An LED light bar can be a great tool for motorists that need some extra illumination when heading off-road. With the right model, you could increase the visibility without having to make too many alterations to your vehicle. From there, you might find that you not only have a better, and safer experience off-road, but that you also increase productivity from your work-related vehicles. This all sounds great. However, it is only going to happen with the right lights. So, what should you look out for?
Important considerations when choosing the best LED light bar for your off-road vehicle.
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Not all LED bulbs were created equally. There are some models that have a low power output and weaker lumens rating than others. This could be noticeable if you are familiar with more intense, super-bright options. The look and clarity of the light can depend on the tech used but also the color temperature. So, look out for anything around 6500k.
There are some subtle differences between these light bars. Some will stick to a single row of LEDs as a flood light. Others will increase the intensity and illumination with three rows – this is actually quite common. Then there are those that use a combination of spot lights and flood lights. Check the specification and make sure to get what you need.
This is a crucial factor because not only do you need a nice light, low-profile strip for your car, it also has to be a good fit. Too long and it is of no use. Too short and you won’t get the best field of vision. Most sellers should be upfront about the length of the lamp – although some are more so than others – and they may offer alternative lengths.
Almost every manufacturer will tell you that their product has a long life and is tough. But, the truth to this can vary between products. There will be some that have effective dust-proofing, a good waterproofing rating, and shock resistance. They tend to have aluminum casings and a lifespan of around 50,000 hours. Others will turn out to have some flaws in construction and a shorter lifespan.
Installation should be simple with this sort of product. Ideally, you want a secure set of mounting brackets that fit onto the vehicle with ease. It also helps if they are protected from corrosion. But, some are stronger than others. Some are also more adjustable than others. Check that these brackets are even included in the box as well.
The subtle differences in specs and wide differences in quality mean that you have to be careful when comparing your options. The following LED light bars are some of the best out there. You can see the most important pros and cons involved in purchasing them to get a better idea which might be for you.
This first option is a light bar that uses LED chips and a super bright white light to illuminate the area ahead of you. The combination of the spot beam and the flood beam should be enough for most users. One of the additional bonuses here is that there are different sizes available. This light is 32 inches long, but there are others available at 42 and 50 inches. So, you should be able to get what fits your vehicle.
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The mounting bracket in the box should make it easy enough to install the product to your off-road model. There is also the fact that this bulb has protections in place in the form of the IP67 waterproofing – for protection in 3.3ft of water – and dust-proofing. This should help when heading out into wetter terrain. Therefore, it should be good for boats, jeeps, and other machinery.
Unfortunately, there are some longevity issues with the diodes no longer working just under a year later. This includes rare reports of water getting in and corrosion, but there is not enough at fault here to be of a major concern. Also, this is a180W bulb, which while fine for most people isn’t as strong as others that you can get. Consider your needs before you buy.
Is this the right set of LED off road lights for your vehicle?
There is a lot here that can be off benefit to new users. There is that chance that you won’t see the longevity advertised depending on how you use your vehicle. But, there are some nice features here and a strong light for a lot of practical applications.
This is another product where drivers are promised a super bright beam with some high-end LEDs. This time, the bright, wide-reaching illumination isn’t achieved via a curved design, but rather a use of reflective plates. This increases the angle and allows for a better experience than you might see in other straight LED products.
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There are also the same great promises about the protection for the light. This includes the IP67 waterproof rating and a strong aluminum housing that should allow for better heat dissipation. As a result, you should get more than 30,000 hours of life from this light. This is comparable with some of the best fanless LED lights for cars. It isn’t the longest lifespan, and the average is 50,000, but it should last long enough.
One thing to be aware of here is that this is a shorter light than others. The longest option is 22 inches long with three rows of 480w lights. This one is 2 inches shorter. The Nilight lamp above is much longer and may, therefore have greater applications for users.
Is this the right set of LED off road lights for your vehicle?
The appeal here depends on your needs when it comes to the length of an LED bar and the projection of the light. This one is more standard, and more familiar, with a lot of great features. But, there will be buyers understandably drawn to the angle generated by the curved light.
If you don’t want to go out and get one long LED bar for your vehicle, there is the option of getting a pair of two smaller bar lights instead. This is what you get when you purchased this pack. There are 2 12 inch long bars that you can set up in just the right place to provide ample illumination of the area ahead of you.
