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Our Staff Picks - Underwater Video Lights
Physics Doesn't Care About Your Camera:
What Makes the Best Underwater Video Lights?
You can own the best sensor in the world, but below 20 feet, the ocean acts as a giant cyan filter. Without high-CRI (Color Rendering Index) artificial light, your footage will be flat, blue, and devoid of the reds and oranges that make a reef pop.
Our team at Bluewater Photo does thier best to dive with most of the video lights we carry to see how they perform in real-world conditions, be it from the murky kelp forests of California to the high-visibility reefs of the Indo-Pacific. We’ve narrowed down the field to help you find the perfect balance of power and portability. For a head-to-head comparison of this year's top-performing models, read our Best Underwater Video Lights of 2026 Guide.
To find out more on our highly recommended underwater video that we have field tested by our staff experts:
Bluewater 3000 Review
Sealife Seadragon 5000+ review
Pro Tip from the Bluewater Team:
"When we’re testing lights in the Channel Islands, we look for 'Red Boost' features. If you’re shooting in temperate or green water, having a dedicated red LED mode helps the camera’s white balance lock onto natural skin tones and kelp colors much faster."
"When we’re testing lights in the Channel Islands, we look for 'Red Boost' features. If you’re shooting in temperate or green water, having a dedicated red LED mode helps the camera’s white balance lock onto natural skin tones and kelp colors much faster."
What to check before buying your video light:
Technical Essentials:
- Lumens vs. Beam Angle: A 10,000-lumen light with a narrow beam will "blow out" your subject. For wide-angle video, look for a minimum 100° to 120° beam angle to avoid harsh hot spots.
- CRI (Color Rendering Index): Aim for CRI 90 or higher. This indicates how accurately the light reveals colors compared to daylight. "Bright" is useless if it makes the coral look gray.
- Burn Time & Throttling: Check the burn time at 100% power. High-end lights like Keldan maintain consistent output, while cheaper models may "step down" brightness as they heat up or the battery dips.
- Mounting Compatibility: Ensure the light uses standard YS or 1-inch ball mounts. If you’re shooting macro, you’ll want a light that can take a Snoot.
Single vs. dual video lights:
Our team has had much experience diving with both single and dual lights on their camera rigs. While both setups can help achieve excellent results, our team agrees that each offers different advantages when it comes to your shooting style, travel needs and what subjects you enjoy capturing:
Single Video Lights | Dual Video Lights | |
|---|---|---|
Well Suited For | Wider reef scenes, wrecks, wide-angle illumination | |
Size & Weight | More compact and lightweight | Larger and heavier overall system |
Travel Friendliness | Excellent- small size is easy to travel with | Heavier, but can still find compact options, such as the Bluewater 3000 video light |
Coverage Area | Narrow area | Wider, more even coverage |
Shadows | More noticable | Significantly reduced |
Our Recommendation | Perfect for divers looking for a simple set-up, or for beginners wanting to experiment with a video light | Well suited for divers looking to get the perfect shots, or professional quality footage |
At Bluewater Photo and Scuba, our recommendations are based on first-hand experience, rather than just manufacturer's specifications. When testing various equipment, we pay particular attention to how these products perform in real-world diving conditions. With focus on the video lights, we looked specifically at factors that affect image quality, usability and underwater reliability. If you would like some advice or guidance to choosing the perfect video light, contact our expert staff, we would love to help!
FAQ's: Underwater Video Lighting
For wide-angle video, we recommend a minimum of 5,000 to 8,000 lumens per light to effectively restore color at depth. If you are shooting primarily macro, you can get professional results with 2,500 lumens, as your light is positioned inches from the subject. For professional reef wide-angle, many shooters prefer the 10,000+ lumen range to compete with the sun.
A strobe (flash) provides a powerful, instantaneous burst of light designed only for still photography to freeze motion and saturate color. A video light provides a continuous beam, which is essential for capturing video. While you can use a video light for photos, it is significantly less powerful than a strobe and cannot "freeze" fast-moving subjects as effectively.
Brightness (lumens) tells you how much light is being output, but CRI tells you the quality of that light. A high-lumen light with a low CRI will make your footage look "washed out" or unnatural. For the best color pop, look for lights with a CRI of 90 or higher.
Yes. Most modern video lights feature multiple power settings. Using your video light on a lower setting (or "Red Mode") allows your camera's autofocus to lock onto subjects without scaring away shy critters or overexposing your shots.
More comprehensive reviews from our in-house experts:
Marelux Artemis 4500 RMT Video Light Review The Marelux Artemis 4500 RMT is a compact, three-color underwater video light that delivers impressive brightness, soft falloff, and creative versatility in a travel-friendly body. Rated at 4500 lumens, its wide 120° beam and neutral 6000K color temperature produce natural, flattering illumination for both macro and wide-angle shooting. In real [...]
The Bluewater 3000 underwater video light is the world's smallest underwater video light, weighing in at just over half a pound (275 grams)! Despite its small form factor, it packs a powerful 3000 lumen punch with a beam angle of 100 degrees at 6500K. One light is the ideal tool for macro video, and two can [...]
Read time: 10 minutesThe Marelux Apollo Y was quietly released in late 2025 without much fanfare or buzz. In fact I almost missed the update. But when Staney from Marelux shipped me a demo strobe, I was floored – this was the entry [...]
Learn, Shoot, and Explore with Bluewater Photo
We are dedicated to helping you master your gear. Beyond providing top-tier hardware, we run hands-on underwater photography workshops led by industry experts. We take you to the world’s most pristine destinations to practice composition, lighting, and housing maintenance in real-world environments. Browse our curated packages above, or contact our expert team to custom-build your camera set-up with the perfect video lights tailored to your next adventure.
Why Trust Bluewater Photo?
Bluewater Photo, recognized as the #1 online retailer specializing in underwater photography and scuba diving equipment, with real-world experience supporting, selling, and configuring underwater camera systems. Our team includes professional underwater photographers and videographers with over 15 years of experience testing and photographing underwater to ensure you get thorough first hand experience and trusted reviews.
Expertise in Underwater Photography: Run by passionate divers and photographers who truly understand the gear and how it performs in real-world conditions.
Competitive Pricing: Offers competitive prices with added value like expert advice and top-tier customer support. We will match and beat any price!
Established Reputation: Trusted by thousands of divers, photographers, and professionals worldwide.
Exceptional Customer Support: Personalized service from knowledgeable staff who care about getting you the right gear.
Transparent and Honest Advice: Recommendations are based on what’s best for your needs—not just what’s in stock.