The 14 Best Swimming Pool Lights

If you’re looking to light your pool at home, you’ll stumble across a wide array of choices.

From surrounding lights to floating lights, much of your buying decision will center on your intended purpose…

Do you need to see the pool steps at night?

Are you looking to prevent your kids or anyone who can’t swim from taking an unexpected tumble?

Or, maybe you’re simply looking to inject some ambiance into your poolside and you’re looking for some mood lighting.

Whatever your reasons for lighting up your pool, we’re here to simplify the process for you. We’ll be showcasing a dozen of the finest lighting solutions in a variety of styles.

Now, while there are many obvious reasons for finding the best pool lights – safety, for instance – there are some you might not have thought about. We’ll give you a concise guide to comparing pool lights once we’ve finished with our reviews, but we’ll kick off with a few things to consider on the buying trail.

• More swimming time: One key benefit of pool lighting is the way it helps you to extend your pool time into the evening. With the water and all surrounding areas clearly visible, you can safely splash away in the dark.
• Accidents: If anyone does accidentally slip into the pool, you’ll be able to spot them immediately, even if it’s past dusk.
• Highlighting pool features: As well as enhancing the atmosphere, the best pool lights can also highlight any special pool features like fountains and waterfalls when it gets dark.
• Landscape lighting: In addition to pool lights, you could also consider installing some landscape lighting. Make sure getting to the pool is just as safe as getting into it.

Now, we’ll walk you through all the best pool lights then we’ll underscore all the most important things to consider when you’re choosing a set for your swimming pool.

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The 14 Best Pool Lights

1. Our #1 Pick: Happox Pool Light for In-Ground Pools

Features

• LED
• 50-watt
• 6 x 4.1 x 3.9 inches

Our overall favorite pool lights from the dozen sets we review today comes from the highly reputable Happox.

If you have older incandescent lights in your pool, you’ll doubtless find them very inefficient and costly to run. Invest in these LEDs and you’ll benefit from lights rated at just 50 watts but generating comparable brightness to incandescents of 300 to 800 watts.

The best part? You’ll achieve that brightness while using up to 80% less electricity. Throw in a 50,000-hour lifespan and you’re getting the most cost-effective pool lighting imaginable.

The traditionally-styled bulb is super-simple to screw in, replacing your older and less efficient lights. The bulb itself measures 3.74 x 4.72 inches, and it’s designed to slot neatly into most pool housings like Hayward or Pentair. It doesn’t make a good fit for smaller SPA fixtures, though.

You can choose from multiple configurations with these pool lights. This is the 120-volt colored version. There’s also a 12-volt alternative, and RGB lights.  This version will not support 12 volts, so make sure you get this right before committing to purchase. The ultra-bright OSRAM chips are ideally suited for pool lighting.

Backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, you really can’t ask for too much more when it comes to pool lighting, and these lights are pretty keenly priced considering the exceptional performance.

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2. LOFTEK Dimmable Pool Lights

Features

• LED
• 5-watt
• 16 x 16 x 16 inches

If you want to create a grotto-like atmosphere poolside, why not consider some floating pool lights? LOFTEK gives you some superb examples here, so how do they shape up?

First thing’s first, you need to choose the size of lighting. There are 7 sizings at your disposal from 3 inches through to 24 inches at the upper end. Choose in line with the dimensions of your pool. This model features 16-inch balls and falls roughly in the middle of the impressive range.

Now, these LED globes are multipurpose and would be just at home inside your house or on the decking as floating in the pool.

If you choose to pop them in the pool – and we’re sure you will! – then the lights are completely waterproof. They are rated IP65. The shell of the balls is made from toy-grade polyurethane made with one-shot molding. Dustproof as well as waterproof, there are no gaps in sight here. The lights are not only waterproof, but they’ll also float on the surface, too, making a real spectacle for swimmers.

You’ll benefit from 16 static RGB colors and 5 brightness levels. You can choose from 4 dynamic lighting modes, and you can take charge from the bundled remote control for a seamless experience. You can also use button controls for complete versatility.

