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Why Buy a LED Light Bar

See better at night. Adding extra lights to your setup is about more than just increasing the illumination. In fact, the more important thing is the type of light you add. The illuminated surface area, for example, depends on the shape and size of the light. Light bars are extremely popular since they offer broad coverage and different sizes that work for different vehicles and driving conditions.
Energy efficiency. A great benefit with any LED light is longevity. LED lights use less energy and tend to last longer, upwards of 50,000 hours than traditional bulbs. If you want a light bar that you can easily forget about after installing it, an LED light is the way to go. Lights with aluminum housing will also help with heat and energy efficiency.
Versatility. Good setup with off-road lights is a versatile one. This is why many people turn to modular solutions that allow them to set up different accessories in different locations on the vehicle. Light bars fit into this category since they can mount onto a number of different attachments like front grille guards and roof racks, as well as smaller off-road vehicles like ATVs and UTVs. Beyond off-roading, you can also use these as LED work lights if necessary.

Types of LED Light Bars

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Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, "wisdom of the crowd" assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

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Straight

The main difference between most light bars, besides the size and bulbs, is the shape. Straight bars are just that: straight and flat in design. They offer the greatest amount of light shining straight forward and work as decent spotlights in most off-roading setups.

Curved

When you add the gentle bend into the design, you get a curved light bar. Casting a greater angle of illumination, this type of bar is better suited when you want to illuminate a larger area in front of you while sacrificing some distance. Typically, most off-roading setups can have at least one curved bar for general illumination.

Top Brands of LED Light Bars

KC HiLites

Started by Peter Kim and Carol Brown, KC HiLites was born out of the desire to make high-quality off-roading products that would make the adventures safe, especially at night. KC specializes in off-road lighting, having created a variety of bar, spot, and floodlights that have all become a standard to off-roading enthusiasts. The company's modern lineup includes several light bar options, including the C-Series C10 Lights.

Rigid Industries

Rigid Industries sports one of the largest catalogs of off-road lighting in the industry. Ranging from small 10-inch lights all the way to 50 inches in width, the company's LED light bars offer a lot of flexibility in terms of mounting and use. Many loyal customers choose the D2 Driving Light Set as a great introduction purchase into the brand's lineup.

Nilight

Owned by ZINDER Inc, Nilight is a new kid on the block of off-roading light accessories. Starting in 2014, the brand has quickly made a name for itself by creating a budget-friendly range of light bars that have all been well-received and reviewed by experienced off-roaders. Check out the 22-inch Light Bar or the 32-inch Spot/Flood Combo Light for a taste of what the company has to offer.

LED Light Bar Pricing

$100 and under: You will find a lot of different LED light bar options in the budget range. While there are a few standout options that can survive some seriously harsh conditions, most fall short in terms of longevity and durability. As a result, you should do your research or test a few out when shopping in this range.
$100-$500: This price range features more established lighting options that tend to be small or simple but offer the durability necessary for most off-road conditions. Many top-quality brands price their lower-end models in this range as well.
$500 and above: If you really want the most out of a single LED light bar, this is the range to check out. Options tend to be large, powerful, and reliable. While the price tags are higher, this range presents a good investment if you intend to use the lights a lot.

Key Features

Size

Since LED light bars are made up of individual lights, the size tends to influence how bright the light actually is and how much surface area it covers. Larger sizes can illuminate more area in front. Since most bars are rectangular, you should consider the height and width of the light bar you need to mount.

Resistance

Since most light bars are used in off-road conditions, they need some resistance from the elements, like waterproof and dustproof protection, to function properly. Most light bar manufacturers use the same rating system that virtually all outdoor electronics use: the IP rating. Common rates like IP67 offer a certain amount of water resistance, dust protection, and more. The ultimate resistance level you need will depend on the types of driving conditions you will be in.

Mounting Options

In order for a light bar to be useful, you need to actually attach it to the vehicle. This partly depends on the mounting points you have available. Most light bars are easier to attach to other accessories like roof racks. Circular tubes and T-slots make it easy to slide or clamp light bars on and off with the right accessories. Most manufacturers have their own line of mounting accessories you can check out before buying a bar.

Other Considerations

Number of Lights: Most of the time, you will probably want more than one light bar if you are creating a new lighting setup from scratch. Even numbers make it easy to set up light bars on the left and right sides of a vehicle. You may also want to mix up the different types of bars you buy to have different lighting options for various driving conditions.
Space: Just like any other accessory, you need enough space to comfortably fit several light bars onto your vehicle. The types and sizes of the light bars will influence how much room you have in addition to the space on the vehicle itself. You can expand the available space with other accessories, especially for the roof and front bumper, as well.

