The Jeep Wrangler is one of the iconic vehicles on the road! But, that doesn’t mean it can’t benefit from some aftermarket upgrades.
A new set of LED tail lights can make all the difference on the road. Not only do they improve your Wrangler’s visibility, but they also add plenty of style!
But before you get too eager, you need to choose the right tail lights! The best Jeep Wrangler LED tail lights will complement your vehicle, offer easy installation, and provide the enhanced visibility you’re after. Here are some of our favorite LED tail lights. Check out our comparison chart and buying guide below!
5 of the Best Aftermarket Jeep Wrangler LED Tail Lights
1. Audexen Smoke Lens LED Tail Lights – Best All-Around Product
2. Xprite 4D Smoke Lens LED Tail Lights – Best for High Visibility
3. SPL Tail Lights – Best Choice for All-Weather Protection
4. LX-LIGHT Smoke Lens LED Tail Lights – Cool Appearance
5. J.W. Speaker 0347531 Model 279 J Tail Lights – Best for Off-Road Durability
Contents
- 5 of the Best Aftermarket Jeep Wrangler LED Tail Lights
- 1. Audexen Smoke Lens LED Tail Lights – Best All-Around Product
- 2. Xprite 4D Smoke Lens LED Tail Lights – Best for High Visibility
- 3. SPL Tail Lights – Best Choice for All-Weather Protection
- 4. LX-LIGHT Smoke Lens LED Tail Lights
- 5. J.W. Speaker 0347531 Model 279 J Tail Lights – Best for Off-Road Durability
- What is LED Technology?
- What Do You Have to Gain from LED Tail Lights?
- What to Look
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Below is a list of the best Jeep Wrangler LED tail lights.
1. Audexen Smoke Lens LED Tail Lights – Best All-Around Product
Compatible with Jeep Wrangler JK/JKU 2007-2018
Check out these beautifully built tail lights from Audexen. With a rugged and streamlined design, they will enhance the look of your Wrangler! The exterior lens is smoked, giving it a blacked-out look during the day. But when the lights illuminate, bands of LED light create a modern look that complements your Jeep.
Overall, these tail lights are worth looking into. They check off all the boxes and can serve most Wrangler owners very well.
- Easy to install
- Stylish light patterns
- Weather protected
- Integrated water valve
- Anti-flicker resistor built in
- Super bright
- Not compatible with all Wrangler models
2. Xprite 4D Smoke Lens LED Tail Lights – Best for High Visibility
Compatible with Jeep Wrangler JK/JKU 2007-2018
At face value, these lights are much simpler than the previous ones. They don’t have any fancy LED bars or complex designs. However, the no-frills look does offer great visibility in tough conditions.
To top it all off, the tail lights have a standard reflector on the front and additional lights on the side. That way, drivers can see your rear regardless of where they are approaching from! These additional features do a lot to improve visibility in any weather condition.
- Ultra-clear 4D lens
- 3 times brighter than incandescent lights
- Side lights and reflectors
- Durable materials throughout
- Built-in resistor
- Easy install process
- Prone to fit issues
3. SPL Tail Lights – Best Choice for All-Weather Protection
Compatible with Jeep Wrangler JK/JKU 2007-2017
Need some tail lights that can serve you well through any weather? The SPL dot lights have you covered. They look like any classic aftermarket tail lights. With a traditional design, they fit onto Wranglers without any issues. But, these lights are hiding one unique feature.
Inside the light, there’s even a valve to prevent fogging. These features help provide additional clarity and prevent you from having to remove the light to drain water.
These tail lights come highly recommended. They offer good fitment and easy to install. Thanks to the built-in load resistor, they work well on older Wranglers, too!
- Waterproof seal
- Plug-and-go installation
- Anti-fog features
- Simple and classic design
- Super-bright reverse lights
- Easy install process
- Turning indicators may flicker
4. LX-LIGHT Smoke Lens LED Tail Lights
Compatible with Jeep Wrangler JK/JKU 2007-2017
Before you start thinking about making any major modifications to your Jeep to make an upgrade, consider trying these tail lights. They have a sleek and modern look. But that’s not what’s most appealing. Inside, these tail lights have some great technology that improves compatibility across the board.
On top of those must-have features, these tail lights also have good durability. They have an IP67 waterproof rating, a hidden heatsink to prevent overheating, and a breathing valve to avoid condensation. No matter where you go, these tail lights have the features you need to address any issue that might come up.
- Prevents hyperflashing
- Wide compatibility
- Good weather protection
- Durable materials
- Sleek design
- Connectors may require additional security
5. J.W. Speaker 0347531 Model 279 J Tail Lights – Best for Off-Road Durability
Compatible with Jeep Wrangler JK/JKU 2007-2017
Here are some tail lights that offer off-road appeal. The housing is quite robust. It features a contoured design and thick plastic construction that can withstand a lot of wear and tear!
LED technology offers good visibility. In fact, these tail lights use a cool light blade feature that can cut through weather without any issue. It offers superb visibility, which may help other drivers spot you even in off-road conditions.
All in all, these lights are still worth looking into. With their durable build, they’re a good investment for off-road junkies!
- Rugged housing
- Contoured design
- Bright light blade
- Preinstalled resistor
- Easy installation
- Limited compatibility
- Some may experience fit issues
What is LED Technology?
LED lighting is nothing new. It’s been around for more than half a century! However, the technology is becoming more and more prevalent in the automotive world.
In fact, many big-name manufacturers are starting to implement them at the factory. Even Jeep is starting to use LED technology in high-end builds for newer models.
But what exactly is LED?
