There are plenty of reasons to ditch your regular battery-powered flashlight and upgrade to a rechargeable one instead. Over time, the initial outlay of a rechargeable flashlight pales in comparison to the repeated cost of buying disposable batteries. Rechargeable flashlights typically perform better with a higher lumen output and further throw, and are also better for the environment. Things to look out for when deciding which one to buy include useful features such as multiple brightness settings, strobe and SOS modes, and a build that’s both durable and lightweight enough to carry comfortably.
To help you find the right rechargeable flashlight for you — whether you’re a camping fanatic or planning a backpacking adventure to a destination with unreliable power — we tested 16 popular models in our lab, choosing the best ones for travel. Each one was scored for design, durability, performance, battery life, and value, resulting in this list of Travel + Leisure-approved favorites.
Amazon
We loved the compact size of the Nitecore MT21C Rechargeable Flashlight, which fit easily into every car console space we tried, offered just the right circumference for a good grip even when wet, and was light enough to use comfortably for extended periods of time. It’s impressively durable, too, with no noticeable damage or disruption to the beam even after we submerged it in water and dropped from a height of three feet.
The flashlight offers a maximum output of 1,000 lumens and a peak beam distance of 201 yards. We liked that there was a noticeable difference between each of its five brightness levels (ranging from ultra-low to turbo) and felt that the brilliant white light would be very practical for any kind of maintenance work or on a dark camping trip. The flashlight head is adjustable by 90 degrees to get into tight spaces, and the magnetic base stuck firm to the side of a metal toolbox during testing.
The side switch also offers three special modes: strobe, SOS, and beacon. Nitecore stipulates that the flashlight’s battery lasts for up to 700 hours, and we certainly didn’t notice any depletion in battery level during our 30-minute test. Your purchase includes a holster, a pocket clip, and a lanyard.
Price at time of publish: $70
The Details: 5.2 x 1 x 1 inches | 3.7 ounces | 1,000 lumens | Anodized aluminum | USB-A
Amazon
The Anker Rechargeable Bolder LC40 Flashlight features a durable, water-resistant aluminum construction and an anti-slip finish. While it didn’t wow us with its comfort, it did survive a three-foot drop test unscathed. Long-life LEDs offer an output of 400 lumens with the option for high, medium, or low brightness. We found that there was a noticeable difference between each setting and felt that on the brightest, the flashlight was impressively powerful for its size.
The beam is white in color, with a bright, focused core and a more diffused outer ring. You can also choose between two flashing strobe and SOS modes. The flashlight is powered by a rechargeable 3350mAH battery and claims up to 20 hours of operation on a medium setting. It certainly lasted for the duration of our test with no signs of diminishing. Finally, we loved the compactness of this model, which fit easily into even the smallest car console compartment.
Price at time of publish: $30
The Details: 5 x 1.3 x 1.3 inches | 4.3 ounces | 400 lumens | Aluminum | Micro USB
Amazon
We love the versatility of the Lighting Ever Rechargeable Camping Lantern, which comes with a comfortable carry handle, a hanging hook, and tip-resistant feet. You can use it as a 500-lumen flashlight with two brightness levels and the ability to shine up to 382 yards. When switched to lantern mode, it offers a dimmable white light with a 180- or 360-degree glow (perfect for lighting up a tent). For emergencies, there’s a red light with continuous or flashing modes.
All modes are controlled by the same button, which we found a little complicated. On the plus side, all five battery indicator bars were still full at the end of our test period despite using the flashlight’s power bank function to juice up our rechargeable earbuds. This product also offers just the right combination of durability and compactness, fitting into a car center console and surviving our drop test without damage.
Price at time of publish: $36
The Details: 3.8 x 3.8 x 6.8 inches | 5.5 ounces | 500 lumens | USB-A
Amazon
The Nitecore EDC27 Ultra Slim Flashlight fit securely in our palm during testing. We felt it was the perfect weight for its size, being both comfortably light and incredibly substantial. With a rectangular shape and anti-slip grips, there’s no chance of it rolling anywhere, but if it does fall to the floor, the fact that it was unfazed by our drop test suggests it’ll be totally fine. It’s also water-resistant and fitted with a handy stainless steel clip.
It offers five brightness modes and one strobe mode, with a white light that reaches up to 240 yards. The highest setting (3,000 lumens) is bright enough to hurt the eyes even from a decent distance and illuminates amazingly well. We also love that the brightness level, battery voltage, and remaining runtime are shown on a real-time OLED display. At the lowest setting, the flashlight should last for 37 hours. The only downside? It gets concerningly (though not painfully) hot.
Price at time of publish: $90
The Details: 5.3 x 1.2 x 0.6 inches | 4.4 ounces | 3,000 lumens | Stainless steel, titanium | USB-C
Amazon
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It’s easy to justify this flashlight’s higher price tag with its rugged build, strong beam, and well-thought-out features.
If battery life is your top priority, it’s hard to beat the 60-day runtime of the Olight S2R Baton II Rechargeable Flashlight. We particularly loved how easy it is to charge, with a magnetized cable that connects to the tail cap automatically if held close enough. The cap itself is magnetic, and when we attached it to a metal toolbox and shook it, it remained firmly in place. Other highlights include a textured grip and a non-rolling body that fit neatly into every section of the car console.
