18 Best Spotlights (Handheld) in 2024 | [Reviewed by a Marine]

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You might not be able to take the sun with you, but what you can take with you is a bright handheld spotlight.

Flashlights and headlamps are helpful because of their portability and ease-of-use, however, sometimes, you just need something bigger and brighter.

Some of the Brightest Spotlights Available

I’m not going to beat a dead horse with this guide. Experts, feel free to skip ahead to the reviews.

Novices, no worries, I’m going to break everything down and then cover what I think the best spotlights currently available. First, we’ll talk about what to look for in a spotlight then I’ll show you the best spotlights at different price points. The spotlights on this list are the most reliable and brightest spotlights out there.

Quick Summary: Our Top Picks For Spotlights (Handheld) in 2024
IMAGE PRODUCT
Streamlight Waypoint
  • Lumens: 1000
  • Battery Type: up to 60 hours
  • Light Distance: 2200 feet
VIEW ON AMAZON →
Stanley SL10LEDS Handheld Spotlight
  • Lumens: 2200
  • Weight: 2.05 pounds
  • Battery Type: Rechargeable 12 volts Lithium-Ion
VIEW ON AMAZON →
Fenix LR40R Search Light
  • Lumens: 12000
  • Light Distance: 2099.75 feet
  • Battery Type: ARB-L37-12000 Li-Ion USB-C rechargeable with reverse charging
VIEW ON AMAZON →
Eornmor Outdoor Spotlight
  • Lumens: 6000
  • Light Distance: 2600 feet
  • Waterproof: IPX4 – Splashproof
VIEW ON AMAZON →
Goodsmann Submersible Waterproof Spotlight
  • Lumens: 4500
  • Light Distance: 1575 feet
  • Waterproof: Resistance down to 1 meter and also floats
VIEW ON AMAZON →

Why You Would Need a Spotlight

Lugging around a spotlight isn’t very practical when you’re on the move, but when you’re setting up in one place or in a vehicle like a truck or a boat, a spotlight is a great piece of gear to have.

The world of spotlights can be a bit overwhelming because there are hundreds of spotlights to choose from and there are confusing marketing techniques that make it hard to determine which are actually the best. Thankfully for you, though, I’ve filtered out all of the garbage options that you could stumble upon online.

Although a lot of the spotlights out there are similar, they still have key differences that make them better for certain applications.

For example, if you’re buying a spotlight to spot deer with you’re going to look for different features than you would in a spotlight for boating and marine use.

More on Application of Use

Simply choosing the brightest spotlight isn’t what I always recommend. Intended use is going to be your primary determining factor in choosing the right spotlight for you.

If you just need a spotlight for the house or to spot deer from your vehicle, then maybe you don’t need it to be waterproof. But, if a big camping trip is your intended use, I’d highly recommend investing in a waterproof spotlight.

I always look for durable gear, because in most cases, anything that’s not durable just leads to frustration and me spending more money down the road. Here on Marine Approved we like to implement the “buy once cry once” mentality.

Lumens

Let’s clear things up, lumens are the way we measure a light’s output in the days of high-tech and LED. We always used to use watts, but now in today’s world, we know that’s not going to give an accurate depiction of a light’s brightness.

So basically, when you see how many lumens a spotlight has, that’s a measure of its brightness. Remember, though, the larger and higher the lumens are doesn’t always mean higher quality or better user experience. High lumen spotlights generate a ton of heat and the brighter the light is, the more battery power it will consume. The tradeoff here is weight, portability, charging options, and possible time you can use it before the battery dies.

With that said, decent quality spotlights tend to come with multiple lumen settings so that you can buy a spotlight with high lumens but only switch to that battery sucking mode when you absolutely need it.

Spotlight Type

There are two main spotlight types that we’ll be focusing on in this guide. There is no better type or form factor, it really comes down to preference, how you plan to use it, and how you plan to store it.

Under-grip spotlights: Undergrip spotlights have grips that are parallel with the light. The main advantage of under-grip spotlights is that most people find them more comfortable hold and use for long periods of time.

The downside is they’re a little more awkward to aim because you typically hold them around waist level.

Pistol grip spotlights: Pistol grip spotlights are my personal favorite because they’re easier to aim, especially if you’re in areas with large elevation differences. For applications like spotting deer, night fishing, and boating, I generally prefer a pistol grip spotlight. Being able to hold the light out in front of you just feels more natural for most people.

Beam Options

Not all bulbs used in these will be created equally. The bulb types and size of the reflectors are going to differ to create a different beam type. There will also be light filters and light intensity options in a lot of lights in this guide.

Why it matters:

The bulb type, lenses, and reflectors are going to impact the strength and longevity of the beam directly.

Reflectors and lenses: The depth of the reflectors will determine the focus of the light photons being emitted from the bulb. Regardless of the reflectors’ ability to intensify the beam, the photons will eventually spread out far enough that the light won’t be visible from a certain distance. The reflectors and lense will help improve the range that the beam can reach.

