What is the Best Rechargeable Flashlight?
A rechargeable flashlight is a great tool, coming in a range of shapes and sizes. But with so many torches to choose from it can be overwhelming. So, how can you find the best one for you?
There is an abundance of rechargeable flashlights on the market. To find the best one for your situation, you’ll need to consider the following:
A good rechargeable flashlight will help you in a range of situations, from camping to working in the garage. Keep reading to learn more about rechargeable flashlights and explore some of the most versatile models on the market.
Benefits of Buying a Rechargeable Flashlight
Let’s start by looking at some of the reasons why you might want to purchase a rechargeable flashlight. The most obvious benefit is the environmental benefits. Even though alkaline batteries, which are what most flashlights will run on, can be sent to the trash. While the chemicals won’t cause serious environmental damage, they still add to the landfill problem.
Additionally, you won’t need to buy replacement batteries, this can greatly reduce the costs associated with running the flashlight. In fact, if you have solar panels at home, you will be able to run the flashlight for free.
Even if you don’t have a rechargeable flashlight, you can still reduce your environmental impact. All you need to do is switch to rechargeable batteries, whether that be a standard size like AA and AAA rechargeable or you can step up to a beefier 18650 Li-Ion rechargeable if your torch can accept them.
One of the biggest benefits is that you will be able to get better performance from the flashlight. Most rechargeable flashlights will run on lithium-ion batteries, these provide a lot of power. As a result, you will often get:
- More lumens, for a more powerful beam
- A longer throw distance
- The batteries will often last for longer
A rechargeable flashlight has proven to be more durable. They will be better able to cope with harsh conditions, like low temperatures. Often, they will be able to work in the freezing cold. This makes them the ideal choice for a camping trip.
The only potential downside is that they have a higher purchase price than a battery-powered flashlight. This is because of the extra costs of manufacturing the lithium-ion battery. However, you need to think about the costs over time. Paying a little more upfront for a flashlight that will last for many years is a better way to go in the long run.
Types of Rechargeable Flashlights
There is a lot of variety in the world of rechargeable flashlights. Let’s look at the most popular types and reasons why you might want to consider using them.
Pocket Flashlights
As the name suggests, a pocket flashlight is designed to be compact and light. These should be easily able to slip into a backpack or put onto a keyring. Despite their small size, they can put out a strong beam of light. These are ideal for an emergency situation, as you can always keep one by your side.
Tactical Flashlights
Tactical flashlights are rapidly growing in popularity. There are dozens of different tactical flashlights for you to explore. For example, some will be small and compact, similar to pocket flashlights. Others will be bigger, similar to the style used by police or military.
There are a few things that unite this style of flashlight. First, they are designed to be highly durable. As a result, they are well-equipped to handle difficult situations. Some will be strong enough to hit an attacker with if you need to defend yourself. Often, they will come with multiple settings. This will give you more control over how bright the light will be. There are plenty of ways you can use a good tactical flashlight:
- Those who enjoy hunting, camping, and other outdoor activities
- As a backup in case the power goes out
- A defense if someone tries to break in. A blast of light to the eye will be enough to stun them, allowing you to get the upper hand.
- Working in the garage, lighting up hard-to-see places
Spotlights
If you want a slightly bigger light, you might want to consider getting a spotlight. This casts a larger beam, covering a larger area. This makes them a great choice for lighting up a room. It can also be helpful when you are on a camping trip. The only potential problem is that these can be bulkier, which makes them more difficult to transport.
Faraday Flashlights
Finally, you might want to consider getting a manual faraday flashlight. The other models mentioned so far will require a power source of some kind, ie a battery. On the other hand, a faraday flashlight runs/charges via magnets. There are two ways that you can do this.
- Turning a crank
- Squeezing a handle
While still somewhat of a novel idea, faraday flashlights can come in handy if you don’t have access to anything else we’ve mentioned so far.
