The Best Flashlights of 2023

Modern flashlights are applicable for a wide range of scenarios, offering longer battery life, powerful LED luminance, and excellent color rendering. Check out our picks for the best flashlights of 2023.

If you want a powerful, versatile lighting solution, the best flashlights still offer advantages over headlamps in many scenarios.

Flashlights point wherever you want, not just where your head is pointing. Also, due to fewer weight constraints, they tend to have more powerful, longer-lasting batteries and incredible power for modest-sized devices.

And to be honest, I’m a flashlight buff. Yes, I also use headlamps a lot when I’m outdoors. But more often than not, I grab a small flashlight from my truck center console and, if I need two hands for a project, clasp it in my teeth. I just love having the ability to point it wherever I want without having to crane my neck in a specific direction.

So if you love torches, read on for what we’ve determined to be the best flashlights available today. Because GearJunkie focuses on the outdoors, I rated these based on weight, size, battery life, color rendering, and lighting versatility. You can learn a lot more about how I tested and chose these flashlights below, but right up top, I’d like to call out that this article focuses on truly excellent flashlights that can perform day in and day out, whether you use a light professionally or simply need one for camping or to store at home for a power outage.

Note: This isn’t a list of “light cannons,” as you’ll rarely need 1 million candlepower. But I did include one monster in case super-powered lighting is your jam!

Be sure to read the buyer’s guide and frequently asked questions for helpful tips. Also, have a look at our comparison chart to help steer your decision-making.

Feel free to scroll through and check all of our recommended buys or to jump to the category you’re looking for.

Best Overall Flashlight

FENIX PD36R PRO

Specs

Max lumens

2,800
Max beam distance

1,247 ft. (380 m)
Max runtime

42 hrs.
Lighting modes

Five brightness levels and strobe
Battery

Included 21700 rechargeable li-ion battery
Bulb type

Luminus SFT70 LED
Color temperature

Around 6,500K
Size

Length: 5.74” (145.8mm), head: 1.04” (26.5mm), body: 1.01” (25.7mm)
Weight

5.96 oz. (169g) including battery

Pros

Powerful, uniform 2,800-lumen beam
USB-C charging
Long battery life
Great user interface

Cons

Cannot tail stand

Sean McCoy

Best Budget Flashlight

ThruNite Archer 2A V3 Cool White

Specs

Max lumens

500
Max beam distance

93 m
Max runtime

51 hrs. (low), 15 days “firefly mode”
Lighting modes

Four plus strobe
Battery

Two AA
Bulb type

CREE XP-L2 LED
Dimensions

Length: 6.1″, width: 0.86″
Weight

1.69 oz. (48 g)

Pros

Long battery life
Small and light
Enough power for indoor or close outdoor use
Affordable

Cons

AA batteries not included

Sean McCoy

Best EDC Flashlight

NITECORE EDC27

Specs

Max lumens

3,000
Max beam distance

220 m
Max runtime

37 hrs.
Lighting modes

Five brightness levels and strobe
Battery

Built-in li-ion battery
Bulb type

2x Luminus SST40 LED
Dimensions

Length: 135.6 mm (5.34″), width: 31.4 mm (1.24″)
Weight

4.37 oz. including battery

Pros

Slim design with pocket clip
OLED screen displays remaining time, output
3,000-lumen output
Long throw
Long battery life

Cons

Expensive

Sean McCoy

Most Versatile Flashlight

NITECORE P20iX 4000 Lumen USB-C Rechargeable Tactical Flashlight

Specs

Max lumens

4,000
Max beam distance

241 yds.
Max runtime

350 hrs.
Lighting modes

Six plus strobe
Battery

Nitecore 21700 i Series (other options available)
Bulb type

4 x CREE XP-L2 V6 LEDs
Dimensions

Length: 5.57″, height; 1.25″
Weight

4.09 oz.

Pros

Very powerful
Operates on various battery types
Extremely long runtime
USB-C Rechargeable

Cons

No pocket clip
Overkill for many users

Sean McCoy

Best Flashlight With Long Range

Olight Warrior X Pro

Specs

Max lumens

2,250
Max beam distance

500 m
Max runtime

8 hrs.
Lighting modes

2
Battery

5,000mAh 21700 battery
Bulb type

High-performance neutral white LED
Dimensions

Length: 5.87″, width: 1.03″
Weight

8.43 oz.

Pros

Very long light range
Great water resistance
3m drop tested

Cons

Magnetic charging requires special cable
No low-power mode
Narrow beam hard to use at close range

Sean McCoy

Best Flashlight With Zooming Lens

LEDLENSER MT10 Flashlight

Specs

Max lumens

1,000
Max beam distance

180 m
Max runtime

144 hrs.
Lighting modes

Programmable
Battery

Rechargeable lithium-ion
Bulb type

LED
Dimensions

Length: 5.03″
Weight

5.5 oz.

Pros

Smooth zooming beam
Long throw in spotlight mode
Easy-to-use button control

Cons

Requires specialized charging cord

Sean McCoy

Best Flashlight for Mechanics

Blackfire Rechargeable Weatherproof Magnetic Flashlight With Lantern

Specs

Max lumens

500
Max beam distance

N/A
Max runtime

30 hrs.
Lighting modes

Four, plus lantern
Battery

Rechargeable lithium-ion
Bulb type

LED
Dimensions

Length: 5.5″, width: 1.5″
Weight

6.9 oz.

