12 Best Dive Lights in 2023

The best dive lights are indispensable tools to help you see the full beauty of the underwater world. They also give you additional lighting for a GoPro to capture images and record videos with first-rate quality, as well as enhance your experiences during scuba diving.

In addition, dive lights are the best choices for night diving and overhead environments like caves and wrecks. Besides, whether you are an entry-level diver or an advanced one, you should own a scuba light in your dive set to get extra safety.

The market is flooded with various brands and models of dive lights, and it can be challenging to single out the best. Don’t worry! This guide will offer you extensive information on the top 12 best dive lights combined with shopping tips that can narrow down your selections.

My Top Picks

If you don’t have time to read the full post, let’s check my most popular picks and their key features. A quick look at the top 12 best dive lights in the following list will help you spot something good for yourself.

• Best Overall: ORCATORCH D710
  “6-degree beam angle, Luminus SST-70 emitter, a titanium alloy switch, super lightweight and compact, suitable for one-hand operation.”
• Best Budget: Goldenguy 1200LM Cree
  “100,000 hours bulb lifespan, IP68 waterproof level, offers excellent water resistance, and comes with various warranties.”
• The Brightest: Wurkkos 5000 Lumen
  “A magnetic switch, equipped with 4 Samsung LH351D bulbs, ideal for diving at night, effortless to adjust brightness modes.”
• Most Powerful: Underwater Kinetics C8
  “Optical design, UK’s peak beam lumen technology, upgraded to offer double-lumen output, suitable for saltwater use.”
• Best for GoPro: Light and Motion Sola
  “Dual beams, fast external charging interface, an intuitive magnetic slide switch, hands-free design.”
• Best Under $100: Underwater Kinetics SL3
  “Dual O-rings seal, twist to switch on or off, support plentiful clips to attach accessories, suitable for night diving.”
• Best for Murky Water: ORCATORCH D550
  “Tail magnetic switch, optical double-side coated glass, multiple light modes, effortless to operate underwater.”
• Best Rated: Scubapro Nova 850
  “An extended light head shroud, built to last for many years, over-pressure valve for extra safety, comes from a well-known brand.”
• Best Canister: Tovatec Fusion Video
  “Pressure Safety Valve, gives you stable illumination, perfect for underwater videography and photography.”
• Best Value for the Money: Mares Aluminum Eos Torch
  “Customizable wrist strap, tubular handle, suitable for icy diving, safety lock function.”
• Best for Photography: BigBlue AL1200N-II
  “Push-button on/off switch, a dry bag included, enhances your diving experiences, ideal for dive travel.”
• Best for Night Diving: SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini 1300S
  “Equipped with Luxeon V LED, single-button operation, dual silicone o-rings, super compact and lightweight.”

Why Do You Need a Dive Light?

When it comes to buying a dive light, you might be asking yourself why you need one. There are some great reasons for this question. First of all, you may need a tool for color illumination.

It is general knowledge that the deeper you go, the harder it is to see anything since the sunlight cannot penetrate the water. Meanwhile, a dive light can bring back color by illuminating sea creatures and marine plants.

Thanks to that, you can admire the deep blue world’s beauty through vivid colors, making your exploration more fantastic and memorable. Another huge reason why you should buy a scuba light is ultimate safety.

No matter what time of day it is, the dive light can assist you in navigating underwater better, especially in low-light environments. Furthermore, the additional light that it provides can help you take photos and shoot videos with top-quality.

Comparison Chart

Just a glance at the comparison table below can enable you to understand the fundamental capabilities and functions of the top 12 best dive lights. Let’s check it to find out the model that can suit your needs and preferences.

The 12 Best Dive Lights Reviews

This section provides in-depth reviews of the top 12 best dive lights trending in the market now. I have attached detailed information about each model’s upsides and downsides to make you confident of your choice before the purchase.

1. ORCATORCH D710

(Best Overall – Editor’s Choice)

See the Price on Amazon

The Orcatorch D710 Scuba Diving Light is definitely the best of the best. Using Luminus SST-70 emitter, this model can provide you with 3000 lumens brightness for numerous underwater activities.

