Is it that difficult to enhance visibility in your above ground pool at night? Well, not if you use the right pool light.
Ever since I started throwing evening house parties by the poolside, my above ground pool light has been crucial for me. Besides providing illumination for night swimming, it helps enhance visibility and allows me to keep an eye on my friends’ kids and my dog.
However, about a month ago, I noticed that it stopped working. So, I went online and searched for some quality and durable above ground pool lights. To get the best results, I purchased 5 of them and thought of sharing the details with you guys.
Howdy! This is Stacy Smith, and today I will be talking about some of the best above ground pool light units you can consider. Now, without further delay, let’s jump right in.
Top 5 Above Ground Pool Lights
1. Nitelighter NL100
When it comes to above ground pool lights, Nitelighter is a popular brand that offers affordable and high-quality products. And the NL100 from the brand is no exception. It can provide sufficient illumination in your above ground pool, allowing you to enjoy swimming whenever the mood strikes.
Product Highlights
While testing this outstanding above ground pool light, I found out that it is super easy to install. All I needed was the thumbwheel and the mounting bracket to attach it under the top ledge of my swimming pool.
And since it sports an LED design, it consumes low power, making it a safe solution for swimmers like me who like to swim late at night. Not to mention, this unit is ETL-certified to UL standards, so you don’t need to worry about safety with this product.
What’s more, it comes with a 28’ cord, allowing you to place it wherever you want in the pool. But, I’ll advise you not to place it too deep into the water for the best result. Rest assured, this above ground pool light will double your pool entertainment at night.
What’s There To Like About It?
Since my previous above ground pool light lasted only a few months, I was worried about its longevity. But thankfully, the manufacturer hasn’t skimped on the warranty, so I can replace it without bearing additional expenses.
Another thing that I liked about this product is that it comes with a built-in 2-hour automatic shut-off. So, if you forget to unplug it from the power source after you are done swimming, it will automatically turn off after 2 hours, ensuring safety while saving power.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
Honestly, I couldn’t find a single drawback with this exceptional above ground pool light. That said, my only gripe against this product is its steep price. So, it might not be an ideal choice for people who are on a tight budget. However, given the features it is packed with, I’ll have to say it’s worth the investment.
Pros and Cons of Nitelighter NL100
Pros
Cons
- 100W UNDERWATER LED LIGHT – DO NOT LEAVE IN POOL DURING THE WINTER!; When daytime turns to night, the fun doesn’t have to stop; Nitelighter in-pool lights illuminate the water to double your entertainment time!
- EASY TO INSTALL – It’s easy to install your Nitelighter pool light fixture in just a few minutes. It doesn’t require any drilling – the mounting bracket and thumb wheel allow you to easily attach it under the top ledge of steel wall pools
- SAFE TO USE – The Nitelighter is ETL-certified to UL standards. The LED design allows for the use of a low voltage power supply, making it a safe solution for swimmers
2. Pentair 98600000
Next, I’ve included another quality product from Pentair, which is a great choice if you are looking for an above ground pool light that looks and feels premium. Keep reading if you want to know more about it.
Product Highlights
To begin with, I was impressed by its versatility; it can easily fit into a standard-sized water return hole that is used on nearly all above ground pools. This essentially means that you won’t be voiding the warranty of your pool by using this pool light.
Not to mention the easy installation, which makes the product all the more valuable to people like me that are not the best at dealing with DIY projects. Not to toot my horn, but I was able to install it in less than 20 minutes.
Apart from this, it comes with blue and green light-changing discs, which makes it stand out from other ordinary above ground pool lights that have only white light. Hence, it’s a great choice for people that love throwing pool parties.
What’s There To Like About It?
If you are looking for an above ground pool light that’s easy to install, you can’t go wrong with this product. The instruction manual deserves mention; it was detailed and featured diagrams explaining how to install it, which I’m sure people will truly appreciate.
Also, I liked that it comes with 2 light-changing discs, which let me change the light color as per my mood.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
Just like the previous model, it sports an expensive price tag. While it’s not a con per se, it’s something most customers, especially those who are on a humble budget, will not like about this product. Plus, it is not as bright as I’d like it to be, which is a bit of a letdown.
Pros and Cons of Pentair 98600000
Pros
Cons
- Light and return fitting, 25-inch plug-in cord
- Deluxe retail packaging, fits most aboveground pools
- Pressure cleaner adapter is not included with this item
3. Intex 28697E
Intex is one of the leading manufacturers of durable and long-lasting above ground pool lights. And the 28697E Magnetic Pool Wall Light is a true testament to the brand’s goodwill. Featuring a unique lens design, it illuminates the pool evenly for a pleasant night swimming experience.
