2024 Buying Guide: 15 Best Action Camera Flashlights You Can Choose

Are you interested in sports, adventure, outdoor and underwater photography, and filming action? An action camera flashlight is exactly what gets you value for your money. It will lighten up your photos and make filming or photography at night or in dark-lit environments a breeze, at least that’s what it has done in my case. In addition, the Action Camera Flashlights are user-friendly, easy to use and compatible, attaching to various popular camera models, durable (water-resistant), bright, portable, and useful with a variety of  light modes.

What is an Action Camera Flashlight?

 An action camera light with flashlight mode is a small and durable piece of supplementary lighting for improved visibility, image, and video capture in little to no light situations. Core is designed to give you constant bright light at higher color and better quality detail. It is waterproof and shockproof, with adjustable brightness levels, rechargeable batteries, and perfectly compatible with action cameras like the GoPro or DJI.

Designed for fearless photographers and videographers seeking thrills in the dark, these flashlights are ideal tools for nocturnal explorers, underwater photographers, extreme sports enthusiasts and daredevils alike, with each light boasting a mix of durability and portability.

How to Choose an Action Camera Flashlight?

1. Camera Compatibility

Not all cameras and flashlights are compatible with each other, it is important to do thorough research on the device before making any purchase.  You must consider the type of camera you want to use to buy the right flashlight. There are some camera flashlights such as DSLRs, mirrorless, and GoPro are designed for specific cameras.

2. Size and Weight

The size and weight of a flashlight should be able to be carried around conveniently and fit in a pocket or a bag while on the go. However, to achieve a soft light effect, one might have to consider a larger light source because the compact-sized light source may not be suitable enough.

3. Color Temperature

Color temperature in photography refers to the color of the light the flashlight emits and is measured in Kelvin (K). The color accuracy of footage captured with an action camera depends on the color temperature of the flashlight. Flashlights emitting bluish light produce cold and unnatural footage while those that emit yellowish or orangish light often distort the true color of the subjects.

Photo by Habib Dadkhah on Unsplash

It is important to consider a flashlight with multiple LEDs and various diffusers to ensure optimal lighting conditions when filming with an action camera.  These features often create natural-looking conditions avoiding the harsh shadows and depth issues that arise when using natural or single light source.

4. Battery Life

A flashlight’s battery life determines its performance and runtime. As such, it is advisable to go for long-battery life flashlights because they are useful during extended outdoor shootings and other emergency situations.

Long battery life is determined by its type, capacity, durability, and power output. It is recommended to go for a lithium-ion battery-powered flashlight because they have high capacity, less weight, and a long shelf life. Rechargeable batteries are ideal because they are less costly and environmentally friendly.

5. Lumens

Lumens are the total volume of light a flashlight can emit. Higher lumens produce brighter light which is ideal for shooting in dark conditions. Shooting in bright conditions will require a lower-lumen flashlight. Depending on the background features of the shooting environment, it is important to select a flashlight with the right lumen for the footage to be effective.

6. Weatherproof

Weatherproof flashlights are ideal in harsh weather conditions like snow, extreme temperatures, and rain. However, it is important to check the flashlight’s IP rating to know what level of extreme conditions the flashlight can withstand. Flashlights with high IP ratings like 68 are designed to withstand water and dust which are common during outdoor filming.

How to Make the Most Out of an Action Camera Flashlight?

• Aperture: Setting your aperture at the lowest setting allows an action camera flashlight to take photos with a shallow depth field. The subject becomes the focus of the footage with the background blurred.
• Diffusers: The bright nature of action camera flashlights can cause a lens flare. Diffusers are used to soften the light.
• Shutter Speed: Faster settings on shutter speeds produce sharper images because you will be able to freeze the action and avoid blur.
• ISO: The ISO setting determines the sensor’s sensitivity to light. Higher ISO settings mean you will capture more light but may result in grainy images.
• White Balance: The action camera flashlight usually shifts colors towards the blue end of the spectrum because of the white color temperature. Setting the white balance to warmer settings avoids color distortion.

Best Action Camera Flashlight for Night Photographers

1. ULANZI VL49 RGB Video Lights

Are you looking for a compact, versatile lighting solution? The Ulanzi VL49 RGB Video light is just what you need. Enhanced with 49 mini LED lights, it can easily be used for creative night shots as it provides RGB lighting that can be adjusted with changes in brightness and colour temperature. It has a long battery life, is light to carry, and has a magnetic base - in other words, it’s versatile. It is suitable for novice and advanced users.

