[Tried and True] 7 Best Flashlights in 2023

The ThruNite Archer 2A V3 is a battery-operated flashlight with a brightness of 500 lumens. One of its neat features is that it can remember the last used lighting mode before turning off, allowing you to turn it back on at the same brightness level. When we tested its brightness, we found the brightness in the center measured 367 lux, which is suitable for everyday use.

It illuminated an area of approximately 83 square feet, providing enough light to cover a dining table during a power outage or illuminate the inside of a tent when camping. Battery life is fairly good, lasting for 21 hours and 54 minutes during testing. While this may not be enough for a power outage of several days, it is sufficient for a flashlight to keep in the home or to use during camping trips.

The flashlight has a simple design that lets you turn it on and off with just the press of a button. While it doesn’t have adjustable focus, it does have a handy button that lets you choose from four levels of brightness. Though slightly longer than some other models, it fits comfortably in your palm and is lightweight, making it easy to carry.

Function-wise, it has an impressive IPX8 waterproof rating, so it’s safe to use around water, like in the kitchen or bathroom. It also includes a beacon mode and intermittent mode, so not only is it a great option for work around the home, but for outdoor activities like hiking and mountain climbing as well.

This LE flashlight is a battery-operated model with an output of 140 lumens and a beam that reaches up to 492 feet. The brightness is a modest 69 lux at the center. It’s able to illuminate an area of about 44 square feet, which is a bit low compared to other models. However, it does provide enough light for indoor use, such as lighting up a basement or in case of a power outage.

Its standout feature is the battery life. During testing, the flashlight remained lit for 98 hours and 15 minutes, enough for continuous use of over four days. This makes it suitable for both outdoor activities and disaster situations. Although there is no brightness control, the focus can be easily adjusted by sliding the flashlight's head. Additionally, it can be turned on and off with a single button press, making it user-friendly.

The flashlight is small enough to fit in your palm, and its lightweight design allows for easy portability without adding bulk to your pocket. In terms of functionality, it has an IP44 dust and water resistance rating, protecting it somewhat from damage due to rain, water droplets, sand, or dust. It doesn't have a beacon or strobe mode, but its impressive battery life makes it an excellent choice for those who need a flashlight for indoor use or to use for extended periods.

The GearLight TAC LED is a battery-operated flashlight that puts out 1,040 lumens. Made from military-grade aluminum, it's designed to withstand falls from up to 10 feet. The center of the beam measured 225 lux in tests, and it illuminated an area of 117 square feet. That’s enough light for a power outage or work tasks.

This flashlight had the longest lighting time of all the products we tested, lasting 103 hours and 5 minutes. With over four days of continuous use, it's suitable for extended power outages and daily use at work without frequent battery replacements. The brightness can’t be adjusted, but the flashlight's focus is easily adjustable by moving the head back and forth. It's also easy to turn on and off with a single button.

On the downside, its size and weight make it somewhat uncomfortable to carry in a pocket. It might be slightly inconvenient for frequent on-the-go use. It also lacks a flashing beacon mode, intermittent mode, and waterproof features, making it less suitable for activities like mountain climbing.

The Anker Bolder T1423 is a rechargeable flashlight with a 400-lumen output. According to the manufacturer, it’s functional in sub-freezing temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. During testing, the brightness measured 283 lux at the center, and it illuminated an area of 124 square feet. This performance makes it capable of adequately lighting a dining table during a power outage.

However, at six hours and 24 minutes, the usage time is pretty short. While adjusting the brightness to fit the situation can extend the battery life, this flashlight may not be ideal for power outages or extended daily use. The focus is not adjustable, but the flashlight has three different brightness levels and can be turned on and off hassle-free with a single button.

It's a bit on the larger side, but its lightweight design makes it comfortable to carry in your pocket. Functionally, it has an IPX5 water resistance rating, making it suitable for use in wet locations or outdoors. Although it lacks an intermittent mode, it does include a beacon mode, which can be useful in emergencies.

The Coast G450 has brightness listed at 1,630 lumens. It comes with six AAA batteries, so it’s ready to use right out of the box. In our brightness testing, the center of the beam measured an impressive 3,050 lux. It also illuminated an area of 287 square feet, enough to light up a large bedroom, so it’s not only suitable for daily use but also for illuminating larger spaces.

It lasts a lengthy 94 hours and 40 minutes, so it can be used in various situations without having to worry about the battery running out. The beam’s focus can be adjusted by twisting the head, and brightness is controlled by pressing a button. Turning it on and off is also done with a single button press, so it’s a breeze to operate.

On the downside, the size and weight of the flashlight could be considerable drawbacks. It's too large to fit in a pocket and bulky enough to be cumbersome when carried in a bag, so portability is not great. The dust protection and water resistance rating is IP54, so it can withstand some splashes, rain, and dirt. While it doesn't have a beacon function, it does feature an intermittent flashing mode, which can be useful for sending an SOS signal in an emergency.

The Surefire Sidekick is a rechargeable flashlight with an output of 300 lumens. It comes with a keychain that allows you to attach it to your bag or jeans for easy portability. The most notable feature is its compact and lightweight design. It’s about the size of a keyless entry remote, so it’s easy to carry in your pocket. Despite its compact size, the flashlight is capable of illuminating an area comparable to standard-sized flashlights. During testing, the central brightness measured 241 lux, lighting an area of 108 square feet. That’s enough to light a large area during a power outage or while working.

However, the flashlight turned off after one hour and 15 minutes, so the battery doesn’t last very long. While reducing the brightness can conserve power and extend the time, this flashlight may not be suitable for extended use. Although the brightness can be adjusted, turning off the flashlight requires cycling through each mode from on to high to medium to low and finally to off, which can be somewhat irritating. The flashlight also lacks additional features such as water resistance or a beacon mode.

The Maglight Maglite Mini M2A016 is a battery-operated flashlight that puts out 14 lumens. One of its unique features is the ability to function in candle mode when the head is removed, for 360-degree illumination. During testing, we recorded a brightness of 43 lux at the center and it illuminated an area of 2.6 square feet. This is considerably dimmer than the other products we tested. While it is adequate for lighting up your immediate surroundings, it’s unlikely to illuminate distant or large areas.

In addition, the runtime is modest, at four hours and 38 minutes. There is no brightness adjustment feature, so you can’t reduce the brightness to save power, making it necessary to carry spare batteries for extended use. There is no button, so to turn the flashlight on and off or adjust the focus you need to twist the head. When the beam width is at its maximum, you must twist the head several times to turn the flashlight off, which can be a hassle.

On the other hand, the slender and lightweight design makes it easy to carry in your pocket or bag without being bulky. The flashlight is scarce on additional features, lacking water resistance or a beacon function.