Pros

Affordable
Magnetic base
Lantern mode on side
Glow-in-dark bezel

Cons

Lower brightness than premium options

Sean McCoy

Flashlights Comparison Chart

Why You Should Trust Us

In short, our primary flashlight testers are not just super into the outdoors; they’re also flashlight nerds. We really love the technology that goes into flashlights and headlamps. As the author of this article, I personally spend hours every month testing the newest flashlights to see if they can outperform our favorites listed here.

For the record, it takes a long time and impressive performance for a flashlight to earn a spot in this article. I constantly test new flashlights and updates from our favorite brands and update this article many times each year to keep it up to date with the best flashlights available.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Flashlight

There are a few important specs to consider when choosing a flashlight: size and weight, max power output (usually noted in lumens), minimum power output, runtime (especially in lower modes), durability, and waterproofness.

Before we get into some of those details, I’d like to share some details about how I chose flashlights to test for this article. And there have been a lot of them.

Just a few of the many flashlights we’ve tested over the last 10 years; (photo/Sean McCoy)

First, I look for flashlights that work well for both home and outdoor use. This means I look for higher output than flashlights intended primarily for indoor use. I also only include flashlights that can function after at least a 1m drop, are water-resistant, and have a max runtime of at least 8 hours — enough to get you through a summer night at a minimum.

Next comes the question of batteries. Because of the efficiency of modern flashlights, there are now just two real choices: flashlights that run on AA or AAA batteries, or rechargeable flashlights that run off one of many higher-end battery systems and are almost always included in the light. Gone are the days of giant D-cell flashlights. But there is still a significant argument between those who believe disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries are better. I will get into it more below, but our team likes rechargeable batteries more in most cases.

Lumens: Max Output

For most campers, anything over 1,000 lumens is overkill. You’ll often find yourself using much lower settings, especially around camp. However, those big numbers can be nice, especially if you need to see faraway objects.

Battery Life

Another important consideration is if the flashlight uses its own rechargeable battery or if it runs on disposable batteries. Most people will get more value out of a flashlight that offers long runtimes and is easy to recharge.

Battery Type

As noted above, our team prefers rechargeable batteries in most situations. Most rechargeable batteries, such as the 21700 rechargeable li-ion battery included in the Fenix PD36R PRO, offer superior performance to both disposable and rechargeable AA or AAA batteries. But more importantly, flashlights that include this type of high-end rechargeable battery do not have hidden costs. And for those who will use a battery more than casually will find that the cost of batteries will very quickly add up to more than the cost of the flashlight.

Next, rechargeable flashlights generally have a charging port or system built in. As you can see with our choices, our favorite flashlights today use USB-C charging. This is quickly becoming the industry standard as it is much faster than micro-USB charging. And unlike magnetic charging systems (or other proprietary chargers), you can easily find a USB-C cable anywhere and likely own several already.

One final note on AA and AAA batteries. Some folks argue that it is easier to replace batteries in the field than to charge them. Our testers have carried small battery chargers on many adventures, and they work great with flashlights for long trips. For trips over a week or two in length, though, disposable batteries still have an edge.

So keep battery and charging style in mind when you buy a flashlight. It will make a difference when you’re packing for a trip as to how many cables you’ll need to bring, or if you’ll need to buy batteries continually through the life of the product.

However, it’s convenient to quickly change batteries and refresh your flashlight in the field. Both are valid options, but consider how you’ll use the light (and if you mind constantly buying new batteries).

Quality and Output

Modern LED flashlights vary in the quality of their color rendering, meaning you can see color better with some higher-end lights. The best flashlights on the market should always give you a colorized, realistic view.

Better-quality lights also tend to have more efficient LEDs. Some even have “regulators” that electronically manage the power output, resulting in consistent lighting. To expand on that, first understand that most flashlights, even very good ones, lose a little output as they run and deplete the battery. Better flashlights use a regulator to manage this drop-off. Poor flashlights tend to lose power consistently over time, gradually becoming less and less useful as the battery slowly drains.

FAQ

What does lumen mean?

A lumen is the basic unit of measurement for how bright a light is. The brighter the light, the more lumens it produces. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a lumen as “a unit of luminous flux equal to the light emitted in a unit solid angle by a uniform point source of one candle intensity.” For the layperson, a one-lumen flashlight is barely enough to read a typical book at a normal reading distance from the face, or the amount of light of one birthday candle one foot away.

Do LED flashlights get hot?

Yes, LED flashlights do get warm if they’re pushed hard enough. For many flashlights, this is a sign the heat sink is working, moving heat away from the delicate electronics inside.

What flashlight has the highest lumens?

The highest-lumen flashlight currently on the market is the Imalent MS18, which claims a jaw-dropping 100,000 lumens. However, many huge claims like this are questionable. The brightest flashlight I have tested is the Fenix LR50R. It blasts out a verifiable 12,000 lumens and lights objects clearly up to 950 yards away!

What does ‘EDC flashlight’ mean?

EDC is an acronym for “everyday carry.” It refers to the items that you carry around with you on an ongoing basis.

As a philosophy, EDC is built on utility and being prepared for anything. In this case, it represents a flashlight you carry every day with you in case you ever need light in a dark environment.

What is the best EDC flashlight?

First and foremost, you’ll want a small flashlight that’ll fit in your pocket, clip to your belt, or fit in your daypack. After that, look for a flashlight with good brightness, long battery life, and easy operation.

1,000 to 2,000 lumens is plenty bright for an EDC. That should give you enough juice to see objects 200 to 300 yards away. Our top choice for everyday carry is the Nitecore EDC27.