The 7 Best Pool Lights for Above Ground Pools & Inground Pools

Lighting your pool comes with many benefits, from allowing you to take a dip at night to adding some extra beauty to your backyard and improving safety by making the pool more visible.

However, to get these and many other benefits, you first need to choose the best pool lights by looking at factors like brightness, ease of installation, and bulb lifespan.

If you are on the market for a good pool light, we have already done the hard work for you. In this guide, we explain what to consider when choosing a pool light and give you some recommendations by reviewing a few top-rated models.

7 Best Pool Lights – Review

1. Best Overall: Allisable LED Pool Light 

The Allisable LED Pool Light is our best overall pool light as it delivers a brighter light output, is highly energy-efficient, and always gives you an easy time when it comes to installation.

With this pool light, you get an output of up to 5,000 lumens to ensure you get enough light for nighttime swimming.

Despite being super-bright, these 50W pool lights are still energy efficient as they will save up to 80% of the energy you would otherwise use with the traditional incandescent bulbs.

Installation should take little effort as these pool lights will easily screw on a standard pool light bulb holder. You can also be sure of faster and quieter heat dissipation as they use a highly efficient fan.

The overall construction of the pool light will ensure you get many years of excellent service. It includes a copper base that will never rust and aluminum housing that also provides high thermal conductivity.

One drawback with this bulb is the directions, as they do not provide enough information on things like how to change the bulb colors. However, most pool owners will still figure it quickly.

Pros

• Delivers a higher light output
• Energy efficient
• Easy to screw on
• Faster and quieter heat dissipation

Cons

• Not very good instructions

2. Best Multicolor: S.R.Smith FLED-C-TR-50 TREO LED Pool Light 

The S.R.Smith FLED-C-TR-50 TREO LED Pool Light is a fantastic choice for those that want to add a decorative piece to their pool as it provides a colorful illumination.

There are 6 different colors on this multicolor pool light, and it also includes 2 light shows. Adding in other functionalities like the 49 color variations and 4 dimming options gives you maximum control over your pool light appearance.

Since these are just 5-watt bulbs, you can be sure of maximum energy efficiency, and they will not have a significant effect on your energy bills even when you run them for extended periods.

The installation should be quick and easy as this pool light has a short neck design, and it will work for a standard 1.5-inch wall fitting.

Although this pool light seems a little more expensive compared to many other models on our list, the quality and its impressive lifespan will ensure you still get great value for your money.

Pros

• Attractive multicolor lighting
• Highly energy efficient
• Easy installation thanks to short neck design
• Works with standard wall fitting

Cons

• Relatively expensive

3. Best for Above Ground Pools: Intex Magnetic Pool Wall Light

If you have an above ground swimming pool, the Intex Magnetic Pool Wall Light is a good option. The pool light uses a magnetic mounting system that allows you to attach it to any above ground pool, and it is handy for illuminating both inside and outside the pool.

Another element that makes this a good light for above ground pools is providing adequate illumination for pools up to 24ft. What’s more, it has a unique lens design that ensures you will get even illumination across the water.

The pool light is also multicolor to allow you to choose your light color from 5 different options, and you can change the colors quickly using the mode selection button.

Overall, this is also an inexpensive pool light that is cheaper to own since it does not consume a lot of electricity. Better still, you do not need any batteries or keep charging it as it connects to a standard 120V outlet.

There are only 3 light settings, which are pretty few for those that prefer to have more light show options, but this should not be a deal-breaker for the price of this pool light.

Pros

• Attaches easily to any above ground pool
• Can light both inside and outside the pool
• Provides more even illumination
• Allows you to choose from different light colors

Cons

• Few light settings

4. Best Floating Pool Lights: LOFTEK LED Dimmable Floating Pool Lights 

Floating pool lights like the LOFTEK LED Dimmable Floating Pool Lights are always more convenient as they will give you an easy time when it comes to the setup. The floating lights are also ideal for use in almost any pool type.

This rechargeable cordless pool light will give you up to 12 hours of lighting and will only require as little as 2.8 hours to recharge fully, which ensures minimal downtimes.

With this pool light, you also get more control over the lighting as it includes 16 RGB colors, 5 brightness levels, and 4 lighting modes. Better still, you can easily control everything without touching the light as it comes with remote control.

These light spheres feature a highly durable build that uses top-quality polyethylene material and a thicker seal ring to make them fully waterproof.

The remote control could be a little more sensitive as sometimes you might need to push the button a few times before it responds. Also, these lights are pretty bulky, which can make them hectic to remove from the pool. However, both are still minor issues that do not affect the usability of the pool light.

Pros

• Rechargeable and with a long battery life
• Allows you to customize the lighting
• Convenient remote control
• Completely waterproof for a long service life

Cons

• Remote could be more sensitive
• Quite bulky lights

5. Best for Inground Pools: Life-Bulb LED Color Pool Light Bulb 

The Life-Bulb LED Color Pool Light Bulb is a good buy if you want to enhance the appearance of your inground pool by adding a pleasant light show. It is a multicolor light that will give you some vibrant lighting by allowing you to choose from 7 colors and 12 modes.

Controlling the pool light is also easy and convenient as, besides a highly sensitive remote, it also includes a nice switch to allow you to pick a lighting mode that suits your moods.

Replacing the light takes little effort as you will only need to remove your old bulb and screw it in, which should only take a few minutes. The bulb will fit any fixture that includes a 6.75-inch diameter opening and e26 medium socket base.

You can buy this pool light with confidence that you will not lose your money if it does not work for you, as it comes with a lifetime replacement warranty.

