You get to the cave, the night trail or the dive site, and the footage comes out grainy and gray. Action cameras are great in daylight, but their tiny sensors struggle once the sun goes down. A small light on the camera is the cheapest fix.
This guide is for anyone shopping for an action camera flashlight in 2026 for a GoPro, a DJI Action or a similar camera, whether you shoot underwater or on a night ride. Here are 5 popular picks, ranked by rating and review count. We didn't test them ourselves. We read the listings and the reviews, and we point out the catch with each one.
What to Look For in an Action Camera Light
Waterproofing. If you dive or swim, you need a light made for water, with a stated depth rating. A regular fill light isn't safe underwater.
Mount type. Some lights use the GoPro-style mount. Others use a cold shoe, so you may need a small adapter to attach them to an action camera.
Brightness and runtime. Brighter lights drain faster. Check the runtime at full power, since the low-setting number looks better.
Light quality. A high CRI (95 or more) makes colors look more natural. A softbox or diffuser keeps skin tones from looking harsh.
Your camera. If you're still choosing a camera, see our GoPros for kids picks, and don't forget sound with an action camera microphone.
The 5 Best Action Camera Flashlights in 2026
1. Ulanzi VL49 On-Camera LED Video Fill Light, 5500K, 2000mAh
Best for: vloggers and night shooters who want a small, cheap, rechargeable light.
The VL49 is a pocket-size panel that weighs about 90 g. It has a 2000mAh battery, USB-C charging, 5 brightness levels, a CRI of 95+ and three cold shoe mounts. The listing says it runs about 120 minutes at full brightness. It has 4.6 stars from almost 9,900 reviews, the most here, and costs about $17.
What makes it stand out: It's tiny, it's cheap, and you can stack more than one. The soft light panel looks gentler than a bare LED.
Good to know: It isn't waterproof, so keep it out of the water. You need a cold shoe adapter to mount it on a GoPro.
2. ULANZI VL-81 3000mAh Bi-Color LED Video Light with Softbox
Best for: people who want to adjust the color of the light for different scenes.
This is a bi-color panel that goes from 3200K to 5600K. It has a CRI of 95, a 3000mAh battery with USB-C charging, a softbox and three cold shoe mounts. It has 4.7 stars from more than 3,400 reviews and costs about $20.
What makes it stand out: You can warm up or cool down the light to match the scene, and the softbox gives gentle light. The bigger battery lasts longer than the VL49.
Good to know: It's bigger and heavier than the little lights, so it's more of a vlogging light than a slim action camera add-on. It's not waterproof.
3. GoPro Light Mod
Best for: GoPro owners who want the official, waterproof light.
The Light Mod gives up to 200 lumens in 4 brightness levels. The listing says it's waterproof to 33 ft (10 m) and runs up to 6 hours on its built-in battery. You can use it by itself or attach it to a camera with a Media Mod. It has 4.7 stars from about 1,900 reviews and costs about $50.
What makes it stand out: It's made by GoPro, so it fits GoPro mounts, and it's rated for use underwater. It's the best-built light on this list.
Good to know: It's the priciest here. The listing names HERO8 to HERO10 Black for direct use with the Media Mod, so check that it works with your camera model first.
4. PICTRON VL28 Mini LED Camera Light, 5600K, Rechargeable
Best for: a cheap, tiny light for night rides and walks.
The VL28 has 28 LEDs, 4 brightness levels, a CRI of 95+ and a built-in rechargeable battery. The listing says it runs up to 3 hours. It has a USB-C port, a cold shoe mount, a soft diffuser in the box, and an SOS mode. It has 4.5 stars from more than 1,000 reviews and costs about $14.
What makes it stand out: It's the cheapest light on the list, and it's small enough to leave on your camera.
Good to know: It has a smaller battery and less power than the Ulanzi lights. It isn't waterproof.
5. Suptig Underwater Light, Waterproof, Dimmable (45 m)
Best for: divers and snorkelers who need a light that mounts on a GoPro.
The Suptig is a 3-LED waterproof light rated to 45 m. It has a 1050mAh battery and 3 modes. The listing says it runs about 1.5 hours on high, 4 hours on low and 6 hours in SOS mode. It comes with a GoPro-style mount. It has 4.4 stars from more than 1,100 reviews and costs about $19.
What makes it stand out: It's one of the few cheap lights made for diving and it uses the standard GoPro mount. It's dimmable.
Good to know: It has the lowest rating on the list. On high it runs only about 1.5 hours, so bring a spare battery for a long dive.
How to Get Better Night and Underwater Footage
- Charge first. A full battery matters, since lights drain fast on high.
- Don't point it straight at the subject. Angle the light a little off-axis to avoid a flat, washed-out look.
- Underwater, get close. Water absorbs light and color, so the closer you are, the better the footage.
- Use a diffuser. A soft cover keeps shadows from looking harsh on faces.
- Rinse after salt water. Rinse waterproof lights in fresh water and dry them before opening the battery door.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best action camera flashlight?
Can you use a flashlight with a GoPro?
Do I need a waterproof light for a GoPro?
How bright should a GoPro light be?
Keep Reading
Final Thoughts
If we were buying one, it'd be the Ulanzi VL49 for most people. It has the most reviews, a good battery and a low price. If you shoot underwater and want the official GoPro fit, the GoPro Light Mod is the one to look at.
Pick the VL-81 if you want adjustable color temperature, the PICTRON VL28 for the lowest price, and the Suptig if you dive on a budget. Whichever you choose, check the mount type before you order.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Here's how we pick products.
