A backyard pool turns into a different space the moment the sun drops. The water shifts from bright blue to a near-black mirror, and any lighting you have stops being decoration and starts being functional. Around the pool lights cover that whole arena, from niche-replacement LED fixtures built to swap into existing Pentair niches, to long strands of patio string lights that drape across a pergola and set the whole entertainment area aglow. This lineup looks at both worlds, with options sized for tight retrofit jobs and broader coverage for bigger gatherings, plus a remote-controlled upgrade for pool owners who want a few color shows on demand.
The Lineup, Simplified
waveejovi 1.5 Inch Pentair GloBrite MicroBrite Pool Light, 100ft Cord
Brightech Ambience Pro Waterproof LED Outdoor String Lights, 48 Ft, 15 Bulbs, 2W
SUNTHIN 50FT White Outdoor String Lights with 16 1W LED Bulbs
waveejovi 1.5 Inch Pentair GloBrite MicroBrite Pool Light, 50ft Cord
waveejovi 1.5 Inch RGBW LED Pool Light 150ft Cord, 12VAC, IP68
waveejovi 10 Inch RGBW Pool Light for Inground Pool, 55W, Remote
The Strengths Of Each Pick
This first waveejovi fixture targets a specific pain point: replacing a dead Pentair GloBrite or MicroBrite without re-routing conduit or rewiring the niche. The 1.5-inch form factor mirrors the original Pentair footprint, so the swap usually goes back into a 2-inch minimum conduit run without specialty parts. The 100-foot cord gives the longest reach in this list, which matters on wider pool decks where the equipment pad sits far from the farthest light location.
Color control flows through the existing Pentair IntelliTouch, EasyTouch, or SunTouch automation systems already in the home, so homeowners don’t need a separate controller. The light runs on 12V AC, meaning it sits on the safe side of low-voltage pool lighting where a 120VAC to 12VAC transformer is already in the line. You may find installation smoothest on pools where the previous Pentair light failed and the niche is already in good shape, rather than a fresh build.
The Upside
- 100-foot cord reaches equipment pads well away from the light niche
- RGBW color changes wire straight into existing Pentair automation
- 1.5-inch body fits the standard GloBrite and MicroBrite niches
- Low-voltage 12V AC operation pairs with most existing pool transformers
Things To Consider
- Requires a working 120VAC to 12VAC transformer, which is not included
- Conduit run needs a minimum 2-inch clearance for the cord to pull through
- Color cycling depends on a Pentair control system being present
Key Product Details
Who It Suits Best
Pool owners with an existing Pentair system whose old GloBrite or MicroBrite light has failed and who need generous cord reach for a wide deck.
Where Another Pick Suits Better
The 10-inch waveejovi RGBW pool light with remote is a better match for anyone replacing a single large pool light rather than a small niche fixture.
Brightech steps the conversation away from niche swaps and into the airspace around the pool. The 48-foot string carries 15 vintage Edison-style 2W LED bulbs spaced roughly 3 feet apart, and the weatherproofed cord handles the splash zone next to a deck or pergola. Each bulb stays cool enough to touch after hours of use, so the string can run across wooden rafters without scorching the wood. The dimmable filament bulbs work with a separate dimmer, which is worth knowing before installation day.
Up to 20 strands can link end-to-end, which expands a single 48-foot run into nearly a thousand feet of coverage for very large patios. The Edison look skews warmer and more decorative than the SUNTHIN white string covered next, so the choice here is really about mood. For most backyards, the 48-foot length covers a typical 12-by-12 pergola with enough left over to frame a seating area.
A Few Highlights
- Vintage Edison shape gives a warmer, more decorative deck glow
- Up to 20 strands link together for very large patio runs
- 2W LED bulbs stay cool even after long evening use
- Weatherproofing handles splashes and outdoor humidity
Worth Noting
- Dimmer is sold separately, despite the bulbs being dimmable
- Edison-style filament is more decorative than task-bright
Right Fit For
Hosts who entertain around a pergola, cabana, or covered patio and want a café-style glow rather than a stark work light.
Not Your Match When
The SUNTHIN 50FT string with 1W white bulbs is a better choice for homeowners who want cool, modern white light instead of vintage warmth.
SUNTHIN pivots in the opposite aesthetic direction. The 50-foot run ships with 16 cool-white 1W LED bulbs and pairs with the brand’s separate dimmer or smart dimmer for full brightness control. Where the Brightech string above leans warm and vintage, this one feels clean and modern, closer to gallery lighting than to a bistro. Up to 24 strands can connect, depending on which dimmer is in the line, which scales the setup to large outdoor kitchens and elongated poolside decks.
The trade-off shows up in character. White light does not flatter a wooden pergola the way warm Edison filaments do, and the absence of a dimmer in the box means an extra purchase is part of the plan. For shoppers building a contemporary pool deck where cooler tones pair with concrete, steel, or composite furniture, that swap is usually welcome.
