. Dimming works with an ELV or TRIAC dimmer.
It can be hardwired from inside the bar or powered by a 6-foot plug-in cable, sold separately, and it comes with a connector for end-to-end runs. The listing’s ‘up to 1,075 lumens’ isn’t tied to a length, and the line runs to 30 inches, so expect less from this 18-inch bar. WAC also makes this bar in 8, 24 and 30 inches.
Why we like it
- Listed for damp locations
- On, off and 50 percent rocker
- 90 CRI and 50,000 rated hours
- 5-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | BA-AC18-CS-WT |
|---|---|
| Length | 18 in |
| Output | Up to 1,075 lumens across the line |
| Color temperature | 2700K, 3000K, 3500K |
| CRI | 90 |
| Install | Hardwired, or plug-in with cable sold separately |
| Dimming | ELV or TRIAC dimmer |
| Listing and warranty | ETL and cETL listed, damp location; 5-year limited warranty |
Why we recommend it
It suits a warm kitchen with wood or terracotta tones, where a soft evening light matters as much as the chopping light.
Skip it if you prefer a 4000K or 5000K white, which this bar doesn’t offer.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Damp rated
- Built-in half-power setting
- Hardwired or plug-in
Cons
- No cool white setting
- Lumen figure isn’t size-specific
- Plug-in cable costs extra
6. Halo HU11 18 Inch LED Undercabinet Light – Slim With Low Glare
Polished stone and glossy tile throw light back at you, and that is the problem this slim bar is meant to address. The listing describes low-glare optics and even light in a profile under 1 inch. Halo is an established lighting name, and it gives this line a 5-year warranty.
It runs on 120 volts by direct wire, with knockouts or linkable cords, and selects 2700K, 3000K or 4000K at 90 CRI. The listing says it dims to 5 percent with compatible dimmers. Fasteners are pre-installed and easy to reach, which shortens the job on the back of a tight cabinet.
Halo’s product page puts the line at 300 nominal lumens per foot, which works out to about 450 lumens for this 18-inch length, so this is a gentler light than the Enbrighten. It says the line is cUL listed and ENERGY STAR certified. Neither page gives a damp rating, so we would keep it away from the sink.
Why we like it
- Low-glare optics, per the listing
- Dims to 5 percent with compatible dimmers
- Under 1 inch deep
- 5-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | HU1118D9SP |
|---|---|
| Length | 18 in |
| Output | About 450 lumens (300 per foot, per Halo) |
| Color temperature | 2700K, 3000K, 4000K |
| CRI | 90 |
| Install | Direct wire at 120V |
| Dimming | To 5 percent with compatible dimmers |
| Listing and warranty | cUL listed, per Halo; damp rating not stated; 5-year warranty |
Why we recommend it
It suits a polished counter or tile backsplash where a bright bar would show up as a hot reflection.
Skip it if you need strong task light from a short bar; the lumens per foot are modest compared with the Enbrighten.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very slim
- Deep dimming
- Pre-installed fasteners
Cons
- Needs direct wiring
- Gentle output
- No damp rating stated
7. Sylvania TruWave Natural 12 Inch Under Cabinet Light Starter Kit – Wave to Dim
This small kit is best used as an accent over a coffee station or spice shelf, not as your main task light. Sylvania’s spec sheet gives 4 watts and 265 lumens for this item, with a CRI of 93 or higher, so color looks good but the output is low. It selects 2700K, 4000K or 5000K.
The party trick is the sweep sensor, which lets you turn the light on or off, dim it and change color with a pass of the hand. That is useful when your hands are covered in masa. The aluminum bar mounts with screw brackets, or magnet brackets and 3M tape, and it links with other bars from the line.
Check the power side when it arrives. The title says hardwire and the listing’s contents mention a plug-in adapter, while Sylvania’s spec sheet shows an in-line driver for item 61869. The spec sheet lists cETLus and ENERGY STAR and a 5-year warranty, with an operating range up to 104°F. The maker makes claims about blue light and sleep, and we don’t weigh those here.
Why we like it
- CRI of 93 or higher, per Sylvania
- Sweep sensor for touch-free control
- Screw, magnet or tape mounting
- cETLus listed, per the spec sheet
Key specifications
| Model | 61869 |
|---|---|
| Length | 12 in |
| Output | 265 lumens |
| Color temperature | 2700K, 4000K, 5000K |
| CRI | 93 or higher |
| Install | Starter kit; title says hardwire, see above |
| Dimming | Sweep sensor |
| Listing and warranty | cETLus listed; 5-year warranty |
Why we recommend it
It suits a coffee corner or a shelf that needs a little light and a touch-free switch.
