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.