Maybe you’re hoping to give your pool a fresh new look, or maybe you want to maintain visibility when you swim at night. Whatever the case, the best above ground pool lights should do just the trick. There are loads of options these days when it comes to above ground pools, some being completely utilitarian while others provide slightly more versatility.
But before you rush into that purchase, take heed. Pool lights can be expensive and difficult to replace. So it helps to take extra care when making a choice. Understanding all of the options and taking a step back to consider your above ground pool’s situation should help you find the right lights for both safety and ambiance.
Benefits of Above Ground Pool Lights - Why You Should Get Them
Pool lights are both practical and decorative, offering a load of benefits that can significantly improve your pool experience. And while some people might think they’re totally optional, there are a ton of reasons that point to pool lights as more of a necessity than anything else.
Improved Safety
Perhaps the most significant reason for getting a set of above ground pool lights is safety. There have been way too many stories of people encountering all sorts of accidents around pools, even during the best of conditions. So you can imagine how a dark vicinity could significantly increase the risk of these incidents.
Now you might be thinking, above ground pools are far less prone to slip and fall accidents since they’re not level with the floor. And that might be true. But that doesn’t mean that the dangers are canceled out all together.
Dark pools make it difficult to see in the water which can be dangerous if you’re not a stranger to the nightly swim. Darkness may even conceal the presence of animals or dangerous items that might have fallen in the pool, like rocks among other things. Proper lighting should make it easier to see such hazards and pluck them out.
Decreased Insurance Premium
Liability coverage protects you from having to pay steep medical expenses and legal fees should there be any accidents in and around your above ground pool. And while your homeowners insurance probably already has a liability coverage clause, adding a pool to your estate can increase risk of injury in the eyes of your insurer.
Any effort you make to create a safer space for your family and friends can significantly reduce your premium rate. Adding safety features like proper lighting minimizes the potential for accidents, which is good reason for your insurer to dial down your monthly payments.
Decorative Appeal
There’s more to having an above-ground pool than just the privilege of being able to take laps whenever you feel like it. When the fun and festivities are all over and the waters are calm, your above ground pool can transform into a decorative backyard centerpiece. But if there aren’t any lights to draw attention to your pool and accentuate the architectural elements and ornamental landscaping around it, then it’s all just a wasted opportunity.
Lights can turn your above ground pool into a dramatic, sophisticated focal point, limiting the need for various other decorative backyard elements that could cost way more. Interestingly, it’s these little details that can add dollars to your home’s overall market value.
Easy Party Decor
Sure, all those balloons, streamers, and other party favors might not cost a lot now. But add up all the times you’ve had to purchase them, and you could have probably saved enough to throw an entire party with money to spare. Not to mention the fact that single-use party decor is no good for the environment.
Fortunately, modern day lights can be so versatile that they can achieve every kind of party mood you might want. Color-changing lights for above ground pools are pretty much everywhere, letting you set-up a different party ambiance every time. And because these lights can be controlled from the comfort of your smartphone or a dedicated remote control, you can get your party ready for lift off in a matter of minutes.
Different Types of Above Ground Pool Lights
And just like anything else, there are more than just a few types of above ground pool light styles. A quick Google search should serve you a wealth of choices that can make the whole buying process overwhelming and confusing. So to make sure you're buying a set of lights that are truly ideal for your pool and your preferences, it pays to familiarize yourself with the available options.
Incandescent
Way back before LED lights were made available, incandescent lighting was the pool light of choice and often thought of as the best above ground pool lighting. These bulbs usually measure 20 to 30cm in diameter, providing sufficient light up to a distance of about 10 meters underwater. Although there aren't a lot of color options, incandescent lights became the ideal choice because of their ability to light a large space per bulb.
However, there are a few downsides to choosing an incandescent ground pool light. For starters, they waste 90% of the energy they consume by simply generating heat. On top of that, incandescent lights have also been known to have the shortest lifespan of any above ground pool light option, lasting just 1,000-1,200 hours.
Halogen
Sharing similarities with the incandescent bulb, halogen ground pool lights have a similar anatomy with the addition of halogen gas and tungsten vapor. This creates a much brighter light while extending the bulb's lifespan by up to 200%. That means that these bulbs can last up to 3,600 hours.
The biggest downside with halogen lights however is that they generate a lot of heat. So much so that if you touch one, you could end up burning yourself (no need for a heater for your above ground pool)! That's why instead of the typical glass bulb, these lights use a quartz bulb that's much better suited to handling such high temperatures. Based on tests, halogen lights spend about 80% of the energy they use on generating heat.
Fiber Optics
With the bulb itself located in a box outside of the pool, fiber optic pool lights use a number of cables and special fittings that end inside the pool. The light from the bulb travels through the cables and shines through the little window fittings placed around your pool. They can be installed in both the walls and floors, creating a speckled, starry lighting aesthetic. Plus, because the bulb is located outside the pool itself, replacements can be impressively easy.
Perhaps the only downside to fiber optic above ground pool light fixtures is that the light generated might not always be enough to illuminate large spaces in your pool. At best, fiber optic light fixtures can be decorative in function, requiring the addition of a larger ambient light to illuminate the pool for safety concerns.
