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 EDC. 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.
Whether you’re looking for a flashlight to add to your EDC 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.
Brightest flashlights – 2024 edition
The Brightest Flashlight 🏆: IMALENT MS18W
The Most Premium Brightest Flashlight: Fenix LR80R
The Best Budget Brightest Flashlight: Emisar D18
The Furthest Throwing Flashlight: Weltool W4Pro LEP
The Most Compact Brightest Flashlight: Nitecore TM20K
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The Brightest Flashlight 🏆
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The Most Premium Brightest Flashlight
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The Best Budget Brightest Flashlight
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The Furthest Throwing Flashlight
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The Most Compact Brightest Flashlight
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$669.95
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$450.45
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$109.00
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$460.00
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$299.95
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Maximum Output:
100,000 lumens
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Maximum Output:
18,000 lumens
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Maximum Output:
14,000 lumens
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Maximum Output:
568 lumens
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Maximum Output:
20,000 lumens
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Emitter:
18 x Cree XHP70
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Emitter:
6 x Luminus SST70
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Emitter:
18 x SST-20
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Emitter:
LEP
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Emitter:
19 x Cree XP-L2
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Key Features:
The brightest flashlight in the world
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Key Features:
Intelligent downshifting sensor
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Key Features:
Affordable enthusiast functionality
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Key Features:
High-efficiency drive circuit
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Key Features:
Easy one-handed operation
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The Brightest Flashlight: IMALENT MS18W
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 than 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.
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 lbs, the Fenix LR80R is a big flashlight with an output to match.
The Best Budget Brightest Flashlight: Emisar D18
The Emisar D18 brings a lot of value to the table for its price point. 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.
The Furthest Throwing Flashlight: Weltool W4Pro LEP
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.
The Most Compact Brightest Flashlight: Nitecore TM20K
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.
our other recommendations
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 EDC, 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 EDC 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 EDCers of 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.