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3. Rukars Floating Pool Lights

• LED
• 14-inch
• 14 x 14 x 14 inches

If you’re looking to illuminate your swimming pool, it helps if the lights enhance the design scheme, and these floating gems from Rukars make a commanding visual statement.

One of the primary benefits here is the variety of installation options at your disposal. Many users like to hang the large globular lights from trees surrounding the pool. Others prefer to leave the lighted balls floating in the pool, and you could also rest them on a table or stake them into the ground.

To get started, just inflate the balls. This allows you to use the lights when you go camping or on a road trip, and also allows you to store them in limited spaces when you winterize your swimming pool.

The bright LED lights are completely solar-powered, allowing you to do your part for the environment while still lighting your pool up like a fairy grotto. After being charged in direct sunlight, you can expect to get up to 8 hours of use from these lights.

To give you an indication of the size of these balls relative to your pool, they measure 14 inches across. Each pack bundles 4 of these colored balls for great overall value.

Rated IP68, these lights are both waterproof and weatherproof. Despite a handful of complaints about build quality issues developing over time, most user testimony for these pool lights is overwhelmingly positive. Do they make the right fit for your home swimming pool, though?

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4. Life-Bulb LED Pool Lights

Features

• LED
• 40-watt
• 6 x 6.6 x 5.4 inches

Next up in our quest for the best pool lights is another set of energy-efficient LEDs, this time from the inimitable Life-Bulb.

You operate these lights either using the switch control or a remote control, giving you total flexibility.

Of the multiple configurations available, this version is the 120-volt RGB rated at 40 watts. Now, as with all LED lights, don’t be put off by what seems like – and, indeed is – low wattage. These lights are much more energy-efficient than older incandescent lights. LEDs kick out the same brightness as incandescent lighting with much higher wattages.

Note that these lights won’t run on 12 volts. If you’re unsure, the manufacturer has a US-based service allowing you to text VOLTAGE to the number 474747 to clear up any confusion.

This light is intended to replace older lights in underwater fixtures from Pentair and Hayward. They will also work in most similar underwater fixtures.

Color-changing, you’ll create the mood of your choice poolside with the minimum of fanfare. There are 16 different color modes with 7 fixed colors along with 9 light shows. As well as the standard red, green, and blue lighting, you’ll also get white, purple, yellow and cyan.

If you’re still in any doubt about these pool lights, perhaps the lifetime replacement guarantee will swing the balance. You really can’t ask for much more than that.

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5. Intex Magnetic Pool Lights

Features

• LED
• 5-watt
• 10 x 7.9 x 5.9 inches

Next up in our selection of the best pool lighting comes these dinky LEDs from Intex. How do they differentiate themselves, then?

Well, the primary selling point here is the straightforward installation. The innovative magnetic mounting system means you’ll need no tech skills, and you’ll need no DIY expertise either.

The lights are designed to be mounted to the sides of soft-sided PVC pools, above-ground pools specifically.

If you opt for the in-pool lights from this brand, they are powered wirelessly. The outlet connection comes with a lengthy 26-foot cable so you should have ample freedom here. This also means you won’t need to concern yourself with replacing or charging batteries.

These lights are offered in both white and colored form for the inside lights. The outside pool lights are only available in white.

The lights are guaranteed for 2 years allowing to buy with complete confidence. If you run into any snags at any point, you’ll find customer service is fairly responsive and helpful.

Suitable for adequately illuminating pools to 24 feet in length, you’re getting an all-round lighting solution at a very reasonable price point, so what are you waiting for?

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6. iled Light Pool Lights

Features

• LED
• 36-watt
• 7 x 6.9 x 6.9 inches

iledlight has a heavy presence in his vertical with just cause. They make superb lighting solutions, and they price them well within most people’s budget. You can’t argue with the price/performance ratio here, so what do you get in terms of performance?

