Handheld spotlights are an important piece of equipment in every emergency kit or camping supplies. Because of its bright lumen output and wide illumination area, they are also used in workplace or job sites at nights. They are small, portable, and light in weight so you can store and carry them around easily. They are available in various shapes, sizes, and patterns which makes it a bit challenging to choose a single choice. We suggest you consider the key factors before investing in the handheld spotlight to grab the best option.
Brightness: The light brightness is measured in lumens (lm), and the general brightness range of these spotlights will be 500 – 6000 (or more) lumens. The higher the lumen count, the brighter the light to make you clearly see objects. Also, check the light’s beam throw, which increases the light’s visible range for illuminating a wider area. Power Type: These handheld spotlights are powered with batteries (either replaceable or rechargeable). Most models are rechargeable or built-in that has to be charged using either a wall outlet, USB port, power bank, or car’s cigarette lighter. Replaceable batteries run till the battery exhaust and need to replace them every time. However, rechargeable models let you charge other USB devices, while disposable models won’t. Bulb Type: There are three common types of bulbs used in handheld spotlights. They are incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs, and noble gas bulbs, in which LEDs don’t have glass filament and excess heat that make them run for a longer time. Incandescent bulbs are the most traditional ones, while noble gas is a modern version of incandescent bulbs filled with noble gas that offers brighter lighting.
For more information on the handheld spotlights, we recommend you read our detailed Buying Guide. Using the same information, we have enlisted some Best Handheld Spotlights after thorough research on various products. Read on to get a clear idea of how to select the right option as per your lighting requirement.
Best Handheld Spotlights 2023
7 Best Handheld Spotlights Reviews
1. Dewalt Handheld Spot Light
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Dewalt is one of the most popular brands of power tools out there that also make spotlights to be used along with its tools. The Dewalt DCL043 handheld spotlight is present in the 1st position in this article as it offers a great overall experience. You get a 20-volt battery system in this spotlight that powers all of its functions. This battery life also offers a decent battery life that is rated at 10 hours. Just like any other power tool offering from Dewalt, this one also offers a 3-year long warranty. In fact, you even get a great build quality with this handheld spotlight. Its pivoting head ensures that you can point this light in any direction you want. Best Features:
1000 lumens brightness rating 20 volts battery voltage Battery life rating of 10 hours 3-year long warranty
Pros:
Pivoting head for easily pointing in any direction Great build quality for peace of mind Decent brightness levels
Cons:
Charging time is a bit high
2. Energizer Handheld Spotlight
Energizer is mainly known for making batteries and cells but also happens to offer spotlight options to its users. This Energizer HC-600 handheld spotlight is present in the 3rd position in this article as it is the only option here that runs on AA batteries. It runs on a total of 6 AA batteries that equates to a battery voltage rating of 9 volts. As for battery life, it depends on the AA batteries that you use. Just like various other options in this article, you get an IPX4 water resistance along with a durable construction in this spotlight. Unfortunately, there is no warranty information along with this spotlight, which can be an issue for some users. Best Features:
600 lumens brightness rating 9 volts battery voltage Uses 6 AA batteries for power
Pros:
Affordable price tag for users on a budget Does not need charging as it uses AA batteries Durable construction with waterproof seal
Cons:
Does not offer any warranty information
3. Bigsun Handheld Spotlight
As per its name, Bigsun is known for making high power torches and spotlights for construction sites. The Bigsun Q953 handheld spotlight can be a great option if you are looking for a powerful spotlight. This is possible due to its highly powerful 6000 lumens lamp that is much higher than most other options out there. It is able to offer this using its 12-volt battery system. Another great thing about this battery is that it offers a high battery life rating of 10000 mAh that is the highest in this article. Its battery is also highly reliable as you get a lifetime warranty with this spotlight. Best Features:
6000 lumens brightness rating 12 volts battery voltage Battery life rating of 10000 hours Lifetime warranty
Pros:
Highly durable and reliable spotlight High-performance light output Comes with tripod and strap
