Best 12 Inch Light Bar 2023

Best 12 Inch Light Bar

Why would anyone go for a 12 Inch LED light bar? Well, the apparent reason is that it can produce more light than, say, a 4-inch bar while remaining easy to move around. So, when you invest in one, you will get portability and maximum brightness in one package.

We have taken our time to do in-depth research on the product so that you have an easy time finding the best 12 Inch light bar. Besides checking out the top brands in the market, we shall also provide you with a simple guide that will boost your chances of finding the right product.

Let’s do this!

12 Inch Light Bar: Comparison

In this section, you will find detailed analyses of a sample of 12-inch light bars, which we believe are the best in the market. Check them out, and who knows? Your search for the ideal item may end just here.

RankingProduct NameMaterialLight Source Type
1Nilight 12-Inch LED Light BarAluminumLED
2Auxbeam 12-Inch LED Light BarAluminumLED
3Lite-Way 12-Inch LED Light BarAluminumLED
4Rigidhorse 12 Inch LED Light BarAluminum LED
5GREUNION 12 inch LED 300W AluminumLED
6Zmoon Five Row 12-Inch LED Light BarAluminumLED
Best 12 Inch Light Bar

1. Nilight 12 Inch LED Light Bar

Next up is a combo beam light bar that would let you enjoy all the benefits that high-tech LED is supposed to offer. The unit is pretty compact, weighing only 2lbs and measuring just below 12-inches. Further, you should have an easy time mounting it on your vehicle, boat, or even motorbike.

The other vital aspect is the 24 3W LEDs protected by the polycarbonate lens and the aluminum alloy housing that features oversized fins.

Besides automotive use, you can customize the light bar to suit other purposes such as farming, worksites, and indoor lighting.

Lastly, the product is backed by a 2-year warranty.

Key Specs:

  • 24 LEDs in double-row design
  • IP67 rating
  • 4790 lumens output
  • No wiring harness

Pros

  • Well-built
  • It comes with a 2-year warranty
  • Multiple-use

Cons

  • It does not come with a wiring harness

2. Auxbeam 12-Inch LED Light Bar

Opening our list is the Auxbeam LED light bar, a Cree light bar implying that you can expect over five times the brightness that you would receive from its closest competitors.

However, the IP67 rating means that the unit can only withstand submersion of less than a meter, which we felt could have been better.

Other than that, the light output of 7,000 lumens is hard to beat, while the lifespan of about 25,000 hours is equally impressive.

Lastly, the unit is well-built to assure you of service for a long time to come.

Key Specs:

  • Light output of 7,000 lumens
  • IP67 rating
  • A Cree light bar

Pros

  • Built to last
  • Very bright
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Water resistance could have been better

You may love to select best 10 inch light bar form our this review and quick list.

3. Lite-Way 12 Inch LED Light Bar

There is a good reason why this particular item made it to our list of top 12-inch light bars. First, it is a Cree LED with a massive output of 30,000 lumens, making it one of the brightest light bars on our list.

Further, it is made of 80 LED bulbs and has the ideal combo of spot and flood beams for maximum visibility and safety.

We were pleased with the flexible installation whereby you can either mount the light bar on the running bar, roof rack, or bull bar. In addition to that, the adjustable mounting screw means that you can adjust it to any angle that suits you.

The construction is quite rugged, with the diecast aluminum housing giving it resistance against abrasion. Let’s not leave out the IP68 rating that ensures most elements such as water and dust are fully sealed out.

Key Specs:

  • IP68 rating
  • Light output of 30,000 lumens
  • Tri-row LED Bar

Pros

  • Well-built
  • Multipurpose light bar
  • Flexible installation

Cons

  • Not very durable

4. Rigidhorse 12 Inch LED Light Bar

8D reflective cup lens, 6,000K color temperature with 10000 Lumens.Both sides have special flood, Reflective cup provide concentrated soft light beam and further irradiation distance.

Another aspect is the mounting bracket which is adjustable and can be adjusted and slid so that you can adjust the position whenever needed.

We liked that the package came with all you need for the setup, including light connectors and a wiring harness.

Finally, the boom is ideal for trucks, SUVs, 4x4s, off-road vehicles, UTVs, ATVs, tractors, boats, marine vessels, farms, pickup trucks, Golfs, campers, etc.

