11 Best Flashlights to Illuminate Your Needs (2025 Updated)

Last Updated on February, 2025

Flashlights have been around for quite some time now, since 1898, to be exact, and their market has been ever-changing. These relatively must-have household equipment are great in serving various purposes day in day out.

We’ve tested literally hundreds of the best flashlights in each category over the past few months and have picked the best available. If you’re in the search for the best EDC, Tactical, or even Fishing, you’ve got the chance to own the best one out there.

BEST FLASHLIGHTS IN A NUTSHELL:

Best Flashlights in Each Category 

As mentioned above, these flashlights were picked based upon hours of testing. Each one has been put through various tests before being picked as the best. 

1. ACEBEAM E70 MINI High-CRI Flashlight (Best Flashlight Overall)

Also, it’s shorter, making it easily pocketable. And the design and build quality stand out; this, from my experience, is one of the best build and most comfortable LED flashlights. And the cherry on top is the 1P68 water-resistant rating, which allows you to submerge the flashlight up to 2 meters. 

And on top of the rugged build quality, you’ll also be getting a 5-year repair/replacement warranty, which is excellent and probably one of the highest numbers in any. And by the way, the outer shell is made of aero-grade aluminum.

---

2. Olight i5T Plus Pebble (Best Everyday Carry Flashlight)

And speaking of batteries, the i5T Plus Pebble needs two AA batteries to power up, which is excellent news for most people.

Other things that make this flashlight worthy of purchase are its build quality and usability.

Even though small, the stainless steel the i5T Plus Pebble is covered with does a great job when it comes to protection. I dropped it three times, and it’s still good as new. The tail switch makes the experience of using the flashlight smooth.

It really makes the process of turning the light on/off or shifting modes that little bit easier. 

One thing I like the most about the i5T Plus Pebble is the options it provides customers before buying.

There are 4 colors to choose from; Black, Blue, Orange, OD Green, and you even get to choose different color temperatures like NW (neutral white), CW (cool white), and even WW (warm white). This type of option makes this flashlight one step ahead of others. 

Olight is also generous to provide its customers with 5 years of repair or replace warranty as long as it’s a factory defect.

---

3. Lumintop Tool AA 2.0 (Best Budget Flashlight)

It’s so tiny that you won’t even notice it in your pocket. It has an attached pocket clip too and is powered by just a single AA Battery. Worth noting, 14500s can be used too if you want to achieve much higher light output.

Also, it feels great in the hands too. If you care about all the stuff mentioned above, then you really can’t go wrong with the Lumintop Tool AA 2.0.

Even though a small flashlight, the light output is very impressive. I was extremely surprised at the fact that it was able to do this. It is about as bright an AA Flashlight can get.

Another feature this one has that even the most expensive ones don’t include is the modes. There are five light modes in here available for you to choose from (more on this below). Along with that, the tail switch the Tool AA 2.0 has is great and is very responsive. 

Overall, The Lumintop Tool AA 2.0 is not going to blow anyone’s head off, but for the price, it delivers, and you won’t be disappointed.

---

4. ThruNite Archer 2A V3 (Best Tactical Flashlight)

It’s a lightweight flashlight; mind you, the sturdiness and the materials are what make this special.

The flashlight is constructed with an aerospace-grade aluminum body with a military-grade Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish. This means there’s nothing to worry about if you frequently drop your flashlights. The knurling is relatively grippy too.

And to add to that excellent durability, the flashlight is IPX8 rated, too, meaning no extreme weather conditions will stop you from using it. 

Anyways, good build quality is a given with tactical flashlights, but the UI is something that isn’t. There’s nothing to worry about with the Archer 2A V3, though. It’s super straightforward, mainly because of the two-switch setup.

The brightness this flashlight produces is impressive, too; if you hike a good amount, this can be a great companion. I’m pretty sure you’ll be impressed.

If you’re concerned about whether or not the Archer 2A V3 is pocketable, I’m happy to report that it is indeed easily pocketable. You’ll have no problem carrying it around. As mentioned above, it’s lightweight at just 106 grams (3.7 ounces) with the 2 AAs inside. 

As for the warranty, you’ll be getting 2 years of free replacement warranty and limited lifetime maintenance.

---

5. Nitecore T4K (Best Flashlight With Rechargeable Battery)

Even though clunky, I have to say that it’s very comfortable when handling. 

There are two e-switches, both of which are just a joy to click, very tactile, and not too clicky. Just had to mention that. 