Don’t be fooled into thinking the 36-watt lights won’t be bright enough. Like all LEDs, you’ll get dramatically improved efficiency, which means that these bulbs kick out the same brightness as incandescent lights with far higher wattages.

These are color-changing lights offering you reds, blues, and greens to bathe your pool in a wonderfully relaxed ambiance when evening falls.

As well as 7 static color modes, you can also choose from 8 animation modes to wow your guests and keep the kids entertained. From color transitions to fades, enjoy some great effects fuss-free. There’s also a memory function so your most recently-used settings are restored when you next hit the pool.

You can take advantage of switch control or remote control, so you have all bases covered. You’ll need to get a battery for the remote control as the manufacturer doesn’t include one.

Of the multiple configurations at your disposal, this version is the 120-volt RGB rated at 36 watts. There are many other options if this doesn’t make a smooth fit.

With a responsive customer care arm and products built to stay the distance, you won’t be disappointed if you invest in these LED lights for your pool.

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7. LOGUIDE Floating Pool Lights

Features

• LED
• 5-watt
• 8 x 6.9 x 5.3 inches

Floating lights always create a really elegant vibe in a pool, and these take things to the next level aesthetically. You can choose from lights shape like a butterfly, a dragonfly, or a frog. These are the dragonfly lights and they make a real conversation piece.

Made from rugged foam, the colors will endure rather than fading and diminishing the effect. Set on a lotus leaf design, the lights are designed to float in your pool.

The battery box underneath is fully waterproof, too, so you’ll have no niggling safety concerns about dropping these nifty LEDs in your pool at home.

Each of the lights comes with a battery that yields roughly 100 hours of continuous use. This battery is replaceable, but you’ll be locked into buying ongoing replacements. Giving the energy-efficiency of these lights, though, you’ll more than recoup the cost on the energy saving you’ll make compared to incandescent lights.

There’s a decent spread of colors including cyan, yellow, white, and purple, alongside the red, blue, and green lights you’d expect.

A few disgruntled users have pointed out the absence of a timer on these lights, but the vast bulk of user testimony is overwhelmingly positive.

You could also use these lights to highlight water features, ponds, or pool landscaping giving you a great deal of variety at your fingertips. See what you think of these hard-hitting LEDs.

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8. SR Smith Pool Lights

Features

• LED
• 5-watt
• 60 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches

SR Smith pool lights certainly don’t come cheap, but they deliver quality and performance in line with that stiff price tag.

The first thing that strikes you with these lights is the enduring lifespan. These things are rated for 50,000 hours of use, giving you plenty of evenings with your pool elegantly lit without costing you a fortune in electricity.

There are several options when it comes to cord length, ideal if you have a larger poolside area to illuminate. This iteration packs a 50-foot cord. There are much longer cords available up to 150 feet at the upper end of the line.

There are 6 bold colors with these lights:

• Green
• White
• Blue
• Magenta
• Amber
• Red

You can also take advantage of a pair of color shows, both fast and slow.

The lights are intended for vinyl, fiberglass, or gunite liner pools. You get the choice of 5 different plate colors to coordinate with your pool.

Backed by a 3-year warranty, this unit is field-serviceable.

Although most users seem satisfied with these lights, a handful have pointed out that they are not the brightest. If you’re looking to invest in pool lighting primarily for safety’s sake, you may want to explore some of the other lights on our shortlist. If you have decorative purposes uppermost, they make a smart bet.

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9. Zuckeo Pool Lights

Features

• LED
• 5-watt
• 3 x 3 x 9 inches

Next up we have some utilitarian lights from Zuckeo in the form of these landscape lights. You get a set of 8 staked spotlights to surround your pool with bright LED lighting.

The warm white lights are great for keeping your pool, garden, or patio area safe, and the warmth of the lighting means they’re great for creating a relaxed atmosphere, too.

The aluminum body of the lights and the glass cover are both triple water-resistant. The IP65 waterproof rating gives you lights built to withstand plenty of punishment. The lights are also resistant to both heat and frost. Wherever you live and whatever the climate, you’re in safe hands with these pool lights.

