We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Products Home Improvement The 7 Best Rechargeable Flashlights of 2024, Tested and Reviewed For everything from camping to changing a tire. By Nor'adila Hepburn Nor'adila Hepburn Nor’Adila is a contributing writer for Real Simple. Her work has appeared in Better Homes & Gardens, Southern Living, US World News & Report, and Trip Advisor. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 03, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict Our Testing Process How to Shop More to Consider FAQs Take Our Word For It What Is Real Simple Selects? Photo: Real Simple / Eric Brockob Whether you're embarking on a camping trip or simply preparing for the next power outage, having a flashlight on hand is essential. Rechargeable flashlights beat out flashlights that use disposable batteries because they are more powerful and better for the environment. To find the best rechargeable flashlights, we tested 16 models from various brands in our lab, evaluating them on usage, brightness, beam distance, and other features. We also spoke to Jeanne Devon, co-author of Survive and Thrive: How to Prepare for Any Disaster Without Ammo, Camo, or Eating Your Neighbor, for her expert insight on finding the right rechargeable flashlight for your needs and home. Our Top Picks Best Overall : Olight S2R Baton II Rechargeable Flashlight at Amazon $70 Jump to Review Best Budget : GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight at Amazon $20 Jump to Review Best Waterproof : Nitecore MT21C Flashlight at Amazon Jump to Review Best Flat : Nitecore Rechargeable Flashlight at Amazon $90 Jump to Review Best for Camping: SALE Lighting Ever Rechargeable LED Lantern at Amazon $36 $25 Jump to Review Best Spotlight : Stanley Fatmax SL10LEDS Rechargeable Spotlight at Walmart $75 Jump to Review Best Work Light : Coquimbo Rechargeable LED Work Lights at Amazon $17 Jump to Review Best Overall Olight S2R Baton II Rechargeable Flashlight PHOTO: Amazon Orig. $70 $63 at Amazon $65 at Walmart View on Olightstore.com Our Ratings Design 5/5 Durability 5/5 Performance 4.6/5 Battery Life 4.8/5 Value 4.5/5 What Stands Out It has a waterproof rating of IPX8. What Could Be Improved The controls and settings aren't intuitive. The Olight S2R Baton II flashlight is rugged, compact, and powerful, earning its spot as our best overall pick. It has a powerful 1150-lumen beam and a beam distance of 107 meters, plus a magnetic charging port at the back. We particularly love its compact size, which makes it easy to keep on hand when on the go. It has three brightness settings, which proved to be impressively powerful—given its strength, we think the highest setting is suitable for outdoor use only. You can also switch it into turbo mode for extra brightness, moonlight mode, which gives off faint light that won't disturb others, and strobe warning mode. The main downside of this pick is that the controls aren't intuitive, so it took us a while to realize that we had to double-click or triple-click the button for it to work. We ran the flashlight for 30 minutes straight during testing, and it remained just as bright as when we powered it on. According to the brand, this flashlight has a 60-day runtime, so it was no surprise that it passed this test with flying colors. The flashlight also has a battery indicator. The Olight might be the most rugged flashlight we tested—it has an IPX8 waterproof rating, meaning you can safely submerge it in water. During our drop tests, it continued to work with no sign of scratches or damage. Though it is more expensive than many other options we tested, its impressive value is well worth the cost. Dimensions: 0.91 by 0.91 by 3.94 inches | Brightness: 1150 lumens | Beam Distance: 107 meters PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob Best Budget GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight PHOTO: Amazon $20 at Amazon Orig. $24 $20 at Walmart Our Ratings Design 5/5 Durability 4.8/5 Performance 5/5 Battery Life 4/5 Value 5/5 What Stands Out This flashlight has a telescopic beam. What Could Be Improved It doesn’t have a USB port or battery power indicator. This GearLight S1000 flashlight is super compact and packed with useful features, all at an affordable price. It has five modes including a strobe mode and SOS light settings. The settings worked as expected during testing, though we thought the low setting was too dim to be functional. Overall, this flashlight was light and comfortable to carry. No matter how long we used it, it was always cool to the touch. We also liked the wristband component, which allows you to carry it hands-free. To test its durability, we dropped this flashlight 3 feet from the ground. It sustained no scratches or dents, and it continued to work effectively. We also submerged it