Best Dive Light

Scuba diving is a thrilling activity, in large part because the environment is so alien. It’s the closest most people will come to visiting another planet. But this surreal experience means you need to account for significant changes in your environment. Perhaps none of these changes is more unsettling to a beginning diver than changes in light level.

Once you dive beyond a few meters, you’ll notice that your environment has gotten dimmer. And you can forget about looking under a rock or a ledge without a scuba flashlight. So we’ve scoured the web to find the best dive light that money can buy.

Specifically, we’re going to look at brightness, weight, and battery life to determine which scuba diving lights perform the best under which conditions. We also look at the maximum rated dive depth, since this is a necessary consideration for any diver. And of course, we’ve kept an eye on the prices to make sure you’re getting a good value for your dive torch.

Best Dive Lights Available Online

1. Thorfire

The Thorfire Scuba Diving Flashlight is a bright, 2,000-lumen scuba light with a comfortable grip.

Key Features

• Rated for 230 feet of depth
• 2,000 lumens
• Takes four 18650 3.7v batteries
• 8 hours of battery life
• Weighs 1 pound, 8 ounces
• 3 light modes
• Includes extra O-rings

The Thorfire Scuba Diving Flashlight is a lightweight, durable flashlight that’s constructed from rugged aircraft-grade aluminum. Not only will it last for years of abuse in the saltwater, it can also handle getting dropped on a boat deck as you’re getting in and out.

This light features a rotary switch that looks like a collar with a few nubs on it. Instead of having to manage a button or small switch while you’re wearing dive gloves, this collar is easy and comfortable to operate.

Pros

• Four bright LEDs
• Durable construction
• Easy to grip
• 18-month manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

• Batteries are difficult to find and replace

If ergonomics are important to you, this dive light is a good choice.

2. Orca Torch D520

The OrcaTorch D520 Diving Flashlight is a buoyant diving light that will float to the surface if you lose your grip.

Key Features

• Rated for 450 feet of depth
• 500 lumens
• Takes two rechargeable 18650 batteries (included)
• 18 hours of battery life
• Weighs 12 ounces
• Includes a battery charger, wrist strap, and extra O-rings

The OrcaTorch D520 Diving Flashlight is a medium weight flashlight with a buoyant design. It floats to the surface if you lose hold of it, which would be hard to do if you’re using the wrist strap to keep it secure.

The batteries on this light are rechargeable and will last for 18 hours. The only thing we didn’t like was the way you turn it on and off. Basically, you do this by taking the batteries in and out. When they’re inserted and the lens is screwed in, the light turns on. Loosening the lens underwater will cause the light to lose its seal, so consider this light as effectively being always on.

Pros

• Very deep dive depth
• Buoyant design
• Long LED life

Cons

• Can’t be turned off underwater

This dive light is a good choice if you’re worried about dropping your light during a dive.

3. BlueFire

The BlueFire CREE XM-L2 Professional Diving Flashlight is designed specifically for underwater photographers.

Key Features

• Rated for 80 feet of depth
• 1,100 lumens
• Takes one 18650 battery or three AAA batteries
• 8 hours of battery life
• Weighs 9.5 ounces
• 3 light modes
• Includes a lanyard and wrist strap

The BlueFire CREE XM-L2 Professional Diving Flashlight is an underwater flashlight with three settings: bright, strobe, and dim. These modes are changed by twisting the bottom of the handle, which is easy to do with gloves on but has the same disadvantage as the last light we looked at. Turning it off will involve loosening the battery cover enough to admit water, so it’s always on.

That said, the wrist strap is of exceptionally high quality, which is impressive on a light this cheap. It allows for hands-free operation, keeping your hands free for a camera, spear gun, or another tool.

Pros

• Pure white light is ideal for photography
• Secures easily to your wrist
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Can’t be turned off underwater

This flashlight is designed for easy, hands-free operation.

4. Underwater Kinetics SL4 eLED

The Underwater Kinetics SL4-L1 eLED has a rugged, rubberized body that can take a beating.

