Best Fog Lights: Light Your Way in the Fog
Enhance visibility in foggy weather with these top-rated lights
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Despite your vehicle having the best headlights, driving through the fog is always a challenge. This is because normal driving lights reflect light off the fog, hindering your visibility. Fortunately, there is a way to see through the fog, rain, dust, and drifting snow, thanks to fog lights. Due to their light color, beam shape, and location, these aftermarket lights are designed to offer a clear view of limited visibility conditions. Below are three of the best fog lights on the market.
SiriusLED H8 Size DRL Fog Light
Nilight Spot Driving Fog Light
Calais Extremely Bright H8 LED Fog lights
Summary List
- Best Overall: SiriusLED H8 Size DRL Fog Light
- Best Value: Nilight Spot Driving Fog Light
- Honorable Mention: Calais Extremely Bright H8 LED Fog Lights
Types of Fog Lights
Halogen
Halogen fog lights are a common sight. They emit yellow light and their biggest selling point is their affordability. A lot of car owners find them user-friendly. The lights produce adequate light that does not cause a blinding effect, unlike brighter fog lamps. However, in areas where heavy fog is common, halogen should not be the go-to solution. These lights also have a short lifespan and require constant replacement.
LED
LED fog lights are a better option than halogen bulbs. They use light-emitting diodes to greatly boost visibility. Some modern LED fog lights have a range of light colors that are useful in different kinds of weather. While they are pricier than halogen, they use less energy. However, their biggest benefit is their durability. Well-maintained LED lights offer top performance for many years.
HID
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) fog lights are bright and use Xenon gas. They have a longer lifespan and consume less energy than halogen bulbs. These lights can withstand shocks and vibrations. They also distribute light more evenly and are a great option for heavy fog. However, before installing HIDs in your car, it is wise to consider other road users who may be sensitive to intense light.
Best Fog Lights: Reviews & Recommendations
You can use these 30-watt LED bulbs to upgrade your daytime running lights or fog lights. Each produces very bright light, thanks to six 5-watt LED chips with a color temperature of 6000K. The powerful, bright light they produce allows you to drive safely in foggy conditions.
Installing the lights is not difficult, as they feature plug-and-play installation. They are made with high-quality aluminium that is both weather-proof and durable. Light projection technology helps increase their light density and distance. They also come with a one-year warranty.
But despite all their good features, these lights do have a few faults. They cannot be used with OEM headlights and they lack hi-low beam functionality. They are only ideal for H8 bulbs and require a load resistor kit when being installed in cars with the CAN bus system to bypass the error codes.
The most outstanding feature of these fog lights is that they only draw 18 watts of electricity but deliver 1,260 lumens of light. They contain high-quality LED chips and have a very bright spot beam for long-distance illumination. Changing the direction of the light beam is easy, as the lights can be adjusted up to 45 degrees.
The lights are equipped with die-cast aluminium cooling fins for better heat dissipation. The cooling technology helps extend their lifespan to more than 30,000 hours. The lights are waterproof and have an IP rating of 67. They are also resistant to dust and corrosion. They have a universal fit and can be installed in all vehicles.
However, as powerful as the lights are, you can only use them off-road as they haven't been approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). In addition, they only work with 12V DC, so if you're using 110-120V AC, you’ll have to get a converter.
These lights quickly get rid of the fog in front of you by producing bright, yellow light (3000K). Each of the lights produces 1,000 lumens of light (2,000 in total). You can quickly adjust the beam angle by inserting a hex wrench in their built-in holes and rotating it. The lights are made with aviation-grade aluminum alloy for quick heat dissipation.
Being waterproof is a desirable feature of any lighting product. These lights have an IP rating of 68. They are also resistant to dust, dirt, sand, and shock. With a lifespan of 50,000 hours, you won't have to replace them for more than five years. They are also easy to install and have a two-year warranty.
However, if you plan on installing the lights in a European vehicle with a built-in CAN bus system, you'll have to get a load resistor to prevent them from flickering or giving a dashboard error message. The lights are only suitable for H8 bulbs and won't fit all vehicles.
Our Verdict on the Best Fog Lights
We recommend the SiriusLED H8 Size DRL Fog Light. It is efficient, easy to install, and durable.
