The 12 Brightest Flashlights in 2023

There are flashlights for daily carry that you can easily store in your pockets, and provide you with more than enough light for your daily tasks. And then there are times when you want to see how many eye-searing lumens you can bring to bear in a package that pushes the limits of something you can everyday carry. Lighting up a football field or two, illuminating a mountain range in the distance, or simply impressing the heck out of your friends: these challenges demand the highest output that current flashlight technology can muster. In this guide, we run down our recommendations for some of the best and brightest flashlights you can buy today.

Our Top Picks

The Brightest Flashlight: IMALENT MS18W [Buy]

The Most Premium Brightest Flashlight: Fenix LR80R [Buy]

The Best Budget Brightest Flashlight: Emisar D18 [Buy]

The Furthest Throwing Flashlight: Weltool W4Pro LEP [Buy]

The Most Compact Brightest Flashlight: Nitecore TM20K [Buy]

IMALENT MS18W	Fenix LR80R	Emisar D18	Weltool W4Pro LEP	Nitecore TM20K
$$$$	$$$$	$$	$$$$	$$$$
Maximum Output: 100,000 lumens	Maximum Output: 18,000 lumens	Maximum Output: 14,000 lumens	Maximum Output: 568 lumens	Maximum Output: 20,000 lumens
Emitter: 18 x Cree XHP70	Emitter: 6 x Luminus SST70	Emitter: 18 x SST-20	Emitter: LEP	Emitter: 19 x Cree XP-L2
Key Features: The brightest flashlight in the world	Key Features: Intelligent downshifting sensor	Key Features: Affordable enthusiast functionality	Key Features: High-efficiency drive circuit	Key Features: Easy one-handed operation
Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

The Brightest Flashlights

The best flashlight for you could mean different things. Whether you’re looking for a flashlight to add to your everyday carry or are only interested in a headlamp for your next camping adventure, this list will go through some of the best options you can choose from. Most of these LED flashlights have a high lumen output that is many times brighter than your smartphone, so tossing one of these into your emergency bag is a good idea, especially if you need (or want) to create gigantic walls of light to illuminate an area.

IMALENT MS18W Flashlight

Purchase

Key Features

The brightest flashlight in the world

OLED battery indicator

Active cooling system

Specifications

Maximum Output

100,000 lumens

Emitter

18 x Cree XHP70

Battery

8 x Samsung 40T 21700 battery pack

EDC Rating

375 ratings

Price

$$$$

The IMALENT MS18W is the world’s brightest flashlight with a 100,000-lumen output thanks to its 18 LED array. The head of the light features a light orange peel reflector to pump out a wide and impressive six-figure high output beam and is even available in a more eye-pleasing warmer tint in this model. Thankfully, it’s not a simple on-an-off interface, and you have nine brightness levels and modes to choose from, including a Strobe mode. Active fans and a liquid cooling system manage thermals to keep this beast operating smoothly.

Check It Out

AceBeam X75 Flashlight

Purchase

Key Features

Intelligent cooling fan

Intelligent thermal control

Dual switches design

Specifications

Maximum Output

80,000 lumens

Emitter

12 x Cree XHP70.2

Battery

14.4V/61.2Wh battery pack

EDC Rating

1 ratings

Price

$$$$

One flashlight worth considering is the AceBeam X75 which is rocking a dozen Cree LEDs. Aside from having a maximum output of 80,000 lumens, you can also use it as a portable battery pack when you’re out and about. You can charge it quickly via USB-C and reach up to full capacity in around 1.5 hours. Dual switches on the handle let you cycle between brightness settings or switch light modes. The handle also has intelligent cooling that turns on automatically when the flashlight needs to be cooled down, which is a nice touch. It’s also built tough with an IP68 waterproof build.

