The Best Flashlights: Tested for Camping, Power Outages, and More
Flashlights have come a long way since they were first introduced in 1898. Battery-operated and portable, these handheld lights are crucial during power outages and helpful for late-night security checks. They’re also essential for illuminating certain tasks, such as automotive work or fixing a leaky pipe under the sink. Today’s flashlights are brighter, more dependable, compact, and lightweight.
With so many flashlights on the market, finding one that lives up to the hype can be challenging. That’s why we took a hands-on approach and put several models to the test while also taking advice from experts who use flashlights in professional settings, such as military veterans and former CIA agents. Their insights helped us guide our testing to consider the important aspects when shopping for a flashlight: brightness, ease of operation, weight, battery type, and more.
No matter the purpose, whether it’s for a bedside table, utility drawer, emergency kit, or workshop, a reliable flashlight is a must-have. In this guide, We’ll help you choose the best flashlight for your needs by sharing the results (pros and cons) of my hands-on testing to help you make an informed purchase. The following models vary by intensity, intended use, and price, and each earned its spot on this lineup of the best flashlights after rigorous testing.
- BEST OVERALL: Streamlight 88040 ProTac HL Tactical Flashlight
- RUNNER-UP: Nitecore P12 1000 Lumen LED Tactical EDC Flashlight
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Olight i3T EOS Small Flashlight
- BEST TACTICAL: Olight Warrior X Pro 2100 Lumen Tactical Flashlight
- BEST EDC: Fenix PD35 V3.0 Everyday Carry Flashlight
- BEST LONG THROW: Fenix TK16 V2.0 3100 Lumen Tactical Flashlight
- BEST FOR LIGHT PACKING: Nebo Torchy 1000 Lumen Rechargeable Pocket Flashlight
- BEST FOR LONG USE: Milwaukee 2735-20 M18 Work Light
- ALSO CONSIDER: DeWalt DCL040 20V MAX LED Work Light
How We Tested the Best Flashlights
We interviewed Josh Skovlund, a military veteran who works as a staff writer for Task & Purpose, who shared his three main qualities he looks for in a great flashlight: durability, lumen range, and water resistance. “It has to be water-resistant; if it’s not, I don’t even bother looking at it.” He also suggests shoppers should consider what they will use the flashlight for. “Invest in the right flashlight. If you want something for a backup in case of power loss at home, […] have a long lasting flashlight […] that you know will last a while before they burn out.”
Taking this expert knowledge on board, our hands-on product tester Glenda Taylor extensively tested and reviewed each flashlight that earned a spot in the lineup. Those advertised as waterproof were submerged in water, while those designed to resist a small amount of splashing were passed through the spray of water in the shower.
The tactical flashlights were tested to see how far their light beam would illuminate, while the work-type flashlights were tested in realistic DIY situations, such as under the hood of a vehicle or under a sink. All functions, such as adjustable or strobe modes, on every flashlight were tested to ensure they worked as promoted.
In addition to analyzing overall quality and weather resistance, Glenda recruited a helper, which allowed her to gauge the brightness and beam distance. Her helper walked away, stopped when the flashlight beam could no longer illuminate him clearly, and then she measured the distance.
Our Top Picks
Our hands-on testing illuminated some of the best flashlight options on the market. The following flashlights vary in style, design, and cost, and while some are better suited to specific uses than others, all are top performers in their categories.
Best Overall
Streamlight 88040 ProTac HL Tactical Flashlight
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Product Specs
- Lumens: 750
- Power source: 2 CR123A lithium-ion batteries
- Runtime: Up to 18 hours on low output
- Weight: 5.6 ounces
- Light source: LED
- Material: Black aircraft aluminum
What We Like
- Beam adjusts from narrow to wide by twisting the end of the flashlight
- Very bright strobe light that flashes off and on to attract attention
- Rugged steel belt clip keeps the flashlight firmly attached to a belt or strap
What We Don’t Like
- No charger included for the CR123A rechargeable batteries
Coming in as the best overall flashlight in testing, the Streamlight ProTac packs many features into a pocket-size powerhouse. Right off the bat, I was impressed with the quality and solid feel of this flashlight, despite its small size: less than 6 inches long and weighing about 6 ounces. It’s made of durable impact-resistant aircraft aluminum and features rear one-button operation, which gives it a tactical feel.
