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If you are on the lookout for the perfect spotlight for hunting, this is the right place to be. We’ve gathered some of the best equipment for your pursuits, with choices for many different scenarios.
Since spotlights are used primarily before dawn or after dusk, our recommendation is to go for something with a high lumen rating, as well as something with portability and a long-lasting battery. Before we begin, we want to disclaim that you should never flash one of these lights into your eyes or another person’s eyes. Doing so could be extremely dangerous.
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | Wicked Hunting Night Hunting Light Kit |
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Best Value | YIERBLUE Rechargeable Spotlight |
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Premium Choice | Jabsco 7” Chrome-plated Spotlight |
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BUYSIGHT Rechargeable Searchlight/Spotlight |
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Predator Tactics Coon Spotlight Kit |
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Brightness | Not specified |
Battery life | 2.5 hours |
Materials | Aircraft-grade aluminum |
Our best overall spotlight for hunting is the W403iC Deluxe Night Kit. The attachable mount for your scope makes it super convenient for lighting the area you’re already aiming at, in addition to the fact that you don’t need to set up a light at your hunting spot.
Wicked Hunting made this light with aircraft-grade aluminum, so it will hold up against the gnarliest conditions. It has options for white, green, and red lights, so you can choose what you need for each situation. The brightness level can be increased or decreased in small increments, so you don’t scare the animal you’re after.
The kit is a bit pricey, and you’ll only be able to use it for rifles with a scope. The W403iC takes two AA batteries, but they’re rechargeable with the included 12-volt car adapter and charging base.
Brightness | 6,000–10,000 lumens |
Battery life | 20+ hours |
Materials | Plastic/aluminum alloy |
The best hunting spotlight for the money this year is the Swiss-army knife of lights: YIERBLUE’s Rechargeable Spotlight. This beast can do a plethora of useful jobs. It has a side strip for basic brightness, a 10,000 milliampere-hour (mAh) battery that can be used to power your devices via USB-A, and a maximum of 10,000 lumens shining out of the front lens. That’s a ton of light, so you will not be short in that regard.
You’ll have incredible run times as well, and the pistol-grip design makes it a breeze to hold and aim. The only improvement that could be made here is its build quality. Plastic and aluminum alloys won’t last long compared to something like carbon fiber or higher-grade metal construction. Still, it does everything you need at a low cost.
Brightness | 2.8 million lumens |
Battery life | N/A |
Materials | Brass |
If you want nothing but the brightest possible spotlight, this is it. At a whopping 230,000 candlepower, or roughly 2.8 million lumens, you could light an entire area of land with this unit. This can be a huge benefit to hunters that own or use an enormous plot of land and want to cover the most amount of terrain possible.
This product also has some brake functions that prevent the lights from blowing out. One thing you should keep in mind is that the brass can make a bit of noise if you transport it, so you may want to use some styrofoam or padding to control the noise as you walk with it. Also, its price is too high for most people, but those who need this insane amount of power will know that it is a good investment.
Brightness | 6,000 lumens |
Battery life | 20 hours |
Materials | ABS plastic |
BUYSIGHT has a lantern-like design, which has a 6,000-lumen rating. Its weather sealing is better than other options we’ve mentioned but lacks a durable build since it’s made of ABS plastic.
The handle is a great idea but it can be uncomfortable for some people. However, the price point is excellent for the value it provides, although we do think the YIERBLUE is worth the extra few dollars. Luckily, it comes standard with a USB-A charging port for your phone or other electronics, so you don’t need to bring a heavy portable battery bank. This model is best for those who want good functionality but don’t prefer the feel of the pistol-grip.
Brightness | 52,400 candelas |
Battery life | Not specified |
Materials | Nylon |
Those who want a spotlight that can be worn as a headlamp should take a quick look at the Predator Tactics Coon Spotlight Kit. This can be detached and used as a standalone searchlight with a vertical handle or as a headlight if your hands are busy. The triangular head strap is adjustable as well.
