Choosing off-road lights is confusing because there are so many types: LED light bars, driving lights, pod lights, work lights, rock lights and more. Each one does a different job, and the right choice depends on your vehicle, how you drive and where you camp. This guide answers the questions we hear most from Canadian overlanders and off-roaders, from "what's the difference between a light bar and driving lights?" to "what size light bar do I need?" Prices are in CAD as listed at Union Overland in October 2026.
The 22" Siberia XP Single Row LED light bar.
What Are the Main Types of Off-Road Lights?
| Type | Best for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| LED light bars | Wide, bright coverage ahead of the vehicle; bumper, grille or roof mounting | 22" Siberia XP Single Row ($499) |
| Driving lights | Long-range, focused light down the trail | 9" Siberia X Driving Light ($749) |
| Pod lights | Small auxiliary lights, ditch lights and fill light to the sides | Siberia 3" XP Qube ($209) |
| Work and scene lights | Lighting up camp, the sides and the rear of the vehicle | 11" Siberia Next Level Work Light ($489) |
What Is the Difference Between a Light Bar and Driving Lights?
A light bar is a long strip of LEDs that throws a wide band of light. Driving lights are compact round or square lamps with reflectors or optics aimed to project a focused beam far down the road or trail. Many drivers run both: a driving light or two for distance, and a bar for width.
Light bars give you more coverage per dollar and are easier to mount in one place. Driving lights are better when you want to reach as far ahead as possible. For example, the 9" Siberia Skylord ($819) is listed with a view of up to 768 meters in Xperience mode.
Spot vs Flood vs Combo: Which Beam Pattern Do You Need?
- Spot (long-range): a narrow, concentrated beam that reaches far ahead. Good for high-speed or open-country driving. Example: 7" Round Siberia Night Ranger Spot ($299).
- Flood (wide): a wide, even spread of light close to the vehicle. Good for slow, technical trails, camp and work areas. Example: 11" Siberia Next Level Work Light, Single Row Flood ($489).
- Combo: a mix of both, so you get distance and width from one light. Example: the 22" Siberia Night Guard Double Row ($839) is listed with a combo beam pattern.
If you only buy one bar, a combo or extended-beam pattern is the safest choice for mixed driving. Add flood lights for camp and slow trails.
What Size LED Light Bar Do I Need?
The best size depends on where you're mounting it and how much room you have. We carry bars from 10" to 50", plus longer roof bars. Here are examples of single-row bars across the range:
| Size | Example | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| 12" | 12" Siberia E-Marked Single Row | $289 |
| 22" | 22" Siberia XP Single Row | $499 |
| 32" | 32" Siberia XPA Single Row | $699 |
| 42" | 42" Siberia XP Single Row | $899 |
| 50" | 50" Siberia XPA Single Row | $1,099 |
As a rule of thumb, shorter bars (10" to 22") suit bumpers, grilles and tight mounting spots, while longer bars (30" and up) are usually roof-mounted. Measure your mounting area first. We also carry roof bars in 24", 48" and 72" lengths.
Single Row vs Double Row Light Bar: Which Is Better?
A double-row bar packs more LEDs into the same length, so it puts out more light, and it costs more. A single-row bar is slimmer, cheaper and still plenty bright for most trail driving. For example, the 22" Siberia XP comes in a single row ($499) and a double row ($699), and the 32" Siberia XPA comes in a single row ($699) and a double row ($1,099). Curved versions, like the 22" Siberia XP Single Row Curved ($599), follow the shape of a bumper or roofline.
What Do "Xperience Mode" and "E-Mode" Mean?
Many Siberia lights have two modes. E-mode is the E-approved, road-style output. Xperience mode is the high-output mode for off-road use. The listed numbers show how big the difference is:
- 22" Siberia XP Single Row: 1,875 lumens and a 300 m range (1 lux) in E-mode, versus 7,150 lumens and 602 m in Xperience mode.
- 32" Siberia XPA Single Row: 1,750 lumens and 300 m in E-mode, versus 10,950 lumens and 734 m in Xperience mode.
These are the manufacturer's listed figures. Always check the product page for your exact light.
Are LED Light Bars Street Legal in Canada?
It depends on the light and your province, so we can't give a one-size-fits-all answer. Some lights are E-marked, which means they're approved to a European (ECE) standard, but that doesn't automatically make them legal on the road everywhere in Canada. For example, our 30" Titanium E-Marked Single Row is listed as street legal except in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the U.S., with a note to always check local laws. Check your province's rules before you wire any light for on-road use, and use the high-output modes off-road.
