The Best Hot Tub Lights (Ultimate Guide to Spa Lighting)
By Jennifer Rhodes · Updated
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Relaxing in your hot tub is all well and good, but did you know you can really take the experience up a notch with the right hot tub lighting? Hot tub lights are a great way to add more fun to your hot tub. Lights are good for visibility of course, but they can also transform the vibe in your hot tub—whether you're after a party mood or a relaxing vibe.
There are tons of choices for hot tub lighting, so it's easy to get overwhelmed. In the rest of this article, we are going to break down the best hot tub lights in a few different varieties, so you can find the right one for you.
Best submersible
Submersible lights can be used in many different applications including hot tubs, pools, bathtubs, aquariums, and even in vases or crafts.
These particular hot tub underwater lights are a great buy because they offer 16 different color lights to match your mood, are controlled with ease by a remote—and can easily be placed wherever you desire, with handy suction cups so they won't get in the way. It's a simple and cost-effective way to add LED lights to almost any hot tub.
Depending on how many lights you want, you may need to buy a few sets of these lights because they come in packs of four. However, for less than $10 per light you can light up your hot tub nights even on a budget.
Although we love these submersible hot tub lights, the remote doesn't have the longest range so you'll have to keep it close by if you plan on making frequent adjustments. Other than that, these lights are a great choice!
Best floating
Floating hot tub lights are a fun way to play with colors and shapes to create ambiance in your hot tub. And this 6-piece set of starfish shaped floating lights is a great set if you're looking for a magical look for your tub (they even look great from a distance).
These floating hot tub lights have 7 vibrant colors, so you can opt for a cohesive look or a colorful display of lights. They are also magnetic, so they can easily stick to magnetic surfaces if you prefer.
We love these floating hot tub lights because they make a great decoration for any size hot tub and really set the mood for a fun night. They are a very inexpensive way to create a party vibe whenever you want.
These lights are very bright and easy to use, so there's a lot to love about them. One downside is that occasionally one or two in the set may break before the rest, but for the most part they are reliable and last a long time.
Best for kids
It's no secret that kids love playing with brightly colored things that light up, so these are a great option for something to play with in the hot tub too! These bright ball-shaped lights are vibrantly colored and actually make soaks more fun for the whole family in our experience.
These waterproof floating lights for playing in the hot tub with kids come in sets of 1, 2, 4, 8, or 12 so you can get however many you need or want. They are about the size of a tennis ball, but they have a flat bottom so they can sit on a flat surface when they are not floating in your hot tub.
The floating hot tub lights are very pretty colors so your kids will enjoy tossing them around or even naming colors as they play with them. They also just make a great decoration if you want to leave them in your hot tub as a unique decoration when your kids are done with them.
One thing we don't love about these hot tub lights for kids is that you cannot replace the batteries. Because they are 100% waterproof, there is no way to open the battery compartment so you can only use them until they die. They do have a long life though, and should last up to a year with light use, but this can be a point of frustration.
Best in-ground
Another important (and often overlooked) lighting option to consider for your hot tub is the in-ground lights to light the area around or leading to your hot tub! These solar garden lights are the perfect way to create a soft glow, so you can see where you're going and create a nice ambiance.
We love these solar pathway lights for a hot tub area because the unique pattern in the light creates a pretty pattern on your grass or walkway. This means that they are not just a light source, but also a decoration for your hot tub area as well.
These lights are 100% solar so you never need to worry about replacing annoying batteries. Just make sure they are placed somewhere that they get at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight and you'll be lighting up the night as soon as the sun goes down.
Solar lights are great for your hot tub area, but a common complaint is that they don't come on and stay on when you want them to. If this is happening, check the placement and make sure the solar panels are getting enough sunlight during the day. If the panel is blocked by your hot tub shadow (or anything else), it may not be getting a full charge.
Best overhead
Another fun and different lighting option for your hot tub area is overhead bistro string lights. This 2-pack is perfect for a hot tub area because they are waterproof and shatterproof and even provide a dimming feature. These are important features when you are hanging them around water and electricity.
You can hang these overhead string lights along a fence or the roof of your home or you can string them across a patio area to create a drapey romantic look as well. The options really are endless when it comes to what you can do with string lights to dress up your hot tub area.
Is it safe to hang string lights over a hot tub? While hanging decorative lights around your hot tub creates a dreamy atmosphere, never hang string lights directly over the water. If a bulb breaks, you could get glass in your spa—plus electricity and water do not mix.
The only downside of relying on string lights to decorate your hot tub area is that you are limited to what you can hang them from, because you are relying on the structures around your hot tub to hang the lights. This may mean putting up a few poles or posts just to get the lights where you want. Also, you will need access to a power outlet close by as these are not battery powered.
Final thoughts
Lights are a great way to bring some fun to your hot tub without spending a fortune. This list includes some of our favorite hot tub light options in all the most important areas so you can see for yourself what each could look like, and decide what will be best for your spa.
Of course, you can always mix and match these different styles including floating colored lights, string lights, and outside patio lights to create the hot tub of your dreams, right in your own home. Whether you want a budget option, a fun option, or a relaxing ambiance, there is something for everyone on this list.
For even more ways to spruce up your hot tub area, check out these 14 Decorating Ideas to Make Your Hot Tub Area Look Amazing.