The Best LED Boat Lights for 2023

Do you own a boat? If you used it often for sailing, fishing and other open water activities I am sure there are times you will either set off or return to dock at night or dawn. If this is the case, you will definitely need adequate lighting both for the inside and outside perimeters of your boat. This is why accessorizing it with the best LED boat lights that are available in the market is the wisest decision. You might ask, “Why lighting fixtures are ideal for your boat?

Boat LED lights are increasingly in demand among boating enthusiasts because of their many applications and styles to choose from. So, whether you want to replace or upgrade your current boat lighting fixtures for better performance while on open water, here is a quick guide on the best boat lighting fixtures that can be installed both in the interior and exterior part of the boat.

Best LED Boat Light Reviews of 2023

1. Obcursco 12” LED Boat Bow Navigation Light Kits

Next on my list of lighting fixtures review is the Obcursco 12” LED Boat Navigation Lights. If you are searching for navigation lights that would perform even in low light settings, then, I do recommend this product. Why? Let me give you a sneak peek of what this lighting kit has to offer.

It works on 12v DC power and rated IP67 when it comes to waterproofing performance. What does this rating mean? The Obcursco can cope in any harsh weather condition including submersion in sea saltwater.

This lighting product is designed to provide the top-rated navigation light. Any boat owner will find this type of boat LED lighting fixture a good investment because it is a reliable source of light while on a boating exploration. You can depend on these LED lights to provide maximum visibility to the coast guards including other sea vessels without fear of collision.

The navigation lighting kit has many uses. It can be used for land and water. Others use it as running lights.

The material composition of these bow navigation lights is rated ABS quality, which means it is corrosion resistant and can deal with any physical impact. The LED lights are tightly sealed, preventing any liquid intrusion, making them 100% waterproof. Overall built depicts durability.

The product is easy to install. It comes with 3M double adhesive tapes. So, rest assured it will stick on any clean surface.

2. Partsam 4Pcs 3” Round Chrome LED Light

The next lighting fixture I managed to review is the Partsam 4Pcs 3” Round Chrome. It is IP67 rated waterproof led boat navigation lights, which means the waterproofing feature can cope even when accidentally dropped in water. What I like most of the feature in this LED lighting fixture it also functions as an interior boat cabin or courtesy lights

The Partsam 4Pcs is a high-quality durable product and lightweight in the market today, because it is constructed from top chrome bezel. The lens and body of this remarkable product are made from a clear high-grade plastic material.

Included already in the box as accessories are mounting screws for easy and hassle-free installation. This amazing LED lighting fixture is compatible for 12 volt DC power and has a flush mount for easy and quick installation.

3. Shangyuan Marine LED Utility Strip Lights

If you prefer installing marine led strip lights for your boat, then, the Shangyuan Marine Led Utility Stripe Lights should be on top of your shopping list. What are the specs of this type of lighting fixture? Well, inclusive on this product is two (2) pieces of LED bulbs. The material composition is made from PC lens with ABS housing.

The expected lifespan of the lights is approximately 50,000 hours with a flux of 120 lumens. This type of lighting fixture offers many applications both for land and open water. Among the uses include the lighting of a cockpit space, navigation, bow lights, step lights, golf cart lights as well as decorative lights. However, the common uses are generally on open water such as fishing, sailing, and kayaking.

As for installation, this lighting fixture is easy to install. Anyone can do it alone without the need of an expert. You just need to follow the two wires connection instruction (black for negative and the other for positive. This lighting kit comes with freebies (screw set, foam tape bases).

If you are going to ask, “Is this type of LED lighting energy efficient?”. Yes, it has been proven to consume less power, does not overheat and provide lasting illumination.

What about warranty coverage? Well, this LED lighting offers a warranty coverage and applies only on replacement of damaged parts or defects.

4. Partsam 6X 4 Marine/Boat

Are you on the lookout for multi-purpose led lights that can be used as interior boat lights or boat cabin lights? The Partsam 6X 4 Marine/Boat is flexible enough to be used almost anywhere, both for land and open water.

