Nighttime boat rides are fun, but they can be stressful without the right tools. Radar is a huge help for collision avoidance, but sometimes it can't beat being able to scan the shoreline or a dark dock quickly to make sure you're coming in at the right angle and that there aren't any obstacles in the water that will damage your boat. Having a bright hand held spotlight ready to go at the helm is a huge help and can make your after dark rides less stressful so you can focus on having fun. We'll walk you through everything you need to consider to find the best hand held spotlight for your boat.
- Key Features to Consider
- Emergency Use Considerations
- Spotlight Specifications
- 5 Great Hand Held Spotlight Options
Key Features to Consider
How Will You Use the Spotlight?
If you plan to leave it on your boat and only use it when at the helm, then even a corded spotlight should work well as long as you have a 12V accessory outlet available. Just plug it in, shine it at the shore or the dock and scan for obstacles. While plug in lights may seem outdated compared to more modern rechargeable options, you have the added advantage of knowing you won't go to use it and find the battery dead.
If you plan to use your spotlight elsewhere, like when you're camping or as a backup light in case of emergencies, then one that has a rechargeable battery or uses common disposable batteries is a great choice.
Battery Life
The longer the battery life on your spotlight, the better. Most spotlights these days use LEDs which draw far less power than old school incandescent or halogen bulbs meaning they can run much longer on a single charge. If you just need to scan the water around your boat as you come in to dock, you probably won't run into problems with battery life on most spotlights, as long as you charge it regularly. If you need your spotlight to run for extended periods of time, like during a power outage or for searching for someone that has fallen overboard, go with the spotlight with the longest run time possible.
Battery Type
Hand held Spotlight batteries fall into three main categories:
Disposable Batteries :
What you've been using in hand held flashlight for years.
Pros:
- Most reliable for emergency use as long as you have sealed, unexpired batteries on hand
- Easy to carry additional backup batteries
Cons:
- Dead disposable batteries create more waste
- Can be more costly to operate over a rechargeable spotlight
Sealed Rechargeable Batteries:
Internal recharegeable batteries that can't be swapped out easily
Pros:
- Easy to recharge at the helm or at home
- Doesn't require you to carry disposable batteries
Cons:
- If you need it an emergency and it isn't charged you can be stuck without a light
Removable Rechargeable Batteries:
Most major tool brands now have standardized batteries that fit almost all tools they make. If you already have batteries and chargers from a major tool brand like Milwaukee, this is a great option for you
Pros:
- Super easy to swap in a new battery when one gets low
- Bateries are rechargeable to cut down on recurring cost and waste
Cons:
- Larger upfront cost if you don't already have batteries from the tool system
- Usually require a special charger that might be inconvenient to store on your boat
Durability
From personal experience, hand held spotlights usually end up in a storage locker or tub where they can get knocked around by other gear. Look for spotlights that are rugged and waterproof especially since you'll likely be using it on your boat. Many of our hand held spotlights feature a shatterproof lens, are IP67 waterproof rated and will even float if dropped in the water so you can easily retrieve it.
Size and Weight
Hand held spotlights are built to be comfortable to hold and usually feature a pistol style grip to make it easy to aim the light where you need. If you're clunking around an old heavy spotlight, upgrading to one made with lighter, but still durable materials, can go a long way to making your spotlight easier to use and store.
Additional Features
Many spotlights have additional helpful features like a dedicated SOS mode that can flash SOS in morse code in an emergency, multiple light settings so you can adjust to the conditions or to preserve battery life and a red light mode or an included red light filter to help preserve your night vision. If you're deciding between a few options, additional features like these are good to consider to determine what will work best for you.
Emergency Use Considerations
If you plan to use your spotlight in an emergency, look for a spotlight with the longest battery life possible. Also look for a spotlight that has a trigger lock and a built in stand for hands-free operation. A waterproof or water resistant spotlight is also incredibly useful in an emergency especially if you lose power in a storm.
Spotlight Specifications
Lumens: Measure of brightness, with higher numbers indicating a brighter light
Candela: Measure of beam distance, with higher numbers indicating a longer reach
Battery Type: Disposable, sealed rechargeable and removable rechargeable are the three most common type. Choose the best one for your situtation using the pros and cons above.
