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The Only Flashlights We Recommend in 2024 (Tried and Tested)
As a prepared citizen and gear nerd, I understand shopping for flashlights in 2024 is like hunting for a needle in a haystack of snake oil. You’re better off betting on a weather forecast two weeks out! That’s precisely why my trusty team and I sought out the single best, multi-purpose, indispensable, tactical flashlight in 2024. More so: you’ll find 5 of the only flashlights we’ll ever recommend below. You might be a hunter seeking out a strong, durable flashlight with a powerful beam. You might be a responsible citizen like me and preparing for the worst so that the next hurricane or power outage that hits, you’ll be ready. I know I will. Or you simply might be tracking down a holiday gift for your adult children (something that protects them and gives you an extra layer of peace of mind). It doesn’t matter which one you are, we’ve got you covered. After testing dozens and dozens of flashlights today — from your most popular one to lights that break with a single touch — we’ve got your “buy for life” flashlight. In our tests, we specifically grade them on: high lumens, long beams, multiple light modes, rechargeable batteries, durability, compact & lightweight. Some didn’t fulfill the outrageous promises they made. Others didn’t quite meet our criteria. While five stood out from the rest.
Here are the only 5 tactical flashlights we recommend:
The Cyber Tools Tactical Flashlight sits at a cool 1,200 lumens and is versatile like no other. This multi-light mode, water-resistant, rechargeable flashlight runs for up to 10 hours. It even comes with a USB-C charging cable so you can charge your phone on the go. Overall, this flashlight gets the job done anywhere with anything. We highly recommend it. It’s priced on sale at $79.
PROS:
- Fast Speed
- Great Handle
- Great Balance
- Compact Design
CONS:
- None
The Fenix Pro is waterproof, dustproof, and downright durable. It runs for 3 hours and 55 minutes at 1,000 lumens. You could drop this from the top of a tall ladder and with its impact-resistant features, you wouldn’t notice any major damage. With a run time of 42 hours, this is an overall great flashlight. It’s priced at $120.
PROS:
- Fast Speed
- Great Handle
- Great Balance
- Compact Design
CONS:
- Battery Issues
Streamlight Wedge - $100
The Streamlight Wedge is best used for an everyday carry (EDC). It sits at 3.1 ounces and has a run time of 3 hours at 300 lumens. If you often find yourself walking the dog or searching for run-away pills under the couch, with a max illumination distance of 45 yards, this light is great for that. It’s priced at $100.
PROS:
- Fast Speed
- Great Handle
- Great Balance
- Compact Design
CONS:
- Got Slower during Test
This Nitecore keychain flashlight could be a great gift to your adult children. It’s got a run time of 45 minutes at 200 lumens, weighs 0.8 ounces, and clips nicely onto your keychain. It’s even got an LCD display with key information so you can see the charge levels. With a max illumination distance of 40 yards, this could be a great backup light. It’s priced at $45.
PROS:
- Cheap
- Got Faster during Test
CONS:
- Big in Small Places
- Awkward Battery
- Bad Handle
Olight Baton 3 - $70
The Olight Baton 3 is perfect for work on the job site, automotive work, or around the house tasks. With a run time of 1.5 hours at 300 lumens, and a weight of 1.9 ounces, it’s great for hands-free use. It’s small and portable, plus comes with a wireless, magnetic charger. This is great for on the go. It’s priced at $70.
PROS:
- Compact Design
CONS:
- Slow Speed
- Shakes Vigorously
There you have it. Based on our tests, these are the top 5 best flashlights of 2024 and going into 2025. We won’t recommend a single other flashlight. With all the cheap, overseas lights flooding the scene, you ought to play it safe and stick with these. The last thing you need is your trusty light to fail you at a moment’s notice when it matters most.