Key Specs:

  • Universal fit
  • Spot and flood beam combo design for close but wide range illumination
  • 12V, 140W

Pros

  • Adjustable mounting bracket
  • Multiple uses
  • Easy installation

Cons

  • Poor quality control

5. GREUNION 12 inch LED 300W 

This led light bar kit can be used as Off-Road Vehicle Lighting(4×4, SUVs, ATV, UTV, trucks, cars and motorcycles, pickups, trucks, campers, road vehicles, sand roads, trains, buses, tanks, etc.), 

First, you can expect outstanding light efficiency from the product, and we attribute this to combo beam and nest reflector design.

Next, the adjustable mounting bracket will ensure that you get the flexibility you need while setting the ideal position.

We believe you will appreciate the wide application of the unit whereby you can use it on Jeeps, motorcycles, yachts, and most of the 12V battery vehicles in the market.

Key Specs:

  • Lifespan of over 50,000 hours
  • IP67 waterproof rating
  • Input voltage of 9-32V

Pros

  • Built to last
  • Multiple uses
  • Excellent heat dissipation
  • 360° Adjustable Bracket

Cons

  • Not very waterproof

6. Zmoon Five Row 12-Inch LED Light Bar

Even though this product closes down our list, it is not inferior to the rest on the list. For instance, it has a lifespan of over 50,000 hours, and so it will be a while before you need to get any replacement.

Then, it uses 88 custom chips that give out 26,400 lumens with 7,000K white light to provide you with maximum visibility.

Another thing we cannot leave out is the IP67 waterproof rating in addition to being shockproof, dustproof, and corrosion-resistant to make it ideal for off-road use.

How about the wide applicability of the unit that allows you to use it on trucks, boats, SUVs, and motorcycles?

However, we were disappointed that the bar tends to retain some moisture even with its sealing.

Key Specs:

  • Lifespan of over 50,000 hours
  • Waterproof rating of IP67
  • Light output of 26,400 lumens
  • 6000K white light

Pros

  • Wide application
  • Shock and waterproof
  • Adjustable mounting bracket

Cons

  • Doesn’t light up that far

Buying Guide to 12 Inch Light Bar

Next, we shall look at the factors you need to pay attention to as you search for the 12-inch light bar that will suit all your unique needs.

Here they are:

Size

Since LED light bars are available in different sizes, you need to ensure that the model you have settled on is a perfect fit for your vehicle. There’s no harm in getting a shorter light bar, but a longer one would give your car an unsightly look in addition to posing a threat to other drivers.

Design: Curved or Straight

Straight LED light bars have a flat design that ensures their light shines forward. They may be ideal for off-roading but aren’t that effective for broad areas.

As for the curved bars, they can cover wider spaces, but you will have to compromise on the distance covered.

Brightness

This is measured by the number of lumens, and the general rule is that the higher the number, the more illumination you will get. However, it would help if you were prepared to pay more for LED light bars with more lumens.

The IP Rating

IP stands for Ingress Protection, and it determines the level of waterresistance that your light bar has. A higher rating will ensure that your gadget can sustain the harsh conditions you are likely to subject it to while off-roading, such as snow, dust, and extreme rainfall.

Durability

It is also vital that you invest in a unit that will take a while before replacing it. Here, you should ensure that you get an LED light bar with over 30,000 hours of illumination for the best service.

Number of Rows

Most of us assume that more rows always translate to better lighting. However, a single row tends to work better as it is likely to have a more concentrated beam. Multiple rows will widen the scope and thereby creating a flood beam instead of a spotlight beam.

FAQs on 12″ Light Bar

Here are some common questions on high-quality LED light bars and their answers. We hope to answer one of your queries here.

How is a light bar powered?

In most instances, it is the vehicle that powers the light bar. It works through the connector that plugs into the car’s power supply for the bar to light up.

Since light bars are meant for off-road use only, it would be wise to stick to that particular use and not on the normal roads. Always read what your state laws dictate on the usage of LED light bars on your car.

What is the best-LED color?

A: White is considered to be ideal for automotive lighting as it provides the best illumination. Further, some state laws do not allow for the usage of any other color for automotive lighting.

Our Top Pick #1

The best 12 Inch light bar is Auxbeam 12-Inch LED Light Bar, overall after our extended research. It is very bright, well-built, and decently priced, not leaving your pockets with a huge dent.

Closing Remark

If you were having a hard time finding the right 12-Inch light bar that would suit all your preferences, we hope our article has helped you out. You could always find your pick from the list of products we have analyzed, while our buying guide should make your search even more accessible.

Once you purchase the right 12-Inch light bar and install it correctly, your off-road excursions will be more enjoyable than before due to better visibility.

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