This type of lighting fixture also offers many applications. You can use it literally to decorate both the interior and exterior parts of your boat, RVs, trucks or any heavy-duty vehicle. Is it compact? Yes, the actual length of this LED lighting fixture is only four (4) inches. When it comes to compatibility, this LED lighting works on 12 volts power.

Other distinct features of this marine/boat LED lighting are waterproof, surface mount installation, variety of colors to choose (red, blue, green) and clear lens. Battery life only draws minimum power source, giving you a longer lighting service.

5. OPT7 Boat Interior Glow LED Lighting Kit

Do you need to replace your interior boat lighting fixture? The OPT7 Boat Interior Glow LED is among the interior boat lights available in the market and classified under this category. Now, let’s take a look on its specs.

This boat interior lighting fixture has a plug and play mechanism and can be connected straight via a 12 volts cigarette power source or fuse box whichever is available as a power outlet. It is built with SoundSync bass-activated technology and has LEDs with a 24-inch strip. Its LED lighting has the ability to produce extreme brightness with its 36 SmartColor.

Other awesome features of the OPT7 includes waterproof rated, 24” strips and handheld remote.

What is inclusive in the product? You will find inside this LED lighting kit one (1) handheld remote, one (1) screwdriver, cigarette power connector (1), Aura V1 control box (1), four (4) LED strips, three (3) plug-n-go fuse tap connectors, four (4) light strip extension wire with ten feet length, one (1) hardware power harness, one pack mounting kit and zip ties, one-touch color selection, advanced color dimming, variable spread control and multiple flashing modes.

6. Partsam 4pcs 3” Blue LED Oblong Courtesy Light

On the other hand, in case you prefer marine led lighting that has multi-purpose both for land and water, then, consider the 4pcs 3” Blue LED Oblong Courtesy Light. These LED lights can provide an ample source of lighting for your boat, RV, truck and even an aircraft. You may also find this particular LED light on pathways, inside storage areas, marine and other luxury types of vehicles.

What are its top features? I find the Blue LED Oblong Courtesy Light to be versatile because of its various applications in any setting. You can use it as interior or exterior lighting in any given environment. They would also make an alternative decorative lighting fixture due to their stylish craftsmanship and easy mounting installation.

Are they energy efficient? When it comes to energy consumption this type of LED lighting fixture is very reliable because it only consumes low energy. This is why they are highly recommended for interior and exterior lighting source.

What about safety? If your worry is for your safety as well as your property this LED oblong lights are very safe because they can be used both for wet and dry surroundings. Aside from that, the surface mounting design makes it easy for anyone with no DIY experience to install it right away.

7. PryEU Daylight White 6000K LED Strip Lights

PryEU Daylight White 6000K is indeed an example of a multi-functional lighting fixture. Why? During my careful assessment on this product I find it to be a good source of lighting because it delivers super bright lighting in cool white. If you are on the lookout for marine interior lighting this is highly recommended. In fact, others use this LED lighting to create a romantic ambiance inside an automobile.

If you are to ask about its material, I find the adhesive backing to be of authentic 3M double sided foam tape. I am sure it will securely stick on a clean surface and not worry about the lighting fixture from accidentally dropping.

How about warranty coverage? Well, this LED lighting offers paying customers a good warranty coverage of three (3) years, plus 60 days replacement which I must say is a good value for money. The manufacturer of this lighting product is also known for its fast delivery and customer support. So, if your purchased lighting arrived with signs of defects replacement is guaranteed.

What are its unique features? This product has been rated IP65 waterproof, UL listed, safe to use and environment-friendly. With regards to voltage compatibility the PryEU works with 12v DC. It is energy efficient because this LED lighting only consumes around 1.5 watts.

