The Five Best Rechargeable Flashlights on the Market Today
When it comes to power outages, camping or even just having a reliable light in your car in case of a roadside problem at night, having the right flashlight makes all the difference. Leave the cheesy neon plastic throw-away models to the kids and look for something more useful. A good flashlight should always be rechargeable. You’ll want something with a decent lumen rating so you can see what you’re doing and a good bulb. Hopefully, you’ll never need it for anything more serious than finding something that rolled under your drivers’ seat, but in a pinch, having good light can make all the difference.
1. Fenix RC40
So solid it comes with a shoulder strap. The Fenix RC40 is the absolute king of the hill when it comes to having all the power and light you could possibly ever need. This model is not for the light-sensitive or anyone seeking a lightweight option. With multiple settings including strobe and SOS, among others, you will not go unseen with this in your gear. It comes with wall and car charging options for easy use. Fenix does make a smaller version, the TK75 if you absolutely require something smaller and more portable. The quality of a Fenix is always worth the price.
2. ThruNite TN32 UT/TN42/TN42C Thrower
The proprietary ThruNight technology is designed to prevent any overheating issues and light up an extended area. This handheld flashlight has a projected lifespan of 20 years and it’s designed to be ergonomic. It almost snagged the top spot on this list and it’s a very close second place. Given the lower price point and distance, the beam will travel, it’s a very tough call.
3. Stanley Fatmax SL
The USB charger and Ac/DC options on this are a nice feature and according to all the review,s you couldn’t ask for a brighter spotlight. Stanley is a solid company with a good reputation and sometimes your name really matters where trust is concerned. The battery will hold a charge for a full year, which is fairly impressive. A few complaints say the parts can be unreliable, but the multitude of positive reviews outweigh the naysayers. Get the warranty. The only reason this didn’t snag a higher ranking on the list is the possibility of a blown bulb a year down the road, which is still an impressive run.
4. Streamlight 74751 Strion LED
A slew of impressive features got this little beauty on the list. Anti-roll head means you won’t lose it if you set it down. It has a high-temperature glass lens from Borofloat and each one has it’s own serial number for positive identification. It fits existing chargers for the company and has a circuit to prevent overcharging from wrecking your battery. Grab this small light and any one of the accessories including color filters or a holster with confidence. If small but mighty is what you need, this little light will take you anywhere you need to go and show you the path home again.
5. OLIGHT S1 Cree XM-L2 CW Compact
The OLIGHT is decidedly the budget baby of the list. Smaller than the palm of your hand and just as powerful as the competition, you can’t beat a really high-quality mini-flashlight for every day carry. As compact as this light is it is also a hardbody, with type 3 hard anodizing on its 6061-T6 aluminum alloy body.
*Bonus: Maglite RL1019 LED
This favorite is National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) certified. It made the honorable mentions because it is durable, highly impact resistant and waterproof.
Final Thoughts
Whatever you’re looking for in a rechargeable flashlight, one of these top 5 (6) choices has it. From the high end to the inexpensive, heavy enough to need a strap or light enough to hand to a kid, the ability to light the way is something we all need. A great rechargeable flashlight is always part of a good plan. Just remember to pack your charger and spare batteries so you won’t be left in the dark.