The Streamlight is rated IPX7, meaning it should be waterproof to a depth of about 3 feet for up to 30 minutes. I filled the bathtub, dropped it in, and set the timer. In 30 minutes, I dried the Streamlight off and clicked the power button—the light came on immediately. In the field test with my helper, its LED beam at the highest setting was bright enough to see my subject at a distance of 165 yards.
Twisting the end of the flashlight allowed me to adjust the beam’s intensity from a narrow spotlight to a broad, more diffused beam. I could also lower the light’s intensity to that of a night light. This model also features a very bright strobe that’s guaranteed to attract attention. This impressive little flashlight comes with two CR123A batteries; rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries can be used, but no charger is included.
Get the Streamlight flashlight at Amazon or Acme Tools.
Runner-Up
Nitecore P12 1000 Lumen LED Tactical EDC Flashlight
Product Specs
- Lumens: 1000
- Power source: One 18650 or two CR123A lithium-ion batteries
- Runtime: Up to 28 hours on low
- Weight: 3.10 ounces (without battery)
- Light source: LED
- Material: Aero-grade aluminum alloy
What We Like
- IPX8 rating means it can survive being submerged at depths greater than 3 feet for longer than 30 minutes.
- Very bright LED beam illuminated to a distance of 180 yards
- Belt hook makes it easy to carry on belt, waistband, or strap
What We Don’t Like
- Mode button in less-than-ideal location—takes some getting used to
- No battery charger included—plan to purchase charger or replace batteries
Coming in a close second, the Nitecore P12 Tactical Flashlight stands out for its powerful 1,000-lumen beam that allowed me to illuminate objects at 180 yards. It boasts an ultra-tough industrial-grade body and is IPX8 rated to withstand submersion in up to 6 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. The first thing I did was drop the Nitecore P12 in a bathtub full of water for a half hour, and then completed all other testing after submersion—and it performed admirably.
This flashlight is very lightweight at just over 3 ounces, and it comes with a sturdy steel clip for carrying on a belt or in a pocket. At maximum intensity, the rechargeable batteries should last approximately 1.5 hours; reduce the beam to 70 lumens, and battery runtime can last up to 28 hours. At first, in the dark, I couldn’t find the mode adjustment—it’s a small rubber button located on the barrel about 1.5 inches down from the top. Once I found it, I could scroll through four intensity levels, and I could activate a strobe mode by holding it down.
The Nitecore P12 is impressive in its intensity, yet its light weight, slim dimensions, and small size (under 6 inches) allow for easy toting in a pocket or a purse. It runs on a single 18650 lithium-ion battery (included) or two CR123A batteries.
Get the Nitecore flashlight at Amazon.
Best Bang for the Buck
Olight i3T EOS Small Flashlight
Product Specs
- Lumens: 180
- Power source: 1 AAA battery
- Runtime: 16 hours on low
- Weight: 1.4 ounces
- Light source: LED
- Material: Aluminum alloy
What We Like
- Comes with a clip for carrying on a waistband, belt, or backpack strap
- Small and lightweight—fits neatly in a purse or pocket
- Water-resistant, so it’s safe to use in snowy or rainy situations without damage
What We Don’t Like
- The i3T is not as bright as many larger flashlights
Those looking for an affordable flashlight for everyday tasks, such as checking under furniture for a lost earring, walking safely through the house in the event of a power outage, or even reading the menu in a dimly lit restaurant, need look no further than Olight’s i3T slim LED flashlight.
On first inspection, the i3T seemed more like a toy than a tool, but I inserted the included AAA battery and dropped the little pen-like light in a tub of water where I left it for 30 minutes since it’s rated IPX8, meaning it should be waterproof at depths greater than 3 feet for longer than 30 minutes. I then dried off the little light—it’s only 3.5 inches long and weighs just 1.4 ounces—and clicked the On button, located on the flashlight’s tail end. It lit right up. I was able to scroll through intensity settings with additional clicks.
The i3T wasn’t as bright as some of the other flashlights I tested, but it’s not meant for tactical use. It’s made to offer a convenient source of light that can be clipped to a keyring or carried in a pocket or a purse. On its brightest mode, the i3T illuminated my test subject clearly at about 30 yards. While it’s not a distance flashlight, it’s a boon when you need a little light and don’t want to carry a heavier model.
The i3T operates on a single AAA battery (included). This is especially handy if you plan to take it hiking or camping and you won’t have access to an electrical outlet to charge a battery. Just take a couple of spare AAA batteries along and insert a new one when needed. On Low, the i3T runs up to 16 hours on a standard battery.
