For everything from camping to changing a tire.
We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Vintage Camping Light Medium
Rechargeable flashlights beat out flashlights that use disposable batteries because they are more powerful and better for the environment.
“There are a million good reasons to have a rechargeable flashlight,” says Jeanne Devon, co-author of Survive and Thrive: How to Prepare for Any Disaster Without Ammo, Camo, or Eating Your Neighbor. “They are great for power outages; to use in dark crawl spaces; camping; low lighting conditions in general; great to keep in your car for nighttime tire changes, engine repair, or emergency signaling; walking outside at night so you don't trip; personal security, and any small job that requires being able to see.”
To find the best rechargeable flashlights, we tested 16 models from various brands in our Lab, evaluating them on usage, brightness, beam distance, and other features. We also spoke to Devon for her expert insight on finding the right rechargeable flashlight for your needs and home.
It has a waterproof rating of IPX8.
The controls and settings aren't intuitive.
The Olight S2R Baton II flashlight was rugged, compact, and powerful, earning its spot as our best overall pick. It has a powerful 1150-lumen beam and a beam distance of 107 meters, plus a magnetic charging port at the back. We also loved its compact size, which you can easily keep on hand when on the go.
It had three brightness settings, which we found to be impressively powerful—we think the highest setting is suitable for outdoor use only. You can also switch it into turbo mode for extra brightness, moonlight mode, which gives off faint light that won't disturb others, and strobe warning mode. The main downside is that the controls aren't intuitive, and it took us a while to realize that we had to double-click or triple-click the button for it to work.
We ran the flashlight for 30 minutes straight during testing, and it stayed just as bright as when we powered it on. According to the brand, this flashlight has a 60-day runtime, so it was no surprise that it passed this test with flying colors. The flashlight also has a battery indicator.
The Olight might be the most rugged flashlight we tested—it has an IPX8 waterproof rating, meaning you can safely submerge it in water. During our drop tests, it continued to work with no sign of scratches or damage. Though it is more expensive than many other options we tested, its impressive value is well worth the cost.
Price at time of publish: $70
Dimensions: 0.91 x 0.91 x 3.94 inches | Brightness: 1150 lumens | Beam Distance: 107 meters
This flashlight has a telescopic beam.
It doesn’t have a USB port or battery power indicator.
This GearLight S1000 flashlight is super compact and packed with useful features, all at an affordable price. It has five modes including a strobe mode and SOS light settings. The settings worked as expected during testing—though we thought the low setting was too dim to be functional.
Overall, the flashlight was light and comfortable to carry. No matter how long we used it, it was always cool to the touch. We also liked the addition of a wristband, which allows you to carry it hands-free.
To test its durability, we dropped it 3 feet from the ground. It sustained no scratches or dents, and it continued to work effectively. We also submerged it in water to check water resistance, and it passed with a perfect score: not a single drop of water leaked inside, and the battery pack stayed dry.
The light has telescoping properties, which can point and intensify whatever you need to see. Overall, this flashlight is packed with value for the price. It doesn’t have a built-in USB port, which explains why it’s cheaper than the other flashlights on our list and has no battery indicator. To power it up, use rechargeable batteries (or disposable AAA batteries).
Price at time of publish: $14
Dimensions: 2.64 x 3.66 x 5.71 inches | Brightness: 1040 lumens | Beam Distance: 118.3 meters
It’s small and powerful, featuring a 700-hour run time on a low setting.
The beam narrows over long distances.
You can count on the Nitecore MT21C to help you see whether you're walking the dog or fixing a tire at night. It has a 90-degree head that you can angle as needed to get a better look, plus five brightness settings: ultra-low, low, medium, high, and turbo. This flashlight also comes with extra strobe, beacon, and SOS settings, which are helpful in the case of an emergency.
The flashlight was comfortable to hold and performed well on our waterproofing tests. No water managed to leak in, and the entire battery compartment and interior remained dry. The emitted was pretty powerful: the beam was bright yet narrow over distance compared to other flashlights we tested.
If you want to keep it hands-free while you walk, it also comes with a holster shell that attaches to any belt, pocket, or backpack. During the 30 minutes we had it powered on, we noticed that the body got progressively warmer, though not to the point where it was uncomfortable to hold. The flashlight has a 700-hour run-time (on low) and comes with a USB cord to recharge the battery.
Price at time of publish: $70
Dimensions: 5.16 x 1 x 1 inches | Brightness: 3000 lumens | Beam Distance: 155.24 meters
It’s ideal for use around the home and work.
It doesn’t stay cool while powered on.
