Light bars and other auxiliary lights are popular amongst off-road enthusiasts, so it is no wonder that many Jeep owners find themselves searching for an aftermarket light system.
To help you find the perfect light bar for your vehicle, we will be going over six of the best Jeep light bars available in 2020.
Comparison of the Best Jeep Light Bars
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What is a Light Bar?
Light bars are a form of auxiliary lighting that sits on top of a vehicle to help illuminate the road ahead. They are useful in situations where the headlights do not offer enough illumination and are ideal for off-roading, camping, hunting, and situations where the driver is in a remote location and needs more light.
What Size of Light Bar Do I Need?
If you’re considering a light bar, here’s what you need to know about sizing.
How to Measure for a Light Bar
Light bars range in size from 4 inches right up to over 50 inches, so choose an appropriate size for your vehicle. If you have a bull-bar, measure the available space, and go for a style that fits. If you are mounting the light bar to a roof rack or crossbar, use a measuring tape to check how much room you have available. Light bars explicitly state their width, so as long as you have enough space after measuring, it should fit.
What Size Light Bar for Jeep TJ?
No larger than 52 inches.
What Size Light Bar for Jeep XJ?
Usually no larger than 50 inches.
How to Choose a Light Bar
Light bars come in all different sizes, styles, and light patterns, so it is choosing the right one for your vehicle is not straightforward. The following factors are all worth your consideration when shopping for a new light bar:
Size
Size is the most important factor to consider before you make a purchase. Generally, the wider the light bar, the more light it produces, so if you need more illumination, you might want to choose the widest light bar your Jeep can accommodate.
Shape
Light bars come in the form of straight bars or curved tubes. While there are aesthetic considerations, each casts light differently. Read up on the particular light bar and choose one that works for your needs and matches your personal preferences in terms of appearance.
Beam Pattern
Light bars can cast light beams in a spotlight style, flood beam, or a combination of both.
Choose the beam pattern that matches your needs, or better yet, choose one that offers both types.
Additional Considerations
You should also note the color and style, as the light bar will become a defining feature of your Jeep. The amount of illumination also matters, as does the build quality and overall durability.
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Review of the Best Jeep Light Bars
While you should always choose a light bar based on your own particular needs and personal preferences, we recommend the following products:
Best Overall
AutoFeel LED Light Bar Kit
Specifications
Length: 1pc 52″, 1pc 22″ and 4 pcs 4″ pods
Wiring/Harness Included? No
Warranty: 1 year
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What Recent Buyers Report
Most recent buyers were impressed by the overall quality of this light bar kit, especially given its low price. The fact that the kit comes with two light bars and four-light pods mean buyers had many options during installation. While some just installed one of the light bars, others attached the entire kit. In either scenario, users were impressed with the amount of light these LED lights produce.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The reason this light bar kit was our best overall pick was largely down to the fact that it includes everything you need to give your Jeep a full lighting overhaul. While light bars are useful, adding light pods to your bumper takes it to another level.
We also liked how each light in the kit featured an attractive and effective aluminum housing. The housing protects the lights from dust, debris, and water damage, which helps make sure they are suitable for off-roading purposes.
Bottom Line
Whether you are just searching for a light bar or you want to install the entire kit, these lights from AutoFeel are effective and durable. They are affordable and produce an impressive level of illumination. It is a great auxiliary light kit that fits nicely on all types of Jeeps.
Pros
Uses very bright OSRAM LED chips
Features both spot and flood beams
Waterproof and durable die-cast aluminum housing
Comes with a 52” light bar, a smaller 22” light bar, and 4 light pods
180-degree adjustability that can be changed after installation
Cons
Low-quality bracket bolts
Wiring instructions difficult to understand
Runner-up
Rough Country 70730BL
Specifications
Length: 30″
Wiring/Harness Included? Yes
Lumen Output: 12,000
Warranty: 3 years
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What Recent Buyers Report
Many of the recent buyers liked the low-key and discreet appearance of this light bar. While some people prefer the look of a more prominent light bar, others care more about the functionality, and the low profile of this light bar makes it perfect for that crowd. Recent buyers also really like the fact these lights never suffer from moisture build-up, which is a common issue with many aftermarket light bars.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We liked the low profile and discreet appearance of this light bar. We also really liked how easy this light bar is to install. Where some light bars are difficult to wire, this bar connects easily.
The light output is also really impressive, especially given that it is only a 30-inch light bar. The moisture breathing technology is also an eye-catching feature. The low-profile and noise-canceling features also really helped this light bar find its way to our runner up position.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a smaller light bar that still generates plenty of light, this could be the perfect light bar for your needs. Everything about this light bar is durable and made to last, so you can rest assured that it will last for many years.