Besides, the Orcatorch D710 supports a comfortable grip, which allows for one-hand operation. This means that you can control the dive light with one hand while the other will grab your console dive computer for ease of checking water pressure.

In addition, the D710’s massive capacity is another good point. The dive light is compatible with one 5000mAh battery, enabling it to last up to more than 7 hours on low mode without recharging.

What’s more, the light is integrated with a protection circuit to ensure reliable and constant brightness regardless of the remaining battery levels. However, I suggest you should check the power indicator before any dive to get optimal performance.

Key Features:

• 6-degree beam angle
• Turbo mode
• Luminus SST-70 emitter
• A titanium alloy switch
• A safety locking function
• Colorful battery level indicator
• Two-sided tempered glass
• Lifetime limited warranty

Product Specifications:

Check out this video review of the Orcatorch D710 Scuba Diving Light and decide whether to grab it for your next scuba diving.

2. Goldenguy 1200LM Cree

(Best Budget)

See the Price on Amazon

Although the Goldenguy 1200LM’s low-cost price point may cause some doubts on its quality, countless advantages that you can benefit from it are obvious. The dive light is made from top-quality materials, including a 6061 aluminum alloy case and rigid glass lens.

These components contribute to giving the Goldenguy the ability to resist shock and crash. Hence, the scuba light can work well in different diving environments, even in the most challenging conditions.

Additionally, the Goldenguy supports high output brightness up to 1200 lumens, allowing it to offer divers a clear vision in murky water and nighttime. Nevertheless, to provide you with an economical price tag, no battery charge is included in the purchase.

But the Goldenguy can be compatible with the 3.7V 18650 battery sold popularly in the supermarkets. Therefore, this is not a big disadvantage if you plan to own a dive light at this reasonable price range.

Key Features:

• IP68 waterproof level
• Toughened glass lens
• Two built-in O-rings
• 100,000 hours bulb lifespan
• 30-day money-back and a 12-month warranty

Product Specifications:

3. Wurkkos 5000 Lumen

(The Brightest)

See the Price on Amazon

Being equipped with four Samsung LH351D bulbs which are able to offer a maximum 5000 lumens output, there is no doubt that the Wurkkos is the brightest dive light in this list. More impressively, these LEDs can last up to 50,000 hours for prolonged use without replacement.

Besides, when below the surface, the Wurkkos illumination distance can be lengthened up to 400 meters, making it suitable for any depths you intend to dive. Moreover, you can change among four brightness settings at ease thanks to a magnetic side switch.

Additionally, the dual O-rings sealing gives the dive light incredible water resistance. This design also helps it withstand the corrosive and destructive effects of the high water pressure when you go deeper.

What distinguishes the Wurkkos 5000 Lumen from others is its long-lasting battery. The run time of the dive light is 3.4 hours on the high mode and 28 hours on the low setting. These durations are significantly longer than most popular models on the market.

Key Features:

• Water-resistant magnetic switch
• Tempered glass lens
• Equipped with 4 Samsung LH351D bulbs
• IPX8 waterproof rating
• Customizable four brightness modes
• 50,000 hours bulb lifespan
• A 12-month warranty and 90-day money-back guarantee

Product Specifications:

Watch this video review and learn how you can optimize the Wurkkos 5000 Lumen Scuba Diving Light in case you settle for it.

4. Underwater Kinetics C8

(Most Powerful)

See the Price on Amazon

The upgraded lumen output is a highlight feature that makes the Underwater Kinetics C8 eLED become an exceptional choice for scuba divers. The dive light offers a rechargeable pack or replaceable Alkaline C-cell battery to provide two brightness levels: 1200 and 900 lumens.

So you can choose the one according to your needs. For instance, 900 lumens will be best for underwater photography and videography. Meanwhile, 1200 lumens is the minimum needed output to dive at night or in rough environments such as wrecks and caves.

Notably, the Underwater Kinetics C8 eLED gives you high durability. Its body is made from non-corrosive composite material, plus a tough rubber bezel to enhance impact resistance. Thanks to that, the dive light will not show much wear and tear after 20 years of saltwater use.