What to Look For When Buying a Rechargeable Flashlight
A quick Google search for an LED rechargeable flashlight will yield about 12 million search results. Some of these will be excellent products from reputable brands. But others will be from dodgy companies that are selling crappy flashlights. This raises an important question. How can you tell a high-quality flashlight from a dodgy one? Here are some of the things to look for.
How Bright the Flashlight Will be
The first thing that you need to consider is how bright the flashlight will be. This will be measured in lumens. The more lumens the flashlight has, the brighter the beam will be. For example, if you have a 1,000 lumen light you can see it from 150 meters away. However, the downside is that this will drain your battery faster.
Durability
The next thing that you need to consider is how long the flashlight will last. After all, you don’t want to do all this research only to have it break down a few weeks later. There are a few things you should look for to make sure that your flashlight will be durable. These include:
- Whether it is shock resistant. You should be able to drop it without fear of it falling apart.
- The materials that it is made from. Ideally, it will be made from metal, rather than plastic.
- Whether the flashlight is waterproof. This is measured using the IPX standard.
- How well it will be able to deal with extreme weather conditions. This is especially important if you are planning on using the torch outside.
The durability can also depend on the type of flashlight that you are purchasing. For example, a tactical flashlight will be able to take more punishment than a pocket flashlight. It’s also worth considering what you are intending on using the flashlight for. As an example, if you are looking for something you can use when the power goes out you don’t need a tough torch. But if you want something to take camping you will need something that can deal with harsh conditions.
Weight
You’ll need to think about how much the flashlight will weigh. How important this is will depend on how you intend to use it. For example, if you want to have it around the house, a heavier flashlight won’t matter. But, if you are going on a hike, you don’t want to be weighed down by your flashlight. You should be able to find the weight in the product specifications.
Run Time
The next thing that you want to consider is how long you will be able to run the flashlight. It’s also important to think about how the battery life will affect performance. For example, some flashlights will start to lose lumens when the battery is dying. This can give you a warning sign that it’s time to consider replacing the batteries. At other times, the torch will just die.
It’s also worth thinking about how long it will take for the flashlight to charge up. Most rechargeable flashlights can be fully charged within a few hours.
Number of Functions
It’s important to think about the way that the flashlight will work. This will be impacted by the number of functions it offers. Some lights are as simple as on and off. Others will come packed with features, like the ability to send out an SOS signal. Again, how important this will be will depend on the way that you plan on using it.
Brand Name
One of the best ways of making sure that you are purchasing a high-quality flashlight is by looking at the brand that is producing it. Most companies have spent years producing excellent torches to build their reputation. Some of the brand names to keep an eye out for include;
- Streamlight
- ThruNite
- Olight
- Pelican
- and of course, STKR Concepts
If you come across a brand name that you aren’t sure about, give them a quick search. You should be able to find plenty of reviews. If you can’t, that’s a red flag. While a few one-star reviews are OK, but if all the customers are complaining, it’s best to steer clear. Also, keep in mind that a large number of reviews on larger platforms like Amazon are fake or paid, so don’t just go by the number of reviews, actually read a few to make sure the reviews are relevant and helpful.
Price
The next thing to think about is the price. You don’t need to pay thousands to get a high-quality rechargeable flashlight. But you will need to pay a little more than you would for a battery-powered model. You should be able to find a decent flashlight for between $30 to $70.
Warranty/ Returns Policy
Finally, you need to think about what happens if you aren’t happy with the product. This is where a good return policy will come in. For most manufacturers, this won’t be a major concern. At STKR, we stand behind our products. So, if you aren’t happy you have 30 days from the shipping date to inform us. Then, you can return it for a refund, exchange, or store credit.
You should also check the warranty. The last thing you want is to spend big on a faulty torch that breaks down within a few days. If you have a good warranty, you’ll be able to send it back to the factory for a replacement.
The Best Rechargeable Flashlights
Now that’s we have a better idea of what you should be looking for, we can identify some of the best rechargeable flashlights. Some of the options that you should consider:
- BAMFF Tactical Flashlights
- Mobile Task Light
- Flexit Solar Flexible Flashlight
- Flexit Headlamp Pro 6.5
Let’s take a closer look at each of these and see what they offer.