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This light isn’t the most powerful out there, with 18w per light, 1530 lumens and a color temperature of 6,000k – rather than the 65000k cool white light that some people prefer. But this could be a more convenient solution. The 60 degree coverage should prove helpful in different situations and you get all the necessary hardware in the box to ensure that you can set it up where you need to. There is also an IP68 waterproof rating so there should be too much trouble when taking this out in bad weather or on boats.
With that said, there have been a few rare complaints from users about the seals on the casing for the bulbs. This could ruin the protection entirely if you aren’t careful. But, those that are in good order and watertight should also provide enough dust-proofing and shock resistance. You might want to think about making your own amendments if you know there is a risk of submersion.
Is this the right set of LED off road lights for your vehicle?
If you can get around the issue of the seals on these lights, which shouldn’t be too difficult with some thought, you could find that this is a reliable pair of lights. The bulbs and angles should be effective enough for many applications.
This next option is another one from Nilight. At this point, it is worth mentioning that you will see this brand a lot in this guide and many others, this is not because there is any affiliation with the brand or sense that they are the best out there. They just happen to make a lot of different lights in this category that have lots of happy customers on Amazon. This one stands out for the price as much as anything.
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You really don’t have to pay a lot of money to get a lot of LEDs here. The smallest and cheapest is, understandably, the weakest of the bunch with a length of 20 inches’ and a rating of 126W. But, if you want to pay more and need a wide field of vision, you can go as wide as 52 inches with a rating of 300W. Aside from that, you get many of the benefits that you would expect from this brand. There is a IP67 waterproof rating and they are designed to be dust-proof.
There is some confusion here over whether you get the mounting bracket included or not. There are listings on Amazon for mounting hardware as an additional, separate purchase from the light. This might account for the low price. But, users seem to have no issue get this installed on their vehicle. Double-check before you buy. If you do get the bracket, you should find that it is adjustable with a 45 degree angle to help you get the best view.
Is this the right set of LED off road lights for your vehicle?
As long as you do end up with the mounting bracket for your new light, there shouldn’t be too many problems here. The low price might lead to some issues in the long-run. But, this still has potential for many users that have lots of practical applications in mind.
This product will appeal to many that read this specification because of the promise of an ultimate performance and premium engineering. This 12 inch light bar has three rights of bright LED with a rating of 30,000 lumens. That is significantly more than many top models elsewhere in this guide. The idea here is that by using high-end CREE chips, users get the ideal light intensity. This seems to be the case and this bar does have great potential in a lot of applications. There is also a 7 inch version available if this might be more suitable for your needs.
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The quality of light is complemented by the toughness of the product as a whole. There is an IP68 rating rather than IP67, so, you should be able to use these on boats without too much concern about water damage. The die-cast aluminum housing is also strong and should resist damage.
There isn’t a lot of criticism from Amazon users about this product. Most seem happy with what they get here and are particularly impressed with the brightness. One aspect to keep in mind, however, is the adjustment on the bracket. It doesn’t seem to have the same flexibility and ease of use as some others in this guide. That said, you can still set this up where you need it most without too much trouble.
Is this the right set of LED off road lights for your vehicle?
If you can get this light installed at the right angle, with minimal fuss, you can end up with a great product. The intensity of the light, the quality of the beam, and the protection for a longer life all help.
Don’t be put off when you first see the price on this product. Yes, this is a lot more to pay out than on the other models above, but don’t forget that you get 4 lights here. With that in mind, there is actually a lot of value here. Theoretically, you could end up kitting out all your necessary work vehicles or other equipment all at once. This approach means you can be sure of the same quality and features on all the vehicles too. Each bar has a rating of 120W with a color temperature of 7,000K. This actually a little unusual as the average is 6000 or 6500k. This should lead to a nice crisp light that illuminates your work area well
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Other benefits here include the long lifespan of 50,000 hours, the waterproof rating of IP67, and the shock-proofing within the die-cast aluminum housing.
There is one issue to be aware of here, and that is the length. The listing states that this is a 24 inch long product. Now, this might be technically true if you measure all the way to the end of the mounting bracket. The lamp is actually 22 inches, the area containing the bulbs is more like 20 inches. This are still a lot of bulbs in each lamp. But, you might find that it isn’t what you first imagined.
Is this the right set of LED off road lights for your vehicle?
If you are aware of the length, and it is fine for your need, you should find that this light delivers a lot of benefits in a nice package. You can instantly set yourself up with great lighting on all your vehicles and know that they should last for a long time.
