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The Best Flashlights of 2024

Modern flashlights are applicable for a wide range of scenarios, offering longer battery life, powerful LED luminance, and excellent color rendering. Check out our picks for the best flashlights of 2024.
Fenix PD36R, best flashlight turned resting on fabricThe Fenix PD36R holds our title for best flashlight; (photo/Sean McCoy)
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Yes, headlamps are many people’s go-to lighting solution. But the best flashlights offer more power and longer-lasting batteries and will shine wherever you want, not just where your head points.

You can get exceptional lighting performance, a fantastic user interface, and long, rechargeable battery life from the Fenix PD36R Pro flashlight. It’s my top choice from more than 50 I’ve tested over the past 5 years of maintaining this guide. Otherwise, if you’d like an affordable AA option for home or modest outdoor use, the ThruNite Archer is a great value.

I’m a flashlight buff, and during my more than 13 years at GearJunkie, I have used, abused, and tested countless flashlights. For this guide, I chose to test small, versatile flashlights primarily for outdoor and general use. Each light in our top choices has survived drop testing, water submersion, and longevity testing. Most importantly, I vet them through real-world use. Read on to learn more about how I chose the test lights, how I test them, and why you should trust me.

What follows is my best advice for buying flashlights, the same advice I’d share with friends and family. So, let’s get you the best flashlight for your needs.

Editor’s Note: I simplified our selections, removing several models from our primary guide during the August 2024 update to provide the easiest shopping experience. I’ve also included a price and value breakdown to help you what features you get when you spend a little more and how to pick the best flashlight for your budget.


The Best Flashlights of 2024


  • Max lumens: 2,800
  • Max beam distance: 1,247 ft. (380 m)
  • Max runtime: 42 hrs.
  • Lighting modes: Five brightness levels and strobe
  • Battery: Included 21700 rechargeable li-ion battery
  • Bulb type: Luminus SFT70 LED
  • Color temperature: Around 6,500K
  • Size: Length: 5.74โ€ (145.8mm), head: 1.04โ€ (26.5mm), body: 1.01โ€ (25.7mm)
  • Weight: 5.96 oz. (169g) including battery

Pros

  • Powerful, uniform 2,800-lumen beam
  • USB-C charging
  • Long battery life
  • Great user interface

Cons

  • Cannot tail stand
  • Price could be a factor
Fenix PD36R Pro beam
The beam of the Fenix PD36R Pro illuminates both near and far in an exceptional spotlight with nice spill; (photo/Sean McCoy)

  • Max lumens: 500
  • Max beam distance: 93 m
  • Max runtime: 51 hrs. (low), 15 days "firefly mode"
  • Lighting modes: Four plus strobe
  • Battery: Two AA
  • Bulb type: CREE XP-L2 LED
  • Dimensions: Length: 6.1", width: 0.86"
  • Weight: 1.69 oz. (48 g)

Pros

  • Long battery life
  • Small and light
  • Enough power for indoor or close outdoor use
  • Affordable

Cons

  • AA batteries not included
Thrunight Archer beam
The Thrunite Archer’s beam is much less powerful than pricier flashlights, but still functional at close distances; (photo/Sean McCoy)

  • Max lumens: 4,000
  • Max beam distance: 492 yards
  • Max runtime: 63 hrs.
  • Lighting modes: Five brightness levels, plus spotlight and Lumen Shield
  • Battery included: 4,000mAh 18650 Li-ion battery
  • Bulb type: NiteLab UHi 20 LED MAX
  • Length: 4.55โ€, head: 1โ€, body: .94โ€
  • Weight: 4.48 oz., including battery

Pros

  • Small, fits easily in pocket with deep pocket clip
  • Very bright, with useful lower-power modes
  • USB-C charging
  • Easy-to-use lock

Cons

  • Gets hot quickly in high-power use
  • Built-in battery cannot be changed
Nitecore EDC33 beam pattern
The Nitecore EDC33 is incredible for such a small flashlight; (photo/Sean McCoy)
Best EDC Flashlight

NITECORE EDC27

  • Max lumens: 3,000
  • Max beam distance: 220 m
  • Max runtime: 37 hrs.
  • Lighting modes: Five brightness levels and strobe
  • Battery: Built-in li-ion battery
  • Bulb type: 2x Luminus SST40 LED
  • Dimensions: Length: 135.6 mm (5.34"), width: 31.4 mm (1.24")
  • Weight: 4.37 oz. including battery

