We Tested 16 Rechargeable Flashlights—These 6 Are the Best and Brightest (2024)

• Our Picks

• Other Options We Tested

• How We Tested

• What to Look For

• FAQ

• Why Trust The Spruce

The Nitecore MT21C offers reliability and versatility in a multitude of situations, as proven by its near-perfect performance in our testing. If you’re looking for a hearty flashlight that’s comfortable to hold and can withstand heavy usage—like getting dropped on the ground or dunked in water—this is your flashlight. And, by “comfortable to hold,” we mean that it’s lightweight, slim, easy to grip, and textured enough thatdamp or sweaty hands can still hold on. It does warm up after a few minutes of use (especially near the lens), but it’s not unreasonable, and to us it never felt too hot.

The head of the flashlight also can be angled up to 90 degrees, allowing you to adjust the direction of the beam. And, since you can also attach this light to yourself with the included clip (or to any magnetic surface), you can set up your lighting and work hands-free at your workbench or in your shed.

The flashlight’s highest brightness setting is turbo, with a 1,000-lumen output (great for lighting a campsite, or a room if the power goes out) and its lowest is ultra-low, with a 1-lumen output (this is what you’d use if you have to turn it on in the middle of the night, while your eyes adjust). In between these settings, there are high (400 lumens), mid (190 lumens), and low (50 lumens) modes. Along with shining a steady beam, there are three other settings for signaling: strobe, beacon, and SOS.

One slight hiccup is that this flashlight automatically turns on to the lowest brightness level rather than the last one used. We could see how this might protect you from accidentally shining the light into your (or someone else’s) eyes, but we did miss the convenience of returning to our preferred setting. Still, this is a minor caveat at best, since we found this to be an otherwise excellent flashlight with a whopping 700 hours of battery life.

_{Brightness: 1,000 lumens | Battery Life: 700 hours | Weight: 3.65 ounces | Durability: IPX8 | Charging Type: USB cable (included)}

The Anker Rechargeable Bolder LC40 Flashlight is another great choice for most households, especially those who value a compact design and easy storage. Plus, it’s durable; like our top choice, the Nitecore MT21C Rechargeable Flashlight, during testing, there was no damage or change in power after we dropped it. You can use the light mode of your choice in various conditions, because the strong aluminum case holds its own against rough handling. The flashlight is also water-resistant with an IPX5 rating against dust and sprays of water, so it’s fine to use in rainy weather (but don’t submerge it, it’s not fully waterproof). You can also count on it to hold up in colder temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

We also want to call out the flashlight’s steady battery life and useful range of light settings. This model has high, medium, low, strobe, and SOS light modes, plus a memory mode, which allows the flashlight to turn on to its last-used brightness automatically. We found that specific feature quite handy, especially since it was noticeably absent from the Nitecore flashlight we named our best overall pick.

You can charge this flashlight with the provided micro-USB cable, or your own 5-volt adapter (which is not included). While both chargers would have been nice to have in the box, we’re okay with only the USB since that’s still a convenient choice, and because an additional charger would likely affect the cost (and add to cable clutter in your home). Overall, the Anker Rechargeable Bolder LC40 Flashlight is a great flashlight that comes in an appealing small package—in both design and price.

_{Brightness: 400 lumens | Run Time: 20 hours on medium | Weight: 4.3 ounces | Durability: IPX5 | Charging Type: USB cable (included), 5-volt adapter (not included)}

Though this flashlight is called an “everyday carry,” we found it to be anything but basic. It fits right into the tactical niche, offering a slew of specific features like an informative display that shows data about brightness and battery power, and a memory mode (one of our favorite features). We’re also fans of its slim design that features both a clip for easy transport, and a wrist strap for security while you hold it. Plus, this flashlight is protected against dust and splashes (with a durability rating of IP54). The brand also promises impact resistance up to one meter and, based on our experience, this is accurate. We didn’t see so much as a scratch on the casing or a flicker of the beam when we dropped it from three feet up.

The rectangular shape also means this flashlight doesn’t roll around if you were to set it on a flat surface, which we see as another perk. The shape and size are great for a toolbox, emergency kit, or glove box (and it comes with a USB cable for on-the-go charging).

One potential downside we noted is that this light did grow hot to the touch—not burning hot, but still uncomfortable. If you intend to wear gloves while using it, or you just intend to turn it on for short spurts, this might not be a big deal. But, other users will definitely want to take note. This is also the priciest pick of our list, although we do highlight a few additional high-end choices below in our Other Options We Tested section.

_{Brightness: 3,000 lumens | Battery Life: 37 hours | Weight: 4.37 ounces | Durability: IP54 | Charging Type: USB cable (included)}

Smaller than a pen, and just the right size to fit into the nickel coin slot of the car console we used for testing, this Olight flashlight is compact in design, but definitely not in performance. At 1,150 lumens, the beam feels sufficiently strong (you definitely don’t want to look directly at it), and it’s durable while still feeling slim and sleek. Among our favorite features were the strong magnet that keeps it tightly in place when in use or being stored (whether that be on a toolbox, appliance, or other surface of choice), along with the magnetized charger, which means you’re never fumbling in the dark for a tiny cord input (why don’t all flashlights offer this?).

