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When you are out hunting at night, a reliable handheld spotlight is an essential piece of equipment. Many wild animals have superior senses that help them evade you in the dark. Whether you are hunting for raccoons or just trying to chase away some coyotes at night, the best spotlight for hunting is something you should have in your hands.
For everyday illumination outside the comfort zone of our homes, we usually depend on small pocket flashlights. These EDC lights are great, but they have limited power and cannot illuminate larger areas. Handheld spotlights are bigger and brighter. These features are perfect to illuminate spots across longer distances.
And thanks to the advancements in miniaturization of technology, these spotlights are also getting more compact and lighter all the time. Most modern hunting spotlights are lightweight, can be easily hold, and many feature pistol-style grips for extra convenience.
Our List of Best Spotlight for Hunting
| # | Image | Hunting Spotlight | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  | 6 Million Candlepower Rechargeable LED Light (Brightest Spotlight for Hunting) | 3 lbs |
| #2 |  | Stanley FATMAX 10W LEDLIS LED (Best Rechargeable Hunting Spotlight) | 1.5 lbs |
| #3 |  | Streamlight 44910 Waypoint Spotlight | 2.2 lbs |
| #4 |  | Stanley FATMAX SL10LEDS LED Spotlight | 2.1 lbs |
| #5 |  | NoCry 18W Waterproof Rechargeable Spotlight | 0.95 lbs |
| #6 |  | Browning High Noon 4C Hunting Spotlight | 3.5 lbs |
Best Hunting Spotlight Reviews
6 Million Candlepower Rechargeable LED Light Hunting Spotlight
Sheathed all in matte black and with an efficient pistol grip, the Larson LED light looks every bit the part of a professional spotlight for hunting. At the heart of this device is a single high powered LED rated at 25 Watts. That LED is capable of dishing out over 2000 lumens of light at the press of a button. That is close to 6 million candlepower units which is the brightest hunting spotlight in our list!
The LED is manufactured by Cree, who is one of the best in the field. The high level of illumination is achieved thanks to the presence of a parabolic reflector inside the spotlight. The Li-ion battery is rechargeable and provides enough juice to last you for up to three hours of spotlight hunting.
The overall build quality of this handheld spotlight is also top notch. With tough ABS construction and IP65 waterproof rating, the Larson LED can survive harsh outdoor weather conditions.
The grip has a textured nylon finish which allows you to hold this spotlight even during rains safely. During your hunting adventure, you can focus the beam to a 30-degree spot to sharply illuminate any area.
Another great feature that worth mentioning is its handle design. At the base, there is an embedded nut fastener. You can use this feature to attach it to compatible surfaces, like a tripod or a magnetic base.
This will all you to free your hands while still providing steady illumination at night.
Overall, the pistol style spotlight from Larson Electronics surprised us with its excellent performance and durability in the field. While many other handheld spotlights settle for smaller 10W LEDs, the guys at Larson seems to have taken a “go big or go home” kind of approach. And we think that it is the best one among the spotlights for hunting in our list.
- Extremely powerful (25W)
- Compact pistol style design
- Extremely durable with an IP65 rating
- Can be mounted on tripods
- No multiple brightness settings
- Battery life is relatively less
Stanley FATMAX 10W LEDLIS LED (Best Rechargeable Hunting Spotlight)
If you find the bright yellow and black color scheme on the FATMAX spotlight slightly familiar, don’t be confused. This product is from the same company who owns the Black+Decker range of tools. The Stanley FATMAX is a powerful all-purpose LED spotlight for hunting with several neat features under its hood.
The pistol style here is neatly executed, with the power button resembling the shape of a trigger. The contoured and patterned handle feels very comfortable in your hands.
As for the actual light itself, it houses a 10W LED, capable of a maximum output of 2000 lumens on the high setting. But at that setting, the in-built rechargeable Li-ion battery will discharge completely after one hour of constant use.
But thanks to the inclusion lower beam settings, it will last much longer than the Larson Electricals LED on a single charge. In fact, with low and infrequent use, the rechargeable battery can hold the charge for over one year!
If you use it in the lower 700 lumens setting, you will get 7 hours of use before having to recharge.There is an option for a pivoting stand. You can mount this on a tripod to get some hands free use. But the neat feature here is the trigger lock.
You see, the handheld spotlight for hunting does not use an on-off feature. Instead, it has a more flexible trigger function. Thanks to the trigger lock, you can place it on a mount and get continuous illumination during night hunting.
Build quality is quite good, with decent fit and finish levels across the sturdy plastic body. The handheld spotlight is not waterproof, but it is still rated as water resistant. If you are dealing with some light showers while on the hunt, it should be able to survive without any issues.
- Multiple brightness settings
- Long lasting rechargeable batteries
- Smooth trigger controls
- Can be mounted
- No spot beam feature
- Not waterproof
Streamlight 44910 Waypoint Spotlight
Many of the standout features presented by this Streamlight creation highlight just how durable it is.
