Which LED spotlight should I choose for my pool?

To enjoy your pool day and night, you need to equip it with a lighting system. The LED pool light is undoubtedly the best option. This device provides aesthetic appeal and illuminates the entire pool. However, with so many different models on the market, it can be difficult to choose the ideal device. Our buying guide provides all the information you need about LED pool lights.

Top des meilleurs projecteurs LED pour piscine en 2024

The principle of the LED pool light

The LED is a light-emitting diode that lights up when an electric current flows through it. The bulb emits a fixed or scrolling colour depending on the programme of the remote control. The light emitted can be white or coloured, which is also called RGB. In contrast to halogen lamps, LED lamps consume little energy. It is therefore the right solution for your ecological and economic concerns.

As far as the LED swimming pool spotlight itself is concerned, this device is necessarily underwater. Generally powered by a low voltage current of 12 V, the connection to the electrical network is made through an electrical box equipped with a transformer. 

Monochrome or multicoloured light: which to choose?

The choice will be closely linked to the atmosphere you wish to give to your water basin. In any case, the result of these lights is quite original and remarkable. 

Monochrome lighting

Three quarters of all swimming pools opt for monochrome lighting. In this category, there are mainly three types of lighting: warm white, cool white and ultramarine blue. The last option is a navy blue that gives the pool a lagoon-like appearance.

Cool white, which appeared with LED lighting, is similar to the bluish light that gives the pool water a natural appearance. Warm white is found in incandescent bulbs and is close to yellow. With this lighting, a warm atmosphere is guaranteed!

Did you know that the best choice for outdoor LED lighting is characterised by a colour temperature measured in degrees Kelvin. This temperature determines the colour of a light source: warm or cool white. As a reference, warm white is between 2500 and 3000 K while cool white is around 9000 K.

The multicoloured light

This type of colour uses the principle of additive synthesis to give a multi-coloured light to the pool. It is a mixture of three primary colours to get 4 million colours in return. To give the light, the LEDs mix the colours directly in the light or between several LEDs. In turn, the projector emits a light source, green, red, orange, etc.

The advantages of the pool floodlight

Like the floodlights used in homes and gardens, those for swimming pools also have certain advantages:

• The life of an LED projector is up to 30,000 hours, which is 30 times longer than other projectors. You don't have to change it too often. 

• With the infinite number of colours, it creates an incredible atmosphere. You don't have to change the bulb to get a different atmosphere depending on your mood, activity, party and season.

• The use of the remote control allows you to switch your projectors on and off at will. Thanks to this equipment, it is no longer necessary to go to the technical room.

• Although the LED spotlight is expensive to buy, this accessory is much more economical. In addition, it consumes 6 times less power than a similar light source. For this reason, users light up their pools in the evening.

• Sometimes the cable of the floodlight is too short to change the bulb without lowering the pool level. Therefore, you will avoid water consumption by changing the floodlight lamp less often.

• Thanks to the pool floodlight, you can enjoy your pool day and night.

• It is important to note that lighting is also a safety feature. If you have a clear view of your pool, there is no risk of accidentally falling in at night.

• Having an LED pool floodlight creates both a pleasant visual atmosphere, especially when swimming at night.

Where to install the pool floodlight?

Before installing the floodlights, you must first decide where to place them. Do you want it to light the pool from the inside or from the pool deck? We believe that underwater floodlights are reserved for in-ground pools. However, this alternative can be used for a semi in-ground pool or an above ground model. There are countless LED spotlights that can be screwed onto the pool walls or the edges of the pool.

For models intended for underwater pools, it is preferable to plan their location during the construction of the pool. Moreover, recessed spotlights are much more aesthetically pleasing than the usual spotlights placed on the walls.

The choice of the hubcap

The bezel is the main part of the lamp. Its choice is purely aesthetic. Available in several colours, this equipment can be easily matched with the other parts to be sealed (skimmer, backflow, etc.).

Safety standard to be respected

The installation of pool lighting complies with the electrical standard C15-100 section 700. For your safety and that of your family, it is necessary to constantly check this conformity index by hiring an electrician.

Installing an LED pool floodlight

If your pool is already lit with incandescent bulbs and you want to replace them with an LED version, some work is required. To achieve the best possible result, we recommend installing a pool floodlight 70 cm from the surface of the water. The lamps should be placed halfway up the pool. This makes it easier to change the lighting material if necessary.

And above all, remember to orientate the spotlights so that they do not dazzle your eyes. Also, make sure that the light intensity is reasonable. If your pool is next to your house, direct the light to the opposite side of the house.

For a large pool, we recommend placing spotlights on the long side to create a shadow effect. Install it about 50 cm below the surface of the water for an impeccable visual effect and easier maintenance. However, its power should not exceed 300W.

Choose an HDMI cable for high resolution viewing. However, the analogue connector is the most common on all projectors. Since the power consumption of LEDs is very low, i.e. no more than 700 mA, LED spotlights use a 1.5 mm cable².

Like all electrical appliances, the spotlight is also supplied with power via the power cable in the junction box. This allows the connection of the lighting between the niche and the 12 V electrical box.

How much does LED pool lighting cost?

Even if the major brands  LED spotlights save energy, but the bulb is more expensive. A white 6 LED bulb costs 90 euros and a coloured 6 LED lamp costs 200 euros. However, a 300 W halogen model costs only about 20 euros.

However, the saving is in the use. For a 3-hour light, for example, LED bulbs (coloured or white) cost about 5 euros of electricity per year. In contrast, a conventional bulb costs 45 euros per year. And if we add the lifetime of each bulb, the investment in an LED lamp will pay for itself very quickly. 

What about floating LED pool lights?

The current trend in swimming pool lighting is the floating LED lamp. This model comes in all shapes: round, oval or square. There is something for everyone. Apart from creating a tailor-made atmosphere in your pool, these spotlights give a decorative touch to the pool.

These floating lamps can be easily controlled remotely to adjust the colour of the light or the intensity. Moreover, this lighting option is less expensive than installing recessed spotlights. You can find pieces of ultra-design floating lamps with 50 euros in your pocket.

What you should know is that it is recommended to buy a PAR 56 LED bulb to go with your LED projector. This model is not difficult to find! Also, please read the FAQ for more details.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the desire to light up the pool is a real challenge and a fashionable phenomenon. With the multitude of solutions available to you, you will need to choose the right LED pool light for your needs. Follow our advice to install and choose the right pool lighting. Dare to enhance your swimming pool with LED pool lights specially designed for use near the pool.