LED Light
Considered the best above ground pool lights, LED strip lights for above ground pools are especially versatile. Coming in a wide array of colors, these LED strips can usually be controlled via a dedicated mobile application or through a remote control that comes with the set.
They use the least amount of energy to operate, using just 10% of the consumption of your traditional incandescent light. And because the light bulbs can last upwards of 30,000 hours depending on the manufacturer, you can be sure to get years of use without having to worry about making replacements too soon.
How to Choose the Right Lighting for Your Pool
Not quite sure which light option would work best for your pool? Here are some of the major considerations you should take the time to think about before you make a purchase.
Energy Cost
You'd be surprised how much pool lighting can increase your electricity bill especially if you choose the wrong bulbs. If you want to pay the least not only for energy fees but also for installation and replacement costs, LED lights would be the way to go.
Installation
The thing about an above ground pool light fixture is that once it's installed, it's going to take some expensive renovation to have them removed and replaced with another lighting option. Fiber optics are typically the most tedious to install and replace because of the various cables that they require. And as you might have expected, an LED pool light is typically the easiest to set up and to replace.
Lifespan
The faster those lights burn out, the sooner you're going to have to replace them, and of course, the more expensive they are over time. This is also one of the reasons why LED light choices are often considered the best above ground pool lights because they can last over 30,000 hours which is over 10 times longer than halogen and incandescent.
Power Source
Some pool lighting options don't even require electricity all together, lighting up your pool with nothing but good old solar energy. As expected, these are usually LED lighting with either a solar panel that stands outside of the pool or built directly into the light. Floating, color-changing, cordless, solar-powered LED lighting has become pretty popular these days, but you can't really expect such powerful performance for large pool areas.
Controls
Want more out of your pool light? Then LED light might be for you. Most of these lighting options come with various controls that let you switch up the ambiance at the press of a button. Some things you can change include colors, brightness, and blinking. Others can also be set on a schedule so they turn on and go off without the need for your intervention.
Added Features
The sky's the limit when it comes to what modern day above ground pool light fixtures can do. Some picks even incorporate a Bluetooth speaker that you can link to your device so you can play music while you enjoy the relaxing ambiance around your pool. Others also work as a charger for your mobile device, letting you hook up via a charging cable while you lounge about the pool.
The 5 Best Pool Lights for Above Ground Pools
1. Blufree Colorful LED Lights with Bluetooth Speakers
Vying for the top spot as the best above ground swimming pool lights, this pick from Bluefree boasts it all. Complete with a built-in battery, this LED light can operate for as long as 8 hours on a single charge. The sturdy construction touts an IPX7 waterproof rating which provides maximum protection against water damage even when the light is submerged.
Its intuitive control panel lets you manage light settings with relative ease. And because it comes complete with a Bluetooth speaker, it also doubles as an entertainment fixture perfect for parties or for setting the mood after a long day of work.
2. Main Access Smart Lite LED
Taking the cake as the best underwater above ground pool lights, the Smart Lite LED from Main Access easily mounts to any area of your above ground pool either using the unit's bracket or by hanging against your return jet. The design boasts an ultra bright LED that changes to 16 different colors or 4 color changing modes.
To adjust the above ground pool light's settings, the Smart Lite LED comes with a remote control that lets you set your lights just how you want them without having to get into the water. And because the light can last up to 20 hours on a single charge, you can be sure to enjoy its gleam throughout the night.
3. Intex Floating LED Pool Light
With a built-in solar panel, this pool light is the ultimate energy saving choice. It's designed to float around your pool, providing ample lighting in two different modes. Its static white light mode is best for maintaining visibility, while its smooth color changing mode can be ideal for parties.
If you're interested in something that requires as little intervention as possible, this unique light comes with an auto on and off feature. That means that the light automatically turns on at night, and then turns off in the morning as the sun comes up.
4. Blufree Starfish LED Lamp
The Bluefree Starfish LED Pool Lamp features LEDs that are arranged in a starfish shape, giving the lamp a little extra appeal especially if you've got kids at home. The floating light comes with 10 bright diodes that provide excellent illumination even on the darkest nights.
Letting you choose from seven different colors, this above ground pool light also provides a color changing option that smoothly transitions from color to color for a calming ambiance. Running on three triple-A batteries, the Starfish LED Lamp Light is most ideal for parties, special events, and those occasional nighttime swims.
5. Nitelighter Multi-Colored LED Pool Light
This powerful 50W underwater LED pool light touts a large lamp face that can single-handedly light up a small to medium sized pool. The color changing lamp provides users the option to choose a static light setting, or a color changing mode that cycles through all of the light's available colors for a party pool set-up.
With no need for drilling, draining, or power tools, these lights are often considered the best above ground pool LED lights because they can be especially easy to install. It comes ready with its own mounting bracket that allows pool owners to set-up and secure the light underwater within minutes.
Light 'Em Up
Whether you're hoping to dial down your insurance premium, make your backyard a safer space, or just keep your above ground pool party ready, a set of above ground pool lights should be the way to go. Make sure you consider all the angles, factor in your pool specifics, and weigh out your expectations to guarantee that you're buying the best above ground pool lights for your space.
