To choose an LED profile, decide how it will fit (surface mounted, recessed, angled or on a plinth), where the light needs to go, which diffuser finish you want and which width of LED strip it has to hold.
This guide names the Sensio profile for each job and ends with a comparison table. If you are new to profiles, start with what is an LED profile, then come back here to pick one. You can see the full range in our aluminium LED profiles collection.
Types of LED profile
Most Sensio profiles are aluminium with a diffuser cover. The main differences are how they fit and where they aim the light.
Surface mounted LED profiles
A surface mounted profile fixes straight onto the underside of a cabinet or shelf, so there is no routing and it is the quickest to fit.
- Fino is part of our Universal range, so it works with any Sensio flexible strip. It measures 18mm x 8.5mm, comes in 1m, 2m and 2.5m lengths in aluminium or black, and is supplied with mounting brackets and end caps.
- Versa Surface is a premium 2.5m profile in aluminium or black, suitable for all Sensio flexible strips. It is built to take Sensio plug-in sensor modules in IR, PIR or touch dimmer options, sold separately.
Shop surface mounted profiles.
Recessed LED profiles
A recessed profile sits in a groove routed into the panel, so it finishes flush for a minimal look.
- Linia is our Universal recessed profile for any Sensio flexible strip. Small wings cover imperfections in the routed edge, the end caps fill the routed gap, and it can be cut to size. It comes in 1m, 2.2m and 2.5m lengths in aluminium or black.
- Versa Recessed gives a flush finish within furniture or interiors and works with the same Versa plug-in sensors as Versa Surface.
- Blaze is a slimline recessed profile made for the 3.5mm Neutron strip, for a seamless line of light over worktops. Corner accessories are available.
- Zella is an acrylic recessed profile that fully diffuses the light for a soft, even glow. It takes strips 8mm wide or more, can be cut to any length and has wide wings to cover router imperfections.
Shop recessed profiles.
Corner and angled LED profiles
An angled or corner LED profile aims the light across a space rather than straight down, which suits cupboards, larders and wardrobes.
- Beam is an angled aluminium profile with an opal cover that push fits into corner brackets. It works with all flexible strips and is made for lighting inside cupboards and larders.
- Adapt is a corner and drawer profile with a living hinge that makes the strip easy to fit. It push fits into the brackets supplied.
- Ray kit combines an angled profile with a natural white Neutron strip already fitted. Its fully diffused, angled light helps prevent glare in cabinets and wardrobes, in lengths from 400mm to 1m.
Plinth profiles
- Accent is an angled plinth profile that fits 16 to 18mm plinth boards and takes strips 5mm wide or less. Accessories guide the light around corners without shadow zones.
- Edge fits on plinth boards or under worktops with VHB tape. It is designed for Razor X and Razor X Pro strips, needs no diffuser, and comes in 1m lengths that lock together, in aluminium, black or brushed brass.
Handleless kitchen profiles
- Vector attaches inside the handleless channel with VHB tape and takes strips 5mm wide or less. It can be cut to size, and diffused corner connectors avoid dark corners.
- Manta has a cool white strip pre-fitted and lights through both the top and bottom of the profile, so it lights inside the cupboard and down to the worktop.
Shelf and flexible profiles
- Vertex is a slim shelf light with a pre-installed natural white (4000K) strip. It sits on the back of the shelf board, the cable exits from the back and it can be cut to any length.
- Flex with Polar X Pro is a flexible silicone profile with an adjustable white strip built in, supplied on a 5m reel and cut to any length. It comes in 13mm and 19mm surface or recessed editions and a 16mm winged recessed edition.
Choosing a diffuser
The diffuser is the cover over the strip. It decides how soft the light looks and how much of the strip you can see.
- Opal cover. Beam has an opal polycarbonate cover for a soft spread of light inside cupboards.
- White or black cover. Fino has a polycarbonate cover that hides the LED points, white on the aluminium version and black on the black version.
- Full length push-fit diffuser. Versa has a plastic diffuser for even light across long runs, and it can be trimmed to make room for a Versa sensor.
- Fully diffusing profile. Zella is made from acrylic, so the whole profile diffuses the light. The Ray kit and Manta also give fully diffused light with no visible LED points.
- No diffuser. Edge is designed to be used with Razor X COB strip without a diffuser.
As a rule, the more of the strip people will see, the more diffusion you want. Under a wall cabinet at eye level, choose a profile with a cover. Tucked inside a plinth or handleless channel, a COB strip in Edge or Vector gives a clean line on its own.
Matching the profile to your LED strip
Choosing an LED profile for strip lights starts with the strip width, because each profile has a channel size.
