Best Rechargeable Flashlights for 2021: Lightest & Brightest

Why You Should Trust Us

The author has been a backpacking, climbing, and rafting guide for nearly a decade, as well as a firefighter and EMT. Camping in torrential rains, trekking in the dark, surveying an emergency scene, and changing tires in the middle of a blizzard are all situations where she’s found herself in need of a good flashlight — the brighter, lighter, and more versatile, the better. Rechargeable batteries are a huge plus for someone who doesn’t want to carry lots of extra batteries and who values efficiency over wastefulness, but the versatility of these flashlights to switch to traditional batteries in a pinch makes them all the more useful. From the dark depths of Alaska in January to the hazy dusks of Colorado summers, the author knows good lights, and where to find them.

Who This Is For

Recreationalists, homeowners, and EDC-enthusiasts looking for the best deal and the best product. These rechargeable flashlights offer something for everyone, whether you’re looking for the next spotlight to illuminate your hunting camp or a lightweight flashlight to keep in your backpack.

How We Picked

We chose from a range of budget-friendly, everyday flashlights to tactical must-haves. Each of these rechargeable options has multiple modes to choose from to conserve battery life or light up the trail.

How We Tested

We tested on the snow-covered routes of New Hampshire’s snowmobile trails to fire-scene investigations, from ambulance calls at 2 A.M. to searching for a dog in the woods. We carried flashlights in backpacks, bunker gear, pockets, and ATVs to put them through their paces — and are happy to report that they came through with flying colors.

Features To Look For In Rechargeable Flashlights

Improvements have come quickly in the flashlight realm, with manufacturers making use of technological advances in brighter and more compact ways. With such a wide range of rechargeable flashlights on the market today, it would be sensible to spend time deciding what you really need out of a flashlight before taking the plunge.

Prices can range from $20 all the way to $200 — a bit of research and time will undoubtedly pay dividends in the long run. With that said, it's probably best to start by looking at your budget. If all you need is a backup light for the glove box in your car, then there is no point looking for a space-age flashlight.  However, if you're looking for a rugged tactical option, then you may be willing to spend a bit more.

Once you've decided where you sit on the price scale, it’s time to consider some of the following categories.

Light Output - The majority of flashlights today utilize LED bulbs since they are the most efficient light producers, especially compared to the old incandescent bulbs. Typically, manufacturers measure light output in lumens, although many factors determine how the lumen converts into beam distance.

Generally speaking, anything under 100 lumens are used as a backup source of light in case of a power outage. Once we pass the 100 lumens mark, there should be sufficient light to use outside if all you intend to do is walk your dog or perhaps see what you were doing when camping or fishing. A flashlight around 250 lumens is a great option to keep in your glove compartment, a backpack, or out in the garage. However, if you’re using this flashlight hunting, searching, or for emergency work, you want well over 1,000 lumens.

To give you an idea of the brightness level, it is claimed that at 150 lumens you will cause temporary blindness if you flashed the light into somebody's eyes at night. However, the same effect in the daylight would require more than 300 lumens. The higher the lumens, the more light you’ll cast. A wider or longer beam will be more useful in the long run.

Battery Life - Clearly, the power and light output have a considerable impact on battery life. It is worth considering what you will generally use your flashlight to do. High lumen intensity will undoubtedly drain your battery faster, but this may be perfectly viable in situations where you do not need continual light.

For continual use, such as cycle lights and hiking lights, it is worth considering lower lumen settings with extended runtime to extend your battery life. Generally speaking, most tactical LED flashlights will have several light settings, like high, low, strobe, and SOS settings. These give you options that will save your battery from constantly running on its highest setting.

Beam Distance - Beam distance refers to the distance your flashlight throws light out in front of you. This will vary considerably depending on how bright the LED bulb is, how the beam is reflected out of the lenses, and also how the focus is set on the flashlight. Beam distance and the beam flood path are both useful for different situations.

A focus setting will also give you the ability to change the flood diameter of the beam. In some instances, you may wish to have the beam set to the maximum length; in others, it may be useful to have the beam set to the maximum width and shortest distance, giving you a flood effect.

There are also other unique features, such as colored lights, which can be useful for night vision and traffic control situations. Strobe emergency settings are extremely useful if you are camping, sailing, or in any case that may require a distress signal.

