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8 Brightest Flashlights in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

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man using flashlight

Flashlights are important tools that help you see in low-light situations, and they are essential in an emergency that results in a power outage. Shining a bright light into an attacker’s face can also help give you the time that you need to get away. If you would like to purchase a flashlight that helps protect you and enables you to see in the dark, keep reading as we provide you with a reviews list of the brightest flashlights available. There’s also a short buyer’s guide that will help you make an informed purchase.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Nitecore MH25S Nitecore MH25S
  • Durable construction
  • SOS mode
  • USB-C rechargeable
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Streamlight Stylus Pro Streamlight Stylus Pro
  • Optimized for runtime
  • Small size
  • Can withstand a fall
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Browning High Noon XL Browning High Noon XL
  • Bright light
  • USB-C recharging
  • Battery indicator
  • Streamlight Survivor  LED Flashlight Streamlight Survivor LED Flashlight
  • Simple controls
  • Weatherproof
  • Two power options
  • Streamlight ProTac HL 3 Streamlight ProTac HL 3
  • One-handed operation
  • Bright light
  • Durable construction
  • The 8 Brightest Flashlights

    1. Nitecore MH25S — Best Overall

    Nitecore MH25S 1800 Lumen flashlight

    Lumens 1,800

    The Nightcore MH25S is our pick as the best overall brightest flashlight. It provides the user with 1,800 lumens, so it’s quite bright. It’s USB-C rechargeable, so it’s always ready when you need it. You can adjust it to five brightness levels, and it has a strobe, beacon, and even an SOS mode that can help keep you safe in a dangerous situation. It has a durable aluminum construction, is waterproof, and is resistant to temperature changes.

    The only downside with the Nightcore mh25f is that the handles are small, so someone with a large hand might struggle to hold it comfortably.

    Pros
    • Durable construction
    • Multiple brightness settings
    • SOS mode
    • USB-C rechargeable
    Cons
    • Short handle

    2. Streamlight Stylus Pro — Best Value

    Streamlight Stylus Pro Pen Light

    Lumens 90

    The Streamlight Stylus Pro is our pick as the brightest flashlight for the money. This tool packs a powerfully bright light into a tiny package, so it’s easy to store or keep with you. It’s optimized for runtime, so it’s ready when you need it, and the bright LED has a 30,000-hour life expectancy. The body is water- and corrosion-proof and can withstand a drop from a height of 6 feet. It’s comfortable to hold and comes with a carrying case and batteries.

    The downside of the Streamlight Stylus is that it only provides the user with 90 lumens, which is significantly less than many other options on this list, though still well over what you would expect from a common flashlight.

    Pros
    • Small size
    • Optimized for runtime
    • Corrosion- and water-proof body
    • Can withstand a fall
    Cons
    • Not that bright

    3. Browning High Noon XL — Premium Choice

    Browning High Noon XL Spotlight

    Lumens 3,200

    The Browning High Noon XL is our premium choice option when it comes to bright flashlights. You can set it to high, low, or flashing mode, and it provides the user with an astonishing 3,200 lumens, so you will have plenty of bright light when needed. USB-C recharging is fast, and a battery indicator light will tell you when to plug in. It’s a waterproof flashlight that will float if it ends up in the water, and the durable construction will help keep it working for many years.

    The primary downside to the Browning High Noon is that it’s more expensive than many other options.

    Pros
    • Bright light
    • Floats
    • USB-C recharging
    • Battery indicator
    Cons
    • Expensive

    4. Streamlight Survivor LED Flashlight

    Streamlight Survivor LED Flashlight

    Lumens 140

    The Streamlight Survivor Flashlight is the perfect option when readying your house for an emergency. It’s also perfect for activities like search and rescue, firefighting, and more. The right-angled head makes it easier to see where you are going when it is attached to your shirt or pants. It has a rugged and durable construction, and it’s also weather-proof. The push-button operation makes it easy to adjust the settings while wearing gloves, and you can power it with AA batteries or a rechargeable battery pack.

    There isn’t much to complain about with the Streamlight Survivor besides the fixed position head, which makes it difficult to use in certain situations. It’s also not as bright as some other options on this list.