Positive Points
- Cool-white tone fits modern decks, concrete, and steel furnishings
- 16 bulbs across 50 feet gives denser, more even coverage
- Smart dimmer support lets the lights tie into a wider smart home
- 24-strand daisy-chain potential scales to large layouts
Honest Caveats
- Dimmer ships separately, so plan for an extra purchase
- Cool-white tone reads clinical on wood-heavy decks
Quick Facts
Best Suited To
Homeowners outfitting a modern, minimalist deck who want clean white light and the option to integrate with a smart home.
Look Elsewhere When
Brightech Ambience Pro string lights are a better pick for anyone chasing a warm, vintage, café-style atmosphere.
For smaller pools and tighter equipment-pad layouts, the 50-foot cord version of the waveejovi GloBrite retrofit is the more practical pick. Same 1.5-inch form factor, same RGBW color control, same Pentair system compatibility as the 100-foot version reviewed first, just without the surplus cord. Excess cable coiled inside a junction box is rarely a great look, and the 50-foot version keeps the install cleaner when the light sits near the pad.
The brightness and color behavior are identical to the 100-foot model, so the only decision is cord length. Anyone running a standard 15-by-30 vinyl or gunite pool with a Pentair pad within 40 feet of the niche will likely find 50 feet plenty. Pulling a 100-foot cord through tight conduit is the kind of friction this light exists to remove.
Practical Pluses
- 50-foot cord avoids coiling excess in the junction box
- Same Pentair GloBrite and MicroBrite compatibility as the longer model
- RGBW output for a dedicated pure white plus color modes
- 12V AC operation uses an existing low-voltage transformer
Room For Improvement
- Too short for pool layouts where the equipment pad sits far away
- Still needs a working Pentair automation system for color control
Made For
Standard backyard pools with a Pentair control system and a pad within reasonable reach of the light niche.
Consider Something Else When
Longer pool runs are a better fit for the waveejovi 150-foot RGBW pool light, which has similar Pentair-friendly control with extra cord.
For sprawling backyards with a pool, a spa, and a control system that lives on the far side of the property, the 150-foot waveejovi RGBW pool light is the long-reach answer. Same niche-friendly 1.5-inch body, same Pentair automation handshake, but with cord long enough to run a pool and an attached spa from a single transformer location. The IP68 ingress rating, which means full dust protection plus continuous water submersion, suits both pool and spa placement without a second model.
Spas run hotter than pools, and the upgraded sealing helps here, though the housing still depends on a properly sealed niche at install. For most homeowners, 150 feet of cord is overkill on a small pool, so this is the right call for larger properties only. If the existing Pentair controller is already in the line, the RGBW color wheel just falls into place.
A Few Strong Suits
- 150-foot cord handles pool-and-spa layouts from a single pad
- IP68 rating supports full submersion for spa and pool use
- RGBW output pairs with Pentair IntelliTouch, EasyTouch, and SunTouch
- 12V AC operation fits the typical pool transformer setup
Points To Note
- Excess cord on smaller pools needs careful coiling to avoid kinks
- Color control requires a Pentair automation system in the line
Feature Snapshot
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Property owners with a pool-spa combo where the automation equipment sits far from the light niche and cord slack is essential.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
Smaller, simpler pools are better served by the 50-foot waveejovi GloBrite light, which avoids the extra cord weight and cost.
The 10-inch waveejovi RGBW light is the entry point for shoppers who do not own a Pentair system and want a self-contained color pool light instead. At 55 watts, it sits in a different class than the 1.5-inch niche fixtures, more like a replacement for a full-size Hayward or Pentair large light than a niche retrofit. The dedicated remote cycles through 7 colors and 7 modes, including fade, flash, smooth transition, and brightness adjustment, so the homeowner can shift from a calm blue to a party color show without leaving a lounge chair.
The added wattage means the 10-inch light needs its own transformer and proper low-voltage wiring, and the larger housing is a noticeably bigger install than a small niche retrofit. For most pool owners replacing an aging full-size light, the 55W output is the right level of brightness, not overpowering but enough to wash a moderate inground pool in color. RGBW (red, green, blue, plus dedicated white) is a small upgrade over standard RGB because the dedicated white mode reads cleaner for everyday night swimming.
Reasons It Performs
- 55W output washes a moderate inground pool in solid color
- Remote control cycles 7 colors and 7 modes from across the deck
- RGBW chip adds a dedicated pure white for cleaner night swimming
- Self-contained design works without a Pentair automation system
Trade Offs
- 55W draw means a properly sized 12V transformer is essential
- 10-inch housing is a larger install than a 1.5-inch niche fixture
Built With In Mind
Pool owners without a Pentair system who want a remote-controlled color upgrade on a moderate-size inground pool.
Skip It When
Pentair-controlled pools with existing niche fixtures get a cleaner install from the 50-foot or 100-foot waveejovi GloBrite retrofit lights.
