The 12 Best Flashlights in 2024
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With the weather getting colder and the nights getting longer here in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s a great time to stop and take stock of your gear. There are a lot of different items that go into making sure your bases are covered. Plenty of people opt for a quality knife or multi-tool. Still, one often overlooked piece of everyday carry gear is a flashlight, which is interesting because you would carry an umbrella for a 20% chance of rain, but most people opt not to carry a light when there’s a 100% chance of darkness every day.
A light you can rely on can be handy whether you’re trekking through the wilderness, prepping for the next power outage, or walking the dog. Not to mention, a small, super bright light can also come in handy for emergencies and is a brighter and more purpose-built tool than the light on your phone. Whether you’re looking to fill a gap in your everyday carry or are looking to upgrade, this list of the best flashlights has you covered. A quality light you can trust doesn’t have to be unattainable.
This post was last updated on 12/19/2023.
Our Top Picks
The Best Overall Flashlight: Fenix PD34 V3.0 [Buy] / [Full Review]
The Best Flashlight on a Budget: Convoy S2+ [Buy]
The Best Keychain Flashlight: RovyVon Aurora A4x [Buy]
The Most Bombproof Flashlight: HDS Rotary [Buy]
The Best Flashlight for Enthusiasts: Emisar D4V2 [Buy]
Fenix PD35 V3.0 | Convoy S2+ | RovyVon Aurora A4x | HDS Rotary | Emisar D4V2 |
$$ | $ | $ | $$$$ | $ |
Maximum Output: 1,700 lumens | Maximum Output: 440 lumens | Maximum Output: 650 lumens | Maximum Output: 250 lumens | Maximum Output: Up to 4,300 lumens |
Emitter: Luminus SFT-40 | Emitter: Nichia 519A R9080 | Emitter: Multiple | Emitter: Cree XP-G2 | Emitter: Multiple |
Key Features: Dual switch design | Key Features: Great modding platform | Key Features: Micro USB rechargeable | Key Features: Unique and programmable rotary interface | Key Features: Many, many tint and LED options |
Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
Keychain Flashlight: Nitecore TINI 2
PurchaseKeychain Flashlight: RovyVon Aurora A4x Titanium
PurchaseAAA Flashlight: Skilhunt E3A High CRI
PurchaseAAA Flashlight: Prometheus Beta QRv2
PurchaseAA Flashlight: Skilhunt M150 High CRI
PurchaseRelated Gear:
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The 25 Best Pocket Knives In 2024 - Ranked and Reviewed
NEBO Flashlights Review: Their Brand & Top Products of 2024
AA Flashlight: AceBeam Rider RX Titanium
PurchaseCR123A Flashlight: HDS Rotary
PurchaseCR123A Flashlight: Sofirn SC21
Purchase18350 Flashlight: Emisar D4V2
Purchase18650 Flashlight: Fenix PD35 V3.0
Purchase18650 Flashlight: Convoy S2+
Purchase18650 Flashlight: Cloud Defensive MCH
PurchaseKey Features to Consider When Buying a Flashlight - How to Choose
Before finding the best flashlight for you, you should know a few key things. Not all flashlights prioritize the same features, so solid foundational knowledge of each term can help you pick the light best for you. You can learn something useful even if you don’t pick up a flashlight for yourself.
Brightness
You can’t talk about a flashlight without discussing how bright it gets. We measure brightness in lumens, which is how much light a source (like a bulb) emits. It’s hard to understand what this means without seeing it, so for reference, the flashlight on the back of the average smartphone is roughly 50 lumens compared to our picks in this list.
Battery Life
Battery life is essential because it doesn’t matter how bright a flashlight can get without power. Different battery types will provide different amounts of power. It also determines the minimum size the flashlight needs to be. For example, a flashlight that accepts a AAA battery will likely be able to fit on your keychain, while other flashlights that need larger batteries need to rely on a pocket clip to be carried. Many flashlights on this list rely on CR123A batteries, which offer an above-average output and long runtime for their size, making them perfect for everyday carry.