Bulb Types

LEDs: LED lights can last anywhere from 12 to 24 years and are 80% more efficient than more traditional lights. This gives your battery a longer life.

Incandescent bulbs: Incandescent lights are a little more old school and usually use xenon or halogen. More of the energy going into an incandescent bulb is wasted to heat energy.

Light filters: Light filters aren’t just filters that’ll change the color of your light beam. Many spotlights offer filters for you to switch out on your spotlight, to prevent you from sticking out as much or to prevent your pupils from opening too wide.

Red light filters will put less stress on your eyes and make it easier for your eyes to readjust after you turn your spotlight off. Red light filters are also great for being less conspicuous.

Light intensity settings: Having a spotlight with high lumens is pretty cool, but it can also drain your battery power faster. Shining your light half a mile away will be awesome until your battery dies 2 hours later. Switching through the light settings will help you preserve that precious battery life for when you need it most.

Weight

The majority of the materials used in spotlights are usually pretty light. The batteries make up for most of the weight. You don’t want your spotlight to feel like a brick, but if it’s heavier, it probably has a bigger battery that will give you more duration.

Weight probably won’t be a major factor for most, unless you plan on taking it backpacking, in which most cases you would just need a flashlight or headlamp. Spotlights are bulkier in most cases anyway, but it’s still something to factor in depending on your application of use.

Battery Type

Like I just said, weight, specifically a battery’s weight, is going to have a direct correlation to the size and mAH. mAH is an ampere-hour and is a way to judge how many units of power the battery can hold. The more mAH a battery has is usually a good indicator of how long a single charge will last.

Quick tip: The advertised battery life on these spotlights is often not realistic. These estimations are based on the most power-conserving options.

To keep it simple, there are two major differences in the batteries on this list — rechargeable batteries and non-rechargeable batteries.

Rechargeable batteries are always a pro since always having to purchase new batteries is a pain. If you decide on a spotlight with a rechargeable battery, then I also recommend investing in a solid USB battery pack. These battery packs can be used to recharge your phone and other gear, but it’ll also restore your spotlight’s power. Another thing to keep in mind is that a lot of rechargeable batteries aren’t easily rechargeable, so keep an eye out for that.

For non-rechargeable battery-powered spotlights, I’d recommend always having spare batteries on hand.

Durability

If you’re an avid outdoorsman, this may be one of the most underrated factors to keep in mind.

The last thing you want when you’re camping is an unreliable light source. Many of the options on this list are waterproof, but not all, so keep that in mind.

The most vulnerable part of a spotlight is the battery and electrical components, so cheaper spotlights may be more prone to failure from a drop.

For budget shoppers, you’ll mostly find spotlights made of Aluminum alloy and ABS plastic. Aluminum and ABS aren’t bad materials, but I wouldn’t expect them to put up with too much extreme abuse since they don’t absorb shock as well as some other materials.

On higher-end spotlights, they often use rubbers and polycarbonates along with some ABS and aluminum. Rubbers and polycarbonates will stand up to abuse and shock a lot better. Rubber absorbs the shock, and the polycarbonate is actually shatterproof. Polycarbonate is actually used to make bulletproof glass.

Here Are the Best Spotlights

 

1. Streamlight Waypoint (Editor’s Choice)

Streamlight 44910 Waypoint 1000-Lumens Spotlight with 120-Volt AC Charger, Yellow

Check Price on Amazon

  • Lumens: 1000
  • Battery Type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
  • Battery Type: up to 60 hours
  • Light Distance: 2200 feet
  • Weight: 1.52 pounds
  • Waterproof: IPX8 – Submersion to 2 meters and it floats
  • Color Options: Yellow or black

My Review: The Streamlight Waypoint is my go-to spotlight for many reasons. It’s durable, lightweight, has a long-distance beam, holds a charge well, has a good battery life, and is available in multiple power options.

By far the most popular model, and the one that I will be reviewing here, comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and 120V AC charger, but there is a cheaper model that can be powered with a 12V DC converter that allows for infinite run time or C-cell batteries (if you’re interested, you can also check out this version through the link above).

At first glance, you might think the specs of this spotlight aren’t all that impressive for its price. After all, over $100 for a 1000-lumen spotlight doesn’t seem like a great deal. The thing is, Streamlight Waypoint has a deep parabolic reflector that allows the beam to travel further than you’d expect from a 1000-lumen spotlight and many other standout features.

One nice feature that sets this spotlight apart is the cover that protects the light. This is a nice feature because, along with protecting the light, it allows you to mount it on a boat, truck, ATV, or other vehicles.

The beam has 3 strength settings, 1000 lumens, 550 lumens, and 35 lumens. You can easily switch between these by using the well-placed switch at the top of the pistol grip.

The bulbs are C4 LEDs that are designed to be better at helping conserve energy while still being very bright. On the lowest setting, the spotlight can still shine over 3 football fields.