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Specifications

• Hardware interface: USB Type C.
• Battery: 2000mAh lithium battery, charging time 2-10 hours runtime depending on brightness, and charges in 2.5 hours.
• Brightness: 1200 lumens with a 95+ CRI for accurate colour rendering.
• Weight: 101g.
• Angle design: up to 120° beam angle.
• Colour temperature: customizable between 2500k (warm) and 9000k (cool).
• Dimensions: 6.6L x 3W x 8H centimetres.
• RGB mode: Full spectrum RGB with 360° hue adjustments.

2. SmallRig RM120 RGB Video Light

If you love photography, say goodbye to bulky lighting carts: The SmallRig RM120 RGB Video Light represents a breakthrough in portable lighting solutions for photographers. Incorporating 120 premium LED beads, both emit pure RGB and can even produce a wider colour spectrum with different setup inside the basic LED bead. Everything is controlled with an app on your phone, with motion sensors and the phone’s camera being used as “controllers”. The difference is that here, what sets the RM120 apart is this flexible colour temperature, which can slide from warm to cooler shades and seem to allow users to fully dictate that quality of light in a natural context.

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Specifications

• Light Modes: 4 modes - CCT(Correlated Color Temperature), HSI(Hue, Saturation, Intensity), RGBW, and FX.
• Dimensions: 125mm x 75.2mm x 15.5mm.
• Weight: 205 grams.
• Battery life: Built-in 5,000mAh rechargeable battery.
• Colour temperature range: Customizable 2,500k and 8,500k.
• Brightness: Up to 1,580 lux at 0.3 meters.

3. NEEWER Magnetic RGB Video Light

Are you a photographer or videographer looking for a versatile, portable solution? Look no further than the NEEWER Magnetic RGB Video Light. It features preset light settings and an RGB colour scale. It’s portable, so it’s versatile for different sites. Plus, with its magnetic back, it can be conveniently placed on metallic surfaces.

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Specifications

• Weight: 110 grams.
• Battery: Built-in 2000mAh rechargeable battery, lasts up to 2.6 hours.
• Hardware interface: USB Type C.
• Light Output: 61 LEDs, up to 800 lux at 0.5 meters.
• Colour temperature range: 2500k to 8500k with 360° hue.

Best Action Camera Flashlight for Video Bloggers

4. PICTRON VL28 LED Light

One of the most cost effective photo/lights out there is the Pictron VL28 LED light. It contains 28 premium LED bulbs that provide steadily adjustable illumination. The mount structure, portability, and lightweight design allow you to use it on different filming setups like cameras. Although it has straightforward features, it’s not the brightest action camera flashlight.

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Specifications

• Colour temperature range: 3200k to 5600k.
• Battery: built-in 3000mAh rechargeable, with 1.5 to 2 hours runtime in maximum brightness.
• Hardware interface: USB Type C.
• Design: 28 LED beads.
• Brightness output: 900 lumens.

5. ULANZI VL49 2000mAh LED Video Light

Need an affordable and portable lighting solution? The ULANZI VL49 2000mAh LED Video Light is there to help meet your needs. It has 49 LED beads that can be changed with brightness and colour temperature to stimulate natural light. Regarding battery, this one offers you 2000mAh with the potential to last up to 10 hours. It also has a magnetic back. It’s ideal for shooting on the move.

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Specifications

• Battery: Rechargeable 2000mAh lithium-ion battery with 2 to 5 hours runtime depending on brightness levels.
• Lighting features: 49 LED beads.
• Colour temperature range: 5500k and a 95 CRI for precise colour rendering.
• Brightness: Adjustable levels from 0 to 100%.
• Design: 3 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches.
• Weight: 101 grams.

6. VL-81 LED Video Light

The VL-81 LED Video Light is the perfect flexible lighting device you can use for shooting at night. It boasts 81 LED beads with LED brightness control and a colour temperature range of 3200k to 5600k, allowing the user to select warm and cool lights. It has a 3000mAh lithium-ion polymer battery, making it suitable for extended use. It is portable and compact, fulfilling the needs of an action camera.

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Specifications

• Battery: Built-in 3000mAh rechargeable lithium battery with 2.5 - 4 hours runtime depending on brightness.  
• Design: 73mm x 90mm x 30mm.
• Weight: 120 grams.
• Colour temperature: Adjustable 3200k (warm) to 5600k (cool).
• Brightness levels: Adjustable 0 - 100%.
• Light features: 81 LED beads with 50,000 hour lifespan.
• Hardware interface: USB Type C.

