6 Best Scuba Lights [year]: Buying Guide | Ocean Trust (2024)

Although an underwater torchlight isn’t a “must-have”, it is a “nice-to-have”. Not only is it a necessary piece of gear to go night diving, but it is also helpful in illuminating your surroundings as you reach greater depths.

As all divers know, you lose sunlight and colors as you venture deeper, so a torchlight can help you enjoy your underwater adventure way more. Lights are also nice to have in overhead environments such as caverns, caves, and wrecks.

If you are looking for a dive light, we’re here to help! Here’s the skinny on scuba diving torchlights and we hope to help you pick one.

Much like a painter requires a varied color palette, divers need a broad spectrum of light to fully appreciate the beauty of the underwater world. Dive lights illuminate your surroundings, enhancing safety and unveiling hidden underwater gems.

Here are our top picks for dive lights that cater to a broad spectrum of diving needs, including high-intensity, compact, and versatile options.

1. 🗝️ Key Takeaways

• Dive lights are tailored for different scuba diving experiences, with options that prioritize high-intensity, compactness, or versatility to cater to diverse underwater activities and preferences.
• Key features that delineate superior dive lights include beam type, battery life, and adaptability, providing divers with the right illumination for visibility, longevity, and flexibility in various diving conditions.
• The construction and durability of a dive light are paramount, accounting for material choice, ergonomic design, and secure sealing, which are essential for performance and longevity in the underwater environment.

2. 🌟 Top Picks for Scuba Dive Lights | Illuminating the Depths

Scubapro Novalight 850 TEC

Made with rugged aluminum, this light is sleek, streamlined, and lightweight, making it the perfect companion for your dive. It’s a bit high-end in terms of pricing, but the overall quality and durability of the Novalight 850 beat others. The double O-ring seals give you watertight integrity with an easy twist activation, even when you’re wearing gloves in colder water temperatures.

Key Features

Brand: Scubapro

Dimensions: 9.6 x 1.8 inches

Material: Aluminum

Weight: 0.2 pounds

Depth rating: 300m

Output: 850 lumen

Best for: Experienced divers

ORCATORCH D550 Scuba Dive Light

A good entry point for durable lights, most divers have praised its strength against abrasion. Another feature that you’ll appreciate is that it gradually dims instead of blacking out straight away when the 5-hour battery is depleted.

It has three standard lighting modes: high, low, and strobe lights. You can easily control the modes by using the tail magnetic switch. It comes with a whole set, which includes a carrying case, two rechargeable batteries, a wrist strap, a charger, and a snap to clip it to your BCD.

Key Features

Brand: Orcatorch

Dimensions: 5.7 x 1.5 inches

Material: Aluminum

Weight: 0.4 pounds

Depth rating: 150m

Output: 1,000 lumen

Best for: Beginners

Kraken NR 2000

A great light for recreational divers, the Kraken NR 2000 works in most situations – even in brackish waters. The light has five different modes: 100%, 50%, 25%, SOS, and strobe. You can control the light by using a push button, which you can easily operate using one hand.

It’s equipped with a battery level indicator, so you won’t have to guess when you need to charge your light. The complete set includes a lanyard, a battery, a charging cradle, and spare O-rings.

Key Features

Brand: Kraken

Dimensions: 6.8 x 2.1 inches

Material: Aluminum

Weight: 0.6 pounds

Depth rating: 100m

Output: 2,000 lumen

Best for: Recreational divers

Tovatec T3500S

Bright and sleek, it’s a great light for both day and night. The focused beam allows you to see 60m or 200 ft into the distance. Although it’s a bit heavier than most lights, it makes up for it with more lumens and a relatively compact size.

The wide 13-degree angle light is perfect for photography and videography. It has a slightly shorter battery lifetime than others, so be mindful when you take it on your trip. The set comes with a charging cable, extra O-rings, a lanyard, and a padded box.

Key Features

Brand: Tovatec

Dimensions: 7.2 x 1.5 inches

Material: Aluminum

Weight: 1.4 pounds

Depth rating: 100m

Output: 3500 lumen

Best for: Photographers and night divers

Orcatorch D710

Another powerful light that can illuminate the darkest underwater environment but is still affordable. The 6-degree angle is perfect for a focused narrow beam, allowing you to see the tiniest details.

It has four different brightness levels that you can control, from turbo to low. The light also has a power status display, telling you when you should recharge the light. Another feature is the smart switch locking design that prevents unintended use and battery loss.

Key Features

Brand: Orcatorch

Dimensions: 8.26 x 2.36 inches

Material: Aluminum

Weight: 1.01 pounds

Depth rating: 150m

Output: 3000 lumen

Best for: Budget-conscious

Odepro WD70

An underwater light that’s suitable for technical divers, the Odepro WD70’s battery canister is separated from its light. You can strap the battery canister to your body, and control the light easily when diving. There’s a reason for the heavier, separate canister – a long battery life at a maximum of 13 hours.