Pros

  • Slim design with pocket clip
  • OLED screen displays remaining time, output
  • 3,000-lumen output
  • Long throw
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Expensive
Nitecore EDC27 beam pattern
The Nitecore EDC27 casts a nice floodlight; (photo/Sean McCoy)

  • Max lumens: 500
  • Max beam distance: N/A
  • Max runtime: 30 hrs.
  • Lighting modes: Four, plus lantern
  • Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion
  • Bulb type: LED
  • Dimensions: Length: 5.5", width: 1.5"
  • Weight: 6.9 oz.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Magnetic base
  • Lantern mode on side
  • Glow-in-dark bezel

Cons

  • Lower brightness than premium options
The Blackstone BBM6412 lantern
The Blackfire Rechargeable Weatherproof Magnetic Flashlight has a modest beam, but its built-in lantern is excellent for close-up work; (photo/Sean McCoy)

Other Flashlights I Recommend

While these aren’t my absolute top choices, I have tested and liked all of the flashlights below. If you’re also a flashoholic or if these appeal to you more than my favorites, they’ll all serve you well. But since I realize most people just want to buy a good flashlight and move on with their lives, I’ve trimmed our primary selection list above down to the best of the best choices.

The following were previously among our primary buying guide choices. This segment will change as testing continues, with new models coming quarterly.

  • Max lumens: 4,000
  • Max beam distance: 241 yds.
  • Max runtime: 350 hrs.
  • Lighting modes: Six plus strobe
  • Battery: Nitecore 21700 i Series (other options available)
  • Bulb type: 4 x CREE XP-L2 V6 LEDs
  • Dimensions: Length: 5.57", height; 1.25"
  • Weight: 4.09 oz.

Pros

  • Very powerful
  • Operates on various battery types
  • Extremely long runtime
  • USB-C Rechargeable

Cons

  • No pocket clip
  • Overkill for many users

  • Max lumens: 465
  • Max beam distance: 134 m
  • Max runtime: 17 hrs.
  • Lighting modes: 2
  • Battery: 2 AA
  • Bulb type: LED
  • Dimensions: Length: 6.5", height: 1.1"
  • Weight: 6.9 oz.

Pros

  • Nice light in both zoom and wide modes
  • Easy user interface
  • Very affordable
  • Can upgrade with rechargeable battery from Coast

Cons

  • Only splash-resistant
  • Failed in a 10-foot drop test
  • Not as powerful as more expensive lights

  • Max lumens: 1,000
  • Max beam distance: 180 m
  • Max runtime: 144 hrs.
  • Lighting modes: Programmable
  • Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion
  • Bulb type: LED
  • Dimensions: Length: 5.03"
  • Weight: 5.5 oz.

Pros

  • Smooth zooming beam
  • Long throw in spotlight mode
  • Easy-to-use button control

Cons

  • Requires specialized charging cord

  • Max lumens: 2,250
  • Max beam distance: 500 m
  • Max runtime: 8 hrs.
  • Lighting modes: 2
  • Battery: 5,000mAh 21700 battery
  • Bulb type: High-performance neutral white LED
  • Dimensions: Length: 5.87", width: 1.03"
  • Weight: 8.43 oz.

Pros

  • Very long light range
  • Great water resistance
  • 3m drop tested

Cons

  • Magnetic charging requires special cable
  • No low-power mode
  • Narrow beam hard to use at close range

  • Max lumens: 5,000
  • Max beam distance: 245 m
  • Max runtime: 20 days (moonlight)
  • Lighting modes: Flashlight and lantern (five brightness levels each)
  • Battery included: 5,000mAh lithium-ion battery
  • Bulb type: High-performance LED
  • Color temperature: Multiple
  • Dimensions: Length: 5.63โ€ (143mm), head: 1.93โ€ (49mm)
  • Weight: 9.49 oz. including battery

Pros

  • Doubles as flashlight and lantern
  • Suctions to tables for secure lamp use
  • Can attach to tripods through threaded base
  • Bright, versatile lighting solution

