One of the major downfalls of all action cameras such as GoPro is their inability to make great videos in low-light situations.
This is due to the tiny sensor size, so it is a hardware problem that is not easily remedied. However, it can be fixed somewhat by buying a proper light for your GoPro.
We have listed our favorite lights on the market, and why we think they would make great companions to your GoPro.
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Who Should Get This
If you have a GoPro and are tired of it not taking great videos in low light situations, these lights are perfect for you.
They will allow you to illuminate everything directly in front of the camera, giving the camera more light to work with thus raising the quality.
These lights are also great for other cameras, not just GoPros.
While they work great for action cameras, they would be just as good for your DSLR or mirrorless camera. More light will give you better quality, no matter how good the sensor is.
Best GoPro Light: Our Top Picks
The following lights all bring something unique to your GoPro and enhance its capabilities.
1. Suptig Diving Light
- Best For: Overall
- Key Features: High-powered LED. Wide Angle 500 Lumen Max. Completely waterproof. Three light modes. 24-month warranty.
- Battery Life: 1.5 hours
- Weight: 2.88 ounces
- Dimensions: 2.95 x 1.65 x 2.75 inches
The Suptig Diving Light is a great way to add some extra underwater functionality to your GoPro rig. This device, which is completely waterproof down to 147 feet, has 36 individual LEDs. That gives it a ton of power. It’s also fully dimmable, so you can adjust to your exact settings.
Another reason this kicks off the list is the versatility. There are three different light modes: normal, flash, and power saving. That range allows you to mix and match your shots as you see fit. The rechargeable battery is powerful too.
There’s a lot to like about what this light gives you, but it may not be bright enough for some. It does a good job for closer shots, but the beam can get lost if you’re trying to shoot far away.
2. VidPro LED-M52
- Best For: Portability
- Key Features: Lightweight. 52 strong LEDs. 4-step dimmer control switch. Rechargeable battery. 5600K LED output color.
- Battery Life: 1.5 hours
- Weight: 5 ounces
- Dimensions: 4.3 x 2.9 x 1.3 inches
This VidPro is a small-but-powerful GoPro light. Equipped with 52 extremely strong LEDs, it allows you to get illumination up to 50 feet away from your camera. That makes it a great option for those who shoot in dimmer locations or who need more fill when the lights are low.
Additionally, the device comes with a tough Li-Ion rechargeable battery that gives you two hours of juice. There’s a 4-step dimmer control, where you can switch between 25, 50, 75, and 100 percent brightness, as well as special mounting hardware. The tripod sockets are especially nice, as they allow you to switch between vertical and horizontal shooting.
This is a more affordable model, and you get that cost reduction by losing some durability. The light is great for easy shoots, but isn’t the best pick for rougher or more tumultuous shots.
3. Neewer 12 SMD
- Best For: Versatility
- Key Features: 9 dimming levels. Strong light. CRI and TLCI over 95. Internal large capacity battery. USB charging. Portable.
- Battery Life: 1.5 hours at max. 22 at minimum.
- Weight: 2.36 ounces
- Dimensions: 5.91 x 4.06 x 2.24 inches
The Neewer 12 SMD is a strong light that gives you an amazing amount of versatility. Portable, tough, and long-lasting, this model comes with 9 dimming levels, as well as different lighting effects. Both features combine to help you record and shoot exactly as you want.
On top of that, the light has incredibly high color accuracy to create much more natural and eye-catching shots. The entire unit is easy to operate and weighs almost nothing. You can add it to your gear without any issues, even if you travel over long distances.
The only knock against this camera is that it’s not the easiest to physically operate. As it’s small, you might find yourself nudging the wrong buttons from time to time.
4. Viltrox L116T
- Best For: Style
- Key Features: Brightness and color temperature adjustment. Lightweight and portable. LCD display screen. Easy to use. Soft diffuser surface.
- Battery Life: 2 hours
- Weight: 9.1 ounces
- Dimensions: 7.72 x 5.35 x 2.64 inches
This useful light from Viltrox comes with brightness and color temperature adjustment, as well as a full LCD display screen. Those specs combine with the soft diffuser surface to give you an amazing amount of versatility, power, and style.
This is one of the best ways to bring some style to your GoPro work, and it gives you that power without ever being too overwhelming. Anyone, regardless of experience, can use all of the light’s features. The battery is plenty strong and the entire shell is extremely lightweight.
Just be aware that this model doesn’t come with a battery charger or power supply. You need to purchase those separately. Still, the specs and power make it a great way to enhance your GoPro shooting.
5. GoPole Flare
- Best For: Usability
- Key Features: 300 lumen output. Lightweight and durable. Multiple lighting modes. Easy to connect and mount.
- Modes: Full, half, strobe
- Weight: 6 ounces
- Dimensions: 4.25 x 6 x 1.75 inches
This special light works perfectly for all of your GoPro needs. The 300-lumen output is extremely strong, especially considering how much versatility you get through the three different light settings. You can go full light, half light, or strobe mode depending on what you need.
There’s a lot of durability here too. The waterproof design enables you to use it in just about any environment you see fit, while the attachment options make setup easy. Just a few steps and you get a great addition to your camera setup.
This is a complete light with a lot of power and toughness. Even so, the mount itself is more on the fragile side. Be careful with that part when going out and shooting in tougher conditions.
6. GoPro Light Mod
- Best For: Strength
- Key Features: 4 brightness levels. Strong construction and waterproof design. Rechargeable 6-hour battery. Compact
- Battery Life: 6 hours
- Weight: 5.3 ounces
- Dimensions: 0.79 x 2.4 x 2.56 inches
GoPro is known for its strong, well-made cameras, and the Light Mod is no exception. This special light is compact but still packs a serious punch through its LED technology. It’s also incredibly tough, waterproof, and completely accident resistant.
Another amazing feature is the 4-brightness levels. That gives you plenty of shooting options and freely enables you to adapt to a range of conditions. The rechargeable battery comes with 6 hours of runtime and the compact design makes it easy to carry around.
Some people may want something a bit brighter for larger areas, but for most users what this little light offers will be more than enough. Especially when you consider the versatility.
How to Choose The Right Light for Your GoPro
Brightness
Obviously, the main thing you want to make sure is that you have a light that gets bright enough to be effective. Brightness is measured in lumens, so make sure the light you choose has enough lumens to illuminate your surroundings.
Battery Life
The worst thing that can happen on a night shoot is having your light run out of battery. You then can’t get any more shots with your camera, effectively ending your day of shooting. Making sure you have a fully charged battery at all times before you go on a shoot is extremely important.
Durability
The last thing you want to make sure is that the light can handle the beating that is normal with a GoPro. GoPro action cameras are made to take a beating, so finding a robust feeling light module can be the difference between getting a shot and missing it.
Other Useful Tips
If you plan on mounting these lights directly on the GoPro, you will need a case with a cold shoe. This will allow you to stick the light right onto your camera and then move it around to get it lighting the right areas.
The other thing that you will need with this setup is a good hand grip for your GoPro. This will allow you to carry it around and record videos in a professional manner. They can make the footage much more stable, and give you a better grip instead of trying to hold the small camera only.
Also, check out this video if you want to get the best GoPro settings for low light shooting.
Final Words
Lighting your videos when it is night is the only way to get decent footage with a GoPro. The lights we have listed above all do a great job of illuminating the scene around you and your camera, so pick the one that works best for you and get to work!
How do you think the GoPro does in low light? Let us know in the comments below!
