Underwater LED Rope Lights: Are They Safe for Your Pool?

Joyce Alva.UpdatedJuly 31, 2025|8 mins Read

Introduction

In recent years, LED rope lights have changed the way that we illuminate our homes, different spaces, and even public areas. LED rope lights are no longer just a simple light tool, they are part of our daily life, and they have become a daily essential. As we can see from our daily lives, whether it’s ambient lighting, accent lighting, outline lighting, or highlighting architectural details, LED rope lights are everywhere, and for good reason. Their popularity does not come out of nowhere.

It is hardly surprising that they are so popular. In addition to being slender, effective, adaptable, and versatile, they also provide countless creative opportunities. With tons of options for color, brightness, length, and control, they can be bespoke to suit any setting. In that case, they can be used to provide a lot of lighting solutions.

The Value of Specialization: Not All LED Rope Lights Are Suitable for Every Scene.

LED rope lights are widely used, however, not all of them are made for every type of situation. When it comes to the underwater lighting environment, there is a difference. No LED rope lights can be used in every place. From different to different occasions, the LED rope lights are demanded much more than the regular ones can offer.

Although the exterior of many LED rope light products may appear identical, their internal design, degree of waterproofing, voltage handling, and safety requirements differ significantly based on their intended purpose. And this is where underwater LED rope lights come into play.

Different Types of LED Rope Lights

LED rope lights are typically divided into the following categories to meet the needs of diverse environments:

Indoor LED rope lights: A versatile and popular lighting solution that is designed especially for use in enclosed spaces that are shielded from the weather. They are flexible, low-voltage, long lifespan, and consist of lots of small LEDs mounted on a narrow circuit board, typically with an adhesive backing for easy installation. They are versatile for different applications, such as cove lighting, accent lighting, under-cabinet lighting, shelf lighting, back lighting, creating ambient or decorative effects, and the like.

Outdoor LED rope lights: A lighting solution that is specifically designed to withstand the harsh environment, such as outdoor and extreme weather like super hot or cold. Different from the indoor LED rope lights, they are built with materials that can protect them from dust, heavy rain, snow, UV radiation, and other elements. It normally has a higher IP rating, showcasing a better level of resistance to liquids and solids. This makes them suitable for a variety of outdoor applications such as landscape lighting, outline lighting, pathway lighting, patio and deck lighting, and the like.

Underwater LED Rope Lights: A lighting solution that is especially designed to withstand water, it can be fully submerged in water with a longer lifespan than other LED rope lights. To reach this level of water resistance, these kinds of LED rope lights are usually IP68 or above rated, which means they are completely sealed against long-time immersion in water and dust under specified conditions. In order to avoid water intrusion, which may otherwise result in short circuits and harm the LEDs and circuitry, underwater LED rope lights are constructed using strong sealing methods and materials. They are frequently covered in a flexible resin or silicone, which are strong, waterproof materials. For its application, you can see them in swimming pools, fountains, aquariums, ponds, and the like.

The Significance of Underwater LED Strip Lighting

Among all of them, the underwater LED rope lights are the most technologically sophisticated. They are designed to resist not just moisture but also temperature fluctuations, chlorine, salt, UV rays, and continuous water pressure. Anything less than specialized underwater LED rope lights might result in safety risks, short circuits, product failure, or even electric shock when illuminating a swimming pool, spa, fountain, or aquarium.

As a result, selecting the best underwater LED solution is crucial when designing aquatic lighting. And when you choose your own underwater LED rope lights, always remember to ask yourself, is this product really safe to use?

Where Can Underwater LED Rope Lights Be Used?

Underwater LED rope lights are incredibly adaptable and appropriate for a variety of wet and submerged environments, such as:

Swimming pools: To improve safety and cool atmosphere, they can be set inside the pool walls, beneath coping, or beside stairs.

Spas: Using vibrant colors or a gentle light to create calming atmospheres.

Water fountains: Using static or color-changing lights to emphasize water movement and flow, highlighting the beauty of the water play.

Aquariums and fish tanks: Adding aesthetic appeal and visibility to maritime settings, and providing illumination for aquatic plants and fish ensures their safety.

Garden Ponds: Improving designs for outdoor landscapes.

Waterfalls: Using smooth lighting to enhance water movement and create the proper atmosphere.

Key Features of Underwater LED Rope Lights

To ensure safe and reliable light performance, underwater LED rope lights must meet several technical criteria:

IP68 Waterproof Rating: For extended submersion, the IP68 Waterproof Rating is the most stringent international waterproof standard.

Low Voltage Power (DC 12V/24V): Ensures operational safety in watery environments.

Chemical Resistance: Prevents pools from corroding due to chemicals like chlorine and saltwater.

Weather and UV Resistance: Preserves integrity in the face of fluctuations in temperature and sunshine.

Long-lasting outer materials: silicone or polyurethane are frequently used for protection and flexibility.

For submerged aesthetics, it is especially crucial that the light output be uniform and free of apparent LED spots.

When these features are followed, underwater LED rope lights may improve aquatic environments in a safe and attractive way.

Underwater LED Rope Lights VS Regular LED Rope Lights: What are the Advantages?

