Which is The Best Rechargeable Flashlight? Find The Answer Here
Who invented fire is not known, but this is for sure that fire is widely used as a source of light in the darkness. Since then inquisitive nature of human beings gave birth to lot many other things which we have been using as a source of light. The invention of the dry cell and later miniature incandescent electric bulbs gave birth to a flashlight which has become a thing of daily life now. In this article, we will be talking in depth about best rechargeable flashlight.
Product Name | Product Image | Quality | Price | Our Rating |
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A+ | $$$ | 95 % Quality | ||
A+ | $$$ | 98 % Quality | ||
A+ | $ | 95 % Quality | ||
A | $ | 98 % Quality | ||
A | $$ | 95 % Quality |
**Below, you'll see more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon.
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Let’s get started!
What's flashlight?
What are flashlights?Flashlight consisting of a dry cell powered incandescent light, covered by a glass to protect it, and a switch was invented in the year 1989. Today most of the flashlights work on the same principles with slight modifications here and there. The light may be replaced by Light Emitting Diode (LED), and the dry cell being replaced by “Rechargeable Batteries”.
The technological advancement has also replaced the need to change the dry cells. The Rechargeable batteries can be charged either by turning a crank, shaking the lamp, or by a solar panel. The glass used to protect the light now has been replaced by lenses and reflectors so that distance of the throw of light can be enhanced.
Today the old age bulky torches can be carried in your handbags, as they are compact, sturdy and can even help miners and campers.
What's Rechargeable Flashlight?
When flashlights were invented, the problems like frequent changing of cells, adjustment of light, easy to handle and carry, conservation of batteries/ cells, and in the case of emergency availability of dry cells were amongst many challenges which the user faced. All these were resolved by the invention of “Rechargeable Flashlights” as, they come in various shapes and sizes mostly compact, hence easy to handle and carry.
The Nickle Metal Hydride (NiMH) or the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries not only have power but can also be charged anywhere with standard power, available anywhere and everywhere. Additional features like brightness adjustment and beam focusing are a bonus.
Types of Rechargeable Flashlight
There are following types of Rechargeable Flashlights namely:
Based On Battery
Based on the kind of battery they use, rechargeable flashlights can be classified into two – Integrated Rechargeable Battery Flashlights and Non-Integrated Rechargeable Battery Flashlights
- Integrated battery
- Non-Integrated Battery
These are batteries which are removable and can be recharged outside by keeping in a charging unit. But with technological improvements, today they can be recharged on the move with the help of chargers, USB, A/C adapter ports. Further, they can be classified as- rechargeable 123A and Lithium-Ion batteries.
- Rechargeable 123A: They are the rechargeable version of the CR123A Lithium batteries.
- Rechargeable Li-ion batteries: They are the advanced version of all other types of batteries in terms of performance, weight, compactness, and get recharged faster. They have longevity and come with varying power as well. They are expensive, though can be ignored by the kind of performance they have but are most popular.
Based On LED Light
Depending on the kind and utility of the LED lights used in the torch, rechargeable flashlights can be divided as:
- Flood
- Spot
- Adjustable
They generate lighting which is focused in a single beam and are generally used for walking, camping or general household tasks.
Things to Keep In Mind While Buying Rechargeable Flashlight
The markets are flooded with hundreds of variants of Rechargeable Flashlights from hundreds of companies. They attract you with various features and claim to be the best in the category. You must, though, take into consideration your specific need and select one wisely. There are few critical points you must keep in mind while doing so:
Measurement Of Lumen
The measurement of light output is measured in Lumen and is the power of light coming out of the torch on the brightest setting. It is checked always with new batteries on. The intensity can vary from 20 lumens for reading purposes and 3500 lumens for mountainous stretch. Now check the lumen you need with your specific requirement.
Distance
Light from a full moon night is taken as the benchmark, brightest for night outdoors. Measured in meters, the last point where the brightness lessens, below the full moon light. Therefore, the beam distance is critical in deciding which one is the best for you.
Life Of The Flashlight
The light output when drops by 10%, that time duration is taken as its run time. It is checked for each light setting and if the graph is available it can bring a lot of information in terms of the light performance over a period of time.
Capacity To Take Impact
This test is primarily done to find out if the flashlight can function even after a number of sudden or accidental drops. It is carried for 6 times simultaneously and is thrown on concrete.