Cons

  • Requires its removable base for USB-C charging
  • Must remove base to fit in holster

The Best Flashlights Comparison Chart

FlashlightPriceMax Output (Lumens)Max Beam DistanceBattery TypeWeight
Fenix PD36R PRO$1202,800 380 m21700 rechargeable 
li-ion battery
5.96 oz.
including battery
ThruNite Archer 2A V3
Cool White
$3050093 m2 x AA1.69 oz.
NITECORE EDC27$903,000220 mRechargeable lithium-ion battery4.37 oz. including battery
NITECORE EDC33$704,000450 m4,000mAH 18650 Li-ion 4.48 oz. including battery
NITECORE P20iX $1204,000220 mNitecore 21700
i Series
4.09 oz.
Coast G32$25465134 m2 x AA6.9 oz.
Olight Warrior X Pro$1202,250500 m5,000mAh 21700 battery8.43 oz.
LEDLENSER MT10 Flashlight$901,000180 mRechargeable lithium-ion5.5 oz.
Blackfire Rechargeable Weatherproof
Magnetic Flashlight 
$42500N/ARechargeable lithium-Ion6.9 oz.
Olight Prowess $1405,000245 m5,000mAh lithium-ion9.49 oz.

Why You Should Trust GearJunkie

Our primary flashlight testers are not just super into the outdoors; they’re also flashlight nerds. We really love the technology that goes into flashlights and headlamps. As the author of this article, I personally spend hours every month testing the newest flashlights to see if they can outperform our favorites listed here.

For the record, it takes a long time and impressive performance for a flashlight to earn a spot in this article. I constantly test new flashlights and updates from our favorite brands and update this article many times each year to keep it up to date with the best flashlights available.

This article has evolved significantly since it was first published back in 2018. At that time, it explained in depth why I love flashlights, and how they differ from headlamps. I still love flashlights for their directionality and ease of use in many situations. However, our team has done much more testing since this guide’s inception. I base our new recommendations on those results.

So, how do I test flashlights? First, I use them in controlled environments, measuring runtime and brightness compared to claimed numbers. I put them on a scale to check the weights. I submerse them in water and drop them onto concrete.

Flashlight weight testing the Trunite Archer on a scale
Weighing the Thurnite Archer budget flashlight (batteries included); (photo/Sean McCoy)

These flashlights also get significant field testing. Our team takes them on all kinds of adventures โ€” hiking, mountaineering, backpacking, hunting, boating, and camping are all part of the mix. Most of our team’s tests occur in the mountains of Colorado and fields and forests of the Midwest.

I take all this information and experience and compile the best advice for you. Over the years I’ve tested about 50 flashlights specifically for this buyer’s guide, selected from hundreds pitched to me by brands and examined at events like SHOT Show and the Outdoor Retailer convention. I aim to give you the same advice I give my best friends.

How I Choose Which Flashlights to Test

Battery Type

While some folks prefer AA battery lights, I disagree. You don’t replace the battery in your phone, do you? Or your earbuds? We’re all accustomed to recharging electronics in 2024. Let’s move past the archaic days of disposable batteries.

AA and AAA lights are OK for budget flashlights, but they are wasteful and not as good. Further, they require you to keep batteries on hand. It’s much easier to plug your light into a USB-C cable and keep it fresh than to buy new batteries from the store. And you’ll get better performance than from throw-away or even rechargeable AA or AAA batteries.

If you don’t use your flashlight often, just charge it every few months. I have lights that have sat for more than a year without charging that fire right up, so as long as you don’t leave empty, you can expect a quality light to work during your next power outage. If a hurricane is on the way, grab a portable battery to keep all your electronics topped up.

Thus, most of my choices here use rechargeable batteries. I hope to replace our budget choice with a rechargeable option soon, too.

Brightness

I pick our best flashlights for several attributes. First, they need a bright white light capable of lighting a trail or workspace. My budget choice is 500 lumens, which is minimal to me. That’s enough to do a good job during a power outage or to light up the insides of closets at your home. If this is you, just get the Thrunite Archer and call it a day.

\But if you need your light more frequently in your vocation, a top power of 500 lumens is not sufficient. Tradesmen, law enforcement officers, guides, foresters, and countless other professionals and recreational users will simply want more power and functionality.