in water to check water resistance, and it passed with a perfect score—not a single drop of water leaked inside, and the battery pack stayed shockingly dry. This light has telescoping properties, which can point and intensify whatever you need to see. Overall, this flashlight is packed with value for an affordable price. It doesn’t have a built-in USB port, which explains why it’s cheaper than the other flashlights on our list, nor does it have a battery indicator. To power it up, use rechargeable batteries (or disposable AAA batteries). Dimensions: 2.64 by 3.66 by 5.71 inches | Brightness: 1040 lumens | Beam Distance: 118.3 meters PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob Best Waterproof Nitecore MT21C Flashlight PHOTO: Amazon View on Amazon $65 at Home Depot $75 at Tractor Supply Co. Our Ratings Design 5/5 Durability 5/5 Performance 5/5 Battery Life 5/5 Value 5/5 What Stands Out It’s small and powerful, featuring a 700-hour run time on a low setting. What Could Be Improved The beam narrows over long distances. Whether you're walking the dog or fixing a tire in the dark, you can count on the Nitecore MT21C to help you navigate any nighttime task. It has a 90-degree head that you can angle as needed to get a better look, plus five brightness settings: ultra-low, low, medium, high, and turbo. This flashlight also comes with extra strobe, beacon, and SOS settings, which are helpful in the case of an emergency. In addition to its various settings, this flashlight particularly stood out in our waterproofing tests. No water managed to leak in, and the entire battery compartment and interior remained dry. We found this flashlight comfortable to hold, and It emitted a pretty powerful light—the beam was bright yet narrow over distance compared to other flashlights we tested. If you want to keep it hands-free while you walk, it also comes with a holster shell that attaches to any belt, pocket, or backpack. During the 30 minutes we had it powered on, we noticed that the body got progressively warmer, though not to the point where it was uncomfortable to hold. The flashlight has a 700-hour run-time (on low) and comes with a USB cord to recharge the battery. Dimensions: 5.16 by 1 by 1 inch | Brightness: 3000 lumens | Beam Distance: 155.24 meters PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob Best Flat Nitecore Rechargeable Flashlight $90 at Amazon $90 at Walmart View on Nitecorestore.com Our Ratings Design 4.5/5 Durability 5/5 Performance 4.5/5 Battery Life 5/5 Value 4.3/5 What Stands Out It’s ideal for use around the home and work. What Could Be Improved It doesn’t stay cool while powered on. The Nitecore EDC27 Flat 3000-lumen tactical flashlight is packed with impressive features including an OLED LED screen and five settings: ultra-low, low, medium, and high, plus strobe mode and turbo mode. The body is slender and compact, measuring about 1 inch by ½ inch. Despite its small size, it’s durable and remained intact and fully functional, even after dropping it from 3 feet. Additionally, we found its rectangular shape comfortable to hold, and it has a wristband for convenient carrying. If you want a rechargeable flashlight in your car for emergencies, opt for this one—it easily fits in almost every compartment or holder. Our only complaint involves the heat—while the beam was nice and bright, we noticed that the flashlight became increasingly hot while it was on. Dimensions: 5.35 by 1.26 by 0.83 inches | Brightness: 3000 lumens | Beam Distance: 155.24 meters PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob Best for Camping Lighting Ever Rechargeable LED Lantern PHOTO: Amazon Orig. $36 $25 at Amazon Our Ratings Design 5/5 Durability 5/5 Performance 5/5 Battery Life 5/5 Value 5/5 What Stands Out It’s a waterproof flashlight and lantern device. What Could Be Improved The low settings weren’t all that useful. The Lighting Ever LED Camping Lantern was one of our standout picks of the flashlights we tested for its handy two-in-one design. This flashlight-meets-lantern has an IPX4 waterproof rating, a carrying handle, and a small metal ring you can attach to a belt or backpack hook. It also has feet at the bottom to give it more stability on any surface, along with a battery indicator that tells you how much charge you have left. The high and low brightness settings on this rechargeable flashlight are dimmable, allowing you to customize the brightness as you please. However, after testing the lantern and flashlight modes, we found that the low light setting was not very functional, so we recommend sticking to the high setting. Also, in an emergency, you can switch the light to a bright red. And if you need to charge your phone, the flashlight also converts into a power bank. Just be mindful that charging electronics will drain the battery, so you