Black & Decker 1-Bar Led Under Cabinet Lighting Kit, Cool White, 9-inch

Why I reached for this light bar

My kitchen has decent overhead lighting, but the counters were still living in shadow. I wanted a low-profile, no-fuss way to brighten up the work surface without drilling holes or replacing cabinets. That’s what led me to Black & Decker’s 9-inch under-cabinet LED light bar. It’s a compact, linkable strip in a cool white color temperature, with tool-free installation, a motion-activated switch, and ten-step dimming. After installing and living with it for several weeks, here’s what stood out.

Installation: genuinely tool-free (with options)

This kit ships with a single 9-inch bar, a separate control box, an AC adapter, and a thoughtful assortment of hardware: bar mounting clips, wire clips, two screws, and three jumper cables (4", 12", and 30"). If you prefer an entirely tool-free setup, the included clips use adhesive backs that stick well to clean cabinet undersides. I wiped down the underside with rubbing alcohol, mapped my cable path, and pressed everything in place. No drill, no measuring jig, no headache.

If you want a belt-and-suspenders approach, two tiny screws are included. I used the adhesive clips initially and later added screws for the cable clips where the wood grain was extra smooth—just to guarantee they stay put long-term. Either way, installation is quick. Give yourself 15–30 minutes to plan the cable routing and sensor placement before you peel any adhesive liners. That bit of upfront planning makes the job tidy and avoids having to reposition clips (adhesive can be tenacious and may mar very delicate finishes if you pull too aggressively).

One practical note: the system is corded. You’ll need an available outlet, and the small control box and adapter need somewhere to live. I mounted the control box under the cabinet edge near the front so the motion sensor has a clear view, and tucked the adapter in the backsplash outlet with a shallow-profile power strip. If you’re after a clean look, budget five more minutes for cable management, and consider a slim surface raceway if you have a long run to the outlet.

Design and build

The bar itself is slim—about 0.3 inches tall and 0.7 inches deep—so it disappears under a standard cabinet lip. The housing feels sturdy enough for kitchen duty, and the light remains cool to the touch. There’s a small physical power button on the end of the bar, which is handy if you prefer to bypass the motion sensor on a given day. The overall look is utilitarian rather than decorative, but once it’s tucked out of sight, what you notice is the light, not the hardware.

Controls: motion, manual, and a simple timer

The control box is the brains of the system. Wave a hand in front of it to toggle the light on or off—great when your hands are wet or messy. If you’re not a gesture-control person, the push button on the bar works like a standard switch. There’s also a three-hour auto-shutoff option. I set it for evenings when I want ambient light without worrying about turning it off before bed. It’s unobtrusive and, critically, reliable.

Dimming is offered in ten steps. The increments are well judged: low is gentle enough for a nightlight glow, and high is bright enough to prep vegetables comfortably without casting harsh shadows. It’s not infinitely adjustable, but the steps are close enough together that I didn’t miss stepless dimming.

Light quality and coverage

This model is cool white (roughly the “neutral cool” range rather than blue-ish daylight), which makes countertops read clean and helps with task clarity. One bar under a 24–30 inch cabinet gives a useful ribbon of light along the backsplash and counter. For a 48-inch span, I found two bars linked end-to-end produced even, bright coverage—enough to skip the ceiling cans for most cooking tasks. There’s no visible flicker, no warm-up time, and the diffusion is good; the LED points aren’t distracting unless you’re right up against the strip.

If you prefer warmer, cozier light for dining areas, know that this particular kit is fixed to cool white. It’s a good temperature for workspaces and modern kitchens, less so if your palette leans rustic or you’re after a warm ambiance. That’s a preference call rather than a flaw, but it’s worth deciding before you commit.

Linking and expandability

Linkability is where this system shines for a simple plug-in light. You can daisy-chain additional 9-inch bars to extend coverage, mixing direct end-to-end connections with the included jumpers to jump gaps or route around a hood or window. The 4", 12", and 30" jumper lengths provide flexibility for typical cabinet layouts, and the clips make it easy to keep wires tucked up and invisible. I appreciated that expansion didn’t require a new power supply—the single adapter handled the linked pair in my setup without issue.

If you plan to expand later, leave a bit of slack in your cable routing to accommodate another bar. The clips are reusable, but adhesive loses bite if you reposition them too many times.

Everyday use

The biggest compliment I can give this bar is that I stopped thinking about it. I walk into the kitchen, wave, and there’s the light. The motion sensor triggers reliably as long as it has a clear sightline; if you mount it too far back under a deep cabinet, you may need to exaggerate your hand wave. I left the brightness one or two steps below max for most cooking and bumped it down in the evening when the space turns into a hangout.

The light has stayed cool, silent, and consistent. No buzzing, no color shift, and no sagging clips. It’s energy efficient by design, and the manufacturer’s stated 50,000-hour LED life is in line with what I expect from decent quality strips. Three years of limited warranty coverage is a nice reassurance for something that’s on and off every day.

Drawbacks and practical tips

• You’ll see wires if you don’t manage them. The kit includes ample clips, but smooth cabinet finishes and dust are enemies of adhesive. Clean thoroughly and press firmly for a good bond. If you want an ultra-clean look, a thin cable raceway along the underside lip makes the run disappear.
• The system is cool white only. If you’re sensitive to color temperature or matching other fixtures, make sure “cool white” suits your space before buying.
• Plan for an outlet. If your nearest outlet is already full or sits on a backsplash you want to keep clear, factor in a low-profile power strip or an under-cabinet receptacle.
• This is a plug-in solution, not a hardwired system. If you’re remodeling and want an integrated, code-compliant, switch-controlled run that ties into existing wall switches, a hardwired fixture may fit better. For renters or anyone avoiding electrical work, the plug-in design is the appeal.

Who it’s for

• Renters or DIYers who want fast, clean under-cabinet lighting without drilling or hiring an electrician.
• Home cooks who want reliable task lighting with easy, hands-free control.
• Hobby benches, laundry rooms, and display shelves that benefit from targeted, low-profile light.

Who might look elsewhere:
- Those wanting warm white or tunable color temperature.
- Anyone set on a fully hardwired, wall-switch solution or smart home integration out of the box.

The bottom line

This 9-inch Black & Decker light bar solves the under-cabinet shadow problem with minimal effort. It’s genuinely easy to install, thoughtfully expandable, and practical in daily use. The motion sensor and ten-step dimming make it adaptable throughout the day, and the linkable design scales neatly to longer runs. While cable management and the fixed cool-white color temperature are the main tradeoffs, they’re manageable with a little planning.

Recommendation: I recommend this light bar for anyone seeking a straightforward, plug-in under-cabinet solution that balances ease of installation with useful features. It’s a dependable, no-drama upgrade for task lighting, and the linkable, low-profile design makes it an especially good fit for renters, small kitchens, and workbench setups.