The Best Flashlights of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We reside in a good time to be a lumen junky with so many implausible flashlights in the marketplace. Whether or not you desire a highlight that matches within the palm of your hand or a feature-rich EDC marvel mild, the perfect flashlight for you is on the market. I’ve examined a set of flashlights during the last 12 months through the use of them for EDC, round the home, and whereas looking and fishing. I additionally collected beam comparability photographs that will help you discover the best flashlight in your wants. Listed here are my prime flashing picks for various functions. 

How I Examined the Finest Flashlights 

Beam Comparability

I began my take a look at by evaluating the beam patterns of every flashlight. I shined a goal from 25 yards to 65 yards to find out every lights efficient vary. I took a photograph of the beam with a digicam in handbook mode, which you’ll see in every evaluate. I used digicam settings that produced photographs that appeared as near what I noticed with my eyes and the settings remained in step with every flashlight to offer probably the most correct comparability potential.

The second beam take a look at was to see how the lights carried out with interference from thick brush and from ambient lighting. A flashlight with extra candela will permit you to see objects past these obstacles, whereas a light-weight missing the required throw will hit pitter out after these obstacles. 

Ergonomics and Options

The flashlights I examined are supposed to be handheld. Lights on this class want an intuitive button and one which gained’t click on on by accident. I examined every flashlight’s ergonomics and options by carrying them and utilizing them day by day. By that course of, I discovered flaws in some pocket clips and located flashlights that I’ll by no means go away the home with out.

The Finest Flashlights: Critiques & Suggestions

Finest for EDC: Streamlight Wedge

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Check Outcomes

• Max Illumination Distance: 45
• Run Time: 3 hours at 300 lumens
• Weight: 3.1 ounces 
• Finest Use: Day by day carry, canine strolling, and residential

Key Options

• Value: $100
• Lumens: 300 and 1,000 (momentary on solely)
• Rechargeable with USB-C
• IPX7 waterproof to 1 meter
• Deep carry clip 

Execs

• Wonderful beam for EDC duties 
• Ergonomic and easy to make use of
• Snug to hold in a pocket

Cons

• Lacks the customizable settings lovers favor 

The gear nerd in me loves issues like customized consumer interfaces, LCD screens, and numerous lumen settings. However, I additionally like streamlined gear that’s not overly difficult to make use of. Whereas evaluating EDC lights my pragmatic aspect gained out and I selected the intuitive and easy Streamlight Wedge because the winner. 

Whenever you pull the Wedge out of your entrance pocket, your hand naturally falls in the best place to flick the change on. If the 300 lumens isn’t brilliant sufficient in your process, you’ll be able to push the change ahead for 1,000 lumens. The max brightness setting will soar again to 300 lumens if you happen to let off the change. The operation is that easy. 

Within the pocket, the flat and skinny Wedge goes unnoticed by the provider. The deep carry clip retains the sunshine safe and unobtrusive. In my weeks carrying the Wedge I by no means had it by accident activate in my pocket or felt prefer it was a burden to hold. I often carried it in my again pocket which was snug as effectively. 

The beam is vast, evenly brilliant, and has a impartial tone. To me, it’s the perfect beam for EDC use. It excels at lighting up a darkish parking storage, discovering issues in a automotive, and taking a canine for a stroll. When utilizing the sunshine at 300 lumens constantly for half-hour it was barely heat to the contact, and my laser thermometer learn its temperature at 84.5 levels. 

The principle cons of the Wedge are that it doesn’t have any fingers free functionality like a magnet or two-way clip and it lacks options of extra technically superior lights. 

Learn Subsequent: Best EDC Knives

Finest Keychain: Nitecore Tini2 Ti

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Check Outcomes

• Max Illumination Distance: 40 yards
• Run Time: 45 minutes at 200 lumens
• Weight: 0.8 ounce
• Finest Use: Clipped onto a keychain, backpack zipper pull, or canine leash. Wonderful as a backup mild. 

Key Options

• Value: $45
• Lumens: 1, 15, 65, 200, 500
• Candela: 2,000 max
• Titanium
• LCD Show 
• Rechargeable with USB-C

Execs

• Straightforward to hold
• Vivid for its measurement
• LCD display shows key data

Cons

• Decrease battery life than bigger choices 

An EDC flashlight must be one which’s simple to hold with you on daily basis. With knives, pens, multi-tools, hanks, telephones, and energy banks all competing for pocket house, a keychain mild just like the Tini2 makes for a compelling choice. It’s at all times with you and it doesn’t take up more room than a key fob. 

