Some of the best BBQs I have hosted have been after dusk affairs. What could be better than alfresco dining under the stars with a few select friends and a jug or two of sangria?
However, grilling the best steak in the dark is not always easy and more light is always handy. I’m not talking about a flashlight in your hand or your wife’s best indoor lamp but the best grill light.
Whether you’re looking for a waterproof grill light or a grill LED light that won’t melt, in this guide I have got you covered. Let’s take a look at the best BBQ grill light you can buy in 2023.
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Grill Lights For 2023
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best LED Grill Lights
Before choosing the best outdoor grill lights you will need to consider your present lighting conditions and how much extra light you really need? The last thing anybody wants is a Superbowl floodlight effect to kill the mood of the party.
How much can you adjust the light? Will it cover the entire grill or just a narrow beam which has to be focused on individual foods? Also, check it will fit your grill—some clamps may only fit circular handles or struggle with larger and thicker lids, (complete list of grills here).
Finally, consider the construction and whether it’s a waterproof grill light. There will be times when it rains at your party, not by choice of course, and you need to make sure your light can withstand the odd downpour. I always recommend bringing a grill light indoors when finished rather than tempting fate and leaving it in the outdoor elements.
Forensics reports have found most plastics will melt around the 100 degrees Fahrenheit point and certainly won’t withstand the 600+ degree temperature of BBQ. Although we’re not saying a lamp should be able to sit on the surface of the grill, it will need a solid construction of something like reinforced nylon to withstand higher temperatures.
The Best BBQ Grill Lights of 2023
With so many BBQ grill LED lights available it can be difficult to choose which is the best grill light for you. Below I take a look at some of the best waterproof grill lights and adjustable LED BBQ grill lights you can currently buy.
Best Overall—Zeust Sirius 1.0 Barbecue Grill Light
Where the Sirus 1.0 Barbecue Grill light stands out from the crowd is the durable nylon glass fiber construction which is both weather and heat resistant—this light isn’t going to melt when used too close to the grill!
With 10 LEDs, this outdoor light for BBQ has a luminous flux of 105 lumens which illuminates the entire grill surface. An adjustable zinc alloy clamp attaches to almost any grill handle and the light can be rotated 360 degrees or swivel 180 degrees horizontally.
A touch-sensitive on/off button and auto-off feature make this best grill light easy to use and also conserves the battery life for up to 50 hours. You have nothing to lose if you choose this grill LED light as the manufacturer offers a 60 days money back guarantee and it also comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Heat and weather resistant durable nylon glass fiber construction.
- Super bright white light illuminates the whole grill—uses 3 AA batteries (included).
- Easy to install with a screw clamp and fits any shape or type of grill handle.
- The auto-off feature means the battery last longer.
- Touch-sensitive controls for simple use.
Cons
- May struggle to fit handles with a diameter of more than 1.45 inches.
Best Grill Light for Weber Grills—Weber 7516 Grill Out Handle Light
The circular clamp of the Weber Grill Out Handle Light has been designed to perfectly fit the popular range of Genesis, Genesis II, Summit and Spirit grills. There’s nothing to stop you using it on other brands of grills with circular handles, and it’s surprisingly affordable for a Weber accessory.
Using glass-reinforced nylon makes this BBQ grill LED light both moisture and heat resistant, with LEDs which can illuminate for up to 10,000 hours. Three AAA batteries can light a square area of the grill for up to 20 hours before they need replacing.
A tilt sensor automatically dims the light when the grill is closed to save power and can help find the light by automatically turning on when the lid is lifted. Just remember to turn the light off manually when you’re done grilling.
If you already own a Weber grill, you won’t go far wrong with this LED grill handle light but for other grills, you may be better off considering an alternative clamping system.
Pros
- Glass reinforced nylon body for durability and heat and moisture resistance.
- Illuminates the whole square of the grill.
- Innovative tilt sensor to conserve battery life.
- Easy to install, especially on Weber gas grills.
Cons
- May not fit non-Weber grills to well, especially if the handle isn’t circular.
- The light is not glare-free.
