--- title: "The Best Flashlights of 2026, Tested and Reviewed" description: "You’ll find beam comparisons and long term testing in our review of the best flashlights for EDC, hunting, and more." date: "2022-03-31" modified: "2025-06-02" authors: - name: "Scott Einsmann" job_title: "Executive Gear Editor" link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/scott-einsmann/" url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/gear/best-flashlights/" categories: - "Gear" - "Hunting Gear" tags: - "Evergreen" - "Gear Reviews" --- # The Best Flashlights of 2026, Tested and Reviewed ![The best flashlights lined up in a row]() *Flashlights have varying sizes, beam styles, and outputs, which can make it difficult to find the best flashlight Scott Einsmann* We live in a great time to be a lumen junky with so many fantastic flashlights on the market. Whether you want a spotlight that fits in the palm of your hand or a feature-rich EDC wonder light, the best flashlight for you is out there. I've tested a collection of flashlights over the last year by using them for EDC, around the house, and while hunting and fishing. I also collected beam comparison photos to help you find the right flashlight for your needs. Here are my top flashing picks for different purposes. - **Best for EDC**: [Nitecore EDC 29]() - **Best Compact**: [Olight Baton 3]() - **Best for Home**: [Sofirn IF23]() - **Best LEP**: [Nitecore P35i]() - **Best Budget Compact:** [Thrunite Archer Mini]() - **Best with a Laser:** [Olight Arkfeld Pro]() - **Best Keychain**: [Nitecore Tini2 Ti]() - **Best Hands Free:** [Olight Clip Pro]() - [Streamlight Wedge]() - [Nitecore EDC 25]() - **Best Cheap Zoomable**: [IkeeRuic]() - **Best Tactical:** [SureFire Stiletto Pro]() - **Best for the Outdoors:** [Wuben X3]() - **Best Throw:** [Modlite PLHv2]() - **Best Camping Lantern**: [Black Diamond Apollo]() ## How I Tested the Best Flashlights ### Beam Comparison I started my test by comparing the beam patterns of each flashlight. I shined a target from 25 yards to 65 yards to determine each lights effective range. I took a photo of the beam with a camera in manual mode, which you'll see in each review. I used camera settings that produced photos that looked as close to what I saw with my eyes and the settings remained consistent with each flashlight to give the most accurate comparison possible. The second beam test was to see how the lights performed with interference from thick brush and from ambient lighting. A flashlight with more candela will allow you to see objects beyond those obstacles, whereas a light lacking the necessary throw will hit pitter out after those obstacles. ### Ergonomics and Features The flashlights I tested are meant to be handheld. Lights in this class need an intuitive button and one that won't click on accidentally. I tested each flashlight's ergonomics and features by carrying them and using them daily. Through that process, I found flaws in some pocket clips and found flashlights that I'll never leave the house without. ### Top Flashlights Compared | **Product** | **Price** | **Lumens** | **Candela** | **Best For** | **Battery Life** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Nitecore EDC 29]() | $110 | 15 to 6,500 | 35,360 | EDC, Outdoors | 2 hours (1,200 lum) | | [Olight Baton 3]() | $47 | 0.5, 12, 60, 300, 1200 | 6,889 | EDC, Home Improvement | 1.5 hours (300 lum) | | [Sofirn IF23]() | $41 | 1, 100, 500, 1500, 4000 | 9,737 | Home | 2 hours (1,500 lum) | | [Nitecore P35i]() | $300 | 10, 70, 300, 1000, and 3,000 | 678,000 | Search, Boat, Outdoor | 45 mins (3,000 lum) | | [Thrunite Archer Mini ]() | $20 | 18, 157, 405 | 1,880 | EDC | 50 mins (157 lum) | | [Olight Arkfeld Pro]() | $99 | 1, 15, 100, 420, 1300 | 2,608 | Office, Home, EDC | 2 hours 6 mins (420 lum) | | [Nitecore Tini2 Ti]() | $40 | 1, 15, 65, 200, 500 | 2,000 | Keychain | 45 mins (200 lum) | ## The Best Flashlights: Reviews & Recommendations ### Best for EDC: [Nitecore EDC 29]() The EDC 25 remains one of my favorite flashlights of all time, but it wasn’t the perfect EDC light. The EDC 25’s lock took forever to disengage and then get the flashlight turned on. It was also on the larger side for pocket carry. Well, Nitecore solved all those issues and their latest flashlight knocked the Streamlight Wedge off the top spot for best EDC flashlight. ![A close up photo of the Nitecore EDC 29's safety.]