The 6 Best Rechargeable Flashlights of 2024 , According to Testing

Best Overall

Lighting Ever Rechargeable LED Lantern

$25 at Amazon

The Lighting Ever Rechargeable LED Camping Lantern was user-friendly and quite bright, making it our pick for the best overall rechargeable flashlight. An included USB port also enabled us to effectively use this choice as a power bank for charging. 

We appreciated that this option had a versatile design, so it could be used as a standard flashlight with its large handle or hung as a camping lantern inside of a tent with the included steel ring. It also included feet to hold it in place on a table, which stopped it from rolling in the console of our car.

At 500 lumens, this had the lowest amount of light on our list and also had a yellowish hue. However, during testing we found it to be enough light on the highest setting. Plus, this model had five light modes with dimmable optionality, and in testing we found the beam distance to be just over 533 feet, which was the longest on our list.

We liked that the case was able to light up in white or red and featured a flashing capability that’s useful in case of an emergency. However, we wished the light switch was better as we didn’t like that the light level was controlled by having to continually hold the power button.  

Overall, the battery worked quite well and maintained full power by the end of our testing. Plus, this option also proved to be durable, passing our drop test without any discernible damage.  

Product Details: Brightness: 500 lumens | Run Time: Not listed | Size: 6.77 x 3.78 x 3.78 inches | Weight: 0.34 pounds

Best Budget

GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight

$20 at Walmart

If you’re in the market for a new rechargeable flashlight but don’t want to invest, consider GearLight’s S100 LED Tactical Flashlight. The flashlight proved to be durable during testing, and can be purchased either individually or in a pack of two. 

The S100 stayed cool to the touch throughout the duration of testing, and it was very comfortable and easy to hold. From a convenience standpoint, we were able to change modes using the same hand that we were holding it in, and a wristband allowed us to let go of it when necessary. 

The aluminum construction not only proved durable, but enabled it to withstand submersion under water without damage. Offering 1,040 lumens, this option had a bright white hue to it that we compared to car headlights. 

This option featured a circular light beam and when the head was pushed all the way in it flooded the light into a wider area. Three light settings ranged from very bright to dim, though we didn’t particularly see much usage for the dimmest option. Additionally, it included a strobe feature and an SOS feature that flashed to signal distress. 

The battery proved to be strong, lasting throughout testing without losing intensity. One drawback, though, was that it doesn’t feature a battery life indicator and required AAA batteries to operate. Additionally, since it’s a compact option, the design of it didn’t prevent rolling and the controls were all handled through just the power button.

Product Details: Brightness: 1,040 lumens | Run Time: Not listed | Size: 1.57 x 1.57 x 6.1 inches | Weight: 0.32 pounds

Best Splurge

Nitecore Rechargeable Flashlight

$90 at Amazon $90 at Walmart View on Nitecorestore.com

Nitecore’s EDC27 Ultra Slim Flashlight is equipped with a handful of features that we think makes it worth the investment. For starters, it was easy to hold and the anodized finish helped to prevent slipping even when our hands were sweaty. Plus, this flashlight is USB-C chargeable, and comes with a USB-A to USB-C charge cable to enable charging in most cars. 

With a thinner profile, it was lightweight but substantial enough to sit firmly in our grips. For the most part it stayed in place due to its more rectangular shape and frictional material. When it did move, it slid very slowly instead of rolling.

When we dropped this option during testing, there was no damage or flickering. Though it’s smaller than other options, it provides 3,000 lumens and maintains a light beam upwards of 15 feet. 

This option had five settings: ultralow, low, medium, high,and turbo, in addition to a strobe feature. While all of them were useful, the turbo setting was very powerful and we found that it drained the battery quickly. It also required continually holding a button to keep it on, which was inconvenient. 

A battery indicator let us know that the battery was diminished in turbo mode, however none of the light was ever lost. However, we did find it to get particularly hot during usage so you’ll want to be mindful depending on how long you’ll need to use this option. 

Product Details: Brightness: 3,000 lumens | Run Time: 36 hours and 7 minutes | Size: 1.24 x 0.56 x 5.34 inches | Weight: 4.2 ounces

Best Waterproof

Nitecore MT21C Flashlight

View on Amazon $71 at Home Depot $75 at Tractor Supply Co.