The Tini2’s consumer interface is easy with an influence button that turns the sunshine on and a mode button that cycles via the brightness settings. Maintain down the mode button to unleash all 500 lumens. You possibly can set the flashlight right into a day by day or demo mode. The distinction is that the demo mode has an auto shutoff characteristic. 

I used the sunshine on the day by day setting, and located the 65 and 200 lumen settings to be probably the most helpful. I like that the LCD display offers the lumen setting, and the remaining battery life in minutes. The button lock can also be helpful to maintain the sunshine from turning on by accident. 

The beam is surprisingly brilliant for such a tiny flashlight, and it’ll go away you questioning why you want a bigger mild for EDC. It’s all flood and no throw so don’t anticipate to achieve out and illuminate objects past 40 yards. 

Learn Subsequent: Best Power Banks

Finest Compact: Olight Baton 3

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Check Outcomes

• Max Illumination Distance: 60
• Run Time: 1.5 hours at 300 lumens
• Weight: 1.9 ounces
• Finest Use: EDC, automotive work, residence use

Key Options

• Value: $69
• Lumens: 0.5, 12, 60, 300, 1200
• Wi-fi, magnetic charger
• Magnet
• Two-way clip
• IPX8 waterproof  

Execs

• Small and transportable
• Wonderful for fingers free use
• Preferrred as a piece mild 

Cons

The Baton 3 has probably the most throw for its lumens of any mild I examined. This palm-sized flashlight reached out to 60 yards, and it takes up half the pocket measurement of equally brilliant choices. It makes use of a proprietary magnetic charger, which generally is a con if you find yourself shedding the cable. Nevertheless it means you don’t have a charging port that will get crammed with lint or uncovered to water. 

The magnet and two-way clip permit for fingers free use. Whether or not you’re clipping it to your hat on a hike or sticking it to the hood of your truck whilst you work. 

The on button has a tactical and audible click on that’s very tough to activate by accident. The consumer interface is fairly simple. Simply press the button for mild and maintain it to alter the brightness setting. A double click on will activate the turbo mode. 

Finest for Open air: Wuben X3

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Check outcomes

• Max Illumination Distance: 45 yards
• Run Time: 2 hours at 150 lumens
• Weight: 2.3 ounces

Key Options

• Value: $66
• Lumens: 1, 50, 150, 200, 700
• Wi-fi charging 
• Charger can also be a lantern 
• Pink and white mild 
• LCD Show 

The Wuben X3 is without doubt one of the most attention-grabbing flashlights out there, however it’s not my favourite for carrying in a pocket. Its clip doesn’t work effectively in a entrance pocket and its button is simply too simple to by accident activate. However, it’s nonetheless an unbelievable flashlight for sure functions. 

The X3 excels at fingers free use. The top rotates so you should utilize it like a regular, inline flashlight or with the sunshine projecting 90 levels from the physique. So you’ll be able to clip it to a hat or rotate the pinnacle and clip it onto a shirt or backpack strap. I utilized that functionality and the X3’s purple mild mode whereas turkey looking this spring.

The X3’s charger doubles as a lantern, which is superb for tenting and its future time means you’ll be able to really end the e-book you introduced. 

The consumer interface is straightforward to make use of. A push and maintain cycles via settings and a double faucet activate the 700 lumen mode. There’s an LCD display that allows you to know which mode you’re on and the remaining battery life. 

Finest for Residence: Sofirn IF23

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Check outcomes

• Max Illumination Distance: 60 yards
• Run Time: 2 hours at 1,500 lumens
• Weight: 6.5 ounces

Key Options

• Value: $40
• Lumens: 1, 100, 500, 1500, 4000
• 500 lumen lantern 
• Magnet
• Can be utilized as a transportable energy financial institution
• Lantern may be modified to purple, inexperienced, purple, and blue mild
• Rechargeable with USB C

Just like the Wuben X3, this mild isn’t probably the most EDC pleasant choice, however it has a whole lot of functionality. In case your EDC gear features a backpack then I’d think about dropping a Sofrin IF23 into one of many pockets. This mild is a lumen beast that shoots out a brilliant, vast beam. It will probably flip day into night time, however it additionally has finesse. The five hundred lumen lantern mode and magnet make it a succesful work mild. There’s additionally a strobe operate for emergencies. The coloured lights are cool, however have little or no sensible use.

