How to Choose the Right Type of Under Cabinet Lighting for Your Project

When planning under cabinet lighting, there is more than one way to get the job done. You can choose a pre-cut LED light bar, use a complete under cabinet lighting kit, or build your own system from individual LED strip lights, aluminum channel, connectors, power supplies, and controls.

So which option is best?

The answer depends entirely on the project.

A small residential kitchen may benefit from the simplicity of a pre-cut light bar, while a larger or more customized installation may be better suited to LED strip lights installed in aluminum channel. A complete under cabinet lighting kit can be a great middle ground when you want flexibility without having to select every component yourself.

At aspectLED, we offer all three approaches because different projects call for different solutions.

3 Ways to Approach Under Cabinet LED Lighting

	Option	Best For	Installation	Customization
	Pre-Cut Light Bars	Quick, straightforward installations	Easiest	Limited to available lengths
	Under Cabinet Lighting Kit	A complete solution with matched components	Simple	Moderate
	LED Strip Light + Channel	Custom or complex installations	More involved	Highest

All three can provide excellent under cabinet lighting. The key is choosing the approach that fits the project, installation requirements, and desired level of customization.

1. Pre-Cut LED Light Bars: The Simplest Option

A pre-cut LED light bar is a ready-to-install linear fixture. Instead of assembling the lighting system piece by piece, the light bar arrives already assembled and pre-wired.

For a typical installation, you mount the included clips, install the light bar, and connect the wiring to the appropriate power supply and control system.

aspectLED offers low-profile LED light bars designed for applications such as under cabinets and above cabinets. They are available in 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 and 42 inches.

When should you choose a pre-cut light bar?

Light bars make sense when:

• You want the easiest possible installation
• You have relatively straightforward cabinet dimensions
• A standard length works for the space
• You want a clean, finished fixture without assembling multiple components
• You are installing a small number of lighting sections

For example, if you need to illuminate a 36-inch cabinet, a 36-inch light bar can provide a simple, clean solution without requiring you to cut and assemble LED strip light.

What should you know before choosing a light bar?

The main consideration is that you are working with pre-determined fixture lengths. If your cabinet is an unusual size or you need lighting to follow several different sections, a light bar may not provide the same flexibility as LED strip light.

You will also still need to select the appropriate power supply and, if desired, a compatible control or dimming solution.

In other words, the light bar takes care of the fixture itself, but it does not necessarily eliminate the need to plan the electrical side of the installation.

2. Under Cabinet Lighting Kit: The Middle Ground

Our Under Cabinet Lighting Kit is designed to make the process easier by combining the major components needed for a complete installation into one package.

Instead of determining which strip light, channel, connectors, driver, and dimmer you need individually, the components are selected to work together as a system.

This makes a kit a particularly useful option if you want more flexibility than a pre-cut light bar but less component selection than a completely custom system.

Our complete under cabinet lighting kit includes everything needed for a fast, streamlined installation with perfectly matched components. It is designed for installations up to 16 feet or 32 feet and features our Summit Free Cut LED Strip Light and includes the InDrive 2-in-1 Dimmer Switch + Driver to make installation simple while providing smooth, adjustable brightness for any space. 

When should you choose an under cabinet lighting kit?

A kit is a good fit when:

• You are lighting multiple cabinets
• You want to use LED strip light but do not want to source every component individually
• You want components that have already been selected for compatibility
• You want a more complete installation package
• You are looking for a straightforward solution without designing the entire system yourself

For someone who is comfortable installing low-voltage lighting but does not want to spend time determining every component, a kit can take much of the guesswork out of the process.

It can also be a practical choice for larger installations where buying and matching individual components would take more time.

When might a kit be more than you need?

If you only need to light one small cabinet or a short section of shelving, a complete kit may include more components than the project requires.

In that situation, a pre-cut light bar or individual components may make more sense.

The goal is not to use the biggest or most complete solution. It is to use the solution that fits your specific job.

3. LED Strip Light + Aluminum Channel: Build It Your Way

The most customizable approach is to build your own system from individual components.

This typically means selecting:

1. LED strip light
2. Aluminum channel
3. Connectors or wire
4. Power supply
5. Dimmer or controller, if needed

This approach gives you the most control over the final installation.

You can select the LED strip based on brightness, color temperature, color quality, voltage, waterproofing, RGB/RGBW capabilities, run length, and other project requirements. You can then select an aluminum channel based on how you want the lighting to look and how it needs to be installed.

When should you choose an a la carte system?

Building a system from individual components makes sense when:

• The installation has unusual dimensions
• You need to cut the lighting to specific lengths
• You want a specific LED color or performance characteristic
• You need RGB, RGBW, tunable white, or another specialty option
• You need a specific aluminum channel profile
• You are working around corners, angles, or architectural details
• You need to accommodate a more complex wiring or control setup
• You already understand low-voltage LED components and compatibility

This is where LED strip light really shines. Rather than being limited to the dimensions of a fixture, you can cut the strip to fit the application and use channel to create a clean, finished installation.

The tradeoff: More choices means more planning

The flexibility of an a la carte system also means there are more decisions to make.

You need to make sure the strip light, power supply, connectors, channel, and controls are compatible. You also need to properly calculate the total load and select an appropriately sized power supply.

If you are unsure which components work together, that does not mean you have to abandon the custom approach. Our team can help you determine what components will work best for your application.

Light Bar vs. Kit vs. A La Carte: Which Should You Choose?

There is no universal winner.

Think about it this way:

Choose a pre-cut light bar if...

You want to keep it simple. You have a straightforward installation, standard dimensions, and want a finished fixture that is quick to mount and connect.

Choose an under cabinet lighting kit if...

You want a complete system without having to select every component. You want the flexibility of LED strip lighting but would rather have the major components selected and packaged together.

Choose LED strip light + channel if...

You need maximum flexibility. Your project has custom dimensions, unique installation requirements, specialty lighting needs, or a more advanced control system.

What About Cost?

Cost depends on the size and requirements of the project, so it is not always as simple as comparing the price of one light bar to one roll of LED strip.

With a pre-cut light bar, you are paying for a finished fixture that requires less assembly.

With a lighting kit, you are purchasing multiple matched components together, which can simplify selection and installation.

With an a la carte system, you have more control over exactly what you purchase. That can be beneficial when you only need certain components, but it also means you are responsible for selecting the right combination.

The best value is usually the solution that avoids paying for components you do not need while still meeting the requirements of the installation.

To Conclude: Choose the System That Fits Your Project

Pre-cut light bars, under cabinet lighting kits, and custom LED strip light systems can all be excellent choices for under cabinet lighting. The difference is how much flexibility you need and how much of the system you want to assemble yourself. There is no wrong choice. The right choice is the one that matches the application.

If you know what you are trying to light but are not sure which approach makes the most sense, reach out to our team at support@aspectled.com or 888-503-1317. We can help you determine which components and configuration will work for your project.

Ready to get started with your under cabinet lighting project? Explore our LED light bars, Under Cabinet Lighting Kit, custom strip light or light bar solution, or an a la carte LED strip light system.