() *The flashlight's lock is a simple switch. Photo by Scott Einsmann* The new locking mechanism is a simple switch. In my time carrying it, I never accidentally unlocked the flashlight and I found it very easy to use. The user interface is just like the EDC 25. You have a large button for momentary on, which you half press for 3,000 lumens or full press for 6,500 lumens. The clicky power button is for continuous on and light press on it will cycle through 15 to 1200 lumen settings. ![A look at the Nitecore EDC 29's buttons.]() *The momentary on switch (left) and constant on switch (right). Photo by Scott Einsmann* The flat shape makes the EDC 29 carry very nicely in the pocket, but I wish it had a deep carry clip. You’ll see about a half inch of flashlight sticking out of our pocket when carrying it. The beam is fantastic and perfect for EDC applications. It has a bright center spot but plenty of spill for seeing your surroundings. The 6,500 lumen mode is absolutely amazing. It turned my pitch dark backyard into daylight, as if someone turned on stadium lights. ### Best Compact: [Olight Baton 3]() ![]() *The Baton 3 in Turbo mode. Photo by Scott Einsmann* The Baton 3 has the most throw for its lumens of any light I tested. This palm-sized flashlight reached out to 60 yards, and it takes up half the pocket size of similarly bright options. It uses a proprietary magnetic charger, which can be a con if you end up losing the cable. But it means you don’t have a charging port that gets filled with lint or exposed to water. The magnet and two-way clip allow for hands free use. Whether you’re clipping it to your hat on a hike or sticking it to the hood of your truck while you work. The on button has a tactical and audible click that’s very difficult to turn on accidentally. The user interface is pretty straightforward. Just press the button for light and hold it to change the brightness setting. A double click will turn on the turbo mode. ### Best for Home: [Sofirn IF23]() ![]() *The IF23 has a wide even beam. Photo by Scott Einsmann* Like the Wuben X3, this light isn’t the most EDC friendly option, but it has a lot of capability. If your EDC gear includes a backpack then I’d consider dropping a Sofrin IF23 into one of the pockets. This light is a lumen beast that shoots out a bright, wide beam. It can turn day into night, but it also has finesse. The 500 lumen lantern mode and magnet make it a capable work light. There’s also a strobe function for emergencies. The colored lights are cool, but have very little practical use. ### Best LEP: [Nitecore P35i]() ![The Nitecore P35i is one of the most powerful flashlights on the market. ]() Most super bright flashlights can clearly see an object that’s 40 to 100 yards away. But, what if you want to be able to spot things way in the distance like 500 yards away? That’s where an LEP flashlight comes in. They use a laser to generate light rather than a bulb, so you get a highly concentrated and super bright beam of light that extends beyond a half mile. While a friggin laser is incredibly fun and useful for seeing animals, boating hazards, and people a long way off, their practical use can be as narrow as their beam. https://youtu.be/yxuVOCOgnug If you just had an LEP with you, you can see stuff inside its small illumination area very well, but you can’t turn down the brightness or widen that beam to see more of your surroundings. The P35i has six LED bulbs that also put out up to 3,000 lumens and illuminate a very wide area with a nice neutral color temperature. The 3,000 lumen setting easily lit up a 50-yard long by 40-yard wide area in my backyard. You can also run the LEP and LED lights at the same time for a flood and spot combo that is as handy as it is fun. The LEP light is so insanely fun. It’s still blindingly bright at 50 yards. At 165 yards the beam was about 12-feet wide and just lit objects like a 1,000 lumen light at 20 yards. The P35i isn’t a cheap flashlight, but if you’re a boater, a dog owner with a large yard, a hog or predator hunter, or a flashlight nerd, it’s worth every penny. ### Best Budget Compact: [Thrunite Archer Mini ]() ![A flashligt's beam at 20 yards. ]() *The Archer Mini has a warm tone. Photo by Scott Einsmann* The Archer Mini is a classic AAA EDC flashlight. I tested it against several similar models but found its light, button, and user interface unbeatable. It takes up very little pocket space and the