5 Best Pond Lights of 2024

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Written by: - Garden Design Expert

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The Best Pond Lights

pond lights
  1. Fornorm 4 Pack LED Underwater Spotlight

  2. LemonBest Multicolour RGB LED Underwater Spotlight

  3. Powstro Remote Control RGB LED Pond Spotlight

  4. ARDUX Artificial Lotus Floating Lights

  5. Jooheli Submersible LED Pond Lights with Remote Control

Pond Light Reviews

Editors Choice
  • Fully submergible with an IP68 rating
  • Safe for ponds, pools and hot tubs
  • Lights remember your last-selected setting when turned off, and turn back on to that setting
  • Angle of the lights is adjustable through 180° to suit your garden
  • Range of effects - including adjustable brightness, colours and modes

  • Rubberised suction feet don't have great grip, especially in lined ponds; lights will need to be weighed down to stop them floatiing
  • The cable from the first light to the mains is only 2 metres which may not be long enough for certain garden layouts
  • IR sensor box needs protecting from the elements as it isn't waterproof

Statement ponds can be expensive to achieve, but these Fornorm 4 Pack LED Underwater Spotlights make it easy to create a bright, eye-catching water feature.

Whether you’re entertaining in the summer, or hoping to keep a better eye on your fish, these four LED underwater lights are aesthetically captivating and simple to set up.

Each light is capable of displaying a total of 16 colours, giving all the options of the rainbow as well as a ‘white’ light. They are bright under the water, creating a visible and impactful light display.

The colour of the lights can be changed using the remote control, and there are also settings for different effects: strobe, flash, fade and smooth. Plus, your most recently-used setting is remembered by the lights when they’re switched off, meaning you don’t have to re-set them when turning them back on.

Each light has an IP68 rating, so it’s fully waterproof and can be completely submerged. They’re connected by cables of 1.2 metres long, with a 2-metre cable between the first light and the mains socket.

Unfortunately, there does seem to be a common theme with this style of light: although the Fornorm LEDs have rubberised ‘sucker’ feet on the bottom of each unit, these are not overly effective at securing the lights down. It will be necessary to weight each light, with a stone or something similar, in order to stop them floating.

Also, the plug and IR receiver need to be suitably waterproofed. The lights connect to the IR unit via a USB cable and the connection is not sealed against the elements.

Nevertheless, these are problems that can be overcome with planning, and are quite common across many brands; these remain some of the best pond lights for entertaining and making a statement feature out of the pond.

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Runner Up
  • Speed of changing light effects can be changed so they are not too fast and distracting
  • Reasonable length between each light to be used in standard-size ponds
  • 180° moveable light heads makes them versatile for use in ponds as well as rockeries
  • Sturdy and reliable - fully waterproof and safe for fish

  • Remote has quite a small range - need to be within 2 m of pond to switch the lights on and adjust the colours
  • Cable to first light is 2 m which may not be long enough depending on where your outdoor socket is placed
  • Suction on feet of lights wears off meaning that lights need to be weighed down to stop them floating to the surface

If you’re looking to give your pond an aesthetic boost, these LemonBest Multicolour RGB LED Underwater Spotlights create a colourful underwater light show.

They can be used to light up water features and fountains, or simply placed into the pond to make it more visually interesting at night time. There are four lights included, along with a remote control for changing the colour settings.

Although the remote control is useful, it does need to be used at fairly close range – within approximately 2 metres.

The lights can display 16 different colours, and it’s possible to alter the brightness as well as achieve different light effects. They can either be left on one colour, or change between colours using the ‘fade’ and ‘smooth’ settings.

These are the most relaxing, and most commonly used, although there are also ‘flash’ and ‘strobe’ settings as well, if you’re feeling particularly animated.

Each light is completely waterproof, with an IP68 rating. A 1.2 m piece of cable connects each light, and then there is 2 m cable connecting the first light to the IR receiver and power outlet.

Depending on where your outdoor power supply is, the length of the power cable may be a little short. Also, it’s necessary to keep the IR receiver covered and dry, because it’s not waterproof and the lights connect to it using a USB connection.

As well as being used to light up your pond these lights work well to highlight other features of your garden after dark such as rockeries and greenhouses. The heads of the lights can be angled through 180° making them possible to direct as required.

All things considered, these are some of the best pond lights to add colour and interest to your water feature. Plus, they’re also versatile enough to be used in other areas of the gardens.

They do have rubber suckers attached to their ‘feet’, to help secure them down, but these aren’t very effective. It’s necessary to use another method to weigh them down so that they don’t float to the surface. A couple of stones should do the trick.

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Also Good
  • Remote is very easy to use - can adjust the brightness as well as the colour
  • Fully submersible but can also be used around your pond or to illuminate other areas of your garden
  • Mains operated so there’s no need to worry about charging the battery
  • Can be used in both salt and freshwater - very durable and fully waterproof

  • The white light isn’t truly white - it’s made up of a mixture of other colours that don't combine to make pure white
  • Remote doesn't have a good range - need to be closer than a couple of metres
  • Suction feet will likely come unstuck - lights need weighting down
  • Plug and IR sensor aren’t waterproof so steps need to be taken during installation to protect these

If you have a small-to-medium pond, these Powstro Remote Control RGB LED Pond Spotlights are a great way to introduce a colourful feature to the water.