Another thing I like about this spotlight that makes it perfect for marine use is that it is polycarbonate and completely waterproof. If you manage to drop it in deep water, it’ll just float on top of the water. It has an IPX8 waterproof rating, which means it can be under 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.

The power source is a 120-volt battery that can last up to 80 hours if you only keep it on the lowest setting. On the highest beam, it’ll only last 3 hours. In my opinion, this is the best spotlight out there around the $100 price point. Whether you need a marine spotlight for boating or a spotlight to take camping, this is an excellent choice.

Pros

  • No cord
  • Lanyard
  • Choice of colors
  • The top handle doubles as a stand

Cons

  • Short battery life
  • 4 hours charge time
  • Batteries not replaceable

One of my favorite YouTubers actually did a review on this spotlight, I’ll link it below.

 

2. Stanley SL10LEDS Handheld Spotlight (Best Value)

STANLEY FATMAX SL10LEDS Rechargeable 2200 Lumen Lithium Ion Ultra Bright LED Spotlight Flashlight with USB Power Charger

Check Price on Amazon

  • Lumens: 2200
  • Battery Type: Rechargeable 12 volts Lithium-Ion
  • Light Distance: N/A
  • Weight: 2.05 pounds
  • Waterproof: No

My Review: The SL10LEDS from Stanley is one of the less sophisticated spotlights on this list. Most of the other spotlights have a lot of features, but this one is about a 4-trick pony.

The beam only comes with 2 strength settings, high and low. The LED lights are the brightest on this list, but they’d get the job done around the house or in other indoor settings. It does come with a red light filter attachment if you want to take it out in the woods.

The battery is advertised to last up to 7 hours, but that’s on low. The highest setting will run down the entire battery in less than an hour. You definitely need to be more conservative using the power of this light. The good news is that you can easily recharge it. The spotlight also has a USB socket for you to charge your phone or other accessories.

The warranty is only for 1 year and is limited, so any manufacturing problems will be covered, but not damage caused by your use.

Stanley added rubber around the lens bezel to help protect it from shock damage if accidentally dropped.

Pros

  • Fairly bright
  • Waterproof
  • The top handle doubles as a stand
  • Red lens included
  • Replaceable battery
  • Dual charging

Cons

  • Low battery life on max brightness
  • Long charge time
 

3. Fenix LR40R Search Light (Super Bright and Compact)

fenix LR40R Rechargeable 12000 Lumen Search Torch, Black,

Check Price on Amazon

  • Lumens: 12000
  • Battery Type: ARB-L37-12000 Li-Ion USB-C rechargeable with reverse charging
  • Weight: Little over 1lb
  • Light Distance: 2099.75 feet
  • Waterproof: IPX65

My Review: The Fenix LR40R is more of a form factor than most of our other recommendations, but make no mistake, this thing is tiny but mighty, and a lot of people really like the flashlight shape with floodlight capabilities. These things can easily fit in a glove box or center console, whereas you might not have space for something with a big T-shaped light and handle.

Okay, I know, nearly three hundred bucks for a tiny flashlight doesn’t seem worth it, but it is when you get 12000 real lumens and over 2000 feet of potential beaming power. These things are highly powerful and highly versatile, making them one of my favorite handheld lighting solutions I’ve gotten to review.

Speaking of versatility, a lot of spotlights lack the ability to change things up and utilize the light in a wider beam, whereas the Fenix LR40R can cycle through a dense and pinpoint beam or be dialed back for a nice and wide floodlight type of lighting configuration that makes setting up camp in the dark really easy. If you only want to pack away one lighting solution, but you think you’ll need a spotlight beam and a floodlight, this may be an excellent solution.

Furthering the versatility of this powerful handheld light is the fact they have taken notice of what people want and need nowadays. Any device with power that can back that power into a smartphone is valuable, in my opinion, as I always find my mobile phone dead when I need it the most. These lights are charged up via USB-C and can reverse charge too, making them a very helpful battery bank during the day. Furthermore, you can easily swap the rechargeable Li-Ion batteries and store them in the included Edison Battery storage cases. Another point on versatility is this device’s ability to strobe and even send S.O.S lighting sequences.

The construction of this flashlight/spotlight is absolutely phenomenal. Where most spotlights consist of some type of plastic that may not hold up to much abuse with flimsy feeling rubber buttons, you get an oxidation-resistant aircraft-grade aluminum body with stainless steel switches on the Fenix. A lot of people buck the extra buck for a version of their favorite spotlight with water resistance features, but with the Fenix, they all come with a standard IPX68 rating, meaning they’re good to submerge in up to 2 meters of water.

Rough, tough, versatile, and blindingly bright, the Fenix is an all-around monstrosity of light.

There is a con here that I really want to bring to your attention and actually applies to many devices like this, but it is especially frustrating when you pay nearly $300 to get one of these. 

The battery pack that comes with these is amazing, so long as you get one that’s rather fresh. If the unit sits on the shelves for a few months without getting any charging cycles, the batteries will eventually lose their charge, and if they sit uncharged for a long time, the batteries will degrade quickly. Some people have gotten these flashlights with batteries that have been heavily degraded due to being uncharged for long periods of time, and as such, you might want to order spare batteries just in case you get one that’s a few months old.

