12V vs 24V vs 240V Under Cabinet Lighting: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing the right under cabinet lighting is not only about the shape or finish of the light. You also need to decide how the system will be powered.

For most Loops customers, the choice comes down to 12V ready to buy kits, a configurable 24V lighting system, or direct mains lighting.

The best option depends on how simple or customised the installation needs to be.

12V vs 24V vs 240V under cabinet lighting: quick comparison

What is the difference between 12V, 24V and direct mains cabinet lighting?

Both 12V and 24V cabinet lights operate at DC voltage and require a compatible driver to convert the incoming mains supply to the voltage required by the lights.

A 12V light needs a compatible 12V driver, while a 24V light needs a compatible 24V driver. The two should not be mixed.

With a direct mains fitting, the product is designed for connection to the mains supply rather than using the separate driver arrangement found with a typical 12V or 24V cabinet lighting kit.

The voltage itself does not tell you how bright a light will be. Light output depends on the individual fitting, its wattage, LED efficiency and optical design.

When should I choose 12V under cabinet lighting?

12V is a strong choice when you want a simple ready to buy kit rather than designing an entire lighting system.

Many of the 12V options in the Loops range combine the selected lights with a suitably matched driver, so you do not have to calculate which power supply is required yourself.

12V is particularly useful when:

• you want a straightforward kit
• you already know how many lights you need
• the required style, finish and colour temperature are available as a preconfigured option
• you do not need a more complex multi-zone lighting project

This makes 12V a particularly simple route for replacing existing cabinet lighting or adding lighting to a relatively straightforward kitchen or furniture installation.

Browse 12V Under Cabinet Lighting

When should I choose 24V under cabinet lighting?

The Loops 24V system is the more configurable route.

Instead of choosing from hundreds of individual kit combinations, you can choose the visible fitting first and then build the rest of the project around it.

The Loops 24V Project Builder helps match the appropriate driver, required distribution and compatible controls while allowing separate lighting zones to be planned where needed. The project price is built as you configure it.

24V is particularly useful when:

• you are lighting a complete kitchen
• different areas need separate control
• you want more choice over the fitting and finish
• you require several lights across different cabinet runs
• you want compatible sensor or touch control options
• you want the driver and distribution requirements calculated as part of the project
• you are specifying lighting for a customer or fitted furniture project

For the same power, a 24V system draws less current than a 12V system. In practice, however, the most important consideration is still choosing a complete compatible lighting system that suits the installation.

Explore the Loops 24V Under Cabinet Lighting System & Project Builder

When should I choose direct mains under cabinet lighting?

Direct mains lighting takes a different approach.

Rather than having a separate 12V or 24V driver supplying the cabinet lights, these fittings are designed for a mains powered installation.

Direct mains can be useful when:

• a suitable mains lighting circuit is already available
• you prefer a direct mains fitting
• you do not need the configurable driver, distribution and control system offered by the Loops 24V range
• your installer has planned the lighting around mains powered fittings

Direct mains is not automatically better than 12V or 24V. It is simply a different way of powering the light.

Any fixed mains electrical work should be carried out in accordance with the applicable electrical requirements, using a suitably competent installer where required.

Browse Direct Mains Under Cabinet Lights

Is 24V better than 12V?

Not in every situation.

For a straightforward installation where the exact combination you need already exists as a ready to buy kit, choosing 12V can be extremely simple.

For a larger project where you want to choose the style first, use different zones, add compatible controls or let the system calculate the required driver and distribution, 24V is likely to be the better Loops route.

The important thing is to choose a complete compatible system rather than choosing voltage in isolation.

Does 24V mean the lights are brighter?

No. A 24V light is not automatically brighter than a 12V light.

Brightness is determined by the specification and light output of the fitting itself. Voltage describes the electrical system it is designed to operate with.

Compare the individual light output, dimensions, colour temperature and mounting style rather than assuming that the higher voltage option will produce more light.

Can I connect a 12V light to a 24V driver?

No. The light and driver voltage must match.

A 12V fitting requires an appropriate 12V supply and a 24V fitting requires an appropriate 24V supply.

This is one reason Loops supplies matched ready to buy kits and why the 24V Project Builder selects the appropriate driver as part of the configuration.

Which system should I choose for my kitchen?

If the voltage is not important to you yet, start with the fitting itself and narrow the range by style, finish, mounting type and specification.