There’s no way you could appreciate the incredible beauty of the underwater world without light. As you probably already know, natural sunlight light can’t illuminate big depths, even in broad daylight. That’s not to mention night time and deep underwater caves. The best scuba diving light, however, can help give you independence, allowing you to dive wherever, whenever.
If you don’t know which light to add to your diving gear, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, you’ll find our run-down of the best products on the market, in addition to information and tips about choosing and using the most adequate light while diving.
We know that buying the best scuba diving light can be confusing with so many brands and models available. So, we have picked some of the best products on the market and reviewed them so we can help you add the right one for your particular use.
1. BlueFire 1100 Lumen CREE XM-L2 Professional Diving Flashlight
This budget-friendly light is made of aircraft-grade aluminum alloy that resists corrosion and rust. It features three O-rings to protect the internal parts from water. With a Waterproof rating of IPX-8, this light can be safely taken to a depth of 80 feet or 100 meters underwater.
Thanks to the 1100 Lumens, this is an excellent choice for underwater photography. It’s also a great light to use in outdoor activities like camping, hunting, and hiking, so it’s good value for money. The light operates using a rechargeable lithium-ion battery or 3 AAA batteries, so it’s a versatile light to buy. However, it doesn’t come with any batteries or chargers.
The 1100-lumen LED provides a running time of 50,000 hours. It features three working modes; bright, dim, and strobe. However, every time you attempt to change the mode, you’ll have to switch it off, in darkness for a few seconds.
You can comfortably wear it and secure it around your wrist using the Velcro straps. The beam is not very wide, so it’s not the best light to explore caves. But the narrow beam will bring light to the underwater environment to take amazing pictures.
Things We Like
- Budget-friendly and durable aluminum alloy body.
- Waterproof rating IPX-8 to withstand the depth of 100 meters.
- 1100 Lumens LED that can last for 50,000 hours.
- Three working modes for various needs.
- You can wear it around your wrist.
Things We Don’t Like
- You must switch it off to change the light mode.
- The beam isn’t wide.
2. Underwater Kinetics SL4 eLED (L1) Dive Light
This scuba diving light is safe to take up to 500 feet or 152 meters underwater. It’s an excellent choice for cave explorers thanks to the 400 lumens. It runs for 10 hours on a 4C-cell battery.
It comes in four different colors to suit various diving needs, whether you want maximum discretion or prefer to be easily spotted by your diving mates. It’s a good choice for night divers, as it provides good brightness without having to worry about replacing the battery. It’s, however, more expensive than other models on the market.
The light features a toggle switch, so you can easily switch it on and off using one hand. It also comes with a wrist lanyard so you can quickly secure it around your wrist. The brightness level isn’t adjustable, so this is the light to use when you’re diving in pitch black darkness.
It’s quite easy to use with gloved hands, but no safety lock prevents you from accidentally switching it on. You should remove the battery when you’re not using it so that you don’t accidentally waste the charge.
Things We Like
- 400 lumens LED can run for 10 hours.
- Good choice for diving at night and exploring caves.
- Can be taken to the depth of 500 feet or 152 meters.
- Single-handed toggle on and off switch.
- Wrist lanyard so you can wear it.
Things We Don’t Like
- The brightness isn’t adjustable.
- No locking mechanism on the power switch to prevent accidental switching on.
3. Light and Motion SOLA Dive 1200 S/F
This compact diving light is the right choice for professionals who wish to record videos underwater. It weighs 285 grams and features two modes so you can pick the right one for your needs. You can use the 1200-lumen flood or 500-lumen spot mode to brighten the surroundings.
This light comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can run for up to 270 minutes, so you’ll never be in the darkness when you go underwater. It has a hand mount and the controls are intuitive so you can focus on taking photos and recording incredible videos.
The flood mode illuminates 60 degrees beam angle while the spot mode illuminates 12 degrees of your field of vision. When you wear the hand strap, you can effortlessly point your hand in the right direction, and you’ll immediately enjoy the bright colors.The focused beam isn’t as narrow as some divers might need it to be, and the lowest power setting isn’t low enough.
This light is expensive. This is why we think it’s suitable for professional photographers and serious divers. However, the locking mechanism is handy, guaranteeing that it will last for long. Moreover, if the battery runs out, you’ve got no option but to wait until it recharges because you can’t replace it.
Things We Like
- Versatile compact and lightweight light.
- Dual brightness mode.
- Potent locking mechanism.
- Intuitive controls.
- Adjustable hand-strap.
Things We Don’t Like
- Quite expensive.
- Batteries can’t be replaced with something else.
- Narrow beam isn’t very tight.
4. ORCATORCH D520 Compact Scuba Dive Light, 1000 Lumens
This mid-priced scuba diving light features strong 1000-lumen LED that can run up to 50,000 hours without dimming or fading. It comes with a rechargeable battery and a charger, and it can run for two continuous hours, making it a good primary or backup light for professional and amateur divers. It’s also compatible with several batteries.
It’s robust and can withstand the pressure and comes with durable O-rings so you can safely take it 150 meters underwater. It’s quite compact weighing only 113.5 grams. The light features an of beam angle, while the focused option gives you 12 degrees of beam angle. Thanks to the 5000K LED color temperature you’ll be able to enjoy the views, take amazing photos and record videos of the underwater world.
This portable light is suitable for fishing, swimming, archeological work, in addition to other outdoor activities like camping and hiking, providing light for up to 250 meters on land. The reflector is made of anodized aluminum alloy, and the lens is made of double-side coated glass, so it provides good light transmittance up to 91%. It features a rotary switch, so you might need both hands to switch it on and off.
is suitable for beginners and experienced divers offering good value for money. Installing the battery can be a little tricky, but it comes with the instructions manual to walk you through it.