Product Highlights
The USP of this product has got to be the magnetic attachment, which makes the installation easier and lets you place it anywhere on the pool wall. On top of that, it sports a color-changing mode, so rest assured you are all set to have fun when you swim at night.
With it, you don’t have to incur additional expenses on batteries to power it as it features a long 26-feet cord that offers an effortless outlet connection. Simply plug it into a power outlet, and you are good to go.
Another impressive thing about this product is its bright light that can conveniently illuminate pools as big as 24 feet. It also comes with LED technology, which consumes a low voltage current, making it safe to use.
This is undoubtedly a huge bonus in the books of people having large above ground pools.
What’s There To Like About It?
I liked that it is reasonably priced; hence this outstanding pool light offers a good value for money option. Plus, it is backed with a 2-year warranty, which shows the manufacturer has faith in their product. So, you can expect it to last for a good number of years.
Most ordinary above ground pool lights don’t offer much in terms of brightness, but this model took me by surprise. Not only is it bright, but its unique lens design ensures that it illuminates the pool in an even manner.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
The only complaint I have against this product is that the light cannot be set to one specific color. It cycles through all RGB colors, which I feel is a bit annoying. That said, it is a personal thing, and other users may not view this as an issue.
Other than that, I couldn’t find any other major drawbacks with this above ground pool light.
Pros and Cons of Intex 28697E
Pros
Cons
- Above ground pool light uses cutting-edge magnetic LED technology, allowing for easy attachment to any pool sidewall and providing secure illumination both inside and outside the pool
- Waterproof LED automatically floats to the pool surface if separated from the outer power source, facilitating easy removal of the underwater light and adding a layer of safety
- Features dual options between the white water light or the multi-color setting that includes 4 different color modes, allowing you to tailor pool lights to various occasions
4. GAME 4307-BB
I was looking for an above ground pool light with a remote control when I came across the GAME 4307-BB. Needless to say, it exceeded my expectations in almost all aspects. So, let me tell you about the things that I found fascinating about this product.
Product Highlights
Trust me when I say this model is not like any other conventional above ground pool light. This is because it features an advanced remote control, using which you can select 4 modes and 12 different color options as per your mood. Safe to say, it has become my go-to pool light for pool parties these days.
Just like the previous model, this one too comes with a magnetic attachment, so installation is not going to be an issue with this product. However, keep in mind that it only attaches to soft-sided and steel-walled above ground pools.
Another key highlight is its build quality. It is made of high-quality and durable materials, which make it waterproof and submersible. So, you no longer have to worry about water seeping into it and causing damage.
Lastly, it runs on battery, making it absolutely safe for daily use.
What’s There To Like About It?
It comes at a budget-friendly price for starters, so it could be a great choice for those who don’t want to invest much in a pool light. You will also like its build quality, which ensures the light stays in good shape despite being submerged underwater.
What’s more, people worried about safety will have peace of mind knowing that it is battery operated and doesn’t require any power outlet or cord.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
Without a doubt, it is one of the best that you’ll find on the market. However, I noticed that the range of the remote is not that great. You will need to stay within a couple of feet from the pool light to use the remote; otherwise, you will not be able to change the modes and colors. Now, for me, that’s a bit disappointing.
Pros and Cons of GAME 4307-BB
Pros
Cons
- Dual Mount System - Attaches securely to steel-wall pools using the included heavy-duty magnet, or to soft-sided pools via the backing plate. This ensures that pool lights are installed quickly and hassle-free.
- Battery operated -The GAME pool light is powered by 3 AAA batteries, eliminating the need for complex wiring or electricity.
- For above ground pools only - This device is compatible with all types of above-ground pools, including hot tubs, Jacuzzis, and steel-walled pools.
5. SEURON LED Pool Light
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The next item is a brilliant pool light from the house of Seuron that has some interesting features to offer. It is well sealed and guarantees a long life, which is why I thought of giving it a try.
Product Highlights
The most advantageous feature of this product is its built-in dusk-to-dawn photocell sensor, which ensures that the light turns off automatically in the daytime and turns on at night. This not just saves your time, but also your electricity bills and effort. Sounds fascinating, doesn’t it? Well, there’s more to it.
It comes with magnetic technology and thus allows for an easy installation, which is great. Apart from this, it comes with different modes and multi-color options, which you can use to create colorful light shows and take your night swimming experience to the next level. The lights are way brighter than I expected and can easily illuminate pools up to 28 feet.
Also, I have to commend the manufacturer for the durable build quality and the innovative design of this above ground pool light. Just by holding it in my hand, I could tell that it is made of high-quality materials.