Finest Funds Compact: Thrunite Archer Mini 

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Check Outcomes

• Max Illumination Distance: 50 yards
• Run Time: 50 minutes at 157 lumens
• Weight: 1.3 ounces

Key Options

• Value: $20
• Lumens: 18, 157, 405
• Tail cap click on 
• Two-way pocket clip 
• Rechargeable with USB-C
• IPX8

Execs

• Small and simple to hold
• Good clip

Cons

The Archer Mini is a basic AAA EDC flashlight. I examined it towards a number of related fashions however discovered its mild, button, and consumer interface unbeatable. It takes up little or no pocket house and the pocket clip has the correct quantity of stress to maintain it securely in place. It additionally suits effectively in an organizer. I carried the Archer Mini in an Alpaka Zip Pouch Pro and it match completely into the outside pocket. 

The button has a pleasant tactile click on and solely has a continuous-on mode. Click on it on for the 18 lumens and double click on for 405, which is able to step all the way down to 157 lumens after about 2.5 minutes. There’s a USB-C port hidden within the head of the flashlight for recharging. Which means no shopping for costly batteries or retaining observe of an exterior charger. 

Finest Highly effective: Nitecore EDC 25

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Check Outcomes

• Max Illumination Distance: 65 yards
• Run Time: 1 hour 45 minutes at 1,000 lumens 
• Weight: 3.8 ounces 

Key Options

• Value: $75
• Lumens: 15, 65, 200, 1000, 3000
• Rechargeable with USB-C
• Battery and lumen indicator 
• Button lock 
• Flat design 

Execs

• Tremendous brilliant
• Ergonomic 
• Locking energy button

Cons

I examined the Nitecore EDC 27, and whereas I preferred it, it had flaws that held it again from being a prime decide. Primarily the momentary button jumped from turbo to strobe far too simply. The sunshine additionally received extremely popular at its brightest settings. 

The brand new EDC 25 solves a lot of these issues. It’s much more consumer pleasant and it’s about an oz lighter. The momentary button places you on the mild’s max output and it’ll mild up a big space with a large, 3,000 lumen beam. A click on and a maintain on the ability button will activate the EDC 25’s different settings. One quirk is that you need to press and maintain the ability button to show the flashlight off. There are indicator lights on the flashlight that present the sunshine output and battery degree. 

The flat form of the EDC 25 is superb for carry, however about ½ inch of flashlight stands proud of your pocket because it doesn’t use a deep carry clip. The EDC 25 will get sizzling throughout steady use of its excessive settings. At 1,000 lumens it reached 125 levels after 12 minutes, and was uncomfortably sizzling to carry. Even with these cons, the EDC 25 is the perfect EDC flashlight I’ve examined if you wish to carry an excellent brilliant flashlight. 

Finest Funds Highly effective: Wurkkos FC13

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Check Outcomes

• Max Illumination Distance: 50 yards
• Run Time: 2.5 hours at 1080 lumens
• Weight: 4.4 ounces

Key Options

• Value: $34
• Lumens: 0.5, 5, 20, 57, 150, 420, 1080, 3500 
• Two method clip 
• LCD Show 
• Rechargeable with USB-C
• Can be utilized as an influence financial institution 
• Water Resistance: IP68
• Button lights up 

Execs

• Vivid
• Good steadiness of throw and flood 
• Ergonomically-placed button 

Cons

The Wurkkos FC13 offers probably the most lumens in your greenback, whereas additionally being ergonomic and have wealthy. It has eight brightness settings which are simple to navigate with a push and maintain of the button — double faucet for max brightness. Wurkkos sidestepped the normal tailcap and went for a button on the flashlight’s head. This makes it ergonomic for EDC duties. 

The beam is effectively balanced between throw and flood. On the FC13’s brightest setting you’ll be able to simply illuminate an space that’s 40 yards vast by 40 yards deep. The decrease settings are nice for up-close duties or conserving battery life. 

