Regarding the subject of pool lighting, there are several things to be considered. After all, the pool surroundings usually are a place of leisure, relaxation and fun. For that matter, an important project such as this requires special attention in order to make the space more beautiful and functional.
That said, lighting acts as an essential factor to any pool owner. Beyond aesthetics, pool lights play an important part in safety, especially for families with kids or pets.
Thinking of that, we prepared this special article for you, who is searching for the best pool lighting.
Before we begin, it is important to consider that each family seeks something different, so finding the right option for you requires debating many aspects.
To help you in this matter, throughout the text you will find strategic tips and a 3-step plan to discover the best alternative for the lighting of your pool area.
Are you ready to embark on a journey to find out which is the best lighting option for your pool? Stick around and keep reading!
Pool lighting: how do you choose it?
First things first, you should start by thinking about the general picture. Later, it can be explored.
However, that is exactly what many people forget when looking for the right way to light their pool area. In fact, this is something much more common than you could think, as sometimes the excitement of the achievement rushes the process and some details end up being overlooked.
Well, now that you are here, let’s approach in a practical way what it means to have this in-depth point of view. Consciously choosing your pool lighting goes beyond aesthetics, which is an overrated topic. There are other aspects to be analyzed that will directly affect the pool area’s daily use. The aesthetics can be a priority, indeed, but it is interesting to also consider other points when choosing a good lighting for your pool area.
A great tip for this is what we call the THOLZ Method to Choosing Pool Lighting.
Apart from being really simple, this method will be fun to practice. In just a few steps you will acquire a more extensive vision to your needs. That way, you may assertively buy the products more easily, without compulsive purchasing. Come along for the ride!
Pay attention to some instructions:
Imagine a regular pool day
Visualize some scenes and think about natural lighting during different periods of the day: morning, afternoon and night.
Come up with different scenarios in which you are using the pool area, such as a pool party, a barbecue dinner… Consider how you would like the pool to be lit in these moments.
There you go! Based on this, you must have concluded which possibly are your priorities and needs.
Among those, we can mention:
Light intensity
Main purposes: safety, leisure, beauty, practicality and appreciation of the area.
Despite not being a magic formula, this method certainly will help you to precisely acknowledge what you need.
What about trying this out with your family? This way, you will understand each one’s expectations better.
What do I need to know before buying lighting for my pool?
There is a clear necessity: you know you need better pool lights. All right. Now, you have already set your specific goal and your needs. Contrary to conventional beliefs, that treat lighting only as a tool to not have a dark space, we know that pool lighting is something way more deep.
Therefore, we will see some following information especially selected to help you answer the question of how you should light your pool area.
There are many points which will influence this decision.
✅ There are technical aspects such as
Pool materials: Different types of coating (like vinyl, masonry or fiberglass) have an impact on lighting choice. We will talk about that later, but keep it in mind.
Size and depth: if you have a pool with different depths, lights can help to highlight deeper areas.
Pool shape: this is another important point, considering each pool shape is enriched by a strategic light use. For example, a rectangular pool can be favored by the specific use of certain lights, which would not necessarily have the same effect in a round pool.
Pool details (infinity edge, waterfall, etc.): like the previous topic, here you should think that lighting transforms the pool and the area around it. It can favor specific points you wish to highlight, making the area even more special.
✅And also, aesthetic preferences
Desired effect: Relaxing lighting, party lighting, lights to highlight different pool elements, etc.
Favorite colors: There is the possibility to choose specific lighting colors, which creates a customized space.
Matching the area pool decor: The lighting and the style of the external area of the house should coexist in harmony.
✅In addition, there are necessities related to the area
Security (lighting that guarantees visibility to the stairs, to the edges, to the bottom of the pool and makes circulation easier).
Special events lighting (barbecue dinners, parties, etc.).
Specific activities lighting (water game, sports, among others). Caution! If the pool has lane lines, stairs and other structures that impact on the circulation, using lighting to highlight these structures can help a lot. Especially as a tool to make the area safer and favor the passage of all individuals.
✅Last but not least, you should consider what resources you could have to make it all easier
Remote control: this is a useful resource to favor the operation of lighting functions. Mainly because you don’t have to get out of the pool to use it.
App: available only by a limited number of manufacturers, this resource allows the operation through a phone application.
Integration with virtual assistants: the option to control operations through assistants such as Google and Alexa.
Looking at all of this can make it seem complex, can’t it? Keep calm! We prepared this table to summarize all the information. Check it out here:
What do I need to know while choosing pool lighting?
| Category | Description |
| Technical aspects | Pool materials, size and depth, pool shape and details |
| Area | Safety, special events and activities (water games, sports, etc.) |
| Facilitating resources | App, remote control, integration with assistants |
| Aesthetics | Favorite colors, desired effects, matching decor |
All that said, now we will see other information that will help you understand clearly the different paths you can follow. Check out the main alternatives to light your pool, in an easy and clear way.
Choosing the right lights: the different types of pool lighting
As we talked about in the previous section, pool lighting goes beyond just aesthetics. Generally speaking, it becomes an ally to create a safe and pleasant space, perfect to seize the moments. There isn’t anything better than enjoying all the comfort with your family and friends, is there? However, with many options in the market, choosing the ideal one can be a challenge.
Thinking about that, let’s have a deep dive into lighting types, their advantages and applications. We assure you that after reading this section it will be easier to compare and decide between all available alternatives.
4 pool lighting types you need to know
While choosing how to light your pool area, many elements should be considered, which makes it a more complex choice. Each lighting type has its own strong points and advantages. As this is not an exact science, we listed the 4 most popular lighting types today and pointed out what highlights and distinguishes them.