Nitecore’s MT21C Rechargeable Flashlight is the perfect option for someone who goes camping often or may be using this option in inclement weather. During our water test, this flashlight performed exceptionally well. In fact, when we opened the battery compartment afterward, everything was bone dry. 

In addition to its water resistance, it also showed resilience in other ways too, handling 3-foot fall with no noticeable damage. The flashlight came with five light settings: ultra-low, low, medium, high, and turbo, each of which are viable for different situations. Ultra-low proved suitable for nighttime, while turbo was better suited toward daylight use exclusively.

Additionally, a strobe feature could be activated at any of the brightness levels and a 90-degree tilted head made it so it can be quickly turned from a standard flashlight to an angled work light. 

The battery of the MT21C did not diminish at all during our 29-minute test. The grip worked well even with sweaty or wet hands, and it fit with ease into the consoles of our car, with flat places on the surface preventing it from rolling. Additionally, a magnet in the base of this option worked to hold it to the side of a metal toolbox, keeping it in place without sliding down.

It’s worth noting that the one button function can quickly result in going into turbo/strobe mode at the same time, so you’ll want to be mindful while using this flashlight. 

Product Details: Brightness: 1,000 lumens | Run Time: 700 hours (at lowest setting) | Size: 1 x 1 x 5.16 inches | Weight: 0.14 pounds

Best Compact

Olight S2R Baton II Rechargeable Flashlight

$63 at Amazon $65 at Walmart View on Olightstore.com

The compact design, textured grip, and medium weight of the Olight S2R Baton II made it one of the most comfortable flashlights to use. This pick was shorter than an ink pen and small enough to fit into all of the cubbies in our car, including the nickel coin slot, so it’s a great option to leave in your car, bag, or anywhere that’s handy. 

This rechargeable flashlight offered 1,150 lumens of white light that worked well to use for reading at a low setting. The medium setting proved to be best for wider areas, while the bright setting was particularly bright, and could really only be functionally used outside or to illuminate something at least 5 feet away.

We loved the charging method on this option, which included a magnet attached to the charger. This method meant no fumbling in the dark with a USB charger, we just had to get close enough to the magnet.The magnet worked particularly well, keeping it in place both vertically and horizontally. Even when we shook our toolbox, it didn’t disconnect.

Furthermore, the slightly raised power button helped to prevent this flashlight from rolling, and it also had a clip that helped to keep it in place as well. Just be aware that while using this pick in turbo mode, the flashlight did experience some mild shaking.

Product Details: Brightness: 1,150 lumens | Run Time: 60 days (at lowest setting) | Size: 0.91 x 3.94 x 0.91 inches | Weight: 0.21 pounds

Best Design

Stanley Fatmax SL10LEDS Rechargeable Spotlight

$65 at Walmart $51 at Home Depot $65 at Tractor Supply Co.

Overall, we enjoyed using the Stanley Fatmax SL10LEDS Rechargeable Spotlight during testing. A trigger on the ambidextrous pistol-grip handle beneath the light source enabled us to control the brightness intensity levels with ease. 

This option didn’t roll as a result of its larger size but it only fit into the larger console in our car, so you’ll need the storage space for it. The beam put out a white light with a yellow surrounding the center. At its brightest, it was still significantly less bright than a car headlight, but it was perfectly fine to illuminate in front of us. As a result, we would most likely keep this on the high setting for all uses. 

There are no different modes, just a high and low beam setting. The battery lasted the entire test, and Stanley noted it would last seven hours on the lowest setting. A USB port can be used to charge other devices. Plus, the lithium ion battery inside enables this option to go twelve months without being recharged if unused. 

While this option was a bit warm around the light source, the handle was far enough away that we couldn’t actually feel it, even when running the light on high for 13 minutes straight. Do be aware that it also doesn’t have a battery indicator to let you know how much time you have left. 

Product Details: Brightness: 2,200 lumens | Run Time: 7 hours | Size: 3.25 x 10 x 5 inches | Weight: 1.25 pounds