pocket clip has the right amount of tension to keep it securely in place. It also fits well in an organizer. I carried the Archer Mini in an [Alpaka Zip Pouch Pro]() and it fit perfectly into the exterior pocket. The button has a nice tactile click and exclusively has a continuous-on mode. Click it on for the 18 lumens and double click for 405, which will step down to 157 lumens after about 2.5 minutes. There’s a USB-C port hidden in the head of the flashlight for recharging. That means no buying expensive batteries or keeping track of an external charger. ### Best with a Laser: [Olight Arkfeld Pro]() ![]() *The Arkfeld Pro at 10 yards. Photo by Scott Einsmann* The Olight Arkfeld Pro is the most fun flashlight I tested, but the features that made it fun also made it one of the least practical. The green laser is powerful and bright. It stretches out well past 100 yards at night and is bright enough to be used indoors during the day. The UV light is great for recharging objects that glow in the dark and seeing things only visible when hit with the UV spectrum. It would have been cool if the Arkfeld Pro had a lower UV spectrum, it’s at 365nm, which is too high to be used for disinfecting objects. A portable UV disinfector would be really handy. The flashlight portion is excellent with a nice wide, even beam. The user interface is simple and easy to use. You toggle the switch between the different modes and then click the button to turn on. A long hold cycles through brightness levels. In the pocket the flat Arkfeld Pro is easy to carry and it has a nice deep carry clip. It’s right up there with the Wedge in terms of ease of carry and operation. ### Best Keychain: [Nitecore Tini2 Ti]() ![This flashlight's beam lacks brightness. ]() *Tini2's beam lacks throw. Photo by Scott Einsmann* An EDC flashlight has to be one that’s easy to carry with you every day. With knives, pens, multi-tools, hanks, phones, and power banks all competing for pocket space, a keychain light like the Tini2 makes for a compelling option. It’s always with you and it doesn’t take up more space than a key fob. The Tini2’s user interface is simple with a power button that turns the light on and a mode button that cycles through the brightness settings. Hold down the mode button to unleash all 500 lumens. You can set the flashlight into a daily or demo mode. The difference is that the demo mode has an auto shutoff feature. I used the light on the daily setting, and found the 65 and 200 lumen settings to be the most useful. I like that the LCD screen provides the lumen setting, and the remaining battery life in minutes. The button lock is also handy to keep the light from turning on accidentally. The beam is surprisingly bright for such a tiny flashlight, and it will leave you wondering why you need a larger light for EDC. It’s all flood and no throw so don’t expect to reach out and illuminate objects beyond 40 yards. ### Best Hands Free: [Olight Clip Pro]() ![The Olight Clip Pro attaches to shirts and anything else via a clip or magnet. ]() *Photo by Scott Einsmann* My first thought was to use the Olight Clip Pro as a substitute for a headlamp by clipping it to my shirt or backpack. But as I started carrying around, its uses broadened into a safety tool, helping with projects around the house, and a pretty great EDC light. As a headlamp substitute the Olight Clip Pro works best clipped onto a backpack or shirt. One annoying thing is that the Clip Pro’s weight will cause it to sag when clipped to light material and aim the beam down. You can clip it to the brim of your hat, but it will only shine light straight down. That’s helpful if you’re doing something like tying a knot or eating dinner, but pretty useless for walking — although a backwards hat works well with the Clip Pro for walking. The magnet is nice for projects because it will snap onto a tool or anything metal nearby. If you’re cycling or walking at night, you can clip the Clip Pro to your clothing and turn on the red light so that you’re easily spotted. If you press and hold the on button, you can turn on the strobe for a blinking light. Along the same lines the Clip Pro can be attached to a kid or dog while camping or playing in the yard, for easy spotting. The Clip Pro is surprisingly bright and the spot mode has good throw. It’s useable out to around 40 yards and the flood mode is excellent for anything from reading in a tent