The 10 Best LED Flashlights of 2021
Photo: aclockworkorangeplay.com
LED flashlights are the ideal tools to use to illuminate your way as you hunt at night. This is because they are very bright, highly energy-efficient (long battery), and have a long lifespan. Essentially, they give you the best value for money as compared to other types of flashlights.
That said, if you are looking for this kind of torch, we have picked and reviewed 10 of the best LED flashlights in the market. Read through then pick the one that suits your needs.
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10 Best LED Flashlights – Review
- 1. Best Overall LED Flashlight: Maglite ML300LX
- 2. Best Budget LED Flashlight: Anker Bolder LC90
- 3. Best LED Flashlight Set: GearLight S1000
- 4. Best Rechargeable LED Flashlight: Phixton T04
- 5. Best Mid-Size LED Flashlight: GearLight S1200
- 6. Brightest LED Flashlight: WdtPro S3000
- 7. Tactical LED Flashlight: GearLight S2000
- 8. Durable LED Flashlight: Streamlight 74751
- 9. Dual-Switch LED Flashlight: Streamlight 75458
- 10. Corrosion-Resistant LED Flashlight: Maglite ST3D016
- How to Buy the Best LED Flashlights
- Conclusion
10 Best LED Flashlights – Review
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FEATURES |
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1. Maglite ML300LX (Best Overall) |
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2. Anker Bolder LC90 (Best Budget) |
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3. GearLight S1000 (Best Set) |
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4. Phixton T04 (Best Rechargeable) |
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5. GearLight S1200 (Best Mid-Size) |
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6. WdtPro S3000 (Brightest) |
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7. GearLight S2000 (Tactical) |
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8. Streamlight 74751 (Durable) |
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9. Streamlight 75458 (Dual-Switch) |
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10. Maglite ST3D016 (Corrosion-Resistant) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. Maglite ML300LX (Best Overall) |
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2. Anker Bolder LC90 (Best Budget) |
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3. GearLight S1000 (Best Set) |
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4. Phixton T04 (Best Rechargeable) |
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5. GearLight S1200 (Best Mid-Size) |
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6. WdtPro S3000 (Brightest) |
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7. GearLight S2000 (Tactical) |
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8. Streamlight 74751 (Durable) |
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9. Streamlight 75458 (Dual-Switch) |
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10. Maglite ST3D016 (Corrosion-Resistant) |
1. Best Overall LED Flashlight: Maglite ML300LX
Photo: Maglite
- Max Lumen: 625
- Beam Distance: 406 m
- Batteries: 3 D-Cell Alkaline
- Run Time: 16 - 117 hours
- Weight: 12.48 oz.
This LED flashlight packs in the best of the best features such as multi-mode operation with 5 lighting modes. These include momentary, full power, low power, ECO, and strobe. Shifting between these is done using a quick click electronic switch, which is quick and easy to use.
Strobe is especially useful because it disorients the game you are hunting. It can also be used for self-defense by using the same disorienting characteristic.
The torch has an advanced focus system for switching between spot and floodlight, which is done by less than a 1/4 turn of the head.
That said, at full power, the spotlight gives you a 625-lumen beam that illuminates up to 406 meters ahead. This can run for 16 hours straight on 3 new D-Cell alkaline batteries. On the low setting, you can get a runtime of 77 hours but this extends up to 117 hours on ECO mode.
You also get a toughened anodized aluminum body with an aggressive knurled design, weather-resistant rubber seals (IPX4 water-resistance rating), and a stealthy matte black finish. The only problem is that the batteries are not included in the set.
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Cons:
2. Best Budget LED Flashlight: Anker Bolder LC90
Photo: Anker Bolder
- Max Lumen: 900
- Beam Distance: 305 m
- Batteries: 18650
- Run Time: Up to 6 hours
- Weight: 6.24 oz.
If you are in the market for a high-quality LED flashlight that is reasonably priced, we recommend Anker’s Bolder LC90 . The unit is packed with a rechargeable 18650 3350mAh battery (included) that lasts up to 6 hours in medium-beam mode.
That said, the unit has 5 lighting modes, which are high, medium, low, strobe, and SOS. All these operate using CREE LEDs, which provide 900 lumens in high mode with a maximum reach of about 1000-ft (305 m). These LEDs are very durable because they have a 50,000-hour lifespan.