Key Features:

• Optical design
• UK’s peak beam lumen technology
• Upgraded version

Product Specifications:

5. Light and Motion Sola

(Best for GoPro)

See the Price on Amazon

The Light and Motion Sola Dive Light provides divers with two brightness levels, which will perfectly meet different needs. Additionally, switching between two modes is easy as a piece of cake thanks to an intuitive magnetic button.

With just a simple sliding, you can effortlessly customize the lumen output according to the underwater environment, even when wearing thick gloves. In addition, the Light and Motion Sola includes a built-in hand-strap mount to facilitate your free movements.

However, the Sola’s tremendous upside endorsed by most scuba enthusiasts is its travel-friendly design. At only 0.56 pounds, the model is fabulously ultra-lightweight and compact to be packed in your luggage.

Key Features:

• 60-degree flood mode
• 12-degree spot mode
• Dual beams
• Fast external charging interface
• An intuitive magnetic slide switch
• Hands-free design

Product Specifications:

Here is a wholesome video review of the Light and Motion Sola Dive Light. Check it out and see how wonderful it works in reality.

6. Underwater Kinetics SL3

(Best Under $100)

See the Price on Amazon

Although the Underwater Kinetics SL3 eLED does not provide you with advanced functions like other models on this list do, it is still a great option for beginners, thanks to its basic design.

What’s more, the price tag below 100 dollars that it offers is reasonable to buy with an affordable dive computer. I believe this is a smart solution for most divers, especially for inexperienced and tight-budget ones.

Powered by three replaceable Alkaline batteries, the Underwater Kinetics SL3 gives you ultimate comfort to use when there are no charging sources available. Besides, its beam concentrates the lumen output into the center, which helps to minimize peripheral lighting and maximize vision.

Nevertheless, the dive light has some restrictions that must be improved to get higher divers’ satisfaction. The lack of emergency flash mode and low lumen output are the two most outstanding limitations to consider for the next version.

Related: Top 15 Best Dive Watches Under $100

Key Features:

• Dual O-rings seal
• Stainless steel loop clips
• BC accessory snap clips
• Anti-corrosive ABS and Polycarbonate housing
• Twist to switch on or off

Product Specifications:

7. ORCATORCH D550

(Best for Murky Water)

See the Price on Amazon

The Orcatorch D550 is a super lightweight and portable scuba diving light with attractive upgraded features. The model’s cover is made from aircraft-grade aluminum material plus a diamond-grade hard-anodized finish.

This gives the Orcatorch D550 exceptional corrosion resistance capability in seawater, helping it boost conductivity as well as withstand high water pressure. Besides, this renovated version’s Cree LED allows for 91% light transmittance.

In addition, the tail magnetic switch’s improved sensitivity makes it simple to change brightness modes according to various diving environments. But battery life is the Orcatorch D550’s weakness.

Although the dive torch is powered by two 3400 mAh 18650 Li-ion batteries to ensure light stability, it still quickly stops working after more than 5 hours, even on a low setting. Therefore, I think the D550 manufacturer should focus more on enhancing its runtime in the future.

Key Features:

• Tail magnetic switch
• Strobe mode
• Optical double-side coated glass
• The latest diamond grade hard-anodized surface technology
• Aluminum alloy reflector

Product Specifications:

For more information on the features and functionality of the Orcatorch D550 Dive Light, watch the following video.

8. Scubapro Nova 850

(Best Rated)

See the Price on Amazon

The Scubapro Nova 850 Diving Light is a top-rated choice with regard to quality and appearance. It features a body that uses premium aluminum for material, plus a robust matte black finish and blue highlight spots.

This design not only makes the dive light more stylish but also guarantees long-term durability. Safety is the top priority of the Scubapro Nova 850 Diving Light, and thereby, it offers divers an over-pressure valve in case the battery is overcharged.

The Scubapro Nova provides only 850 lumens. Hence, it will not be ideal for deep diving. However, it has a built-in extended light head shroud to protect your dive buddy from excessive lighting.

Key Features:

• 8-degree beam angle
• Over-pressure valve
• An extended light head shroud
• One-year warranty

Product Specifications:

Check out this Youtube video to learn more about the Scubapro Nova 850 Diving Light in action.