This next option comes from DWVO. It isn’t immediately clear what it is about the triple row of lights that is so innovative, as many of the other options in this guide have three rows as well. However, there is a strong intensity rating here. This could be more the result of the upgraded reflector cups than the number of bulbs. There is also also a lumens rating of 48000 that is particularly high, but this is likely down to the upgraded chipset. Whatever the reasons for this quality of light, you get a lot of it with the combination of spot and flood lights across 32’’.
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In addition to all this, you also get the protection needed for use outdoors and the mounting brackets. There is a rating of IP68 so it should be better protected against storms than some of the other options that you can get. IP67 is the standard to this one might hold up to submersion a little better. The cooling aluminum housing and protection also lead to a lifespan of more than 50,000 hours.
The vast majority of users of these LED bars are impressed with what they receive. They appreciate the quality, illumination, and the ease of use. However, there will also be a very small minority that has problems with the system. For example, there is one user that found that the lights kept switching themselves on. This could be more to do with user error or a glitch in the wiring than anything to do with the quality of the light.
Is this the right set of LED off road lights for your vehicle?
As long as you don’t end up having to deal with the same kinds of issues as users above, there shouldn’t be too many problems here. This LED bar has the intensity and functionality to really make a difference in many situations.
This next option takes as back to Nilight. This is where we have to consider what classifies as a light bar and what is a more general off-road spotlight. This one is pretty short at just 6 inches. You get two rows of bulbs, rated at 36W, and there are the same LED chips that are so helpful in providing strong illumination. At the point, it is worth noting that there are two packs available here. This is the one with the single light. There is a pack of 2 if preferred.
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Ignoring the size of the light for a moment, you will be pleased to know that you get a lot of the same features and benefits as you would with a much longer LED bar from this company. There is a side mounting bracket to help you get it into place, a strong construction with the aluminum housing, and enough protection from dust, shock, and water. Furthermore, this one uses a silicone gel to decrease the heat and prolong the lifespan.
Unfortunately, there are some buyers that don’t always get precisely what they had hoped for from this product. For example, there are some that see the lights flickering now and then. Others aren’t convinced by the brightness of the lights. Obviously, a pack of 2 is going to help with the field of vision. Some just attribute this to the low cost and say that there is still value to be gained here.
Is this the right set of LED off road lights for your vehicle?
As long as you get the right set for your car, you shouldn’t have too many issues here. Buyers know this is small going into the purchase, so the benefits and features offered are actually quite impressive. A recommendation all depends on your vehicle and your needs.
This next option comes from Senlips and is currently an Amazon’s Choice product for “Cree Light bars”. What we presume this to mean is that this is a particularly good model to include that sort of lighting and high-end LEDs. There is certainly a lot promised here in terms of illumination. There is a combination beam pattern with a 30 degree spot light and 60 degree flood light. The reflective cup n the middle should make it easier to get the right intensity and field of vision. On top of that, there is the rating of 10,500 lumens and a 6000K white light.
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Other benefits here include the protection offered and the additional mounting bracket. The light has a strong aluminum housing with a waterproof rating of IP67 and a tough lens. The mounting bracket is painted for protection from corrosion and should be easy to use.
One concern here is that there have been reports of the light getting very hot with prolonged use. This means some fears of it catching fire or doing other damage. This shouldn’t happen with these LED lights because most brands know to use cooling features for heat dissipation or some fins. Maybe that isn’t the case here, or the features fail. But, there are also rare comments about bulbs with low wattage too. So, it seems there are a few duds out there.
Is this the right set of LED off road lights for your vehicle?
If you get one that is the right quality and wattage, you could find that this is more than suitable for your needs. The length and pattern on the lights open up lots of opportunities for off-road work at night. The protective features should also help it to last.
This next product is a shorter model at 12 inches, but we have included it because of the high consumer rating and the fact that Amazon rates it for this size. This is another combination model with the flood lights and spot lights. The biggest difference here is that you get this with one row of LEDs and reflective cups. These lights use Osram chips to produce a clean, bright light of 6,000K and 10,000 lumens.
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There is something about this product that makes it look tougher than most. Maybe it is down to some clever design work with the molding on the casing. Still, there is the promise of IP67 waterproofing, dust-proofing, and shock-proofing. That waterproofing is enhanced by tight seals. There is also a shatterproof lens and a strong mounting bracket. Overall, this should mean that there is little chance of the damage and corrosion that you can get in cheaper models
One thing to be aware of here is that this is a more expensive model. It isn’t going to put you out of pocket, but it is twice the price of some other products. It isn’t clear why if you look at the lighting alone. There isn’t much here that you can’t get on other products. Perhaps, they feel it is justified by the construction and long life. Either way, there should still be value here if you achieve that 50,000 hour lifespan.