Pros

  • Waterproof 2 meters
  • Fairly bright
  • Can use  four 18650 batteries
  • Aluminum frame

Cons

  • Proprietary battery
  • Straight grip, not ergonomic
  • Very short battery life at max brightness
 

4. Solar Flashlight Rechargeable

Check Price on Amazon

  • Lumens: 6000
  • Battery Type: Rechargeable 9000mAH Lithium-Ion
  • Battery Life: up to 24 hours
  • Light Distance: 2600 feet
  • Weight: 0.9 pounds
  • Waterproof: IPX4 – Splashproof

My Review: The Eornmor Outdoor Spotlight is a good under-grip rechargeable spotlight for those of you on a tight budget.

It has a bright LED beam that can reach over 8 football fields. The beam has a high and low setting. The low setting can only reach half the distance (1300 feet). For a light that’s under $30, 2600 feet of reach is pretty impressive.

While the max battery life advertised is for the lowest setting of 24 hours, one the highest setting it will last far less. The battery life is almost always going to be lower than the advertised life anyway. The rechargeable battery also doubles as a power bank.

The plastic body is IPX4 waterproof. An IPX4 rating guarantees that the light can handle water splashed on it, so you can easily take it out in the rain, just don’t drop it in deep water. This is a pretty good cheap spotlight, but don’t expect great durability.

 

5. Goodsmann Submersible Waterproof Spotlight

GOODSMANN Rechargeable Spotlight Waterproof Flashlight 4500 Lumen Handheld Searchlight Hunting Light with EVA Carrying Case USB Adapter Car Charger 9924-H101-02

Check Price on Amazon

  • Lumens: 4500
  • Battery Type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
  • Light Distance: 1575 feet
  • Weight: 1.64 pounds
  • Waterproof: Resistance down to 1 meter and also floats

My Review: The Goodsmann Submersible Spotlight is one of my favorites and the highest-quality spotlight on this list. It’s super bright and durable, and you can even take it underwater.

The body is constructed from a combination of ABS plastic, polycarbonate, rubber, and aluminum. The polycarbonate and rubber make it more shockproof and impact-resistant.

The 4500-lumen beam comes with three light modes. High, low, and SOS mode, where it flashes an emergency light. On high, the beam can go over the length of 5 football fields.

This light is waterproof, and you can even use it underwater. However, it also floats, so taking it underwater might be a pain if you lose your grip.

In high mode, you can only expect to get 1-1.5 hours of battery life, but on low, you can get up to 2.5 hours. The battery life might sound low, but this light is more of a premium quality. The materials used, and the durability it has makes it the highest-value spotlight on this list.

Just to give you extra security, Goodsmann offers customers a 1-year warranty to cover any potential problems you might run into.

Pros

  • The carry handle doubles as a stand
  • 2 colors
  • Waterproof
  • Dual charging
  • LED lights
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Proprietary battery
  • Low battery life at max brightness
 

6. Browning High Noon 4C

Browning 3717760  High Noon 4C Light, Black

Check Price on Amazon

  • Lumens: 1400
  • Battery Type: 2 Rechargeable 5000mAh Li-Po batteries with CR123A (hence the 4C in the name) battery backup system and reverse charging
  • Light Distance: 2175 feet
  • Weight: Little over 1lb
  • Waterproof: IPX rated to 1 meter and also floats

My Review: If you’re looking for something durable and reliable, this is a good option. Browning is a legendary company known for caring about its customers. The Browning High Noon 4C is one tough spotlight, and I really like the pistol-style design they’ve come up with.

The construction is outstanding for the price and far exceeds the quality and durability of most other spotlights at this price point. It isn’t the brightest or furthest beam you can get, but sometimes a tradeoff for durability is worth it; speaking of build quality, these are waterproof down to a meter, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but they float, making these excellent boating buddies.

They’re constructed out of high-quality polycarbonate with thick rubber armoring all over the shell, making these an excellent choice for use in high-abuse situations. This is easily one of the best waterproof spotlights out there, especially at this price point.

Pros

  • Replaceable batteries
  • Handle doubles as a stand
  • Lightweight
  • Lanyard

Cons

  • Alkaline batteries, not LiOn
  • Low battery life on max brightness
 

7. Bigsun Q953 Spotlight

BIGSUN Rechargeable Spotlight, High High Lumens 100000 LED Flashlight with Red Lens, 10800mAh USB Power Bank, Left Side Floodlamp & Warning Lamp for Home Security, Camping, Boat, Hunting and more

Check Price on Amazon

  • Lumens: 6000
  • Battery Type: Rechargeable 10000mAH Lithium-Ion
  • Light Distance: 2600 feet
  • Weight: 1.12 pounds
  • Waterproof: No

My Review: The BigSun Q953 is a feature-packed rechargeable spotlight made of aviation-quality aluminum alloy with a strong beam and large battery.