Check It Out

Fenix LR80R Flashlight

Purchase

Key Features

Intelligent downshifting sensor

Dual switch respectively controls dual mode

Detachable handle

Specifications

Maximum Output

18,000 lumens

Emitter

6 x Luminus SST70

Battery

7.2V/12000 mAh Li-ion battery pack

EDC Rating

13 ratings

Price

$$$$

Fenix is a trusted source of quality EDC flashlights, and the LR80R is a prime example. It uses six Luminus SST70 LEDs and features an 18,000-lumen maximum output making it the brightest flashlight the company offers. Dual buttons on the flashlight let you choose between high and low-powered modes, so you can select which one you want with a single click. This flashlight also doubles as a power bank, so should you need to charge your gadgets, you can tap its rechargeable battery to keep you going. There are also multiple different modes you can choose from, including SOS, Eco, Strobe, or Turbo mode, to name a few. At 3.6-pounds, the Fenix LR80R is a big flashlight with an output to match.

Check It Out

Emisar D18 Flashlight

Purchase

Key Features

Choice between narrow or floody optics

Andúril interface

Affordable enthusiast functionality

Specifications

Maximum Output

14,000 lumens

Emitter

18 x SST-20

Battery

3 x 18650

EDC Rating

Just released

Price

$$

For its price point, the Emisar D18 brings a lot of value to the table. Sporting a “soda can” form factor, this enthusiast light puts out up to 14,000 lumens thanks to the use of 18 SST20 LEDs and is powered by three 18650 li-ion batteries. Machined from aircraft-grade aluminum, it features an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. Like some of its peers, this light also sports an electronic button interface to switch between brightness settings and plenty of other functions, thanks to its Andúril interface.

Check It Out

ThruNite TN50 Flashlight

Purchase

Key Features

Intelligent power level indicator

Versatile modes

Holster

Specifications

Maximum Output

16,340 lumens

Emitter

4 x Cree XHP70.2

Battery

21700 battery pack

EDC Rating

1 ratings

Price

$$$$

Pumping out more than 16,000 lumens, the TN50 is a powerhouse of an LED light that’s still compact and in the classic “soda can” form factor, even rated to IPX8 for water and impact resistance. A single switch navigates its seven main modes, while a lockout function, low voltage indicator, and fast charging make a great combination of brains and brawn. It has a throw of over 400 meters and is fully rechargeable, so you don’t need to carry any extra batteries just in case.

Check It Out

Related Gear:
  NEBO Flashlights Review: Their Brand & Top Products of 2023
  The 18 Best Keychain Multitools in 2023
  The Best Keychain Flashlight in 2023

Nitecore TM20K Flashlight

Purchase

Key Features

Slimmer design

USB-C rechargeable with built-in battery

Easy one-handed operation

Specifications

Maximum Output

20,000 lumens

Emitter

19 x Cree XP-L2

Battery

9600mAh battery pack

EDC Rating

3 ratings

Price

$$$$

If you’re looking for a flashlight that’s smaller in size but doesn’t sacrifice brightness, check out the Nitecore TM20K. This rechargeable flashlight has an ergonomic handle made to fit nicely in hand and a pocket clip, magnetic holster, or lanyard, so you can carry it however you see fit. It has 19 Cree XP-L2 LEDs that offer an impressive 20,000-lumen output. You can also choose between Turbo, Strobe, Floodlight, and Standard modes to best fit your needs.

Check It Out

Olight X9R Marauder Flashlight

Purchase

Key Features

Unique mode/battery display

Smart output control to prevent overheating

Carrying harness

Specifications

Maximum Output

25,000 lumens

Emitter

6 x Cree XHP70.2 CW

Battery

8 x 18650 battery pack

EDC Rating

38 ratings

Price

$$$$

The X9R Marauder is Olight's most powerful light yet, setting an extremely high (and bright) bar of 25,000 lumens for a production light. Olight's familiar interface and the X9R's mode and battery indicators make it easy to use the light, if not a bit difficult to carry around. Still, the IPX7 resistance helps it keep trucking. Battery life varies depending on which of its nine modes you’re in, but at 200 lumens, the X9R Marauder will last you roughly 27 hours. If you opt for high-power modes, that time drops to around 100 minutes.