Pros
3-year warranty
Powerful 12,000-lumen output
Waterproof and durable die-cast aluminum housing
Moisture Breather technology to reduce condensation behind the lens
Noise silencing technology eliminates hum, whistle, and other wind-related noises you get with most light bars
Cons
Poor quality instruction manual
Fairly expensive for a smaller light bar
Best LED Light Bar For Jeep Wrangler
Yitamotor 300-01+2xB18-13+BD3+BWB-VE Title
Specifications
Length: 52″
Wiring/Harness Included? Yes
Lumen Output: 27,000
Warranty: Lifetime
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What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers were impressed by how much light this light bar and fog light combination can emit. They also really appreciated how straightforward the wiring and installation process was. While many users complained about the loud wind noise, that is almost always an unfortunate reality when you choose a more affordable light bar kit.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The main reason why this light bar kit stood out to us was its ability to generate an impressive amount of light. The 300W LED light bar and 18W LED fog lights produce an incredible amount of light, especially if you consider the kit’s low price.
We also liked the look of this kit, which helps give the Jeep Wrangler a more rugged and outdoorsy appearance. The elevated mounting brackets position the light bar forward, which helps with road illumination, and it makes the light bar have that much more of an eye-catching look.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a light bar that is easy to install and generates an impressive amount of light, this might be a perfect choice. Its 52-inch length and rugged casing make it the perfect match for all variations of the Jeep Wrangler.
Pros
Durable and waterproof design
Features both flood and spot beams
Generates 27,000 Lumens of pure white light
Money-back guarantee and lifetime warranty
Quart Lens surface for higher light transmission
Cons
Causes very loud wind noise
Can suffer from condensation build-up
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Best Jeep JK Light Bars
Brawlee DRLJKR001
Specifications
Length: 39″
Wiring/Harness Included? Yes
Warranty: 1 year
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What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers were impressed with the simple and easy installation process. They also enjoyed how much light the LEDs cast over the cargo area of their Jeeps. Given the low price, most thought that this rear-facing light bar offered excellent value. While some found the adhesive was too weak, some users simply addressed the problem by mounting it to their vehicle with screws.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The reason this light bar stood out to us was mostly down to its unique design. While most light bar kits mount directly on the roof or hood of the vehicle, this light bar attaches to the interior of the trunk hatch.
This light bar is great for Jeep owners that find it difficult to see the inside of their cargo area. It is also useful if you need to illuminate a specific spot because you can lift the hatch to have the light directed downwards. Hunters and campers would appreciate this design.
Bottom Line
If you own a Jeep JK and find it difficult to see in the cargo area of your vehicle, this light bar offers impressive illumination in an easily installed package. It has a discreet appearance that almost looks factory installed and can be practical for those that want the ability to illuminate a specific outdoor space.
Pros
Low price
Heavy-duty, long-lasting materials
RGB LEDs allow you to choose the exact light color
Unique rear-facing hatch design illuminates the Jeep’s cargo area and surroundings
Smart lights can be controlled through an app and remember programmed settings even after they are shut off
Cons
Adhesive is not overly strong
Remote control has poor battery life
Best Jeep TJ Light Bar
Ledkingdomus 52 inches Light Bar
Specifications
Length: 52″
Wiring/Harness Included? Yes
Lumen Output: 27,000
Warranty: 2 years
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What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers were impressed with the amount of light this light bar can generate. They also found the wiring kit came with everything they needed for a quick and easy installation; however, quite a few buyers complained that the mounting bolts were a little bit too short. While most easily found an alternative at the hardware store, it still is unfortunate.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The thing that stood out to us the most about this light bar was how durable the housing and lens cover are. It is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and even scratch-resistant. This light bare makes it the perfect off-roading solution for Jeep TJ owners.
We were also impressed by the amount of light it produces. The white LED lights are bright, which is perfect for those that regularly drive unlit roads in remote areas.
Bottom Line
If you own a Jeep TJ and you are looking for an extra-bright light bar, this 52-inch light bar kit contains everything you need. You get a dependable light bar that looks great but won’t break the bank.
Pros
Uses powerful Yitamotor LED lights
Over a 50,000 hour average lifespan
Easily installed adjustable mounting brackets
Cloth-wrapped and padded packaging to ensure it arrives undamaged
Rugged die-cast aluminum housing and scratch-resistant polycarbonate lens
Cons
Slight whistling sound during higher speeds
Included bolts are a little bit short for a secure hold
Best for the Money and Best Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Light Bar
TURBO SII DOT 52Inch LED Light Bar
Specifications
Length: 52″
Wiring/Harness Included? Yes
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What Recent Buyers Report
Most recent buyers were impressed by the brightness of this low-cost light bar kit. Buyers also liked the look of the durable, metal housing, which gave their Jeeps a more rugged appearance. While installation and performance were both big hits, many of the buyers found the wind noise rather irritating, especially during higher speeds.
Why it Stands Out to Us
As you probably suspect, the first thing we noticed about this light bar was how affordable it is. You get a well-built light bar that produces an impressive level of illumination for a relatively low price.