Is this the right set of LED off road lights for your vehicle?
There is great potential in this bar, despite the shorter length, because of the combination and intensity of the lights. But, you have to question if you are getting the best deal here. If you need something that prioritizes shockproofing and waterproofing, this could work out.
For the last group of LED Light bars, we have some models that are meant to be super bright. This one from Offroadtown promises “incredible brightness” with the 48,000 lumens bulbs and an output of 450W. This all happens over four rows of lights, rather than the usual three. The bar is 30 inches long and should allow for flood lighting, spot lighting, and combo lighting. Therefore, there should be more than enough here for a powerful display to light up any situation.
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Despite the high power output and intensity of these lights, it shouldn’t get too hot or run out too fast. There is a lifespan here of 50,000 hours and a durable aluminum housing that cuts the heat. The protective elements of this product continue with the IP68 waterproofing, dust-proofing, and shock protection. So, this should be a great tool for off-road use. Another interesting feature here is that it comes with a cover. The idea here is that you can hide the light when not in use and protect the lens from scratches. You would think this would be more common.
The biggest issue here is the conflicting Amazon reviews over the intensity and output. Some are more than happy with what they get and find it is really bright. Others say that they measured the output and didn’t get what was advertised. There is also a comment about the noise from the cooling fan. So there is a downside to having such an effective cooling system in place.
Is this the right set of LED off road lights for your vehicle?
One thing that we haven’t yet mentioned here is the high cost. Those impressive bulbs and features aren’t cheap. But, there is the feel of a more high-end product for those that need it. It is up to you whether this is too expensive.
This option from AutoFeel is another one that has a super-bright rating. This is because there are Osram chips in the LEDs to deliver 10,000 lumens of 6000k white light. Like so many of the best LED light bars in this guide, there are reflective cups to accentuate the light emitted. Another feature here that is a little different is the daytime running light. So, this should be multifunctional in a different way. Another key difference, however, especially compared to the model above, is the use of one single row of light. But then, this one is about half the price of the model above too.
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This might look like a weaker, cheaper model in some ways, but there are aspects to the design that might be a pleasant surprise. The first is that the waterproofing rating is IP68. This means that not only can you drive at any time of day, but you should also be able to drive in any type of weather. The secure, adjustable mounting brackets help here too. Then there is the lifespan of 50,000 hours from the cooling fins of the aluminum alloy housing.
Unfortunately, there is a familiar problem with this product. The seals and breathability of the light bar mean that moisture can appear. Over time, this might lead to some damage or faults with the lights. But, some users may find that they can reduce this risk with a few modifications.
Is this the right set of LED off road lights for your vehicle?
This light bar is a little bit different because of that daytime light for all-day use. There are some nice features here and even though there is just one row of light, most appreciate the output. Just be careful with the moisture if you do decide to get this one.
13) Autofeel 5 Rows Flood Spot Combo Beam 19000LM Super Bright Driving Lights
For the last option in this guide to the best LED light bars, we head back to AutoFeel. This one is completely different. While the one above focused on all-day illumination with that single row, this one has 5 rows of lights. This means the most LED bulbs of any model in this guide. Those bulbs have a rating of 19000 lumens to produce a nice 6000k light. The different types of bulbs mean that you can switch from the spot light to the flood light with ease.
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In addition to all those bulbs, buyers get a nice housing with the aluminum alloy construction and cooling features. This allows for a lifespan of 50,000 hours and protection from damage. There is also a waterproof rating of IP68 so not only is this good enough extreme weather conditions, you should also be able to submerge it if necessary.
You do have to question what it is about this model that makes it so cheap considering what is involved. The best guess here is that there are some weaker parts or cheaper elements. That aluminum alloy casing doesn’t have as much included for cooling the light down. The mounting brackets might not be as strong as some others either. Another thing to be aware of here is that one part of the listing says 22 inches and the other 12 inches. This could be a typo or a warning that you might not get the right length.
Is this the right set of LED off road lights for your vehicle?
It might still be worth taking the risk on this model because of the promises and features in the specification. It might not end up lasting as long as some other lights. But, if it does, you could have a bright and functional solution for very little money.
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