With an IP68 rating, the four lights are completely waterproof and can be submersed in water or used around the edge of the pond without any concerns about the weather.

There are 16 light colours to choose from in total, and several different effect settings – all of which can be adjusted using the included remote control. As well as a static light setting, there is a strobe, flash, fade and smooth effect.

The heads of the lights can move through 180° making them possible to customise and angle as desired. They can also be used out of the water, for rockeries and lighting up pathways, without needing to be brought in when it rains.

However, there is one primary downside to these lights. Even though the lights themselves are waterproof, the IR receiver is not. It therefore needs to be encased and waterproofed in some way during installation. If it gets wet, the lights will stop working properly.

Also, they have suckers attached to their bases which help, to a certain extent, with securing the lights in different positions. However, the strength of the suckers can weaken over time, causing the lights to break free and float to the surface of the pond. Tying a stone to the base can help keep them tethered down.

Overall, with a distance of 1.2 metres between each light, these are some of the best pond lights for small-to-medium ponds. Although, it is worth bearing in mind that the distance of 2 m from the first light to the plug may be a little short for some, depending on the position of the outdoor wall socket.

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  • Battery operated so no outdoor power socket is required
  • Can be used as an ornament during the day even without the lights switched on
  • Six flowers in total making them suitable for medium/large ponds
  • Flowers phase through different colours making them more visually interesting than one static colour

  • No remote control included so lights need to be physically turned off by twisting the base
  • Water can get into the battery compartment if it gets over the waterproof base
  • Each light requires two batteries which can get expensive to replace given that there are six lights

Much like real lily flowers, these ARDUX Artificial Lotus Floating Lights sit on top of the water, making a beautiful, eye-catching statement.

They’re battery powered, which is a real bonus, as there’s no need to have any outdoor-socket facilities available. There are six flowers included in total: three large lilies, measuring approximately 18 cm across, and three medium lilies, measuring 10 cm across.

Taking these measurements into account, the flowers may be too large for a small pond and it might not be possible to use all six at the same time.

Each lily phases through seven colours, creating a beautiful light display whilst bobbing on the surface of the pond.

These flowers can also be used in a range of contexts, not just in ponds: floating in bowls of water as table centrepieces, or in fountains and water features.

Each flower requires 2 x CR2032 batteries. These come included, and reportedly last for 48 hours of consistent use. This is something to bear in mind because replacing six sets of batteries could get expensive.

Also, there’s no remote control included, so each light needs to be physically switched on and off by twisting the base. It’s a good idea to get them out of the water when not in use, because if too much liquid comes over the waterproof base, it can get into the battery compartment.

Overall, these are the best pond lights if you’re looking for something aesthetically unique. They’ll create an ethereal feel to the pond which is completely different to having lights submerged under the water. Plus, the fact they’re battery powered makes these lights suitable for gardens without a mains power supply.

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  • Timer mode means you don’t need to worry about turning them off
  • Remote control works and has a good range of up to 15m
  • Battery operated so no outdoor power socket is required

  • Batteries aren’t particularly long lasting - usually only around 2 or 3 hours
  • The white colour isn’t bright white, it’s a mixture of other colours

Some of the best pond lights to buy on a budget, these Submersible LED Pond Lights with Remote Control offer great value for money and include four lights with a variety of different settings.

Despite being a budget option, they still come with a remote control in order to change the colours whilst the lights are in the water. There are also different lighting effects, such as strobe, fade and smooth. On top of this, there are three timer settings, which aren’t present on any of the other lights featured on this page, to set the lights to turn off automatically after 2, 4 or 6 hours.

These submersible lights are battery operated so no outdoor power socket is required, and they’re completely submersible with a waterproof rating of IP68.

Each light requires 3 x AAA batteries which don’t come included. Also, it should be noted that, even when using some premium battery brands, the lights often run out after a few hours of constant use. They’re not as bright as some of the other lights on this page either, with only 13 LED lights inside each unit – several of the other models have 36 each.

Nevertheless, they’re a good, cheap fix for adding some visual interest to a pond or water feature during a party or gathering. They can also be used as general garden lighting, even if it’s raining, and can be placed in water features or fountains as well.

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Clive's Smart Buying Tips

  1. Mains-powered lights are the best choice if you want bright, powerful lights, although you’ll need to think about the cable. Look for lights with a power cord of at least 2m. Most likely, you’ll need to have a designated outdoor socket installed in the garden.
  2. If you don’t have an accessible socket outside, I recommend battery-powered lights for flexibility. They’re perfect if you only want dim lighting, as they won’t provide the same brightness as mains-powered lights. Ensure battery-powered lights have a long battery life of 15 – 30 hours, as these offer better value for money.
  3. Another cordless option to consider would be solar-powered lights. They aren’t restricted by power cables and require little maintenance. You can place them around your pond or on the surface, making them a versatile option; however, they need to get enough sunlight to charge which can make them impractical.
  4. Make sure any pond lights have a waterproof rating of at least IP68. This offers good protection from water damage, allowing you to submerge your lights in your pond without them breaking.
  5. A useful ‘extra’ to look out for is a remote control. Lights controlled by remote offer more flexibility in terms of brightness and colour. 