Up next is the OLED screen the Nitecore T4K has; it’s way convenient and displays all the essential information you need about your flashlight. You’ll be able to see the current lumen level and how long the flashlight will last at that setting. Pretty handy. 

That is not it, though; there are a lot more small details the Nitecore T4K has that you need to see in person. 

Coming into the essential bits, you’re looking at one of the very powerful rechargeable flashlights here. The Nitecore T4K can shockingly max out at 4000 lumens, which is great, but this mode’s usage is fairly limited. More later. 

On the other hand, there are five modes; Ultra-Low, Low, Medium, High, and Turbo. All of which are great for daily use except for the turbo, as it can reach that stellar 4000-lumen mark which is basically overkill. 

As for the build quality, the flashlight is covered with plastic and metal. I found it durable enough for daily use throughout my testing. This is as expected since plastic is generally tough.

Rechargeable battery inside is a 1000mAh cell that lasts well based on the usage. In the low setting, expect a runtime of up to 21 hours. The flashlight comes with a USB-C fast charging in the box and is able to fully juice the T4K in under 1.5 hours.

Checkout the best Nitecore flashlights reviews for your specific works.

---

6. Fenix E20 V2 (Best Emergency Flashlight)

It is one of the few emergency flashlights that has an easy user interface. The whole flashlight is controlled via just a single tail switch, and it’s overall a hassle-free experience. Full Press for ON/OFF and TAP to cycle through brightness modes.

Speaking of modes, you’ll be looking at a max of four; Eco, Low, Medium, and High. All of these operate at different Lumen levels as usual. 2 AA batteries power the Fenix E20 V2, and the battery life is what you’d expect from a light of this type.

You can expect runtimes of up to 93.3 hours in low and 3.4 hours in high.

But the real show comes from the eco mode, which has a runtime of up to 200 hours; the lumen output is 5, though. Keep that in mind. 

Build quality is also a department the Fenix E20 V2 shines. It is completely made of aluminum. So you can expect it to be durable enough for everyday use.

Checkout the best Fenix flashlights for your specific works.

---

7. Nitecore SRT7GT 1000 (Best Flashlight With Multiple Colors)

Speaking of lumens, Nitecore SRT7GT is able to operate at a max of 1000, which is way enough, and it is powered by a single 18650, which can be recharged. 

Since this is a multi-color flashlight, let’s just focus more on it. If you’re concerned about the durability and other stuff, everything is top-notch, and there’s nothing to worry about.

The colors the Nitecore SRT7GT has operate at different lumens. By this, I mean, for example, the red color can output 13 lumens while blue and green operate at 3 and 19, respectively.

The flashlight is equipped with Nitecore’s Third Generation patented Smart Ring technology which lets you change colors with a twist. 

The smart ring also lets you change the brightness swiftly without any hassle that you would otherwise have with typical switches.

With all the stunning tech inside, don’t expect the SRT7GT to be a lightweight flashlight; it’s almost 200 grams. This can be a downside if you’re thinking of using the flashlight for everyday carry. 

The single 18650 inside the SRT7GT also works excellent; at low, a runtime of 126 hours can be expected. This is great battery life. Runtime also differs with the color you’ve chosen to go with; red, blue, green all have a runtime of 26 hours max.

So, all in all, the SRT7GTis a great multi-color flashlight. If you’re on the hunt for one in the market, this is without a doubt the best option to go with. No other flashlights in this category offer this much versatility and options with a much more swift and easy user interface.

---

8. LA Gear Recon Rechargeable Flashlight (Best Flashlight for Fishing)

The durability is also something that needs to be kept in mind when buying a flashlight for fishing. The LA Gear Recon is durable considering everything I’ve taken it through. It’s heavy enough to let you know that it has top-notch build quality.  It feels great in the hands too.

The overall brightness is great, too; at 1000 Lumens max, this thing shines. Impressively enough, it can also run for up to two hours at that 1000 Lumen mark which is great if you often go fishing at night.

As mentioned earlier, this is a rechargeable LED light, great if you’re someone who dislikes AA/AAA batteries. LA Gear Recon also has a USB-C charging port which lets you charge your flashlight faster. 

Overall, this is a suitable flashlight if you go fishing often. Great build quality, durable, easy to use, impressive runtime, basically, everything about the LA Gear Recon screams quality, and you won’t be disappointed with your purchase.