Its predominant cons are its measurement and weight. It was the heaviest flashlight that made the ultimate minimize, and the least pocket pleasant. However if you’d like a brilliant flashlight that’s filled with nice options for below $40, the FC13 is my best choice. 

Learn Subsequent: Best EDC Multi Tools 

Finest with a Laser: Olight Arkfeld Pro

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Check Outcomes

• Max Illumination Distance: 45 yards
• Run Time: 2 hours and 6 minutes at 420 lumens
• Weight: 3.9 ounces

Key Options

• Value: $100
• Lumens: 1, 15, 100, 420, 1300
• Two method clip 
• Rechargeable with Olight magnetic charger
• Class 3R Laser 
• 900 megawatt UV mild  
• Battery degree indicator 

Execs

• Straightforward actuation 
• Fascinating characteristic set 

Cons

• The laser and UV mild are enjoyable, however have restricted utility for day by day duties 

The Olight Arkfeld Professional is probably the most enjoyable flashlight I examined, however the options that made it enjoyable additionally made it one of many least sensible. The inexperienced laser is highly effective and brilliant. It stretches out effectively previous 100 yards at night time and is brilliant sufficient for use indoors in the course of the day. The UV mild is nice for recharging objects that glow at the hours of darkness and seeing issues solely seen when hit with the UV spectrum. It might have been cool if the Arkfeld Professional had a decrease UV spectrum, it’s at 365nm, which is simply too excessive for use for disinfecting objects. A conveyable UV disinfector could be actually helpful. 

The flashlight portion is superb with a pleasant vast, even beam. The consumer interface is easy and simple to make use of. You toggle the change between the completely different modes after which click on the button to activate. A protracted maintain cycles via brightness ranges. 

Within the pocket the flat Arkfeld Professional is straightforward to hold and it has a pleasant deep carry clip. It’s proper up there with the Wedge by way of ease of carry and operation. 

Finest Tactical: SureFire Stiletto Pro

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Key Options 

• Lumens: 1,000, 300, 25
• Three brightness settings and strobe
• Weight: 4 ounces
• Rechargeable 
• Programable 
• ​​Passes IPX7 water testing to at least one meter for half-hour

Execs

• Ergonomic
• Long term time
• Slim profile

Cons

The SureFire Stiletto Pro checks all of the bins for me. It’s simple to hold in a pocket, it’s brilliant, it has a flexible beam, and it’s rechargeable—all extraordinarily effectively. The beam sample is vast and really even edge to edge, which is right for EDC functions, blood trailing, and normal use. 

It has good run time and, at max brightness, you’ll be able to run it constantly for 1 hour. When the Stiletto Professional is operating low, a purple indicator mild comes on. Recharging the Stiletto Pro is straightforward with an influence financial institution or plugged into the wall by way of the micro-USB cable. 

The design of the Stiletto Professional is effectively thought out and intensely ergonomic. It slips right into a entrance pocket and rides unnoticed subsequent to my pocket knife. You maintain it loads like a TV distant and press the on button together with your thumb, and you may cycle via the brightness settings by hitting the “on” button such as you’re altering channels.

There are tradeoffs for the Stiletto Professional’s good, even beam. It lacks throw, and also you’ll have points pushing previous a photonic barrier or seeing objects past 50 yards. However, for many stuff you’d use a flashlight for, that is the perfect total flashlight choice. 

Finest Throw: Modlite PLHv2

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Key Options 

• Lumens: 1350
• Weight: 4.5 ounces
• Rechargeable 
• Made within the U.S.

Execs

• Throws mild far distances
• Extraordinarily brilliant
• Straightforward to hold 

Cons

• Will get sizzling after a couple of minutes of use
• May very well be an excessive amount of mild for some conditions 
• Just one brightness setting

If you wish to harness the ability of the solar in a pocket-sized flashlight, purchase a Modlite. The 1,350 lumens are spectacular, however the Modlite PLH‘s 54,000 candela is the actual energy. That candella means this mild can simply spot objects at 100 yards, and in city environments, you’ll haven’t any bother pushing previous the ambient mild to see into darkish areas. 