Check It Out

IMALENT MR90 Flashlight

Purchase

Key Features

Dual-purpose LED arrangement

Multifunction switch button

Lock and unlock function

Specifications

Maximum Output

50,000 lumens

Emitter

8 x Cree XHP 70.2

Battery

4 x 21700

EDC Rating

4 ratings

Price

$$$$

The IMALENT MR90 may not be the brightest flashlight in the world, or even in IMALENT’s catalog (that title goes to the MS18W earlier on this list), but it still won’t leave you in the dark with a crazy 50,000-lumen output. Its beam has a throw of over 1,500 meters and there are 7 distinct modes that you can choose from including Turbo, Strobe, and Max. It features an IPX8 waterproof build perfect for the outdoors. It also has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery so you don’t need to worry about whether you’re running out of batteries. Simply plug it in to charge when it’s running low on power.

Check It Out

Manker MK38 Satellite Flashlight

Purchase

Key Features

Multiple body color and tint options

Detachable handle

Intelligent temperature regulation

Specifications

Maximum Output

41,500 lumens

Emitter

8 x Cree XHP70.2 LEDs

Battery

3 x 21700

EDC Rating

2 ratings

Price

$$$$

The Manker MK38 Satellite flashlight is a rugged, handheld flashlight perfect for both mundane or emergency situations. Depending on your choice, you can choose between three different LED bulb options if you’re looking for a particular color temperature, each ranging from 20,000 - 41,5000 lumens. It also has internal temperature regulation, providing optimal power in all conditions. It’s machined from aluminum alloy and is IPX7 waterproof up to a meter. There are all kinds of specs you can dig into including the battery life at different outputs and how it handles thermal regulation, so if you want something you can trust wholeheartedly, this is worth looking into.

Check It Out

Weltool W4Pro LEP Flashlight

Purchase

Key Features

High-efficiency drive circuit

Temperature control protection

Battery over-discharge protection

Specifications

Maximum Output

568 lumens

Emitter

LEP

Battery

1 x 21700

EDC Rating

Just released

Price

$$$$

A core mantra of everyday carry is making sure you have the right tool for the job, and when it comes to flashlights there’s more to that than just maximum lumen output with the longest runtime. While the Weltool W4Pro LEP flashlight has an output of only 570 lumens, it has an insanely precise throw and powerful candela (beam intensity). A LEP (Laser Excited Phosphor) flashlight uses a laser as its light source and passes it through a series of layers and special lenses. The technology allows a LEP’s beam to go further than almost every other flashlight ever made, reaching over 3,300 meters. This beam can come in handy whether you’re in search and rescue operations or want to be a little more discreet and avoid lighting up the entire forest on your next camping trip. It’s also IP64 waterproof and has been drop-tested up to a meter so you can rely on it in tougher environments.

Check It Out

Lumintop BLF GT4 Flashlight

Purchase

Key Features

Designed for output and throw

Neutral and cool white LED options

Detachable handle

Specifications

Maximum Output

25,000 lumens

Emitter

4 x Cree XHP70.2 CW/NW

Battery

8 x 18650

EDC Rating

1 ratings

Price

$$$$

Developed with input from members of the BudgetLightForum, the Lumintop BLF GT4 (GigaThrower 4) reaches a 1,370-meter maximum beam distance from its four Cree XHP70.2 LEDs. Peaking at 25,000 lumens, massive cooling fins around the head and an optional carry handle help with handling this optimized thrower. If you were looking for a bright light with an ergonomic handle to help you handle it then this is a great option.