Get the Olight i3T EOS flashlight at Amazon or B&H.
Best Tactical
Olight Warrior X Pro 2100 Lumen Tactical Flashlight
Product Specs
- Lumens: 2100
- Power source: 21700 rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included)
- Runtime: Maximum 8 hours
- Weight: 8.43 ounces
- Light source: LED
- Material: Aluminum alloy
What We Like
- The Warrior X had the highest intensity beam of any flashlight tested
- Comes with a magnetic base for attaching to steel items
- Handy USB charging base makes recharging the flashlight a snap
What We Don’t Like
- Only 2 light modes; a little limiting compared to other options
There’s nothing wimpy about the Olight Warrior Tactical Flashlight. Right out of the box, I could tell the Warrior X was a quality flashlight. Its sleek, anodized aluminum body is slightly heavier than some handheld LED flashlights, weighing in at just under 8.5 ounces, but those added ounces give it a solid feel. The Warrior X features an end-thumb on/off switch for one-hand operation. The switch is also a powerful magnet, letting me hang the Warrior to the underside of a steel table.
Like the other flashlights promoted as being waterproof, the Olight Warrior X began its testing at the bottom of a bathtub full of water for 30 minutes. After the water test, which it passed with flying colors, I tested its illumination. After dark, I directed my helper to walk away while I kept the beam from the Warrior X on his back. At about 450 yards—as far as my helper could walk without reaching the end of the property—the beam was still bright and clear. I think it could easily reach its 500-meter promoted maximum.
The Warrior X comes with just two modes, high and low, which are selected using a button on the bottom of the flashlight, and it’s powered by a rechargeable 21700 lithium-ion battery. Charging the battery is a simple matter of setting it atop its magnetic charging disk that plugs into a USB port. The Warrior X may be too bright in neighborhoods with nearby homes, but it’s well suited to camping, hunting, and hiking—when it’s essential to see in the dark and at a distance.
Read our full review: Olight Warrior X Pro 2100 Lumen Tactical Flashlight
Get the Olight Warrior X Pro 2 flashlight at Amazon or Longhorn Tactical.
Best EDC
Fenix PD35 V3.0 Everyday Carry Flashlight
Product Specs
- Lumens: 1700
- Power source: One 18650 lithium-ion battery or two CR123A batteries
- Runtime: Up to 230 hours on Eco mode
- Weight: 2.95 ounces
- Light source: LED
- Material: Aluminum
What We Like
- 5 intensity modes plus a bright strobe mode for virtually any lighting need
- Water-resistant, making it suitable for use in rainy or snowy situations
- Lightweight and compact, yet offers a very bright light beam
What We Don’t Like
- Flashlight gets very warm when used on the most intense setting
Overall, an everyday carry (EDC) flashlight should be dependable, functional, and easy to use. The Fenix PD35 easily fulfilled those criteria and offered a powerful beam of light to boot.
I was slightly confused when I unboxed the Fenix PD35 because it came with a USB charging cord, but I couldn’t find a charging port anywhere on the flashlight. Finally, I removed the battery and discovered a charging port on the side of it. After charging the battery, I reinserted it in the PD35 and dropped the flashlight in the tub for 30 minutes. It’s rated IP68, which means it can stand up to 30 minutes of submersion. After I dried it off, it lit up like a champ.
The flashlight features five intensity modes and a strobe mode. On the highest mode, Turbo, it illuminated my helper at a distance of about 350 feet, but within a couple of minutes, the flashlight got pretty warm in my hand. On the lowest mode, Eco, it’s just bright enough to read a book by at night. The strobe mode is highly intense on the PD35, and I felt it would quickly draw attention in an emergency. However, it’s not very big for all that power and intensity. The PD35 weighs just 2.95 ounces and measures 5.28 inches long. I could clip it on the waistband of my jeans and I barely knew it was there.
It also comes with a toothed strike bezel, which means the protective metal ring around the lens is fluted in case you need to smack someone in self-defense. The fluting will supposedly do more damage to an attacker than a smooth ring would do. I didn’t test this aspect of the PD35, but security-minded buyers may appreciate this feature.
Get the Fenix PD35 flashlight at Amazon, Longhorn Tactical, or Fenix.
Best Long Throw
Fenix TK16 V2.0 3100 Lumen Tactical Flashlight