While the 52-inch primary light bar is the main draw, we also liked the fact that it comes packaged with a bonus set of two LED fog lights. The fact that both the light bar and the 4-inch fog lights are all waterproof and housed in a durable, metal casing is another draw, especially at this low price point.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for an affordable light bar for your Jeep but don’t want to worry about poor performance and durability, this might be the right one for you. Given this is a large, well-built 52-inch light bar that features additional fog lights, you would normally expect to pay much more.
Pros
Low cost
Powerful light output
Built-in cooling fans prevent overheating
Waterproof and durable die-cast aluminum housing
Features a 76 LED spot beam and 24 LED flood beam
Cons
Included bolts are susceptible to rusting
Produces lots of wind noise during driving
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Light Bar Laws and LED Light Bar Laws
Before you make any mods to your Jeep, you should take the time to look into any legal implications. Here are some things to consider about light bar laws.
Is it Legal to Drive With a Light Bar On?
Generally speaking, most states class light bars as auxiliary lighting, which means they are extra, specialty lighting. Auxiliary lighting is legal almost everywhere in the United States, but there are regulations about how it needs to be mounted and how bright it can be during on-road driving.
One of the easiest ways light bar owners stay compliant with the law while driving on designated roads is by using a light bar cover. A cover is perfect for those that bought a light bar for off-roading but understand they cannot legally use their light bar on the road.
Michigan Light Bar Laws
Light bars are legal, but a vehicle can have no more than four forward-facing lights total.
Wisconsin Light Bar Laws
Wisconsin has the same laws regarding auxiliary lighting as Michigan, which means you can have a light bar, but only if your vehicle only has three other forward-facing lights.
Texas Light Bar Laws
Texas allows two auxiliary driving lights, but they must be mounted between 16 and 42 inches above a level surface. So, your light bar would have to sit level. If you wanted to mount a light bar, you would not also be allowed to legally mount fog lights, as the three auxiliary lights would exceed the legal total of two.
LED Light Bar Troubleshooting
More often than not, when an LED light bar is not working as it should, it is because of wiring issues. If your light bar has stopped working altogether, you can try connecting it directly to a 12VDC power source. If the light then turns on, you know you need to look for any loose or frayed connections between the light bar and your Jeep’s battery.
If your light bar is partially working, it could be because of issues with the power supply itself. To check this, you should measure the voltage of your battery. If the voltage is low, it might be time to replace it before using your light bar again.
Types of Light Bars
There are a few types of light bars to consider for your Jeep. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular options.
Curved vs Straight Light Bar
Curved light bars have a rounded design to follow the contours of a windshield. Curved bars also cast a wider pattern of light, where straight light bars direct the light straight ahead.
4D vs 5D Light Bar
5d light bars use a reflector cup to project light farther than a 4d. The style you choose would depend largely on your particular lighting needs.
LED Light Bar Flood vs Spot
LED spot-style light bars cast a narrow beam of light, usually no wider than 45 degrees. They are much more concentrated and easy to control. A LED flood-style light bar has a widespread beam that is closer to 120 degrees. They can flood a larger space with light, but usually, that light is not as bright.
How to Wire, Mount, and Install a Light Bar
If you’re curious about the process of installing a light bar, here’s a simple guide to get you started.
Prepare the Vehicle
Disconnect the battery and make sure the vehicle is securely parked.
Position the Light Bar
Mount the light bar, but first, make sure it is stable and level. Positioned it in a location that will cast the light where you need it. Securely attach the mounting brackets.
Set the Switch in Place
Route the switch wire to the dashboard.
Wire the Harness to the Light Bar
Connect the harness and switch to your light bar, then hook connector wires. Once everything is in place, adjust the light bar brackets to your desired angle.
Things to Consider
The installation will always differ between one light bar and the next. To make sure you install it correctly, make sure you are consulting the manufacturer’s instruction manual. If you do not feel confident doing it yourself, you can always have a reputable mechanic do the installation for you.
Be sure to refer to the following video for a full overview of how you should install your new light bar:
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a light bar for your Jeep, we hope the information we gave you helps you find the right one for you. Take a look at the products we recommended to make sure you pick something that’s a good fit.
Quick Summary – Best Jeep Light Bars
Before you get too far, here’s a quick summary of the best Jeep light bars:
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People Also Ask
Picking a light bar is a big decision, and we know you still have questions. Here are some of the things people wonder about the most when shopping.
Usually, a 10 or 15 amp fuse will protect the circuit, but the exact size is listed in the light bar’s instruction manual.
To find the amps, you take the total watts used by the light bar and divide that number by the volts. For example, a 300-watt LED light bar would draw 25 amps, which is standard.
Take a measuring tape and rest it flat on the surface of the light bar. Measure from where the light bar begins to where it ends in a straight line. For measuring purposes, the curve does not matter as much as the actual width. Do not include the mounting brackets in the measurement.
Who Worked on This?
Brian
Editor
A master of organization, Brian helps keep everything running smoothly for Your Jeep Guide.
No Jeep yet but we’re working on that!
Cory
Writer
Cory loves his XJ and frequently thrashes it through the hills. He’s constantly fixing something.
“What fenders?”
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