Picking The Right Glow For Your Backyard
Around the pool lights split into two practical lanes: niche-replacement LED fixtures that slot into existing Pentair systems, and patio string lights that dress the deck. The right lane depends on whether the goal is changing the water itself or setting the mood on dry land. Pentair homeowners with an aging GloBrite or MicroBrite are best served by the niche retrofit fixtures in the waveejovi lineup, while shoppers without that ecosystem lean toward string lights or the standalone 10-inch RGBW pool light.
Cord length, wattage, and control method are the three real decision points. Cord length only matters on retrofit lights, where the run from niche to equipment pad dictates the right number. For a small backyard with a pad 30 feet from the pool, a 50-foot cord handles the job with little slack. Larger properties with detached pool houses need the 150-foot version to avoid splicing.
Wattage is the brightness question. Small 1.5-inch niche fixtures put out a fraction of a 55W full-size pool light, and most pools need multiple niche fixtures to match the coverage of a single larger light. String lights trade wattage for atmosphere, since their job is decorative rather than functional.
Control method varies the experience most. Pentair automation hands color control to an existing system, which is great for whole-property integration. The 10-inch waveejovi light uses a dedicated handheld remote, which works well for homeowners without a smart pool system. String lights either stay on at one brightness or use a separate dimmer. Match the control style to how the space is actually used.
Water-Side vs. Deck-Side Lighting
A common surprise: water-side niche lights illuminate what is happening in the pool, not on the deck. Swimmers in the water see the color, but someone standing at the grill often sees mostly reflections off the surface. Deck-side string lights handle the reverse, casting light onto people, food, and seating, but barely touch the water. Most backyards benefit from a mix.
Voltage, Transformers, and Safety
Low-voltage 12V AC is the standard for modern pool lighting, with a 120VAC to 12VAC transformer stepping household current down to a safer level. A proper transformer is required for any of the niche retrofit lights or the 10-inch pool light in this list. Never connect a low-voltage pool light directly to a 120V household circuit, as the housing, cord, and seal are not designed for that load. Outdoor-rated transformers, mounted at least a few feet from the pool edge, are the standard install.
Matching Light Color To Use
Warm Edison-style bulbs (Brightech) work well for late-evening entertaining where skin tones and food colors matter. Cool white (SUNTHIN) flatters modern architecture and helps visibility for grilling and reading. RGBW pool lights are best saved for occasional color moments, with the dedicated white mode reserved for everyday night swimming.
Slip-Ups Worth Sidestepping Around Pool Lights
Pitfalls Shoppers Hit
Cord length is the most common regret. A 50-foot cord that turns out to be 45 feet short means a junction box splice, an extra connection point, and a longer path for water ingress. Measure the conduit run, add slack for the junction box, and round up to the next cord size.
Mismatched ecosystems are the next trap. A Pentair niche fixture without a Pentair controller cannot change colors, so it sits in one mode. The 10-inch waveejovi light sidesteps this with its own remote, which is why it is the better fit for non-Pentair pools. Decide automation before picking a niche light.
Where The Extra Money Goes
Bigger housings and RGBW chips cost more because they push more light through more LEDs and add a dedicated white emitter. A 10-inch, 55W pool light is genuinely a different class of fixture than a 1.5-inch niche light, not just a stretched version of the same product. The longer cord models also cost more because of the additional copper and better sealing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “around the pool lights” typically include? Around the pool lights covers two distinct categories: in-pool niche fixtures that color the water, and deck-side lights like string lights that illuminate the surrounding entertainment area. Most backyards benefit from a mix of both.
Do all pool lights need a transformer? Yes, every modern LED pool light in this list runs on low-voltage 12V AC, which requires a 120VAC to 12VAC transformer somewhere in the line. The transformer is not always included, so factor that into the install plan.
Can I install a Pentair-compatible light without an existing Pentair system? Color control will be limited, as the Pentair ecosystem lights rely on a Pentair IntelliTouch, EasyTouch, or SunTouch controller to cycle colors. The 10-inch waveejovi RGBW pool light is the better fit for homes without a Pentair automation system.
Are outdoor string lights safe to hang near water? Weatherproof string lights, like the Brightech Ambience Pro and SUNTHIN models reviewed here, are rated for outdoor use and handle splashes. They should not be submerged, and the plug end should stay dry. Mount the strings with proper outdoor-rated hardware.
How long do LED pool lights usually last? LED pool lights typically run for many years before any significant dimming, often outlasting older halogen pool lights several times over. The actual lifespan depends on use hours, water chemistry, and how well the housing seal holds up over time.
Closing Remarks
A well-lit backyard pool does not need every category in this list, but mixing one or two niche fixtures with a string of deck lights usually creates the most balanced scene. Pentair homeowners get the cleanest install from the waveejovi retrofit options, while non-Pentair pools and renters tend to do better with the standalone 10-inch waveejovi light or patio string lights. The honest read is that the right pick depends as much on what is already in the ground as on what looks best on the listing.