Key Features

• Rated for 500 feet of depth
• 400 lumens
• Takes four C batteries
• 10 hours of battery life
• Weighs 1 pound
• Available in 3 colors
• Includes a lanyard

The Underwater Kinetics SL4-L1 eLED is a wide, heavy flashlight that’s designed for divers who demand an ergonomic grip. It’s rated to travel as deep as 500 feet, which is deeper than most divers are ever going to travel. Considering its size, though, the beam is unfortunately fairly narrow. It’s great if you’re trying to look at one thing in particular, but not for illuminating your entire field of view.

Pros

• Rugged design
• Deep depth limit
• Wide, comfortable grip
• Switch is easy to operate

Cons

• Narrow beam

This dive light has a wide, textured grip, perfect for people with larger hands.

5. Princeton Tec Sector 5 LED

The Princeton Tec Sector 5 offers an impressive 24 hours of battery life.

Key Features

• Rated for 328 feet of depth
• 550 lumens
• Takes four C batteries
• 24 hours of battery life
• Weighs 1 pound, 7 ounces
• Available in 4 colors
• Includes batteries

The Princeton Tec Sector 5 is a spotlight-style dive light that’s perfect for night or wreck dives. It puts out a broad, 550-lumen beam that’s well-designed for general viewing, giving you a good view of all your surroundings. It’s available in four different colors, including a high-visibility yellow.

This light has a battery-saving switch, which can be used for intermittent lighting by holding it down halfway. Pressing the trigger down all the way will switch the light on until you pull the trigger again.

Pros

• Great choice for night divers
• Battery-saving design
• Easy to use

Cons

• Flimsy on/off switch

This dive light’s broad beam makes it an ideal choice for night or wreck diving.

6. Light & Motion SOLA

The Light and Motion SOLA Dive has two modes: a wide floodlight mode and a narrow spotlight mode.

Key Features

• Rated for 300 feet of depth
• 1,200 or 500 lumens (depending on setting)
• Takes a rechargeable internal battery pack
• 4 ½ hours of battery life (on low power)
• Weighs 10 ounces
• Flood and spot modes
• Built-in hand strap
• Includes a charger

The Light and Motion SOLA Dive is a compact light that straps to the back of your hand. This makes it comfortable and easy to use, and it keeps your hand free for performing other tasks, like adjusting your dive gear or taking a picture. It’s rated down to 300 feet of depth and features two modes: a 1,200-lumen spotlight for general-purpose lighting, and a 500-lumen spotlight for illuminating particular objects.

Pros

• Hands-free operation
• Compact and lightweight
• 2-year manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

• Expensive

This lightweight dive light is convenient to operate while you’re also using other devices.

7. Scubapro Nova 200

The Scubapro Nova 200 Dive Light is a compact backup light that fits in your BCD pocket.

Key Features

• Rated for 393 feet of depth
• 700 lumens
• Takes three AAA batteries
• 8 hours of battery life
• Weighs 8.5 ounces
• Built-in adjustable lanyard

The Scubapro Nova 200 Dive Light is a slim, compact light that’s designed to be easily carried in your pocket. This makes it a solid choice for a backup light since you won’t need to carry it or strap it onto your gear.

When you do have to use it, you’ll get up to 8 hours of battery life, plenty of time to finish your dive, get to the surface, and have hours to spare before you need to fix your primary light. That said, it has a relatively narrow beam, poorly suited as a general-purpose light.

Pros

• Great choice for a backup light
• Small enough to fit in your BCD pocket
• 10,000+ hour LED

Cons

• Narrow beam

This dive light is a great choice if you’re looking for a reliable backup dive light.

8. Water Pro Aurora

The Water Pro Aurora is very small and easy to carry.

Key Features

• Rated for 80 feet of depth
• 630 lumens
• Takes one AA battery
• 1 hour and 25 minutes of battery life
• Weighs 10 ounces
• Includes an adjustable rubberized lanyard

The Water Pro Aurora is a compact, lightweight dive light that’s designed for use in shallower water. It’s only rated to 80 feet, but that’s plenty of depth for the majority of dives.