Rechargeable Flashlight
If you don’t want to replace batteries every time the flashlight dies, you can opt for a USB-rechargeable flashlight instead. These have built-in rechargeable batteries, so you can plug them into a charger when they die. These flashlights have benefits (like never needing to carry spare batteries with you) but also have downsides. If the battery dies while you’re out and about on a non-rechargeable flashlight, you can swap in a new battery and continue. With rechargeable batteries, you’ll need to wait before it has enough juice to keep going. Non-replaceable rechargeable batteries also mean your light has a finite lifetime and will need eventual replacing when its battery degrades and no longer has any usable capacity.
Light Output Type
If you want to get down and dirty with flashlights, you should always know a little about the types of light output. Flashlights typically use LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and will be either CREE or Nichia, which are tried-and-true options.
Nichia bulbs tend to have more natural-looking light, meaning objects you shine on will have a more faithful reproduction of color. Some lights will also have different color temperatures ranging from 2000K to 5000K. The higher the K value, the cooler (more blue) the light. Lower K-value lights will have a warmer tint closer to candles or old incandescent bulbs. If you want to dig into the details, we recommend reading our guide to everyday carry flashlights.
Beam Distance
While a flashlight's brightness is important, you shouldn’t overlook beam distance. This is how far your flashlight beam can reach, just like it sounds. If you’re only looking for whatever fell under your couch, this probably won’t matter to you, but the next time you’re looking for something outside, you’ll thank yourself for getting a flashlight with a decent throw.
Water-resistant
Flashlights use electronic components and electric currents, and electricity famously does not get along with water. Getting a flashlight that is at least water-resistant (or, at best, waterproof) will mean that your new light won’t get destroyed by the first passing raincloud. A typical flashlight is fairly water-resistant already, but flashlights with a waterproof Ingress Rating (IP) will have the upper hand in a gloomy downpour.
Form Factor
Flashlights come in all shapes and sizes. The ones on this list are standard lights that will fit on your keychain or in your pockets, but there are also other kinds. If you prefer a light that you can use hands-free, then you might need a solid headlamp instead. If that sounds like you, check out our list of the best headlamps you can get.
Tactical Flashlight vs Normal
There are key differences between tactical flashlights and normal everyday carry flashlights. The main ones are that tactical flashlights are typically much larger, heavier, and have a strike bezel. They tend to be purpose-built for the most intense situations where toughness is emphasized over how easy they are to carry (think law enforcement). Everyday carry flashlights place more value on being big enough to be effective but small enough that you can carry them daily. Tactical flashlights can also get extremely bright, so it might be impractical for someone simply taking the dog for a walk.
Best Flashlights FAQ
What is the best flashlight on the market?
If you want a powerful light with proper modes at a reasonable price, the best flashlight is the Fenix PD34 V3.0. It won’t break the bank, and it lives comfortably in the gray area between being a small, pocketable flashlight and a large tactical one while still offering many solid features.
What brand of flashlights do police use?
While this answer differs between places, a popular option is Streamlight.
What flashlights do Navy SEALs use?
Navy SEALs tend to use more tactical lights due to the need for brighter output, rugged build quality, and waterproofing.
What are the most popular flashlights?
While MagLite had a moment back in the day, the most popular flashlights now come from brands like Streamlight, SureFire, Fenix, and Olight.
What are the best flashlights for camping?
The best flashlight for camping is something like the Sofirn SC21. You’ll want something that can get wet, bright, and last long. This flashlight checks all three. It’s small enough to be comfortable to carry with you at all times but powerful enough to rely on in the pitch black of the woods.
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 life. 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 in the industry and familiarity with design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.
In addition to their expertise in the tech realm, Adam possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in everyday carry gear ranging from watches to niche carabiners. He has used more backpacks than he can count, a plethora of different kinds of wallets, all kinds of multi-tools, and many random gadgets that never even make it into a recommended buying guide. Adam has developed a deep understanding of the nuances and practicality that make these items indispensable to modern-day life.
Adam is an avid runner and reader in their spare time and loves to learn random skills. Adam is the go-to resource if you are looking for an expert opinion on a product or want to learn more about everyday carry. They are happy to answer any questions and help you find the best products for your needs.
Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.
In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.
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