LED stands for light-emitting diode. Generally, LED lights will contain several tiny diodes. If you take a close look at an aftermarket tail light, you’ll notice small dots that the light emits from.
Without getting too deep into the technical details, those individual diodes act as a semiconductor that emits visible light whenever an electrical current passes through it.
This is a bit different than halogen or high-intensity discharge lamps. Traditional lights need a filament or gas combustion to turn on. As a result, they produce heat. Incandescent bulbs with filaments can waste up to 90 percent of the electricity they consume on generating heat alone!
With LEDs, that’s not the case. LEDs use only about 5 percent for heat, leaving the remaining 95 percent on illumination!
The finished product is an energy-efficient lighting source. But that’s not the only benefit LED technology has to offer.
What Do You Have to Gain from LED Tail Lights?
There’s a lot to love about LED tail lights. Not only is the technology more advanced and energy-efficient, but they offer more benefits all around. Here are just a few notable advantages you can take advantage of.
Better Visibility
There’s no denying that LED lights are brighter than traditional halogen lights. LED tail lights consist of several tiny diodes as opposed to a single bulb. Plus, they produce a far cooler tone.
As a result, your brake lights, signal lights, and backup lights will offer more intensity than ever before. That benefits both you and other drivers around you.
Longer Lasting
Another big perk of LED tail lights is their longevity. On average, LED tail lights will last about 10 years before they need to be replaced. If you’re not a heavy driver, they will last even longer!
That’s a far cry from the five to six years of traditional incandescent bulbs.
Enhanced Durability
Finally, LED tail lights are simply more durable. Whether you’re driving on smooth pavement or exploring off-road terrain, your lights are subjected to tons of vibrations.
Incandescent bulbs utilize delicate filaments that damage pretty easily. LED lights will resist vibrations, ensuring that they last as long as possible.
What to Look
As we mentioned earlier, not every pair of tail lights you see are going to work with your Wrangler. Your Jeep is a work of art already! The last thing you want to do is invest in tail lights that detract from its rugged nature.
To avoid that, here are some important things to consider while you shop.
Plug and Play Installation
The first and most important thing to look into is the installation process. Ideally, it should only take you a few minutes!
Modern Wranglers are equipped with everything you need to connect new tail lights. So, the process is a matter of plugging everything in! Look for units that come with the components you need, such as wiring harnesses and installation hardware.
Now, not all lights are going to be this simple. Some will require modification of your Jeep. It’s best to avoid those!
Older wranglers might not have the electrical lines to support LED lights, too. In those cases, you could end up dealing with issues like hyperflashing.
Luckily, that’s a pretty simple fix with additional resistors. Make sure that the tail lights you choose have them in the box for simplicity!
Light Output
Next, you need to think about the output of the lights. In many cases, aftermarket manufacturers will provide a lumen rating to give you a better idea of what to expect in terms of brightness. The higher the lumen rating, the better. But, make sure you understand any local laws governing tail light brightness first.
Also, pay close attention to the Kelvin rating. You might see taillights labeled as 6000K or 8000K.
This measurement refers to the color temperature the lights are producing. Interestingly enough, a lower rating is best. 6000K LED lights are usually the go-to, as they provide intense full-spectrum light.
Housing and Protection
Jeep Wranglers are rough-and-tumble vehicles that are supposed to take a beating. What good is that if you have weak and brittle tail lights?
Go for premium materials that can withstand anything your adventures throw at it! One of the most rugged materials out there is polycarbonate. However, other options, like ABS and PMMA, are good, too.
Fit and Compatibility
Of course, you can’t forget about fit. After going through all the trouble choosing the right tail lights for your needs, figuring out that your investment doesn’t fit right is not something you want to deal with. The same goes for having to make unnecessary modifications to get your aftermarket lights to fit!
Wranglers have boxy tail lights that look universal. However, you should always double-check that they fit your particular model and year. Always cross-reference to ensure that you’re getting lights that fit snuggly.
FAQs
1. Are LED tail lights better?
LED tail lights offer many benefits that traditional incandescent lights can’t replicate. For one, they are brighter and offer a different color temperature. That alone improves visibility across the board.
But on top of that, LED lights are also energy efficient and can last twice as long as incandescent alternatives!
2. Can I change my tail light myself?
In most cases, you should have no problem installing LED tail lights yourself! Plug-and-play units only require about 15 minutes and a screwdriver!
Of course, always go to a professional if you’re not comfortable doing the work yourself.
3. Can you drive a car with a broken tail light?
A broken tail light won’t affect your Jeep’s ability to drive. But, you will open yourself up to tickets and fines. Laws can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. But in most cases, you must have two working tail lights to be street-legal. If you have a broken light, get it repaired as soon as possible!
4. Can LED tail lights drain the battery?
Running any light will drain your battery if it’s on long enough. However, LED tail lights are said to be about 75 percent more energy efficient. They will still eat away your battery. But, unless you’re leaving the light on for several hours, it shouldn’t be a major problem!
Conclusion
Jeep Wranglers are some of the best vehicles on and off the road! Jeep goes to great lengths to ensure that every detail is up to snuff. But, some aftermarket LED tail lights can do a lot to take your ride to the next level.
Good LED tail lights will improve visibility while giving your Wrangler a brand-new look.
All of our recommended picks have a lot to offer. That said, the lights from Audexen are a clear cut above the rest. They have all the features you need to make your Jeep stand out. The smoky lens looks good during the daytime. Meanwhile, the creative design of the LEDs makes your Wrangler stand out at night. Pair that with the easy install, and you have some tail lights that are well worth the money!
Check them out yourself! You won’t be disappointed.
