Last Updated on November, 2024
Lacking an emergency flashlight when you need one is a horrible experience.
It only escalates as you realize the phone’s flashlight, you thought would be enough, is anything but enough.
But what if I impulsively bought the wrong light? I had that question bothering me. I know it bothers you as well.
So, I bought, analyzed over 30 emergency flashlights and trimmed the list down to top ten, and identified the best one.
This read is ALL you need if you want a best emergency flashlight.
Let’s jump right into it!
Table of Contents
- 10 of the Best Emergency Flashlights
- 1. Fenix E20 V2 (Editor’s Choice)
- 2. Acebeam E70 Mini (#2nd Best Choice)
- 3. Nitecore MH12 V2 (#3rd Best Choice)
- 4. Gearlight S1000 (AAA batteries)
- 5. ThruNite TC15
- 6. OLIGHT I5R Emergency Flashlight
- 7. LumiNRG Tactical Flashlight
- 8. Streamlight 88052 ProTac
- 9. MagLite ST3D116 3-Cell Flashlight (Alkaline Batteries)
- 10. PeakPlus LFX2000
- The Benefits of a Flashlight for Emergencies
- Top Factors to Consider in Choosing Emergency Flashlights
- In Conclusion
- FAQs
10 of the Best Emergency Flashlights
1. Fenix E20 V2 (Editor’s Choice)
There are 3 main reasons why I ordered this beauty,
- Brand value (which means guaranteed quality)
- Limited lifetime warranty I got
- One of the best AA flashlights
But what does it bring to the table?
Max settings
350 lumen – 125m – 4 hours; that’s the maximum settings. All of this is done by a Luminus SST20 LED light, which is amazing for sudden power outages.
Resistance qualities
The 1m impact resistance and IP68 dustproof and waterproof resistance underwater to 2m is an admirable design effort.
Dimensions
The E20 V2 is 127mm long with a head dia of 21mm and body dia 16.8mm. This LED flashlight is barely 40g/1.4 oz, excluding the batteries, so that’s more convenient.
Type of the battery
The AA battery method is used here.
Although 2 alkaline batteries are provided, Fenix recommends NiMH batteries.
But you’re not going to get the massive voltage that an alkaline battery gives. But AA batteries still do a decent job.
Notable special features
- Maximum runtime of 200 hours in the lowest mode
- Limited lifetime guarantee
- Reverse polarity protection
- Both dustproof and waterproof
- Reverse tail switch
- Intelligent overheat protection against high surface temperature
- Premium type HAIII hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
Modes of operation
The torch has four different lighting modes, and let’s see how each operates.
Eco | Low | Mid | High | ||
Lumen output | 5 | 30 | 150 | 350 | |
Runtime | Alkaline | 200hrs | 93hrs 35mins | 11hrs 15min | 3hrs 45min |
Ni-Mh | 140hrs | 34hrs 30 min | 5hrs 30 mins | 1h 30 mins | |
Distance | 15m | 35m | 76m | 126m | |
Intensity | 44cd | 288cd | 1448cd | 3950cd | |
Box Includes | Two alkaline AA batteries, spare O-ring, Lanyard |
Pros
Cons
2. Acebeam E70 Mini (#2nd Best Choice)
Acebeam is a brand that has been with me for some time, especially since I bought their K75 a while ago; one of the best flashlights.
But I bought the E70 mini anyway.
Max settings
2000 lumens – 600 lumens – 2 hours – 153 meters – 5,875 cd.
I’m pretty sure any emergency situation can be handled with 2000 lumens.
Resistance qualities
The rating is per IP68. This means the E70 mini can be submerged to 2m.
Its aluminum body has made the flashlight resistant to impact up to 1m of a drop — that’s more than enough.
Dimensions
The regular E70 is around 128mm, and the E70 mini is just 111m — that’s quite convenient to hold. The head dia is 26mm, and the body dia is 23.4mm.
The cherry on top is its low weight, just 72g without the battery.
Type of the battery
Rechargeable flashlights are always cost-effective in the long run. E70 mini comes with the Li-Ion battery and the ARC18650H-310A charger for an additional $10.
The battery is rechargeable, and the type of charging is USB-C, the biggest green flag.
Notable special features
There are 4 main features that make the E70 mini stand out.
- 5000K neutral white light (Best for an indoor power outage)
- Uniform and smooth spot
- Above 90 CRI (color rendering index)
- The stainless steel body clip
For those unfamiliar, CRI is a quantitative measure of the ability of the light source to reveal an object’s true colors. The highest is 100, and that’s of the sun.
Operational modes
There are five different lighting modes, excluding Turbo and strobe, switched between by one mode switch.
How do they differ?