What Are Pod Lights Used For?
Pod lights are small, compact lights that you can mount almost anywhere: ditch lights on the A-pillar or hood, fog lights, or fill light at the sides. The Siberia 3" XP Qube ($209) is listed at 3,150 actual lumens with a 151 m range, and Siberia describes it as a smaller driving light or ditch light. The Siberia XP Red Panda ($179) is a pod-sized work light with the same listed output, and can also be mounted as a driving light on smaller vehicles. Browse all pod lights.
What Are the Best Lights for Camp?
Flood-pattern work lights and low-powered scene lights are the best fit, because you want wide, even light around the vehicle instead of a long beam. Options include:
- 11" Siberia Next Level Work Light ($489): a single-row flood bar listed at 9,200 lumens. Siberia says it provides the same power as four standard 2,000-lumen work lights.
- Unity Rock Lights ($117): small, wide-beam lights listed at 340 actual lumens and IP69K, with three included rubber brackets, for lighting the ground and sides.
- Unity Scene/Reverse Light ($117) for scene and reverse lighting.
See all work and scene lights. Pair them with a rooftop tent and an awning for a complete camp: see our awning guide.
Are Off-Road Lights Built for Canadian Winters?
The Siberia and Unity lights featured above are listed with IP67 to IP69K protection against dust and water, and the listed operating temperature range for the 22" Siberia XP is -30°C to +65°C. Housings are aluminum with polycarbonate lenses. The Siberia Skylord is also described with a special coating for salt and dirt. Check each product page for the exact specs of your light.
How Much Power Does a Light Bar Draw?
It depends on the light and the mode. The 22" Siberia XP Single Row is listed at 102 W in Xperience mode, which is roughly 8.5 amps at 12 V, and the 32" Siberia XPA Single Row at 166 W, roughly 13.8 amps. Use a proper harness or relay and fuse sized for the load. The 22" Siberia XP has an integrated relay and a 2,500 mm cable, while many other lights are sold individually without a harness, so check what's included.
What Wiring and Brackets Do I Need?
- Wiring harnesses: many Siberia lights are sold individually and don't include a harness. Check the product page for the harness that fits, and browse switches, wiring and lens covers, including a three-lamp harness ($189) and DT4 extension cables.
- Brackets: the Siberia Professional Universal Bracket Kit ($89) lets you choose the distance between two brackets and fits all LED bars in the Strands range. Browse mounting brackets.
- Lens covers: clear and yellow lens covers protect the lens and change the light's colour, in the switches, wiring and lens covers collection.
Example Off-Road Lighting Setups
- Starter trail setup: 22" Siberia XP Single Row ($499), a good all-round bar for a bumper or grille.
- Trail and ditch setup: 22" Siberia XP Single Row ($499) + two Siberia 3" XP Qubes ($209 each = $418) = $917 before harness and taxes.
- Camp setup: 11" Siberia Next Level Work Light ($489) + Unity Rock Lights ($117) = $606 before harness and taxes.
Not sure what fits your vehicle? Contact us and we'll help you choose.
Off-Road Lights FAQ
What is the best off-road light bar size?
It depends on where it mounts. A 20" to 22" bar is a common choice for bumpers and grilles, and 30" and longer bars suit the roof. Measure your mounting area first.
Are driving lights better than a light bar?
Neither is better overall. Driving lights reach farther with a focused beam, and a light bar gives you wider coverage. Many setups use both.
What is the difference between spot and flood lights?
A spot light is a narrow, long-range beam, and a flood light is a wide, close-range beam. A combo pattern gives you some of each.
Do I need a relay or wiring harness?
Usually yes. Some lights, like the 22" Siberia XP, have an integrated relay, and others are sold without a harness. Check your light's product page.
Can I use off-road lights on the road?
Only if the light is approved for on-road use where you live. Rules vary by province, so check local laws and use the high-output modes off-road only.
Will off-road lights work in the cold?
The Siberia lights featured here are listed with IP67 to IP69K protection, and the 22" Siberia XP is listed for -30°C to +65°C operation. Check the specs for your exact light.
Shop Off-Road Lighting at Union Overland
Ready to light up the trail? Browse LED light bars, driving lights, pod lights, work and scene lights, switches and wiring and mounting brackets, or contact us and we'll help you build the right setup for your vehicle.