Best Dive Lights for Beginners [ 2022 Reviews ]

1. VOLADOR Diving Flashlight, 1000 Lumen

One of the best dive lights on the market and our top pick, the VOLADOR is an outstanding diving flashlight designed to deliver bright light under the water. It’s equipped with premium LEDs with over 50,000 hours of lifespan and outputs up to 1,000 lumens. 

Various lighting modes give you the possibility to regulate the intensity or use the strobe if you want to signal danger or draw the attention of your diving buddy. Switching between modes is very easy thanks to the magnetic tail switch. 

Also, do you happen to know what the numbers stands for in the 18650 battery? Just like in other batteries like AAA, D or AA batteries, the numbers stands for the size. In this case, it pinpoints to its exact dimension where a 18650 battery has a diameter of 18 millimeters and a length of 65 millimeters.

The Volador Diving Flashlight is encased in an aircraft grade AL-6061-T6 aluminum that has passed military regulations III that is further polished with a hard-anodized finish making the entire unit abrasion and corrosion resistant.

The sealing mechanism involves 3 o-rings embedded and installed at the tail opening. It has earned an IP68 waterproof certification which means that the unit can be operated up to 150 meters (492 feet) deep.

Suitable for different situations, the flashlight has a continuous runtime of up to one and a half hours; just what you need to admire the depths of the ocean in all peace of mind. 

It is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and is ideal for both casual and professional divers, including the marines. We like the hard-anodized finish that makes it resist rust and corrosion, as well as abrasion. 

Waterproof at 15 ATM, it provides a long beam of light that can illuminate at distances up to 260 feet, depending on the mode. Designed for snorkeling and diving, the flashlight is also a great choice for hiking, camping, trekking, and more. 

The name says it all; this diving flashlight has been designed to be as mean as an orca, providing dependable light even in the darkest conditions. 

Expensive but super-bright, it impresses with quality Cree LEDs that can output a maximum of 1,000 lumens. Lightweight and portable, it boasts three modes including a low beam, high beam, and strobe. 

While you can’t adjust the beam angle, the ORCATORCH delivers a wide 70° angle overall with a more focused 8° central beam. 

This feature lets you explore the darkest spots without hindering your peripheral vision, which is truly important while you’re underwater. Qualified for both recreational and deep diving, the flashlight comes with a convenient wrist strap that fastens the device so you can use both hands while diving. 

Lightweight and portable, it has a magnetic tail switch and compact design; it’s ideal to use for a variety of purposes and undoubtedly one of the best dive lights you can find. 

3. Genwiss Dive Light

The next entry on our list comes from Genwiss; a super-bright XPL-LED flashlight with an outstanding brightness output of up to 3,000 lumens. Whether you’re looking for the best recreational dive light or unrivaled equipment for deep diving, this flashlight might be it. 

It has five modes including high, medium, and low beam intensity, strobe, and SOS. We particularly like the SOS mode that lets you alert your buddies of danger or if you feel unwell. A magnetic induction rotary switch on the neck allows for a super-quick adjustment of the brightness depending on the situation. 

Solid and durable, the unit is made from high-quality aluminum alloy treated with an anti-abrasive coating. It’s made to resist the underwater environment, such as corrosion, scratches, and rust. 

We also like the anti-drop capability that enhances durability, should the flashlight slip if you’re handling it with wet hands. 

Like our top pick, the Genwiss has a lifetime of about 50,000 hours and can illuminate to a distance of up to 260 feet. Backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, it comes complete with an integrated lithium-ion battery and USB charger. 

The Underwater Kinetics C8 might not be the right dive light for you if you’re looking for an affordable solution. Yet, it can be the perfect one if you’re after a premium quality product designed to stay by your side in all your underwater adventures. 

While premium quality means a premium price as well, this flashlight stands out thanks to its unparalleled performance. 

The numbers don’t promise a lot, but the truth is that the beam of light is stronger than imagined thanks to the two high-intensity LEDs. Two modes let you choose from high (1,200 lumens) and low (400 lumens) intensity, while the runtime varies from about six to about 20 hours, depending on the mode. 

What makes this flashlight different, however, is the unique optical design that brings together the intensity of the two LEDs into a single beam. 

A thing we like less is the design. Sure, the handle is ergonomic and comfortable, but we’re fans of the flashlights with wristbands for practical reasons. If you don’t mind it, though, know that the C8 comes in two variants, letting you pick from a rechargeable battery pack or standard alkaline batteries. 

While the alkaline batteries version is not as bright as the rechargeable battery one, you can also expect a more pocket-friendly price. Ultimately, both are excellent choices for the casual and professional diver looking for dependable underwater equipment. 

VOLADOR is by far one of the best brands to consider when searching for a new dive light; besides our top pick, the VOLADOR 2000 is another favorite. 

It is designed for professional deep divers who need the maximum brightness at the lowest price. Indeed, this flashlight won’t cost your weight in gold but will deliver 2,000 lumens whenever you need them. 

A sleek design makes it easy to mount on a wristband, so you can keep both hands free while diving. 

Equipped with USA-original XPH50 Cree LEDs, it also boasts a lifespan comparable to its brother’s – around 50,000 hours. 