To avoid slippage, the light has a bracket that can be adjusted so it fits your hands perfectly. The light has five different modes: high, medium, low, very low, and strobe which you can change using the tail magnetic push-button switch. The set includes three rechargeable batteries, a charger, a handle, three O-rings, and a carrying case.

Key Features

Brand: Odepro

Dimensions: 12 inches canister, 46 inches cable

Material: Aluminum

Weight: 4.91 pounds

Depth rating: 200m

Output: 3,000 lumen

Best for: Technical divers

Light and Motion GoBe 500 Spot

A compact and durable light that’s suitable for beginners. The design and material make the GoBe 500 Spot easier to handle underwater, and the 12-degree gives you a wider vantage point. It has a long runtime of 1.5 to 24 hours battery life and a multi-color battery indicator that provides accurate estimates.

The light comes with four different modes: high, medium, low, and strobe for emergencies. You can accessorize the GoBe light by buying separate light heads to change the beam color, angle, or special applications like fluorescence and infrared.

Key Features

Brand: Light and Motion

Dimensions: 4.9 x 1.9 inches

Material: Aluminum and plastic

Weight: 0.4 pounds

Depth rating: 120m

Output: 500 lumen

Best for: Beginners

High-Intensity Leaders

When it comes to exploring the darker corners of the underwater world, high-intensity dive lights are your best allies for scuba divers. With all the dive lights available, these powerful light illuminators bring clarity to the murkiest depths, allowing divers to explore caves, wrecks, and enjoy a night dive with confidence.

Compact Champions

Compact dive light options are ideal for those divers who seek both portability and performance. Designed with a focus on lightweight construction and ease of portability, they make the perfect companion for divers who need to keep their gear streamlined and efficient.

Versatility Victors

Versatile dive lights, akin to a Swiss army knife in the diving realm, feature a myriad of functionalities to accommodate any underwater scenario. Whether you’re penetrating the inky blackness of a deep wreck, exploring a vibrant coral reef, or capturing the perfect shot of elusive marine life, a versatile dive light will be your trusted companion.

With adjustable settings and a reliable performance across various underwater scenarios, these lights ensure you’re ready for any adventure that comes your way.

3. 🔍 The Essential Features of a Superior Dive Light

Beam Brilliance

The type of beam a dive light produces can significantly affect your underwater visibility, making it a critical feature to consider. A wider beam angle enhances visibility in murky or low-light conditions by illuminating a larger area, while a narrower beam is beneficial for focusing on specific objects or areas.

Whether you’re exploring a vast seabed or a narrow underwater cave, choosing the right beam type can make all the difference to your diving experience.

Endurance Elements

While diving, your dive light is your lifeline, guiding your path and ensuring your safety. Therefore, its battery life becomes a critical factor. The power source you choose, whether it’s Li-ion batteries or AA/AAA Ni-MH batteries, can have a substantial impact on your light’s performance.

A scuba dive light with an impressive burn time ensures that you never have to dive in darkness, making your underwater adventure both safe and enjoyable with the best dive light.

4. 🛠️ Dive Light Durability and Design

When investing in a dive light, it’s not just about the brightness it can deliver. It’s also about how well it’s designed and how long it’s going to last. This section discusses:

• The choice of materials in dive light construction
• The significance of ergonomic design
• The need for secure sealing for optimal performance and longevity.

Material Matters

The choice of material plays a significant role in a dive light’s durability. Some materials to consider are:

• Aluminum: offers strength and resistance to underwater conditions
• Titanium: known for its durability and corrosion resistance
• Polycarbonate: lightweight and impact-resistant

While these materials have their advantages, it’s also important to consider their potential drawbacks.

For instance, while aluminum offers enhanced reliability, it may be prone to denting and scratching due to its softer nature compared to steel.

Ergonomic Excellence

A dive light needs to be more than just bright; it also needs to be comfortable to use. This is where ergonomic design comes in. A dive light with a comfortable grip and balanced weight can significantly improve your underwater experience.

Whether you’re navigating a complex cave system or capturing breathtaking underwater footage, an ergonomically designed dive light ensures that you can focus on the adventure, not on wrestling with your equipment.

Secure Sealing

In an environment where water is your constant companion, ensuring that your dive light is securely sealed against water infiltration is crucial. A well-sealed dive light not only prevents water from damaging the electrical components but also ensures consistent performance, allowing you to rely on your light during every dive.

From using rubber O-rings to silicone-based sealant, manufacturers employ various methods to create a watertight barrier that safeguards your dive light against water damage.