---

9. ThruNite TN40S (Best Flood Flashlight)

A flashlight like this is literally an overkill for everyday use, but you can count on them in emergency situations. We don’t use the ThruNite TN40S often, but since you’re in the urge to see everything in front of you, the TN40S truly delivers.

Let’s get into the specifications.

Will start with the flood first; this thing can cover a max of 1151 meters (1258 yards) and has a Lumen count of 4450 max. This is way more than enough for most, and you know how powerful both of these numbers are.

Build quality, durability is all next level except for the weight; the TN40S weighs a whopping 592 grams (20 ounces). This is pretty evident as all the tech crammed inside to output that number of brightness is for sure advanced. 

To power the TN40S, you’ll need 4 x 18650 rechargeable batteries, and the runtimes drastically change with the modes you decide to go with. With the power of four 18650s, you will be able to get an extreme 2.5 days on low. 

But hey, no one buys this flashlight to be used on low. So, on the highest setting, which is turbo, which also, by the way, is the mode that outputs 4450 lumens, you can expect this beast to last up to 85 minutes. 

Overall, if you want an excellent flashlight with impeccable beam distance at a somewhat affordable price, the TN40S is something you should consider. It’s a great package in every aspect.

---

10. PrimosBloodhunter HD Shadow (Best Blood Tracking Flashlight)

With that, there are 2 additional power settings; intense HD tracking and low illumination, both of which provide different ways for you to track blood. 

The Bloodhunter HD needs 4CR123 batteries to power up. Carrying it with you for hunting is no hassle too. It weighs 100 grams (3.5 ounces), and the flat handle design makes it much easier to carry. Speaking of carrying, you’ll also get a Cardura holster with belt straps. This adds to the convenience even more. 

All in all, with the Bloodhunter HD, you can only say goodbye to sleepless nights thinking about what happened to the hunt you missed. This thing just works, and there’s nothing other than that to say about it.

---

11. ACEBEAM L16 (Best Flashlight for Home Inspectors)

Modes-wise, you’ve got everything you’ll need. There are six; Moonlight, Low, Medium, High, Turbo, and Strobe. To power those modes, you’ll need 1x 18650 or 2x CR123 batteries. 

No need to be concerned about whether or not the flashlight will die during duty because the runtime of this flashlight is pretty impressive. At low, the L16 can last up to 9 hours, which is more than enough.

Lumen levels cannot be skipped when talking about a flashlight. The ACEBEAM L16 has 2000 Lumens, extremely bright and perfect for the job. And the beam range is also something to consider. This can cover a max distance of 603 meters, impressive considering the size. 

And speaking of size, the L16 is somewhat compact; I don’t think it’s pocketable, though. No worries even then because you’ll get a lanyard and holster to stack your flashlight right in. 

If you get your flashlight damaged, you’re covered by 5 years of warranty. So, overall the ACEBEAM L16 is an excellent little flashlight for heavy-duty similar to yours. If you had no idea on which flashlight to pick all this time, I think you’ve got one now.

---

Everything You Need to Know Before Investing in a Flashlight (Buyers Guide)

There are some key factors to consider before picking a flashlight. If you’re to get the best of the best, you’ll have to keep these in mind no matter if you are making your purchase online or in person. 

Light Output

One of the most critical factors that need to be taken into account. Also measured in Lumens is the measure of the light you’ll be getting from the flashlight. Lumen levels can range from 20 to a whopping 3500 and higher. 

This totally depends on your preference. If you need a brighter flashlight, then you’ll have to go with a flashlight that has higher levels of Lumen and vice versa. Considering this is crucial because this largely affects the price of a flashlight. 

Going for a 1000 Lumen flashlight when you only need a 350 one can add up to the total drastically. So make sure to consider the amount of brightness you’ll need now and in the future before buying a flashlight.

Beam Distance

Even though not as important as Lumen, it’s still something to consider. Measured in meters, this is the range the beam will shine. Similar to the Lumen, this also depends on how far you want your flashlight to cover. 

Generally, most flashlights cover a good amount of range which is enough for most. If you are looking for something more than typical, that is where you should look deep. It’s not difficult, though; there are tons of flashlights in the market, all of which can cover the distance you need. 

Runtime

You need a flashlight that’s able to last. You don’t need something that dies on you just after a few hours of turning it on. So make sure to get a flashlight that’s able to last. The general rule of thumb is that a 150-lumen flashlight should last for at least 6 to 12 hours. Keep this in mind on your purchase.