BAMFF Tactical Flashlight
STKR Concepts has created this range of tactical flashlights to cater to almost any situation. Each of them is designed to be compact and light. This makes them perfect for camping or hiking trips. You’ll be able to decide the right number of lumens for your needs. At the lower end, you can get between 200 to 400 lumens. But if you want something more powerful the range goes up to 1,200 lumens.
If you get the top-of-the-line BAMFF 10.0, it will come with a gun mount. It also comes with a pressure switch, making it easy for you to access the light controls from wherever you mount it on your gun. This makes it an ideal choice for a hunting trip. There are five light settings for you to choose from, depending on what situation you are facing.
Another unique feature of the B.A.M.F.F. series is that they have a floodlight and spotlight. This dual-beam design is intended to give you a wider field of vision. This can be very helpful. If you are hunting, it will be easier for you to spot the target. If you are defending yourself, it can make it harder for someone to sneak up on you.
Mobile Task Light
Another type of flashlight that you might want to consider is the mobile task light. This is like a portable spotlight, which will provide enough power to light up a room. In high, it will be able to give you 1,200 lumens. This makes it ideal for your garage projects or when you are setting up your campsite.
These have a rotating head, which will allow you to point the light where you want it. There are four modes for you to choose from. It can either be:
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Strobe
Another huge benefit is that it will last for a long time. If you want it to last longer, you can run it while it is plugged into USB power. When you are finished, it’s easy to store. You’ll be able to fold it flat and put it into a drawer.
Flexit Solar Flexible Flashlight
Another excellent rechargeable flashlight that you might want to consider is the Flexit Solar Flexible Flashlight. There are plenty of things that help set this apart from everything else on the market.
Let’s start with the most obvious. The ability to get a solar charge from the sun. Using this is as simple as it sounds. You just need to leave the light in a sunny spot and it will start charging up. This is ideal for a camping trip. If there isn’t any sun around, you can still charge it up, via a USB cable.
But this isn’t the only thing that makes this light unique. It comes with multiple modes, depending on what you need it for. It can be used as a spotlight, illuminating a large area. It has a strobe light, so you can use it to signal for help. It comes with magnets in the base, so you can attach it to almost anything.
What really sets this light apart from the competition is its rubbery shape-loc body that lets you fold and bend to make different lighting scenarios. For instance, you can roll it up like a tube to create 360-degree lighting much like a lantern. You can even use the shop-loc body to mold the light around objects like tree limbs for yet another attachment method.
Because of the unique design and the ability to use solar power, it has a very long runtime. It will be able to run for 70 hours. Plus, you don’t need to worry about how it will react to the elements. It’s waterproof.
Flexit Headlamp Pro 6.5
Sometimes, you will need something that will let you keep your hands free, so you can focus on the task. In this case, it’s a good idea to turn to the Flexit Headlamp Pro 6.5. This light gives you a 240-degree field of vision lighting up your peripheral vision for added safety. A powerful CREE LED in the center will give you a spotlight letting you see clear out into the distance at night. This headlamp is also equipped with red night vision, which excellent for those who like to walk at night.
Another element that gives this leg up over other headlamps is its weight coming in at only 5.8 ounces. This ensures that you will be able to wear for prolonged periods without becoming uncomfortable. There are a few other features that are designed to make it more functional. For example, you can adjust the spotlight up and down.
Near the battery, there are lights that indicate the battery level, so you can check to see when it’s getting low. Then, you can swap it out with a spare rechargeable battery or you can plug it into a power source via USB and charge it up. The good news is that this should last for a long time, running for 55 hours.
Final Thoughts
A rechargeable flashlight is one of the best tools at your disposal. You can reduce your environmental impact while getting access to a more powerful flashlight. There are dozens of flashlights on the market for you to choose from. But they won’t all be to the same high standard. Hopefully, you now have a better idea of how you can separate the high-quality ones from the cheap junk.