Is it easy to install? Yes, this type of lighting fixture is easy to install because it has self-adhesive, double sided 3M foam tape. All you need is to find the perfect spot, then, clean the surface and stick it. Then, you connect it to the 12 volts power outlet and this LED light will immediately provide additional lighting in any given space or environment.

8. LEANINGTECH Boat Marine LED Light

Another type of boat lighting that has caught my attention is the LEANINGTECH Boat Marine LED. What makes this product a standout? Whether you just need to accessorize your boat or need to replace existing lights the LEANINGTECH would make an excellent choice. Aside from its proven efficient waterproofing feature against harsh weather conditions such as strong winds or torrential rains this particular lighting is known for having various applications.

It is widely used as a boating accessory that you can reward your boat or any marine vessel. Apart from that, it is also used as a source of lighting for pontoon boats, sail boats, touring cars and speedboats. Other applications include bow light, running light and stern light.

With regards to its lighting performance I can say this product produces maximum brightness with its two light colors; the red for the port side and green for starboard side. The LED light bulbs only draw low energy. This product has been recognized to be USCG compliant. This refers to meeting the required mile visibility of at least 2 nautical miles, especially at night.

When it comes to the material this lighting product exhibits durability. I must say it is due to its impressive engineering. The base part of this LED lighting is made from ABS plastic material while the housing is of quality chrome plaid zinc. The product is lightweight with an IP65 waterproof rating. So, if you worry about a bad weather condition arising while on the open water this LED lighting product is guaranteed to remain dry even with continuous rainfall.

9. Lumitec SeaBlazeX LED Light

Do you need the brightest lights? The Lumitec SeaBlazeX LED for my opinion is the best option. Why? It offers up to 4,000 lumens, meaning it can deliver the highest level of clarity when it comes to lighting.

This LED lighting works on 12 to 24 voltage DC power source, which makes it versatile for open water applications.

The housing material composition of this lighting fixture is from quality marine grade bronze alloy, which make it easy to mount on a transom (flat surface) like the stern of a boat.

The LED lights availability are in blue, green, white and white/blue. These lights produce powerful lighting, not prone to fading and can be programmed to create various lighting such as cross-fade and strobe. The lights can also withstand underwater submersion. That is why they are mostly installed at the underside of boats.

10. LEANINGTECH White Spreader LED Deck Lights

Inclusive in this boat lighting fixture are two pieces of LED boat lights (18 watts) with a stainless steel component. The LEANINGTECH led marine deck lights to provide sufficient lighting, which makes them excellent lighting partner for different kinds of boats (fishing boats, houseboats, and sailboats).

Since its hardware is made from stainless steel this LED light can also be mounted on large and heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks. This is why these lighting fixtures have multi applications, both for land and open water. So, if you are mostly on the road driving a truck or on open water off for a fishing trip this particular LED lighting is an excellent choice because it gives enough brightness on the left and right angles.

This lighting fixture boasts of having superb heat dissipation feature. What does this mean? It simply means you can rely on this lighting fixture not to overheat and provide longer hours of lighting, approximately 30,000 hours. Another application of this lighting product is for bow fishing. It can be easily installed at the tip of a bow and provide enough illumination even on muddy waters like the lake or river with its 18 watts LED light.

When it comes to size, this lighting fixture is a good example of a compact type of lighting because it is only 6.25 inches in length. Among the other features that make this particular product a wise choice is its waterproof rating, rated IP67, meaning it has the capacity to remain dry even during harsh weather conditions like heavy rainfall. In fact, it can still perform even when submerged in saltwater for prolonged periods.

The aluminum shell covering of this LED light is corrosion resistant. It is also compatible both for 10 to 16 volts DC power including 12 volts DC.

What to Look for When Buying a LED Boat Light

 

Whether you plan to accessorize, replace or upgrade your boat, RV, aircraft, home or commercial space with LED lighting fixtures, finding the best lights can be quite overwhelming. For your convenience, I have come up with few things to consider that will help the selection process easy.