9. Tovatec Fusion Video

(Best Canister)

See the Price on Amazon

The Tovatec Fusion Video LED Dive Light provides you with 1000 lumens, making it ideal for most diving activities. The most outstanding advantage of the model is able to support both replaceable Alkaline or rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries.

This practical design allows you to save a great amount of money for every battery change. What’s more, you don’t need to find electricity sources to recharge in foreign areas. Another huge benefit of the Tovatec Fusion is its adjustable zoom beams.

The dive light facilitates capturing or recording video underwater by letting you change the beam angle from 12 to 100 degrees. Thus, you can get the best footage without much effort.

But you have only one brightness mode regardless of different light conditions. This is a big limitation of the Tovatec Fusion in my perspective. I hope the dive light will be engineered with multiple settings as soon as possible.

Key Features:

• Customizable zoom beams
• Pressure Safety Valve

Product Specifications:

10. Mares Aluminum Eos Torch

(Best Value for the Money)

See the Price on Amazon

The Mares Aluminum Eos Torch comes with massive brightness output, which offers up to 2300 lumens. It features four operation modes, including On, Low, Flash, Off. You can change among settings by using a magnetic switch.

A rechargeable battery powers the dive light, and it is simple to recharge through a USB cable included in the purchase. Another interesting upside of the Mares Aluminum you may love is its adjustable wrist strap.

This helps the hand strap fit snugly numerous wrist sizes. Besides, it gives you a sense of comfort although being worn outside a thick, full-length wetsuit. For that reason, the Mares Aluminum Eos Torch is also a perfect choice for icy diving.

Key Features:

• Four modes
• Customizable wrist strap
• Tubular handle
• Safety lock function

Product Specifications:

See the Youtube video below of the Mares Aluminum Eos Torch LED Rechargeable Dive Light. And then learn how to adjust light modes for achieving fascinating diving experiences.

11. BigBlue AL1200N-II

(Best for Photography)

See the Price on Amazon

The BigBlue AL1200’s narrow beam angle makes it ideal to choose in case you want to admire the underwater world’s natural beauty. This is a flawless scuba light that enables you to peer into crevices to find hidden creatures and plants.

In addition, the additional lighting that the BigBlue AL1200 provides can help restore vivid colors of coral reefs and aquatic animals. On top of that, your adventures become more appealing, while it is easier to take superior photos with a full spectrum of colors.

Key Features:

• 10-degree beam angle
• Four power levels
• Push-button on/off switch
• Battery level indicator
• A dry bag included
• Custom fail-safe circuitry

Product Specifications:

Here is a video review of the BigBlue AL1200N-II 1200 Lumen Narrow Beam Dive Light. Watch and see for yourself how to capture beautiful footage with it.

12. SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini 1300S

(Best for Night Diving)

See the Price on Amazon

I make sure you will regret skipping the SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini due to its great features and capabilities. With five different brightness settings, the dive light works well in most diving environments as well as meets your diverse needs.

Besides, the SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini’s intuitive interface is another real bonus. It supports single-button operation, which is so effortless to control for entry-level divers. You just need to make a short push to cycle through five light modes or a long push to switch on or off.

Key Features:

• Equipped with Luxeon V LED
• 8-degree ultra-narrow spot beam
• One button operation
• Dual silicone o-rings
• 30,000 hours bulb lifespan

Product Specifications:

Check out this video of the SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini 1300S Dive Light and learn the way to use it to improve your diving performance.

Selecting the Right Dive Lights

Dive lights are not designed to serve all levels of divers. However, there are always some must-have features that any model should include. Please consider the listed factors below to avoid making a wrong purchase.

1. Light Intensity

The dive light uses lumens as a unit of measure for its brightness. The higher the number of lumen output is, the brighter the scuba torch is. If you plan to dive in rough environments such as caves or wrecks, you will need a model with at least 1000 lumens to get enough light.

Although a scuba light with an output between 1500 to 2500 lumens is suitable for most underwater activities, you still should buy an item that can offer multiple brightness modes to achieve wonderful diving experiences.

2. Dive Light Battery

There are a few types of batteries that a dive light can support. But considering which one is the best for you may be a headache. According to my experience, the finest battery must ensure that it will always provide you with full brightness and not suddenly die during your night diving.