We like this light because it’s well designed not just for scuba diving, but also for everyday use. The anodized aluminum frame is very rugged, making it a good choice as an emergency light for your car, home, or even for camping.

Pros

• Rugged design
• Easy to use
• Compact and lightweight

Cons

• Low depth limit

This is a great little dive light if you’re diving on a shallow reef or other near-surface structure.

9. Tovatec Fusion Video LED

The Tovatec Fusion 530 is a compact dive light that’s rated for up to 328 feet (100 meters) of depth.

Key Features

• Rated for 328 feet of depth
• 530 lumens
• Takes a rechargeable CR18650 battery (included)
• 3 hours of battery life
• Weighs 9.4 ounces
• Adjustable beam width
• Three power settings
• Emergency strobe mode
• Includes a battery charger

The Tovatec Fusion 530 is a lightweight, easy-to-carry dive light that’s constructed from rugged, corrosion-proof anodized aluminum. It provides 530 lumens of illumination, which isn’t that much, but the beam is adjustable from 12 degrees up to a wide, 120-degree beam, so it’s useful both as a spotlight and for general illumination.

Best of all, if you’re in a partially-lit environment and don’t need full power, you can roll it back to 30 or 50 percent to save battery life.

Pros

• Rugged design
• Easy to operate
• Highly adjustable

Cons

• Beam is not very bright

If you want the most adjustable dive light money can buy, this is a good choice.

10. Scubapro Nova 720R Wide

The Scubapro Nova 720R is a rechargeable flashlight with a durable aluminum body.

Key Features

• Rated for 984 feet of depth
• 720 lumens
• Takes one rechargeable 18650 battery (included)
• 18 hours of battery life
• Weighs 9.9
• Two power modes
• Includes a charger

The Scubapro Nova 720R is a compact flashlight that’s powered by a single 18650 battery. But don’t let it’s small size fool you – this light produces 720 lumens, and can be scaled back to 50 percent power to save battery life. It’s constructed from rugged anodized aluminum and rated to dive to 984 feet. That’s only about 60 feet short of the world record for scuba diving, so just about everybody will be able to use this light for all their dives.

Pros

• Rugged design
• Bright, clear beam
• Absurdly deep depth rating

Cons

• A little pricey

If you’re diving at extreme depths, this dive light will keep up with you without flooding.

11. Dorcy 220-Lumen Submersible Dive II

The Dorcy Submersible Dive II offers an impressive 36 hours of battery life.

Key Features

• Rated for 328 feet of depth
• 220 lumens
• Takes 6 AAA batteries
• 36 hours of battery life
• Weighs 7.2 ounces
• Includes a lanyard

The Dorcy Submersible Dive II is an inexpensive dive light that’s still very reliable. It’s rated for up to 328 feet (100 meters) of depth and comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty that makes us confident in its reliability. It offers 36 hours of battery life, which is more than most dive lights on the market.

The only thing we didn’t like about this light is that it only provides 220 lumens of illumination. That’s plenty for reading a dive chart or checking under a ledge, but you’ll need more if you’re looking for a night diving light.

Pros

• Excellent battery life
• 1-year limited warranty
• Affordable

Cons

• Not very bright

If you’re looking for a reliable dive light at a low price, this is a good choice.

12. Princeton Tec

Weighing in at only 2 ounces, including the batteries, the Princeton Tec AMP 1L is the lightest flashlight on our list.

Key Features

• Rated for 328 feet of depth
• 90 lumens
• Takes 2 AAA batteries
• 72 hours of battery life
• Weighs 2 ounces
• Built-in bottle opener

The Princeton Tec AMP 1L is a tiny backup light that’s designed to get you out of a jam. It weighs only 2 ounces and is small enough to carry in a small BCD pocket.

