Black & Decker 3-Bar LED Under Cabinet Lighting Kit, Warm White, 9"

What I installed and where it shines

I put the Black+Decker LED under-cabinet kit (the three-bar, 9-inch “warm white” version) into a small galley kitchen with two cabinet runs split by a sink. I wanted an affordable, low-profile upgrade that could serve both as task lighting for prep and as ambient lighting in the evening. After several weeks of daily use, it’s clear this kit punches above its weight in flexibility and ease of use, with a few installation caveats worth noting.

Setup and installation

Out of the box you get three slim light bars, a control box with an integrated motion sensor and manual buttons, an AC adapter, short jumper cables, and a good supply of bar and wire clips. The hardware supports a “tool-free” install thanks to peel-and-stick clips, but I found a hybrid approach best:

• I used the adhesive clips to lay out wiring and confirm placement.
• I then secured the bars with the included screw-ready clips for long-term hold.

If your cabinet undersides are raw wood or lightly textured paint, adhesive alone may not stay put over time, especially near heat or steam. Screws add five minutes per bar and remove the worry.

The slim bars disappear nicely behind the cabinet lip. Wire management is straightforward: the included wire clips keep runs tucked neatly against the underside. The one big planning step is figuring out the control box and power location. The control box needs to be accessible for manual controls and sensor placement, and the power brick needs an open outlet. If you’re spanning a sink or stove gap, the included jumpers are quite short; you’ll likely need a longer jumper or a second control/power setup to serve both sides. That’s not a deal-breaker—just something to plan for before you start sticking anything in place.

Total install time for me, including measuring, dry-fitting, and cable routing, was about an hour. A second set of hands helps when aligning the slide-in bar clips so you don’t fight gravity and adhesive at once.

Light quality and output

The warm white output reads as pleasant and natural—more inviting than cool white strips and more neutral than overly amber puck lights. At higher levels, three bars provide ample task lighting for chopping and reading recipes; at lower levels, they settle into a comfortable glow for late-night snacking. There are ten brightness steps controlled on the box, and the steps are spaced well enough that you can always find a workable level without feeling like you’re toggling between “too bright” and “too dim.”

Light distribution is even along the bar length. With three bars positioned toward the front of the cabinets, shadows are minimal and there’s no distracting hotspotting on the backsplash. The bars run cool to the touch, even after hours on, which is a big plus for under-cabinet use near wood and finish materials.

I didn’t see any visible flicker at low levels or hear any buzzing from the driver. Dimming feels smooth and consistent across all ten steps.

Controls and sensor behavior

The control box offers both a manual on/off and brightness buttons plus a motion sensor for touchless activation. I mounted the box under the first cabinet near the primary prep zone. The motion sensor reliably wakes the lights with a quick hand wave or when I approach within a couple of feet—handy when hands are wet or messy. It’s not hyper-sensitive, which I appreciate; it isn’t tripped by activity across the room.

There’s also an optional three-hour auto-off timer. I enabled it immediately. It has already saved me twice when I left the lights on after cleaning up. If you prefer to leave them on indefinitely, you can disable the timer with a button press.

Build and design

Each bar is slim and lightweight with a rigid housing that feels sturdier than typical tape lights and less bulky than older puck-style fixtures. The linkable design keeps wiring tidy; jumpers sit flush and don’t sag. The clips are simple but effective, and there are enough in the bag to allow for a redo if you change your mind on bar spacing.

The cords are the least attractive part of any under-cabinet kit. These are thin and easy to hide under a face frame or with paintable cord channels. If you put effort into cable routing, you can get a very clean, “installed” look without opening walls or calling an electrician.

Energy use and longevity

The LEDs are rated up to 50,000 hours and claim roughly 85% less energy use than incandescent equivalents. Based on how cool they run and the overall brightness for the power draw, this tracks with other quality LED task lighting I’ve used. If you leave them on most evenings, the optional timer and the multi-step dimming help keep energy use in check.

Expandability and accessories

The bars are linkable, and the kit includes three short jumpers—great for chaining bars under a single run. If you intend to cross a sink or range, budget for a longer jumper cable or a second control/power set. Planning your layout ahead of time (measure spans, note outlet locations, and decide where you want the control box) will save you a last-minute run for extra parts.

What I’d change

• Longer jumpers in the box. The included short cables are perfect within a run but too short for common kitchen gaps. One medium-length jumper would unlock more layouts out of the gate.
• Stronger adhesive on clips. The peel-and-stick approach is convenient but marginal on some finishes. I’d treat the adhesive as a positioning aid and still use screws for a permanent install.
• Control box size and placement. The box is tidy, but you do need to find it a home where the sensor can “see” activity and the buttons are reachable. A remote sensor option would make placement more flexible.

Who it’s for

• Renters or homeowners who want a clean, bright under-cabinet upgrade without hardwiring.
• DIYers who value adjustable brightness, a reliable motion sensor, and an auto-off timer.
• Anyone prioritizing warm white, even light for both task work and evening ambiance.

If you’re chasing a completely cord-free, built-in look, a hardwired system will still be the gold standard. But for most kitchens, bathrooms, and closets, this kit gets you 90% of the way there with a fraction of the effort and cost.

Tips for a better install

• Lay out all bars, clips, and cables and do a dry fit before peeling any adhesive.
• Position bars forward under the cabinet face frame to reduce backsplash shadows.
• Mount the control box near your main prep zone; test sensor range before committing.
• Use screws for the bar clips if the cabinet underside is textured or the environment is humid.
• Add paintable cord covers to hide the power lead to the outlet.

Bottom line

The Black+Decker LED under-cabinet kit is an easy recommendation for anyone who wants practical, warm task lighting with modern conveniences. The ten-step dimming, dependable motion activation, and three-hour timer make it pleasant to live with every day. Installation is genuinely DIY-friendly, and the slim bars produce even, attractive light without heat or hum.

I would recommend this tool. It hits the sweet spot of performance, usability, and value for most kitchens and utility spaces. Plan your layout, pick up a longer jumper if you’re spanning a sink, and use screws where it counts—you’ll end up with a tidy, reliable lighting upgrade that looks and feels far more expensive than it is.