Best Flashlight of 2023 (Review and Buying Guide)

The Fenix PD35 is a very impressive flashlight. It’s small, compact, and lightweight. Despite the small size, this light is very capable.

It’s tough and strong, made from aircraft-spec aluminum, with a hard-anodized, anti-abrasive, finish. Ultra-clear glass and anti-reflective coatings are also used in the construction. The casing is made to IPX-8 standard, which means that it’s very waterproof, to a depth of 6.5 feet for up to 30 minutes.

The Fenix PD35 is bright thanks to the use of Cree LEDs. It has 6 output modes and using this flashlights brightest setting, it has a maximum output of 1000 lumens, and a maximum range of 656 feet. The different modes (5 levels of brightness and a strobe mode) have different power consumption levels.

Like most modern flashlights, the Fenix PD35 uses a rechargeable battery that charges via USB, with a runtime of up to 430 hours in Eco mode.

Overall, this lightweight flashlight offers excellent illumination in a pocket-sized package. Don’t be put off by the price tag. Though you can buy cheaper lights, this one is well worth the extra expense.

The Polysteel 600R by Coast is the perfect flashlight for users who need a rugged and durable tool. It’s virtually indestructible and can take a lot of abuse, and it’s a very capable torch too.

Let’s start with the casing. It’s made from a stainless steel core that Coast claims is virtually unbreakable. The core is wrapped in a poly-nylon material with a grip texture. The result is a shockproof and drop-proof flashlight that can withstand serious impact.

The actual torch has three light modes that can be focused through a twistable lens. The lens can produce wide-angle illumination or pinpoint precision with a bullseye spot. At full power, the Polysteel 600R can produce 530 lumens and illuminate to an impressive 685 feet.

At full power, the battery life depletes in about 2.5 hours, but in low-power mode, it’s good for about 35 hours. It has two battery options: 4 disposable AA battery cells, or a rechargeable USB battery pack. Interestingly, it has a charging port built-in, so you can charge your other devices from it when you’re on the go. And that’s a pretty neat touch.

The Olight Warrior X Pro is not a cheap flashlight by any stretch of the imagination, but if you want a torch with the kind of performance that rivals military or police-grade equipment, then this is worth considering.

This is a high-power flashlight. Using the device’s highest setting, the Warrior X Pro produces an incredible 2250 lumens to a distance of around 1968 feet. That’s some serious illumination, making this one of the brightest flashlight models on the list. However, if you’re in the business of search and rescue, or need powerful illumination at sea or in remote areas, this is exactly what you need.

It’s a sturdy torch that has a tough and tactical appearance. It’s made from an IPX-8 rated aluminum alloy, with silicone protection rings, a knurled grip, and more. It’s shockproof and almost indestructible! And that’s not all.

It features a cool magnetic raised tail switch that also accommodates a charger. The fast-charger links to a 5000mAh 21700 lithium battery that gives the Olight Warrior X Pro a running time of 8 hours.

This is a heavy-duty flashlight, so it shouldn’t surprise you to learn that it has a heavy-duty price tag. Still, it’s worth the expense.

You can’t do a list about flashlights without including a Maglite. Maglite has been the go-to brand in the flashlight industry for years. These days, Maglite is up against tough competition since there are so many more reputable and capable products on the market, but it’s still a top brand. The best example of Maglite’s continued quality is the Maglite Mini.

This little torch isn’t like the usual tactical flashlight models you’d get from Maglite. This one is small, compact, ideally suited for every day carry, and it can fit in your car’s glove compartment.

Compared with others on this list, the Maglite has less-impressive specs. However, it is very affordable, and Maglites just go on forever, so it’s a very good investment.

The brightness caps at 272 lumens, but it covers a fair distance at 434 feet. There are no fancy settings: just on and off. And the battery situation isn’t particularly advanced, with the Maglite Mini running on two AA batteries.

It’s a simple, affordable, but long-lasting lighting solution. Every home should have one. Or two!

Many reviewers will agree that the NiteCore i4000R could well be the best flashlight you can buy. It always ranks highly on lists like this, and there’s no shortage of positive reviews. And in truth, it does live up to the hype. If you’re looking for something with a powerful beam and long-lasting battery life, this could be your ideal weapon of choice.

This handy flashlight has five selectable modes, ranging from a turbo mode that shines out 4400 lumens, right down to an ultra-low eco mode that produces 2 lumens for up to 380 hours! Plus, it has a strobe mode too. The i4000R uses CREE XP-L2 LEDs to produce this powerful light, which can illuminate objects from as far as 350 yards.

There is a downside, though it’s a very small one. It’s a little larger than some of the others on this list. The size difference is hardly worth mentioning though. However, if you really need something small, perhaps if you’re a night angler on a boat with limited space, or a hunter traveling light, this could be a negative point. For most people, it won’t be a problem.

This compact tactical flashlight from Anker is super bright, tough, and robust. It packs a serious punch for such a compact torch, and while the brightness is its main selling point, it also has some very practical features.

Constructed from aluminum, this flashlight is IPX-7 water-resistant. This means that it will stay waterproof if submerged to depths of up to one meter for under 30 minutes. The aluminum body is wrapped in an anti-slip coating that helps boost shock resistance and provide a confident grip even in tough conditions.

The light function has five different settings that control the LED’s brightness. The beam can also be adjusted from wide to narrow, giving you full control of the illumination. On the highest setting, this torch will produce 1300 lumens!

This flashlight has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides up to 6 hours of non-stop lighting. It’s charged via a USB cable, and can also be charged with a 1A adapter.

Anker’s LC130 is a great little flashlight.

This one is a bit of a curveball. Unlike the other lights on this list, the ThruNite TN36 is quite a handful. It’s not a sleek and compact little light. Instead, it’s a thick device built for producing serious illumination. If you don’t believe us, look at the maximum output of this beast: 11,000 lumens!

The secret to the ThruNite’s intense beam is the use of CREE XHP 70B LEDs and I MR 18650 batteries. Together, they can produce that serious light, but only in the light’s turbo mode. It has five other modes with differing intensity, and a strobe mode too.

It has a strong beam, but it also has a strong body too. The case is made from aluminum, and it’s actually IPX-8 water-resistant, and shockproof as well. It’s an unconventional shape, roughly the size of a standard soda can, but it needs the extra space to house those heavy-duty batteries.

If you need all the light, then this is the flashlight for you. Plus, it comes with a holster and a lanyard!