On the highest beam setting, the light can shine through the length of 8 football fields. It has 3 brightness modes that you can use: high, medium, and low. There are also flood lights on the side for you to use, like a lantern with high and medium brightness options. For emergencies, there’s an SOS mode that flashes red and blue lights.

That 10000mAH battery helps the highest level beam last up to 16 hours but can last up to 20 hours if you use the more conservative settings. The big battery also works as a power bank for you to charge your phone with a USB.

On the top of the spotlight, it has a folding tripod for you to set up and free your hands in the dark. The spotlight also comes with a sling attachment to make it easier to carry if you don’t have a bag.

I couldn’t find anything about BigSun advertising the spotlight to be waterproof or resistant, so I’d recommend keeping it as dry as possible. If the light manages to fail you, BigSun offers a worry-free lifetime warranty.

Pros

  • Very bright
  • Filters available
  • Long battery life, lowest power
  • The battery can power other devices
  • Good warranty
  • Tripod on top (not a handle)

Cons

  • Very low battery life at max brightness
  • Battery not replaceable
 

8. Buysight Rechargeable Handheld Spotlight

BUYSIGHT Rechargeable Spotlight,Spot Lights Hand held Large Flashlight 6000 lumens Handheld Spotlight Lightweight and Super Bright Flashlight (Aluminium_Alloy Black)

Check Price on Amazon

  • Lumens: 6000
  • Battery Type: Rechargeable 9000mAH Lithium-Ion
  • Light Distance: 2600 feet
  • Weight: 1.75 pounds
  • Waterproof: No

My Review: This heftier spotlight from Buysight sports a big battery with a strong beam made from aviation-grade aluminum alloy.

This spotlight has a beam containing 2 LED beads that can reach distances longer than 8 football fields. It has the main spotlight and 2 floodlights on the side with 3 light settings: high mode, low mode, and SOS. SOS mode is a strobe light that flashes red and blue from the sidelights. The floodlights also serve a dual purpose as a lantern.

The battery is pretty big, but that’s to power all of the lumens it has. The high mode is advertised to last up to 10 hours, while the low setting can last up to 24 hours. They guarantee you to get 1000 full charges with the battery before it needs to be replaced.

Some handy features that it includes are a tripod and a rechargeable battery that doubles as a charging station for your phone.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find this spotlight being waterproof advertised, so be careful taking it in wet situations.

Bottom line: This is one of the brightest spotlights out there. The only real downside is that some people have reported issues with quality control. The good news is that Buysight offers a lifetime warranty if you’re not quite confident in the quality (double-check the Amazon listing to ensure that it is still offered at the time of sale).

Pros

  • Aluminum housing
  • Very bright
  • Filters available
  • Sidelight mode
  • Red and blue warning light function
  • Good battery life on low brightness modes
  • Multi-charging ability
  • Waterproof

Cons

  • Proprietary battery
  • No top handle
 

9. DEWALT 20V Spotlight

DEWALT 20V MAX LED Work Light, Pivoting Head (DCL043) , Red

Check Price on Amazon

  • Lumens: 1000
  • Battery Type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
  • Light Distance: 1500 feet
  • Weight: 1 pound
  • Waterproof: No

My Review: This rechargeable spotlight from Dewalt was made to get things done around the house and on job sites.

The beam is powered by 3 bright LED bulbs that have 2 different strength settings for you to switch through depending on your needs. There’s a fourth LED bulb just for a red light to preserve your night vision in the dark. On the highest brightness setting, it can shine across 5 football fields. There’s also a protective mold over the lens to protect it from bumps and falls.

The rechargeable battery is actually interchangeable, so if you don’t have time for a charge-up, you can just change it out if needed. It’s like many rechargeable drills.

Important note: The battery isn’t actually included. However, you can easily pick up DEWALT batteries for this spotlight on Amazon here. You can find the DEWALT battery charger here. You can even pick up a few and easily swap them out without having to rely on a single battery. DEWALT makes chargers with multiple charging ports, so after you get back from a job site or work you can have 2-4 batteries charging at the same time. You can find a 4 port charger on Amazon here.

One of the unique things about this spotlight is that the head can actually be pivoted to make a 180-degree angle. This will be useful if you want to handle it like a typical flashlight. It also has a belt hook to hook onto a work belt or whatever you need to connect it to.

Another nice thing is that Dewalt offers a 3-year limited warranty.

Pros

  • Uses DeWalt replaceable batteries
  • Belt hook
  • Good battery life
  • Head pivots
  • LED lights

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Heavy with the battery inserted
  • Requires DeWalt batteries
 

10. RAYOVAC Floating LED Lantern

RAYOVAC Value Bright 85-Lumen 6V 10-LED Floating Lantern Battery with Battery, BEPLN6V-BTA

Check Price on Amazon

  • Lumens: 75
  • Battery Type: 6 volts (one is included)
  • Weight: 1.6 pounds
  • Light Distance: 400 feet
  • Waterproof: IP67

My Review: The two biggest things I like about this spotlight are:

1) It floats

2) It uses a 6-volt battery

Both of these are important for different reasons. 