Bulb Used
You must take into consideration if the bulb is incandescent or LED. This is required to find out if the flashlight can provide us various beam types like- flood, Spot, and adjustable as discussed previously.
Waterproof
This is to check if the light will keep functioning if encountered with rain or any other water body. There are three ratings for this namely: IPX4 for a splash of water at all angles and water immersion after impact. IPX7 for immersion till 1metre for 30minutes. IPX8 for immersion of 4 hours.
Kind Of Battery
Your specific need can be attained by the kind of battery which is been used like – integrated and non-integrated. You must assess your need accordingly. The details have been already shared.
Other Critical Specifications
Other things to be taken care of are the compactness, the material used on the body, the shape and size, the weight and accessories available with it.
Product Name | Product Image | Quality | Price | Our Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
A+ | $$$ | 95 % Quality | ||
A+ | $$$ | 98 % Quality | ||
A+ | $ | 95 % Quality | ||
A | $ | 98 % Quality | ||
A | $$ | 95 % Quality |
**Below, you'll see more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon.
Best Rechargeable Flashlights Reviewed
Equipped with polycarbonate lens and scratch resistant coating, Stream Light flashlight can be carried easily on the go. It is water proof, with high intensity LED light. The bulb runs for 50,000hours. It can run for up to 5.5 hours in strobe mode.
via Amazon.com
The stream light comes with four variable lighting modes - high, medium, low and strobe. It is powered by three cell NiCd batteries. It produces 385 Lumen and can be used on a routine pace without the need to replace the LED light.
Pros
- Value for money
- Magnificent in carrying and handling
- Super performing and throws light only at the focal point
Cons
- On and off button are a bit troublesome
- Switching it “on” and “off” can be tricky
- Battery performance is not as expected
The flashlight has a unique design which is easy to handle due to its knurled body which provides a firm grip. It makes use of C4 LED technology and provides a lifetime of 500,000 hours. It delivers high-intensity, super powerful light with 500 Lumens and runs for one hour non-stop.
via Amazon.com
With almost unbreakable body and lens, the torch is made of anodized aluminum which also makes it corrosion free from both inside and outside. It is compact in size and shape and has an adjustable focus beam.
Pros
- Extremely powerful
- Rechargeable and has a strong body
- Makes use of deep dish parabolic reflector to produce focused light
Cons
- Batteries do not work as expected
- On/off switch is not durable
This flashlight is powered by 18650 lithium ion battery and produces 800 lumens. It can produce concentrated beam of light and can illuminate distances up to 600 feet. It is suitable for outdoor activities like camping and hiking as it is water resistant, skid proof and made of aluminium alloy.
via Amazon.com
Pros
- Comes with 7 light modes
- Made of aluminium alloy
- Comes with USB charging cable
Cons
- Faulty on-off buttons
Tough from inside and rigid from outside, this flashlight has aircraft grade aluminium body. It is ultra bright and produces 800 lumens of light and can illuminate distances upto 656 ft.
via Amazon.com
The flashlight has an adjustable focus and allows you to adjust the beam as per the requirements. It is light-weight and can be carried to your trekking or camping with ease.It is solar powered and can be used in case of any emergencies.
Pros
- Solar powered
- Highly durable and made of aircraft aluminium body
- Comes with an adjustable focus
- IP65 waterproof
Cons
- Charger doesn’t work as expected
- Light might not be as bright as the company promises it to be
DAX Tactical flashlight comes neatly packed and is sure to satisfy all your hiking and camping needs. It consists of 2 tactical flashlights with lithium ion batteries and a battery charger. The package is excellent for gifting purposes too.
via Amazon.com
The flashlight is superbright and comes with 5 modes - high, medium, low, strobe and SOS. It is powered by 4200 mAh battery and can light up to 6 hours continuously.
Pros
- IP67 rated water resistant
- Strong aluminium body and durable
- Produces 1200 lumens
Cons
- Not as bright as advertised
Wrapping Up
This brings us to an end of this article. All the top five flashlights are designed for meeting specific needs of customers. But, if my opinion is concerned, I would give my points the Stream light 74751 Flashlight, as it not only is powerful in terms of generating light but also has a great run-time and lumen. Its deep depth parabolic reflector produces more focused beam and is an added advantage.
So what are your views on this? Which rechargeable flashlights do you use? Do let us know in the comments.