Skip it if you want one bar to light a whole prep counter; 265 lumens won’t do that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Touch-free control
- Good color
- Flexible mounting
Cons
- Low output
- Power details differ between sources
- No damp rating found
How to choose lights for your cabinets
Before you look at any bar, stand at the counter and work out where you chop, where the outlets are and how deep the cabinet lip is. These are the points that matter.
Hardwired, plug-in or battery
Bob Vila says line-voltage lights are the hardest to install and are best left to a professional, while plug-in lights are simple and battery lights are the easiest of all. We agree. If a bar is going on house wiring, turn the power off at the breaker and hire a licensed electrician if you have any doubt. Check for a nearby outlet before you buy a plug-in bar.
We left battery lights off this page. The ones we looked at gave far less light than a corded bar, and we wanted a clear safety listing on anything mounted here.
Lumens for the job
Bob Vila suggests about 1,000 to 2,500 lumens for a food prep surface. Add up the bars across the stretch you work on, and don’t judge a light by a single number when the length differs. The Enbrighten plug-in gives 855 lumens from 12 inches, while the Sylvania gives 265 from the same length.
Color temperature and CRI
Bob Vila suggests staying between 3000K and 5000K, because anything below 3000K can look yellow-orange and make colors harder to judge. For cooking we prefer a bar with a switch, so you can run 4000K while you work and 3000K when dinner is on the table. CRI measures how true colors look. Every bar here that states one is at 90 or above, which is what you want when you are reading the color of a salsa or a sear.
Moisture and heat
The Juno, the WAC and the Cync are the three with a stated damp rating, so those are the ones we would use right beside a sink. Heat matters too. The Juno, Cync and Sylvania all give a top operating temperature of 104°F, so don’t mount a bar in the path of steam and heat over a range. A range hood usually has its own light for that spot.
Glare and length
Bob Vila’s tests looked at countertop glare and buzzing, and those are worth a look once a bar is up. Fit bars near the front of the cabinet floor, behind the lip, so the light falls on the counter and not in your eyes. Polished counters show every bar as a reflection, so choose a diffused or low-glare fixture. Measure the cabinet before you buy; a bar should be a little shorter than the cabinet it sits under.
How we chose these seven lights
We have not used these products ourselves. We started from what a home cook needs at the counter: enough light, true color and a safe way to power it. We then looked at under cabinet fixtures sold on Amazon in the United States, checking stock and offer condition, and kept only those in plain stock with a new lead offer from established lighting makers.
Details come from the Amazon listings and from GE’s, Halo’s and Sylvania’s product documents. BestReviews covers an earlier Enbrighten bar, and TechHive reviewed the Cync bar in a home kitchen. The roundups from Bob Vila and Family Handyman mostly feature other brands, so we used Bob Vila for buying advice only. The other picks rest on the listing and maker details.
We left out a Kichler bar whose listing described it as 120-volt but also said a power supply must be bought separately, and we skipped a popular rechargeable bar for its low output and no stated safety listing. We checked the CPSC recall database by brand and found no recall covering these models.
Under cabinet lighting questions, answered
What are the best kitchen under cabinet lights for renters?
A plug-in bar such as the Enbrighten 12 Inch. It needs only an outlet and a few screws, though ask your landlord before drilling into the cabinets.
Are hardwired under cabinet lights better than plug-in?
They look cleaner, with no cord on the backsplash, and they can run from a wall switch. Plug-in bars are easier and need no electrician. The light itself is not automatically better either way, so compare lumens and CRI.
What color temperature is best for kitchen under cabinet lights?
Most kitchens do well between 3000K and 4000K. Warm light looks good at dinner, and neutral white shows food more clearly. A switchable bar lets you have both.
Can under cabinet lights get wet?
Treat them as electrical fixtures and keep water off them. A damp rating, like those on the Juno, WAC and Cync, covers moisture in the air around the fixture, not direct spray.
Can I connect several bars together?
Most bars here link, but usually within their own line and often with parts sold separately. Check the limit first; the Cync allows 10 fixtures.
Our final pick for the kitchen counter
Buy the Enbrighten 24 Inch Hardwired if you can wire it, the 12 Inch Plug In if you can’t, and the Juno for the sink. For the rest of the cabinet, see our guides to cabinet organizers, cabinet spice racks and kitchen shelf risers.
When the counter is clean and you would rather not cook, see our menu and call to order.