The Volador has a tubular body made out of a solid construction that is composed of AL-6061-T6 which is classified as a military grade aviation aluminum making this dive light abrasion and corrosion resistant. Its internal structure is made out of a double barrel body which acts a mechanism against overheat and external electrification.

It has employed a sealing mechanism that involves 3 o-rings located and embedded at the mid-portion of the body. This dive light has an IP68 waterproof rating where the unit can be submerged up to a depth of 150 meters (492 feet). But this does not mean that you are diving at that depth as we are restricted on our level of scuba certification where the maximum depth set for recreational scuba diving is 42 meters (140 feet). 

Perhaps the most acclaimed feature is the neutral white light that is easy on the eyes when you’re exploring the marine environment. Another nice thing is the mechanical rotary switch which is more dependable underwater. 

Crafted in military-grade aviation aluminum, the flashlight is rated 15 ATM and boasts a whopping maximum distance of over 700 feet. Made for professional divers, it makes an excellent choice for most outdoor and underwater applications. 

If you like the ORCATORCH best, we have another entry from this brand too. The ultra-compact and powerful D530 boasts an innovative design and presents itself as a smaller but more robust flashlight. 

Capable of outputting up to 1050 lumens, it’s made from aircraft-grade, hard-anodized aluminum. This material resists corrosion, salt water, chlorine, as well as rust; thus, it’s ideal to use for all diving or night snorkeling applications. 

The long-range spot beam has a narrow 5° angle that focuses the beam at a long distance. Furthermore, the flashlight is really easy to operate thanks to the side button switch you can use to turn it on or off and change the mode. 

Another important improvement compared to the other ORCATORCH on this list is the battery indicator that shows you the battery power status. While useful in many cases, we don’t think it justifies the difference in price, though. 

This flashlight comes with a 3,400mAh USB rechargeable battery, so you won’t have to stress too much about changing the cells. Convenient, easy to carry, and travel-friendly, this could be the perfect dive light for the avid divers going on vacation. 

Merlin Light is one of the most expensive dive lights on the market, but its superior quality and reliability are truly worth every dime. 

This canister-style flashlight utilizes three bright LEDs for a maximum output of 3,000 lumens. That’s quite impressive, as you can use it even in the darkest conditions. 

Needless to say, the high brightness can easily enhance your safety both in the ocean and on land. 

Waterproof at 15 ATM, it comes with three O-rings and a 10° focus beam that reaches a really long distance. We also like the wide overall coverage that lets you see exactly what happens around you. 

The design is also versatile; this flashlight has a handheld bracket for easy maneuvering, but all it takes is a bit of DIY creativity to use it as a headlight should you want to. Five modes include various light intensities from high to very low, and the strobe mode lets you catch your partner’s attention whenever needed. 

Powered by three lithium-ion batteries, the Merlin Light provides up to 2 hours of runtime at high output and excellent focus in all modes. 

If all you need when you’re diving is some light for alert signaling when you’re diving or fishing and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on this type of equipment, the Promate LED light stick could be the right one for you. 

It doesn’t help you see at long distances, but this is not its purpose anyway. Attaching it to your equipment can really make a difference in terms of how visible you are, though. 

Considering how important it is to be easy to spot by your dive buddies, we really recommend investing in such a mode. 

This light stick is equipped with super-bright LEDs with a lifetime of about 100,000 hours. The battery has a lifespan of about 50 hours, and the device resists to depths of 300 feet. 

Four colors and two types – with either constant glow or flashing lights – enhance versatility. While this isn’t a flashlight replacement, it’s an indispensable accessory for safe diving. So it couldn’t have missed from our list of best dive lights. 

9. Audeamus Rechargable Waterproof LED Dive Light

Moving forward with our list, another noteworthy flashlight is this one from Audeamus. The brand is renowned for its diving equipment, and this light doesn’t disappoint. 

Made from waterproof alloy, it resists up to 10 ATM and outputs between 350 and 1,200 lumens. The output depends on the selected mode; this flashlight has three steady light modes and an SOS mode. 

It misses strobe, but the SOS is a fantastic replacement. Part of a high-value pack, it comes with a battery and charger, so you won’t have to worry about replacement batteries, at least for a while. We like that the battery included is a Samsung, a brand known worldwide for its reliable equipment. 

O-rings can also enhance the product’s lifespan, while a lanyard and carry case add more value for money. While not the fanciest dive flashlight, this model is undoubtedly a great choice for a mid-range unit at a good price point. 

Last but not least, the Glo-Toob is the final entry on our list. This innovative dive light isn’t the fanciest on the market; it’s waterproof at only 6 ATM, but still a choice for diving in shallower waters or snorkeling. 

Although it utilizes super-bright LEDs, it doesn’t have an impressive range either. That’s no biggie, though, as the flashlight’s main purpose is that of providing some light in darker areas while diving or snorkeling in shallow waters. 

Three light modes enhance versatility even more; you can pick from high and low, as well as a flashing light ideal for signaling. 

The innovative tube design also makes it ideal to use as a signaling device whenever needed. A ring also makes it easy to attach to your diving equipment. 

Using an AAA battery, the unit provides up to 15 hours of dependable light modes and comes in several colors. Backed by a manufacturer’s warranty, this is undoubtedly one of the best dive lights for divers on a budget.