Cons:
Not the most compact option out there
4. Streamlight Handheld Spotlight
Streamlight is one of the most premium and high-end brands of spotlights out there that also make a handheld one. Streamlight’s 44910 handheld spotlight is the most durable and reliable option present in this article. It offers a highly sturdy and durable build quality that is to be expected at this price range. You even get a lifetime warranty with it for peace of mind. Moving over to its performance, you get a 1000 lumens light output from it that makes it ideal for smaller-scale requirements. It charges its 12-volt battery using either a 120 volt AC charger or a 12 volt DC charger for flexibility. Best Features:
1000 lumens brightness rating 12 volts battery voltage Battery life rating of 60 hours Lifetime warranty
Pros:
Most durable and reliable option Long battery life for ease of use Fast charging speeds for saving time
Cons:
Quite an expensive handheld spotlight
5. Stanley Handheld Spotlight
There are a lot of power tool offerings from Stanley that generally offer a lot of things to the user for its given price point. This Stanley SL3HS handheld spotlight can be a great pick if you want a high value for money option. Even though it has an affordable price tag, you still get a pretty decent brightness rating of up to 900 lumens for use in the night. It is powered by a 12-volt battery system that offers a battery life of up to 10 hours with its 3W LED light. You get a 1-year warranty with this handheld spotlight along with an average build quality that is to be expected at this price range. Best Features:
900 lumens brightness rating 12 volts battery voltage Battery life rating of 10 hours 1-year long warranty
Pros:
Affordable price tag for users on budget Offers decent brightness levels Comes with 5 lighting modes for flexibility
Cons:
Average build quality
6. Csndice Handheld Spotlight
CSNDICE is a highly popular brand of torches and spotlights that happens to be making a highly powerful spotlight. The CSNDICE handheld spotlight is the most powerful option present in this article. It comes with a 9000 lumens brightness rating that is much higher than other options. In order to power this 35 watt LED, you get a 4.3-volt battery system that is highly efficient. This battery has a decent battery life rating of 6000 mAh for easily using it for a long time. Apart from being highly powerful, it even offers a great build quality along with an IPX4 water resistance rating. Unfortunately, you only get a 1-year long warranty with this spotlight. Best Features:
9000 lumens brightness rating 3 volts battery voltage Battery life rating of 6000 mAh 1-year long warranty
Pros:
Most powerful spotlight in this article Decent battery life for given brightness levels Offers a great build quality for peace of mind
Cons:
Only comes with a 1-year long warranty
7. Avid Power Handheld Spotlight
Avid power is one of the most popular brands of power tools, automatic and other accessories like spotlights. This super bright spot light can deliver up to 900 lumens brightness with its 10W ultra-bright LED. Its flashlight is designed with three brightness settings – high, medium & flashing (SOS). It comes with 18650 lithium ion rechargeable battery that can be recharged by using an USB cable. This spotlight is made with tough, impact resistant ABS and polystyrene, which makes it strong and durable. It is compact, lightweight and portable with ergonomic handle that let you carry or hold it easily. One can use this spotlight even in camping, sailing, hiking, walking, hunting or any roadside emergencies due to its IP67 waterproof rating. It allows you to adjust its stand from 0 – 135° as per your requirement and thus make your hands free. The sealed rear cover will protect this spotlight from dust, water or rain. Best Features:
900 lumens brightness rating Compact, lightweight and portable Made with tough ABS and polystyrene IP67 water resistant to use in water. Offers 3 lighting modes. Rechargeable battery with battery life rating of 2600 mAh
Pros:
Pivoting head for easily pointing in any direction Great build quality for durability and reliability. Super bright spot light with three lighting modes Long battery life for ease of use. Comes at an affordable price.
Cons:
No information on its warranty Charging time is a bit high. A few reported that its has low running time.
How to Choose the Best Handheld Spotlight:
It would be a bit overwhelming to choose the correct option from several models available out there in the market. To help you in selecting your best option, we suggest you consider the following key factors while shopping for the handheld spotlight.
1. Bulb Type:
Incandescent, LEDs, and noble gas bulbs are the most commonly used bulb types in handheld spotlights. Here is the detailed explanation that help you in selecting the handheld spotlight with the correct light bulb that suits your need.