The Nitecore EDC27 Flat 3000-lumen tactical flashlight is packed with impressive features including an OLED LED screen and five settings: ultra-low, low, medium, and high, plus strobe mode and turbo mode. The body is slender and compact, measuring about 1 inch x ½ inch. Despite its small size, it’s durable and remained intact and fully functional even after dropping it from 3 feet.
Additionally, we found its rectangular shape easy to hold, and it has a wristband for easy carrying. If you want a rechargeable flashlight in your car for emergencies, opt for this one—it easily fits in almost every compartment or holder. While the beam was nice and bright, we noticed that the flashlight became increasingly hot while it was on.
Price at time of publish: $90
Dimensions: 5.35 x 1.26 x 0.83 inches | Brightness: 3000 lumens | Beam Distance: 155.24 meters
It’s a waterproof flashlight and lantern device.
The low settings weren’t all that useful.
The Lighting Ever LED Camping Lantern was one of our standout picks of the flashlights we tested for its handy two-in-one design. This flashlight-meets-lantern has an IPX4 waterproof rating, a carrying handle, and a small metal ring you can attach to a belt or backpack hook. It also has feet at the bottom to give it more stability on any surface and a battery indicator that tells you how much charge you have left.
The high and low brightness settings on this rechargeable flashlight are dimmable. After testing the lantern and flashlight modes, we found that the low light setting was not very functional. But if you stick to the high setting, you’ll be fine. Also, in an emergency, you can switch the light to a bright red.
And if you need to charge your phone, the flashlight also converts into a power bank. Just be mindful that charging electronics will drain the battery, so you might need to recharge the flashlight sooner rather than later.
Price at time of publish: $36
Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.2 x 3.5 inches | Brightness: 500 lumens | Beam Distance: 162.63 meters
This flashlight illuminates things at a far distance.
It's a bit clunky and heavy.
The Stanley Fatmax SL10LEDS provides a bright 2200-lumen light over an extra-long 760-meter distance. It stands out because it uses a trigger rather than a button to change settings and runs for an impressive seven hours straight, provided you keep it on low. This pick is helpful for camping and outdoor adventures, as it can illuminate far-off spots without much effort.
It has only two modes; low and high, and no strobe or SOS settings, which most other models have. The flashlight is also a hefty 7.5 inches long—which is not ideal if you need a compact pick for your car or bag. Also, it’s fairly heavy, and we felt tired holding it for more than half an hour.
That said, this flashlight is highly durable. Though it's plastic, it didn’t crack after we dropped it and continued to work. Overall, we thought this light was handy for camping or hunting.
Price at time of publish: $67
Dimensions: 10 x 3.25 x 5 inches | Brightness: 2200 lumens | Beam Distance: 765.51 meters
It’s available in single and double-pack options.
The magnetic base could be stronger.
From nighttime adventures to working under the hood, the Coquimbo LED Work light can help you see better at night. It is foldable and fits in your pocket comfortably, so you can easily carry it around or keep it safe in a drawer when it's not in use. It has a 360-degree swivel design, making it easy to maneuver from all angles. Plus, it has a magnetic base, hook, and grippy handles for a comfortable hold.
In terms of brightness, this flashlight was similar to a phone flashlight when scanning areas. But, we found it valuable for detailed tasks like working under the hood or doing craftwork. It has two lights: one main light and a second smaller light on the top. We don't think the secondary light has much utility, as it wasn't very bright.
In addition to the two brightness settings, it has a red warning and strobe light. We loved the addition of a charging port that can be used as a power source.
Price at time of publish: $24
Dimensions: 3.7 x 1.02 x 1.02 inches | Brightness: 800 lumens | Beam Distance: 125.52 meters
The Olight S2R Baton II Flashlight was our top pick for its rugged build and high IPX8 waterproof rating. This flashlight is long-lasting and ideal for camping or emergency preparedness. If you need a cheaper option, the GearLight S1000 LED Tactical Flashlight is affordable yet durable and comfortable to carry.
To find the best rechargeable flashlights, we tested 16 models in our Lab. First, we started a timer and checked the brightness modes and whether or the flashlight came with a battery indicator. We also checked the range of each flashlight and whether they had additional modes such as strobe, SOS, or turbo.
Next, we checked our comfort level while using the flashlight. If it had a strap, we adjusted it to see how comfortable it was.
Then we checked the beam distance, including the width of the beam using a wall, painter's tape, and a lux meter, recording the distance in meters and feet. We noted how compact each flashlight was and tested them in our car’s console to assess the fit.
