Table of Contents
If you want a strong, flexible light source, the best flashlights are still better than headlights in many situations. You can point a flashlight wherever you want, not just where your head is. Also, since they don’t have to worry about weight as much, their batteries tend to be more powerful and last longer. For small devices, they have a lot of strength.
I love flashlights, to be honest. Yes, I often use lights when I’m outside too. But most of the time, I grab a small flashlight from the center panel of my truck and hold it in my teeth if I need both hands for something. I love being able to point it wherever I want without having to turn my head.
So, if you like flashlights, keep reading to find out which ones we think are the best. Since is all about the outdoors, I rated these based on their weight, size, battery life, ability to show colors, and ability to be used in different ways. You can read more about how I tested and chose these flashlights further down, but I want to make it clear right away that this article is about really good flashlights that can work every day, whether you need a light for work or just want one for camping or a power outage.
Best Flashlights Comparison Table
Flashlight Model | Lumens | Battery Life | Rechargeable | Waterproof | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FENIX PD36R PRO | 1600 | 2.5 hours | Yes | Yes | 3.0 oz |
ThruNite Archer 2A V3 Cool White | 500 | 17.5 hours | No | Yes | 2.2 oz |
Manker E12 | 650 | 2 hours | No | Yes | 1.6 oz |
Olight S2R Baton II | 1150 | 60 days | Yes | Yes | 4.0 oz |
Maglite Solitaire | 37 | 1.5 hours | No | No | 0.5 oz |
Anker Bolder LC 40 | 400 | 20 hours | Yes | Yes | 2.3 oz |
Coast Polysteel 600R | 530 | 3 hours | Yes | Yes | 8.2 oz |
FENIX PD36R PRO

Specification | Details |
---|---|
Model | PD36R PRO |
Light Output | 1600 lumens |
Beam Distance | 283 meters |
Battery | 21700 rechargeable |
Waterproof Rating | IP68 |
Weight | 108 grams |
Length | 14.4 centimeters |
Modes | 6 |
The Fenix PD36R Pro is the newest version of our favorite all-around flashlight on the market, which is the Fenix PD36R. The PD36R Pro is a slightly better version of the already great PD36R. The big change is that the PD36R Pro has two tail switches instead of one. Here’s how it all works: The light is turned on and off by a bigger switch at the back. The other button cycles through the five brightness levels or turns on the strobe feature for self-defense if the light is off.
If you’d rather have the light switch on the body of the light, you can still get the regular PD36R. But I think the PRO model will be great for most people. The user experience is great, but the performance is even better. In Eco (30 brightness) mode, the new PD36R PRO will work for a solid 42 hours. If runtime is the most important thing to you, the non-PRO form of this light has a much longer runtime but less light output overall.
The Good
- 1600 lumens is a lot of light.
- Long range of 283 meters for the beam
- It is made to last and is waterproof (IP68).
- Easy to carry because it is light and small.
- Multiple modes for versatile use
The Bad
- The battery might need to be charged often.
- Compared to some other models, it has a small number of modes.
ThruNite Archer 2A V3 Cool White

Specification | Details |
---|---|
Model | Archer 2A V3 |
Light Output | 500 lumens |
Beam Distance | 118 meters |
Battery | 2x AA |
Waterproof Rating | IPX8 |
Weight | 68 grams |
Length | 14.5 centimeters |
Modes | 4 |
Even though the ThruNite Archer ($30) doesn’t have as many high-end features as some of the other lights on this list, it’s a great deal at just $30. For that price, you get a good CREE XP-L V6 LED light source that can put out up to 500 lumens. Even though that number doesn’t look like much, it’s more than enough for most situations. It can run for up to 4 days on firefly mode and 11 hours on medium (75 lumens) with two AA batteries.
You heard right: this flashlight does use AA batteries. Compared to high-end rechargeables, that makes the price go down. However, it costs money to run. Our team likes flashlights that can be charged, which we’ll explain in more detail below. But on backcountry trips, it’s easy to recharge flashlights that use disposable (or rechargeable) AA batteries. Just bring a few backups.
The Good
- 500 lumens is a good amount of light.
- 118 meters is a good beam distance
- Uses AA batteries, which are easy to find.
- The building is waterproof (IPX8).
- Design that is light and small
The Bad
- Compared to some other models, this one has less light output.
- Long-range lighting with a short beam distance
Manker E12

Specification | Details |
---|---|
Model | E12 |
Light Output | 650 lumens |
Beam Distance | 142 meters |
Battery | 1x AA |
Waterproof Rating | IPX8 |
Weight | 61 grams |
Length | 9.8 centimeters |
Modes | 5 |
In the event that the ThruNite Archer 2A V3 is unavailable, the Manker E12 is an excellent alternative. This light is extremely identical to the Archer 2A V3, right down to the interface consisting of two buttons and the four different levels of brightness. A great wide-angle beam, a momentary-on function, a memory feature, an anti-roll body design, and a full waterproof rating are all features that are shared by both of these flashlights.
The only notable difference between the two models is that the E12’s lowest setting is brighter than the Archer 2A V3’s, but we found that the Archer 2A V3’s ability to go very dim was far more appealing. In addition, the Manker is typically offered at a price that is a few dollars higher than our pick.
The Good
- 650 lumens is a good amount of light.
- 142 meters is a good beam distance
- Uses AA batteries, which are easy to find.
- The building is waterproof (IPX8).
- Small and light so it’s easy to carry
The Bad
- Compared to some other models, it has a small number of modes.
- The relatively short length might not be what everyone wants.
Olight S2R Baton II

