Best Underglow Kit: Paint the Asphalt

I was in high school during the early 2000s, and I remember sneaking out to underground car meets here in Florida on weekends. I had friends that were forever struggling with their lights and other mods. We are adults now, and nobody has time or patience for troublesome aftermarket parts. Curating this list was like window shopping for the lights we wished we had back in the day. But I'm older, more mature, and experienced now. I looked for lights that were better than the cheap bulbs from China. I started with brands that have a reputation in the community and chose kits that made it easy for someone to outfit their ride and have it not look half-assed. 

My top pick for the best underglow kit is the Diode Dynamics Multicolor Underglow Kit because of its high-quality production, extra white chip, and secure barrel-style M8 connectors. For a more affordable option, consider XKGlow Underglow Light Strips. They come with newly designed plugs, are ultra-bright, and offer the largest maximum number of strip connections. 

You have two options, neon or LED. Back in the ’90s, when underglow first became a thing, neon tubes were your only option. These lights weren't durable and had you praying to the car gods with every bump and dip in the road. They created a nice glow but were a nightmare to deal with. The glass tube was filled with gas, and a single rock could take out the entire bulb. They tried encasing them in a protective sleeve, but even that didn't entirely fix the issue. LEDs are a much better option. They are way more durable, insanely small for the light produced, and have low energy consumption. You can also have a rainbow of colors at your fingertips. 

Back in the day, you'd pick your color, and that was it. If you had a fancy kit, it would come with a remote that you could use to turn them on and off or select from a handful of colors. Today, you have a million colors at your fingertips with a smartphone that lets you customize everything from using multiple colors to flashing in time with the music. Look for a system that enables you to control your underglow from a reliable app with a user-friendly interface. 

Three styles of LED lights are designed to be mounted under your ride: pods, strips, and tubes. The pods are good for accents, like puddle lights or illuminating your wheel well. The strips and tubes are better for creating an even continuous glow down the length of your car. Curved strips are used to illuminate your wheels. LEDs are small, so you don't have the same issues with size and weight that old-school neon lights presented. 

There is no real uniformity to state laws when it comes to underglow. Some states do not allow underglow, others limit the color, where you can place it, and when you can turn it on. Some states, such as California, have particular regulations. Other states are more laid back. There are also restrictions on how bright the underglow light can be. So, before you buy any kit, review your state's laws. This modification isn't like adding a tint that's a little darker than legal; police will notice your underglow. 

You can buy a cheap kit with LED kits that come with a few lights and some wire. Don't do this. These are cheap LEDs with low-quality wiring. They will overheat, flicker, and be a disappointment. Invest in your underglow kit and spend a couple of hundred dollars. You will get better quality lights and wiring, and you'll have more of both. This will help you create a better look under your car. 

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