Ultra-Low | Low | Mid1 | Mid2 | High | Turbo | Strobe | |
Lumen output | 12 | 60 | 170 | 380 | 900-600 | 2000-600 | 1000 |
Runtime | 100hrs | 19hrs | 7hrs | 3hrs | 2min + 1 hour 55min | 40s + 2hrs | 2hrs |
Distance | 20m | 39m | 52m | 71m | 102m | 153m | 112m |
Intensity | 104cd | 375cd | 675cd | 1275cd | 2625cd | 5875cd | 3150cd |
Box Included | Batteries |
Pros
Cons
3. Nitecore MH12 V2 (#3rd Best Choice)
What caught my eye was its light source, which is Cree XP-L2 V6. It is a bright light with massive light output.
So, what did I get from its maximum operating settings?
Max Settings
The Nitecore MH12 V2 brings a massive beam distance of 200m+ with 1200 lumens and a light intensity of 10,200cd — all of this runs for almost 4 hours; that’s a deal to me.
Resistance qualities
Seeing the maximum operational settings, I expected impressive resistance qualities, and Nitecore didn’t let me down.
It’s the same as the E70 Mini; 1m impact resistance and submersible up to 2 meters under the IP68 waterproof rating.
Dimensions
Weighing in at 30g (without the batteries), the MH12 is 158mm in length, with a 25mm head dia, which is perfect for an EDC/ emergency light.
Type of the battery
The Nitecore MH12 V2 is a rechargeable flashlight.
It comes with rechargeable batteries that are fully compatible with multiple battery sizes. The battery specifications are denoted as 1 × 21700, 1 × 18650, 2 × CR123, and 2 × RCR123.
The same dimensional theory of 18650 battery denotation applies here; 21mm in length and 70mm in width. Since these are Li-Ion batteries, you can expect even more battery life than the 18650 ones.
Notable features
MH12 is one of the best flashlights. Look at these features.
- ATR (advanced temperature regulation): Optimal performance is maintained while adapting to ambient environmental conditions
- Power indicator
- Memory function (excluding SOS and BEACON modes)
- The pocket clip is detachable
- NTH10 tactical holster feature (for quicker drawing out)
Nitecore has always been a tech-focused company, and these exclusive features certify that.
Operations modes
There are two major light modes such as daily mode and tactical mode (outdoor mode), whereas the daily mode is the default mode.
High, medium, low, strobe and SOS, including beacon and ultra-low, are available in the daily mode. SOS and BEACON are absent in tactical mode.
daily mode. SOS and BEACON are absent in tactical mode.
Ultra-Low | Low | Mid | High | Strobe | Beacon | SOS | |
Lumen output | 1 | 55 | 300 | 1200 | 1200 | 1200 | 1200 |
Runtime | 1500hrs | 46hrs | 8hrs | 3hr 45min | – | – | – |
Box Included | MH12 V2 x 1NL2150 5000mAh 21700 Rechargeable BatteryUSB-C Charging CableMetal ClipLanyardSpare O-ringSpare Tail Switch Cover18650/CR123a Battery AdapterNTH10 hard case Holster |
Pros
Cons
4. Gearlight S1000 (AAA batteries)
The Gearlight brand isn’t that familiar to me, but the sweet deal caught my eye: two units for the price of one.
There was one rare special feature too. For that price, it was a catch. So, of course, I had to buy and review it.
Max settings
The company doesn’t specify the lumen count or the beam distances. But the light was brighter than regular flashlights. S1000 qualifies as an emergency light.
Resistance qualities
Although there is no standardized rating, the product is well water resistant and shock resistant. It was working perfectly fine after a 2m drop.
Since I bought the light from a reliable Amazon seller, I think the authentic quality was well preserved.
Dimensions
The S1000 is 6.1 inches in length. Body dia and head dia are borderline equals at 1.57″. So, the product is quite compact and convenient to carry since it’s only 9 grams.
That’s almost weightless and deserves to be in every emergency kit.
Type of the battery
AAA batteries power this little beast. The pair I bought were not rechargeable, but I saw that the brand manufactures several rechargeable flashlights.
Notable features
The adjustability of the focus is amazing; the S1000 is a zoomable flashlight. The zoomability lets you change the beam pattern from a focused beam to a flood beam.
The second feature was what was included in the package. This is what the package contains;
- 2 x S1000 LED Tactical Flashlights
- 2 x Holder for AAA batteries
- 2 x Battery Tubes
- 2 Hand Straps
- 2 x Holder Cases [Bonus Accessory]
- 1 x Operation Guide
- 1x Warranty Card
Operational modes
There are 3 modes: low, mid and high.
Pros
Cons
5. ThruNite TC15
Having that CREE XHP, or any CREE light, in an emergency flashlight is the easiest way to spot a potential emergency flashlight. That’s how I noticed the ThruNite TC15.
Max settings
2500+ lumen output for 243m distance is picture perfect if you’re looking for a little beast of an emergency light.
