• Home
  • Blog
  • Light Up Your Kitchen With Motion-Sensing Battery Cabinet Lights

Light Up Your Kitchen With Motion-Sensing Battery Cabinet Lights

Installing battery-powered motion sensor lights under your kitchen cabinets is a convenient way to upgrade your kitchen lighting without the hassle of wiring. These wireless under cabinet lights provide bright task lighting right where you need it, turning on automatically when you enter the kitchen. No more fumbling around in the dark!

Battery-powered options give you the flexibility to install accent lighting anywhere since no electrical outlets are required. LED strip lights and puck lights can adhere directly to the underside of cabinets with peel-and-stick backing. You don't need to hire an electrician or deal with wiring. Just stick them up and enjoy the bright glow illuminating your countertops.

battery operated lights under kitchen cabinets

Bright, Convenient Task Lighting Without Wiring

The main benefit of battery-operated under cabinet lighting is the convenience of wireless installation. Without any wires to run, you can easily place motion-sensing lights under cabinets and shelves exactly where you need extra illumination. No more awkwardly trying to use ceiling lights to see what you're doing on the counter!

Battery power gives you total freedom to install accent lighting anywhere in your kitchen. And since the lights activate by motion sensor, they turn on automatically when you're moving about prepping meals or washing dishes. The lighting comes to you when needed.

Rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs provide portable power. With no need to connect to electrical outlets, battery-operated lights can be moved, added, or adjusted at any time. Create the perfect custom lighting scene for cooking, using multiple motion-activated lights.

Battery Cabinet Lights are Easy to Install Yourself

Wireless battery-powered lights don't require professional installation - you can easily do it yourself! LED strip lights have peel-and-stick adhesive backing, making them simple to mount. Just clean the surface thoroughly, peel off the adhesive strip backing, and press the LED tape onto the underside of cabinets.

Low-profile puck lights can be placed anywhere with just small screws to hold them in position. No complicated wiring necessary! Both DIY homeowners and renters can install battery-operated cabinet lighting to illuminate their kitchens.

Choose Warm White or Cool White Light

Battery-powered under cabinet lighting is available in different light color temperatures. Warm white light around 3000K gives a soft yellowish glow that's inviting in kitchens and bathrooms. Cool white light around 5000K has a brighter, crisper tone optimal for task lighting.

Select warm or cool white battery lights to match your decor and lighting needs. Warm white strips and pucks create ambiance, while cool white maximizes visibility for kitchen tasks like cooking and cleaning.

Which Type of Battery-Powered Cabinet Lighting is Best?

When shopping for battery-operated under cabinet lights, you'll find sleek LED strip lights and compact puck lights are the most popular options. Both provide energy-efficient LED illumination ideal for brightening up dark cabinets.

Flexible LED Strip Lights

LED strip lights are thin, flexible tape with small LEDs embedded inside. This ribbon of light sticks right to cabinet undersides with peel-and-stick backing. LED strip lighting runs cool and gives a bright, even glow. With no bulky housings, the low-profile strips virtually disappear.

Use LED tape lighting to illuminate the entire under-cabinet area. Connect multiple strips together for expansive lighting coverage. LED strips can be cut to size to fit any space. Position the slim strips where you need targeted task lighting the most.

Compact Puck Lights

Battery-powered puck lights provide concentrated beams ideal for focused task lighting. The small round lights fit into tight spaces between cabinets and shelves. Puck lights point light directly downward, preventing glare.

Combine multiple mini puck lights spread out under cabinets to get broad under-cabinet illumination. Space them evenly to avoid dark spots. Puck lighting works well over sink areas and stove tops where you need the most help seeing for cooking and cleaning.

Battery Power Options

Look for battery-operated under cabinet lighting with rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs that can be easily swapped out and charged up. Other options use replaceable coin cell batteries that can be changed when they run out.

Some battery puck and strip lights can also plug in and be hardwired into an electrical system. This lets you switch to permanent AC power if desired. Check for hybrid lights that offer both wireless battery and plug-in capabilities.