Water Resistance - The quality of a flashlight’s construction and the quality of materials used impact aspects like water resistance, dust resistance, shock absorption, and abrasion resistance. These should all be taken into consideration so that you select a flashlight fit for your needs.

In general, water resistance is measured on the IPX scale — the lower the number, the less water-resistant the flashlight will be. For example, IPX4 would mean your flashlight is splash-resistant at best. IPX8 would imply that it could be submerged in water up to 1 meter. If you plan to use your flashlight as a backup, a lower IPX would be acceptable; if you plan to use your flashlight outdoors and in inclement weather, a higher IPX rating would prove far better.

Ease of Use - Developments in USB rechargeable flashlights and LED flashlights have made them easy to use. Most have simple touch buttons or tail switches that can be operated with one hand. Some of the best tactical flashlights feature programmable switches to access different modes at the touch of a button. Most will come with guides to programming or toggling your flashlight to the setting you want.

Size - Size really does matter. If all you are doing is walking the dog, there is no need for a 12-inch military-grade flashlight. However, if you are a firefighter and your life depends on having a flashlight that can withstand the heat and throws out a powerful beam, you might not be as worried about compactness over brightness. Be sensible with your choice and fit the flashlight to your desired usage.

Design - Much of your design preferences lie with your personal preferences. If you prefer a sleek, tactical flashlight with a pocket clip, there are several options that fit exactly that description. However, there are also more flashlights that are designed to act as a spotlight, set up on a stand, or act as an emergency strobe to direct traffic. Find a flashlight that sports a textured, anti-slip grip, durable materials, and a light switch that you can easily use with one hand.

Types Of Rechargeable Flashlights

Tactical Flashlights - A tactical flashlight is a flashlight that has been manufactured to the highest standard for use by the military or professional forces. They tend to be made from high-quality aerospace alloys that are anodized for extra durability and performance. Usually, the best tactical flashlights will be highly water-resistant, anti-slip, and shockproof with powerful beams to ensure top performance in all situations.

Everyday Flashlights - In today's reality, an everyday flashlight will feature trickle-down technology from the top tactical lights. Made from cheaper materials and with slightly reduced performance, the budget prices are still worth it! If you want an affordable but hardy flashlight, these everyday options are still a great option—and are a sight easier on your wallet.

Q: How many lumens do you need in a flashlight?

A: At a minimum, you should look for a flashlight over 100 lumens. Any count below that would only work in a small space inside a house. Ideally, for an everyday flashlight, you want at least 250 lumens, and for a camping-grade flashlight, at least 1,000. Emergency services should look at more than 5,000 lumens to light up a larger or longer area.

Q: What is the perfect flashlight?

A: The flashlight needs to fit the purpose you intend to use it in.  Spend some time thinking about what your requirements are and how you plan to use your flashlight. In general, the perfect flashlight would have around 1,000 lumens, be lightweight, easily switched on and off with one hand, durable, waterproof, and feels comfortable in your hand.

Q: What is a rechargeable flashlight?

A: Rechargeable flashlights use rechargeable batteries, plain and simple. Most batteries can be removed and charged in an adapter, while others are charged directly by USB.

Q: What are LED flashlights?

A: LED flashlights utilize a different method of generating light from traditional tungsten lights. LED stands for light-emitting diode. The benefits of LED flashlights are numerous, but foremost among them is their super-bright, long-lasting bulbs. They are also very stable and shock-resistant.

Q: Are rechargeable flashlights waterproof?

A: Not all rechargeable flashlights are waterproof, but they are very common. A flashlight’s water resistance is graded on a scale — the lower the number, the less waterproof the flashlight will be. Some flashlights will only be water-resistant, while others will be fully waterproof to a depth of two meters.

Q: Is there a way to prevent shortened battery life?

A: A great way to extend the life of your new battery is to completely charge it overnight before using it for the first time. This is called initializing and will give you the maximum capacity for the battery.

• Only recharge batteries when they are near to being fully empty.
• Try to avoid letting your battery get fully empty.
• Never try to overcharge your battery (multiple days in a row).

Sources:

1. Guide To Choosing The Right Flashlight – Streamlight