The 12 Best Rechargeable Flashlights in 2021

You might think that a light small enough to fit on your keychain can only be good for use as a toy, but Nitecore’s TIP SE fits 700 lumens out the front max from its dual OSRAM P8 white light LED modules. This newest update to their keychain light line integrates USB-C recharging for your convenience, letting you carry and use the same cable that you use to top your phones and other devices off to keep your light going when you need it. And since it’s made out of hard anodized aluminum allow that’s wearproof and waterproof up to an IP54 rating, it’ll stand up to everyday hard use when attached to your keys via the rear loop.

A keychain light is best when it’s easy to use, because you’re likely grabbing it when you’re in a hurry in the dark trying to find what you need. With its single high-visibility metal switch, the Fenix E03R keychain LED flashlight is easy to use and operate, letting you switch between six lighting modes, four brightness levels, and a red flashing light all in one button. Its built-in integrated 200mAh lithium polymer battery is easily recharged via your standard USB-C cable on the side port which is shielded from the elements with a weather seal. There are two MATCH CA18 white light LEDs at the tip of the light putting out a max of 260 lumens out the front, and the red LED module is powered by a reliable Everlight 2835 module that’s rated to last up to 50,000 hours of use.

RovyVon’s line of Aurora LED keychain flashlights has rapidly taken the EDC community by storm and they’re many an EDCer’s favorite choice when it comes to picking a USB-rechargeable bright LED flashlight for their everyday carry. The latest Aurora A3 Pro comes with a desert tan anodized 7075 aerospace grade aluminum body. In keeping with the more yellow tone of the body, the Cree XP-G3 puts out a bright and balanced beam thanks to its orange peel reflector. There’s five different light output settings, and the max power is a super bright 700 lumens out the front powered thanks to the integrated 350 mAh LiPo battery built into the light itself.

The NU32 is one of the best and most affordable USB-rechargeable LED headlamps your money can buy today. This EDC-favorite tool is great whether you’re doing at-home DIY or maintenance work, out for a late-night run, off to do some camping, or just need an emergency light available when things get rough. The main LED module is a Cree XP-G3 S3, and it can put out a max brightness of 550 lumens out the front out to 136 yards in a Turbo mode that’s easily accessed by long-pressing on the right switch when the light is already on. Speaking of switches, the controls of the light are split in half, with one side controlling the tactical red light modules, and the other controlling the white modules. There’s also a set of two high-CRI white lights that are important to have when you’re doing close up electrical work and you need to be able to quickly identify the right wire in a pinch.

The utility of a bright LED headlamp is to have hands-free output, with the light wrapped around your head securely. But its versatility is even more improved if you can remove that light from the head strap for use as a standalone lighting unit, just like you can with the value-packed, affordable WOWTAC H01. This lets you carry an EDC flashlight that can turn into a headlamp when you need it without having to carry two separate items in your kit, letting you slim down to the essentials when it comes to everyday carry.

Some of the best USB-rechargeable tactical flashlights released in the past few years have come from Olight, and their newest M2R Pro Warrior is at the top of their offerings, providing a strong 1,800 lumens out the front max, with a combination side button operation and the quiet tail switch specifically for easy access to momentary on and Strobe modes. Along with the sturdy shock resistance and water resistance being more than enough to survive being placed on a rifle in combat, the M2R Pro Warrior also benefits from Olight’s special magnetic USB charging connector that allows for easy powering that’s resistant against being damaged with a cord is accidentally yanked from the body like with other lights.

Header: Oscar Rodriguez

If you’re looking for a compact EDC light that features raw power under the hood, the ThruNite T2’s max output of 3,757 lumens on max out to 518 feet off its single Cree XHP-70 bright LED module is one of your best bets. That sheer brightness is powered by the USB rechargeable 5000mAh lithium-ion battery, but if you tone things down to its Firefly mode, that same capacity that allows for extreme brightness also allows for extreme runtime with a full 69 days of power available. This makes the ThruNite T2 great to have when you’re camping or hunting and expect yourself to be away from a plug and power for quite some time.

Nitecore refreshes their popular tactical light with the MH12 V2, making good use of the new 21700 li-ion cell. Up to 1,200 lumens can be brought to bear using a dual-switch system, with a Daily or Tactical setting (each with up to 7 modes including Strobe, Beacon, and SOS) depending on your needs. It’s also one of the most versatile lights on this list, able to use (and charge, via USB Type-C) its included 21700 cell as well as 18650 or 2 x RCR123A batteries thanks to an included adapter. Last but not least, a clip or holster rounds out your options for EDC.

Where other rechargeable USB lights have you having to figure out a complicated tail or side switch button activation system to get to the right light output or mode for the situation at hand, the Fenix PD40R offers you a plethora of modes that are more easily selectable when you need them thanks to their unique rotary switch built into the body of the flashlight itself. With it you can wield all 3,000 lumens it can put out at a moment’s notice, but also dial things down to a more manageable light when the situation calls for it, all without having to fumble with the controls when seconds count.

A lot of USB rechargeable lights offer a ton of power under the hood, but few deliver what the Skilhunt M200 does: powerwith a high-CRI LED emitter that keeps the colors of what you’re observing under illumination preserved, as if under natural light. That might not seem important until you experience low-CRI lights, but it’s absolutely essential if you are doing work that’s really important like electrical work where the color of wires can mean the difference between life and death. And if you are looking to use an EDC flashlight as a supplement to available light for on-the-go photography, the higher the CRI of a light the more acceptable it is for use for photos or videos in a pinch.

If you haven’t tried out a USB rechargeable EDC flashlight that has a magnetic tail like the Wurkkos FC11, it can change your life. Having a magnetic tail lets you attach it to interesting places to light up your workspace and keep your hands free and available for completing the task at hand. It also allows for ad-hoc use as a flood light or lantern in a pinch. The FC11 also innovates by hiding the USB port well into the body, making it more resistant to exposure to the elements and accidental damage when you’re using the light.

When you’re doing close up inspection work in tight spaces, power isn’t everything. In fact, having too much can make it hard for you to actually do the work you need or identify what it is you’re trying to look for, especially for healthcare use. That’s why USB rechargeable inspection pen lights like the AceBeam PT10-GT exist, giving you a thin flashlight in the handy shape of an every day pen that you can use to light up your way when you need it. But don’t mistake its small size for being a lightweight, the PT10-GT will still put out a max of 400 lumens out the front, and the rose gold metal clip lets it slip into your pockets like the pens it’s designed to emulate.