The lights excel in terms of lifespan, too. You can expect up to 20,000 hours of use from these things.

You can freely rotate the lights, angling the beam at 90 degree. The head is adjustable through 270 degrees. This allows you to illuminate the widest possible area, even if you have a larger outdoor space to light up.

When it comes to installation, you need to fix the stakes into the ground. Note that you will also need a transformer along with some low-voltage wires. Neither of these are included, so make sure you make provision for them in advance if you want to get going right out the box.

For a great all-round lighting solution for large outdoor pool areas, Zuckeo hits a homer.

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10. FlashingBlinkyLights Store Pool Lights

Features

• LED
• 50-watt
• 3 x 3 x 3 inches

Are you hunting for some powerful and long-lasting LED pool lights with a difference?

Of all the lighting we review today, these globes are perhaps the most striking. You’ll get a dozen light-up balls to float around your pool when it gets dark.

Sized at roughly 3 inches across, these globes are about the size of a baseball.

Choose from 7 colors according to your mood. This can be left as fixed colors if you prefer. The alternative treats you to a gradual transition from color to color. The choice is yours.

As well as floating in your pool, you could use these lights for myriad other applications from showcasing water features and garden furniture to lighting up pathways and walkways.

The batteries in these lights are replaceable. For best results, you should always remove these lights from the pool after use. Although designed to float, they are not submersible, and they are not meant to remain in the water for prolonged period. Ignore this advice and you could run into problems.

Whether you want to save these lights for pool parties and special occasions, or you want to use them day-to-day, these are some of the best cheap floating pool lights you’ll find, so why not give them a shot?

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11. Moonbrook Submersible Pool Lights

Features

• LED
• 4-watt
• 8 x 6.1 x 1.9 inches

Moonbrook serves up some highly effective and waterproof pool lights in a classic art deco design. Do they make the right fit for your pool at home, though?

The remote control gives you the freedom to make changes to the mood whether you’re lounging in the pool and relaxing in your lounger.

Choose from 16 colors if you like the idea of sticking with one color. You could also engage one of the color modes. You get 4 of these to give you a light show without needing to lift a finger.

If you opt for the static lighting, you can also manipulate the brightness levels to suit giving you complete control over your poolside environment.

The memory function comes in handy when you next pop in the pool. Your previous setting will be flashed up ready for you.

Each light comes with a cluster of 10 LED bulbs. Despite being rated at just 2.4 watts, you’ll get plenty of power and brightness in a compact and energy-efficient form.

Aside from a few issues with the remote control, these are excellent lights with a shower of benefits, and they come in at a pretty reasonable price as well. All you’ll need to get in advance is 3 x AAA batteries since these are not bundled with the lights.

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12. Hapikay Floating Pool Lights

Features

• LED
• Solar-powered
• 6 x 4.1 x 3.9 inches

As we edge to the end of our quest for the best pool lights, we have another superb set of LEDs, this time from the Hapikay stable.

You’ll get an impressive pack of floating pool lights here. Each pack contains a single large 14-inch ball. You can also pick up these lights in packs of 2.

The colors inside the globes change automatically after 25 seconds, providing you with endless stimulation without forcing you to move a muscle. The sequence included both pink and lime lights as well as the usual roster of white, green, red, and blue.

Inflatable and floatable, the globes also feature a loop above and a weight below, allowing you to hang them poolside if that works best.

Solar-powered, you’ll need to charge these under bright sun for up to 8 hours for best effect.

Crowned by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, you have absolutely nothing to lose by giving these eye-catching pool lights a try.

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13. Game Color-Changing Pool Lights

Features

• LED
• 5-watt
• 3 x 3 x 1 inches

To round out our search for the best pool lights, Game serves up a class-leading solution that doesn’t break the bank. This might be a discontinued model, but don’t let that put you off for a moment. These lights remain a valid purchase, so what do you get for your money?

The magnetic wall light is expressly designed for use with above-ground pools. If you have an in-ground pool, it’s not suitable.