To help you better understand the importance of using the correct product, let's examine a few key features to compare underwater LED rope lights with regular LED rope lights.

1. Safety & Waterproofing

Underwater LED rope lights are made to withstand prolonged submersion, and it is IP68 rated. Commonly, the regular LED rope lights are only IP20 to IP65 rated. Even if it is IP65, it is not appropriate for submersion. Underwater strips are designed to prevent water ingress, which is essential and vital for pool lifespan and safety.

2. Products Materials

Underwater LED rope lights are made with modern silicone or PU extrusion, enabling resistance to pressure, chemicals, and UV radiation. And regular LED rope lights are made of PVC or plain plastic, which can deteriorate under hard conditions. So from this, we can see that the underwater LED rope lights last longer and are more mechanically durable.

3. Safety of Electrical Systems

Underwater LED rope lights reduce the risk of shock by operating at safe low voltage (12V/24V DC) systems, while regular LED rope lights could have greater voltage and lack insulation designed for wet conditions. Underwater LED rope lights provide increased safety for users, particularly while people are in the water.

4. Aesthetic Performance

Underwater LED rope lights are made to provide uniform, dispersed light beneath the water without glare or obvious LED spots. But when regular LED rope lights get wet, they may display individual LED points and get dimmer or discolored. In this case, underwater LED rope lights guarantee excellent visual quality and a faultless underwater atmosphere.

5. Installation Complexity

Professional sealing, watertight connections, and mounting accessories are necessary for underwater LED rope lights. Regular LED rope lights are easier to install, but they might be hazardous if they are near water. And underwater strips offer minimum maintenance and long-term dependability, despite the fact that installation is more complicated.

Meet the COLORS Lighting AW Series Neon Strip Lights: Tailored for Underwater Excellence

When it comes to creating unique lighting effects for swimming pools or underwater spaces, the Arch Neon Under-water Use AW Series will bring a visual experience like no other.

With protection ratings up to IP68, the strips meet the rigors of underwater use, providing safe, reliable lighting for your underwater environment. In swimming pools, the AW Series can be installed on the wall, pool bottom, or the edge of the steps. Not only to illuminate the pool to ensure the safety of swimming at night, but also to create a fantastic underwater world of light and shadow through color changes. Its 24V - 5m/R length setting makes it easy to make a reasonable layout according to the size of the pool, and its 5-year warranty ensures your peace of mind when using it.

Super Protection

AW Series has IP68 long-term immersion and high-pressure waterproof performance, and it can withstand IP69 anti-high-pressure and high-temperature water impact.

Featuring high-density TPU material and a fully enclosed structure, this design ensures superior durability and protection. The end caps are fully encapsulated through TPU injection molding, while the wiring points are securely glue-sealed to prevent water ingress. Combined with a waterproof junction box solution, the entire setup offers excellent waterproof performance and long-term reliability in demanding environments.

Underwater LED Rope Lights for Pools - Super Protection

AW Series is suitable for professional pools, it can be used in 3-meter Water, and it performs perfectly in chlorine and salt resistance.

5-year Warranty for Underwater Applications

Chlorine Resistance≤10ppm

NaCI Resistance<4%

Underwater LED Rope Lights for Pools - AW Series

Underwater LED Rope Lights for Pools - 5-year Warranty for Underwater Applications

This installation solution for underwater applications features a non-conductive PC profile combined with an IP68 waterproof junction box, ensuring safe and reliable performance. The PC material offers excellent resistance to rust and brittleness, making it ideal for long-term use in harsh, moisture-prone environments.

Super Durable

Anti-Breakage PCBs Are More Durable: With an innovative 2in1 built-in anti-tensile PC line and backplane design, the anti-breakage PCBs are more durable.

Anti-Dead Chips Without Dark Area: Dual chips parallel LEDs technology, special chip design, single chip breakage has no effect on the light effect.

Underwater LED Rope Lights for Pools - Super Durable - 2

Withstands Installation Stresses: Reinforced wire soldering technology, designed to overcome external forces such as pressing, pulling, and tugging during installation.

Underwater LED Rope Lights for Pools - Super Durable - 3

Upgraded light-emitting structure, even color without a dark area on the surface.

Underwater LED Rope Lights for Pools - Super Durable - 4

Installing strips on the pool walls, bottom, or around the steps not only illuminates the pool, allowing people to swim safely at night, but also creates dreamy underwater lighting effects by changing the color of the lights, increasing the fun and beauty of swimming, and improving the overall quality of the pool.

Underwater LED Rope Lights for Pools - Pool Lighting Project - 1

Underwater LED Rope Lights for Pools - Pool Lighting Project - 2

Underwater LED Rope Lights for Pools - Pool Lighting Project - 3

Conclusion

Is it safe to use LED rope lights underwater in your pool? Yes, but only if you pick the correct product. That's the obvious answer.

Basic waterproofing is not enough for underwater conditions. When choosing the best lighting system, factors like chemical protection, UV durability, water resistance, and electrical safety are all very important. Because of this, all-purpose rope lights are insufficient, and specialist options like COLORS Lighting's AW Series stand out.

You elevate your pool with the AW Series, not simply light it. You guarantee security. You set the mood. You select a perfect lighting solution that is built to last and engineered for brilliance.