Looking for the best 18 inch light bar for off-road driving? Well, these light bars are considered to be the most popular choice for adding illumination to 4WD vehicles, trucks, and cars.
You see, it can be a problem to drive at night without sufficient illumination. However, with the right 18″ light bar, you will have plenty of light for night cruising. Besides, these lights are:
- Extremely versatile
- Quite affordable
- Super-bright
But, with different varieties of light bars in the market, how do you tell which one is the best for your needs?
Well, we are going to help you with that by reviewing the best-rated 18 inch light bars that are worth the money.
18 inch Light Bar: Easy To Find List
The best 18-inch LED light bars are versatile pieces of lighting equipment. So, here is a head-to-head comparison of the top products, including their features.
Ranking | Product Name | Voltage | Wattage |
1 | AUSTINGS 18 inch 252W Combo Beam LED Light | 12 Volts | 252 watts |
2 | AUXTINGS 18 inch 108W Light Bar | 12 Volts | 108 watts |
3 | OFFROADTOWN 18” 360w LED Light Bar | 12 Volts | 360 watts |
4 | Willpower 18 Inch 252W Triple Row LED Bar | 12 Volts | 252 watts |
5 | OFFROADTOWN 272W LED Light Bar | 12 Volts | 272 watts |
1. AUSTINGS 18 inch 252W Combo Beam LED Light
Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 17.72 x 3.15 x 2.56 inches
- Item Weight: 3.26 pounds
- Voltage: 12 Volts
- Wattage: 252 watts
- Lumens: 8000 LM
AUSTINGS is a highly popular brand of LED light bars and car lights. It offers a wide range of high-quality bars, and this specific model is our top pick.
The light is equipped with a combo beam, a nest reflector cup design, and a triple row for excellent light efficiency. Simply put, this unique design ensures the light is incredibly bright.
Pros
- Universal fit design
- Includes stainless steel mounting bracket
- Wide-range illumination
- Waterproof
Cons
- More of a floodlight than a direct beam
2. AUXTINGS 18 inch 108W 18 Inch Light Bar
Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 18.03 x 5.12 x 4.57 inches
- Item Weight: 3.44 pounds
- Voltage: 12 Volts
- Wattage: 108 watts
- Lumens: 6800 LM
Looking for a super bright and durable 18-inch light bar? This product is worth considering. The light is housed in a tough black-painted aluminum casing that is shatterproof.
As if that’s not enough, it boasts IP67 waterproof rating for maximum durability. Therefore, the bar can withstand any harsh weather conditions.
Pros
- Dustproof, shockproof, and anti-corrosion
- Adjustable steel mounting bracket
- It can last up to 30000 hours
- Wider angler illumination
Cons
- Wrong size hardware
- Some people don’t find it super bright
3. OFFROADTOWN 18” 360w LED Light Bar
Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 18 x 3 x 4 inches
- Item Weight: 3.59 pounds
- Voltage: 12 Volts
- Wattage: 360 watts
- Lumens: 36,000 LM
With high-quality 120 pieces of high lumen chips and wattage of 360 watts, this light bar is incredibly bright. As such, it can effectively light up an entire forward dark road without creating any dark spot.
Additionally, you will be pleased to know that the light bar is built to withstand the harshest conditions. This is thanks to its shatterproof lenses, rustproof aluminum shell, and waterproof housing.
Pros
- IP68 waterproof rating
- Extreme and wide-view lighting distance
- Universal fit for 9-30v devices and vehicles
- Up to 50,000 hours lifespan
Cons
- A little pricey but worth the money
4. Willpower 18 Inch 252W Triple Row LED Bar
Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 18 x 3.1 x 3.5 inches
- Item Weight: 3.04 pounds
- Voltage: 12 Volts
- Wattage: 252 watts
- Lumen: 25,200 LM
Similar to other light bars in this review, this too boats adjustable mounting brackets. This means that you can adjust the direction of the light beam to about 45 degrees.
The best part is that the product is equipped with a tri-row LED optic system. This helps in projecting light to a larger distance through the dark. Consequently, you get to enjoy higher brightness levels.
Pros
- Boasts universal fit
- IP67 waterproof rating
- Durable and shake-proof housing
- High brightness LEDs
Cons
- The quality of the mounts could be better
- Tends to flicker
5. OFFROADTOWN 272W 18″ LED Light Bar
Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 18 x 3.15 x 2.5 inches
- Item Weight: 3.44 pounds
- Voltage: 12 Volts
- Wattage: 272 watts
- Lumens: 27,200 LM
Last in this list of best 18 inch light bars is the OFFROADTOWN 272W LED Light Bar. Each of the lights is built with durable aluminum housing. And for superior protection, it is coated with a UV polyester powder finish and polycarbonate lens.
On top of that, the light boasts a unique design with a combo beam. This includes a triple row combo beam and a quad row 30 degrees spot beam. As such, it can deliver powerful illumination and coverage.
Pros
- Efficient heat dissipation
- IP68 waterproof rating
- Up to 50, 000 hours lifespan
- Made with premium materials
Cons
- Moisture may get into the casing
18 Inch Light Bar: Buying Guide
What to Look Out for When Buying on Top 18-Inch Light Bars? Now that you know what the top-rated 18-inch light bars are, let’s discuss the guide on choosing the right product.
Brightness/ Power
Brightness is essentially how much light the light bar can emit and is measured in lumens. So, the higher the lumens, the brighter the light.
Light Pattern
There are at least 5 different types of light patterns for light bars. However, the most popular ones include spotlights and floodlights.
But generally, the best light bar should have a wide beam angle. This will allow you to navigate trails with ease at night.
So, we recommend you get a floodlight beam pattern or one with both spotlight and floodlight patterns.
Weather Resistance
Off-road driving involves harsh conditions, including dusty, rocky, damp conditions, and so on. Therefore, before buying a light bar, ensure it can handle harsh conditions.
Generally, the right should have at least a waterproof rating of IP67. It should also be made from rustproof, shatterproof, and anti-corrosion materials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on 18″ Light Bar
In this section, we’re going to respond to some of the commonly asked questions about 18-inch light bars. Check them out.
How many lumens is good for an 18-inch light bar?
It depends on your needs. But a light bar with at least 8000 lumens will provide enough illumination through the dark.
What wattage light bar should I get?
A good light bar should have wattage in the 240-300 range. The lowest amount of watts for a standard bar should be around 120 watts.
Are light bars on vehicles illegal?
In most countries, the answer is no. However, some states require you to get an LED light cover while using them on the highway.
Which is the Best?
Overall, the AUSTINGS 18-inch 252W Combo Beam LED Light Bar is the best 18 inch light bar. This is because it is super bright, waterproof, and boasts wide application.
Bottom Line
It is worth noting that light bars come in different shapes and sizes. However, the above options are the best 18 inch light bar you can find on the market. It does not matter what your budget is because the list also comprises affordable options just for you.
Here, I provide valuable insights into the lighting industry, drawing from 12 years of experience. My aim is to share useful and practical tips, life hacks, and comprehensive product reviews. I hope that collective expertise, advice, and recommendations prove beneficial to you.