These Top-Rated Pool Lights Are a Must-Have for Safer Swimming
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These Top-Rated Pool Lights Are a Must-Have for Safer Swimming
Whether you have an in- or above-ground pool, pool lights are a fun way to jazz up your outdoor space — and make your pool area safer. Luckily, there are plenty of inexpensive and high-quality pool lights on the market, from elegant all-white lights to multicolor sets that allow you to customize modes and create a dazzling light show for parties.
With so many choices out there, finding the right pool light for your setup and budget can be a time-consuming task. That's why we rounded up a selection of the best options, plus sorted out the most important features to look for while shopping. Read on for our recommendations, along with things to consider before investing.
The Best Pool Lights
What to Consider
There are pool lights for in-ground and above-ground pools that are available across a range of price points, and to some degree, cost increases with the complexity of installation. For example, lights that attach to your pool wall with suction cups or float on top (yup, they exist), that are battery-operated or solar-powered will be less expensive than permanently installed lights that run on electricity. Some feature rechargeable batteries that can be juiced up via USB, whereas others take AA or AAA batteries, and nearly all have waterproof ratings for safe submersion. It’s also worth considering if the pool lights are all-white or multicolor, along with the number of light modes. Most come with a remote control and several include timers to save battery life.
How We Selected
Our picks for the best pool lights include a wide range of features as mentioned above, suitable for in-ground pools, above-ground pools, or both. All have an average customer rating of 4 stars or more, and we aimed to select pool lights that span multiple price points for every budget, from under-$20 to options that cost upwards of $100. We also outline the most important specs for every pool light we cover.
For more pool accessories and other essentials, check out or stories on the best pool vacuums, the best pool covers, and the best pool filters.
Runner's World; Courtesy TUDELLO - 2/8
1) Underwater Pool Lights (4-Pack)
Homly
amazon.com
$65.99
Key Specs
- Light Type: LED
- Light Color: RGB
- Timer: 2, 4, 6 hours
- Power Source: USB-C
If you’re looking for universal pool lights, then these are your best bet. The pack of four can be used in any in-ground pool, as well as any above ground pool with sturdy walls. Simply attach the glued backs to the inner sides of the pool and situate the light on the base.
The lights can be operated with the included remote, with a 200-foot range. They feature 16 colors, six flash functions, five brightness levels, and three timer modes. There's also a timer function to set for 2, 4, or 6 hours, and they have an IP68 waterproof rating.
To get the lights fully charged, plug them in with a USB-C cable and they’ll be good to go in as little as 4 hours. Keep in mind that it can take some time for the glue to set.
amazon.com - 3/8
2) In-Ground Pool Light
Life-Bulb
amazon.com
$139.98
Key Specs
- Light Type: LED
- Light Color: White, RGB
- Timer: None
- Power Source: Electric
This multicolor LED light is best for in-ground pool, featuring seven color modes, as well as 12 lighting modes. The bright bulb is 120 volts, 40 watts, and is compatible with an e26 base. It's a fantastic energy-saving choice, particularly if you're swapping out a halogen bulb.
There's a remote control included, and while it may be a bit expensive, the bulb comes with a lifetime replacement warranty. Also, installing a single bulb rather than a set of several may be attractive to some pool owners, and worth the extra cost. However, it doesn't have a timer, which is disappointing considering the price.
amazon.com - 4/8
3) Magnetized LED Lights (4-Pack)
Tudello
amazon.com
$34.98
Key Specs
- Light Type: LED
- Light Color: RGB
- Timer: 2, 4, 6 hours
- Power Source: AA batteries
Above-ground pool owners are sure to love how easy it is to install these LED pool lights. Simply submerge them in the water and allow the magnetized back and suction cup to attach to the pool walls. Because no drilling or installation is required, they won’t damage the inner sides, so they’re great for those who want to try out inexpensive pool lights before committing to something more permanent.
The lights are powered by three AA batteries and can be controlled by the included 200-foot-range remote, which lets you choose from 16 colors, five brightness levels, three timer settings, and three lighting modes. While the lights are mainly waterproof, make sure they’re tightly sealed after you insert the batteries.
amazon.com - 5/8
4) Floating Pool Lights (8-Pack)
Ruyilam
amazon.com
$49.99
Key Specs
- Light Type: LED
- Light Color: RGB
- Timer: 6 hours
- Power Source: USB
Want a fun way to brighten up your pool area? These floating LED lights are a customer favorite, with an average 4.7 stars, and the eight-pack offers excellent value to boot.
The lights feature 16 color options, four brightness levels, and four color-changing modes, and will last up to 22 hours on a single USB charge, which takes about an hour. The floating lights have an IP68 waterproof rating, plus a 6-hour default timer, so you won’t have to worry about them losing juice overnight. There's a remote control included, though the range is much shorter than some of our other picks, at only 66 feet.
amazon.com - 6/8
5) LED Pool Lights
Creatrek
amazon.com
$16.79
Key Specs
- Light Type: LED
- Light Color: RGB
- Timer: None
- Power Source: AAA batteries
If you’re looking for great pool lights on the cheap, these LEDs are for you. At the time of this writing, a 4-pack is less than $20, and they can be installed in both in-ground and above-ground pools.
The lights require three AAA batteries and feature 13 colors and four color-changing modes. They’re operated by the included remote control, though its range is a short 32 feet, and the lights are guaranteed to run up to 10 hours. The downside is that there's no timer.
amazon.com - 7/8
6) 10-Inch Multicolor In-Ground Pool Light
Poolexa
amazon.com
$299.00
Key Specs
- Light Type: LED
- Light Color: RGB
- Timer: None
- Power Source: Electric
You can control this in-ground pool LED light with the included remote, or with your iOS or Android smartphone using Bluetooth. It's compatible with concrete and vinyl pools and said draw 86 percent less energy than a comparable incandescent 500-watt bulb. Featuring include a 50-foot cable, along with seven colors and a whopping 18 color programs. For the price, we wish it had a timer.
amazon.com - 8/8
7) Solar Flame Flickering Lights
LanPool
amazon.com
$49.99
Key Specs
- Light Type: Flame
- Light Color: White
- Timer: None
- Power Source: Solar
Dress up your pool this summer with these eye-catching, elegant floating solar lights. They're dimmer than some other options, but flicker like the real deal, or they can be set to pulse or steady mode. All you have to do is turn them on and decide how bright or dim you want the light to flicker, and they’ll float around on their own in the water.
The lights have an IP68 waterproof rating and are made of a high-quality waterproof material, and you can expect them to shine for up to 8 hours if they're fully charged.
amazon.com