Is COB Light Good for a Bathroom?

Designing bathroom lighting is challenging. The wrong choice leads to poor visibility and potential safety risks. Understanding your options is the first step to creating a perfectly lit, safe space.

Yes, COB lights can be an an excellent choice for a bathroom, but only if they are properly rated and installed. You must use COB fixtures with a high IP rating, like IP65 for shower areas, to ensure they are protected from water and steam.

But choosing the right COB light is more complicated than it seems. The term "waterproof" can be misleading, and many factors beyond the light itself affect safety and longevity. As someone who has spent years manufacturing these products, I've seen where things can go wrong. Let's break down what you, as a purchasing manager, truly need to know to source the right lighting for your projects.

What type of lighting is best for a bathroom?

Choosing bathroom lighting often feels overwhelming. With so many options, picking the wrong one can result in a space that is either too dark or uncomfortably bright and functional.

The best approach is a layered lighting strategy¹. This involves combining different types of light to serve different purposes. Use a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting², primarily with efficient and long-lasting LED fixtures³, to create a functional and inviting atmosphere.

A well-lit bathroom isn't about a single, bright overhead light. It’s about creating layers that work together. I always advise my clients to think about the bathroom in terms of activities. This helps clarify what kind of light is needed and where.

Three Layers of Light

The key is to combine three distinct lighting layers⁴. Each layer has a specific job, and when they work in sync, the result is a perfectly illuminated space. Think of it as building a complete lighting profile for the room.

For task lighting⁵ around the mirror, the goal is to eliminate shadows on the face. Placing fixtures on either side of the mirror is much more effective than a single light from above. For ambient lighting⁶, I often suggest using recessed COB downlights⁷s](https://www.goldmedalindia.com/blog/panel-light-vs-cob-light-guide/)%%%FOOTNOTE_REF_8%%% with a wider beam angle to fill the room with comfortable, even light. Finally, a waterproof COB⁹ spotlight can be a fantastic accent light inside a shower niche, adding a touch of luxury and drama. It’s this combination that turns a basic bathroom into a high-end experience.

Which is better COB or panel light?

Are you deciding between COB downlights and LED panel lights? The choice can drastically change the look and feel of a room, and people often assume they are interchangeable.

COB lights¹⁰ offer a focused, intense beam similar to a halogen lamp, making them perfect for accenting and task lighting. Panel lights produce a wide, soft, and uniform light, ideal for general ambient illumination. The "better" option depends entirely on your specific lighting objective.

In my years of helping clients like Shaz specify products, this question comes up constantly. The answer isn't about which technology is superior overall, but which is the right tool for the job. You wouldn't use a hammer to turn a screw. Similarly, you shouldn't use a panel light where you need the dramatic punch of a COB spotlight.

A Head-to-Head Comparison

To make the right choice, you have to understand their fundamental differences in performance and application. I've broken this down into a simple table based on the key characteristics I discuss with my partners.

For a bathroom, I often recommend a hybrid approach. For example, use a few strategically placed COB downlights over the shower and a vanity area to provide strong, focused light where it's needed most. Then, for the main central area, a small, flat panel light can provide soft, general light that makes the room feel open and comfortable. This way, you get the best of both worlds: the targeted functionality of COB and the comfortable ambiance of a panel. It all comes back to that layered lighting strategy.

Are COB lights waterproof?

You see "waterproof" on a COB light's packaging. But you're right to be skeptical. What does that claim really mean for a humid, wet environment like a bathroom?

Not all COB lights¹⁰ are waterproof. Their resistance to water is defined by an IP (Ingress Protection) rating. For bathrooms, you need a minimum of IP44 in general areas and a much stronger IP65 or higher for zones directly exposed to water sprays, like showers.

This is one of the most critical areas where I see sourcing go wrong. A purchasing manager might specify "waterproof COB downlight" but receive a product that fails within a year. The problem is that "waterproof" is a marketing term, not a technical specification. The truth is in the details, especially the IP rating¹¹ and the quality of construction.

The IP Rating Game

An IP rating has two numbers. The first digit is for protection against solids (like dust), and the second is for protection against liquids. For a bathroom, the second digit is what truly matters.

• IP44: Protects against splashes of water. This is fine for a downlight in the middle of a large bathroom ceiling, far from the shower.
• IP65: Protects against jets of water. This is the minimum you should accept for any light installed directly over a shower or bath. It's designed to withstand direct spray.

Some manufacturers will label an IP44 light as "bathroom-rated," which is technically true but misleading if you plan to install it in a wet zone.

What to Look for Beyond the Label

From my experience in the factory, I can tell you that a product's true waterproof capability comes from things you can't see on a spec sheet.

1. The Seal is Everything: The gasket or sealing ring is the light's primary defense. Low-cost products use cheap rubber or PVC seals. In a hot, steamy bathroom, these will harden, crack, and fail within a year or two, losing their sealing ability completely. I insist on using high-grade silicone seals in our IP65-rated products because they remain flexible and effective for years.
2. The Driver Matters: The IP rating on a light fixture almost never applies to the external driver (the power supply). If the driver is not also waterproof and you place it in a damp ceiling void, it's a major failure point. Water vapor will get in and cause a short circuit.
3. Mismarked Ratings: It's an unfortunate truth that some products are marked IP65 without proper testing or construction. They may look sealed, but the joints and cable entries are weak points. Always ask for test reports from your supplier to verify their claims.

What type of light is best over a shower?

When choosing a light for over a shower, safety is the top priority. Water and electricity are a dangerous mix, making this the most demanding lighting position in the entire house.

The best light for over a shower is a dedicated recessed downlight with a minimum IP65 rating. This ensures it is protected from direct water jets. A COB downlight is an excellent choice for this, providing bright, focused light to illuminate the space effectively.

I cannot stress this enough: installation is just as important as the product itself. I've seen perfectly good IP65-rated lights fail because the installer made simple mistakes. A high-quality product can be rendered useless if it's not fitted correctly, and I always make sure to provide clear installation guidelines to my partners to prevent this.

The Critical Role of Installation

Even a top-quality IP65-rated light will fail if it isn't installed with care. The entire system—light, driver, and wiring—must be protected from moisture. Here are the common failure points I've seen in the field.

1. Improper Gasket Seal: The IP65 rating depends on the silicone gasket being compressed firmly and evenly against the ceiling surface. If the hole cut into the ceiling is too large, or if the installer doesn't tighten the fixture correctly, a gap is created. This gap acts as a direct channel for steam and water to bypass the seal and enter the ceiling void, where the driver is located.
2. Unprotected Wiring: The IP rating only covers the lamp housing. It does not cover the connection between the lamp and the mains power. If an installer simply twists the wires together and wraps them with standard electrical tape, moisture will eventually seep in and cause corrosion or a short circuit. All connections must be made inside a waterproof junction box or with waterproof connectors.
3. Driver Placement: The driver is the heart of the LED fixture, but it is often the most vulnerable part. Most standard drivers are not waterproof. Placing a non-rated driver in the damp, humid space above a shower ceiling is asking for trouble. Ensure the driver is either IP-rated itself or placed in a location well away from any potential moisture.

When sourcing for shower lighting¹², you need to think beyond the fixture. You need to consider the entire installation process. Providing your contractors with a complete kit—an IP65 COB light, an IP-rated driver, and waterproof connectors—is the only way to guarantee a safe and durable installation.

Conclusion

In summary, COB lights are a great option for bathrooms, providing quality and focused light. However, success depends on choosing the right IP rating for each zone and ensuring meticulous installation.