The floating part is handy if you like to fish at night. Drop the light over the side, and you can easily grab it or fish it out with a dip net. Also, you can tie it to the boat and drop it over the side. You have a light to attract bait fish.

Get ready to start hauling fish over the side. Where the bait fish go, the predator fish follow.

The six-volt means this light is legal to use for night hunting in states that allow spotlights. Coon hunters, in particular, like 6-volt lights for this very reason. The LED bulbs will last for decades.

You can also get red gel filters to make this a red spotlight for night hunting. The red filter is going to reduce the light’s range.

The 6-volt battery is also easy to replace. While not as common as it once was, the batteries are still easy to find in hardware stores. Rechargeable 6-volts are available. 

The ability to replace batteries at any time means you extend the use of your life for as long as you want, provided you have the batteries.

Also, if you know what you are doing, you can wire this light directly to a vehicle battery with a voltage reducer. You will need to drill wire holes in the light to make this happen, which means sealing the holes with a hot glue gun to keep them waterproof. 

The sole drawback is the weight. That 6-volt battery gets heavy after a while.

Pros

  • Easy replace battery
  • Floats
  • Waterproof
  • Time-tested design (50+ years)
  • Long run time
  • LED lights

Cons

  • Kinda short on beam distance
  • Heavy with battery in
 

11. BUYSIGHT Rechargeable Spotlight

BUYSIGHT Rechargeable Spotlight Flashlight,1000,000 lumens Hand held Spotlight Waterproof Flashlight Hunting Lamp with red Filter (Camouflage Grey)

Check Price on Amazon

  • Battery type: Lithium
  • Light distance: 550 yards
  • Weight: 1.8 pounds
  • Waterproof: Yes, to 3 feet

My review: What I seriously like about this is the clip-on red filter. If you hunt varmints at night, a red filter is almost a requirement. For those who cannot afford a thermal scope, this is the way to go.

The clip-on fits snugly around the rim, so there is no white light to escape and spook your target. Some other spotlights have gaps to release heat from the bulb. This can warn a wary varmint that things are about to get bad for it.

Buysight offers a 4-year warranty, which is middling. The light is waterproof up to 3 feet, and it floats. If you can rig it to float with the light shining down, you can use it for night fishing.

It has a top bracket for support when you need to lay it down. The back side comes off and exposes a port so you can use it to charge other devices.

Battery life is good, with 10 hours on the high setting and 20 on the low.

Pros

  • Included red filter
  • Decent warranty
  • Floats
  • Charges other devices

Cons

  • No top handle
  • Proprietary batteries
 

12. Energizer Tactical Spotlight

Check Price on Amazon

  • Lumens: 600
  • Battery Type: 6 AA batteries 
  • Weight: 1.8 pounds
  • Light Distance: 450 yards
  • Waterproof: IPX4

My Review: I really like the slanted ergonomic handle. It genuinely is more comfortable to hold something with a slanted handle for long periods v. a straight handle. The wrist stays in a natural position at rest, and the light shines straight ahead.

The high or low switch is good. You can use less power on the low setting and get a much longer battery life.

As with some of the others listed here, I like being able to replace the battery in a spotlight. If the batteries die, a few seconds and I’m back in business. You can buy AA rechargeable batteries as well. 

The back side of the housing has a slanted flat surface. Flip the light handle up and rock it back. It is now stable and shines a light upward at an angle. Unfortunately, my experience is that the upward angle is almost always just a few degrees away from where it needs to be.

Energizer says this spotlight can survive a 2 story drop, mostly because of the LED bulbs. Those things are tough. If you are prone to drop stuff, this is an important consideration.

The handle has a loop, so you can put a lanyard in place. As with some of the other spotlights here, you can add a red filter for night hunting. Be careful. A single AA battery is 1.5 volts, so putting all six batteries in this light means you are running 9 volts.

Pros

  • Easy replace AA batteries
  • Excellent run time
  • Great handle
  • Lanyard
  • Water-resistant (rain)
  • The slant on top so it can sit on a flat surface

Cons

  • No handle to hang it from something
  • Medium bright
 

13. Brinkmann Qbeam

Brinkmann 800-2380-W Max Million III Waterproof ABS Plastic Construction Rechargeable Spotlight

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  • Lumens: 700 and 1,100
  • Battery Type: Powerful 12-volt rechargeable battery
  • Weight: 6 pounds
  • Light Distance: 438 yards
  • Waterproof: Waterproof

My Review: I have used a lot of Q Beam spotlights, and none of them have let me down, except for the plug that goes into the power port in a vehicle. I explain how to deal with that above. Q Beam is for people who are serious about bringing light.

This Q Beam has an internal battery, so the power plug is a non-issue. The battery can charge with a 120-volt household current or a 12-volt vehicle power supply. An adapter for both is included with the light.

