When it comes to the best LED light bar for the money, we are talking about value for money. A product that is of a good quality standard but doesn’t break the bank at the same time.
This can be a tall order when it comes to LED light bars as the best brands can cost you an arm and a leg. Furthermore, it can take a lot of work to sift through the low-quality trash to find that perfect balance between quality and price.
Luckily for you, Shaun Bloodworth has done the work for you!
This article will detail some of the best value-for-money brands and review some great product options. Not only that, there will be a useful buying guide to help you determine what you should look out for.
Read until the end if you would like to know the Shaun Bloodworth top picks!
Best Light Bar For the Money – Overview
This table includes all the best value-for-money options before we dive into the detail.
| Image | LED Light Bar | Benefits | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Nilight LED Light Bars | Top brand pick | |
 | Auxbeam LED Light Bar(s) | Top brand Pick | |
 | Yitamotor LED Light Bar | Great combo | 3X Lightbars | |
 | Autosaver88 52″ LED Light Bar | Cheapest option with Fish-eye (4D) lens | |
 | Northpole LED Light Bar 20″ Combo | Another great combo | 3X light bars | |
 | Auto feel LED Light Bar | Best combo deal | 6X lights | |
 | Rigidhorse LED Light Bars | Unique design | 3 rows of LEDs | |
 | OffRoad Town LED Light Bar | Top Brand Pick | Mid-range |
Best Budget-Friendly LED Light Bars – Detailed Reviews
Below are detailed reviews that get into the specifications of each brand’s light bars and what makes each one a great choice when it comes to value for money.
1. Nilight LED Light Bars
Summary
Nilight is owned by ZNDER INC which has been in operation since 2015. While they have not been around for long, their relatively short time in the industry has made a massive impact. They now have over 1 Million satisfied customers worldwide.
All their automotive lighting products boast 50000+ hours of use, advanced cooling systems, and have high ‘IP67‘ waterproof ratings. This means they are durable, long-lasting and they can withstand the elements.
Their LED light bars are super bright because they are designed to combine floodlight and spotlight. This is built into the design of the reflector cups to provide multi-angle refraction. Basically, this just means that more area is covered by the light at a greater intensity.
Furthermore, they look good. Their light bars are not lacking when it comes to style and they will add additional impact to your vehicle’s aesthetics.
You’ll also be happy to know that despite all these good qualities, Nilights’ products are well-priced and affordable. That is why they are first on our list because they do not sacrifice quality for the price.
Nilight offers a whole range of good products when it comes to LED light bars and a few of them are linked below. These are different lengths and designs so you can choose what fits your vehicle and needs.
The options listed below are a 26″, 32″ and a curved 52″ LED light bar. However, there are a few other options in terms of size and power output.
KEY FEATURES
- IP67 waterproof rating
- 30000-50000 working hours
- Affordable price point
- Pure White Color Temperature (6000K-6500K Lumens)
- Alluminium alloy (sturdy and lightweight)
2. Auxbeam LED Light Bar(s)
Summary
Auxbeam has been in business since 2008 and it has literally been their mission to produce high-quality products at an affordable price. Not only that, they have placed emphasis on design so that you get a well-priced product that looks good too.
Staying true to their mission, this lightbar is well priced and is housed in an original Auxbeam design. It packs a punch aesthetically and its combination of floodlight and spotlight 4D lenses (check buying guide for more information on this) provides very bright and wide illumination.
This light bar is rugged and weatherproof allowing for use while off-roading or in harsher environments. Like the Nilight option, this has an IP67 waterproof rating so you will not have issues during outdoor use and they will not fog up.
Just to get more of a sense of the above IP67 rating, the 6 means that it is fully protected against dust and the 7 means that it can withstand full water submersion at a depth of up to 1m for 30 minutes.
This particular lightbar is one of the best for the money and even at this size, you should be satisfied with the experience. However, they do have a large range of other LED light bars so click the second button below to see some of those options.
KEY FEATURES
- 30K + hours of life
- Pure White 600K Color Temperature
- 24 LED’s
- Operates with between DC 9-32V
- Die-cast alluminium and stainless steel brackets
3. Yitamotor 52″ LED Light Bar
Summary
Yitamotor is located in the US and although they provide a whole list of aftermarket vehicle accessories, they specialize in automotive lighting. Not only that, they provide quality products at a great price.
This option above is a combo deal that includes a 52″ light bar as well as two smaller light bars. This means you get a well-rounded lighting setup that will provide bright and wide illumination. Not only that, you will add some nice visual appeal to your vehicle with the combination of lights and their striking design.
