If parting with hundreds of your hard-earned cash for a light bar is not on your to-do list, or you do not have the funds to purchase a more expensive brand but still want decent quality, Nilight off-road LED light bars might be your solution.

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First Off-Road Light Bar: Expensive or Budget?

When I began researching for my first off-road light bar, the ultimate question was do I jump right in and purchase one of those premium brands or take the budget-friendly route and buy a lesser-known brand.

I opted to start with a low-cost version, and if I found the economical one to be total junk, I would then upgrade to a more expensive light bar with a better understanding of my lighting options.

My research led me to Nilight’s LED 25″ 162W Flood Spot Combo light bar. My knowledge of the company was minimal and at the time, there were not a lot of Nilight reviews; however, at its price range, their two-year warranty was an encouraging factor.

The light bar was a little under 40 bucks when I bought it (May 2016). I also purchased Nilight’s wiring harness kit, which also offered a two-year warranty. It came with a switch, relay, and fuses. Check out the current pricing of Nilight’s 25″ LED Light Bar on Amazon. 

LED Light Bar Basic Guide

Below are some things to consider when searching for your first off-road light bar. (Remember always to do your own research as well):

Size: This may seem like a silly point to mention but make sure the light bar you choose fits the area you want to mount it on. There are various sizes, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that will work with your setup.

Brightness: The brightness of a LED light is measured in lumens. The more lumens a light has, the brighter it will be.

Wattage: The wattage is the amount of energy used for the light to function. The wattage is primarily a concern if you plan on running your light bar without your engine running. Your rig’s alternator will keep recharging your battery to power the light bar

Beam Pattern: The most common patterns are spot, flood, and combination. The spot pattern emits light in a narrow, tight beam at a longer distance. The flood pattern is designed to cover a wider area with a shorter reach. The combination beam offers both a spot and flood pattern—the best of both worlds.

Color Temperature: In the simplest terms, the color temperature describes a light source’s appearance according to its warmth or coolness. This color spectrum is measured on a Kelvin scale. The lower color temperatures emit warmer color tones such as red, orange, and yellow. The higher color temperatures correspond to a cooler color tone of blue. The color temperature range of 5000K – 6500K mimics the color tones of daylight.

IP Rating: Set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the Ingress Protection Rating is a two-number code that determines the level of protection an enclosure possesses against solid particles and water. The first number, ranging from zero to six, is the level of protection against solid objects. The second number, ranging from zero to nine, is the level of protection against water and condensation. It is suggested to find a light bar with at least a 67 IP rating.

Warranty: Always check out the type of warranty the company offers on their products, even if it is cheap! Warranties can range up to a Lifetime.

Light Lifespan: The life span of an LED light can range from 30,000 to 50,000 hours.

Nilight Off-Road LED Light Bar Specs

Upon my first inspection, everything looked on par. Per Nilight, their light bars are housed in die-cast aluminum alloy designed with cooling fins to help dissipate any generated heat.

The enclosure also features upgraded polycarbonate lenses according to Nilight. All of these materials are considered strong and durable. 

The installation was easy. Before mounting the bar, I tested it to make sure everything worked. The separate wiring harness I purchased appeared well made too.

The harness was long enough for me to mount the light to my bull bar (about 12 feet).

But, on the other hand, I wasn’t sold on the switch that was included. It was too bulky and a bit stiff to turn on and off.

Besides that, it was not going to fit in the space that I planned to place it, which was okay because I had my eye on some green backlit rocker switches.

Check out the current prices of Rocker Switches on Amazon.

For the first-timers, the wiring harness kit came with an easy to follow manual.  

The light bar has three mounting brackets. I removed the middle one. I felt like the light bar wasn’t long enough to use all three.

For adjusting the angle of the bar, it has four screws per bracket which I was not a fan of because it required a balancing act from holding the bar in position while loosening and tightening each screw to make adjustments. Not fun.

Once I completed the install, I took it out for a test run in the desert. When I hit the switch, I was pretty happy with the brightness of the light.

In the photo below, I walked on the trail to see how far I could go until my wife couldn’t see me. I am that little speck at the end of the trail. The coyotes started talking to me so I decided to turn around.   

Over the next year, this LED light bar endured stream crossings, dusty night runs, and muddy puddles. And, of course, after noteworthy days of slinging mud, it was straight to the car wash for a detailed clean.

I was impressed the light bar’s housing held up to the pressure of the water, and there was no condensation.

However, according to Nilight, their housing has an IP rating of 6-7, which means the enclosure is dust-tight (6), and if it is immersed in water for a temporary time frame, it should be protected from water damage (7).

Per IEC, an enclosure with an IP rating of 6-9 is “protected against high pressure and temperature water jets” (9). So you should be mindful about how strong of a pressure washer you sweep over this light bar as to not cause any damage.

Time to Upgrade

In 2018, I upgraded my bull bar to an ARB bumper with a winch, which provided more room for a larger light bar. I decided to stick with Nilight, and I got their 32 Inch 180W Spot Flood Combo light bar.

Unfortunately, the first one I received had an issue with the light output. I explained the problem to Nilight’s customer service and sent photos to them show what was going on.

They handled the situation promptly and sent me a new light bar. Believe it or not, I still have that same light bar, still working strong.

The Breakdown: Pros and Cons

Is it possible for a budget light bar to be any good?

Inexpensive doesn’t always equal quality. We all know the old saying: you get what you pay for, but in this case, I don’t believe that to be true with Nilight’s brand. I feel like a got a great bargain. They appear to care about the products they sell and providing top-notch customer satisfaction. So yes, it is possible.  I am glad that I gave this company a chance. 

If you are in the research phase and don’t know much about off-road lighting, I feel like Nilight’s off-road LED light bar offers a great entry-level option.

Purchasing a budget LED light bar is a great way to learn more. This will allow you to test your options without spending much money. And when you are ready to upgrade, you can do so with confidence.

25″ 162W Flood Combo Nilight Light Bar

32″ 180W Flood Combo Nilight Light Bar

Check Pricing on Amazon