to navigating uneven terrain. ### [Streamlight Wedge]() ![]() *Target is 10 yards away and the flashlight is at 1000 lumens. Photo by Scott Einsmann* The gear nerd in me loves things like custom user interfaces, LCD screens, and various lumen settings. But, I also like streamlined gear that’s not overly complicated to use. That's why the Wedge is one of my favorite flashights. When you pull the Wedge from your front pocket, your hand naturally falls in the right position to flick the switch on. If the 300 lumens isn’t bright enough for your task, you can push the switch forward for 1,000 lumens. The max brightness setting will jump back to 300 lumens if you let off the switch. The operation is that simple. In the pocket, the flat and thin Wedge goes unnoticed by the carrier. The deep carry clip keeps the light secure and unobtrusive. In my weeks carrying the Wedge I never had it accidentally turn on in my pocket or felt like it was a burden to carry. I occasionally carried it in my back pocket which was comfortable as well. The beam is wide, evenly bright, and has a neutral tone. To me, it’s the ideal beam for EDC use. It excels at lighting up a dark parking garage, finding things in a car, and taking a dog for a walk. When using the light at 300 lumens continuously for 30 minutes it was barely warm to the touch, and my laser thermometer read its temperature at 84.5 degrees. The main cons of the Wedge are that it doesn’t have any hands free capability like a magnet or two-way clip and it lacks features of more technically advanced lights. **Read Next:** [Best EDC Knives]() **Read Next:** [Best Power Banks]() ### Best for Outdoors: [Wuben X3]() The Wuben X3 is one of the most interesting flashlights available, but it's not my favorite for carrying in a pocket. Its clip doesn’t work well in a front pocket and its button is too easy to accidentally turn on. But, it’s still an incredible flashlight for certain applications. The X3 excels at hands free use. The head rotates so you can use it like a standard, inline flashlight or with the light projecting 90 degrees from the body. So you can clip it to a hat or rotate the head and clip it onto a shirt or backpack strap. I utilized that capability and the X3’s red light mode while turkey hunting this spring. The X3’s charger doubles as a lantern, which is excellent for camping and its long run time means you can actually finish the book you brought. The user interface is easy to use. A push and hold cycles through settings and a double tap turn on the 700 lumen mode. There’s an LCD screen that lets you know which mode you’re on and the remaining battery life. ### [Nitecore EDC 25]() ![A look the Nitecore EDC 25's beam.]() *The EDC 25 is a lumen beast. Photo by Scott Einsmann* I tested the Nitecore EDC 27, and while I liked it, it had flaws that held it back from being a top pick. Mainly the momentary button jumped from turbo to strobe far too easily. The light also got very hot at its brightest settings. The new EDC 25 solves many of those problems. It's far more user friendly and it’s about an ounce lighter. The momentary button puts you at the light’s max output and it will light up a large area with a wide, 3,000 lumen beam. A click and a hold on the power button will turn on the EDC 25’s other settings. One quirk is that you have to press and hold the power button to turn the flashlight off. There are indicator lights on the flashlight that show the light output and battery level. The flat shape of the EDC 25 is excellent for carry, but about ½ inch of flashlight sticks out of your pocket since it doesn’t use a deep carry clip. The EDC 25 gets hot during continuous use of its high settings. At 1,000 lumens it reached 125 degrees after 12 minutes, and was uncomfortably hot to hold. Even with those cons, the EDC 25 is the best EDC flashlight I’ve tested if you want to carry a super bright flashlight. **Read Next:** [Best EDC Multi Tools]() ### Best Cheap Zoomable: [IkeeRuic]() ![This is one of the best flashlights under $50. ]() I love compact flashlights with astonishing power, but those lights are often over $100, they get hot with extended use, and some people like a larger flashlight. So, I set out to test several bright flashlights that were under $50 and had the solid feel of an old Maglite. I tested a few good ones but the IkeeRuic’s brightness and ease of use beat the competitive options. It has a simple