The flashlight is rated IPX8 waterproof. It also suffered zero damage when dropped from a height of three feet. You can use the side switch to toggle through three standard modes and turbo, moonlight, and strobe modes. With a maximum output of 1,150 lumens and a maximum throw of 147 yards, we found the brightest setting blindingly bright. There was a noticeable difference between each setting, and each seemed to have a clear purpose.
Price at time of publish: $63
The Details: 3.9 x 0.9 x 0.9 inches | 3.6 ounces | 1,150 lumens | Aluminum alloy | USB-A
![Amazon earLight LED Tactical Flashlight S1000 [2 PACK]](https://news.myworldfix.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/gearlight-led-tactical-flashlight-s1000-2-pack-0217b33b785c4561875b9257109dfe82.jpg)
Amazon
The GearLight S1000 Tactical Flashlight may not be rechargeable in the truest sense (it takes AAA batteries), but it is compatible with rechargeable batteries if you buy them separately. We felt it deserved a place on this list as our budget winner because it offers great performance and comes in a two-pack for nearly the same price as the second lowest-cost single flashlight on our list. It’s compact, easy to operate one-handed, and comfortable to use for an extended period of time (especially if you use the included wrist lanyard).
We love that the bright, white, 1,040-lumen beam is zoomable so that you can switch between wide-angle illumination and precision spotlighting. There are five modes to choose from (three standard, one strobe, and one SOS), with a noticeable difference between each one. We did feel that the lowest setting is probably too dim to be particularly useful. Finally, this flashlight is built to last with sturdy water resistance and no visible damage after our drop test.
Price at time of publish: $22
The Details: 6.1 x 1.6 x 1.6 inches | 5.1 ounces | 1,040 lumens | Aluminum
Other Rechargeable Flashlights We Liked
There were a few other options that we liked during testing, although we found some minor issues that prevented them from making our main list of favorites.
Energizer TacR-1000 LED Tactical Flashlight: This flashlight was undamaged by our drop test and functioned well as a power bank; however, neither of its two brightness settings were particularly bright and it was relatively heavy and cumbersome to hold.
Stanley Fatmax SL10LEDS Rechargeable Spotlight: We liked the unique handle of this flashlight and that it could double as a power bank. Ultimately it was a little too unwieldy, especially given its mediocre brightness, to earn a place on our list.
Yierblue Rechargeable Spotlight: We loved how durable this flashlight was, and we think it makes a great waterproof option (it floated and kept out water during our waterproofing test). There was very little difference between its two brightness settings, though, and the strobe function didn’t work.
Our Testing Process
We tested 16 popular rechargeable flashlights in our professional lab, rating each one on a scale from one to five for design, durability, performance, battery life, and value. First, we started a timer and kept the flashlight on for the duration of the test to get a sense of its battery life. Then, we tested various features including different light intensity settings, strobe and/or SOS modes, and the comfort and adjustability of any straps.
With the flashlight on its highest setting, we used a lux meter to measure the amount of light cast onto the lab wall from a distance of 15 feet. Then, we moved the flashlight so that it was three feet from the wall and measured the candela, or width of the light beam cast. We tested how easily the flashlight fit into the center console of a car and whether it rolled when placed into a tray that was then raised by an inch on one side.
Finally, we tested the power bank function, waterproofing, and magnetism of flashlights that were advertised as having these qualities. We also dropped the flashlight from a height of three feet and recorded any damage that was sustained during the fall.
Tips for Buying a Rechargeable Flashlight
Be mindful of size and weight
Think carefully about how you will use your flashlight and then be sure to choose one with the appropriate dimensions and weight. If you’ll be keeping it at home as an emergency backup, then you can probably get away with something a little bigger and heavier. But if you want it for traveling, camping, hiking, dog walking, or other active pursuits, then a lighter, more compact option will be easier to pack or carry for long periods of time. You’ll also want to make sure that it fits wherever you’re planning on storing it, whether that’s a backpack pocket or your car’s center console.
Consider your activities
Similarly, how you will use your flashlight and what for can affect other factors. For camping, a flashlight that can double as a lantern is a great option for providing a softer, more diffused light when in the tent. If you tend to work or play outside in all weathers, perhaps a flashlight that’s waterproof rather than weather-resistant is a good idea.
Are you likely to need a flashlight with strobe or SOS modes? Or one with multiple brightness settings? Consider the candela rating, too. High candela ratings indicate a more focused beam (great for cutting through fog and smoke and for the furthest reach). Low candela ratings offer a more “floody” beam for up-close work or casting an even glow over a wider space.
Know some basic flashlight terms
If a flashlight’s candela rating relates to the intensity and focus of its beam, what are some other terms to be aware of before comparing different product specifications? Lumen, or lumens, is the one you’re most likely to come across. One lumen is equal to the amount of light given out by a candle in a square foot area. Therefore, the higher your flashlight’s lumen count, the greater its total energy output and brightness. You may also hear the term lux, which relates to the amount of light cast on a given surface. This measurement changes depending on how far the surface is from the light source.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Jessica Macdonald has been writing about travel and outdoor gear for more than 10 years and frequently packs a flashlight for her own adventures, whether that’s family camping trips around South Africa’s national parks or hillwalking excursions in the Scottish Highlands. She carefully researched each of the products in this article, which were also tested by our travel experts in the T+L lab.
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