Starting with the casing of this rechargeable handheld spotlight, it’s made from durable polycarbonate to ensure that it stays in one piece for an extended period of time. The housing is impact-resistant for up to 1 meter or about 3.28 feet.
You should also know about its waterproof rating. Even if this handheld spotlight falls into 6 feet of water, it should remain usable. This item will also float to the top if it does end up getting dropped into some water.
The manufacturers also made it a point to strengthen the parts around the lens of this spotlight. You’ll see that the rubberized ring protects the lens and that it is tightly sealed.
As for the lens itself, it is made from polycarbonate and it is very strong. Count on it remaining in place for a long time.
The problem with the lens is that it is susceptible to scratches. If you aren’t careful, the lighting could be affected by larger scratches that appear on the lens.
One more thing to note about the lens is that it has a working lifetime of 50000 hours.
Power is not something you will have to worry about if you decide to use this Streamlight offering for your hunting needs. It can be fully recharged in only 4 hours and the battery pack it uses can also be charged for up to 800 times.
The lighting provided by this Streamlight product is very impressive. Though the lumen count tops out at around 1000, you will see that it is brighter than other lighting options rated in a similar way.
- Can withstand falls of up to 3.28 feet
- Waterproof rating around 6.56 feet
- O-ring has been sealed and rubberized
- Will be fully charged after 4 hours
- Lens used is susceptible to scratches
Stanley FATMAX SL10LEDS LED Spotlight
In appearance, the SL10LEDS is almost identical to the FATMAX LEDLIS. The power output will be the major difference between two of them. It is weaker than the LEDLIS, with a peak output of around 920 lumens on offer in the high beam setting.
If you want a hunting spotlight on a budget, the SL10LEDS is an excellent option. The handling is convenient, thanks to the reliable pistol grip design.
It uses USB charging, and can even be charged inside your car. This is the best feature for hunters who often do not have ready access to power source from wall charging outlets out in the woods. The battery life is excellent, with up to 7 hours of run-time on offer. The Li-ion battery can hold the charge for 12 months.
This FATMAX spotlight also uses a 10W LED as the light source. There are two beam settings, high and low. On top of the spotlight, there is a pivoting stand which allows you to place it anywhere for hands-free use.
Build quality is quite good, and the heavy duty bezel is quite impressive. This is a spotlight designed to withstand rough use. It is water resistant, and can effectively survive wet conditions. But as there is no waterproofing, you cannot allow this spotlight to get submerged.
- Budget pricing
- Great battery life
- Collapsible stand
- High brightness setting 920 lumens
- No spot beam
- Not waterproof
NoCry 18W Waterproof Rechargeable Spotlight
When you’re picking out a hunting spotlight, you ideally want something capable of standing up to the at times harsh outdoor environments that, at the same time, is still easy to bring along. NoCry’s spotlight aims to serve as the top option for hunters looking for that specific type of outdoor equipment.
This battery powered spotlight for hunting offers many advantages in the durability department.
The manufacturers used impact-resistant ABS and polystyrene to create the casing for this spotlight. That combination of materials results in a casing that can easily handle drops and other nicks that pieces of outdoor equipment are usually subjected to.
Aside from being impact-resistant, this spotlight can also stay in working condition even if it happens to drop in some water. It is waterproof for up to 3 feet and it also floats to the surface to make it easier for users to pick it up.
While this handheld spotlight being waterproof is obviously a good thing, there is a downside linked to it. To be more specific, you will have to unscrew the back of this item first before you can start charging it. That additional step can be annoying, but it’s one you can live with.
Annoyingly, there is no power indicator on this thing. You may be surprised by it shutting down on its own if you weren’t keeping track of your usage time.
Going back to the more positive aspects of this spotlight, it’s remarkably compact. Taking this with you during a hunt should prove to be no problem at all.
There are also three light settings provided. This battery powered spotlight will not be able to match the output of some of the more powerful hunting spotlights, but at 1000 lumens on the highest setting, it should still prove more than helpful.
- Casing made from durable ABS and polystyrene
- Weighs less than one pound
- Can last for up to 20 hours
- 3 available light settings
- Charging can be tricky
- No indicator if power is about to run out
Browning High Noon 4C Hunting Spotlight
The High Noon is a very tough looking spotlight from Browning. The all black handheld spotlight has a pistol grip design, like the other products in this list. The single LED unit inside is capable of delivering 1000 lumens of light in the high beam setting. We really liked the low beam setting on the High Noon 4c.
At 90 lumens, it is bright enough to deliver close illumination, and also gives you longer battery life in the process.
It is very compact and lightweight as well. It is easy to hold, thanks to a contoured handle. It uses a handgun style trigger mechanism, with a lock button to keep the light in “always on” mode.