user interface: just press the button to turn it on and keep pressing the button to cycle through the settings, or long press to shut it off. It will automatically be on the highest setting when you turn it on and then cycle to medium and low. Zoomed out you get a wide, even beam with a cool tone. If you want to increase the flashlight’s spotting distance you’ll slide the head forward to zoom in. Fully zoomed in you’ll see a square beam pattern with a faint cross though it, which is what the flashlight’s LED output chip looks like. The manufacturer claims this flashlight has 990,000 lumens, and without a lux meter I can’t outright call that incorrect. But what I can say is that this flashlight isn’t as bright as my EDC 29 which has 6,500 lumens. The max usable distance for the IkeeRuic is around 50 yards. One great thing about this flashlight is that it doesn’t get hot. I left the IkeeRuic on its max setting for 30 minutes and it was just warm to the touch. Compare that to my Nitecore EDC 25 which at 1,000 lumens reached 125 degrees after 12 minutes, and was uncomfortably hot to hold. ### Best Tactical: [SureFire Stiletto Pro]() ![The best flashlight overall is the Surfire Stiletto]() *Great ergonomics and a balanced, bright beam make the Stilletto Pro excellent for EDC or hunting. Scott Einsmann* The [SureFire Stiletto Pro]() checks all the boxes for me. It's easy to carry in a pocket, it's bright, it has a versatile beam, and it's rechargeable—all extremely well. The beam pattern is wide and very even edge to edge, which is ideal for EDC applications, blood trailing, and general use. ![]() *Stiletto Pro at 25 yards. Scott Einsmann* ![]() *Stiletto Pro at 40 yards. Scott Einsmann* It has good run time and, at max brightness, you can run it continuously for 1 hour. When the Stiletto Pro is running low, a red indicator light comes on. Recharging the [Stiletto Pro]() is easy with a power bank or plugged into the wall via the micro-USB cable. The design of the Stiletto Pro is well thought out and extremely ergonomic. It slips into a front pocket and rides unnoticed next to my pocket knife. You hold it a lot like a TV remote and press the on button with your thumb, and you can cycle through the brightness settings by hitting the “on” button like you're changing channels. There are tradeoffs for the Stiletto Pro's nice, even beam. It lacks throw, and you'll have issues pushing past a photonic barrier or seeing objects beyond 50 yards. But, for most things you'd use a flashlight for, this is the best overall flashlight option. ### Best Throw: [Modlite PLHv2]() ![A multi tool, folding knife, pen and one of the best flashlights on a table]() *A knife and multi tool are EDC essentials. Scott Einsmann* If you want to harness the power of the sun in a pocket-sized flashlight, buy a Modlite. The 1,350 lumens are impressive, but the [Modlite PLH]()'s 54,000 candela is the real power. That candella means this light can easily spot objects at 100 yards, and in urban environments, you'll have no trouble pushing past the ambient light to see into dark areas. ![]() *Modlite PLHv2 at 25 yards Scott Einsmann* ![]() *Modlite PLHv2 at 40 yards Scott Einsmann* The beam has a bright center spot that spills out toward the edges. The intensity of that center spot can't be overstated, and the crazy thing is that Modlite makes the OKW, which has even more throw. I don't find the PLH to be too bright for inside use or everyday tasks. Whether I'm using it to look for things in my truck or work my way through a dark house, it performed well. But it isn't ideal for reading or anything that requires close inspection. While using the PLHv2 for EDC, I found the rechargeable battery lasts about a week. If you want an impressively bright flashlight that excels in everything but long run time applications, then a Modlite is for you. **Read Next**: [Best Tactical Flashlights]() ### Best Camping Lantern: [Black Diamond Apollo]() With three foldable legs that extend down to double its body height, the Black Diamond Apollo was one of the most compact camping lanterns I looked at. Despite having the second-lowest lumen rating in my test, the Black Diamond Apollo's light punched above its weight. Several individuals noted that it seemed as if this lantern was providing at least as much light coverage, if not more, than the higher-lumen LED models. ![The Black Diamond Apollo sits folded.]