If you are looking for something cheaper, then you should consider the Nilight Spot Driving Fog Light. Despite its price, the fog light is super bright and can serve you for years.
Benefits of Fog Lights
- Improve visibility. Fog lamps are usually installed beneath the front bumper, so the driver can clearly see everything on the road. By increasing the visibility, they help a driver to see well even during harsh weather conditions.
- Enhance aesthetics. Fog lights can make a car look more beautiful, even when they are not in use. When they are installed the right way, they add both style and functionality.
- Notify other road users of your presence. If it’s hard for you to see the road ahead in bad weather, it’s a lot harder for drivers who don't have fog lights. These lights work well with OEM headlights and let other road users know your location, helping them to drive more carefully.
- Boost road safety. These lights not only help you in foggy conditions, but they also work well in other bad driving conditions. When there’s rainy weather or a snowstorm, fog lamps can make the difference between getting home safe and getting into a serious accident.
Fog Lights Pricing
- $5-$20:The optionsin this category feature basic construction. You can also get high-quality fog lights for less than $20 if they are on sale.
- $20-$50: If you want fog lights that produce a crisp, bright beam, this is where you should look. The lights are easy to install, easy to maintain, and offer good value for the money.
- $50-$100: Some high-quality fog lights cost as much as $100. However, they have one major benefit: a lengthy warranty.
Key Features
Beam
Most fog lights usually have a wide, short beam because they are designed to direct light to the sides and downwards. These lights are installed underneath the front bumper (about 24 inches above the ground). The light beam hits the road without interference and no light shines up to reflect off the fog. This enhances visibility in foggy conditions.
Color Temperature
Color temperature is measured in Kelvins. Fog lights usually have a color temperature between 3000K and 6500K. Many car owners have the assumption that these lights only produce yellow light (light with a color temperature of 3000K), but this is not always the case. Yellow light is preferred simply because it has a longer wavelength than blue or white light. This allows it to penetrate a thick atmosphere—even water.
Fit
It is important to check whether fog lights will fit your car before buying them. Some options only fit specific bulbs, while others require load resistor kits to bypass error codes. Choose lights with a universal fit as they can be installed in any vehicle. It is also important to check whether your car can deliver enough current to power the lights.
Lumens
Lumens tell us the brightness of a light source. They accurately measure the light output of fog lights. For instance, a fog light that produces 2,000 lumens is brighter than one that produces 1,000 lumens. Watts do not measure the light output—they only measure the energy used.
Other Considerations
- Lifespan. The last thing you want after buying fog lights and installing them is for them to stop working a few months down the road. LED fog lights cost more than other types, but they have a longer lifespan. Halogen fog lights, which have a color temperature of 3000K, only last 18 to 24 months. On the other hand, LED fog lights can last for more than five years.
- Design. Fog usually starts approximately two feet above the ground. Be sure to get fog lights that can be installed below that level. If the lights are higher than the fog, you won’t see anything other than their reflection in the fog. The light will be reflected back to your face, making driving very difficult.
Tips
- It is important to note that fog lights are designed for limited visibility situations only, and have a limited range. Therefore, use them only when it is foggy and avoid driving at high speeds.
- Before buying fog lights, always check the laws in your city. This is because different cities have different requirements for the acceptable colors of the fog lights.
- Vehicles have various fog light bulb size requirements. Check your manual to confirm your vehicle’s fog light bulb size before purchasing.
FAQs
Q: Where are fog lights installed in a vehicle?
A: Fog lights can be installed on the roof, bumper, or the lower grille. Their beam should be angled low towards the ground so that they don’t reflect light off the fog or snow toward you. Note that these lights can be installed on motorcycles, boats, ATVs, and other automobiles.
Q: Do fog lights distract other motorists?
A: Yes. Fog lights are very bright and they can easily blind other motorists, especially if they are not installed properly with their beam angle low to the ground. As a courtesy, always switch them off when you approach other drivers.
Q: Which color is the best for a fog light?
A: Many people believe that yellow is the best color for a fog light due to its high wavelength. However, it is all about preference—some like blue, white, or even amber. Remember to check if the color you purchase is legal in your city.
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Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
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