How to Pick the Best Submersible Lights for Underwater Photography and Video

When it comes to photography and videography, lighting is everything. But what happens when your creative vision takes you beneath the surface? Not just any light will do—many are labeled as “waterproof,” but few can truly function when submerged. In this guide, we’ll break down what sets submersible lights apart and highlight the best Godox options for underwater shooting, ensuring you get the perfect shot in any conditions.

Keeping Your Lights Safe in Wet Conditions

Water and electronics don’t mix—unless they’re designed to. Whether you’re capturing cinematic underwater scenes or shooting in heavy rain, waterproof lighting is essential for both protecting your gear and ensuring reliable operation. However, not all waterproof lights are created equal. Some can handle rain and splashes but will fail if fully immersed, while others are built to function safely and reliably underwater. Knowing the difference is crucial when choosing the right lighting for your creative projects.

This is especially important because outdoor shoots and unpredictable weather can expose your gear to rain, splashes, and humidity, making proper protection a must. Even more critically, underwater photography and filmmaking require lights that not only maintain brightness and color accuracy beneath the surface but can also withstand increased pressure at depth. Without the right gear, water exposure isn’t just a risk to your equipment—it can compromise your safety.

The IP Rating Explained

When shopping for waterproof lighting, the IP rating (Ingress Protection) is the single most important spec to understand. This rating indicates how well a device is sealed against dust and water, using a two-digit system:

• The first digit (0–6) represents protection against solid particles like dust and dirt.

• The second digit (0–9) represents protection against water, ranging from light splashes to full submersion.

However, when a product is only tested for water resistance and not for dust protection, the first digit is replaced with an X—resulting in ratings like IPX7, or IPX8. This is common for waterproof or submersible lights, where dust resistance isn’t a primary concern.

As for examples, a light with an IP65 rating is dust-tight and can handle low-pressure water jets, but not immersion. In contrast, an IPX7-rated light is tested for continuous underwater use, with depth and duration specified by the manufacturer.

A higher IP rating doesn’t just mean better waterproofing—it ensures reliable performance in extreme conditions. If you’re working underwater, IPX7 or higher is essential.

Key Features of Submersible Lighting

Like we said earlier, not all waterproof lights are built for underwater use. A true submersible light must handle constant exposure to water, increased pressure at depth, and the unique way light behaves underwater. Here are the key features to consider when choosing an underwater lighting solution:

IPX7 Rating or Higher

For underwater use, a minimum rating of IPX7 is required, meaning the light is tested for continuous submersion at a specified depth. The IP rating also ensures the light can withstand the water pressure at that depth without failing. These specs vary by model, so always check manufacturer specifications.

Brightness and Light Output

Water absorbs light quickly, especially in deeper environments. A good submersible light needs to pack a punch to illuminate your subject sufficiently. Lumens measure total output, while lux indicates how much light actually reaches your subject, making both important considerations for underwater lighting.

Color Accuracy and Rendering

Underwater environments distort colors. To counter this as best as possible, look for high CRI and TLCI, which ensure natural, accurate colors in photos and videos.

Battery Life and Power Efficiency

Underwater shoots limit access to charging, so reliable battery performance is critical. Consider models with long battery runtime to last through extended dives and shoots.

Godox Submersible & Underwater Lights Showcase

Now that we’ve covered the essential features of a true submersible light, let’s look at all the current submersible lighting options from Godox. While many lights in their lineup have waterproof ratings, including some fixtures in the KNOWLED™ series, only the following models are designed for underwater use.

Godox WT Series RGB LED Tube Lights – WT25R / WT40R / WT60R

The Godox WTR series is a professional underwater lighting solution, IP68-rated for full submersion up to 40 m. Unlike standard waterproof lights, it automatically switches to high-power mode underwater, ensuring maximum brightness at depth. With RGB and Bi-Color flexibility, wireless control, and versatile mounting options, it’s perfect for cinematic underwater scenes, creative lighting effects, and professional productions in extreme conditions.

Godox WT Series Daylight LED Tube Lights – WT25D / WT40D / WT60D

Just like the RGB lineup above, these models are part of the same Dive Series, but focus on pure daylight output (5600 K) for maximum brightness and natural white light. Also IP68-rated for submersion up to 40 m, they are built for serious underwater filmmaking, where consistency and power matter most. If you need high-output lighting without color adjustments, these are the way to go.

Godox WL8P Waterproof LED Light

The WL8P is a compact, high-performance underwater light, IPX8-rated for submersion up to 10 m. Designed for divers, adventure filmmakers, and underwater photographers, it delivers consistent brightness and accurate color rendering in a small but rugged package. With durable build and reliable output, it’s a great choice for those who need a dependable light for shooting underwater.

Godox WL4B Waterproof LED Light

The WL4B is a versatile, entry-level submersible LED light, IPX8-rated for submersion up to 30 m. While compact, it provides strong brightness and durability, making it an excellent starter light for underwater photography and video. Ideal for new divers, content creators, and those looking for a simple yet effective underwater lighting solution that balances portability, performance, and ease of use.

Not Just Waterproof—Built for the Deep

Just because a light is waterproof doesn’t mean it’s ready to go underwater. Plenty of lights can handle rain, splashes, or even a quick dunk, but that doesn’t mean they’ll actually work when fully submerged. If you’re shooting underwater, you need a light that’s built for it—one that won’t fail under pressure (literally).

Right now, Godox offers a handful of true submersible options, each suited to different needs. The WTR series gives you full RGB and Bi-Color flexibility, great for creative underwater effects. The WTD series sticks to strong daylight output, perfect for when you need clean, natural light. And if you want something more compact, the WL8P and WL4B offer smaller, portable solutions, whether you’re staying shallow or diving deeper.

The bottom line? If you’re shooting underwater, you need a light that’s actually made for it. With the right gear, you can focus on creating, knowing your lighting won’t hold you back.