From the beginning of the game, light has played a crucial role in helping Minecraft players navigate through dark underground tunnels and illuminate their homes. While many players are already familiar with the useful torch, experienced Minecraft players utilize more advanced light sources to brighten up their bases.
Light sources are essential in Minecraft for both decoration and survival. Well-lit areas prevent hostile mobs from spawning, making it safer for players. Additionally, certain blocks that emit light are popular choices for enhancing the aesthetics of structures. While there are several light-emitting blocks available in the game, only a select few are commonly utilized by players.
In the world of Minecraft, there are various light sources that players find appealing due to their visual appeal, as well as others that are convenient to create and use. Below, we will explore some of the top light sources available in this sandbox game.
Best Minecraft Light Sources 2024
Torch
When it comes to lighting up your Minecraft world, torches are widely considered the top choice. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, torches are a go-to option for illuminating your surroundings.
Made with simple materials like sticks and coal, they are incredibly easy to create and can be placed on the ground or walls without any extra assistance. The only drawback is that they may not be the most visually appealing light source.
Redstone lamp
For players seeking a light source that offers the convenience of being able to control its illumination as desired, the ideal choice in Minecraft would be a redstone lamp. This specific block has the unique characteristic of only emitting light when it receives a redstone signal.
As a result, it can be easily toggled on or off using a redstone contraption. Additionally, for those who prefer the functionality of automatic activation or deactivation based on the in-game time, they can incorporate a daylight sensor in proximity to the redstone lamp.
Lantern
In the Minecraft game, lanterns serve as an excellent alternative light source. Crafting lanterns is a simple process that only requires one torch and eight iron ingots. Compared to torches, lanterns offer a more appealing visual appearance and can be either placed on the floor or hung from the bottom of any block.
Sea lantern
Minecraft offers a visually stunning block called the Sea Lantern, which emits light. Unlike other light sources that give off a warm glow, the Sea Lantern provides a pure white illumination.
These blocks can be found naturally in ocean ruins and ocean monuments. To acquire Sea Lanterns, players will need to use a silk touch enchantment. Alternatively, they can also craft Sea Lanterns using pismarine crystals and shards.
Candles
Minecraft introduces a recent addition called candles, which serve as light sources in the game. These blocks emit a maximum of 12 levels of brightness, making them ideal for creating a calming, soft, or snug atmosphere.
Candles can be naturally discovered in ancient cities and will soon be available in train ruins as well. Players can also craft candles using honeycomb and string, with one block capable of holding anywhere from one to four candles.
End rod
Minecraft light sources are essential for both decoration and illumination purposes in the game. One popular block for this is the end rod, which emits light and can be used to enhance the look of structures.
These rods can be found in end cities, specifically outside towers. Alternatively, players can also craft end rods by combining blaze rods and popped chorus fruit.
Froglight
In the latest Minecraft update, version 1.19, a new type of block called Froglight has been introduced. This block emits light and can be obtained by having a frog consume a small magma cube.
There are three different types of frogs in the game, and each type drops a specific variant of Froglight. These variants are known as pearlescent, ochre, and verdant. While they may not be the most visually stunning blocks, they are quite rare and provide a sufficient amount of light.
Beacon
When it comes to Minecraft, beacons are not your typical light source. However, they are more useful for their original purpose related to water. With a light level of 15, beacons are great for keeping mobs away and offering sufficient illumination. Additionally, they have a visually appealing design and the ability to change colors.
Despite these benefits, there is a significant drawback to using beacons. In order to create a Beacon in Minecraft, players need to gather rare materials called Nether Stars. These stars can only be obtained by defeating the powerful Wither boss, making it a valuable and important task.
Once a Beacon is crafted, it offers various benefits, including emitting light. However, these benefits are only effective within a certain range of the Beacon’s pyramid structure.
Glowstone
In the world of Minecraft, one of the brightest sources of light is Glowstone. With a light level of 15, it illuminates its surroundings effectively. Not only does it provide light, but it also adds a decorative touch to buildings and landscapes with its unique appearance.
What sets Glowstone apart from other light sources is that it can be harvested and collected, allowing players to obtain a perfect light source without much initial investment in materials. However, obtaining Glowstone can be challenging as it requires traveling to the Nether, making it more difficult to acquire in the early stages of the game. Additionally, Glowstone cannot be waterlogged, so it is not suitable for underwater lighting.
Jack o’ Lantern
Minecraft light sources called Jack o’ Lanterns are incredibly effective in providing illumination. These light sources can be easily obtained by combining a pumpkin with a torch, making them a renewable option.
While their appearance is classic and easily recognizable, they may not necessarily complement all aesthetic preferences. However, like other solid light sources, jack-o’ lanterns do not have the ability to melt ice or snow, which makes them ideal for lighting up colder biomes.
Lava
Minecraft light sources are a topic of debate, especially when it comes to using lava. Despite its controversial nature, lava is one of the brightest light sources available. However, there are a few reasons why you might want to use lava to light up your house.
One advantage is that lava source blocks are essentially infinite, meaning they can provide a limitless amount of light if managed properly. Additionally, lava has a visually appealing appearance and can be incorporated into various builds. It can serve both as a light source and as a defensive mechanism, as it can damage and deter hostile mobs and players.