The powerful magnet enables this unit to stick to the walls of your pool, shining a light all around and keeping everyone safe and relaxed throughout the evening.

You can control the light using a remote for easy access from all over. There are 12 colors and 4 modes to enjoy as you swim laps or relax in your pool lounger with a cocktail and a good book.

The light is also fully waterproof and totally submersible giving you everything you need and nothing you don’t when it comes to pool lighting.

You can choose from a 3-inch or 4-inch version to match the size of your pool and your lighting needs. The smaller light has a cluster of 9 LED bulbs, while its bigger brother packs 13 super-bright LEDs to illuminate your entire poolside area without drawing down too much electricity and causing your power bills to spike. You can run lights like this for a pittance.

For an affordable but highly capable set of pool lights, these represent one of the strongest choices on our shortlist.

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14. LOGUIDE Floating Pool Lights

• LED
• 100 hours of use
• 1 x 7.8 x 1.9 inches

If you have been looking for some floating pool lights for a smaller pool, you may find many lights are just too large. LOGUIDE serves up a great solution in the form of this mini floating pool lights, so how do they shape up?

Well, the first thing to mention is that battery life is disappointing. Many consumers complain about getting just a few hours of use from the lights. On the plus side, the batteries are cheap to buy and replaceable.

The LED lights come in 3 designs, including this dragonfly-themed iteration. If this doesn’t appeal, opt for a frog or butterfly design instead.

Made from plastic, these lights are reasonably delicate, so handle with care. Luckily, you won’t find this material fades in the water or the sunlight.

Fully waterproof and with a secure and leakproof battery box, you can use these floating lights to add atmosphere to any type of pool. The compact size means they make a better fit in smaller above-ground pools than in more substantial in-ground swimming pools.

For some LED lights for your swimming pool, water feature, or any other area of your yard, LOGUIDE offer some of the best swimming pool lights out there.

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Things You Should Consider

OK, with those reviews in place, you should now be perfectly positioned to easily pick the best pool lighting for your requirements.

Before we round out today, here are some of the most important things to consider when you’re comparing the best pool lights.

• Type of pool lights
• Fixture type
• Brightness level
• Intended purpose
• Pool size
• Pool size
• Waterproofing
• Durability
• Installation and ease of use

Type of pool lights

There are 3 broad types of pool lights:

• Incandescent lights: The earliest pool lights were incandescent. They were not at all energy-efficient. The only light provided was white and harsh, so these make poor mood lights
• Halogen lights: While halogen bulbs are more energy-efficient than incandescents, you’ll still only enjoy white light
• LED lights: Affordable, energy-efficient, and long-lasting, LED pool lights are programmable and offer a wide palette of colors

Fixture types

Pool lights comes in many guises, the following being the most popular:

• Floating lights
• Magnetic lights
• Fiber optic lights
• Surface-mounted underwater lights
• Flush-mounted underwater lights

Floating lights

Floating lights are waterproof and submersible. They’re designed to add some welcome decorative illumination to your pool.

This type of lighting can be used if you don’t have any lights in place at all, and it also make a great addition to existing lighting. You may want brighter lights for safety’s sake and some dimmer and more muted LEDs floating around for atmosphere. Get creative.

The majority of floating lights are LED. This allows you a choice of colors and the ability to program the lights to create a remarkable and cost-effective poolside ambiance.

Magnetic lights

Ideal for above-ground pools, magnetic lighting attaches to the metal siding on the walls inside or outside your pool.

Fiber optic lights

Before the advent of LEDs, fiber optic pool lighting was pretty popular. Burning cool, these remain a worthwhile choice today. They are installed using a box that sits outside the water with light traveling between the bulb and fitting inside your pool.

Flush-mounted underwater lights

You need to install flush-mounted lights on the inside walls of your swimming pool.

This type of lighting is typically the preserve of in-ground pools. The reason for this is that you’ll require a fair amount of space to accommodate the housings behind the bulbs.

As the name makes abundantly clear, these lights are designed to sit flush with the surface of the pool wall.

