Pool Lighting Guide: LED, Fiber Optic & Color Options

Why lighting matters

Good lighting lets you use the pool after dark, makes the area safer and shows off the water. In South Florida, with outdoor living all year, lighting is one of the most noticeable upgrades. EDX Pools installs LED pool lights in new pools and during renovations. See pool equipment for what we handle.

Fixture and installation costs vary by brand, number of lights and whether the pool is new or existing. EDX quotes free on site.

Types of pool lights

LED lights

LED is the standard for new pools. LEDs use far less power than old incandescent lights and typically last much longer.

• Energy: A fraction of the watts of incandescent bulbs.
• Lifespan: Much longer than incandescent.
• Color: Available in white, multicolor and color-changing models.
• Brightness: Modern LEDs are bright.

Leading brands include Pentair, Hayward and Jandy. Choose a light that matches your automation brand if you want full control from an app.

Fiber optic lights

Fiber optic lighting uses a single illuminator that sends light through thin cables to points around the pool. The cables carry light, not electricity.

• Safety: The light source sits at the equipment pad, not in the water.
• Effects: Can make a starfield pattern on the floor or edge lighting along walls.
• Drawbacks: Less bright than LED, usually more to install, and the illuminator needs maintenance.

Fiber optics are less common now, but they still fit special effects like edge lighting.

Color-changing options

Color-changing LEDs are the most common choice for new pools. Options usually include:

• Fixed colors: Pick one color and leave it.
• Color shows: Programmed color sequences.
• Automation control: Control from an app, voice assistant or wall panel. See our automation guide.
• Matching scenes: Coordinate pool lights with landscape lighting.

If you have several lights, use the same brand and model so colors match across fixtures.

New pool or retrofit

Lights are easiest and usually cheaper to install while the pool is under construction, since conduit and wiring are run before the shell is finished. Adding lights to an existing pool can mean new wiring and sometimes work on the pool wall. When we renovate a pool, new LED lights are a common add-on while the pool is drained.

Safety and code

Pool lighting involves water and electricity, so do not DIY unless you are qualified. Points that matter:

• Use fixtures rated for underwater use.
• Pool electrical circuits generally need GFCI protection.
• Metal parts near the pool need proper bonding and grounding.
• Niches and conduit must be sealed to keep water out.
• Electrical work usually needs a permit and inspection.

Rules differ by jurisdiction and by when the pool was built. Check with your city's building department and a qualified electrician for what applies to you.

Landscape and deck lighting

The best plans go beyond the pool:

• Uplights on palms and trees.
• Path lights from the house to the pool.
• Step lights in deck steps to prevent trips.
• Water feature lighting for waterfalls and bubblers.
• Pergola or cabana lighting for outdoor rooms.

Tell us how you use your yard at night, and we will suggest a layout during your free estimate. We work in Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton and across Palm Beach and Broward counties.