At 6 pounds, this one is a LOT of weight to carry around. The tradeoff is you throw a lot of light. This is not really a close-quarters light, despite the lower setting.

Rather than a sliding switch, this one has a trigger switch. This is an improvement over the old slider switch. It was rare, but I did see the old slider switches burn out. The trigger is better made and should last longer.

A drawback is the time the battery lasts. At high power, expect less than 20 minutes from a fully charged battery. On low power, you can get a bit more than 30 minutes.

 

14. Odear Brightled Lamp

Odear Super Bright Torch Searchlight Handheld Portable LED Spotlight USB Rechargeable Multi-Function Flashlight Outdoor Long Shots Lamp

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  • Lumens: 6000
  • Battery Type: Rechargeable 9000mAH Lithium-Ion
  • Light Distance: 2600 feet
  • Weight: 1.7 pounds
  • Waterproof: Yes

My Review: The Brightled Lamp by Odear is a tough and bright waterproof spotlight made from ABS plastic.

The LED spotlight only has one high beam setting that can reach over 8 football fields and 2 sidelight options. The sidelight can do a floodlight mode, where the 2 sidelights light up, and it can be used as a lamp. The third red light mode can be used for more gentle lighting at night or as an emergency flash.

Odear doesn’t advertise the battery life. However, using my best judgment, I’d take a guess that it could last around 10-15 conservative hours when considering the battery’s mAH and the 6000-lumen light. The charging cable is USB, so you can easily plug it into your power bank or wall charger.

The Brightled Lamp also comes with an adjustable shoulder strap, but personally, I don’t ever use the shoulder straps that some spotlights come with.

The ABS plastic case is waterproof and shock-resistant.

Bottom line: This is a super bright spotlight with some nice features, but it’s not very durable. That said, the spotlight comes with a 12-month warranty (double-check the warranty is still offered before you buy if that’s important to you). Product listings change sometimes, and I don’t want to mislead you.

Pros

  • Good battery life
  • Waterproof
  • LED lights

Cons

  • Quite heavy (3 pounds)
  • Straight parallel handle
 

15. YIERBLUE Rechargeable Spotlight

YIERBLUE Rechargeable Spotlight with 2000 Lumen LED, IP67 Waterproof Handheld Flashlight Searchlight with Detachable Red Light Filter, 10000mAh Long Running

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  • Lumens: 100,000
  • Battery Type: built-in rechargeable batteries (10000mAh)
  • Weight: Little over 1lb
  • Light Distance: About 330 yards
  • Waterproof: IPX67

My Review: The Yierblue comes in 2 bright colors, which is handy for finding it when you put it down. These 2 colors also have 2 models. The more expensive one comes with a folding stand.

You slip the spotlight upside down to make it sit on the stand. The stand also doubles as a top handle.

This one floats. Combined with the waterproofing, you can tie it to your boat and let it float in the water at night. This attracts bait fish, which attracts predator fish, which you are after.

It comes with a red filter. 4.2 volts, which is below the 6-volt threshold many states put on night hunting lights. So this is a good choice for a hunter.

The 100K Lumens will light things up at 500 yards, or so if you use the filter, that distance is cut back to under 200 yards.

The batteries recharge in 4 hours, which is pretty fast for the power this light needs.

What really sets this light apart from the rest is the warranty. Straight from the manufacturer, “If you receive a defective spotlight, contact us, and we will immediately send you a replacement unit for free. NO RETURN REQUIRED. And don’t worry about that the return window was closed.”

Pros

  • Color choices
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Long battery life
  • Powers other devices
  • High/low brightness
  • Waterproof 3 meters
  • Top handle/brace
  • Lanyard

Cons

  • Proprietary batteries
 

16. Stanley SL5HS

STANLEY SL5HS Rechargeable 1200 Lumen Lithium Ion Ultra Bright LED Spotlight Flashlight,Black

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  • Lumens: 1200
  • Advertised Battery: Lithium-Ion
  • Light Distance: 1800 feet
  • Weight: 1.6 pounds
  • Waterproof: No

My Review: The Stanley SL5HS is an affordable LED spotlight that’s a good option for the budget-minded

The light comes in 4 light options: full, high, low, and halo. The advertised runtime is only an estimate on the lowest conservative setting. The halo light utilizes 8 LED lights around the lens’s perimeter.

The advertised battery life of 10 hours is an estimation based on the lowest setting. I wouldn’t expect the spotlight to get more than 25% of that on its highest setting. It comes with two types of chargers for you to plug up to your wall outlet or car charger.

The spotlight also has a foldable stand for you to prop the light up when you need to free your hands.

In some reviews, people have complained about the battery not lasting much longer than a couple of months after the purchase. If this happens to you, it’d be best to take advantage of Stanley’s one-year warranty.