Surface-mounted underwater lights

If you want to replicate the look of flush-mounted lights, a much cheaper option is to use surface-mounted lights below the surface of the water. These can also be retro-fitted.

Although these lights are fit for purpose, they also protrude slightly. This makes them more prone to damage than flush-mounted alternatives. That said, you’ll make quiet a saving when you’re buying them to offset any potential future damage.

Brightness level

All pool lights offer varying degrees of brightness. Some do little more than inject mood, while others will hose the pool area with bright white light.

Intended purpose

The most important element of your purchase is what you actually want the lights for.

Are you looking for lights to improve your pool’s safety profile? If so, strategically-positioned lights, whether flush-mounted or surface-mounted, make a good choice. Halogens and LEDs make a better bet than fiber optics or incandescents.

Maybe you want lights purely to create a mood. If so, you’ll find that floating lights likely deliver the most effective solution.

We review plenty of lights from both categories above so see which makes the best fit.

Pool size

Now, the size of your pool will dictate the type of lights you need. Pool dimensions are also likely to inform how many lights you’ll need.

If it’s a permanent installation of pool lighting that you’re exploring, you should check the dimensions and make sure you have space to accommodate them.

In the case of floating pool lights, check that the sizes are suitable, and that the lights won’t dominate your pool if they are too large, or get lost if they’re too small. Some of the large, oversized globes on our shortlist, for example, would feel claustrophobic in a dinky pool.

Pool type

With above-ground pools, you’ll find installing floating lights and magnetic lights is a cinch. You won’t be able to install flush-mount lights with this type of pool, though.

In-ground pools, on the other hand, make it impossible to use magnetic lights. With this type of pool you don’t have the requisite metal for this form of lighting.

Waterproofing

This should be a no-brainer, but there are regrettably firms who sell lights designed for outdoor use that are not waterproof or submersible. Tread with caution.

Durability

You normally get what you pay for in life, and it’s no different with pool lights.

The better lights on our shortlist are not especially expensive, yet you can expect years of faithful service.

As an added kicker, LED lights deliver exceptional lifespans of up to 50,000 hours, too.

Installation and ease of use

Last but by no means least when you’re considering the best pool lights is how easy they are to install and use.

If you have no DIY skills at all, it’s reckless to buy a surface-mounted set of lights without any idea how you’re going to install them.

Floating lights make the ultimate plug-and-play pool lighting. As long as you’re stocked up on batteries, you’ll be good to toss these in the pool right away.

Remote controls make your life much easier. It also pays to look for the ability to use the switch as well. The reason we say this is that many of the lights on our shortlist appear to develop problems with the inexpensive remote controls.

OK, to tail off today, we have the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions related to finding the best pool lights.

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FAQs

1) Are pool lights difficult to install?

Most of the lights we showcase today are plug-and-play. In one or two cases, you’ll need extra fittings, and we’ve drawn your attention to these in our reviews. With floating lights, all you’ll need to do is turn them on and throw them in the water. Magnetic lights just slip into place on the sides of your pool.

2) Is it worth buying pool lights?

Yes. LED lights are cheap to run, great for improving pool safety, and they can also add to the poolside ambiance. Given the reasonably low pricing, they make a smart investment for most pool owners.

3) Is it safe to use floating pool lights?

It is, yes. These are solar-powered or battery-powered, and they run very cool. You’re in no danger of burning, and there’s no risk of electrical injury either, assuming you invest in some decent lights, of course.

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Conclusion

We hope that today’s guide to choosing the best pool lights has cleared up any doubts you had about buying these things.

If you’re new to pool ownership, you’ll soon discover there’s much more to think about than finding the best pool cleaner. Things like lighting can elevate your pool to the next level.

Stick with any of the lights we review today and you can buy with a sound understanding of how they stand and fall. Encounter lighting not on our shortlist and simply take note of our buying guidance to streamline your decision.

Take a second to bookmark Wild River Country before you pop off and be sure to come back soon!