Whether you’re putting together a roadside emergency kit or adding to your camping supplies, you should consider a spotlight.
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While a good flashlight has its place in your tool collection, if you need maximum power and range, you’ll need a spotlight. These powerful lights have ergonomic grips that are easy to hold for a long time, often with multiple handles for using them in different ways. Their wide lenses and bright lumen outputs make them an asset for emergencies, and they usually illuminate a wider area more clearly than flashlights can. Some spotlights even include a stand that lets you place them on the ground and angle them at your workspace so you can keep your hands free.
If you need a spotlight for emergency use, setting up camp at night, or clanging around in your basement, these can handle it all.
Looking for more ways to light up? Check our guides for the best pocket flashlights, running headlamps, and LED shop lights.
When choosing a spotlight, the most important thing to consider is which power supply option is best for you. Battery-powered handheld spotlights may hinder frequent use, as you’ll have to either purchase new batteries when they run out or buy rechargeable ones.
However, this could be a pro if the power goes out or you’re on a boat or camping. Rechargeable spotlights typically rely on USB chargers, so they aren’t much use if there isn’t a power supply to plug it into when they die.
If you’re using your spotlight around moisture or liquid like rain, use a model with an official waterproof IP rating. This rating denotes how effectively your spotlight is protected from damage due to dust (the first digit of an IP rating, measured on a scale from 1 to 6) or water (the second digit, measured from 1 to 8). For instance, an IP68 spotlight is totally dust- and waterproof.
Lumens indicate how much light streams through an area per second. Generally speaking, the higher the lumen output, the more light produced. A spotlight’s lumen output indicates its brightness power, but note that most lights begin to dim as the battery dies and as you use it longer. The higher the lumen output, the faster the battery drains, so if you’re in an emergency situation, make sure to use the dimmer mode or save your spotlight for when you really need it.
We did extensive online research when considering options for this list and used our personal experience with spotlights. We considered this insight when evaluating different spotlights and compared factors like durability, water resistance, and lumen output to make our final picks. We also relied on options manufactured by reliable brands we’ve grown to trust, including a wide range of price points to suit both daily workshop use and emergency under-the-cabinet use.
You’ll have to supply your own 20-volt DeWalt battery for this spotlight, but if you already have a few, this light is ideal. It’s heavy-duty, reliable, and made by one of our go-to power tools brands.
The built-in belt hook makes it easy to use hands-free, and the rugged, over-molded lens cover reduces the chances of damage from accidental drops and falls. Several users say it can illuminate the night with its powerful beam and love that its battery is super powerful.
Some say its lack of a dimmer mode is a bummer, however, and there aren’t smart ways of conserving battery power.
It’s more expensive than most options on this list considering that it doesn’t include its own battery, but its high-lumen output and rugged construction make it a great choice—so long as you already own DeWalt products.
This Energizer spotlight is an affordable rechargeable option for those who can’t be bothered with replacing batteries. Its flat head allows you to place it on a table or the ground to aim upward, while its built-in folding stand lets you angle a wide scope of illumination.
Its single-button operation toggles through low- and high-power modes, providing a dim and bright light to conserve power. It also has a lanyard loop that lets you hang it from a hook when not in use, or from a carabiner on your belt loop.
Energizer claims its impact-resistant body can withstand drops up to 3 feet high, which isn’t remarkably high. Still, its IPX4 waterproof rating makes it suitable for use around liquids and it won’t be affected by splashes.
Users say it’s a fine product but it doesn’t shine as far as other spotlights, so this may be a budget pick for at-home use over roadside emergencies or boating.
Leave it to Cabela’s to craft a spotlight built for the outdoors, especially in camo. This handheld spotlight can put out up to 2,500 lumens, has three light modes to conserve power, is USB-rechargeable—plus it doubles as a power bank for charging your devices. Its pistol grip is rubberized for a comfortable handle, plus it comes with a lanyard for storage and safekeeping. And like other lights on this list, it also has a built-in folding stand. The light is waterproof, though it won’t float if it drops in water.
One user says it’s useful for tending to his livestock at night, though they note it doesn’t work well in thick fog. Several say it’s a great spotlight for hunting at night, as it offers a solid battery life, though its runtime is, annoyingly, unlisted.
This model could be worth the price if you need an ultra-bright, waterproof light that’s super adjustable. Its IPX8 rating means that it can be totally submerged in water for up to 30 minutes, and with a 1,000-lumen output, it’s visible up to 2,200 feet away. Its C4 LEDs have a 50,000-hour lifespan, and the lithium-ion battery can be recharged up to 800 times.
An adjustable rotary switch makes it easy to scroll through the three separate power outputs, ranging from 35 to 550 to 1,000 lumens. Some users say its trigger has too much resistance, making it hard to turn on, but praise the high impact resistance and incredibly bright output.
The Stanley FatMax handheld spotlight has a 2,200-lumen output with a 10-watt LED bulb, which is fairly high for such an affordable light. It claims that it can stay charged for up to 12 months, making it well-suited for an emergency kit, and has a runtime of up to 10 hours on its lowest setting.
Our favorite feature of this spotlight is its collapsible pivoting stand which, combined with its locking trigger, makes it easy to place it on the ground and angle directly at your work area. A USB port lets you use it as a power source to charge any compatible devices, though in the age of USB-C, you may not find much use of it.
Users say it’s a fine light to use in a workshop or at home, and its included red lens cap is a great accessory for nighttime emergencies. It’s not water-resistant, however, and several users claim their light stopped working after minor contact with liquids.
If you’re looking for a spotlight to use on your boat or dock, this Black+Decker model is waterproof, handy, and heavy-duty. It can be submerged up to 6 feet deep without damage and floats light-side up if dropped overboard, making it easier to locate. The spotlight is smaller and more compact than most other models, so it’s a valuable choice for those short on space.
It comes with AC and DC charging adaptors to recharge its battery at home or in a vehicle, including your boat. It also has a micro USB port for a charging bank in case of emergency and a foldable stand for hands-free operation. Several users say that while this spotlight is affordable, its charging port is finicky—some say it’s failed after months of use, though the brand does replace faulty products.
This LE model features a front-facing spotlight and a large side lantern, making it a versatile, multipurpose option. The bright green color makes it easy to spot quickly in an emergency, and the 1,000-lumen light can be switched to a low, 400-lumen beam when you don’t need as much power. The side lamp makes for a great tent light, too.
A separate light on the side of the unit also functions as a red emergency light, which would be helpful if you need to warn other drivers during nighttime roadside repair. An LED battery indicator also lets you know how much juice you have left before recharging. It also has a charging bank function, though users say it drains batteries too fast.
Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.
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