might need to recharge the flashlight sooner rather than later. Dimensions: 6.6 by 3.2 by 3.5 inches | Brightness: 500 lumens | Beam Distance: 162.63 meters PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob Best Spotlight Stanley Fatmax SL10LEDS Rechargeable Spotlight $75 at Walmart $51 at Home Depot $69 at QVC Our Ratings Design 4.8/5 Durability 5/5 Performance 4.5/5 Battery Life 4.8/5 Value 4/5 What Stands Out This flashlight illuminates things at a far distance. What Could Be Improved It's a bit clunky and heavy. The Stanley Fatmax SL10LEDS provides a bright 2200-lumen light over an extra-long 760-meter distance. It stands out because it uses a trigger rather than a button to change settings and runs for an impressive seven hours straight, provided you keep it on low. This pick is helpful for camping and outdoor adventures, as it can illuminate far-off spots without much effort. It has only two modes; low and high, and no strobe or SOS settings, which most other models have. The flashlight is also a hefty 7.5 inches long—which is not ideal if you need a compact pick for your car or bag. Also, it’s fairly heavy, and we felt tired holding it for more than half an hour. That said, this flashlight is highly durable. Though it's plastic, it didn’t crack after we dropped it and continued to work. Overall, we thought this light was handy for camping or hunting. Dimensions: 10 by 3.25 by 5 inches | Brightness: 2200 lumens | Beam Distance: 765.51 meters PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob Best Work Light Coquimbo Rechargeable LED Work Lights PHOTO: Amazon $17 at Amazon Our Ratings Design 4.5/5 Durability 4.5/5 Performance 4.5/5 Battery Life 4.8/5 Value 4.5/5 What Stands Out It’s available in single and double-pack options. What Could Be Improved The magnetic base could be stronger. The Coquimbo LED Work light is ideal for nighttime projects, able to effectively illuminate small work areas with ease. It is foldable and fits in your pocket comfortably, so you can effortlessly carry it around or keep it safe in a drawer when it's not in use. In addition to its small size, the 360-degree swivel design also makes it easy to maneuver from all angles. Plus, it has a magnetic base, hook, and grippy handles for a comfortable grip. In terms of brightness, this flashlight was similar to a phone flashlight when scanning areas. But, we found it valuable for detailed tasks like working under the hood or doing craftwork. It has two lights: one main light and a second smaller light on the top. We don't think the secondary light has much utility, as it wasn't very bright. Along with the two brightness settings, it has a red warning and strobe light. We loved the addition of a charging port that can be used as a power source. Dimensions: 3.7 by 1.02 by 1.02 inches | Brightness: 800 lumens | Beam Distance: 125.52 meters PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock PHOTO: Real Simple / Eric Brockob PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock Final Verdict The Olight S2R Baton II Flashlight was our top pick for its rugged build and high IPX8 waterproof rating. This flashlight is long-lasting and ideal for camping or emergency preparedness. If you need a cheaper option, the GearLight S1000 LED Tactical Flashlight is affordable yet durable and comfortable to carry. Our Testing Process To find the best rechargeable flashlights, we tested 16 models in our lab. First, we started a timer and checked the brightness modes and whether or not the flashlight came with a battery indicator. We also checked the range of each flashlight and whether they had additional modes such as strobe, SOS, or turbo. Next, we checked our comfort level while using the flashlight. If it had a strap, we adjusted it to see how comfortable it was. Then we checked the beam distance, including the width of the beam using a wall, painter's tape, and a lux meter, recording the distance in meters and feet. We noted how compact each flashlight was and tested them in our car’s console to assess the fit. When applicable, we tested the rechargeable flashlights with our water, power bank, magnet, and drop tests. For flashlights with a power bank, we connected adaptors to the flashlight and a rechargeable earbud case or phone to see how well it charged. To evaluate waterproof flashlights, we fully submerged them in a bucket of water for 15 seconds and looked for any water damage or moisture in the charging component. For the magnet test, we put the rechargeable flashlight on the side of a metal toolbox and observed how long it stuck to the surface. Finally, for our drop test, we dropped the flashlight from 3 feet and recorded if there was any damage. We also recorded battery runtimes for all flashlights we tested. Real Simple / Henry Wortock How to Shop for Rechargeable Flashlights