Most all-terrain vehicles (ATV) come with barely adequate lighting. Owners have been upgrading their lights for decades. During the halogen light days, upgrades had to be approached with caution as one can easily overload the electrical system, causing the ATV to fail at the most inconvenient of times.
Fast forward to the light-emitting diode (LED) era, and everyone is doing it because LEDs are so efficient on power that you can stack on a load of lights without causing more than a blip on the ATV’s electrical system.
Proceed with caution as different units have different thresholds. Upgraded lighting is almost essential and can save you a lot of money in the long run when you account for incidents and mishaps that you avoided from being able to see where you are going effectively. Upgraded lighting should be thought of as an investment in safety and convenience, not just a novelty.
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Nilight 36u0026#x201d; LED Light Bar Kit
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Auzkin Dual 7u0026#x201d; LED Light Bar Kit
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LITE-WAY 12 Inch LED Light Bar
Most all-terrain vehicles (ATV) come with barely adequate lighting. Owners have been upgrading their lights for decades. During the halogen light days, upgrades had to be approached with caution as one can easily overload the electrical system, causing the ATV to fail at the most inconvenient of times.
Fast forward to the light-emitting diode (LED) era, and everyone is doing it because LEDs are so efficient on power that you can stack on a load of lights without causing more than a blip on the ATV’s electrical system.
Benefits of an ATV LED Light Bar
- See better at night. Many people enjoy riding their ATVs and UTVs at night, and if you want to make the experience even more rewarding, a good LED light bar can make a huge difference when it comes to visibility.
- Improve safety. If you have a difficult time gauging your surroundings when you’re riding your ATV at night, consider purchasing an LED light bar so you can feel more comfortable in the dark. It will help you avoid potentially disastrous situations.
- Look cool. Off-road vehicles are pretty cool on their own, but you can take it up a notch by installing a set of aftermarket LED lights. They come in a variety of colors and configurations, so you’re bound to find one that suits your style.
Types of ATV LED Light Bars
LED Whip
This is your standard LED light bar, and it provides the most visibility when you’re off-roading or riding dunes at night. These full-length light bars can provide just a wide or a spot beam. Others have both types of beams, which gives you more options when you’re navigating off-road in the dark.
Pods
Pods or micro-pod lighting sets are great because you can mount them on a variety of different places on your ATV. They are small work lights that typically have a single cable, so they’re not too difficult to install. Many people use this type of lighting as a light bar supplement.
Amber LED Bars
The main purpose for using an amber LED light bar is to see better in dusty and foggy conditions at night. These LEDs produce an amber-colored light that is better for visibility compared to white light. Some brands manufacture full-length light bars with integrated amber lights for more versatility.
Top Brands
Nilight
Nilight is part of ZNDER INC., which was founded in New Jersey in 2015. This relatively new company manufactures LED work lights, light bars, emergency lighting, headlights, running lights, and more. We recommend its Nilight 36” LED Light Bar Kit.
MICTUNING
MICTUNING is based in Alhambra, California, and LED light bars are its specialty. All of its products are backed by a two-year warranty, and its team focuses on making the best products for off-road racers and adventurers. One top product is the Mictuning 60-Inch White LED Strip Kit.
ATV LED Light Bar Pricing
- $20-$100 and up: While cheap LED light bars will work for a little while, they will eventually break (likely from internal corrosion). Typically, the more you spend, the better the light will be. If it’s within your budget, spend a little extra on a product that will last for a longer period of time.
Key Features
Compatibility
The first thing you need to consider when purchasing an ATV LED light bar is whether it will actually fit on your vehicle. Check the mounting points and holes to see if they match up with your ATV. Also, make sure the power rating is compatible. The ATV and light bar should have the same voltage. In addition, check that your ATV can supply adequate wattage, or the light bar won’t work.
Lumens/Brightness
The brightness of an LED light bar is measured in lumens. This is more accurate than watts, which are a common measurement when it comes to incandescent light bulbs. If the product description doesn’t mention lumens, you won’t know how bright it actually is, and you may be disappointed by the results. You can also use the lights’ color temperature and watts to determine how bright it is if the lumens aren’t available.
Beam Pattern
Unlike a car, when you drive an ATV or other off-road vehicle, the terrain and surrounding areas are more important than going fast in a straight line. As a result, flood lights are more desirable than spot lights when it comes to LED light bars. Luckily, many brands combine the two, which makes them more versatile.
Installation
Some LED light bars are easier to install than others. Check to see if it has pre-drilled holes or other features that make the setup simple. Also, look at the quality of the mounting bracket and hardware. If it’s not up to snuff, it can fail prematurely, which is the last thing you want when you’re riding around in the dark.
Durability
This may be obvious, but we still have to point it out. Without question, you need durable LED light bars on an off-road vehicle. That’s why you need to buy equipment that’s specifically designed for that purpose. The lights should be rugged and able to withstand adverse conditions; otherwise, they will fail after a short period of use.
Other Considerations
- Heat Sink: LED lights and other types of lights have a limited lifespan. One of an LED light’s biggest enemies is heat, which can cause major problems with durability. To keep them from getting too hot, some LED light manufacturers cool them using heat sinks. The larger the heat sink is, the better the LED will perform and the longer it will last.
- Waterproof Rating: LED lights are delicate and need to be protected from environmental conditions. Check to make sure it is secured in a good enclosure with proper ingress so the components aren’t easily damaged. At a minimum, a light bar should have an ingress protection rating of IP67 to protect against dust and water intrusion.
Best ATV LED Light Bar Reviews & Recommendations 2021
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LITE-WAY 12 Inch LED Light Bar
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Tips
- Make sure the light bar you install is legal. Local law may prohibit the use of a light bar on public roads, for example. They’re usually fine for off-roading.
- Ideally, you should mount a light bar to metal instead of plastic. That’s because plastic can cause the light bar to shake when you traverse uneven surfaces.
- Some LED lights are better than others, and really cheap ones may burn out after a short period of time. Look for reputable brands, such as Epistle and Cree.
- Check to see if the company provides a warranty. That demonstrates how much confidence it has in its product. Avoid light bars that don’t have a warranty, because if it breaks prematurely you may be stuck with it.
FAQs
Q: How do I install an LED light bar on an ATV?
A: If your ATV doesn’t have pre-drilled holes, you will have to drill your own. Then you must attach the mounting bracket with some screws. Finally, you must wire the light bar.
Q: How do I wire an ATV LED light bar?
A: First, you must connect the light to a relay switch. Crimp the connectors, cover them with electrical tape, and connect the battery to the switch. Attach the red wire to the positive terminal and the black wire to the negative one.
Q: What size light bar should I get for my ATV?
A: That’s a personal choice. Just make sure you measure the dimensions of your ATV to make sure the product you choose will fit properly.
Final Thoughts
Our top pick is the Nilight 36” LED Light Bar Kit. It features nearly 80 high-intensity LEDs that provide excellent visibility. The light bar is long-lasting and has an IP67 waterproof rating for protection against the elements.
For a more affordable option, consider the Auzkin Dual 7” LED Light Bar Kit