LED Bulbs: These lights are energy-efficient and offer brighter lighting (white) than their counterparts. Usually, the glass filament component in the bulb will break easily (a common failure in bulbs). But the glass filament in these LED bulbs won’t break easily, which makes it reliable to use for outdoors. Also, these are strong, and won’t generate much heat. Thus, it is a widely preferred light bulb for hiking, boating, or camping. Incandescent Bulbs: These are traditional handheld spotlight bulbs but not popular these days. The reason is that the durability and efficiency of LEDs have replaced and made them a go-to product. While some people who are budget-freak might prefer these incandescent bulbs, which produce yellow light. Noble Gas Bulbs: These are a modern version of incandescent bulbs. As the name implies, noble gas like halogen, xenon, and krypton gas is filled in incandescent bulbs to generate brighter visible light, extend the lifespan of its filament, and enhance energy efficiency. Being extremely fragile, these bulbs are used seldom, yet offer brighter lighting than the other two bulb types.
2. Brightness:
The light brightness is measured in lumens (lm), and the general brightness range of these handheld spotlights will be from 500 – 6000 lumens (or more). The brightness of a single lit candle light placed over 1 foot is equal to a lumen. Different spotlights offer different brightness ranges. The higher the brightness levels of the spotlight, the easier it makes you notice nearby objects. Also, it has the beam throw effect (enhance the light’s visible range). For instance, a handheld spotlight with 500 – 1000 lm is a perfect option to use on camping, fishing, or hiking. And its beam throw will extend the lighting of about 500 feet without any obstructions. Thus, you can easily illuminate your surrounding area with this spotlight. Moreover, it is used as a signal to grab help in emergencies.
3. Lenses and Reflectors:
The next crucial factors to consider are the lens and reflectors of the handheld spotlight. The lens will protect the bulb by making the light pass through unconstrained. Plastic or clear glass is used in the making of these lenses. Most modern models feature a colored lens (like red, blue, yellow, and green) to change and make the light appearance suitable as per the situation like for signaling, night-vision purposes, or having fun at the campfire. Usually, the spotlight produces light through bulbs, whereas the reflector will redirect and focus the light into the powerful beam to enhance the overall lumen count. Reflectors reflect light into two types of textures – smooth texture (to provide a clean, narrow beam of light), orange peel texture (to provide a broad beam of light to cover a wide area). For instance, use orange peel texture for a campsite, while smooth texture might be used for signaling purposes.
4. Power Type:
Handheld spotlights produce instant lighting that makes it the best option to use in areas where not having power source (or electricity). Therefore, the handheld spotlights will run on either rechargeable (built-in) or disposable (replaceable) batteries to power your light source. Here is a clear explanation of these battery types that lets you know which one suits your lighting requirement.
Rechargeable Batteries: It is a commonly used battery type for various lighting devices (including handheld spotlight). You need to plug the light in either of these like home’s outlet, power bank, generator, USB port, or from AC outlet in the truck or car (cigarette lighter). They provide the best runtime upon a single charge. At certain times, you can charge low-powered USB devices (such as smartwatch or smartphone) with the spotlight as a power bank. Yet the major drawback is that they run out of power quickly compared to disposable batteries. Disposable Batteries: Since these batteries are separately stored from electronic devices, they won’t drain the stored energy. Thus, these removable models last longer compared to rechargeable ones. Yet the main drawback is going to store for buying new batteries to replace them whenever they exhausted. Also, it doesn’t power up other devices as rechargeable batteries do.
5. Controls and Lighting Modes:
It is essential to check the controls offered by the spotlight before making its purchase. A handheld spotlight with simple controls will let you switch among various lighting modes, and also raise or lessen the light intensity/output easily. There are two types of controls available for these spotlights.
Dial (has a series of buttons, in which press the required button to change/adjust the light). Trigger control (squeeze the trigger to change the lighting mode or to adjust the light output).
Low, high, and SOS modes are standard lighting modes found in the handheld spotlight. Here is a clear explanation of these modes.
Low Mode – It conserves energy and runs for up to 5 times longer than other lighting modes. Yet it produces weaker lighting and shorter beam throw. High Mode – With its high-energy consumption, this mode will produce brighter light from the unit, yet lasts for a shorter time. SOS Mode – This mode is used as a signal to grab some help in emergencies. It produces the same brightness as high mode does, yet has sporadic light. Based on the particular model, this strobe pattern illuminates bright white light along with blue or red lights.
6. Runtime:
Runtime represents the battery life of a particular handheld spotlight. Usually, the runtime varies a lot depending on various features, such as battery pack sizes, power consumption of their bulb, and brightness levels. For instance, you may run a spotlight for 2 – 3 hours when you operate it at its maximum brightness. Yet its runtime can be raised to 10 hours (or more) when you lower the brightness. So, you have to set the apt brightness range (or light intensity) to conserve your battery life and make it run for a longer time.