The O-rings need to be regularly lubricated and kept away from the heat if you wish them to last for long. It doesn’t come with a wrist strap, but you can buy one if you want to keep your hands free.
Things We Like
- Lightweight and bright light that gives 1000 lumens.
- Can run up to 2 hours on a single charge.
- Two light options for use underwater and on land.
- Can be taken 150 meters underwater.
- Comes with a charger and features long-lasting LED life cycle.
Things We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t come with a wrist strap.
- Features a rotary switch.
5. Scuba Diving Flashlight Underwater Torch – Genwiss Led Handheld Portable Holder 3000 Lumen
This affordable light provides 3000 lumens that provide neutral white light. It features four light modes; high, low, strobe and SOS so you can use it underwater and in several outdoor activities. It’s a good choice for beginners because it’s easy to operate and charge.
This light features a side magnet that switches it on and off. It’s made of anodized aluminum, and the lens is made of shock-proof glass so it will last for long. It weighs about 170 grams, so it might not be the lightest option on the market, but it’s affordable and very well made.
The LED light can last up to 100,000 hours, and it comes with a battery and a charger. This is a good choice for divers who don’t want to go that deep underwater, so it’s a better choice for snorkeling. The light will provide illumination for a distance of 30 meters. It can safely go to the depth of 20 feet, but you shouldn’t take it deeper; otherwise, water will ruin it.
It can last up to three or four hours when used on the medium light setting, and up to 1.5 hours when used on the high setting. It can withstand the harsh outdoor conditions, but it’s not suitable for expert divers who wish to dive deep.
Things We Like
- Affordable bright light of 3000 lumens.
- Four different light settings.
- Long lasting LED will work up to 100,000 hours.
Things We Don’t Like
- Not suitable for deep dives.
- Doesn’t come with a wrist strap.
How to Choose the Best Scuba Diving Light?
There are certain features that characterize good scuba diving lights. You should think about them when you’re shopping for a new one.
Angle of Beam
This refers to how the light will disperse in front of you. A wide flood beam or angle will give you the widest field of view so you can enjoy the surroundings.
A narrow-angle of the beam will provide you with a spotted pillar of light that can be useful if you’re taking photos, recording videos, or looking at tight crevasses. Narrow angles are helpful, especially when you’re diving in low-visibility waters because they can help you see the details.
Batteries
If your battery dies or charges fast, you won’t be able to make the best of your underwater adventure. This is why you should think about the type of battery, how long it will last, how fast it charges, and how easy you can install or replace it when you’re shopping for an underwater light.
Lithium-ion batteries are eco-friendly and can be recycled after use. They last long and you can recharge them hundreds of times to operate your light. These batteries are quite expensive, and you’ll have to carry the charger if you wish to use the light several times. You might also struggle to bring them on a plane.
Alkaline batteries are affordable, easy to find and can be bought anywhere in the world. However, they’re not as powerful as lithium-ion batteries. They won’t also last as long.
Rechargeable batteries can be easily used several times. They’re not as expensive as lithium-ion batteries, but you’ll have to give them time to recharge between dives.
Burn Time
This refers to how much your light will stay functioning before the batteries run out. A scuba diving light with various light settings will help you increase or decrease the running time. Brighter light will make your battery die out faster.
You don’t always need the maximum number of lumens to see the surroundings. Decreasing the burn time by adjusting the brightness is a good choice for longer diving trips so you can avoid accidentally running out of light.
Light Location
A hand-held light will give you the option to direct it wherever you like. They can be used underwater to send signals to other divers and look at tight corners. They allow for maximum control, but your hand will be busy carrying the light.
A wrist-mounted light allows you to carry a camera comfortably underwater to take photos or record videos. You can point your hand or arm where you want to have more light, and it will illuminate the area around you. However, the light isn’t as easy to control.
Depth
This is an important piece of information that every diver should take into consideration before shopping for their scuba diving light. These lights are designed to be perfectly sealed so they can operate underwater.
However, some models are suitable for deeper dives. Others will only work perfectly for snorkeling and will get easily damaged when exposed to more pressure. Think of your diving experience, interests, and trip frequency then buy a light that caters to your specific needs.
How to Dive Without Disturbing Marine Life?
Your scuba diving light is a great addition to your diving gear, but you want to make sure that you’re not disturbing marine life while enjoying the views. Here are a few tips that you should follow.
- If you’re a beginner, ask an expert if there are any species that are sensitive to light. Flash and bright light can stress and even kill some marine creatures.
- Don’t shine the light directly into the eyes of fish. This will temporarily blind them and might provoke unnecessary aggression.
- Try to use the dim light more often. Use the bright spotlight only when necessary, like when you’re looking at tight corners or taking photos.
- Don’t move animals or touch marine creatures to take better photos by them to the center of your light beam.
- Use the light to warn other divers by moving it in a circle. This can draw their attention to a potential threat without disturbing creatures or causing unnecessary panic.
- Don’t leave your batteries or scuba diving light in the sea. If your scuba diving light suddenly stops working or the batteries die out, make sure that you don’t leave them in the sea or ocean. Metals and plastic shouldn’t be around marine animals and can harm them.
Conclusion
Exploring the underwater world is an excellent experience that requires being equipped with the right gear and equipment. We find that ORCATORCH D520 Compact Scuba Dive Light, 1000 Lumens is an excellent choice for professional and amateur divers. It’s reasonably priced and can safely handle depths up to 150 meters. It’s lightweight and comes with rechargeable batteries that last for long.
Just make sure not to shine your light in the face of other divers or marine animals as this can greatly ruin the experience for everyone. Remember that there’s a lot to explore and see. Just grab your light and enthusiasm, and you’ll be good to go.