Best Green Egg Grill Light—Innovations by Chance Grill Light for Big Green Egg
The Big Green Egg is one of the most popular grill/smoker combos in the US so why wouldn’t you make a grill LED light specifically for it? This product from Innovations is designed to fit the newer BGE with a 9-inch handle but can also be used on older models with a 4-inch handle.
A powder-coated bracket is fixed to the Big Green Egg handle to hold the LED grill light over the grill as the lid is opened. With the bracket attached to the handle, a canister containing 24 LEDs slides into the bracket, held in place by a magnet. Easily removed, you could also use the light as a portable flashlight to fit in your pocket.
Three AAA batteries power the LED lights which are adequate for enough unobstructed illumination of the entire cooking surface of your grill. Although the lens is polycarbonate for extra heat resistance, it’s advisable to remove the light when not in use to protect it from the elements or soaring heat of the “Egg”.
Pros
- Easy to install with corrosion resistant powder-coated bracket.
- 24 LEDs provide enough light for the whole grilling surface.
- Can also be detached as a pocket flashlight for finding your grill in night long smoke sessions.
- USA-made.
Cons
- Light-duty lamp cannister is not weatherproof or fully heat resistant.
- 3 AAA batteries not included.
- Not as sturdy as the Big Green Egg itself.
Best Gooseneck LED Grill Light—LED Concepts BBQ Grill Light 12 Super Bright LED
A popular alternative to a handle or hood mounted outdoor grill light is one which uses a gooseneck for a light which can be directed at any part of the grill. There may be plenty of gooseneck desk-style lights available, but I really like the two-way attachable base of this one—magnetic for metal grills or a built-in C-clamp for non-metal surfaces.
An aluminum 22-inch gooseneck allows for more clearance and a wider range than many other grill lights. 360-degree flexibility ensures you can put the light where it’s needed most. The aluminum weather resistant construction allows for use in wet weather, but it shouldn’t be permanently left outdoors.
Compared to plastic lights it has higher heat resistance, 12 LED lights are also power efficient and powered by 3 AAA batteries. The lightweight design of this LED light also makes it much more portable and it could even be used indoors as a desk lamp.
Pros
- Durable weather resistant aluminum design.
- A magnetic or C-clamp base for easy installation.
- Flexible long gooseneck for allowing the light to spread.
- Power efficient LED lights.
- Portable and lightweight.
Cons
- The magnet is not that strong.
- A narrower beam of light than other outdoor led grill lights.
Most Waterproof Grill Light—Life Mounts All Weather LED Barbecue Grill Light
When you are looking for the best outdoor grilling lights they don’t come much tougher than this heavy-duty, heat resistant, rubber coated light. This waterproof grill light won’t bend, warp or crack when exposed to even the highest temperatures.
Although it only has one LED lamp, it’s a very bright one at 300 lumens, it’s powered by a single AA battery with enough juice for 24 hours of continuous illumination. A velcro strap and universal flex mount made of durable rubber are easy to move and install on any grill for a 360 degrees rotation.
An adjustable lens at the front of the lamp allows for focusing on one piece of meat or floodlighting an entire area of a cooking surface. A side benefit of this grill LED light is you can detach it and use it as a personal reading lamp or even on your bicycle.
Pros
- Durable heat and weather resistant construction with a lifetime warranty.
- Longer lasting with only one LED and a single AA battery.
- The adjustable mount will fit almost any grill.
- Ultra bright with 300 lumens of LED light.
- Easy to set up.
- Budget price for grill LED light and a pocket torch in one.
Cons
- Cannot light up the entire grill surface, especially on larger grills.
- Velcro strap can sometimes cause the light to slip.
Conclusions
It’s much easier to flip a burger in the dark when you have the best BBQ grill light attached, rather than holding a flashlight in one hand. And it can also save an argument with the wife about dragging her best table lamp or uplighter out onto the patio.
Although our top pick is the same product offered by about 10 different manufacturers, I found the Zeust Sirius 1.0 Barbecue Grill Light was the only one which offered a 60-day money back guarantee. If that wasn’t enough, this BBQ grill LED light even comes with a lifetime warranty at a very affordable price.