- Any Sensio flexible strip: Fino, Linia and Versa. Beam also works with all flexible strips.
- Strips 5mm wide or less: Accent and Vector. Neutron is 3.5mm wide and Ion 5 is 5mm wide.
- Strips 8mm wide or more: Zella. For example Polar X is 8mm wide and Razor X is 10mm wide.
- Made for one strip: Edge for Razor X and Razor X Pro, and Blaze for Neutron.
- Strip already fitted: Manta, the Ray kit, Vertex and Flex with Polar X Pro, so there is no separate strip to buy.
Next, think about the type of strip. COB strip gives one continuous line of light with no visible dots, so it can look good even without a cover. SMD strip has individual LEDs and usually looks best in a profile with a diffuser. Our guide to COB vs SMD LED strip explains the difference, and you can browse all LED strip lights to check each width.
Every strip also needs a 24V driver sized to the total wattage. See what size LED driver do I need. The mains connection to the driver must be made by a qualified electrician.
Where to use each type of LED profile
- Under cabinets. Fino for a quick surface fit, or Linia recessed into the cabinet base for a flush finish. See under cabinet lighting.
- Over worktops. Blaze with Neutron for a slim recessed line, or Manta in a handleless kitchen. See worktop lighting.
- Inside cupboards and larders. Beam or the Ray kit to angle light onto the shelves. See in-cabinet and cupboard lighting.
- Plinths. Accent for 16 to 18mm plinth boards, or Edge with Razor X. See plinth and kickboard lighting and our plinth lights guide.
- Handleless kitchens. Vector, Edge or Manta. See handleless kitchen lighting.
- Shelves and drawers. Vertex on the back of a shelf, or Adapt in drawers and corners. See drawer and shelf lighting.
- Wardrobes. Fino, Linia or the Ray kit, with Versa if you want a plug-in sensor. See wardrobe lights.
- Bathrooms. Fino, Linia and Beam are in our bathroom lighting profiles. Check the IP rating of the strip and driver for the bathroom zone, as explained in IP44 vs IP65 bathroom lights. Bathroom electrical work must be carried out by a qualified electrician.
LED profile comparison
| Type | Best for | Fitting | Example Sensio product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface mounted | Under cabinets, wardrobes, quick installs | Brackets onto the surface, no routing | Fino, Versa Surface |
| Recessed | A flush, minimal finish in furniture | Push fit into a routed groove | Linia, Versa Recessed, Zella |
| Slimline recessed | A seamless line over worktops | Push fit, recessed | Blaze with Neutron |
| Angled or corner | Cupboards, larders, wardrobes, drawers | Push fit into corner or mounting brackets | Beam, Adapt, Ray kit |
| Plinth | Kickboards under base units | Onto 16 to 18mm plinth boards, or VHB tape | Accent, Edge |
| Handleless | Handleless kitchen channels | VHB tape inside the channel | Vector, Manta |
| Shelf | Open and wardrobe shelves | VHB tape on the back of the shelf | Vertex |
| Flexible silicone | Curves and acoustic panels | Push fit, surface or recessed, VHB tape | Flex with Polar X Pro |
Compare them all side by side in our LED profiles range.
FAQs
How do I choose an LED profile?
Decide how it will fit, surface mounted, recessed, angled or on a plinth, then check the strip width the profile takes and choose the diffuser finish you want. Fino and Linia work with any Sensio flexible strip, so they are a safe place to start.
Which LED profile is best for under kitchen cabinets?
Fino is the simplest, as it fixes onto the underside of the cabinet. Linia recesses into the cabinet base for a flush finish. Both work with any Sensio flexible strip.
Which profile do I need for a plinth?
Accent is an angled plinth profile for 16 to 18mm plinth boards and strips 5mm wide or less. Edge also fits plinth boards and is designed for Razor X and Razor X Pro strips.
Do I need a diffuser on my LED profile?
Not always. COB strips such as Razor X give a dot-free line, which is why Edge needs no diffuser. Standard SMD strips usually look best behind a diffuser, such as the opal cover on Beam or the cover on Fino.
Will my LED strip fit the profile?
Check the strip width. Fino, Linia and Versa take any Sensio flexible strip, Accent and Vector take strips 5mm wide or less, and Zella takes strips 8mm wide or more. Edge is made for Razor X and Blaze for Neutron.
Can I use an LED profile in a bathroom?
Fino, Linia and Beam are listed in our bathroom lighting profiles. Check the IP rating of the strip and driver for the zone they sit in, and have all bathroom electrical work carried out by a qualified electrician.
Not sure which profile you need? Contact our technical team.