Resistance qualities
TC15 also has impact resistance upto 1.5m and the 2m submersion IPX8 rating.
That means the device can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes.
It’s perfect for emergency situations involving water.
Dimensions
122.5mm x 27mm x 24mm are the dimensions of the TC15, and it weighs only 71g, excluding the batteries. So, it’s a good flashlight that deserves to go in a first aid kit.
Type of the battery
With a working voltage between 2.75V-4.2V, you need one lithium ion battery to make the flashlight work.
Most importantly, it’s USB rechargeable.
Notable features
I absolutely love the knurling patterns, but the CREE XHP LED flashlights, and the sleek design stand out.
Operational modes
There are 6 operational modes, and let me simplify everything for you since there are many brightness levels.
Low | Mid | High | Turbo | Firefly | Strobe | |
Lumen output | 22 | 250 | 1053 | 2531-800 | 0.5 | 830 |
Runtime | 68hrs | 6.5hrs | 86mins | 2.5mins+ 85mins | 41.5days | 180mins |
Distance | 243 meters(max) | |||||
Intensity | 14850 cd(max) | |||||
Box Included | Pocket clip x 1Holster x 1Spare O-rings x 2Lanyard x 1Thrunite 3100mAh IMR18650 battery x 1USB charger cable x 1Spare USB rubber cover x 1Spare side switch x 1 |
Pros
Cons
6. OLIGHT I5R Emergency Flashlight
I5R is an uncrowned king of a tactical flashlight. that comes with the Olight’s 5 year warranty.
Let’s take a look at what else it brings to the table.
Max settings
The I5R is one of the best battery powered flashlights that emits 350 lumens for 10 odd hours with an amazing throw of 64 meters and a candela intensity of 1,038cd.
Resistance qualities
Drop test resistance is not 1m like most other flashlights, but 1.5m. This is along with the IPX8 water resistance rating.
But they’re not dust resistant, so don’t take one near a beach, even if it’s made of a supreme aircraft grade aluminum alloy.
Dimensions
The head dia is 17.8mm, equal to the body diameter, and the length is 95.4mm. The weight is 60g, and that’s with the battery.
It’s safe to say that it’s lighter than most flashlights, making it a good candidate to be in emergency kits.
Type of the battery
The I5R is a battery powered flashlight; not just any battery, but a customized 1429mAh rechargeable battery. The trick to ensuring long battery life is sticking to the charging devices and methods that the manufacturer suggests.
Notable features
Here are some of the notable features I noticed.
- Smooth anti-slip tail cap switch
- 3 colors to choose from
- Double helix body knurling
- TIR optic lens
Operational modes
There are 2 major modes named mode 1 and mode 2; let’s see how different each mode is.
Mode 1 | Mode 2 | |
Lumen output | 350-150 | 15 |
Runtime | 10 + 170 mins | 37 hours |
Distance | 64m | 12m |
Intensity | 1038cd | 40cd |
Box Included | i5R EOS (Battery Included) x 1USB A-C Charging Cable x 1Hooking Clip x 1i5R EOS User Manual |
Pros
Cons
7. LumiNRG Tactical Flashlight
It’s not cheap but cost-effective if you want to get a truckload of features.
The LumiNRG tactical flashlight is one good example of that. Let’s see what we get!
Max settings
1000 lumens for 1200 ft of a throw is what the brand promises. Just like with the S1000, some standardized details are lacking in the product description, but that’s not a problem.
Not for the price.
Resistance qualities
The product isn’t drop-tested but is waterproof. But, I didn’t want to ruin the money I spent, so I decided to take my chances.
Dimensions
Product dimensions are 12 x 6 x 6 inches, and the aluminum body has two different knurling patterns. The flashlight weighs only 198g, including the battery.
So, you can fit this one in your glove compartment easily.
Type of the battery
I didn’t expect a rechargeable flashlight since all rechargeable lights are quite expensive. But LumiNRG proved me wrong.
You can use rechargeable lithium ion batteries to power the device up. But the recommended type is an 18650 battery that delivers 10 hours of light in the medium setting.
Notable features
Here are some notable features of the flashlight.
- Magnetic base
- 360 degrees light
- USB rechargeable
Operational modes
There are 4 major modes, and they have not listed the numerical values (just like the S1000). But these are the modes,
- Strobe
- Medium spotlight
- High wide beam
- Lantern mode (360 degree mode)
Pros
Cons
8. Streamlight 88052 ProTac
Streamlight is a brand that produces sleek flashlights, and the ProTac carries the legacy. It’s an amazing emergency flashlight that deserves to be in every emergency kit.
So, let’s look at what this product brings to the table.
Max settings
You get 1000 lumens for 1.5 hours at the highest operational mode, with a beam distance of 220m under 12,000cd intensity.