These provide the same IP67 waterproofing we have come to expect and their bars also include a combination of floodlight and spotlight for greater visibility. Overall, these are another excellent choice for the quality and price.
They also have some other great options and sizes which are linked by the buttons below.
KEY FEATURES
- IP67 Waterproof rating
- 3x light bar combo
- White 6000K color
- Powered by 10-60V DC
- 50000+ hour lifespan
- Die-cast Aluminum Alloy Housing
4. Autosaver88 52″ LED Light Bar
Summary
Autosaver88 is an amazon-only business however, the products they offer are well-reviewed, generally of a good quality standard, and affordable at the same time. Therefore, when looking for value-for-money light bars, their products are worth consideration.
Their lightbars actually have an even higher waterproof rating than most at IP68 meaning that it is dustproof and waterproof for extended submersion (over 30 minutes). Therefore, their bars are great for outdoor use and can handle extreme weather conditions.
Furthermore, the light refraction is designed differently with this bar. Most LED light bars use reflective cups to reflect the light to create greater illumination.
On the other hand, this light bar uses fish-eye lenses which actually provide better range and it is anti-glare. Also, there is a combination of floodlight lenses and spotlight lenses to provide the best illumination. This is one of the most affordable fish-eye lens options as the price generally jumps up when they are included.
These are great features which really set apart the Autosaverr88 light bars and with the multitude of options, you should be able to find whatever size fits your needs.
KEY FEATURES
- IP68 waterproof rating
- Great for outdoor use
- Uses Fish-eye lens for greater range
- Multiple size options
- Works between 9-35V DC
- Color temperature of 6000K
5. Northpole LED Light Bar 20″ Combo
Summary
This is another great combo deal to get you a full lighting setup of a decent quality at a good price. You will likely have seen this same design from some of the other brands above. It seems to be a bit of a generic design most likely made in the same factory, however, they are manufactured to a high standard.
The upside is that you know what to expect with this product as it will have all the same features as the rest and it has a dependable quality standard.
You get the IP67 waterproof rating, combination of floodlight and spotlight and over 30 000 hours of life. When you are not concerned with brand equity, these will certainly perform at a similar level to something like the Nilight or Auxbeam options. However, you get a bit more value for money, especially with the two extra lights in this combo deal.
They have a good range of light bars on top of this combo so click the second button below to see the full range.
KEY FEATURES
- Lifespan of 30 000+ hours
- IP67 waterproof rating
- Combo deal include 3x lights
- 12V DC operation
- 6000K Color temperature
6. Auto feel LED Light Bar
Summary
When it comes to the best lightbars for the money, this combo deal may take the cake. This is a 6-piece combo that includes a 52″ bar, 32″ bar, and 4x 4″ bars. All that, at the price of a single lightbar from some of the higher-end brands.
This is excellent value for money and these lightbars are certainly not lacking in quality and functionality. It comes with high-quality LEDs, combines floodlight and spotlight reflector cups, and has a high IP68 waterproof rating.
If you are looking for a full lighting setup that offers placement flexibility, this may be the option for you. However, they have many other options so if you like what Auto Feel is doing click on the second link to see what else they have available.
KEY FEATURES
- IP68 Waterproof rating
- High-quality LED’s
- 6x light bars
- 50 000+ life span
- DC 12V operation
7. Rigidhorse LED Light Bars
Summary
Rigidhorse is another great option when it comes to value-for-money lightbars. They also have some unique offerings like the one pictured above which has a triple row of LEDs.
Overall, their lightbars are durable and light due to their aluminum construction and they have a long lifespan of 50 000 hours or more. They use high-quality LED chips and the reflector cups are designed for maximum range and brightness with their combination of floodlights and spotlights.
They also have an IP67 waterproof rating and will performance well for off-roading or any other outdoor use.
Rigidhorse provides a whole range of great-value lightbars that are also worth looking at so check them out at the links below.
KEY FEATURES
- IP67 Waterproof rating
- High-quality P8 LED chips
- 3 rows of LEDs
- Pure White 6000K -6500K colour temperature
- 50 000+ life span
- 9-30V DC operation
8. OffRoad Town LED Light Bar(s)
Summary
Offroad town was established in 2010 and has focused specifically on lighting for automotive and marine use. Their light bars are slightly more expensive than some of the options above but they provide equal value in return.