Like a Pro Usage You can use rechargeable batteries as an extra or a backup light. We recommend bringing a rechargeable flashlight when camping or hiking, and keeping one in your car or bag for emergencies. Many rechargeable flashlights also have an SOS mode and strobe lights, which are essential in an emergency. Rechargeable flashlights are also beneficial to keep in a home emergency kit home in case of a power outage or storm. Brightness & Beam Distance “Advances in LED technology mean that rechargeable flashlights today are brighter and better than their older versions,” says Devon. Most rechargeable flashlights come with basic high, low, and medium modes. Some models have added brightness modes like ultra-high, ultra-low, turbo light, strobe light, or SOS settings. When it comes to beam distance, these flashlights offer light from 100 meters to over 700 meters. For household work, you can opt for a lower beam distance, while camping or emergency flashlights should have a greater throw. Features Rechargeable flashlights often have bonus features, like built-in USB ports you can charge wherever you have a power source. Devon loves how convenient they are, noting that they can even be recharged from your laptop or car. Some rechargeable flashlights also act as a power source for other devices like smartphones or laptops, which is especially handy in an emergency. Another feature is waterproofing—models with an IPX waterproof rating can withstand outdoor adventures, rain, and submersion. “Waterproof flashlights are great for fishing, being out in the rain, keeping in your car, and in flooding situations,” says Devon. If you want a flashlight to keep in your car, look for one with a magnetic base so you can attach it to the side of your car while you work. More Rechargeable Flashlights to Consider Anker Bolder LC40 Flashlight: The Anker Bolder LC40 is a rechargeable flashlight with three brightness settings and decent battery life. Plus, it’s low-priced for a rechargeable model, making it a good option for anyone on a tight budget. This flashlight features 400 lumens, which makes it more of a hiking or camping flashlight than a tactical one. Also, note that it’s not water-resistant. Energizer TacR-1000 LED Tactical Flashlight: This flashlight was heavier than most other rechargeable flashlights we tested and only has three brightness modes: high, low, and a strobe setting. We liked that its power bank can power other electronics, however, we didn’t test to see how long it takes for a full charge. Real Simple / Henry Wortock Questions You Might Ask What are the pros and cons of rechargeable flashlights? There are two kinds of flashlights: flashlights that use disposable batteries and rechargeable flashlights. According to Devon, rechargeable flashlights are more powerful because they use lithium batteries. “They also throw a beam farther than a flashlight with regular alkaline batteries,” she says. Rechargeable flashlights are also a more sustainable option. While Devon acknowledges that no battery is truly environmentally friendly, she says rechargeable flashlights are beneficial because they require fewer batteries over time. The tradeoff is that they come with a higher price tag compared to regular flashlights—though it pays off in the long run because you won’t be buying as many batteries. The other downside of rechargeable flashlights is that you need a power source to charge them. If you’re camping or in a blackout, you may not be able to recharge your batteries unless you have a power bank or portable generator. How long do rechargeable flashlights last? The run time of rechargeable flashlights depends on the model and type of batteries. Powerful options can run for 12 or more hours, while compact picks might only have a few hours of battery life. “To maximize the life of any battery, only use it when necessary and on the lowest setting necessary,” Devon says. “Research the specific battery you are considering for the most accurate figures, but a top-of-the-line lithium-ion battery on the lowest mode can last for many weeks of use on a single charge! Also, keeping your battery full at all times will begin to shorten its life.” Real Simple / Henry Wortock Take Our Word For It Nor'Adila Hepburn is a freelance writer specializing in buying guides for Better Homes & Gardens. She specializes in commerce, home, and lifestyle niches. To find the best rechargeable batteries, we tested 16 models in our Lab, evaluating them on usage, brightness, beam distance, and various features. Nor’adila also spoke to Jeanne Devon, co-author of Survive and Thrive: How to Prepare for Any Disaster Without Ammo, Camo, or Eating Your Neighbor. What Is Real Simple Selects? Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company. Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.