Last Updated on February 4, 2023
Light bars can serve two purposes, they can be practical or aesthetically pleasing. If you’re interested in their practical side, they are perfect for rallying and off-roading. If you want to light up the trails while you’re driving with your truck, then a light bar will be of great use to you.
We’ve decided to help you out in your quest of finding the perfect light bar by reviewing some of the best options on the market right now. Below, you will find our top picks at the moment!
Our Top Choices for 2022
1. 20'' 126W Nilight LED Light Bar
The Nilight LED Light bar includes cables that have excellent bending performance and good electrical conductivity. The light bar can be adjusted about 45 degrees, and you can easily change the direction of the light. It weighs only 3 pounds, and it is dustproof and waterproof.
Pros:
- Superior Quality Cables
- Adjustable Mounting Bracket
- High brightness
Cons:
- Customers complained that the mounting hardware isn’t as stable as it should be
2. Zmoon 14 Inch LED Light Bar Row Signal Light Bar
This bar light improves heat dissipation thanks to its 0.06-inch fan. The gap between the two fans allows enough cooling space, and all of this gives the light a lifespan of more than 50,000 hours. It is dust resistant and the surface of the aviation aluminum housing is anti-rust treated. The package includes 1 instruction manual, 2 mounting bracket kits, and 1 LED light bar.
The product comes with two adjustable brackets which you can use to control the angle that you need. It is suitable for transportation, adventure, and travel, and it fits ATVs, SUVs, boats, motorcycles, cars, and trucks.
Pros:
- Combined flood beam and spotlight
- Has durable cast aluminum housing
- Includes mounting bracket kits
Cons:
- Customers complained that the light bar isn’t waterproof
3. Autosaver88 LED Off-Road Driving Light
This is a product that has passed FCC and CE certification and has passed the IP 68 water resistance test. The service life of the light bar is over 50,000 hours. Some of the special features it has is the full aluminum housing, longer lighting distance and wider range, combination of spot and flood beam, super bright and anti-glare, dustproof, and it also has a curved design.
Pros:
- Anti-dust
- Water resistant
- Full aluminum housing
Cons:
- Customers complained that the brackets are very thin
4. LED Light Bar, Rigidhorse Single Row LED Light
This product has a toughened optic lens, aluminum housing that is painted black, and an adjustable stainless steel mounting bracket. The light bar can perform in extreme weather, since it’s anti-corrosion, shockproof, dustproof, and waterproof. The heat sink is made out of mixed materials and aluminum.
The package includes one set of mounting brackets and the LED light bar. With the combined spot and flood beam design you get a wide range of light. It can be applied as lighting of an off-road vehicle, golf cart, UTV, ATV, and truck, or it can serve as a rescue light.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Dustproof
- Anti-corrosion
Cons:
- Customers complained that the light bar didn’t come with mounting brackets as it was advertised
5. Northpole 52 Inch 300W Waterproof LED Light Bar
The aluminum housing of the light bar is high quality and painted in black. It has adjustable mounting brackets that are made out of stainless steel and shatterproof lenses that are water resistant and durable to extreme weather conditions.
The product is anti-corrosion, shockproof, dustproof, and waterproof. The light bar is suitable for a truck, UTV, SUV, ATV, motorcycle, bus, and passenger car. It can also be used on specialized vehicles like a military command vehicle, rescue vehicle, police car, fire engine, and so on. The package includes waterproof mounting brackets, one light bar, and a screw set.
The brand that manufactured this light bar is called Northpole Light and they offer high quality products and services. They offer customer support 24/7 through their email, and they also have a 12-month warranty for those who aren’t satisfied with the product they receive. The LED light bar weighs 4.95 pounds.
Pros:
- Made out of stainless steel
- Waterproof
- Comes with a screw set
Cons:
- Some customers have complained that some of the light bars produced a high pitched sound
Choose the Right Light Bar Features
As we mentioned, the current market has plenty of light bars you can choose from. These light bars have a wide range of features, and you need to choose the one that has the features that are important to you.
Choose the Size
One of the most important features to consider when buying a light bar for your truck is the size of it. The light bar will illuminate more if you have more bulbs and the bar is larger. However, there are many smaller right balls on the market that have proven to offer a significant amount of light and are just as efficient as the bigger light bars.
Light bars sizes go from four to fifty inches. Keep in mind that usually when the light bar is bigger the price is more expensive as well.
Choose the Number of Rows
When it comes to the number of rows on your light bar, you have two options: it can have one or two rows.
Double Row
You don’t need to be an expert in light bars to know that the double row light bar will create more light.However, for this reason, the double row light bars are more expensive than the single row ones.
Single Row
A single row light bar would be a great choice for you if your vehicle has a low profile. Also, a single row might look better than a double row light, depending on the size of your vehicle.
Choose the Shape
The shape of the bar light isn’t as important a feature as some others. Still, it’s good to know your options when you’re choosing the shape of your bar. There are two options you can choose from, and those are a straight light bar and a curved light bar. These descriptions of the light bars are pretty self-explanatory.
Neither of the shapes is better than the other, which is why it comes down to your personal taste when deciding on the shape of the light bar.
Where to Install Your Light Bar
When shopping for a light bar, one of the first things you will need to determine is where to install your light bar. You’ve got a lot of options of where you can mount your light bar if it's under 4feet. However, if it’s larger, it might only fit on top of the cab.
Rear Bumper Install
Extra Visibility
Rear bumpers give extra visibility for truck drivers that are trying to avoid obstacles while backing up or are hitching up to a trailer. Even though they are placed close to the tailgate lights, they serve a different purpose.
Placement Choices
The exact placement of this light will depend on the vehicle. However, they are often mounted into existing spaces in the bumper and they are often sold as twin small light bars.
Tailgate Install
Brake Light Backup
Other drivers can better see your truck with tailgate light bars. They are often used as running lights or synched with your brake lights. Place the light bar directly above the bumper if you want to install a light bar on your tailgate.
Mounting Methods
Depending on the model you’ve purchased, it will require either adhesive or tools to mount it. Make sure you read the instructions before mounting it on your truck.
Spotlight Install
Strong Visibility
In order to drive in bad weather conditions, you will need spotlights. When you need to drive or get work done, they provide an area of strong visibility thanks to the long range of light that allows a longer field of view for you.
High Placement
These types of lights can be attached to the headache racks fixed to the back of the cab of your truck, the roof of the cab, or the side mirror.
Grille, Cab, Or Hood Install
The hood, cab and the grille are three of the most common places that drivers mount their light bars. A rare aesthetic choice is placing the light bar in front of the truck, although this doesn’t change the effect of the lighting too much. Light bars are often mounted in the front of the hood, in the gaps in the grille, or above the windshield.
Final Thoughts
There are many different types of light bars on the market, and among these options are different sizes, shapes, and styles to choose from. We hope that our buying guide has helped you find the perfect choice according to your needs.