• Quality of light

Over the years LED lights in general regardless of types and features have improved to suit the varying lighting requirements of customers. There are LED lights that produce clear white lighting while other models are known for delivering the brightest light at any angle. This quality of light produced by LED lights is referred to as lumens or amount of light that a particular brand of LED lights produces.

• The Led light Beam Angle

Another important thing to consider before buying LED boat lights is the beam angle. Some LED lights produce powerful light that can be harmful to the eyes. If unsure on the extent of light that a potential brand of LED boat lights will produce as it points towards you or an angle, check reviews of previous buyers for guidance. Any form of lighting fixture that emits strong LED light is not good for the eyes.

• Led Light Energy Consumption

Yes, this is a crucial factor when choosing lighting fixtures including LED lights, the amount of energy used per watt. As a reference, always compare the percentage of energy needed to produce an adequate source of light. Remember, the higher the lumens per watt the more cost-effective the LED light when computing the energy consumption.

• The LED color temperature (Kelvins) and rendering index (CRI)

The color temperatures of LED lights come in various colors ranging from natural daylight, warm and cooler lights. Based on the customer’s personal taste and goal to change the ambiance of a setting the selections are broad including the LED lights rendering index.

• Thermal Management of the Led light

Overheating on lighting fixtures is a major issue. This is why anyone planning to invest in boat LED lights should pay attention to the amount of heat produced when in use. A LED light that tends to generate too much heat is not favorable because it loses the quality of light produced.

• Material composition

Among the important elements that a potential buyer of LED lights must pay attention during the selection process is the material used. If the material is not corrosion resistant, expect the light to acquire rust over time. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s material-composition. If the product was constructed mainly from alloy coating, this is not a wise investment. Look for a LED light brand that is built from top graded metal or alloy material to ensure long years of service.

• The Ingress Protection of the Led light or IP rating

It is essential for your source of lighting to be tightly sealed and cope with any form of moisture or harsh weather condition. For example, if the LED lights are to be used for your marine and saltwater expeditions, it would be appropriate to verify the IP rating. Any LED light product that has been rated IP67 is highly recommended because this rating confirms the ability to withstand any bad weather condition such as storm including underwater submersion.

• Led Light EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference)

The LED lights safety feature is also a major factor to consider when choosing from a bunch of manufacturers. I do suggest to all first-time buyers of LED lighting fixtures to inquire about the EMI performance for different applications, both for industrial and personal use. A top-performing LED light should not cause electromagnetic interference on other electronic devices like radios or audio equipment.

• The Warranty coverage

If you want to get the best deal on Led lights, read carefully the warranty coverage of each LED boat lighting product. The average warranty for LED lights is between one year and 7 years.

• Price

Pricing of LED lights does vary based on the features, materials used for the construction as well as the manufacturer’s availability of designs. The final decision on which manufacturer to buy depends on a paying customer’s budget and preferred specs. However, if a customer wants special features integrated on the boat LED lights or longer service life and warranty, then, the price may be a bit expensive than the ordinary LED lights.

Other Important Factors to Consider

For you to clearly understand how boat lights in general work, here are vital things you need to know.

What is a LED boat light?

Let’s say this is your first time to have a close encounter with boat lights. Similar to any type of lighting fixture the main role of a boat light is to be an additional source of lighting. LED or commonly defined as Light Emitting Diodes is a type of lighting fixture that works in areas with low temperatures, consume less energy or exposed to conditions with vibration.

These lights only contain minimal toxic mercury. Unlike the traditional incandescent bulbs that we have in our homes, offices, and businesses these LED lights are proven to last longer and environment-friendly. However, expect to pay more on premium LED lights than incandescent bulbs.

How does it work?

LED lights, in general, are semiconductors, meaning they permit energy to flow in one direction. The source of light comes from its material composition placed closely together or what we call the Positive and Negative junction. Once the energy flows via the junction, light is released.

What are the different types of LED boat lights?