Install Your Battery-Powered Cabinet Lights

Once you've selected the best battery-operated under cabinet lighting for your kitchen, it's time to install them for brilliant task lighting. Carefully planning placement and following manufacturer instructions will ensure your battery lights are positioned to provide optimal illumination.

Planning Tips

Map out where you will place LED strip lights or puck lights under cabinets by taping them in position before installing. This lets you test coverage and see how much lighting you'll need.

Measure the under cabinet area needing lighting so you know how many LED tape strips and puck lights to purchase. Account for dead spaces between lights to avoid dark spots.

Install LED Strip Lights

Thoroughly clean the under cabinet area where LED tape lights will adhere using isopropyl alcohol. Allow to fully dry. Peel off the backing strip to expose the tape adhesive. Position the strip lights and press firmly in place along the underside of cabinets.

Run wiring up into cabinets to hide them neatly. Connect multiple strips together until the under cabinet area is fully illuminated. Make cuts in tape strips with scissors to fit corners and edges.

Install Puck Lights

Use painter's tape to mark desired puck light positions spaced evenly under cabinets. Pre-drill pilot holes if screws will go into hard cabinet material.Screw mini puck lights directly into the underside of cabinets using provided hardware.

Aim puck lights to point light right where needed. Tighten screws firmly so lights stay angled properly. Make sure battery compartments are accessible.

Connect Batteries/Power

Plug LED strip lights and puck lights into rechargeable battery packs or hubs. Mount battery packs securely inside cabinets with provided hardware. Keep wiring neat and out of sight.

For hardwired plug-in cabinet lights, connect into nearby electrical outlets under cabinets or use extension cords. Hide cords safely inside cabinets.

Enjoy Your Motion-Sensing Under Cabinet Lighting

With your battery-operated under cabinet lighting installed, it's time to reap the benefits! Use handy features like motion sensors and remote controls to customize your kitchen lighting.

Set Light Activation Zones

Adjust the sensitivity of the motion sensor on your battery under cabinet lights. Set up the detection range so lights don't activate when just passing by the kitchen.

Program different motion sensor "scenes" for certain tasks like washing dishes or prepping ingredients. Lights will turn on and off automatically when you enter each zone.

Use Handy Remote Controls

Many battery-powered under cabinet lighting kits come with remote controls for convenient use. Remotes allow you to turn lights on and off from anywhere in the kitchen. No need to wave your hand right near the sensor.

Dim your remote-controlled lights up and down to adjust brightness as needed. Set lighting timers or schedules so under cabinet lights turn on right when you need them.

Never Fumble in The Dark Again!

The motion-sensing feature of battery-operated under cabinet lights provides a major convenience - no more fumbling around in the dark! The kitchen stays brightly illuminated.

When you enter the kitchen, the motion sensor immediately activates the battery lights. Approach the sink or counter to trigger puck and strip lights right where you're working.

Easily find ingredients, cook safely, and complete kitchen tasks even in windowless kitchens. Let the light come to you with handy motion-sensing battery under cabinet lighting!

FAQs About Battery-Powered Under Cabinet Lights

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about installing battery-operated under cabinet lighting:

What's the best way to position puck lights?

Space puck lights evenly every 8-12 inches under cabinets. Position them closer over sinks and stoves where more light is needed. Angle them to point directly downward.

How many LED strip lights do I need per foot?

As a general rule, use 6-8 feet of LED tape strip lighting per foot of cabinet to get good illumination. More LEDs may be needed for dark cabinets or glass fronts.

What gauge wire should be used with LED strips?

22-24 gauge low voltage wiring is recommended for connecting LED tape light strips to power supplies and batteries.

How long will the batteries last before needing recharge?

It varies, but many battery-powered under cabinet lights provide 20+ hours of runtime on a single charge. Motion sensors help conserve battery life.

Yes, many battery puck and strip lights can be plugged into outlets or permanently hardwired into kitchen electrical as an alternate to battery power.