When applicable, we tested the rechargeable flashlights with our water, power bank, magnet, and drop tests. For flashlights with a power bank, we connected adaptors to the flashlight and a rechargeable earbud case or phone to see how well it charged. To evaluate waterproof flashlights, we fully submerged them in a bucket of water for 15 seconds and looked for any water damage or moisture in the charging component. For the magnet test, we put the rechargeable flashlight on the side of a metal toolbox and observed how long it stuck to the surface. Finally, for our drop test, we dropped the flashlight from 3 feet and recorded if there was any damage. We also recorded battery runtimes for all flashlights we tested.
You can use rechargeable batteries as an extra or a backup light. We recommend bringing a rechargeable flashlight when camping or hiking, and keeping one in your car or bag for emergencies. Many rechargeable flashlights also have an SOS mode and strobe lights, which are essential in an emergency. Rechargeable flashlights are also beneficial to keep in a home emergency kit home in case of a power outage or storm.
Most rechargeable flashlights come with basic high, low, and medium modes. Some models have added brightness modes like ultra-high, ultra-low, turbo light, strobe light, or SOS settings.
“Advances in LED technology mean that rechargeable flashlights today are brighter and better than their older versions,” says Jeanne Devon, co-author of Survive and Thrive: How to Prepare for Any Disaster Without Ammo, Camo, or Eating Your Neighbor.
When it comes to beam distance, these flashlights offer light from 100 meters to over 700 meters. For household work, you can opt for a lower beam distance, while camping or emergency flashlights should have a greater throw.
Rechargeable flashlights often have bonus features, like built-in USB ports you can charge wherever you have a power source. Devon loves how convenient they are. “They can even be recharged from your laptop or car,” she says.
Some rechargeable flashlights also act as a power source for other devices like smartphones or laptops, which is especially handy in an emergency.
Another feature is waterproofing—models with an IPX waterproof rating can withstand outdoor adventures, rain, and submersion. “Waterproof flashlights are great for fishing, being out in the rain, keeping in your car, and in flooding situations,” says Devon.
If you want a flashlight to keep in your car, look for one with a magnetic base so you can attach it to the side of your car while you work.
Anker Bolder LC40 Flashlight: The Anker Bolder LC40 is a rechargeable flashlight with three brightness settings and decent battery life. Plus, it’s low-priced for a rechargeable model, making it a good option for anyone on a tight budget. This flashlight features 400 lumens, which makes it more of a hiking or camping flashlight than a tactical one. Also, note that it’s not water-resistant.
Energizer TacR-1000 LED Tactical Flashlight: This flashlight was heavier than most other rechargeable flashlights we tested and only has three brightness modes: high, low, and a strobe setting. We liked that its power bank can power other electronics, however, we didn’t test to see how long it takes for a full charge.
There are two kinds of flashlights: flashlights that use disposable batteries and rechargeable flashlights. Rechargeable flashlights are more powerful because they use lithium batteries, according to Devon. “They also throw a beam farther than a flashlight with regular alkaline batteries,” she says.
The downside is that they come with a higher price tag when compared to a regular flashlight—though it pays off in the long run because you won’t be buying as many batteries.
Rechargeable flashlights are also a more sustainable option. “While no battery is truly environmentally friendly, they are better for the environment because you will use fewer batteries over time,” Devon says.
The other downside of rechargeable flashlights is that you need a power source to charge them. If you’re camping or in a blackout, you may not be able to recharge your batteries unless you have a power bank or portable generator.
Though you pay more initially for rechargeable flashlights, they can save you money in the long run because you don’t have to keep buying new batteries.
The run time of rechargeable flashlights depends on the model and type of batteries. Powerful options can run for 12 or more hours, while compact picks might only have a few hours of battery life.
“To maximize the life of any battery, only use it when necessary and on the lowest setting necessary,” Devon says. “Do research on the specific battery you are considering for the most accurate figures, but a top-of-the-line lithium-ion battery on the lowest mode can last for many weeks of use on a single charge! Also, keeping your battery full at all times will begin to shorten its life.”
Nor'Adila Hepburn is a freelance writer specializing in buying guides for Better Homes & Gardens. She specializes in commerce, home, and lifestyle niches. To find the best rechargeable batteries, we tested 16 models in our Lab, evaluating them on usage, brightness, beam distance, and various features. Nor’adila also spoke to Jeanne Devon, co-author of Survive and Thrive: How to Prepare for Any Disaster Without Ammo, Camo, or Eating Your Neighbor.
Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.
Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.
Strong Light Torch By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.