The beam has a brilliant middle spot that spills out towards the perimeters. The depth of that middle spot can’t be overstated, and the loopy factor is that Modlite makes the OKW, which has much more throw. I don’t discover the PLH to be too brilliant for inside use or on a regular basis duties. Whether or not I’m utilizing it to search for issues in my truck or work my method via a darkish home, it carried out effectively. Nevertheless it isn’t splendid for studying or something that requires shut inspection. Whereas utilizing the PLHv2 for EDC, I discovered the rechargeable battery lasts a couple of week. 

If you would like an impressively brilliant flashlight that excels in every part however future time functions, then a Modlite is for you. 

Learn Subsequent: Best Tactical Flashlights

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Key Options

• Lasted seven hours at full brightness
• Lumens: 250
• Peak: 8.5 inches (unfolded); 4.5 inches (folded)
• Rated for IPX4 (waterproof to heavy rain)

Execs

• Very small packed measurement
• Mild sufficient to carry on low-key backpacking journeys
• Brighter than its lumen-rating would lead you to anticipate
• Water-proof in case you permit it out in a single day 

Cons

• White mild is much less nice than different fashions I checked out

With three foldable legs that reach all the way down to double its physique top, the Black Diamond Apollo was some of the compact tenting lanterns I checked out. Regardless of having the second-lowest lumen ranking in my take a look at, the Black Diamond Apollo’s mild punched above its weight. A number of people famous that it appeared as if this lantern was offering not less than as a lot mild protection, if no more, than the higher-lumen LED fashions.

However what actually stood out throughout testing was its battery life. Whereas different batteries solely lasted a number of hours, this tenting lantern was nonetheless going seven hours later in heat temperatures, that means it has sufficient juice to get you thru a night across the picnic desk (its IPX4 ranking means it will probably additionally deal with somewhat rain). And within the occasion it does nonetheless kick out whereas the night time is younger, you continue to have the choice to plug in three AA batteries to maintain it going. 

Whereas this mannequin does have the choice to recharge a secondary gadget straight from its inner battery (USB connection), it doesn’t fairly have a big sufficient battery to make this a sensible selection—carry a battery pack as an alternative.—Laura Lancaster

Learn extra concerning the best camping lanterns in our full take a look at article.

Learn how to Select the Finest Flashlight

Flashlights would possibly appear to be easy instruments, however there’s loads to contemplate whenever you’re selecting the perfect flashlight. Producers tailor their flashlights for particular functions, and also you’ll wish to think about the lumens, candela, measurement, and energy supply earlier than choosing the right flashlight for you. 

Lumens vs. Candela

Lumens is a measurement for the quantity of sunshine a flashlight produces. Candela is a measurement of how a lot mild a flashlight places out in a selected route. Let’s say you’ve two flashlights with the identical lumens, however one has a concentrated beam, and the opposite has a wider beam. The flashlight with the concentrated beam may have extra candela. 

Measurement 

Whenever you’re taking a look at a flashlight, it is advisable take into consideration the way you’ll carry it. Will this be a pocket companion, or will it reside in a pack, drawer, or middle console? The reply to that query will let you know if you’d like a small, slim mild in your pocket or a bigger mild for off-body carry. 

Use

The way you’ll use the flashlight is crucial deciding issue. Is that this a general-purpose flashlight for strolling the canine and making your method via a darkish parking zone? Or, is that this an obligation mild that carries a selected have to determine potential threats at distance and blind them? Is that this a light-weight you’ll have to run for greater than an hour whilst you blood path and drag a deer? Selecting the flashlight that greatest matches your wants will be sure you get years of fine use out of it. 

Batteries Used within the Finest Flashlights

Flashlights can use normal AA or AAA batteries or extra unique energy provides like CR123A batteries. Rechargeable flashlights are additionally turning into increasingly prevalent. My desire leans towards rechargeable flashlights to chop down on waste and value. At this time’s rechargeable batteries are also very highly effective, like those used within the Modlite. For emergency flashlights, I like normal batteries as a result of they’re what I generally have round the home. However, CR123A batteries have an incredible fame for dependable energy in all circumstances. You simply need to be snug with shopping for a pack particularly in your mild. 

FAQs

Remaining Ideas on the Finest Flashlights

Having the perfect flashlight in your wants is a large benefit within the open air and on a regular basis life. Whether or not you go together with a tiny powerhouse just like the SureFire Sidekick or a lumen monster just like the Modlite PLHv2, there’s an incredible flashlight in your wants on the market.