However, it’s important to note that lava also poses risks. It can cause harm to players and mobs upon contact and can destroy any items that fall into it. Careful placement is necessary to avoid unintended consequences, such as fires or damage to structures. While lava is abundant in the game, creating a controlled and infinite lava source may require a significant investment of resources and careful planning.
Furnaces and Smoker
Minecraft light sources can include both furnaces and smokers, which emit a constant glow while they are active and burning items. These light sources are useful in areas where you frequently engage in cooking or smelting tasks. However, one disadvantage is that furnaces need fuel to sustain the light, which can be problematic if fuel supplies are scarce.
Soul Lantern
Minecraft light sources called soul lanterns are a great way to provide illumination and keep mobs from spawning nearby. These lanterns have a distinct and enchanting appearance with a blue flame, making them ideal for different building styles, particularly in fantasy or spooky-themed settings.
Just like crying obsidian, soul lanterns do not burn out, ensuring a consistent source of light. To craft soul lanterns, you’ll need soul torches, which require soul soil or soul sand and sticks, making them slightly resource-intensive. While they do add aesthetic value, the cost of crafting them may not be justified.
Shroomlight
Shroomlights in Minecraft are light sources that emit a brightness level of 15. Unlike other light sources, such as torches or glowstone, shroomlights do not have the ability to melt ice or snow, which makes them a great option for lighting in colder biomes.
To obtain shroomlights, players need to have access to the Nether. Although it requires some effort to harvest them, the investment is definitely worth it. Additionally, there is also a chance to grow your own shroomlights in the game.
Crying Obsidian
In the world of Minecraft, there are various light sources that players can utilize to illuminate their surroundings. One such light source is crying obsidian. Despite emitting a light level of 10, which may not be the most ideal, it falls somewhere in the middle in terms of usefulness.
However, what sets crying obsidian apart is its unique appearance, characterized by a captivating blue shimmer. This makes it an excellent choice for adding a decorative touch to buildings and landscapes.
Obtaining crying obsidian is possible through bartering with piglins, ensuring a renewable supply of this material. While its light level is decent, it is important to note that there are other light sources available that offer higher levels of illumination.
Therefore, strategic placement may be necessary to achieve optimal brightness. It is worth mentioning that accessing the Nether is a prerequisite for obtaining crying obsidian, which means it may be less accessible during the early stages of the game.
Conduit
In the game of Minecraft, the Conduit is a visually appealing light source that can be found both on land and underwater. It has a high Light Level of 15 and functions similarly to an underwater Beacon.
Not only does it provide status boosts through Conduit Power, but it also helps in combating hostile mobs that are underwater. However, crafting the Conduit can be quite challenging. While obtaining the eight Nautilus Shells required may feel like a tedious task, the real difficulty lies in obtaining the centerpiece item: The Heart of The Sea.
This item can be found as buried treasure, but the chances of it spawning are extremely low. To increase your chances of finding biomes with buried treasure, it is recommended to locate a dolphin and follow it by feeding it raw salmon or raw cod.
Glow Lichen
With the latest Minecraft 1.18 update, the caves have undergone a significant transformation, becoming larger and more breathtaking than ever before. However, this update has also brought about a new challenge – lighting up these expansive caves has become quite troublesome.
Fortunately, a solution has been introduced with the addition of Glow Lichen. These eerie vines now provide a dim source of light within the caves, creating an atmospheric ambiance. Glow Lichen can be found growing on top of stone blocks in the caves, emitting a light level of 7, which is equivalent to that of a Redstone torch.
Although it may not be the most effective light source for illuminating a room, Glow Lichen still has its uses. For instance, it can be utilized to create broken glass or to serve as a transition between stone and dirt surfaces.
Glow Berries
Are you feeling bored with constantly eating sweet berries in Minecraft? Are you looking for a change? If so, let me introduce you to Glow berries. Similar to sweet berries, these yellow berries replenish 2 hunger points and provide 0.4 saturation points.
However, what sets them apart is their unique feature. When placed, Glow berries emit a light level of 14, which is equivalent to an end rod or torch. This makes them an ideal light source for illuminating your gardens or greenhouses.
Soul Torches
Soul torches are a type of light source in the game Minecraft. Similar to Soul Lanterns, they emit a light level of 10 and have a distinct appearance. These torches can be created by combining soul sand or soul soil with sticks, which offers players a renewable option for obtaining light.
However, crafting soul torches can be a bit resource-intensive since the required materials, soul sand and soul soil, can only be obtained in the Nether dimension.
Campfire
As the night falls and dangerous creatures draw near, you search your limited inventory desperately for something useful. Using wood and coal, you come up with a clever solution to create a torch.
Equipped with a crafting table, you begin your task. However, you soon realize a problem. You have very few resources left to cook your food. With only half a heart remaining, you urgently need something to keep the monsters at bay.
In such a situation, the campfire becomes your savior as a source of light. Not only can you craft it, but it also naturally appears in taiga or snowy taiga villages, providing a bright and reliable light source.
Conclusion
We trust that you have gained knowledge about the different sources of light in Minecraft. Which is your favorite light source in Minecraft? Don’t forget to comment below! For more content on Minecraft, check out the relevant links below and any of our guides, list of mods, and news on Gamerode.