Durability

Next, I consider water resistance and durability. All the lights tested here survived at least a 5-foot drop test onto concrete and submersion in water.

After these tests, and more importantly, I and other testers put all these flashlights through real-world, outdoor use. We use them camping. All of the selections have ridden in the center console of my truck for at least a couple of weeks. Most of them have been in a rainstorm.

To test durability, I dropped all flashlights from three feet and six feet onto concrete and put them in one foot of water for one hour. All of my recommended flashlights survived these tests.

Charging Speed, Type

Some flashlights recharge much faster than others. For example, the Fenix PD36R Pro uses USB-C charging at 2 amps and can recharge in less than two hours. Older micro-USB flashlights can take much longer to recharge.

I strongly prefer USB-C charging over all other methods. It’s a nearly universal cable type, and you probably have many in your home already. However, I will concede there are advantages to some magnetic charging styles, such as those used by Olight. These magnetic charging cables enable excellent water and dust proofing and work quickly โ€” just don’t lose or forget the cable.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Flashlight

When choosing a flashlight, consider the following specs: size and weight, max power output (usually noted in lumens), minimum power output, runtime (especially in lower modes), durability, and waterproofness.

Several flashlights being tested
Just a few of the many flashlights we’ve tested over the last 10 years; (photo/Sean McCoy)

Lumens: Max Output

For most campers, anything over 1,000 lumens is overkill. You’ll often find yourself using much lower settings, especially around camp. So all the lights included have excellent low-power settings. From 30 lumens on my top choice to one-lumen “firefly” modes, these lower settings sip electricity.

The core of your light use will probably be in the 300-1,000 lumen range. This gives you plenty of light at normal ranges up to around 50 feet. Tight beam patterns can extend this range significantly, but the lights included here have more useful, wider light beams.

Finally, bigger numbers over 2,000 lumens are fabulous when you need them. Whether trying to spot far-off objects or searching for a lost item or drop of blood while hunting, powerful lights have a valuable place in the outdoors. You’ll rarely use high power settings often, but be very thankful for them when you need them.

Looking for a crazy amount of power? Check out my review of the world’s most powerful flashlight here.

User Interface

Flashlight users want easy control of the illumination their lights produce. The interface โ€” the buttons and switches that control the light source โ€” is an important consideration.

Most of the best flashlights, particularly smaller EDC flashlights, have a tail switch. The tail switch is usually a button that you press to turn the light on and off, and often also scrolls through brightness levels or other modes. Some of them have a momentary-on, which turns the light on through a partial press, which lets the light turn off when you release the switch. Others, like our favorite Fenix PD36R, have two tail switches to control different functions.

The Fenix PD36R has a two-button user interface that is simple and easy to learn; (photo/Sean McCoy)

Some flashlights have side switches in place of, or in addition to, tail switches. A few flashlights also have physical switches that lock the flashlight in the “off” mode for safety and battery protection.

Regardless of the style of the buttons, they should be easy to learn and simple and reliable to use. We have tested and learned about the user interfaces in the flashlights in this guide. All of the lights here are effective and acceptably easy to use.

Battery Life

Another important consideration is if the flashlight uses its own rechargeable battery or if it runs on disposable batteries. Most people will get more value out of a flashlight that offers long runtimes and is easy to recharge.

Battery Type

As noted above, our team prefers rechargeable batteries in most situations. Most rechargeable batteries, such as the 21700 rechargeable Li-ion battery included in the Fenix PD36R PRO, offer superior performance to both disposable and rechargeable AA or AAA batteries.

But more importantly, flashlights that include this type of high-end rechargeable battery do not have hidden costs. And those who will use a battery more than casually will find that the cost of batteries will very quickly add up to more than the cost of the flashlight.

The rechargeable battery of the Fenix PD36R
The rechargeable battery of the Fenix PD36R packs 5,000 mAh of power; (photo/Sean McCoy)

Next, rechargeable flashlights generally have a charging port or system built in. As you can see with our choices, our favorite flashlights today use USB-C charging. This is quickly becoming the industry standard as it is much faster than micro-USB charging. And unlike magnetic charging systems (or other proprietary chargers), you can easily find a USB-C cable anywhere and likely own several already.