Pros

  • Top brace
  • Choice of brightness settings
  • Choice of intensity (by model)
  • Good battery life
  • Dual charging

Cons

  • The brace is a lousy handle
  • Moderate weight
 

17. Goodsmann Realtree Tacticpro

GOODSMANN Spotlight Camo Hunting Spot Lights 12 Volt Marine Spotlight Tacticpro 1500 Lumen Realtree AP-Snow Halogen Spotlighting 9924-H102-02

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  • Lumens: 1500
  • Power Source: 12 volts DC connection
  • Light Distance: 2030 feet
  • Weight: 1.77 pounds
  • Waterproof: No

My Review: The Goodsmann Tacticpro is a durable camo spotlight made from ABS that’s meant to put up with abuse. The camo is pretty much just for looks; I don’t see it as actually practical camo that’ll keep you hidden.

This spotlight doesn’t have a battery; its power source is a DC socket, so you’ll need to plug it up into something if you want to use it. It’s best for vehicles like your truck or boat.

The beam uses a bright halogen bulb. This makes it bright but doesn’t necessarily save very much power; thankfully, it’s not battery-powered. It’s a pretty basic spotlight, but for what it is, it’s quality and will get the job done.

Goodsmann advertises that this spotlight is tough. However, if you manage to prove them wrong, they’ll ship you out a speedy replacement.

Pros

  • Halogen bulb (very bright)
  • 12 volt
  • top handle

Cons

  • Requires external power source
  • 12 volt (too much for some state’s night hunting requirements)
 

18. Cyclops Revo 1100

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  • Lumens: 1100
  • Battery Type: 2 6V 2.5Ah Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) rechargeable via AC/DC or 12V adapters that are included
  • Light Distance: About 1800 feet
  • Weight: About 2lbs
  • Waterproof: No – The battery is vented to reduce heat and increase battery lifespan

My Review: Cyclops is well known for their monstrosity, the massive 18 million candle power Thor that is neither light nor really handheld and probably not what you’re looking for, but if you haven’t seen those yet, check them out because they’re pretty cool!

A more conventional and user-friendly approach offered by Cyclops is the Revo and Mevo, which I’d choose the Revo all day. It’s three times as powerful for only about double the price, so the Revo is the clear choice in terms of bang for your buck.

The Cyclops Revo is exceptionally well built and utilizes a dual Luxeon LED configuration to achieve incredible battery efficiency as well as insanely bright lighting. Something I haven’t seen very often is a red lens shader that comes included with Revo. This is to be used when you’re intermittently using the light, and you don’t want to ruin your eye’s adjustment to the darkness. 

You may have noticed it takes several minutes for your eyes to adjust to going from a bright environment to a dark environment, and when time is critical, you don’t want to have to wait several minutes to adjust each and every time you switch on your spotlight.

Pros

  • 2 brightness settings
  • Moderate battery life
  • 6 volt (Ok for most state’s night hunting)
  • Dual charging
  • Compact
  • LED bulbs

Cons

  • Straight handle
  • Lead acid battery
  • Proprietary battery
  • Not waterproof

FAQs

What should I look for in the spotlight?

You should look for voltage, the color of the light, whether the light is a wide beam or narrow beam, the size of the bulb, and whether the bulb is dimmable or non-dimmable.

What are the types of spotlights?

There are 7 different types of spotlights. They are:

The ellipsoidal spotlight
Fresnel
The piano convex
Beam projector
Follow spotlights
Parabolic Aluminized Reflector (PAR) spotlight
Parabolic Aluminized Reflector pin spotlight

What are red spotlights used for?

Red spotlights are mostly used for hunting. It is most widely used to hunt coyotes and wild hogs. Red lights do not create shadows or spook the prey therefore easier to keep an eye on.

How do I know if my spotlights are led?

If the light gives a slightly yellow or orange color when switched off, they are LED lights. Also, LEDs have many lighting pores or elements rather than a single one.

What is the Best Spotlight for Spotting Deer?

Before you hike into the woods to shine a 6000-lumen spotlight at deer in the dark, remember it’s probably illegal to use a spotlight to hunt deer where you live. Some states and provinces might have different laws, so do your own due diligence before you consider doing that.
If you’re just looking to go deer watching for the heck of it that’s fine in most cases. If you’ll be in a truck, you could use one of the spotlights that connect with a DC outlet, so you don’t have to worry about battery life. On the other hand, all of our listed spotlights will get the job done.

What is the Best Spotlight for Boating and Fishing?

For fishing or boating, you’re going to want a spotlight with good battery life so your light doesn’t become obviously useless, and it’s going to have to be waterproof. Too many companies advertise their spotlights as good for fishing or boating but aren’t even waterproof.
Personally, I’d recommend the Goodsmann Submersible Spotlight, just because it’s the most waterproof and you won’t have to worry about it getting ruined from the water. And if you drop it in the water, it’ll just float.

The Wrap-up

Many of these spotlights are fairly similar and have a lot of the same features. However, they do vary slightly on a lot of these features. Remember to choose the best spotlight that’s going to fit your needs for whatever application you use it for. Not all of these spotlights are waterproof, and not all of them have rechargeable batteries, so be sure to check out each one’s specifications before you buy.

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