This flashlight has three light settings, plus strobe and turbo mode. Although, one curiosity we encountered was that, while in turbo mode, the flashlight seemed to quake or tremble for a few seconds. We’re not sure of the cause, and it was a subtle issue that didn’t affect the rest of its performance or overall usability. Still, in every other setting, and even after dropping from three feet, its performance was top-notch, and we think it’s a great choice for anyone who wants a small but mighty light.

_{Brightness: 1,150 lumens | Battery Life: 1,440 hours | Weight: 3.4 ounces | Durability: IPX8 | Charging Type: MCC 1A charger with USB cable (included)}

The Stanley Fatmax SL10LEDS spotlight can light up a wider area than a traditional flashlight, with the added convenience of a rechargeable battery. Its ultra-bright LED can put out up to 2,200 lumens on high, and lasts up to seven hours on a single charge of the lithium-ion battery. Now, that’s not the brightest of our picks, but we did calculate the distance of the beam to be able to go much further than the others, by a long shot. The average among the 16 flashlights we tested was roughly 155 meters, and this flashlight stomped on that, with a beam distance of 765 meters.

The Stanley Fatmax comes with several convenient features to increase usability, like a heavy-duty case and bezel with a stand that pivots and collapses when necessary, making hands-free operation possible. You can even charge other electronics via an integrated USB port, using the spotlight’s battery power.

We also appreciated the ergonomic handle that makes it easy to hold—though it does feel a bit like a hybrid speed radar gun and space zapper toy. Still, the durable build is undeniable. While this flashlight is heavier, weighing approximately 2 pounds (roughly the same as a carton of milk), it has an overall user-friendly design. Its grip and simple-to-use trigger allow you to cycle between high and low modes (although we did see a much shorter run time of one hour when operating the flashlight on its high mode). For its power, performance, and lengthy beam distance that outshined the rest–literally–it’s our favorite spotlight.

_{Brightness: 2,200 lumens | Run Time: 1 hour on high, 7 hours on low | Weight: 2.1 pounds | Durability: Not listed | Charging Type: AC charger, car charger, USB cable (all included)}

Are you debating between a flashlight or a lantern for your next camping trip? This rechargeable lantern is the best of both worlds. Pop out the handle and hold the beam parallel to the ground for a classic flashlight experience, or stand it upright on its secure base, and enjoy it as a lantern. You can even hang it at your campsite, or attach it to your backpack with a built-in metal ring.

Our other favorite feature is that this light can double as a power bank, and we confirmed that it works by plugging a pair of earbuds into the port. Sure enough, it charged them right up, and we were able to see it working thanks to the flashing bar by the "on" switch. Hopefully you’ll never need this feature, but you can also adjust the mode for it to shine red in case of emergency, too, or to protect your night vision.

To increase or decrease the light’s brightness, you simply hold down the power button. The total battery capacity is listed as 12 hours by the manufacturer, and we took comfort in the indicator bars that stayed full throughout our testing. Plus, you’ll have plenty of notice that it’s getting low as the bars start ticking away. There’s not much we’d change about this lantern-flashlight combo, and we think outdoor enthusiasts will be equally pleased with it on shorter camping excursions.

_{Brightness: 500 lumens | Battery Life: 12 hours | Weight: 5.5 ounces | Durability: IPX4 | Charging Type: USB cable (included)}

Final Verdict

FAQ

• How long can a rechargeable flashlight hold a charge?

  The short answer: it depends. A variety of factors determine how long a rechargeable flashlight can hold a charge, so this spec will largely vary from model to model. Most flashlights offer different brightness modes, and running a flashlight at its maximum brightness will drain the battery faster than running it at its lowest brightness. With age and use over time, it's likely that the battery retention won’t be the same as the first day you purchased it.

  For context, the longest run time among our top picks belongs to the Olight S2R Baton II USB Magnetic Rechargeable Flashlight, at a whopping 1,440 hours—however, it’s important to note that this length of time is for usage on the lowest setting, just 0.5 lumens (nightlights are typically 50 to 100 lumens). If you were to use this same flashlight on its max setting, you could expect a run time of less than four hours.

• Are rechargeable flashlights better than regular flashlights?

  Again, it depends. With regular flashlights, you'll need to discard and replace their disposable batteries once they deplete. With a rechargeable flashlight, you’re likely to pay a heftier price up front, but you won’t have to keep buying new batteries over time. Rechargeable batteries also produce less waste, making them a more eco-friendly option.

  The main downside of rechargeable models is that they won’t serve you well during a power outage (or other time of need) if the battery is dead—since there will be no way to charge it.

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