Best Action Camera Flashlight for outdoor adventurers

7. GoPro Light Mod

If you are a photographer and adventure seeker looking for an ideal, powerful, compact, and durable flashlight, the GoPro Light Mod might have everything you need, especially if the camera used for the shoot is a GoPro camera. It comes bearing customizable configurations for different lighting conditions, creating artistic touches. It can get as bright as 200 lumens. IP68 - rated waterproof reliability of 10m outdoor and diving. It’s also at home on GoPro mounts, expanding its versatility.

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Specifications

• Brightness levels: from 20 to 200 lumens ranging from 20 seconds to 6 hours.
• Battery: Up to 6 hours.
• Colour temperature: 5000k adjustable with a diffuser.
• Weight: 25 grams.
• Waterproof: Up to 10 meters.
• Hardware interface: USB type C.

8. Suptig High Power Dimmable

Not the smallest for stowing away, but the Suptig High Power Dimmable, packs a punch in a small package — a perfect addition for action cam utility. Designed for underwater and low-light shooting, it features an adjustable brightness level and high-powered LED output for a broad and even beam. It’s rated waterproof down to 50 meters, so you can wear it on underwater adventures, too.

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Specifications

• Battery: Built-in rechargeable battery, 1.5 to 5 hours battery life depending on brightness.
• Waterproof: Up to 147 feet (45 meters).
• Material: High-quality aluminium.
• Lighting: Wide-angle illumination for broad coverage.
• Brightness: High power LEDs with 400 lumens.

9. GoPro Zeus Mini LED Light

The GoPro Zeus Mini LED Light packs and adjustable 200 lumens with four levels of brightness to ensure clear visibility in low light conditions. The 33 feet’ waterproof design ensures adaptability to underwater photography. If that wasn’t enough, it also comes equipped with a magnetic clip.  You can use the on-camera light for up to 6 hours, simplifying outdoor photography. Its featherweight makes it unbelievable that it can hold your camera, ensuring convenience. It is designed to complement GoPro Heroes or other lightweight mounts.

 

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Specifications

• Brightness: 4 settings - 20, 60, 125, and 200 lumens.
• Battery: 1 to 6+ hours with 20 to 200 lumens.
• Colour temperature: 5700k with 90+ CRI.
• Waterproof: Up to 10 meters.

Best Action Camera Flashlight for Underwater Enthusiasts

10. Suptig Dive Light Underwater Lights

The Suptig Dive Light Underwater Light is An Essential Underwater Peripheral — Makes Low-Light "Night-Dive" Shots Possible. Designed for action cams, it has a waterproof depth of 45 meters (147 feet) and delivers powerful, stable lighting to create clear images taken underwater. Its adjustable brightness and wide-angle beam contribute to bright, evenly exposed images, even in low-light conditions. Its rugged, compact body and long battery life make it ideal for scuba diving and outdoor expeditions.

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Specifications

• Brightness: 5000 lux with 5500k colour temperature.
• Battery: Built-in 2600mAh rechargeable lithium battery.
• Dimensions: 4.33 x 3.93 x 2.16 inches.
• Weight: 200 grams.
• Lighting: 4 modes with 2.5 - 9 hours runtime depending on the mode.
• Waterproof: 164 feet (50 meters).
• LED: 84 high-power LEDs.  

11. Suptig 60 LED Video light

Are you an intrepid photographer with wanderlust? Well, the Suptig 60 LED Video Light is designed for blending the pair into a single video light geared towards night photographers, but it does equally well for GoPro users. It features 60 high-quality LED beads, delivering bright and adjustable lighting with a wide-angle beam — making it the ideal lighting solution for capturing rich low-light shots. Its waterproof construction allows you to use it about 50 meters underwater, which is ideal for diving & outdoor tours. Its small body and long battery life mean it’s possible for longer shoots.

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Specifications

• LED count: 60 LEDs.
• Colour temperature: 5500k adjustable with diffuser.
• Brightness: Adjustable with 3 levels - low, medium, and high.
• Beam angle: Wide angle illumination (120°)
• Battery: Rechargeable 2500mAh battery with 4 hours runtime.
• Waterproof: Up to 45 meters (147 feet).
• Material: High-quality aluminium.