After comparing several of the best pond lights, the Fornorm 4 Pack LED Underwater Spotlights are my top pick. These mains-powered lights are fully waterproof, with an IP68 rating, and can display 16 different colours. They’re easy to position, with a 1.2m cable between each light and a 2m cord for connecting to the mains socket.

How to Choose the Best Pond Lights

Pond lights are a great way to boost the appearance of your pond. They can ensure that it remains a statement feature in the garden, even at night time. 

There’s a number of different types of pond lights, from floating lights that sit on top of the water to ones that are submerged to give your pond an ethereal glow.

Choosing the best pond lights for your garden will depend on the effect you’re hoping to achieve, and the accessibility of power outlets. The following information will give you a better idea of what to look out for.

READ NEXT: The UK’s Best Garden Lighting Ideas

Type of Pond Lights

There’s a few types of pond lights to consider.

Solar lights

These are arguably the most popular. There are no cord restrictions, and they tend to be relatively low maintenance. Solar lights usually float on the surface of your pond, or can be placed around the edges.

Rock lights

As the name suggests, these resemble small rocks. They are the most subtle form of lighting, blending in with the surrounding landscape. If you have a very busy garden in terms of décor, rock lights are a great option as they will add ambiance without taking over. They can be submerged in the pond, or placed around the edges to blend in with other rocks.

Submersible lights 

These can help give your pond an atmospheric glow at night. They are aesthetically pleasing, and it’s often possible to use a remote control in order to adjust the settings from afar.

READ NEXT: UK’s Top Garden Pond Ideas

Power Type

When it comes to pond lights, you have three main power options – solar powered, battery powered and mains powered.

Solar Powered

Solar powered lights require very little effort to set up. These lights will be most suitable for placing around the edge of the pond. Although some solar-powered lights have a very high waterproof rating, they will not charge well if submerged under water. You can also get floating solar-powered lights.

Naturally, the benefit of solar power is that you don’t need any mains cables or to change any batteries. You may need to move the lights around in the day, so that they receive enough sunlight to charge. The strength of light produced, and how long the light stays on for, will depend on how much light was received during the day, so they can be a little unreliable – especially after very overcast days.

READ NEXT: The Best Pond Liners

Battery Powered Lights

The best thing about battery powered lights is that there’s no need to have an outdoor socket installed near the pond.

The strength of light produced from battery lights is not usually as strong as the light from mains-powered units, and you’re less likely to be able to submerge them underwater in the pond. Whilst some battery-powered lights can be submerged, you’ll have to put them somewhere where 1) you can easily reach to get them out and 2) they’re not so deep that their light isn’t visible.

Battery life can vary significantly between different lights, but one set of batteries may only last for a few hours when permanently ‘on’.

Mains Powered Lights

These lights can be the most effective, but they also require the most setting up. If you don’t already have an outdoor power socket near to your pond, you will need to get one installed. Pond lights often have a relatively short mains-power cable, of approximately 2 m, so they need to be positioned close to the plug. Additional waterproofing may be required to make sure that all of the components – for example if it has a IR receiver – are fully waterproofed.

The main benefit of mains powered lights is that they can be very bright. They can also be kept on for as long as necessary, without worrying about the battery dying.

READ NEXT: The Best Pond Pumps

Waterproofing

It goes without saying that pond lights, especially ones which will be submersed in the water, need to be fully waterproof.

Most pond lights have a waterproof rating of either IP68 or IP69 – the second number refers to the objects protection against water ingress, whilst the first number refers to its protection against solid particle ingress (like dust).

Technically, a rating of IP68 means that the item can be submerged in fresh water, at a depth of 1.5 m, for 30 minutes without suffering damage. Given that pond lights won’t be placed at such a depth, IP68 should be sufficient for them to last in the pond. Based on customer reports from the lights featured on this page, it seems that IP68 offers good protection for pond lights.

It’s also important to make sure other elements of the lights are waterproof – not just the main unit itself. Ensure that any battery compartments are tightly sealed, as well as any exposed plugs, sockets or cables.

READ NEXT: The Best Pond Paint

Pond Lights FAQs

Most pond lights won’t disturb your fish, and in fact many fish will appreciate them thanks to the warmth they naturally bring to the pond. 

However, fish require a light and dark cycle, and so it’s best not to have your lights on all the time. Lights that are too bright or permanently on may harm your fish or cause their health to deteriorate. 

If you notice your fish seem anxious after installing your lights, ensure they have a darker area they can retreat to. It’s recommended to turn your lights off a few hours after the sun has gone down so that your fish can relax.

If you have a waterproof outdoor socket near to your pond, mains-powered pond lights will allow you to have submersed underwater lighting that can be switched on any time. These lights will generally be the brightest and best permanent solution. Nevertheless, if you don’t have a mains socket near your pond, there are still other good options – either battery-powered lights or solar-powered lights will still create a statement by the pond, they just won’t be as bright as mains-powered lights.

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