Best LED Light Bars Reviews & Recommendations 2021

The KC HiLiTES C-Series is a group of simple LED light bars that offers a lot of versatility when it comes to picking the light you need for your unique setup. Balanced in price between true budget options and more expensive, more advanced models, the C-Series lights range between 6 to 50 inches in width.

More than anything else, these light bars deliver a lot of value for a small increase in cost. In addition to the high-quality light output, the bar has a good spread that hovers somewhere between a true spot and flood light angle. Built-in heat management also helps to keep everything cool. Lighting quality between the different sizes tends to be consistent.

The only major drawback to this light bar is the consistency between different light bars in the series. This can be problematic with multi-light setups since some LED bulbs can show up dead, and mounting brackets have been reported as missing on rare occasions.

The Nilight LED Light Bar offers an affordable way to supplement your headlights with a light bar that produces a brilliant, focused light. It features 12 high-quality LED light chips designed with an aluminum alloy housing, and heat-conducting silicone gel that helps to conduct heat away from the bulbs so that they can run cooler.

The entire unit is IP67 waterproof rated, meaning that it can resist water penetration when immersed in 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. Sturdy, stainless steel, side-mounting brackets will help to keep the headlights steady and quakeproof even when you are riding on rugged terrain. Also, the brackets are fully adjustable and you can rotate the light bar to change the direction of the light.

However, the light bar is only 7 inches long, which is one of its most significant drawbacks. Also, condensation can build up in the lens after a few months of use. Despite that, it's compatible with all Jeeps, four-wheelers, trucks, SUVs, boats, and motorcycles.

The Northpole Light LED Light Bar is 52 inches long and is very bright. It uses 300W high-density LEDs with 22,000 lumen and a 6,000K color temperature. Housed in diecast aluminum, this light bar is designed for off-road use on trucks, SUVs, and ATVs. You can also use it for marine lighting, industrial applications, or emergency/rescue purposes on boats, police cars, and bulldozers.

This light bar is designed to last 30,000 hours or more and has an IP67 waterproof rating. It is dustproof and shockproof and won't rust in extreme weather conditions. The light is backed by a 12-month warranty and comes with adjustable mounting brackets, shatterproof lenses, and the hardware needed for installation. Users report that it's durable, easy to install, and provides plenty of visibility in dark areas.

However, you must be careful during installation or you may strip the threaded mounting holes. Also, it does not include a wiring kit, which can drive up the cost.

Coming in at a fraction of the cost of most LED light bars, the Nilight 32-inch Spot/Floodlight does a good job of retaining value in a crowded budget-friendly market that is filled with poor-quality options. As a result, this light is a good choice to consider if you are looking for something to get you started in creating a new off-roading setup or just want to expand on an existing one.

The most surprising thing about the Nilight bar is the fact that it's actually quite bright. Giving off a slight yellow hue, the lights produce a good amount of illumination from a single bar. In conjunction with multiple bars, it's easy to set up a decent front- or top-mounted light array without breaking the bank or settling for poor budget alternatives.

While the light bar delivers on illumination, installation and mounting are a different story altogether. The mounting hardware that's included fits in some setups, but the build quality is lacking for extreme driving conditions. In some cases, fixed mounting (requiring drilling) is required even with grille guards or top racks. We also found that some weather sealing may be required since moisture tends to get in the cracks and spaces of the bar the first time out.

The Zmoon LED Light Bar is slim, 14-inches long, and very bright. It uses LED chips that are 8,000 lumens with a 6,500K color temperature. Installation is fairly straightforward, depending on your application. We also like that it has a lifespan of more than 50,0000 hours, so you won't have to replace it anytime soon.

The light bar has a IP67 waterproof rating and is constructed of 6063 aviation aluminum. It is also shockproof, dustproof, and corrosion-resistant. You can use this light bar on trucks, SUVs, ATVs, boats, motorcycles, and more. A mounting bracket kit is included, it has a low amperage draw, and it's a great value for the price.

While the light doesn't extend super far into the distance, it has a nice wide angle. However, there have been some complaints that it retains moisture even though it's supposed to be waterproof.

This is a 24-piece LED light bar that's 12 inches long and produces up to 7,200 lumens of light. It features Cree LED light chips that have a working lifespan of more than 30,000 hours. What's unique about it is that the light can be adjusted from a spotlight, illuminating at 30 degrees, to a brilliant floodlight with twice the beam angle. What's more, the reflective surface features a reflector cup and projector lens design, which enhances the light projection distance for optimal visibility in foggy conditions.