This light has a rugged Xylex housing and runs on 2 AAA batteries. That said, it only puts out 90 lumens of light. It’s not enough to actually see much scenery or wildlife, but it’s plenty for reading a dive chart, and for getting to the surface if your primary light has failed.

Pros

• Excellent battery life
• Compact and very lightweight
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Very low illumination

This dive light is a great choice if you need an inexpensive backup light.

13. Underwater Kinetics Cannon eLED

The Underwater Kinetics Light Cannon is a powerful, 1,100-lumen light that can be carried upside down as a lantern or upright as a spotlight.

Key Features

• Rated for 500 feet of depth
• 440 or 1,100 lumens
• Takes eight C batteries
• 16 hours of battery life (20 in low-power mode)
• Weighs 2 pounds, 14 ounces
• High and low power mode
• Available in black or yellow
• Available with a lantern or spotlight-style handle

The Underwater Kinetics Light Cannon is a bright dive light that’s rated for up to 500 feet of depth, more than enough for 99 percent of divers to never need a different light. The eight C-cell batteries provide up to 16 hours of life at the higher, 1,100-lumen setting. If you roll that back to 440 lumens, you’ll get as much as 20 hours. Not bad!

Pros

• Bright light
• Easy to use
• Good battery life
• Deep depth limit

Cons

• A little pricey

The large, durable thumb switch makes this dive light very easy to operate, even while you’re wearing gloves.

14. Ikelite Gamma LED

The Ikelite Gamma LED Dive Light is a well-engineered 350-lumen backup light.

Key Features

• Rated for 400 feet of depth
• 350 lumens
• Takes two CR123 batteries
• 10 hours of battery life
• Weighs 4 ounces
• Available in black or neon purple

The Ikelite Gamma LED Dive Light is a backup dive light with an easy-to-hold hourglass-like profile. It puts out 350 lumens of illumination, which might not be enough for everyday use, but is more than enough to get yourself out of a pickle if your primary light quits on you.

This light has an easy-to-use switch on the back of the light and is easy to hold. Just make sure to pick up some extra batteries when you buy them – the CR123 can be hard to find, so you’ll want to carry some spares.

Pros

• Ergonomic design
• Rugged construction
• Easy to use
• 2-year manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

• Odd battery size

This backup dive light is as tough and as rugged as any high-quality primary light.

15. XS Scuba LT360 Wide Angle

The XS Scuba LT360 is an adjustable scuba diving light.

Key Features

• Rated for 150 feet of depth
• 1,000 lumens
• Takes an internal rechargeable battery
• 2 hours of battery life
• Built-in dimmer slide
• Weighs 1.2 pounds

The XS Scuba LT360 is a short, thick flashlight that maintains near neutral buoyancy. This means you won’t have to make any major adjustments to your dive suit when you’re using it. It comes with a rechargeable internal battery pack that will last for 2 hours at full intensity.

The real attraction, though, is the dimmer slide on the handle. This slide is easy to manipulate and adjusts the beam from a soft, short-range light for checking your gear, all the way up to a powerful, 1,000-lumen beam for observing more distant objects.

Pros

• Adjustable beam
• Reasonably powerful
• Bright white LED
• Near-neutral buoyancy

Cons

• A little pricey

This dive light is a good choice if you want to easily switch from long-range to short-range use.

Bottom Line

So which dive flashlight is the best? It entirely depends on what you’re looking for. For example, a lightweight LED dive light is a good choice if you’re just going to clip it to your BCD for the bulk of the dive. On the other hand, you may want a heavier flashlight if you’re going to be putting it to a lot of use.

Speaking of weight, you’ll need to think about buoyancy when you buy your dive light. A heavier light can provide good ballast, reducing your need for dive weights. On the other hand, it will also sink to the bottom if you drop it, while a buoyant light will be easy to retrieve. Which one of these benefits is most important depends on you.

Finally, lumen ratings are important, but unless you’re exploring the wreck of the Titanic, consider how far away you’re actually going to need to see. Even a relatively weak 200 lumen bulb is more than bright enough for peeking under a reef ledge or scanning the seabed for hazards.