This operation is done with two 3V CR123A lithium batteries, rechargeable 100 times. That’s how a proper emergency light should be.
Resistance qualities
The ProTac has the legendary IPX4 rating, which is borderline rare in emergency flashlights. IPX4-rated flashlights are resistant to water splashes from any direction.
In addition, there’s the standard 1m impact resistance certified by Streamlight.
Dimensions
The flashlight length is 165mm, the head dia is 31mm, and the body diameter is 27mm. It weighs just 204.12 grams, including the batteries.
That’s why your first aid kit deserves this flashlight.
Type of the battery
The ProTac is powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery (P/N 74175). But it also accepts two CR123A lithium batteries or a rechargeable 18650 USB battery. The flashlight will be fully charged in 7 hours from the zero mark.
I recommend always going with what the brand recommends for the ideal operation.
Notable features
This one has a lot, but let me point out the most significant ones.
- Battery level indicator for charging + overcharge prevention circuit system
- Rechargeable battery up to 1000 times
- Gasket sealed lens
- TEN-TAP® programmable switch: This allows users to select one of three different programs.
- Anti-roll face cap
- Removable pocket clip and holster
Operations modes
There are 4 modes altogether, and there’s a massive difference in each mode, as there should be. Let’s look at the variation.
Low | Mid | High | Strobe | |
Lumen output | 65 | 380 | 1000 | 2531-800 |
Runtime | 23hrs | 3hrs 30min | 1hr 30min | 1.5hrs |
Distance | 53m | 133m | 219m | – |
Intensity | 700cd | 4420cd | 12000cd | – |
Box Included | The flashlight itself |
Pros
Cons
9. MagLite ST3D116 3-Cell Flashlight (Alkaline Batteries)
I immediately noticed the “limited lifetime warranty,” which was my sign to check the product out.
Besides, the product has an aesthetic blue hue, and I liked that too.
So, let’s see what it is!
Max settings
Maximum brightness is 168 lumen for 412m throw at 42,533cd intensity — it’s a flex to have this sort of a beautiful balance.
Resistance qualities
The standard 1m drop impact resistance is there with the IPX4 rating.
Dimensions
The flashlight dimensions are 13.39 x 3.03 x 3.03 inches, which fits the EDC and emergency light setting. It weighs 30 ounces/ 856g with the batteries included.
Type of the battery
The flashlight runs on Alkaline D batteries, and the 2-cell and 3-cell versions of the light were not categorized as rechargeable flashlights.
Notable features
Although the brand tries to emboss several features, these are the best two, in my opinion.
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Zoomability
- 1m drop resistance
Operational modes
There are only two, and the manufacturer specifies them as the spot mode and the flood mode. This is from the zoomability of the light.
- The peak beam distance is 412m
- With maximum lumen count of 168 lumens
- The maximum runtime is 80 hours
Pros
Cons
10. PeakPlus LFX2000
The LFX2000 is the first PeakPlus emergency light I’ve owned, and I have to tell you, it really was a good investment.
All emergency kits deserve lights like these.
Max settings
So, the maximum lumen count is 1200, at a range of 100-400m. I counted the duration to be around 5 minutes.
That was quite decent for the product type.
Resistance qualities
Resistance qualities are better than average in this product. The drop impact distance is 3m, with the standardized IPX4 water resistance.
Dimensions
The length is 196mm, with a borderline equal head dia and body dia of 45mm.
Notable features
The 2 most significant features I noticed were the XML-L LED type and the adjustability, or the zoomability of the light.
Operational modes
PeakPlus guarantees 10 hours of operational time in the low mode. There are four more operational modes. This excludes the two zoomability modes; floodlight mode and spotlight mode.
Here are the rest of the modes:
- Low
- Mid
- High
- Emergency
Pros
Cons
The Benefits of a Flashlight for Emergencies
- Safeguard Your Smartphone
- Worst Case Scenario Is Still Cheap
- Obtain The Expected Illumination
- Save Your Phone’s Battery
- Lighten Up Difficult Locations
- Minimize All Sorts Of Damages
Top Factors to Consider in Choosing Emergency Flashlights
- Brand value
- The number and the variety of the operational modes
- Ease of switching it on
- The overall price
- Characteristics at the maximum settings
- Battery life and rechargeability
- Whether the light is zoomable or not
- Resistance against water and dust
- Dimensional compatibility
- Warranty
- What the box includes
In Conclusion
Picking an emergency flashlight is harder than picking a regular one.
You don’t have to go through the long process of analyzing them since I did that for you. You’ll be fine even if you picked a random flashlight from the list.
But Fenix E20 V2 is the best one in the list. The product wins the race with a massive lead thanks to all the features and the cost-effectiveness — that’s what I chose to use permanently.
You should probably use it too.
Finally, be sure to share this with your friends and help them choose better help to move in the dark.
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