Top 4 Pool Lights
- Best Overall Pool Light: Roleadro Pool Light
- Best Floating Pool Speaker: Blufree Bluetooth Speaker with Colorful Lights
- Best Pool Light Ball: Life-Bulb LED Color Pool Light Ball
- Best Suction Light: VIDOME Rechargeable Pool Lights
Read more: LED Swimming Pool Lights: The Definitive Guide
Best Overall Pool Light: Roleadro Pool Light
Pros and Cons
✔ Comes with one light and a remote control
✔ Offers seven static and five dynamic modes
✔ Features a universal screw-in design
✘ Remote control may have faulty connection
✘ Instructions are scarce
What Customers Say
According to our research, most customers found this light fairly easy to set up, given its permanent installation process. They also liked the customizable light modes. However, some customers struggled to use the remote control to change these settings.
Read more: Can You Put Lights In A Vinyl Liner Pool
Best Floating Pool Speaker: Blufree Bluetooth Speaker with Colorful Lights
Pros and Cons
✔ Combines light and speaker functionality
✔ Includes seven dynamic light modes
✔ Features a floating construction
✘ Lasts up to 8 hours on a single charge
✘ Pairing with smartphones can be challenging
What Customers Say
From the dozens of reviews we read, happy customers praised this device's long-lasting battery life and excellent sound quality. However, other users were not pleased with how dim the light was and found the pairing process with smartphones to be cumbersome.
Follow for more: Austin Delatorre
Best Pool Light Ball: Life-Bulb LED Color Pool Light Ball
Pros and Cons
✔ Includes a remote control and waterproof storage bag
✔ Offers 12 light settings
✔ Features a universal screw-in design
✘ Batteries not included
✘ Controlling with remote can be difficult
What Customers Say
We learned that customers who enjoyed this pool light liked how easy it was to install, its energy-efficient design, and how bright the bulbs were. However, our team also found that a few customers had trouble properly using the remote control, while others were disappointed that it didn't come with batteries.
Best Suction Lights: VIDOME Rechargeable Pool Lights
Pros and Cons
✔ Includes four lights and a remote control
✔ Lasts up to 130 hours on a single charge
✔ Offers 20 settings
✘ Dynamic settings can significantly decrease battery life
✘ Poor suction cup quality
What Customers Say
According to our team's verified buyer research, positive reviews poured in from customers who used this multi-pack for their large pools. Users also liked the lights' sturdy construction. When it comes to negative feedback, some customers complained about short battery life and weak suction.
Pool Light Buying Guide
Lighting adds style to your backyard while illuminating your pool for night swimming. Here's a buying guide to help you choose the best lighting for your pool.
Pool Light Color
Some pool lights are only available in standard white. Others come in vibrant colors like red, green, blue, and purple. They may also have color-changing modes.
Pool Light Installation
Pool lights come with one of two installation methods. Some attach to the walls of your pool and remain there permanently. Others float on the water and can be removed when needed. Only purchase hardwired pool lights if you have the proper housing to install them. Otherwise, stick to temporary lights.
Pool Light Bulbs
There are three types of bulbs that manufacturers use in pool lights.
- Incandescent: These traditional bulbs are large and provide white light.
- Halogen: These smaller bulbs are more efficient and also provide white light.
- LED: Today, most pool lights use LED bulbs because they last longer and are more energy-efficient than the other two types. They can also emit light in different colors.
Voltage
Floating lights come in various voltages to choose from. However, lights that you install on the sides of your pool usually support only 12-volt or 120-volt bulbs. Twelve-volt bulbs provide a low, continuous light, while 120-volt bulbs offer a brighter light. Before deciding on a voltage for your permanent lights, check regulations in your area, as some towns and neighborhoods require you to use the less powerful 12-volt bulbs in your pool.
Control
Temporary pool lights are usually controlled with a button. Depending on the permanent pool lights you choose, you can control them with switches, remote controls, buttons, and timers.
How to Make the Most of Your Pool Lights
When choosing pool lights for your space, there are several ways you can customize them to fit your personal style and create the atmosphere you desire in your backyard. Our team has come up with the following ways to mix and match your pool lights to suit your needs.
- Create Different Color Themes: If your pool lights have color-changing LED capabilities, use the different color options to create different themes or moods. For example, set blue lights for a serene atmosphere or bright red or yellow lights for a party.
- Utilize Light Effects: Many modern pool lights offer different light effects, such as pulsating, fading, or strobe effects, to create light displays in your yard. Try these effects to create dynamic and visually appealing illumination.
- Highlight Water Features: Use your pool lights to accentuate any water features in your pool, such as fountains, waterfalls, or jets. Strategically place the lights to enhance the other elements of the pool and add to the atmosphere.
- Illuminate Landscape: If your pool area is surrounded by landscaping or outdoor elements, use your pool lights to highlight trees, plants, or other features of your yard.
- Combine Lighting with Music: If you have an outdoor speaker or poolside sound system, synchronize the pool lights with music to create a unique sensory experience that's perfect for parties or gatherings. You can also adjust the light effects and colors to match the rhythm and mood of the music.
- Set a Timer: Use the timer feature in your pool lights or install one of your own to control your pool lights. This allows you to schedule when the lights turn on and off, saving energy and ensuring they're operational when you need them.
- Explore Additional Effects: Some pool lights can project patterns or designs on the bottom or walls of the pool, adding a unique visual element to your pool.
Read more: 5 Ways to Add Pool Lights to Your Swimming Pool
Frequently Asked Questions about Pool Lights
What are the benefits of pool lights?
Pool lights enhance your visibility when swimming at night, reducing the risk of accidents. They also keep insects, which can be a nuisance at night, away.
How long do pool lights last?
Incandescent and halogen pool lights last for about 5,000-6,000 hours. LED pool lights last much longer, with an average lifespan of 30,000 hours. They also help prolong the lifespan of your pool and its accessories by properly maintaining them.
Are pool lights safe?
People often say that electricity and water don't mix. However, pool lights are safe because they use low-voltage bulbs that are covered with thick, non-conductive housing.
How We Chose the Best Pool Lights
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to guide our selection process.
- Initial Research: Our research process began by compiling a list of pool lights with a large number of verified buyer reviews and an average rating of 4-5 stars. We examined positive and negative reviews, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
- Expert Insights: Leveraging our years of experience, we know that listening to what others have to say is critical to building accurate, balanced articles. To supplement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from reputable publications and independent testers, spoke to experts in the field, and gained insights from reader contributions.
- Final Product Selection: We then began refining our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we compared each model's features and selected the best options for different types of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has been empowering homeowners and DIY enthusiasts for over four decades with top-quality home improvement advice via television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team is committed to creating comprehensive, user-friendly reviews of products and services. To date, we have published numerous reviews on garden, lawn, and outdoor products - from fertilizers and garden hoses to patio furniture and snow blowers.
After completing our research, we create a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Read more: Is your pool light leaking?