Once delivered the product packaging of boat lights is quite small. LED lights mostly function similarly to the old incandescent bulbs. As the product evolves its main purpose of being a source of lighting, it has broadened to multiple applications, particularly as boat lights. The types of boat lights do vary. Below is the list for convenience:

• Navigation LED lights

These boat lights are mainly used to tell the position of a sea vessel and where it is heading. They serve as a signal on open water to reduce incidents of accidental collision among all sea vessels like fishing boats, sailboats as well as marine boats. Navigation LED lights generally come in various colors. You may find some LED lights in clear white while others come in combination (red/green) or masthead (white).

• Anchor LED lights

This is another type of boat light and often required by law to the sailing and marine industry. The anchor light’s role is to indicate the exact location of any sea vessel at dock. It also warns other boat owners that a sea vessel is docked. Since, the law mandated it as a standard requirement the anchor LED light should meet the specific lighting performance like it must produce bright white lighting to ensure the sea vessel’s maximum visibility in situations with poor lighting such as fog or total darkness at night.

• All-Round White LED lights

These boat lights are compatible with any kind of power-driven water vehicle. They should provide visibility in any direction including the position of the boat. The all-round white lights can have a dual function because they can be used as anchor lights when the sidelights of a boat are malfunctioning or as masthead lights/stern lights among sea vessels with less than 39.4 feet in length.

• Deck LED lights

Another type of boat lights that I am sure any experienced boater will attest to be of equal importance are the deck LED lights. These deck lights role is to illuminate the deck. You may also find the best LED boat deck lights to be mounted inside a boat’s cabin. Others prefer to install the led deck lights for boats on the exterior sides, on deck surface or underneath the roof.

• Spreader LED lights

One of the well-sought marine boat lights is the spreader LED lights. Why? These boat lights provide boaters many applications. Most boaters use the spreader LED lights while doing boat maintenance or servicing. Other boat owners use them as an illuminating instrument on the water while fishing at night. Some use these boat lights to give lighting source on vessels within near distance or serve as docking lights.

• Docking LED lights

The docking lights are commonly used as lighting while leaving the dock or approaching a marina. These lights are designed to deliver extreme brightness to boaters or mariners while docking their sea vessels. The dock lights are mostly installed as fixed lighting fixtures on surfaces or high posts. These lights usually have plain white lights.

• Underwater LED lights

These boat lights are used as underwater lights. You will normally find these lights to be submerged in water or place near the water to attract sea creatures at night, making them excellent for fishing explorations. However, some boaters use underwater lights to illuminate their boats while on open water. These boat lights have excellent waterproofing because they are built with a tight enclosure.

• Search LED lights

Every boat or sea vessel user should have search lights readily available for easy location of anything while on the deck or in water. Although, these types of boat lights are not regularly used, they still provide efficient lighting on any angle. They are ideal both for interior or exterior lighting of any boat.

Why do you need a LED light for boat?

I am sure by this time you have come to realized the true value of having an adequate source of lighting for your boat. However, if you will ask which is better the traditional light or LED light for your boat, here are the top benefits you will enjoy for choosing LED light.

• Energy efficient

If you will do a comparison on energy consumption between a traditional light and LED light, the later lighting product is the best. Why? It has been proven and tested to consume less energy than an ordinary light bulb like the incandescent. So, if you wish to enjoy bigger savings of power usage, then, invest in quality LED lights.

• Longer service life

Another amazing benefit of LED light is long years of service than the traditional incandescent bulb. The average service life of a premium quality LED light regardless you bought green led lights for boats is approximately 60,000 hours or equivalent to 7 years. So, if you will compute the money spent on replacing frequently an ordinary light bulb, you can save more for buying a LED light.

• Durability

As I have mentioned the LED lights are produced from semiconductor material instead of neon gas or filament. Aside from that, the construction of LED lights provides a tightly sealed enclosure, making them more durable than your traditional light bulbs at homes.

• Safe

Yes, LED lights are safer to use than the incandescent bulbs because they do not overheat even when used for longer periods. They only contain less toxic mercury.