12. SOONSUN Diving Light

Are you a night photographer looking for the best waterproof flashlights that work for underwater photography and videography? The Soonsun diving light provides three tight brightness levels (nineteen, twenty, and twenty-one minutes) in low-gentle and underwater publicity that is sharp and gooseneck that is free to 5500K. Made to withstand 45 meters of water, its rugged and waterproof body can handle deep-sea diving. It snaps onto action cams and expands the creative horizons for builders.

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Specifications

• Brightness: maximum brightness of 450 lumens.
• Waterproof: Up to 50 meters (164 feet).
• Lighting: 3 modes high, medium, and low.
• LED: Dimmable LED light.
• Battery: Rechargeable battery with a durable design.

Best Action Camera Flashlight for Extreme Sports Athletes

13. GoPro HERO12

The GoPro Hero 12 is a next-gen action cam built for nocturnal shooters and thrill-seekers. It improves low-light performance, allowing you to take beautiful, crisp, and vibrant footage even in poor light conditions. It offers incredible shooting features, including 5.3K video at 60 frames per second, HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization, and advanced new HDR. The GoPro is rugged, waterproof, and has advanced time-lapse and night-lapse modes for creating cool photography. Battery life is improved, but extended shooting times at higher-res modes may need to be subsidized.

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• Video resolution: 1080p up to 240fps for slow motion, 4k at 120fps, and 5.3k 60 fps (supports HDR).
• Sensor: 1.9 inch sensor with an 8:7 aspect ratio.
• Weight: 154 grams.
• Dimensions: 72 x 51 x 34 mm.
• Waterproof: Up to 10 meters.
• Storage: MicroSD supporting 256GB.
• Battery: Up to 70 minutes recording at 5.3k.

14. Lume Cube 2.0

The Lume Cube 2.0 is a versatile professional portable LED light for night shooting — Lume Cube 2.0. It is adjustable in brightness up to 1500 lumens, as well as with a variety of color temperature filters, and waterproof down to 30 feet. It’s small enough to carry with you, and it has a long-lasting battery, making it well-suited for mobile use. Its huge price tag may discourage those on a budget, but the quality it delivers is significantly higher and more than justifies the price.

Image from Amazon

• Battery: 7+ hours lifespan at low settings and up to 1.5 hours at 100% brightness.
• Waterproof: up to 10 meters.
• Brightness: Adjustable from 1% to 100%.
• Colour temperature: 5600k.
• LED light: High-power 95+ CRI for natural colour rendering.
• Beam angle: 80°.
• Hardware interface: USB Type C.
• Weight: 99 grams.
• Dimensions: 4.06 x 4.06 x 4.06 cm.

15. JOBY Beamo LED Light

Getting out at night to shoot is never easy, and how I wish I had the JOBY Beamo LED Light all those nights. Similar to the Outdoor Adventure Nomad series, but for action cameras and vlogging, this version delivers 1500 lumens of brightness. It also delivers variable intensity with a 5100K color temperature to provide natural lighting in dark settings. Its tough build makes it dependable in harsh conditions, and magnetic mounting and wireless charging are nice touches. Small but fierce, the Beamo is good for outdoor shoots. Its price might make it less attractive to those with a tighter budget.

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Specifications

• Battery: Built-in rechargeable lithium battery with 40 minutes at 100% and 100+ minutes at 50% battery life.
• Waterproof: up to 30 meters.
• Brightness: 1500 lumens.
• Colour temperature: 5100k during the daylight.
• LED light: 95+ for precise colour rendering.
• Beam angle: 60°.
• Hardware interface: USB Type C.
• Weight: 130 grams.
• Dimensions: 4.7 x 5.1 x 5.1 cm.  

FAQs

1. Do Action Cameras Have a Flashlight When Buying?

When you purchase most action cameras, they come without an integrated flashlight. Action cameras are small alternatives for you, with great versatility. Compatible lighting accessories are widely available from various action camera brands that attach directly to your camera or can be mounted nearby.

2. Is it worth it to purchase a cheap action camera?

As a photographer, an inexpensive action camera may seem too good to be true or the only option. If you are an amateur, a cheap one works for freelance shooting; but if you are a professional, you need a solid one. A mid-range to premium action camera is more likely to provide value for money to build over the years.

3. How to maximize a camera flashlight’s battery light?

Here are guidelines to help you conserve your camera flashlight’s battery life;

• Limit how long you use it; only use the flashlight when you need it.
• Turn it off when you’re not using it.
• Use the energy-saving features; utilize the power-saver modes.
• Ensure the flashlight is fully charged before use, to keep the battery fresh.