What’s There To Like About It?
If you’re in search of an above ground pool light that comes with a long power cord for easy outlet connection, you wouldn’t want to miss out on this one. I personally like to keep the power outlet away from the pool for safety reasons, and the long cord of this product allows me to do so.
Plus, the built-in photocell sensor does a great job detecting day and night; honestly, I didn’t expect it to be so accurate.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
The only drawback this product has is that it does not come with a remote control despite having different modes and color options, which is definitely a letdown. But if you can look past this minor inconvenience, I bet you will be impressed with every other feature this product brings to the table.
Pros and Cons of SEURON LED Pool Light
Pros
Cons
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Buyers Guide
After hours of research online, I realized that knowing just the brands, specifications, and pros & cons is not enough to buy the best above ground pool light. In fact, many other factors need to be taken into account to make an informed purchase.
That is why I have written this buyer’s guide to help you buy the right model that will suit your requirements. I strongly recommend reading this part very carefully; otherwise, you may end up buying the wrong product.
1. Colors
In order to have a better experience, go with a model that can produce several lights as it will enable you to use it on different occasions. While some models let you change the colors manually, others change colors on their own.
Also, you may need to click a button on the pool light to change the color, or adjust it with the remote control. These are all crucial factors that will affect the ease of using above ground pool lights on different occasions. So, keep them in mind when buying.
2. Warranty
Warranty is another important factor that you can’t afford to ignore.
Going with a pool light backed by a warranty ensures that you don’t have to incur additional expenses for repairing or replacing the product if it’s faulty. Also, it gives peace of mind, which for me, is important. So, before buying an above ground pool light, check if it has a warranty or not.
3. Voltage Level
In order to stay on the safe side, never buy an above ground pool light that is powered by more than 12 volts. Using more than 12 volts can literally kill you if there’s a short circuit and things go south. A 12-volt pool light can also get you electrocuted, but it won’t cause any major harm for sure.
Therefore, you must check the required voltage for the pool light before buying and avoid all the models that require more than 12 volts.
4. Pool Size
The pool size directly affects the brightness of your lights.
It doesn’t matter if you buy a bright pool light; it will not illuminate the total area if your pool is massive. As such, you will require more lights to provide proper illumination. So, remember to consider the size of your pool before buying an above ground pool light.
5. Durability
Since you will be making a considerable investment, you will want to ensure that the product is durable and stands the test of time. Now, obviously, no brand will give you accurate information of how durable its above ground pool light is. Hence, it’s imperative that you check the reviews of that particular product before buying.
Also, you ask other people who have already used the product to find out how durable it is.
6. Pool Light Types
These are the major types of pool lights available on the market.
A. Floating Pool Lights
These pool lights float on the water and are battery-operated. They don’t require any wiring or installation to work.
B. Halogen Pool Lights
As far as the halogen above ground pool lights are concerned, they work on an electric current that heats the filament of the bulb until it provides a glistening light. These lights are not the best in terms of energy efficiency. However, they can provide a brighter and cleaner illumination and are known to last long.
C. Magnetic Pool Lights
As the name suggests, magnetic pool lights sport a magnetic mount that lets you attach them directly against the sidewall of the above ground pool.
D. LED Pool Lights
These pool lights are by far the most popular options out there. They are highly energy-efficient and therefore help users save big on their electricity bills. On top of that, they have a longer lifespan compared to the other pool lightings and provide rich illumination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that I’ve tried answering to the best of my ability.
Without a doubt, LED above ground pool lights offer the best value for money. Not only are they highly energy-efficient, but they also emit brighter light for optimal illumination.
It’s hard to mention the exact number of years an LED above ground pool light lasts as it greatly depends on the water condition and maintenance. But on average, it can last for around 15 years, given it receives proper maintenance.
For maintaining your above ground pool light, you just need to do two things. First, don’t let the inside get wet as it might cause a short circuit, and secondly, keep it clean. Doing these little things can even increase its lifespan.
My Final Recommendation
With that, I have reached the end of my guide on the best above ground pool light. I hope you enjoyed going through it and that I was able to help you decide on the right model.Â
Before I sign off, I’d like to mention my favorites from this list. The Nitelighter NL100 is the best model overall, in my opinion, because it is easy to install and sports a long power cord. Additionally, the Pentair 98600000 is a great choice if you’re on the hunt for a light that fits nearly all above ground pool sizes. Not to mention, it comes with a detailed instruction manual as well.Â
And if you are on a tight budget, you might want to consider the Intex 28697E as it comes at an affordable price and has a 2-year warranty.Â
On that note, it’s a wrap. Hope to see you soon!       Â