One final note on AA and AAA batteries. Some folks argue that it is easier to replace batteries in the field than to charge them. Our testers have carried small battery chargers on many adventures, and they work great with flashlights for long trips. For trips over a week or two in length, though, disposable batteries still have an edge.

So keep battery and charging style in mind when you buy a flashlight. It will make a difference when you’re packing for a trip as to how many cables you’ll need to bring, or if you’ll need to buy batteries continually through the life of the product.

However, it’s convenient to quickly change batteries and refresh your flashlight in the field. Both are valid options but consider how you’ll use the light (and if you mind constantly buying new batteries).

Quality and Output

Modern LED flashlights vary in the quality of their color rendering, meaning you can see color better with some higher-end lights. The best flashlights on the market should always give you a colorized, realistic view.

Better-quality lights also tend to have more efficient LEDs. Some even have “regulators” that electronically manage the power output, resulting in consistent lighting. To expand on that, first understand that most flashlights, even very good ones, lose a little output as they run and deplete the battery. Better flashlights use a regulator to manage this drop-off. Poor flashlights tend to lose power consistently over time, gradually becoming less and less useful as the battery slowly drains.

Price & Value

As the above table reveals, flashlight prices vary widely. While a budget flashlight might seem like a good deal at first, there are good reasons for spending a little more for a truly high-quality flashlight. The battery, LED, and weatherproofing are generally superior in flashlights over about the $70 range. Here’s what you can expect:

Budget

Under $30, you will usually not get a rechargeable battery. If you do, it’s likely lower quality and won’t have a very long lifespan. In this price range, expect mediocre performance for many jobs outside of basic home use. Our budget choice is the ThruNite Archer ($30). Though it runs on AA batteries and isn’t rechargeable, it’s a compact little light that packs a punch and is good to have around for emergencies.

Mid-Tier

From $30 to $90, folks can expect more in terms of quality batteries, LEDs, and reflectors. A lot of good flashlights are available at this price range, especially if you don’t need a lot of lumens. Both the NITECORE EDC27 ($90) and the NITECORE EDC33 ($70) fall solidly in this category with their lithium Ion Batteries and 230+ meters of throw.

Premium

Over $90, you should get a high-quality CR123A, 18650, or other purpose-built battery. The light should have a regulated output and temperature management and a great user interface. If you use a flashlight regularly, it’s worth the investment to step into good flashlights. My top choice is the Fenix PD36R PRO ($120), a versatile light with 2,800 lumens on its max setting, a 380-meter beam range, and my favorite user interface. The mighty Olight Prowess ($140) blasts an impressive 5,000 lumens if it’s maximum brightness you’re looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does lumen mean?

A lumen is the basic unit of measurement for how bright a light is. The brighter the light, the more lumens it produces. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a lumen as “a unit of luminous flux equal to the light emitted in a unit solid angle by a uniform point source of one candle intensity.” For the layperson, a 1-lumen flashlight is barely enough to read a typical book at a normal reading distance from the face, or the amount of light of one birthday candle one foot away.

Do LED flashlights get hot?

Yes, LED flashlights do get warm if theyโ€™re pushed hard enough. For many flashlights, this is a sign the heat sink is working, moving heat away from the delicate electronics inside.

What flashlight has the highest lumens?

The highest-lumen flashlight currently on the market is the Imalent MS18, which claims a jaw-dropping 100,000 lumens. However, many huge claims like this are questionable. The brightest flashlight I have tested is the Fenix LR50R. It blasts out a verifiable 12,000 lumens and lights objects clearly up to 950 yards away!

What does ‘EDC flashlight’ mean?

EDC is an acronym for “everyday carry.” It refers to the items that you carry around with you on an ongoing basis.

As a philosophy, EDC is built on utility and being prepared for anything. In this case, it represents a flashlight you carry every day with you in case you ever need light in a dark environment.

What is the best EDC flashlight?

First and foremost, youโ€™ll want a small flashlight thatโ€™ll fit in your pocket, clip to your belt, or fit in your daypack. After that, look for a flashlight with good brightness, long battery life, and easy operation.

1,000 to 2,000 lumens is plenty bright for an EDC. That should give you enough juice to see objects 200 to 300 yards away. Our top choice for everyday carry is the Nitecore EDC27.

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