5. 💰 Budget-Friendly Beams: Best Value Dive Lights

While the allure of top-tier, feature-packed dive lights is undeniable, not all diving adventures require a hefty investment. There’s a wide range of budget-friendly dive lights available that offer excellent performance without breaking the bank.

This section will highlight some budget-friendly options and discuss strategies to optimize long-term savings.

Cost-Conscious Choices

When it comes to budget-friendly dive lights, affordability doesn’t have to mean compromising on quality or performance. Many dive lights offer impressive performance at a fraction of the cost of premium models. By focusing on essential features and robust build quality, these lights provide divers with reliable illumination without stretching their budget.

Long-Term Savings

Choosing budget-friendly dive lights isn’t just about the upfront cost. Consideration should also be given to the potential long-term savings. Energy-efficient dive lights, particularly those utilizing LED technology, can lead to decreased electricity expenses and less frequent replacements.

This, combined with the extended lifespan typical of LED dive lights, can contribute to significant savings over time, making your investment even more worthwhile.

6. 🌊 Diving Deeper: Specialty Dive Lights for Enthusiasts

For diving enthusiasts with specific interests, there’s a specialized dive light out there for your unique needs. Some examples include:

• Underwater photographers: Look for dive lights with a high lumen output and a wide beam angle to illuminate your subjects.
• Technical divers: Consider dive lights with multiple brightness levels and a long battery life for extended dives.
• Videographers: Look for dive lights with a high color rendering index (CRI) to capture accurate colors in your footage.

No matter what your scuba diving specialty is, there’s a dive light designed to enhance your underwater experience.

This part will explore these specialty dive lights in detail and explain how they can elevate your underwater experiences.

Photographic Prowess

Underwater photography is an art form that requires not just skill but also the right tools, and a good dive light is a critical part of that toolkit. A primary light often comes with features like red LEDs and adjustable Kelvin settings, making them ideal for underwater photography.

These features can significantly enhance your underwater images, rendering them vibrant and lifelike.

Tech Diver Tools

Technical diving often involves navigating challenging underwater environments, which necessitates the use of specialized dive lights. Some lights are equipped with high-intensity beams and other features designed to meet the specific requirements of technical divers.

Whether you’re diving in a deep passage or exploring a wreck, these lights provide the reliable, high-performance illumination you need to venture with confidence.

Video Visionaries

Capturing the majesty of the underwater world in motion requires a dive light that is specifically optimized for video. Some lights are designed to provide even illumination and have video-specific settings. These features ensure that your underwater footage is clear, well-lit, and truly representative of the underwater world.

7. 🛍️ Personalizing Your Dive Light Selection

Although we’ve covered a range of dive lights and their features, remember that the ideal light for you should align with your specific needs and preferences. Personalizing your dive light selection is crucial to maximizing its utility and enhancing your diving experience. Consider the following factors when choosing a dive light:

• Your dive profile
• The depth and conditions of your dives
• The type of diving you do (e.g. cave diving, night diving)
• The compatibility of the light with your other dive gear

By taking these factors into account, you can find a dive light that meets your individual requirements and enhances your underwater adventures.

Compatibility Check

A dive light doesn’t function in isolation. It’s part of your overall dive gear, and ensuring compatibility is crucial. Whether it’s fitting properly on your wrist or attaching securely to your suit, your dive light should integrate seamlessly with your dive gear for optimal performance and ease of use.

Summary

From illuminating the vibrant hues of a coral reef to revealing the hidden corners of a shipwreck, dive lights play a crucial role in your underwater adventures. By considering factors like beam type, battery life, and adaptability, you can choose a dive light that caters to your specific needs, whether you’re a leisure diver or a technical diver.

Remember, a good dive light is more than just a source of illumination—it’s your guiding star in the captivating underwater world!

8. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many lumens is good for a dive light?

The ideal number of lumens for a dive light depends on various factors, including the diving environment, depth, water clarity, and personal preference. In general, a dive light with a brightness of 500 to 1000 lumens is considered suitable for recreational diving in clear to moderately murky waters. For night dives or exploring darker environments, a higher lumen output of 1000 to 2000 lumens may be preferable to provide better visibility and illuminate larger areas.

What factors should I consider when selecting a dive light?

When selecting a dive light, consider factors such as your dive profile, beam type, battery life, adaptability to different conditions, materials, ergonomic design, and sealing. These factors will ensure you choose the most suitable dive light for your needs.

Can I get a good dive light on a budget?

Yes, it’s definitely possible to find a good dive light on a budget! While high-end dive lights can be expensive, there are plenty of affordable options available that still offer reliable performance for recreational diving.

I’m an underwater photographer. What kind of dive light should I get?

You should get a dive light with red LEDs and adjustable Kelvin settings to enhance your underwater images. These features can help improve the quality of your underwater photographs.