Their LED light bars have very high lumens compared to some of the above options and they are also using fish-eye lenses for better illumination range. Additionally, they match all the common features like 50 000+ hours of life and the combination of floodlight and spotlight.
Not only that, their bars have an IP68 rating which is what makes them perfect for outdoor use for a wide range of applications.
These are worth your money if you have some spare budget. Have a look at the above option or some others by clicking the buttons below.
KEY FEATURES
- IP68 Waterproof rating
- Fish-eye lenses
- 6000K cool white light
- 50 000+ life span
- 9-30V DC operation
Buying Considerations When it Comes to the Best Light Bars
If you are looking to purchase an LED light bar and you also don’t want to pay more than what is necessary, the following consideration may help your decision:
Price
It has to be said that the more you pay the better the overall quality of the product as well as the light illumination. However, we are looking at the best-value light bars and often the price increase is not worth the advantage.
This video goes into detail about the differences between the low end and the high end. You may even decide to go with a more high-end option like the light bars from Rigid Industries which are amazing if you can afford them!
Fish-eye Lenses vs. Reflector Cups
There are two options when it comes to the way LED light bars disperse light. Have a look at the difference in this image below and check out the explanations that follow:
Reflector Cups
These are just what they sound like…little cups…and the LED chip is fitted at the base of the cup. The cup is reflective so that when the LED is on, light bounces of the reflective cup to create light dispersion. The shape and size of the cup determines whether is create a floodlight or spotlight.
Fish-eye Lenses
These are sometimes referred to as 4D lenses. LED light bars that use these do not have reflector cups and use the refraction from the lens to spread the light. The angle of the lens will affect whether it acts light a spotlight with a narrower beam, or a floodlight with a wide spread.
The higher-end LED light bar sometimes combine reflector cups and fish-eye lens to create what is termed a ”5D’ lens. This of course, combines the benefits of both techniques for even better illumination.
In terms of price, options with fish-eye lenses tend to be more pricey than reflector cups which is why a lot of the options in this list include reflector cups.
Mount Location
It is important to consider where you are going to mount your LED light bar before you buy it. You need to make sure you have the space to fit a bar in that location. Furthermore, deciding beforehand will also inform the length of lightbar you choose as well as how many you require.
Rows of LEDs
When it comes to LED light bars you can get bars with between 1 and 4 rows of LEDs.
This is obvious but the more rows, the brighter the illumination. However, you do also need to factor in the number of total LEDs as well.
It is important to understand your own requirements when it comes to the number of rows you need. You need to think about how much brightness you need as well as the length of the bar.
For example, if you have a 52″ bar you may be fine with a single row of LEDs. On the other hand, if you want to fit a 20″ bar, you may require 2 or 3 rows of LEDs to get the illumination you require.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the questions most people ask before purchasing LED light bars include:
Are light bars legal?
Lightbars are perfectly legal if you use them as they are intended. They are not intended for on-road use so you should not use them as such. Any type of off-road or outdoor use is legal on a national level but it is a good idea to check your state-specific ruling on light-bars.
How many lumens are good for a light bar?
This entirely depends on what you are using the light bar for. However, any amount of around 10 000 lumens and above is a good benchmark.
How is a light bar powered?
Generally speaking, light bars are hard-wired, meaning they connect to your vehicle’s power supply. It is good practice to assess the power requirements of the light bar you intend to install to determine the power demands.
What color should my LED light bar be?
White light is the most common and it will provide the best illumination at night.
Any other color like red, green, blue, yellow, green, etc. is generally a stylistic choice which sacrifices style for adequate illumination.
Therefore, white is the safest choice for most needs. Also, colors besides white are not allowed in some states.
Can the light bar be cleaned?
Yes, it should, however, be washed by hand. Most Light bars have an IP67 rating or higher meaning that can withstand being sprayed with a hosepipe and wiped down without any issues. So, as long as you are doing things manually you should be fine.
Lightbars (or most externally-mounted accessories) can get damaged in a car wash so be prepared to remove them if you need to use a car wash.
Bottom Line
This article has included some great brands that offer a great balance between quality and price and are worth the money. For the average user, these will be the best LED light bars for the money because they easily meet their requirements. There is no reason to pay more unless you have higher requirements from your light bar.
The Shaun Bloodworth top picks include the options from Auxbeam, OffRoad Town, and Nilight. However, all of the above options are good choices.
From here, you get to decide which light bar fits your specific need and which brand deserves your business. Here to turning night-time into daytime!