The chips are housed in a tough aluminum housing, which is shockproof, dustproof, and IP67-rated for water resistance. This means that it can survive in a harsh military environment while providing reliable lighting.

However, some of the LEDs may blow out way sooner than the rest. Also, the horizontal brackets are somewhat large and this makes the lightbar stick out too high on some vehicles. In addition, the mounts aren't 100 percent sturdy, and the unit can rattle when you are on rugged terrain.

Yet another Nilight light bar graces our list, but this one has a curved design which is not only fashionable but also enhances the beam angle, and allows the unit to have more bulbs than most lightbars with the same length. It's 52 inches long, features a triple row of LED bulbs, and a nest reflector cup design for multi-angle reflection of light to enhance its intensity.

The unit is built from die-cast aluminum alloy and has an efficient cooling system at the back. The housing is quakeproof, dustproof, IP67-rated for water resistance, and resistant to corrosion. In addition, it comes with universal mounting brackets and can even be used for outdoor lighting.

The major downside of this model is that it doesn't come with a wiring kit. A few other issues are that you can't get a focused light from the bulbs, and they can have a little condensation after a heavy downpour.

The Rigidhorse light bar combines two rows of LED lights, and an 8D reflective cup lens on each end to give you a soft light with a wider and longer illuminating distance for the best nighttime visibility. It features Osram LED chips that produce 40,000 lumens of light, and are designed with a tough optic lens that can resist the impact of flying debris as you off-road.

The lights are housed in a durable and weatherproof aluminum case with universal, stainless steel mounting brackets. The housing is dustproof, shockproof, corrosion-resistant, and can shield against 3.3 feet of water for 30 minutes. At the back of the unit are heat-dissipating fins that help radiate excess heat.

You should note beforehand that you have to purchase the wiring harness separately, which makes the entire kit somewhat expensive. Also, the aluminum bolts on the housing tend to contract in cooler temperature and can come loose.

If you want a lightbar with a more subtle design, then this Xprite light bar could be it for you. It's only 8 inches long and has a single row of LED lights. This doesn't compromise its performance because it still produces a brilliant floodlight that will help you drive safely at night. This is mostly because it uses high-quality Cree chips with a 4D optical lens, which produces a wider and more uniform beam than ordinary lights.

A die-cast aluminum housing protects the lens from corrosion, water, dust, and shock. It's ribbed at the back for fast heat dissipation and a longer lifespan. In addition, it comes with stainless steel mounting hardware that can be installed on any flat surface.

Being one of the cheapest light bars on our list, it doesn't come as a shock that it has a few limitations. For one, the black paint chips easily and can have a few bubbles underneath it when it's hot. Also, the mounting hardware isn't quite sturdy and can rattle on rugged terrain.

Tips

Pay attention to the type of connectors different light bars have for power.
Measure the mounting space on your vehicle before purchasing a light bar. If you get an idea of the space you have to work with, you will see which lights will work and how many you can realistically mount. Be sure to account for extra room for wiring harnesses as well.
Mix up the beam angles you mount onto the vehicle to create a combo LED light bar. Some light bars can switch the beam angle from narrow to wide while others are static. It is a good idea to have a couple of spot beam angles mixed in with more broad flood beams.
You don't have to buy light bars from the same brand, but it can help with the final look and compatibility with the lights you mount.

FAQ

Q. How's a light bar powered?

A. In most cases, power comes straight from the vehicle itself. The connector will plug into the vehicle's power supply. Pay attention to the light specifications or product manual to see what the power requirements are for each light.

Q. Can I clean a light bar?

A. Depending on the method, yes. Hand washing is the recommended way of cleaning your car when you have anything mounted to it, light bars included. Car washing can easily damage mounted accessories, so if you want to take your car through a car wash, unmount everything first.

Q. What is the best LED color?

A. White light is always a safe bet when it comes to automotive lighting. Some manufacturers do offer different color temperatures, with a few models even allowing you to change the color yourself, but white gives you the best illumination. Some states also outlaw colors other than white for automotive lighting.

Final Thoughts

If you want the best in terms of bright light and flexibility, it's hard to beat the KC HiLiTES C-Series C10.

To save some money, however, check out the Nilight 36W LED Light Bar instead.

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Source: https://www.thedrive.com/reviews/28246/best-off-road-light-bars