LED strip lights recommendation

[SS9]

I’m starting a new project in my kitchen and want to install around 10m of led strip lights. Ideally warm white and perhaps with some clever switch gear so I don’t have to faff around with lighting circuits (I have plenty of 240v sockets near all areas being installed).

I’m looking for recommendations on a good source for these. I’ll be doing a mixture of recessed strips, some surface mounted (but hidden behind a frame). I’m fairly competent with domestic electrics. Appreciate any tips or experience people have here (I’ll of course be sharing a build thread here at some point!).

[Jackarmy100]

Hi,
I use a lot of the Hafele 12 and 24v range of led lighting systems. It’s really good quality, though it can be a bit of a head scratcher to figure out what you need to buy. However, they have a design team that you can tell what your after, and the will sort out a bill of materials for you. Comes in different light temps. They also have a very good smart solution available to control via your phone etc.
not cheap, but then good stuff rarely is alas!

[SS9]

Jackarmy100 said:

Hi,
I use a lot of the Hafele 12 and 24v range of led lighting systems. It’s really good quality, though it can be a bit of a head scratcher to figure out what you need to buy. However, they have a design team that you can tell what your after, and the will sort out a bill of materials for you. Comes in different light temps. They also have a very good smart solution available to control via your phone etc.
not cheap, but then good stuff rarely is alas!

Appreciate the recommendation - Hafele isn’t a brand I’ve knowingly come across before but it looks like they have a good range!

[loughran]

I use a system called Syndeo which offers lots of options.

Ultra LEDs are very helpful when I have questions.

https://www.ultraleds.co.uk/syndeo-plug-play?srslt...

[simon_harris]

I bought cheap 5m led lengths off eBay along with some inverters, some ally Chanel to fit it in and wired it off the wiring italled for the under cabinet lights from the lighting circuit. Almost 10 years later it is still going stong

[M11rph]

I used Kinetic switches whem I did my last kitchen.

The switches generate their own power so can literally be mounted anywhere and there's no worry about using with wet hands etc.
https://www.simplelighting.co.uk/wireless-kinetic-...

https://www.simplelighting.co.uk/15w-smart-home-di...

You need compatible LED drivers, but it makes installation easy. Fit (dimmable) LEDs where you want, connect driver to LEDs, 240v into driver module and then pair the light switch to the driver. Stick switch wherever you want.

It makes installation easy and doesn't require any channeling out of walls to resite switches.

I found them totally reliable, click for On/Off... press and hold to dim.

[Turtle Shed]

I went with Tapo ones from Amazon. £25 for 2x5m strips. Coloured and controllable with Alexa, so no need for switches.

Just plug in, connect via Tapo app, then Alexa picks them up automtically.

[rdjohn]

https://www.ultraleds.co.uk/

I found these guys were very helpful with fittings, drivers and controllers