{"title":"Waterproof LED outdoor light bulbs","description":"\u003cp\u003eChoose the waterproof LED outdoor bulb according to the actual exposure of the fixture: a sheltered porch and the edge of a pond do not call for the same ingress protection rating. The lamp base and the colour temperature then determine the rendering, once night falls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cnav\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#choisir\"\u003eChoosing for a terrace or a garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#meilleure\"\u003eThe best outdoor bulb\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#ip\"\u003eIP44 and IP67\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#piscine\"\u003eThe case of the poolside\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#culot\"\u003eE27, E14, GU10 or GU5\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#couleur\"\u003e2700 K or 3000 K\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#entretien\"\u003eInstalling and maintaining\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/nav\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"choisir\"\u003eWhich waterproof LED outdoor bulb should you choose for a terrace or a garden?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou first choose according to exposure: a fixture under an awning needs less protection than a facade wall light or a garden spotlight. Then come the base available in the socket, the desired colour temperature and the rendering of the light once night falls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWaterproof LED outdoor bulbs: the criteria that really matter\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the evening, what you see first is not the bulb but what it lights: a stone wall that warms up, foliage that stands out, steps that read without thinking about it. A light that is too white hardens the stone and flattens the relief; a light that is too weak leaves black zones between two sources. So look for a rendering that is even from one point of the terrace to another, then check the three points that decide how well it holds up over time: the ingress protection rating of the fixture, the base and the space available under the shade. These markers can be found in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/ampoules-d-exterieur\"\u003ethe outdoor bulbs section\u003c\/a\u003e, sorted by use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWaterproof LED outdoor bulbs for a covered terrace or an exposed facade\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA covered terrace, a porch or an awning protect the fixture from direct rain: the bulb lives there in good conditions and the choice opens up towards glass models, with a more flattering rendering. An exposed facade receives rain driven by the wind, even under an overhang. There, it is the sealing of the fixture that does the work, and the bulb must stay discreet inside a well-closed volume. For screw-in models, compare the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-led-e27\"\u003eE27 LED bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e before settling your choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHesitating between several formats? Browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-d-exterieur-led\"\u003eLED outdoor bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e to see the models suited to outdoor use, then come back and settle the exposure of your fixture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"meilleure\"\u003eWhat is the best outdoor bulb?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no best bulb in the absolute: the right bulb is the one whose ingress protection rating matches the location, whose base fits the socket and whose light suits the moment of use. A very well-protected model that lights poorly disappoints as much as a bright model left out in the rain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe difference between a waterproof bulb and a merely resistant bulb\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA bulb advertised as resistant withstands a few drops; a waterproof bulb is paired with a fixture designed to keep water from reaching the base. That is the sensitive point: water that seeps in does not break the glass, it attacks the contacts and oxidises the socket. A model intended for outdoor use in a well-sealed fixture lasts for years, whereas an indoor bulb slipped into a garden wall light tires at the first winter. The general catalogue of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules\"\u003ebulbs by base\u003c\/a\u003e helps to spot the models intended for these closed housings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWaterproof LED outdoor bulbs: why the material of the globe matters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGlass protects the source and cleans without scratching, which matters when rinsing a wall light covered in dust and sand. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-en-verre\"\u003eGlass bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e also keep their transparency season after season. Amber glass diffuses a golden halo and makes the bulb itself decorative in a lantern: see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-coloris-ambre\"\u003eamber glass for a golden light\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"ip\"\u003eWhat is the difference between IP44 and IP67?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe first digit indicates protection against solids, the second against water. IP44 protects against splashes from all directions, IP67 protects against temporary immersion. In between, IP65 covers water jets. A fixture on a sheltered terrace is often satisfied with IP44; a poolside or a garden floor requires more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIP44, IP65, IP67: reading an ingress protection rating without getting it wrong\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eIngress protection rating and location: which IP for which outdoor setting\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eIP rating\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eProtection against water\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSuitable location\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTo avoid\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIP44\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ewater splashes from all directions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ecovered terrace, awning, sheltered porch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003edirect hose spraying, pond edge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIP65\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ewater jets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eexposed facade, wall light under an overhang, garden spotlight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eimmersion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIP67\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003etemporary immersion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epoolside, heavy rain area, ground fixture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eprolonged immersion under several metres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDo you need an IP67 bulb for a garden fixture?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNot systematically. A fixture fixed high on a facade, under a roof overhang, will never see immersion: protection against splashes is enough, and it is the quality of the seal that makes the difference. On the other hand, a spotlight placed on the ground, in the grass or at the edge of a pond, receives rainwater and splashes from below. There, strong protection becomes a sensible choice. Over-protecting a sheltered terrace does no harm, but does not replace a properly closed fixture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"piscine\"\u003eCan you install a waterproof LED outdoor bulb near a pool?