• Applications

LED lights provide many applications both for land and sea. They are effective lighting partners at homes, businesses and other building spaces. In fact, it is common now to see the marine led cabin lights to be used as decorative lights inside a house. Others use the LED lights for entertainment, transportation, spotlights or reading lights. They are regarded as indispensable lighting instruments in any situation or environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most trusted LED boat light brands?

Based on my gathered research on branded boat light products the following list are among the ones that performed well in the market, not only from their specified purposes, but also on other matters such as service life, energy consumption, and underwater lighting:

• LEANINGTECH
• Shangyuan
• Partsam
• Aura
• Obcursco
• PryEU
• Lumitec

Are LED boat lights waterproof?

Most of the LED boat lights have been rated waterproof, particularly those lights intended for submersion in water. If you are going to buy LED boat lights for underwater choose a brand that has passed the standard waterproof rating of at least IP65 or better IP67. The higher the rating the more the boat lights can withstand underwater setting.

How to install?

There are three easy ways to install boat lights. First, if you are directly connected with a drain plug, all you have to do is thread via the existing hole to connect the battery. The second method, simply mounts on the exterior of the boat through a wire and run it via the hull. Third method, install the wire by drilling a hole, then, run a wire through and attach the wiring to the light and battery.

How to use?

Boat lights, in general, are good sources of additional lighting. They are designed and built to withstand wear and tear, produce quality lighting where it is intended and last longer than the traditional incandescent light.

Boat LED lights have many applications, both for interior and exterior parts of the boat, underwater as well as docking. There are also some boat LED lights that can be used in residential houses, commercial establishment and other areas like garden, pathway, cockpit, accessory lights for RVs, cars, aircrafts including cockpit arena.

You may also come across premium quality boat lights to provide various and intensified colors because they are operated via remote and programmed to set a particular lighting scheme in an environment.

How to care?

Care and maintenance of boat lights are not as complicated as you imagined it to be. Of course, similar to the traditional light bulb that requires regular cleaning, the boat lights should also be cleaned, both on the exterior and interior parts to ensure better performance. If you noticed any worn wire or malfunction while in operation do a thorough inspection and testing. If some parts are already damaged or show signs of wear and tear, this indicates a replacement.

What is the warranty?

The warranty coverage of boat LED lights differs from one manufacturer to another. You may find a brand of boat lights to offer only 1-year warranty of coverage and limit to replacement if found defective upon delivery. Other premium branded boat lights may offer 3 years warranty, plus 60 days replacement for the damaged or defective product received from the date of purchase.

Where to buy?

Nowadays, purchase of boat LED lights can be processed via the comforts of your home, office or anywhere you are located right now through a reputable online shopping – Amazon. Here, you will be presented with a wide selection of boat lights from trusted manufacturers. Be sure to read carefully the product description stated on each model you wish to buy to ensure you pick the correct boat lights.

Conclusion

There you have it an extensive and informative review for the best LED boat lights. Personally, with all the benefits that different types of boat lights can offer to users, I am convinced that they are indeed the most efficient lighting devices that we can use for our daily lighting needs.

Whether you are a new boat owner, looking for lighting replacements for your open water expeditions or an individual in search of energy-efficient lighting source with multi-purposes, I highly recommend you take a look at the above-listed top-performing LED boat lights.

Be sure to come up with a list of what you really need, where you will use these LED boat lights and your budget. Once you have clearly identified the types of LED boat lights that matched your lighting requirements and budget, check availability from a reputable supplier or seller. I am sure you will find a variety of LED boat lights to fill in your various lighting needs regardless you want to invest on bass boat LED deck lights, marine led interior lights or Led deck lights.

Just a piece of advice for new buyers of boat lights, always choose brands that have the highest level of waterproof rating, Why? The higher the rate means the boat lights can withstand harsh weathers and underwater submersion. The ideal is a boat light with IP67.