7. Size and Weight:
A handheld spotlight is a handy device that is designed to be small, compact, lightweight, and portable to carry around easily either with your hands or pack into your bag or backpack. The weight of these spotlights ranges from 1 – 4 pounds so, they have a smaller build. And moreover, you can operate them with single hand. However, you can find weight differences among several products that are designed for water resistance and high brightness levels. Usually, the presence of a reflector, lens, power source, and bulb will make high brightness spotlights weigh more than other spotlights. While the handheld spotlights used for boating purposes are a bit lighter weight than the larger size. However, the broad size will let the spotlight float if dropped in the water.
8. Durability:
A delicate or fragile handheld spotlight model will break easily whenever it drops. So, it is not wise to invest in those models. These spotlights are intended to be used on worksites, emergencies, nature camps (like fishing, hiking, camping, or boating). With its numerous ways of use, you have to check and purchase a strong and durable product, which can easily sustain some bumps and knocks.
9. Waterproof:
It is essential to check and pick a waterproof handheld spotlight while working outdoors or going out for fishing or boating. You need to check the ingress protection (IP) rating on the product for its water resistance. The higher the IP rating, the better it offers protection against water or liquids. Here is a list that lets you know check whether the product has water resistance or not before shopping for these spotlights. Note: A model with IP XY rating means X represents solid resistance, & Y represents water or liquid resistance.
10. Construction:
Most of the handheld spotlights are constructed with plastic (especially ABS plastic). It exhibits amazing features like sturdy, rigid, and proper abrasion resistance. Thus, a spotlight made of thick ABS plastic doesn’t easily break, even after accidental falls. A few of these models offer a water-resistance. Alternatively, you can find some spotlights made of aluminum alloy, which is strong, durable, and sturdy. Ensure to pick the thicker one to have proper impact resistance. Also, prefer a plastic or stainless-steel bezel to confirm that lens won’t crack/break, even if the light dropped accidentally. However, minor bumps are common while using the spotlight in outdoor places. So, choose the high-quality spotlight that can sustain easily against minor drops.
11. Charging:
A handheld spotlight with a dual charging capability is always the best option to choose among various models. This lets you charge the spotlight battery either at your home or in the car with a 12V DC port. So, ensure to pick this dual charging mode model.
12. Price:
Based on the frequency of your usage, you have to check the price range and buy the product. For instance, invest in a durable high-priced product while working regularly. If working occasionally, then go with a cheaper model. The general price range of these handheld spotlights will be from $20 – $250. Compare and choose the product that balances your budget range and requirement.
13. Warranty:
Apart from being built well, you have to look for the proper warranty offered by the spotlight before making its purchase. In case, if anything stops working, the warranty is handy to fix the issues easily and thereby provide peace of mind to the users. Almost all the options out there offer at least a 1-year warranty, while some might come with a lifetime warranty. So, the longer the warranty, the better it assures about its construction, durability, and longevity.
- Are these handheld spotlights waterproof? Some handheld spotlights are waterproof so they can even sustain if submerged, whereas other models might damage when used in heavy rain or submerged in water. Remember that not all handheld spotlights are waterproof. So, you have to check the waterproof rating on the specific product before buying them.
- How many lumens does a spotlight require to be a better option? If looking to use the spotlight outdoors (like hiking or camping), then go with the light offering brightness ranging from 500 – 1500 lumens.
Conclusion:
Handheld spotlights can be quite useful while working at a construction site in the dark. You can even use them at your home in the case of a power cut. Thus, we have mentioned some of the best handheld spotlights in this article. You can even find their major options and features to easily differentiate between them. Although, if you are still confused, here are some of our recommendations:
The CSNDICE handheld spotlight is the most powerful option in this article in terms of its brightness levels. It can go up to 9000 lumens that is much higher than most other options out there. You even get a 6000 mAh battery in it for a decent battery life. If you are on a budget, then you can go with the Stanley Handheld spotlight as it is one of the cheapest options in this article. Yet, you get a 900 lumen LED light in it that is powered by a 12-volt battery system that offers a 10-hour battery life to the user. You should also consider the Streamlight Handheld spotlight as it is the most durable and reliable option in this article. Even though it is quite expensive, it offers an excellent build quality along with a lifetime warranty for peace of mind.
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