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYes, provided you respect the zone defined around the pool and choose high protection against water and splashes. Salt, chlorine and sea spray attack the finishes: a glass bulb and a well-closed fixture age better than an open model. The bulb is changed with the power off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWaterproof LED outdoor bulbs for pools: what matters around the pool\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAround a pool, water does not only come from the sky: it sprays from splashes, runs down the coping stones, stagnates in the hollows. A fixture facing the pool receives these splashes with every swim. Favour a housing that closes completely, a shade that protects the globe, and a bulb whose base stays dry. Screw-in models, which can be found among \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-culot-e27\"\u003eE27 screw sockets\u003c\/a\u003e, equip most terrace wall lights and lanterns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSalt, chlorine and sea spray: why the material of the bulb matters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSalt leaves a white film on surfaces, chlorine attacks metals, permanent humidity corrodes the contacts. A glass bulb can be rinsed with clear water without losing its transparency, and a well-protected socket stays sheltered. A soft cloth after rinsing is enough; abrasive products scratch the globe and permanently dull the light rendering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"culot\"\u003eWhich base should you choose for an outdoor bulb: E27, E14, GU10 or GU5?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe base depends only on the socket of the fixture, never on the place of installation. E27 and E14 are screw sockets, very common on wall lights and lanterns; GU10 and GU5 are pin sockets, common on recessed spotlights and floodlights. You remove the old bulb to read the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eE27 and E14: the screw sockets of wall lights and lanterns\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eWhich base for which outdoor fixture\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBase\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eType of socket\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFixtures concerned\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePoint of vigilance\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eE27\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003escrew, large diameter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ewall lights, lanterns, terrace pendants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003echeck the height available under the shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eE14\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003escrew, small diameter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003esmall wall lights, garden lamp posts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ecompact format, to be reserved for small volumes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGU10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epin, 230 V mains\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003erecessed spotlights, floodlights, terrace ceiling lights\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003edo not confuse with a low-voltage GU5 base\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGU5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epin, 12 V low voltage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003espotlights on a transformer, recessed terrace lights\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003echeck the presence and condition of the transformer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGU10 and GU5: the pin sockets of outdoor spotlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA terrace spotlight is removed with a quarter turn, without screws: that is the sign of a pin base. The GU10 connects directly to the mains, whereas the GU5 runs on low voltage and depends on a transformer, often housed in the fixture or upstream on the circuit. Before ordering, compare the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-led-gu5\"\u003eGU5 LED bulbs for spotlights\u003c\/a\u003e with the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-led-220v\"\u003e230 V bulbs connected to the mains\u003c\/a\u003e. A tired low-voltage spotlight is often diagnosed at the transformer rather than at the bulb: the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-led-12v\"\u003e12 V low-voltage models\u003c\/a\u003e change nothing if the power supply is the cause.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"couleur\"\u003eWarm white 2700 K or 3000 K: which light for the evening?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e2700 K gives a golden light, close to living room lighting, which flatters stone facades and foliage. 3000 K stays warm but appears a little crisper, useful for lighting a passage or steps. The two go well together; it is better to keep the same temperature on the same facade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA single colour temperature per facade\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTwo sources of different temperatures on the same wall create patches: a yellow zone next to a whiter zone, and the eye reads a mistake rather than an effect. So choose one shade per facade, then vary the wattages. On a path or a staircase, a slightly crisper light helps to place your foot; on a terrace dining corner, the golden shade remains more comfortable. The \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-2700k\"\u003e2700 K warm white bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e and the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-3000k\"\u003e3000 K bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e are easy to compare side by side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAmber bulb or warm white: which effect in the garden?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmber glass makes the bulb visible and decorative: in a lantern or a string of lights, it creates a warm halo that structures the garden without lighting it strongly. Warm white, on the other hand, really lights: it draws a path, highlights a shrub, makes a step safe. Many outdoor settings combine the two, amber for atmosphere, warm white for circulation. See the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-a-filament\"\u003ebulbs with visible filament\u003c\/a\u003e for a deliberately vintage rendering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"entretien\"\u003eHow do you install and maintain a waterproof LED outdoor bulb?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou switch off the power at the circuit breaker before unscrewing the old bulb, then screw in the new one without forcing. The seal of the fixture is cleaned once or twice a year to remove dust and sand, and the shade is rinsed with clear water. A bulb that blackens or flickers is replaced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eChanging an outdoor bulb without damaging the seal\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLocate the seal before opening: a flexible ring housed in the groove of the shade or the cover. When removing it, lay it flat, without pinching it. When reassembling, the shade must close completely, without a hard point; if it resists, the seal has slipped. Also respect the maximum wattage marked in the fixture, it protects the housing and the seal from heat. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-led-a-variateur\"\u003eDimmable bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e remain an option if your installation has a dimmer control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMistakes to avoid: bulb too powerful, fixture badly closed, dirty seal\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThree causes explain most failures: a bulb more powerful than the fixture accepts, a cover closed crookedly, a dirty seal that lets water through. A bulb that flickers or whose base blackens is replaced, without waiting. For indoors, the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules-pour-salon\"\u003ebulbs designed for the living room\u003c\/a\u003e remind us that outdoor use cannot be transposed: neither the protection nor the material are the same. The \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003efull range of home light fixtures\u003c\/a\u003e catalogue lets you make the link between a housing and its bulb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSecure payment, tracked delivery, returns and Designix customer service: you order the bulb that matches your socket, and you write to us if doubt persists about the base. The \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ampoules\"\u003ebulb catalogue\u003c\/a\u003e remains the entry point for comparing formats before confirming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions about waterproof LED outdoor bulbs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eCan a waterproof LED outdoor bulb stay outside all year round?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt all depends on the ingress protection rating of the fixture and its exposure: a wall light under an awning sees less water than a spotlight at the edge of a pond. A bulb whose rating is lower than that of its location ends up oxidising at the base. The seal and the shade require regular cleaning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eWhat is the best outdoor bulb?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe one that matches the location, the base and the use. A very well-protected bulb that lights poorly disappoints as much as a bright model left out in the rain. So cross-check the ingress protection rating of the fixture, the socket format and the desired colour temperature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eWhich base should you choose for a waterproof LED outdoor bulb?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe base is read on the socket of the fixture, not on the place of installation. E27 and E14 are screw sockets found on wall lights and lanterns; GU10 and GU5 are pin sockets, frequent on recessed spotlights and floodlights. Remove the old bulb to note the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eWarm white 2700 K or 3000 K to light a terrace in the evening?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2700 K gives a golden light that flatters stone and foliage, close to living room lighting. 3000 K stays warm but appears a little crisper, practical for a passage or steps. It is better to keep the same temperature on the same facade to avoid patches of colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eHow do you change an outdoor bulb without damaging the sealing?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSwitch off the power at the circuit breaker, unscrew or unclip the old bulb, then refit the new one without forcing the seal. Check that the shade closes completely and that the bulb wattage stays within the limit marked in the fixture. A pinched seal lets water in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"CollectionPage\",\"name\":\"Waterproof LED outdoor bulbs: choosing well according to the room and the exposure\",\"description\":\"Choosing a waterproof LED outdoor bulb: IP rating, E27 or GU10 base, warm white light and installation on a terrace, in a garden or by a pool.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/ampoules-d-exterieur-led-etanches\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"name\":\"Designix\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\"},\"speakable\":{\"@type\":\"SpeakableSpecification\",\"cssSelector\":[\"h1\",\"h2\"]}},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Lighting\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/luminaire\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Bulbs\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/ampoules\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Waterproof LED outdoor bulbs: choosing well according to the room and the exposure\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/ampoules-d-exterieur-led-etanches\"}]},{\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the best outdoor bulb?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"There is no best bulb in the absolute: the right bulb is the one whose ingress protection rating matches the location, whose base fits the socket and whose light suits the moment of use. A very well-protected model that lights poorly disappoints as much as a bright model left out in the rain.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the difference between IP44 and IP67?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The first digit indicates protection against solids, the second against water. IP44 protects against splashes from all directions, IP67 protects against temporary immersion. In between, IP65 covers water jets. A fixture on a sheltered terrace is often satisfied with IP44; a poolside requires more.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Which base should you choose for a waterproof LED outdoor bulb?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The base is read on the socket of the fixture, not on the place of installation. E27 and E14 are screw sockets found on wall lights and lanterns; GU10 and GU5 are pin sockets, frequent on recessed spotlights and floodlights. Remove the old bulb to note the base.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can you install a waterproof LED outdoor bulb for a pool?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, by choosing high protection against water and splashes and by respecting the zone defined around the pool. Salt, chlorine and sea spray attack the finishes: a glass bulb in a well-closed fixture ages better than an open model. The change is made with the power off.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can a waterproof LED outdoor bulb stay outside all year round?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It all depends on the ingress protection rating of the fixture and its exposure: a wall light under an awning sees less water than a spotlight at the edge of a pond. A bulb whose rating is lower than that of its location ends up oxidising at the base. The seal and the shade require regular cleaning.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Warm white 2700 K or 3000 K to light a terrace in the evening?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"2700 K gives a golden light that flatters stone and foliage, close to living room lighting. 3000 K stays warm but appears a little crisper, practical for a passage or steps. It is better to keep the same temperature on the same facade to avoid patches of colour.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How do you change an outdoor bulb without damaging the sealing?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Switch off the power at the circuit breaker, unscrew or unclip the old bulb, then refit the new one without forcing the seal. Check that the shade closes completely and that the bulb wattage stays within the limit marked in the fixture. A pinched seal lets water in.\"}}]}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","products":[],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/8598\/2228\/collections\/designix-entete-ampoules-d-exterieur-led-etanches-v1.jpg?v=1792525128","url":"https:\/\/designix-lighting.com\/collections\/waterproof-led-outdoor-bulbs.oembed","provider":"Designix","version":"1.0","type":"link"}