To help you make a better decision, I have presented each battery type combined with its pros and cons in the following table. Let’s check it for further information.

3. Size

The size of a dive light plays a vital role in deciding whether you can move underwater effortlessly or not. Besides, if you have to travel frequently, super compact and lightweight lights are truly useful items to choose from.

However, if you are a novice diver, you should still buy an oversized scuba light since your safety comes first. In contrast, when you become more experienced, you can take advantage of modest-sized dive lights.

These models will not take up much space in the suitcase, which enables you to pack with a lightweight BCD for travel and other dive gear at ease. In addition, they are not too bulky to be attached to mounting points on a scuba BCD.

4. Modes

Most standard dive lights on the market today offer one to three brightness settings, while some high-end models can provide you with additional modes to meet advanced needs.

For beginners, I highly recommend you own a scuba light with strobe mode to signal the dive buddy when you encounter emergency incidents.

Keep reading: Top 15 Favorite Dive Computers for Beginners in 2023

5. Materials

It is easy to find that the majority of dive lights reviewed above are made from aluminum. This material is well-known for its robust, rust-resistant, and ultra-lightweight construction.

Additionally, composite plastic is another common material. It is an excellent option for inexperienced divers thanks to less required maintenance and exceptional anti-corrosion ability.

Different Types of Diving Lights

Although a wide range of dive lights available on the market can be different in brands, functions, shapes, colors, designs, they certainly belong to one of three main kinds. Each type will work well in a particular diving environment and brightness level.

Primary dive light

Primary dive lights include sturdy and durable construction as well as long-lasting batteries. Besides, they are used by scuba divers most of the time. Moreover, they have to offer stable and powerful illumination for diving in various light conditions.

Secondary dive light

Secondary dive lights are constructed to be used in case primary scuba torches are suddenly out of work. Hence, they are also regarded as backup lights. These lights normally have a compact size and are to be stored neatly in your BCD’s pocket.

Because you do not know when you need it, please always place it in accessible pouches and remember to check the battery before any dive.

Photo/video dive light

Photo/video dive lights are a helpful piece of equipment when you want to capture images or record some footage during your scuba diving. These models are often small in size to make them easy for attaching to other gear such as a GoPro or underwater camera.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you encounter some confusing questions while reading the article, this section may offer the answers for them. Please do not skip it since I believe you can get extra valuable knowledge here even if you have no queries.

What Is Primary Dive Light?

Primary dive lights usually come in large sizes and provide strong brightness. Therefore, they allow you to see scenes and movements surrounding your body clearly. Besides, they are particularly designed to use for murky water areas and deep diving.

What Is the Difference Between Primary and Secondary Lighting?

As its name implies, primary dive lights are designed for divers to use during the entire duration of their dive. They come with more rugged construction as well as provide you with longer battery life. In addition, their lumen output is bright enough for deep diving and nighttime uses.

Meanwhile, secondary dive lights are often considered backup tools and are only used if primary scuba torches are suddenly out of battery or stop working. For that reason, secondary models are usually smaller, lighter, and cheaper than primary lights.

How Many Lumens Do I Need for a Dive Light?

The number of lumen output needed depends much on the environments and light conditions you plan to dive. For clear water, you should have a dive light with at least 1000 lumens. Also, you will need brighter models to dive at night, which is often around 2000 to 5000 lumens.

Meantime, the lumen output can be lower for other activities such as underwater photography and videography, regularly ranging from 300 to 900 lumens.

Final Thoughts

The dive lights can provide you with illumination in underwater low-light conditions and work as a crucial safety device in emergencies. For these two main reasons above, they are one of the first dive gear you should purchase if you want to pursue scuba diving as a hobby.

Overall, the Orcatorch D710 is the best dive light you can get yourself. It is an all-around model that will meet nearly all your requirements. Some outstanding benefits of the dive light are high lumen output, ease of use, and long battery life.

In addition, if you want a low-budget item, you can settle for the Goldenguy 1200LM Cree. It provides you with high quality but requires a competitive cost. Robust construction and a wide field of view are two advantages you can expect from this model.

What are your ideal dive lights? Feel free to comment in the section below and share this article with your friend if you like it. Hope you found my article helpful! Thank you for reading!