Also, flashlights typically power up with the use of AA, AAA, or Rechargeable Batteries, so pick one based on your preference.

Durability

Getting a durable flashlight is extremely important as it’ll be put through its paces during its time. Not many available use top materials, and this is where you should be mindful. A flashlight built with inferior materials can break with just one favorable impact.

Make sure the flashlight you pick also has its IP rating. There’s no point in picking a flashlight that’s not able to withstand water.

Since you’re here, there’s nothing to worry about. All the flashlights we’ve reviewed above are impeccably durable and can withstand a good amount of impact. All of them are IP-rated too.

How We Tested the Best in Each Category?

Each flashlight we reviewed above had gone through hours of testing in different scenarios before they were awarded the top spot. We took various other factors into consideration, too, such as price and stuff, to make sure you get the best possible flashlight for as low as possible.

As an example, the flashlights that were IP rated were submerged into water or were splashed with water from all angles, depending on their rating. If the particular flashlight we were testing was IPX8 rated, it goes through submersion for up to 3 hours at the specified depth.

Impact resistance is also tested for all the flashlights we review just to make sure they work even after you drop them by accident. Each light will be dropped up to 4 times onto concrete at their rated distance in this testing.

Because as you may know, no one goes easy on flashlights, and that’s the reason most are built with premium quality materials.

Total output of light is one of the most important things that needs utmost attention, and this is where most of our testing time goes. We, in order to measure light outputs, use an integrating sphere. With this sphere’s help, we measure each light’s output at its highest settings after 30 seconds of operation. 

Additional modes such as strobe will also be tested just to make sure they work as advertised.

To ensure how the flashlight stacks up to typical use, we also test it in outdoor conditions. We go into a place where there is less light and start the testing. This is a great way to get the beam range and test other factors such as usability and runtime. 

We even use the flashlights for regular daily tasks and during testing emergencies to ensure it holds up properly. 

Note: All types of flashlights we review will be put through the same testing procedures. None receive any additional tests.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Flashlights have become one of the essentials in recent years, and they are very helpful. So having the best really matters. If you want the best EDC, you’ve got “Olight i5T Plus Pebble” if you want the best budget lights, then the “Lumintop Tool AA 2.0” is a perfect choice, or if you want the best of the best without sacrificing on anything the “ACEBEAM E70 MINI High-CRI“ will be your best pick.

Now that we’ve taken a look at the best in each category, you can pick one based on what you need and rest easy.

If you are particularly looking for the best within a specific category, make sure you check out the following links:

• Best Flashlights for Power Outage
• Best Hand Crank Flashlights
• Best Stun Gun Flashlights
• Best Right Angle Flashlights
• Best Farthest Throw Flashlights
• Best Survival Flashlights
• Best Keychain Flashlights
• Best Copper Flashlights
• Best Titanium Flashlights
• Best 1000 Lumen Flashlights
• Best Magnetic Flashlights
• Best Flashlights for Mechanics
• Best Police and Law Enforcement Flashlights
• Best American Made Flashlights
• Best Flashlights for Dog Walking
• Best Long Lasting Flashlights
• Best 21700 Flashlights
• Best 18350 Flashlights
• Best Pocket Flashlights
• Most Expensive Flashlights
• Best Cheap Flashlights
• Best Red Flashlights for Astronomy & Night Vision
• Best Self Defense Flashlights
• Best AA Battery Flashlights
• Best Flashlights for Kids
• Best Solar Powered Flashlights
• Best Pen Flashlights
• Best Lantern Flashlights
• Best Brightest Tactical Flashlights
• Best Brightest Flashlights
• Best Car Flashlights
• Best UV Blacklight Flashlights
• Best LEP Flashlights
• Best Hunting Flashlights
• Best Flashlights for Hiking and Backpacking
• Best Flashlights Under $100
• Best Tactical Flashlights
• Best Shotgun Flashlights
• Best Underwater Flashlights for Diving
• Best Small & Mini Flashlights
• Best Camping Flashlights
• Best Flashlights for Elderly
• Best Flashlights for Walking at Night
• Best Flashlights for Firefighters
• Best Coast Flashlight Reviews
• Best Surefire Flashlight Reviews
• Best Olight Flashlight Reviews
• Best Acebeam Flashlight Reviews
• Best Nebo Flashlight Reviews
• Best Maglite Flashlight Reviews
• Best Streamlight Flashlights Reviews