    Pros
    • Easy to attach to a shirt or pants for hands-free operation
    • Simple controls
    • Weatherproof
    • Durable construction
    • Two power options
    Cons
    • Nor as bright as some other options
    • Fixed right-angle head

    5. Streamlight ProTac HL 3

    STREAMLIGHT ProTac HL 3

    Lumens 1,100

    Streamlight ProTac HL 3 is one of many options from this manufacturer, signifying how committed it is to producing bright and easy-to-use flashlights. This product provides the customer with 1,100 lumens, so it’s bright enough to scare off an intruder and help you navigate dark pathways. One-handed operation makes it easy to control, and it has two brightness options and a strobe light that can help make it easier to get away from an attacker.

    The Streamlight Protac is a great tool, but it drains the battery faster than most other options.

    Pros
    • One-handed operation
    • Bright light
    • Durable construction
    Cons
    • Quickly loses charge

    6. Nitecore EC23 Flashlight

    Nitecore EC23 flashlight

    Lumens 1,800

    The Nitecore EC23 is a high-end tactical flashlight that provides customers with 1,800 lumens, so you won’t need to strain to see what you are doing. Its compact size makes it easy to fit into pockets and almost anywhere else for easy storage. It has five brightness settings and three special modes, like strobe, to help keep you safe.

    The downside of the Nightcore is that the brighter light settings tend to quickly wear down the battery.

    Pros
    • One-handed operation
    • Small size
    • Multiple brightness settings
    Cons
    • Loses charge quickly

    7. Core Equipment 1500 Lumen Rechargeable Flashlight

    CORE 1500 Lumen CREE LED Rechargeable Camping Emergency Flashlight

    Lumens 1,500

    The Core Equipment 1500 Lumen Rechargeable Flashlight provides plenty of light when you need it. It has an auto-adjusting feature that enables the flashlight to set the lighting intuitively, continuously adjusting the intensity of the light based on how far away you are from an object. Its airplane-grade aluminum housing is extremely durable and will help ensure that the flashlight lasts for years.

    The downside of the Core Equipment flashlight is that it loses charge quickly, and since it uses a micro-USB cable, recharging can take longer than you expect.

    Pros
    • Airplane-grade aluminum housing
    • Auto-adjusting light
    • Bright light
    Cons
    • Quickly loses charge
    • Slow to recharge

    8. Acebeam BK10

    ACEBEAM BK10 USB Rechargeable Bike Light

     

    Lumens 2,000

    The Acebeam BK10 is a bike light that can easily double as a flashlight. It provides the customer with 2,000 lumens, which will help you see a good distance ahead, even on the darkest paths. It’s small and weighs almost nothing, so it’s easy to carry around.

    The downside to the Acebean is that it can take a while to recharge the battery because it only uses a micro-USB cable. It’s also more expensive and less durable than many other options.

    Pros
    • Very bright
    • Easy to use
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Not durable
    • Slow to recharge

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    Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Brightest Flashlight

    Choosing the Brightest Flashlight

    When looking for a bright flashlight, the most important specification is the number of lumens that it provides: the larger the number, the brighter the light. We recommend making sure your flashlight can provide at least 100 lumens, to make sure the flashlight is capable of producing fairly bright light. However, it can be much higher, with some models providing more than 3,0000 lumens, which can make even the darkest locations, look like the middle of the afternoon!

    hunter using flashlight
    Image Credit: Edgar G Biehle, Shutterstock

    Durability

    The second most important thing to look for is durability. Many brands use aircraft-grade aluminum as the main material in their frames, which helps them remain lightweight without sacrificing durability. We recommend checking any brands that you are considering in order to see what material they use in their construction.

    Other Features

    Many brands also have special features, like strobe or SOS light flashes, that can help protect you or call for help. Some allow you to adjust brightness, and some will automatically adjust it for you based on their sensors. If you think that these features can help you, you should get them, but they also add to the cost, so you should think about what you need before you start looking to buy.

    man using tactical flashlight
    Image Credit: MargoLev, Shutterstock

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    Conclusion

    When choosing a new bright flashlight for your home, we highly recommend our pick for the best overall. The Nightcore MH25S is extremely bright, has plenty of extra features, and is durable. We highly recommend our pick for the best value if you need something less expensive. The Streamlight Stylus Pro is not much larger than an ordinary pen, but it will provide enough light to navigate any emergency. It also has a long battery life and is rust and corrosion resistant, so it will likely last many years.


    Featured Image Credit: ketkata leejungphemphoon, Shutterstock

    About the Author Ed Malaker

    Ed Malaker is a veteran writer who contributes to a wide range of blogs covering information on computer programming, pets, birding, tools, fitness, guitars, and optics. Outside of writing, Ed is often found working in the garden or performing DIY projects in the house. Ed is also a musician, spending his time composing music for independent films or helping people repair their guitars.