Predator Tactics claims a candela count of over 52,000, but it can’t be calculated into lumens without the angle it projects. However, it is still fairly bright. The materials it’s made of are tough and lightweight, so they won’t get in the way when you’re out hunting.
Brightness | 5,000 lumens |
Battery life | 6–8 hours |
Materials | Plastic |
The ODEAR Headlamp Spotlight is a great alternative to the aforementioned on our list but for a fraction of the cost. It might not have the same brightness or great construction, but it does the job well and works for a considerable amount of time.
There are two different light modes: low and high. The low mode will run for about 8 hours at a dim level and the high mode will run for about 6 hours. The base of the light can be removed and washed if you get it dirty, which is a nice feature. It could be brighter, though, so we only recommend this for those on a budget who need something stronger than just an ordinary headlamp.
Brightness | N/A |
Battery life | 3.5 hours |
Materials | Aluminum alloy |
At just 2.5 pounds, the Coyote Reaper is a cone-shaped unit with an ergonomic pistol grip. It has three options for light color transmission: red, green, and white. This product was mainly designed for coyote hunters but can be used for other purposes if needed. It uses AA batteries, but they can be recharged with the included power brick.
In addition, they do give buyers a soft case with foam inserts for storage. Overall, this item is great but there are alternatives that are much cheaper with the same performance, so this might be one to think twice about.
Brightness | 55–180 lumens |
Battery life | 3.5–16 hours |
Materials | Plastic |
Streamlight’s Knucklehead Spotlight design is a bit unconventional, as it doesn’t follow the usual pistol shape like most other spotlights. Yet, that’s why it’s at the very bottom of our list—it isn’t an aesthetic or efficient design to hold in your hands.
That being said, it has an advantage that none of our other picks have, which is a movable head. You can swivel the light source up, down, or side to side instead of the usual fixed position. This isn’t the most important feature for this type of product, though, and the price far exceeds its functionality.
Spotlights are meant to make it easier to see at night. Here are some factors that you should look out for when shopping for a spotlight for hunting:
The common term used to measure the light transmission from these is called lumens. The higher the number of lumens, the more light it will produce. A light with 5,000 lumens is our recommendation and is a good base point to get you some serious power. For reference, a good headlamp may produce around 200–300 lumens. Everyone’s needs are going to differ.
Battery life is imperative to determine how long you’ll be able to stay out in the wild. Anything lasting under 3 hours won’t get you far. Remember, large batteries take more time to charge and are generally heavier, which leads to our next point.
If you’re trekking through the backcountry, you’ll always be grateful for lighter gear that doesn’t get in the way. There are a multitude of lightweight spotlights, but they may be limited in their power and battery life. Flashlights or traditional lights may seem convenient, only to fall short in power and battery life.
Quality construction is always a priority with any long-lasting product. Plastic may be cheap, but it’s not nearly as strong as metal or nylon. While we’re at it, just remember that acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is just a fancy way to say plastic. It isn’t the worst material out there, so don’t be afraid of the label.
Since you’re often out hunting, you might as well make the spotlight a part of the gear you already use. That’s why some brands will create mounts for their lights—so you can always have it at the ready. There are also wearable options that are much more powerful than regular headlamps.
Traditional spotlights will be separate and have a carrying handle, which is totally fine. However, ask yourself whether or not you need something that is this mountable or not.
The best overall choice you’ll have when it comes to rifle hunting at night is the W403iC Deluxe Night Kit which connects directly to your scope. If you want to save money, the YIERBLUE’s Rechargeable Spotlight is a great value and has a ton of practical features. Hunters who want the brightest spotlight out there have to spend quite a bit more, which might be on the Jabsco 7” brass model that boasts a whopping 2.8 million lumens. With that said, we hope you were able to learn more about what makes a great spotlight and wish you the best in your hunting endeavors!
Featured Image Credit: akeem jones, Pexels
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Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.
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