() *Laura Lancaster* ![The Black Diamond Apollo sits unfolded.]() *Laura Lancaster* But what really stood out during testing was its battery life. While other batteries only lasted a few hours, this camping lantern was still going seven hours later in warm temperatures, meaning it has enough juice to get you through an evening around the picnic table (its IPX4 rating means it can also handle a little rain). And in the event it does still kick out while the night is young, you still have the option to plug in three AA batteries to keep it going. While this model does have the option to recharge a secondary device directly from its internal battery (USB connection), it doesn’t quite have a large enough battery to make this a smart choice—bring a battery pack instead.—Laura Lancaster Read more about the [best camping lanterns]() in our full test article. ## How to Choose the Best Flashlight Flashlights might seem like simple tools, but there's a lot to consider when you're choosing the best flashlight. Manufacturers tailor their flashlights for specific purposes, and you'll want to consider the lumens, candela, size, and power source before selecting the best flashlight for you. ### Lumens vs. Candela Lumens is a measurement for the amount of light a flashlight produces. Candela is a measurement of how much light a flashlight puts out in a specific direction. Let's say you have two flashlights with the same lumens, but one has a concentrated beam, and the other has a wider beam. The flashlight with the concentrated beam will have more candela. ![A flashlight on trees]() *A light with an even beam and low candela. Scott Einsmann* ![A light shined on trees by one of the best flashlights. ]() *A light with more candela (throw). Scott Einsmann* ### Size When you're looking at a flashlight, you need to think about how you'll carry it. Will this be a pocket companion, or will it live in a pack, drawer, or center console? The answer to that question will tell you if you want a small, slim light for your pocket or a larger light for off-body carry. ### Use How you'll use the flashlight is the most important deciding factor. Is this a general-purpose flashlight for walking the dog and making your way through a dark parking lot? Or, is this a duty light that carries a specific need to identify possible threats at distance and blind them? Is this a light you'll need to run for more than an hour while you blood trail and drag a deer? Choosing the flashlight that best matches your needs will make sure you get years of good use out of it. ### Batteries Used in the Best Flashlights Flashlights can use standard AA or [AAA batteries]() or more exotic power supplies like CR123A batteries. Rechargeable flashlights are also becoming more and more prevalent. My preference leans toward rechargeable flashlights to cut down on waste and cost. Today's rechargeable batteries also are very powerful, like the ones used in the Modlite. For emergency flashlights, I like standard batteries because they're what I commonly have around the house. But, CR123A batteries have a great reputation for reliable power in all conditions. You just have to be comfortable with buying a pack specifically for your light. ## FAQs ## Final Thoughts on the Best Flashlights Having the best flashlight for your needs is a huge advantage in the outdoors and everyday life. Whether you go with a tiny powerhouse like the SureFire Sidekick or a lumen monster like the Modlite PLHv2, there's a great flashlight for your needs out there. - **Best for EDC:** [Streamlight Wedge]() - **Best Keychain**: [Nitecore Tini2 Ti]() - **Best Compact**: [Olight Baton 3]() - **Best for the Outdoors:** [Wuben X3]() - **Best for Home**: [Sofirn IF23]() - **Best Budget Compact:** [Thrunite Archer Mini ]() - **Best Powerful**: [Nitecore EDC 25]() - **Best Budget Powerful:** [Wurkkos FC13]() - **Best with a Laser:** [Olight Arkfeld Pro]() - **Best Tactical:** [SureFire Stiletto Pro]() - **Best Throw:** [Modlite PLHv2]() - **Best Camping Flashlight:** [Gear Light S1000 LED]() - **Best Camping Lantern**: [Black Diamond Apollo]() ## Author Scott Einsmann is *Outdoor Life’s* gear editor. He oversees the gear team’s editors and writers who are subject matter experts in bows, knives, hunting, fishing, backpacking, and more. He lives in Richmond, Virginia with his wife and two bird dogs. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]() [Instagram]()