Check It Out

Related Gear:
  The Best Smart Wallets in 2023
  The Top 8 Everyday Carry Wallets for Men in 2023 (EDC Wallet)
  The Best Waterproof Wallets (Buyer’s Guide in 2023)

Olight Marauder 2 Flashlight

Purchase

Key Features

User-friendly interface

Easy switching between floodlight and spotlight mode

800m throw

Specifications

Maximum Output

14,000 lumens

Emitter

13 x High-performance Cool White LEDs

Battery

3 x customized 21700 battery pack

EDC Rating

428 ratings

Price

$$$$

Just like its predecessor, the Marauder 2 retains the same LED set up of a central spotlight LED surrounded by 12 smaller floodlight LEDs. This updated model's total output is increased to 14,000 lumens, powered by three customized 21700 batteries and rechargeable via USB-C. What makes this light unique is with a flick of a switch, the Marauder 2 is able to switch between an area flood mode and a spotlight that can reach up to 800 meters. As far as operation goes, you’re able to use seven different brightness settings on both spotlight and floodlight modes thanks to its easy-to-use interface.

Check It Out

How to Choose the Brightest Flashlight

When choosing the brightest flashlight, you should know a few things first. Whether you’re cross-shopping a few lights to add to your kit or just want to be familiar with what’s available, these common terms will help you understand what makes one flashlight better than another.

Lumens

A lumen is a unit of measurement that describes brightness. Saying that a flashlight is bright doesn’t really help to describe how bright it is. Lumens provide context and a frame of reference so you can get a general idea of the amount of output a flashlight has. For reference, the LED flashlight on the back of a modern smartphone has an output of roughly 50 lumens.

Rechargeable, battery-powered, or both?

Whether you should get a rechargeable flashlight or battery-powered light depends on what you will use it for. If you plan on adding the light to your daily kit, then a rechargeable light might be worth looking into since you can easily plug it into a charger to power it up again. Plus, if you use it often, you will run through plenty of batteries. On the other hand, if you’re getting a flashlight for a particular use case or tossing it in an emergency pack, battery-powered might be the way to go since you can swap them out relatively quickly. This means you can have a functioning light again in a matter of seconds instead of waiting for a light to recharge.

Size

Size matters with everything in everyday carry, but that’s especially true when it comes to bright flashlights. While plenty of powerful flashlights also come in a small size, you’ll typically find that larger lights have the brightest output. This is because manufacturers can fit more LEDs on it or have more space to cram batteries into. These may not be the best flashlights for everyday carry, but they’re the best at what they do.

You might actually need a tactical flashlight

When it comes to picking an everyday carry flashlight most people will be fine with a tough light that is lightweight, easy to use, rechargeable, and somewhat water-resistant. Most, but not all people. If you’re putting your flashlight through extreme use and prefer tougher build quality, then it might be worth looking more into tactical flashlights that can withstand greater stress. That said, some options on this list should cover your bases if your main concern is peak brightness.

Brightest Flashlight FAQ

What is the brightest flashlight on the market?

The brightest flashlight you can get is the Imalent MS18 (or MS18W) which has a crazy 100,000-lumen output. If you need to go as bright as possible then this is the one for you.

What is a flashlight's lumens?

A flashlight’s lumens are just a measurement of the amount of light that a source emits over a period of time. It’s a unit of measurement that helps people compare flashlights.

What are the best features of the brightest flashlight?

The best feature of the brightest flashlight would be its lumen output. The second would probably be how large the flashlight is and whether or not it’s waterproof. It depends on your use case.

What is the brightest rechargeable flashlight?

The AceBeam X75 is the brightest rechargeable flashlight you can get, thanks to 8 CREE LEDs pumping out 80,000-lumens of brightness. It keeps its charging port hidden inside its tailcap for even more protection against the elements.

How we picked

Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what’s new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for every trade, industry, and budget.

What is Everyday Carry?

Everyday Carry is both the concept of what people carry in their pockets and the process of picking out gear that thoughtfully considers what one wants or needs in their daily lives. It encompasses everything from style to preparedness to utility, meaning an entire industry full of valuable tools and essentials to choose from.

Why you should trust us

Our team has decades of combined experience in all aspects of everyday men’s essentials, from wallets to pens to bags and everything in between, and we know where to find great gear ideas that you may not come across at your local stores or when shopping online. Our expertise with the industry and familiarity in design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.