The color change is not very smooth and sometimes can be a little too gradual, but the light show you get makes it worth the wait.

Pros

• Simple and convenient control
• Pleasant and vibrant light colors
• Easy replacement
• Backed by a lifetime warranty

Cons

• Color change is not very smooth

6. Pentair IntelliBrite 5G White Underwater LED Pool Light 

The Pentair IntelliBrite 5G White Underwater LED Pool Light is one of the most energy-efficient pool lights you can get out there. These light bulbs will use up to 89% less energy compared to the traditional incandescent bulbs.

With this pool light, you get a superior lens geometry and a unique reflector design to ensure you have a wider beam and that the light distribution will be more uniform.

The lens on this light can also rotate up to 180 degrees, which allows you to choose whether you want a narrow or wide beam pattern.

One more thing pool owners will love is that the bulb has a solid overall build that includes stainless steel housing to ensure you get a long service life.

This light seems quite pricey compared to others on our pool light review, but the light output, build quality, and service life makes it worth the extra cost.

Pros

• Highly energy efficient
• Creates a wider beam
• More uniform distribution of light
• Durable housing

Cons

• Relatively pricier

7. S.R. Smith FLED-TM-C-50 LED Pool Light 

If you are looking for something small and powerful that you can use as an accent light for your pool, the S.R. Smith FLED-TM-C-50 LED Pool Light is perfect. With a few of these in your pool, you can have one of the most impressive accent lightings.

The light includes 4 rings that will allow it to match almost any pool surface. You will also never have to live with one dull white light color, as this light includes 6 different colors and 2 light shows to allow you to adjust the lighting to suit your moods.

With the inclusion of a short neck design on these lights, they will be super easy to install. Also, they have a low-profile design that allows them to fit a standard 1.5-inch wall fitting.

These pool lights are not as bright as others on our list, but they should still provide decent illumination. Also, they are accent lights, and so they do not need to be super bright.

Pros

• Works perfectly as an accent light
• Matches most pool surfaces
• Multiple light colors and shows
• Quick and easy installation

Cons

• Not very bright

How to Buy the Best Pool Light?

1. Halogen vs. LED Lights

One of the first decisions you need to make when choosing pool lights is whether to go for halogen or LED lights. Both types have their fair share of loyal fanatics, but you need to know the pros and cons of each to make an informed decision.

Halogen Pool Lights

Halogen pool lights were the standard pool light option for many years before the LED lights came into the picture.

These lights are more energy-efficient and durable than incandescent lights but LED lights still outperform them in both aspects.

However, their most significant demerit is they require frequent replacement since many have a relatively short 2,000 to 4,000-hour lifespan.

LED Pool Lights

LED pool lights are now the most popular pool light type as they offer the longest service life and are the most energy-efficient.

A 100-watt LED light produces the same amount of light as a halogen light with the same wattage but only uses a fraction of the electricity (around 6 watts).

On average, you can expect to get up to 50,000 hours of service life with an LED pool light. Therefore, unless your specific situation makes it impossible to use LED lights, they are by far the best option.

2. Brightness

You will also need to make sure the pool lights you choose are bright enough for you. The amount of brightness you need primarily depends on how you intend to use the lights.

For decorative lights, you can get away with something less bright. If you want a light for illumination when swimming at night, what you choose should provide enough brightness to see where you are going as you swim.

With the halogen pool lights, looking at the wattage should indicate the brightness you will get. The higher it is, the brighter the bulbs.

However, wattage is not a very useful brightness indicator for modern LED pool lights. Instead, it would help if you looked at the lumens. Here, something that will give you an output of 5,000 lumens, like the Allisable LED Pool Light, should be perfect for almost any situation.

3. Pool Size and Type

The size and type of your pool will determine the kind of lights you will need, the ideal light output, and the number of lights you need for optimal lighting.

For those with large and oddly shaped pools, you will need more lights to ensure you can cover the pool adequately, as you need to illuminate all the hard-to-reach spots.

When it comes to the pool type, what works for an inground swimming pool might not be ideal for an above ground pool. For example, if you have an above ground pool that you have to take apart often, you are better off with floating lights that do not require permanent installation.

4. Ease of Installation

A pool light is a fairly simple fixture that you should install on your own without calling a technician to help you out. Therefore, when choosing one, you need to make sure it is easy enough to install.

Floating and magnetic light will give you the easiest time when it comes to installation, while the surface-mounted ones are the most complicated.

However, you should still be able to install almost any type, provided it comes with step-by-step directions on what to do and a kit that includes all the hardware you will need.

5. Bulb Lifespan

While pool lights are not very complicated to install, they take quite some work, so you will not want to keep replacing them every few months. Consequently, when buying your lights, make sure you pick something durable enough.

A well-built LED pool light with solid housing and some long-life LEDs like the Pentair IntelliBrite 5G White Underwater LED Pool Light is your best bet here. With such a top-quality light, it will be many years before you ever need to replace your pool light.

That said, make sure you choose something with at least a 50,000-hour lifespan for LED lights and at least 4,000 hours if you prefer halogen.

Bottom Line

Pool lights add some elegance to your swimming pool, allow you to swim any time of the day, and make it safe by ensuring it is easy to spot.

If you are looking for the best pool light, there is something for you on our list. However, the Allisable LED Pool Light is our best overall as it produces more light, is well built, energy-efficient, and easy to install.

But if you have an above ground swimming pool, the Intex Magnetic Pool Wall Light will be ideal, while the Life-Bulb LED Color Pool Light Bulb is perfect for inground ones.