Specification | Details |
---|---|
Model | S2R Baton II |
Light Output | 1150 lumens |
Beam Distance | 135 meters |
Battery | 1x 18650 rechargeable |
Waterproof Rating | IPX8 |
Weight | 98 grams |
Length | 10.7 centimeters |
Modes | 4 |
The performance of the Olight S2R Baton II, which can be charged, falls between the ThruNite TC15 V3 and the Archer 2A V3. It’s smaller than both of them, which makes it a good choice for everyday carry. But what really makes it stand out is how it charges. As with the TC15 V3, charging goes directly into the body of the light.
However, the S2R Baton II has a magnetic USB charging connection that clicks against the tail of the light, so there’s no need to plug anything in. Because the design is so handy, we found that we charged this light more often than the others. Like the TC15 V3 and all other rechargeables, the S2R Baton II has problems with how long it takes to charge and how hard it is to charge during a blackout if you don’t have extra 18650 batteries on hand.
The Good
- 1150 lumens is a lot of light.
- 135 m is a good beam distance
- 18650 battery that can be charged for convenience
- The building is waterproof (IPX8).
- The design is small and light.
The Bad
- Compared to some other models, it has a small number of modes.
- Compared to some similar flashlights, it is heavier.
Maglite Solitaire

Specification | Details |
---|---|
Model | Solitaire |
Light Output | 37 lumens |
Beam Distance | 55 meters |
Battery | 1x AAA |
Waterproof Rating | IPX4 |
Weight | 24 grams |
Length | 8.3 centimeters |
Modes | 1 |
This small light is bright enough for everyday jobs and small enough to keep on your keychain. You can turn it on and off with just one hand because you can twist it on. Excellent workmanship, weatherproof seals, and anodized on the inside and outside to protect against corrosion.
A powerful light beam that can be adjusted. It makes a great gift and fits nicely in pockets, purses, attache cases, and other small spaces. A quality alkaline battery with a keychain lanyard and a spare lamp are included in the small design. A high-end flashlight that can withstand drops and can’t get wet. It is known for its quality, sturdiness, and dependability.
The Good
- The design is small and light.
- Simple to carry and put away
- Easy to use with only one mode
- Uses an easy-to-find AAA battery
The Bad
- Compared to other models, it has a low amount of light.
- Distance limit on the beam
- Less water resistance (IPX4)
Anker Bolder LC 40 LED Flashlight

Specification | Details |
---|---|
Model | Bolder LC 40 |
Light Output | 400 lumens |
Beam Distance | 200 meters |
Battery | 4x AA |
Waterproof Rating | IPX5 |
Weight | 142 grams |
Length | 15.2 centimeters |
Modes | 3 |
The Boulder LC 40 turned out to be a great deal, with a good life and a steady 200 lumens of light. When turned on, it had just over 400 lumens. After about 3 minutes, it was down to 200 lumens and didn’t change by more than 10 lumens for the rest of our half-hour test. We found that the beam pattern was a little bit smaller and more focused than the Polytac USB X above, which helped it throw almost as far with fewer lumens.
We could see the shadow of our human shape from 50 meters away, and it was still clear from about 90 meters away. The five light settings—high, medium, low, fast strobe, and slow strobe—can be changed by clicking in a certain order, which is about as easy as we could find when trying. The battery can’t be changed because the metal body is completely sealed. But there is a port on the bottom of the light that lets you charge it.
The Good
- 400 lumens give off a bright light.
- Long beam with a 200-meter range
- It can be used in three different ways.
- Uses AA batteries, which are easy to find.
- Water-resistant design (IPX5)
The Bad
- Compared to some other flashlights, this one is pretty heavy.
- Regular AA batteries have a short life span.
- Moderate waterproof rating (IPX5)
Coast Polysteel 600R 530 Lumen Rechargeable LED Flashlight

Specification | Details |
---|---|
Model | Polysteel 600R |
Light Output | 530 lumens |
Beam Distance | 235 meters |
Battery | 1x Li-ion rechargeable |
Waterproof Rating | IPX8 |
Weight | 218 grams |
Length | 15.2 centimeters |
Modes | 3 |
The Coast Polysteel 600R 530 Lumen Rechargeable LED Flashlight makes a splash because it shines brightly with 530 lumens and does a great job. It is made of metal and stainless steel and can withstand being dropped and crushed. It is also waterproof. The flashlight has a dual power system that lets it run on either a li-ion battery pack or four AA batteries. This gives it a 35-hour run time.
The power pack even has a USB port that can charge your other devices. This is helpful when you’re not at home and need to charge something quickly. There are two light modes: a spot beam and a wide-angle flood beam. To switch between the two, just turn the head. The Quick-Cycle power switch also makes it easy to switch between the three brightness levels—full, medium, and low—so you can save power when you don’t need the most light.
The Good
- High light output of 530 lumens
- Long range of 235 meters for the beam
- Li-ion battery that can be charged for convenience
- The building is waterproof and built to last (IPX8).
- There are different lighting modes for different needs.
The Bad
- Compared to some other models, it’s pretty heavy.
- May be bigger and more expensive than other flashlights that do the same thing.
FAQs
A: A flashlight is a portable handheld device that produces light when a button or switch is pressed. It is typically powered by batteries and is used as a source of light in low-light situations.
A: There are several types of flashlights, including tactical flashlights, handheld flashlights, headlamps, and lanterns. Tactical flashlights are typically smaller and more durable, designed for outdoor use or self-defense situations. Handheld flashlights are larger and may offer more features, such as adjustable brightness levels. Headlamps are hands-free and worn on the head, making them ideal for camping or outdoor activities. Lanterns are larger and typically used for illuminating larger areas, such as a campsite.
A: When buying a flashlight, consider the brightness level, battery life, durability, and size. Look for a flashlight with adjustable brightness levels to match your needs. A longer battery life will ensure that the flashlight lasts longer without needing a recharge. A durable design will withstand drops and impacts, while a smaller size will make it easier to carry around.