Underwater Hot Tub Lighting Made Simple : The Ultimate Guide

If you’re looking into building a DIY hot tub, then you know lighting is a big aspect of your build. It adds another dimension to your hot tub, and having some sort of lighting makes a huge difference in the overall experience.

However, there’s a lot to hot tub lighting, and it can get confusing at times. Don’t worry because this is the ultimate DIYer’s pool and spa lighting guide! I’ll take you through everything you need to know about lighting up your hot tub.

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Which Type of Light Should You Choose?

When it comes to the type of lighting you should install in your hot tub or plunge pool, it refers to lighting technology—specifically halogen and LED options.

In my opinion, LED lights are the way to go. They’re more efficient, longer-lasting, and are quickly becoming the lighting standard.

Lighting Size

Lighting size refers to whether you choose smaller spotlights or larger pool lights available on the market.

• Larger pool lights: These can light up a bigger area.
• Spotlights: These create a sharp triangle of light that protrudes from the side of the pool.

There’s no definitive “better” option—it all depends on your requirements and the mood you’re aiming to create. Your imagination is the limit!

How Many Lights?

The number of lights you’ll need depends on the size of your swimming pool or hot tub. For example, if you’re using spotlights, you’ll need more of them compared to larger pool lights.

My recommendation is to look into the wattage. A hot tub that is up to 12 feet by 12 feet (3m x 3m) can typically be lit with 35–40 watts of lighting. It’s always recommended to add a bit extra because you can dim them down, but you’ll be in trouble if you realize you need more lighting after installation.

Now different manufacturers have different recommendations as to how much wattage you should have so this figure above is just a generalisation and I’m using my own range of lights as a base. You can check them out here.

Hot Tub Lighting Placement

Where do you place your lighting? First, this depends on the type of light you’re going for. If you’re using larger swimming pool lights, these are usually placed at the base.

One important consideration, often overlooked by DIYers, is ensuring the light isn’t directly facing where you’ll be sitting or spending most of your time. Imagine creating a beautiful build only to have the light shine in your eyes while you’re trying to relax!

For spotlights, they’re generally placed near the surface of the water because of the effect they create. This is typically 4–6 inches (or a maximum of 8–10 inches) below the waterline. In terms of spacing, they should be evenly distributed along the length of your pool. The number of spotlights you need depends on the wattage rule discussed above.

How to Install Hot Tub Lighting

While every pool has its own installation method, and these differ by model, the underlying principles remain the same.

As shown in the diagram below, if you’re using a conduit for your cables, it should run up and over the waterline.

This design eliminates the need for sealing since gravity prevents water from flowing out of the conduit. Additionally, running a conduit allows for easy replacement or adjustment of the lighting without causing damage.

Final Thoughts

That’s a simple guide covering everything you need to know about hot tub lighting. From choosing the right type of light to placement and installation, these tips will help you create the perfect ambiance for your DIY hot tub.

Can I Help You?

If I can help you in any way I would love to hear from you. You can get in touch using the form below.

Thanks - Andi

 

Hi, Andi here. I own Buildahottub.com and also write all of the articles and info pages on the site. Some years back now, I built my own hot tub but struggled to find the information I needed. So, once my tub was complete, I started this website to help others in their own pursuit of hot tub and plunge pools DIY building information.

Fast forward to 2025, I've helped over 1400+ DIY customers just like you all over the world build hot tubs and pools. Have a good look around the site, there are lots of resources here. Please do get in touch if I can help you. - Cheers, Andi