➡️Underwater LED pool lights
Check out this lighting type’s key points and advantages below.
- Technology: High power and energy efficient LED lights, with a long life cycle, reducing maintenance costs.
- Versatility: White, colorful or RGB lights that have dynamic effects, creating various ambients and atmospheres.
- Discreet installation: The lights are built into the pool walls, providing a clean and sophisticated visual.
- Ideal to: Pools of all shapes and sizes, especially to highlight the design and create visual effects.
➡️Floating pool lights
This has been a very popular option lately, especially for its unique features to stylize the area. Check out some of its main advantages.
- Decor: Battery operated or solar lights that float and create a special decoration, bringing a finishing touch to the area.
- Easy use: There is no need to install them, you simply have to put the lights on the water.
- Versatility: Various colors, shapes and sizes to match your decor preferences.
- Ideal to: Parties, night events or simply relaxing – with more style.
➡️Pool fiber optic lights
These are used in a lot of different style types and profiles, and this lighting type provides many advantages. Among those are:
- Unique effect: Soft and uniform lighting, that mimics a sky full of stars.
- Durability: Long life cycle, chemical-product and weather resistant.
- Customization: Possibility to create different effects and choose colors, customizing the area.
- Ideal to: Fiberglass or masonry pools, providing elegant and relaxing ambience.
➡️Pool lights
Offering a powerful effect through the entire area, this type of lighting is a timeless choice.
- Power and focus: Lighting that targets specific areas of the pool, ideal for safety reasons and night swimming.
- Design variety: LED, halogen or incandescent options, with different wattages and beam angles.
- Simple installation: Built into niches in the pool walls.
- Ideal to: Big pools or ones that need targeted lighting for specific areas.
Pool lighting types comparison table
| Type | Advantages | Ideal to |
| Underwater LED | Energy efficiency, long life cycle, safety | Pools of all shapes and sizes |
| Floating | Easy use, versatility, great decor choice. Usually used in parties, night events, for relaxation, etc | All kinds of pools |
| Fiber Optic | Unique effect, durability, customization | Masonry or fiberglass pools |
| Pool lights | Power and focus, design variety, simple installation | Big pools, night swimming |
Bonus: Great pool lighting, besides having product quality, needs to make your day-to-day life easier (whether you are at home or far from it). If you wish to have more practicality in your everyday life, you should consider paying attention to detail and analyzing these scenarios before purchasing.
Keep an eye on details!
Now that we understand the bigger picture about the main kinds of pool lighting, let’s see some practical topics that can be decisive when you have to choose the best option for you.
Details that matter:
- Product origin: pay attention to the quality of the materials, because this weighs directly in the products’ life cycle length and the eventual need for maintenance of your pool lights.
- Safety: Certify that the chosen lights are compatible to your pool’s voltage and that they have certification. A great tip is to observe if the products follow guideline systems like ISO, for example, or other specific systems that are a reference in your country.
- Customized project: It is interesting to consult a professional in order to have a proper lighting project that matches your pool shape and size, and that considers your goals and needs.
- Automation integration: Control the pool lighting from anywhere using a smartphone or tablet, and integrate it to other automation systems of the house.
The best pool lighting and automation: Meet Tholz’s Smart line
THOLZ is a pioneer and a leading company in pool lighting and automation in Brazil. It has been active for over 30 years, offering innovative solutions for the national and international market, combining cutting-edge technology with sophisticated and functional designs.
Find out which are the lighting and automation benefits the Tholz Smart Homeapp has to offer:
- Connectivity: Control your pool lighting from anywhere, using the Tholz Smart Home app or voice commands (through Alexa or Google Assistant).
- Comfort: Create customized spaces to each particular moment, adjusting color, intensity and lighting effects.
- Practicality: Simplify your everyday life by automating your pool, controlling the pool filtering system, the waterfall and pool spa in the palm of your hand.
- Wellness: Enjoy a safer and more relaxing leisure space, with ideal lighting to each activity.
- Exclusive app: Tholz Smart Home is developed by THOLZ to offer you all of our products’ functionality in the palm of your hand. The app is totally intuitive, easy to use and it provides a practical and efficient experience.
Conclusion: 3 steps to find the best pool lighting
As we found out during this journey, the lighting of your pool is one of the keys to creating a special place. After all, we are talking about an area that is meant for relaxing, having fun and celebrating special occasions with the people you love.
This article was created to be an ally while you choose the perfect lighting for your pool. Together, we explored:
- The importance of pool lighting
- 3 steps to find the best option:
- Set your goals and needs: safety, leisure, aesthetics, practicality and appreciation of the area.
- Come to know the lighting types: underwater LED, floating, fiber optic and pool lights.
- Consider the details that matter: automation integration, easy maintenance, qualified certifications and having a customized project.
At last, when talking about pool lighting, it is impossible not to mention our Smart line.
With THOLZ’s POOL LIGHT CONTROL PRO, you have cutting-edge technology in the palm of your hand, in addition to an elegant and functional design. Have you ever thought about creating customized spaces for each occasion? By pressing a button (or with just a few words!), you can adjust color and light effects.
And there is more! With Pool Light Control Pro you can control your pool lighting through the remote control, or using your smartphone and assistants such as Google and Alexa.
If you enjoyed today’s article and want more content about pool lighting, be sure to check out Pool Light: tips for choosing the best option regarding this subject! Simply clicking on the link will give you access to the post.
Stay tuned to our blog! We are always working on new contents about the pool world, all containing exclusive information so you can be aware of the news and acquire great tips for your everyday life.
Discover the benefits of lighting and automation with the Tholz Smart Home app.