6 Best Underwater Boat Lights: Reviews and Buying Guide for 2020

What to Look For in Underwater Boat Lights

The waterproof rating is one of the first things you should look at when selecting an underwater boat light. The IP68 rating indicates that you can use a light underwater without damaging it. A product that doesn’t have this rating might not have a durable housing or might not last long in the water.

If you need lights that you will use in saltwater, look for lights with housing that uses a protective coating or another feature to prevent corrosion. Marine-grade materials are an investment that will last longer in saltwater.

LED lights make the best underwater boat lights because they’re bright, durable, and energy-efficient. We recommend choosing white or blue lights for visibility, but you can find a wide range of colors that you can use for aesthetic purposes.

The brightness of an LED light is measured in lumens. You can find basic underwater lights in the 500 to 1,000 lumens range, or invest in a 2,000 to 3,000 lumens light if you want better visibility from further away.

Lastly, you should pay attention to the hardware and mounting system that comes with your new underwater light. It should be easy to mount on your boat’s hull.

Types of Underwater Boat Lights

You will come across different light shapes and mounting systems when shopping for underwater lights. Make sure you choose a light adapted to your needs:

• Floodlights or navigation lights are larger LED lights with more reach. They help you see further at night and can illuminate a dive site.
• Fishing lights are lights that you can set in water to attract fish or observe wildlife.
• Spotlights are lightweight LED lights designed to be handheld. It’s best to keep a spotlight on board for safety purposes.
• Underwater aesthetic lights allow you to improve the appearance of your boat. These lights can enhance visibility to some extent, but their main purpose is to create an aesthetic effect. These lights often change colors.
• Drain plug lights and other smaller LED lights are designed to illuminate a specific fixture and make it more accessible.

Note that you can build a customized light system by combining different types of lights and thinking about light placement on your boat.

Best Underwater Boat Lights Under $100

These products are the best underwater boat lights if you need moderate visibility or want to spruce up the appearance of your boat.

Tidal Wake IP68 Underwater 1/2in Standard Boat Drain Plug LED Light

We like this small waterproof LED light because it’s an easy way of customizing your boat. It’s one of the best underwater boat lights if you’re looking for an easy installation system.

All you have to do is remove your drain plug and install the light in the threaded plug. It will fit any ½” threaded drain plugs. There is no need to drill a hole in your hull or to install mounting brackets.

This small LED light delivers 1,800 lumens. It’s an excellent choice if you want to improve visibility without installing a large light.

There are four colors to choose from, including white, blue, red, and green. A colorful LED light is a fun way of making your boat more visible while creating a unique look.

The stainless steel construction and IP68 rating make this small LED light a durable investment.

Pros:

• Easy to install
• Four colors
• 1,800 lumens
• Stainless steel construction

Cons:

• Limited options for placement

HUSUKU SOOP3 Pair 42LED 1500LM Super Bright IP68 Waterproof SUS316 Stainless Steel Trim Ring Boat High-Intensity LED Underwater Light

These lightweight LED lights are ideal if you want to improve safety and visibility. They’re an excellent buy because you get two lights at an affordable price.

These horizontal LED lights have a rating of 1,500 lumens and are easily noticeable thanks to their 42 built-in LEDs. The beam has an angle of 120°, which helps light carry further on water.

The lightweight design allows for an easy installation. The two LED bars feature holes that you can use the screw the lights on a mounting bracket. The lights have a 1.28-meter cable.

There are six colors to choose from.

Pros:

• Excellent value
• Six colors
• 42 built-in LEDs
• Long cable

Cons:

• Other lights deliver more lumens

Best Underwater Boat Lights Under $350

These lights are the best underwater boat lights if you need performing lights or lights with advanced features.

Jiawill 120W CREE LED Surface Mount Underwater Boat Lights

These high-quality lights are a durable investment that is ideal for use in saltwater. The waterproof housing features marine-grade stainless steel. The lights also have a shatterproof design that will protect them from shocks and vibrations. The housing is also designed for temperature protection.

There are 24 built-in LEDs to provide optimal brightness. These lights have a rating of 120-watt, and you can power them with different DC power sources in the 9 to 32 volts range. This feature makes the lights more versatile and easy to install.

We like the low profile of these lights. The low profile gives you more flexibility when picking the light placement. There are six different colors available, and the lights come with the hardware you need to mount them.

Pros:

• IP68 waterproof rating
• Marine-grade materials
• Temperature and vibration-resistant
• Low-profile design

Cons:

• Can’t adjust brightness

Lumited Lighting 101510, LED Underwater Light

This SeaBlaze underwater light is a durable investment thanks to its marine-grade bronze housing. It’s one of the sturdiest boat lights you can find, and the manufacturer uses a thorough testing process to ensure that its products are waterproof.

We like this underwater light because of its advanced features and customization options. There are switches you can use to change the color, set a timer, or select different modes.

It has a rating of 2,000 lumens and is an excellent choice if you want a light that will make your boat visible from far away.

Pros:

• Change colors
• Set a timer
• Marine-grade bronze housing
• Sturdy construction

Cons:

• No remote control options

Best Underwater Boat Lights Overall

We think these two lights are must-have products if you’re a boat owner.

EXZEIT Waterproof LED Boat Lights

We recommend these lights because they’re the best value you can find. You can get a set of two performing floodlights at an affordable price.

These lights have multiple uses. They’re a versatile option that you can reuse in different settings.

The horizontal light bar design gives you plenty of options for light placement. The 120° illumination range is ideal for a boat light since it carries far on the water surface or underwater.

The stainless steel and aluminum housing is durable and meets the requirements of the IP68 waterproof standard. The lights can withstand harsh temperature conditions.

The lights use 72-watt LEDs and run on 12 or 24V power. The lights come with the hardware you need to mount them.

Pros:

• Light bar design
• Excellent value
• Comes with mounting hardware
• Durable housing

Cons:

• Only one color available
• Not a low-profile design

NoCry 18W Waterproof Rechargeable Flashlight (Spotlight)

This spotlight is a must-have item for your boat since it could save your life. It’s a powerful 1,000-lumen handheld light with waterproof housing.

This spotlight uses 18 built-in LED lights to illuminate a wide area. It’s a lot more noticeable than a traditional flashlight, and you can use it to navigate around obstacles in the dark or to signal other boats. The waterproof design means you can also use this powerful spotlight for diving.

The light has an impact-resistant design that makes it more durable, and lightweight housing makes it easy to carry. You will also get a removable red light filter that enhances visibility at night. There is a built-in stand you can use to set up the light on your boat instead of carrying it.

This spotlight uses a rechargeable battery. You will get six hours of illumination on a single charge. The light has three brightness settings to make the battery last longer.

Pros:

• Portable spotlight
• Waterproof housing
• 1,000 lumens
• Rechargeable battery

Cons:

• Not designed to be mounted on your boat

Conclusion

We highly recommend the EXZEIT Waterproof LED Boat Lights because this set of two LED bar lights is affordable. You can explore different configurations with the two bar lights and find a setup that works for you. There are other products to explore if you want more advanced features, but these lights are waterproof, bright, and durable.

We also think you should keep the NoCry 18W Waterproof Rechargeable Flashlight (Spotlight) on board for safety reasons. This handheld spotlight is a must-have product for navigating at night.