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After taking all of the below criteria into consideration, we nominated the HitLights Warm White LED Strip Lights as the best white LED light strip. In addition to being one of the few warm white lighting options in our guide, we liked that the light strip was designed with labeled cut lines for customization and that it offered a bright 7,000 lumens.
To determine the best white LED strip lights, we prioritized the following features: color temperature, water resistance, power source, length, and controls. We know that color temperature is important as it impacts where and how you can use the lights. But added functionality such as a dimmer or water resistance is also important so you can create a customized lighting effect or use them outdoors. Keep reading to learn more about the rest of our top picks.
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: A 16.4-foot strip of warm white lighting that’s customizable length makes this the best LED strip lights in our guide.
Warm white LED lights are perfect for ambient and accent lighting. They aren’t harsh and thanks to how easily you can install an LED light strip, they’re pretty goof-proof too. HitLight’s Warm White LED Strip Lights can be controlled by a dimmer (bought separately) are 7,000 lumens, and are 16.4 feet long. We liked that the strips are customizable with pre-labeled trim lines so that you don’t have to worry about accidentally cutting the wiring.
You’ll appreciate that these lights come with a 3M adhesive which makes installing them quick and easy to do with no hardware required. Plus these lights are rated for up to 50,000 hours of use, making them one of the longest-lasting options and the best LED strip lights in our guide. You can also check out the best waterproof led strip lights.
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: An affordable cool white LED strip light with an included dimmer and power adapter is why these are the best LED strip lights for room lighting.
Hands down, daylight white lighting is one of the best options for a range of tasks — including work. Our Honorable Mention pick is also our Best on a Budget recommendation. In addition to being the most affordable option in our guide, we like that the Onforu white LED strip light is a complete kit that comes with a power adapter, dimmer switch, 16.4 feet of lighting, and mounting hardware.
While it’s also not a waterproof solution, we like that the cool white temperature lends itself to being a great solution for a home office, or general lighting around the house. This is why we think this is one of the best LED light strips for room lighting. You’ll appreciate that this lighting has stepless dimming so you can control the brightness from zero to 100 percent. And as is common, these lights also come with adhesive so you can easily install them without tools if you prefer. An easy to install light kit is the TBI Pro WiFi LED Strip Light Kit that has a strip length of 32.8 feet. This flexible LED strip lighting is versatile in its lighting design, for it can adjust to be dim or super bright, is color changing with many color options, and can work with your smart home devices, like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, etc. You also have the option of adjusting the lighting/change colors via remote control. After the easy installation, plug in the power supply that’s connected to a 3 foot cord and be ready to completely transform the atmosphere of your living space. Compare these to the best led strip lights.
Award: BEST WATERPROOF
WHY WE LIKE IT: The best quality LED strip lights because they’re waterproof with a warm temperature output and offer the longest length in our guide.
While technically speaking none of the lighting solutions in our guide are extremely expensive, our Best Quality selection is one of the higher-end options. The GuoTong pick is the best quality LED strip lights in our guide because they’re waterproof with an IP65 rating that makes them safe for outdoor use (but not for submersion). We also like that this set of lights has the longest length at 50 feet as compared to the average length of 16.4 feet.
In addition to being the best outdoor LED strip lights, we like that this is another complete installation kit that comes with the lighting, power adapter, dimmer switch, and adhesive. As is common, this light strip is also customizable, with labeled cut lines to make trimming the length a breeze. And this set also comes with fuses to prevent a short from overloading the light strip. If you want something warmer, our best warm white led strip lights list is a good read.
Award: BEST VANITY LIGHTING
WHY WE LIKE IT: A cool white temperature that’s ideal for creating a DIY makeup vanity for more precise makeup applications.
If you’re a member of the makeup world or even just an enthusiast, you know that proper lighting is the key to nailing your makeup application — assuming you’ve already mastered the art of applying makeup. But if you’re not in the market to invest in some of the more expensive makeup vanities with built-in lighting, you can go the DIY route and create something that’s customized specifically to your needs.
The Govee LED light strip is a great solution because cool white light is preferable for makeup applications. We like that this option comes with a dimmer and a power adapter. As is common, you can trim the strip by following the trim lines, and the included adhesive makes applying the lights easy too. So, what makes this a great option for vanities? If you’ve looked online you know that most makeup vanities are white or light-colored. This is the only cool white LED light strip that is also white — which makes for a more low profile look when the lights aren’t on. You can also try the best smart light bulbs.
Award: BEST MOUNTING SYSTEM
WHY WE LIKE IT: A longer 20 foot LED light strip that’s dimmable and comes with a complete installation kit that includes mounting hardware.
Some people prefer mounting hardware as opposed to relying solely on adhesive backing. But mounting hardware isn’t as common in an LED lighting strip kit as an adhesive is. We’re rounding out our recommendations with the Novostella pick which includes 20 feet of cool white lighting, a dimmer, a power adapter, adhesive, and mounting hardware.
We think this is a great option for accent lightings such as under cabinets or shelving because of the addition of the mounting hardware. You’ll like that you can easily adjust the brightness with the dimmer. Installation is easy to do, and as is pretty standard, you can quickly trim the length by following the labeled cut lines. Also, if you’re looking for a more structured, linear strip light, the Faithsail LED 8 foot strip lights are another great option. They’re energy-saving, easy to use, and simple to install. Each one is 8 feet long but they’re all linkable so you can pair them together to fit your specific space.
White LED strip lights can be used for a range of purposes, making them a smart and versatile investment if you want to improve the lighting in your home, office, or even outdoor areas without breaking the bank. To create our guide, we looked at the following core features — color temperature, water resistance, power source, length, and controls.
Except for our Best Quality recommendation, none of the other selections in our guide are water-resistant. Specifically, the Best Quality is rated at IP65 which means that it can be used outdoors for occasional water exposure, but not submerged in water.
With color temperature, you have the option between cool, neutral, and warm. While we don’t have any neutral white recommendations, you can look to our Top Pick and Best Quality picks for warm white lighting. If you prefer cool lighting, then focus on our Honorable Mention, #5 and #6 picks.
Only our Top Pick lacks a power source. It’s the only option in our roundup that doesn’t come with a power adapter. In contrast, all of the others include not just a power adapter but a dimmer which gives you the freedom to adjust the brightness on your light strips. And finally, for length, our Best Quality is the winner at 50 feet. The typical length you’re most likely to find as you shop for lighting is 16.4 feet. But our #6 pick offers 20 feet.
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