Waterproof Rating: Most spotlights list an IP (Ingress Protection) rating and any spotlight with an IP67 rating is fully protected against dust and protected against water immersion at a water depth of up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes making it protected for most situations you'll use it in. Check out our Understanding IP (Ingress Protection) Ratings article for more info.
5 Great Hand Held Spotlight Options
- For a Super Bright Sealed Rechargeable:West Marine Heavy Duty Waterproof Rechargeable 10,000 Lumen LED Spotlight
- For a Corded Hand Held Spotlight:West Marine Plug In 12V DC 2,000 Lumen LED Spotlight
- For One that's Disposable Battery Powered:West Marine Waterproof LED 350 Lumen Spotlight
- For One Compatible with Milwaukee Tool Batteries:Milwaukee M18™ Search Light
- For Easy Hands Free Use:Milwaukee REDLITHIUM™ USB Stick Light with Magnet
West Marine Heavy Duty Waterproof Rechargeable 10,000 Lumen LED Spotlight
Top features: Our Heavy Duty Waterproof Rechargeable 10,000 Lumen LED Spotlight is constructed from heavy duty aluminum and a shatter proof lense to hold up in any marine environment. Features 6 powerful Cree® XHP50.2 LEDs to light the way, detachable red light filter lenses to help preserve your night vision and three light modes: High, Low, and S.O.S.
What makes it stand out: IP67 rated, includes an AC 100C-240C home adapter, Micro USB charging cable, and a dual-function DC 12-24V car charger to charge it just about anywhere and features an undermounted 500 lumen light to illuminate your foot path.
West Marine Plug In 12V DC 2,000 Lumen LED Spotlight
Top features: Our Plug In 12V DC 2,000 Lumen LED Spotlight features rugged ABS construction with a shaterproof lense and an easy grip handle. With 3 Cree XMLB super bright LED bulbs, it puts out plenty of light as well.
What makes it stand out: Powered by a heavy gauge 10ft. coil cord with a 12 Volt DC plug for consistent power at the helm.
West Marine Waterproof LED 350 Lumen Spotlight
Top features: With a shatterproof lens and rugged construction, our Waterproof LED 350 Lumen Spotlight is durable enough for heavy use on your boat. Plus, it's waterproof, floats and has two brightness settings to suit the conditions.
What makes it stand out: Uses 3 C batteries for reliable power from 4 to 8 hours, making it perfect for an emergency spotlight.
Milwaukee M18™ Search Light
Top features: Milwaukee's M18™ Search Light gives users versatility, performance, and durability all in one light. Its pivoting head provides 1250 lm and over 700 Yd. of beam distance to spot objects and areas at a far distance. The search light has 4 output modes: spot mode, flood mode, spot/flood mode, and strobe mode, which allow the user to spot from a far or flood an area up close.
What makes it stand out: Compatible with any Milwaukee M18™ batteries making it easy to swap in a new battery when one gets low.
Milwaukee REDLITHIUM™ USB Stick Light with Magnet
Top features: Milwaukee's REDLITHIUM™ USB Stick Light with Magnet is small but mighty. The beam probably won't reach from your boat to the shore, but it's a huge help onboard. The magnet base makes it easy to stick the light to any magnetic surface onboard and the integrated hook let's you hang it just about anywhere else to keep your hands free for what you're working on.
What makes it stand out: IP54 rated and runs on Milwaukee's rechargeable REDLITHIUM™ USB Batteries that are easy to swap out for virtually no downtime
Conclusion
Alright, let's recap. The main things you need to consider when choosing a hand held spotlight are where you plan to use it, what battery type makes the most sense for the situation and how bright you need it to be. If the spotlight you're looking at checks all those boxes, you've got the one for you. All that's left to do is take it out on the water and enjoy some nighttime cruising.
Need More Help?
Our in-store teams have you covered. With plenty of life long boaters on our crew, we have the know-how to help you get the right gear for your boat. Find your store here.
