Black & Decker 1-Bar LED Under Cabinet Lighting Kit, Warm White, 9"

Why I picked up this LED bar

A dark stretch of counter can make an otherwise nice kitchen feel unfinished. I wanted a quick, tidy fix without drilling holes or committing to a hardwired project. That’s what led me to this 9-inch Black & Decker LED bar: a slim, linkable under-cabinet light with tool-free mounting, a motion sensor, and ten-step dimming. After living with it over a few weeks—in both “task lighting” and “nightlight” roles—I came away impressed with how much function the kit packs into a small footprint.

Design and build

The bar itself is ultra-slim—about a half inch thick and wide—so it hides neatly behind a standard cabinet lip. The housing feels sturdy for its size, and the finish blends in rather than calling attention to itself. The kit includes a compact control box and a wall adapter, plus clips and jumper cables to route power where you need it. It’s a corded system, not battery-powered, which means no charging and consistent brightness.

From a design standpoint, the highlight is flexibility. You get multiple jumper lengths (short, medium, and long) and an extender, so you can hop across a microwave nook or range hood and still keep the wiring discreet. Four bar clips let you snap the light in place or remove it later for cleaning or repositioning, and separate wire clips help with cable management.

Installation and setup

Installation aims for tool-free, and that’s actually achievable if your cabinet undersides are smooth and clean. Here’s what worked for me:

• Wipe the mounting surfaces with isopropyl alcohol and let them dry. Adhesive clips only stick as well as the surface allows.
• Dry-fit everything first. Connect the bar to the control box and the control box to the adapter, then mock up where each component will sit.
• Mount the control box where the motion sensor can “see” you as you approach, not tucked behind a moulding or too far back.
• Use the shortest jumper that reaches cleanly. Extra slack is harder to hide.
• Press and hold each clip for 30 seconds to set the adhesive.

If you want a belt-and-suspenders install, the kit includes a couple of screws. I used a screw for the control box and adhesive clips for the bar and wiring, which gave me a little extra security without drilling a bunch of holes.

The whole process took about 20 minutes for one bar, mostly because I fussed with cable routing to keep everything invisible unless you duck under the cabinet.

Light quality and performance

The output is warm white—comfortable and neutral enough for kitchens and offices without skewing orange. It’s not the bluish “daylight” you see in some task lights; think cozy but functional. On high, the bar is more than bright enough for chopping and reading labels. At mid-level, it becomes a pleasant accent wash that evens out shadows along the backsplash.

Across the bar, illumination is smooth with no distracting hot spots. I didn’t see any visible flicker at any of the ten brightness levels. Heat is a non-issue; even after hours on, the housing was only mildly warm to the touch.

Controls and everyday usability

Two control options make this kit feel smarter than a basic stick-on light:

• Motion on/off: Wave or step into range and the light snaps on. This is a small quality-of-life upgrade if your hands are wet or messy. Sensitivity was well-judged in my setup—I could trigger it intentionally without every pass-by turning the light on from across the room. Positioning the control box within the “traffic path” matters; if you hide it too far back, detection becomes spotty.
• Manual control with ten-step dimming: The bar has a power button, and you can step brightness up or down in clear, useful increments. The dimmest setting is a true nightlight; the brightest is task-ready.

There’s also an optional three-hour auto-off timer. I used it for late-night ambient light so I wouldn’t forget the bar on until morning. It’s one of those small features that solves a real-world problem.

Linkability and expandability

Even though I started with a single bar, the system is designed to grow. You can link additional bars from the same series using the included jumpers. The different cable lengths make it feasible to run a clean line of light across a multi-cabinet span, hop a stove, and pick up again on the other side.

Two notes from my experience:

• Plan the sequence and spacing before you stick anything. A dry layout helps you avoid coming up an inch short and having to shuffle everything.
• Keep the control box accessible. If you hide it behind a valance, you may compromise motion sensing or make it awkward to adjust brightness later.

Energy and longevity

This is an LED system that, per the manufacturer, uses about 85% less energy than comparable incandescent lighting. In practice, that translated to negligible impact on my energy monitor, even with the bar running nightly on the timer. The LEDs are rated up to 50,000 hours, which is table stakes for quality task lighting and should translate to years of use for typical under-cabinet duty.

Because it’s an AC-powered kit, brightness stays consistent as long as it’s plugged in—no dimming over time like some rechargeable puck lights.

What could be better

No product is perfect, and a few details are worth knowing up front:

• Cable management depends on your cabinets. On frameless or textured undersides, adhesive clips may not bond as well. Clean thoroughly, and consider using the included screws for the control box.
• You need a nearby outlet. If your only power is across the room, plan on an extension inside a cabinet or choose a different form factor.
• The motion sensor requires thoughtful placement. If you install the control box too far back, detection is inconsistent; too far forward, and it may trigger more often than you want. A few inches can make a big difference.

None of these were deal-breakers for me, but they’re installation realities to keep in mind.

Who it’s for

• Renters and DIYers who want under-cabinet light without hardwiring
• Home cooks who appreciate hands-free operation and a true low setting for evenings
• Anyone expanding an existing run of Black & Decker linkable bars who needs one more segment and a full set of jumpers

If you’d prefer app control, voice integration, or a tunable white range, this isn’t that product. It’s a straightforward, physical-controls work light that prioritizes reliability and ease of use.

The bottom line

The 9-inch Black & Decker LED bar hits the sweet spot for simple, effective under-cabinet lighting. It installs cleanly, disappears visually, and delivers warm, even illumination with a useful range of brightness. The motion sensor and three-hour auto-off timer make everyday life easier without adding complexity, and the linkable design means this single bar can be a starter piece or a gap-filler in a longer run.

Recommendation: I recommend this LED bar for anyone looking for an uncomplicated, dependable under-cabinet upgrade. It’s easy to mount, thoughtfully accessorized with jumpers and clips, and the warm light punches well above its size. The only caveats are the need for a nearby outlet and a bit of planning to place the control box. If those fit your kitchen, this kit is a smart, low-hassle solution.