Having the capability to float on water, it is a great option for hunters. If you hunt near lakes or creeks, this is one of the best choices for you. It is durable enough to survive the odd fall into water or mud. The batteries are quite long lasting and can be charged either using a wall outlet or car charger.
Though there is no option to adjust the beam intensity, the light is intense enough to illuminate the surroundings at night. You can illuminate spots hundreds of yards away with this beast. If you want a durable yet affordable rechargeable spotlight for hunting, the Browning High Noon offers phenomenal value for money.
- Excellent pricing
- Waterproof construction
- Extremely bright LED
- low light mode for power saving and longer battery life
- No spot beam feature
- No light filters for hunting
FAQs When Buying a Spotlight for Hunting
Why are spotlights best for hunting?
If you want to light up spot hundreds of yards away at night, a pocket flashlight is often not enough. In large fields and properties, you need a larger, more powerful source of light. Spotlights are best for night hunting because they offer a mix of portability and powerful illumination in a handy package. They are like larger variants of flashlights.
In the past, they were quite bulky contraptions with heavy batteries and even heavier light bulbs. But modern technology has carved away a lot of that excess fat, creating trim, lightweight spotlights with advanced LEDs that offer a superior blend of performance (power) and longevity.
A modern light can be very useful in several situations. Here are just a few examples:
- When you need to scout out the landscape ahead for game or predators
- When you want to do some varmint hunting at night in your fields
- When you need to draw attention to yourself during emergencies
Why are LEDs the best choice for hunting spotlights?
Light Emitting Diodes, or LEDs, are not a new invention. They have been around since at least the 1970s. But in the past, they were costly to manufacture and were only used in high-end devices and research equipment. But with the advent of modern technology, LEDs are being mass manufactured.
As a result, the lighting industry has seen a revolution in recent years. Old bulbs use different forms of incandescent filament designs. They are capable of creating very bright light but at significant cost. These bulbs use up a lot of power and are very inefficient. Lights using these bulbs tend to be bulky due to the need for heavier batteries. They also generate a lot of heat and are not very durable.
LEDs are superior to incandescent bulbs due to their superior energy efficiency. HID lamps and Halogen bulbs may generate more light, but their extra bulk and inefficient design make them relatively weak. And LED technology is still evolving at a fast pace. You can easily find new LED spotlights capable of delivering hundreds of lumens.
How is the brightness of a spotlight rated?
Understanding the brightness rating can be confusing. In science, there are several different measurement systems for light brightness and intensity, among other things. You may come across several different terms, which can get confusing, especially if you want to compare the brightness of two different products.
Here are some commonly used terms, and their brief explanations:
- Candlepower/candela: this is an outdated unit of illumination that measures the light at the source.
- Lumens: this is a more modern and standardized unit of measurement of light that looks at the total output of light in all directions, not just at the source. It is weighted according to the sensitivity of our eyesight.
Most modern flashlights use lumen rating to describe their light capacity. Comparing a flashlight or spotlight rated in lumens with one rated with candlepower/candela is difficult. If all else fails, you just have to turn them both on and figure out for yourself!
Hunting Spotlight Buying Guide
Throw Distance
This is a common feature for flashlights, headlamps, and spotlights. It describes the maximum distance the beam of light can reach and illuminate. Modern LED flashlights can throw a bright beam of light across hundreds of yards. Typically, anywhere from 100-300 yards can be considered a decent average.
Run time
Gone are the days of portable lights that used throw away batteries. This is the age of rechargeable Li-ion cells. Run time is the number of hours a spotlight can deliver the same output of light before it drops to ten percent of the initial output. Some flashlights slowly reduce the light, while others stay constant and then suddenly grow dim.
High capacity battery will obviously deliver longer run times, but the downside will be its weight. The run time is also determined by the brightness setting used. With high setting, most spotlights deliver between 1-3 hours of run time, while low beam run times can be anywhere from 7-14 hours or longer.
Water Resistance
Water resistance is a very important feature. Any electrical device designed for outdoor use must have an IPX rating. The best spotlights for hunting are 100% waterproof and can survive going underwater. But the majority of models come with a basic water resistance rating, which allows them to survive some exposure to water.
Beam Settings
LED flashlights come with specially designed reflectors. Many of them offer an option to switch between flood beam and spot beam. Flood beam is ideal for general purpose illumination of a wider area. The spot beam is better for quick spotting of prey, or specific routes when walking/chasing at night.
Brightness Modes
It is always better to look for spotlights with at least two different modes: a high and low mode. Those that lack this basic feature tend to be one trick ponies: you cannot increase their run time at all. If you want to conserve power, you will have to switch them off. But in the case of lights with a low beam, you can increase the run time or its battery lifespan and still get basic illumination. In emergency situations, this can be a lifesaver.
Build Quality
The best option for durability is often a metallic casing, usually made of aluminum. But most affordable manufacturers opt for high-density plastics to keep the weight and costs down.