A dedicated IC with an intelligent illumination driver ensures you get non-fading brightness as the battery discharges. On the other hand, a charging chip prevents the battery from overheating as it discharges.
More features are an IPX5-rated water-resistant anodized aluminum body, an anti-slip finish for steady holding, and a zoomable (spot, floodlight) beam. However, its 6-hour runtime is quite short.
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3. Best LED Flashlight Set: GearLight S1000
Photo: GearLight
- Beam Distance: 305 m
- Batteries: 18650
- Run Time: 3 AAA or 18650
- Weight: 5.12 oz.
If you have a hunting buddy, you should get GearLight’s S1000 because it comes as a set of 2 flashlights. Each of these has 5 different lighting modes (high, medium, low, strobe, and SOS) with a zoomable beam that reaches as far as 1000-ft away (305 meters).
The torches are very durable because they can withstand a 10-ft drop while waterproof and weatherproof seals make them ideal to use in the rain or snow.
As for power, you can use either 3 AAA or a rechargeable 18650 battery but none of these are included in the set. You also get a compact design that fits in your pocket, purse, or backpack for easy storage.
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4. Best Rechargeable LED Flashlight: Phixton T04
Photo: Phixton
- Max Lumen: 1200
- Batteries: 18650 or 3 AAA
- Run Time: 6 - 12 hours
- Weight: 14.4 oz.
Phixton’s T04 is the best rechargeable piece primarily because it has multiple charging methods. Basically, it comes with a USB charging cable that can be connected to a wall adapter for AC charging, a laptop, power bank, computer or any USB device, or a USB car charger.
A 5000 mAh lithium-ion 18650 battery is included in the set and it has a lifespan of 500 recharge cycles. When full, this gives you 6 hours of runtime in high mode and 12 hours in low mode. You have the option of using 3 non-rechargeable AAA batteries but these are not included.
More features are 5 operating modes (high, medium, low, strobe, and SOS), a non-slip aluminum alloy body for comfortable use, a zoomable beam, and multiple accessories such as a bike mount, gift box, etc.
The only problem is that the torch has a relatively low runtime.
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Cons:
5. Best Mid-Size LED Flashlight: GearLight S1200
Photo: GearLight
- Max Lumen: 500
- Batteries: 3 AA, 18650 or 26650
- Weight: 10 oz.
This flashlight has a medium size that is compact enough to fit in your backpack , glove box, or survival bag without sacrificing power. A wrist strap is also included to help you keep the torch close by whereby its mid-size is not cumbersome to hang on your hand.
The unit is versatile enough to be powered in 3 ways, which are 3 AA or rechargeable 18650/26650 batteries.
5 modes are built-in to light your way ahead, which are high, medium, low, strobe, and SOS. Each of these is zoomable for floodlighting or spotlighting.
Other features include an all-weather and water-resistant aluminum body that is strong enough to withstand a 10-ft drop. However, no batteries are included and the torch has a relatively low 500-lumen output that is not very bright. On the bright side, it is very affordable.
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6. Brightest LED Flashlight: WdtPro S3000
Photo: WdtPro
- Max Lumen: 1600
- Batteries: 4 AA
- Run Time: 6 - 30 hours
- Weight: 8 oz.
With a 1600-lumen beam, WdtPro’s S3000 has the brightest output and this can run for 6 hours continuously. This is made possible by a dedicated IC with PDO technology, which ensures the LEDs light up very brightly without overheating.
This forms the high mode but two more modes are built-in: low and strobe. The low mode can run for up to 30 hours on 4 new AA batteries. All three modes are zoomable for spotlighting or floodlighting.
The LEDs and battery are enclosed in a waterproof (IP67-rated) anodized aluminum shell, which can be submerged 1-meter deep for 30 minutes. Essentially, the torch can withstand heavy rain for outdoor use.
On the downside, the required batteries are not included in the set and you don’t get an SOS mode.
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7. Tactical LED Flashlight: GearLight S2000
Photo: GearLight
- Max Lumen: 1200
- Beam Distance: 305 m
- Batteries: 4 AA
- Weight: 11 oz.
GearLight’s S2000 has a tactical design that includes an easy-to-use rear switch, a super bright 1200-lumen beam, and a long-range spot beam that focuses on objects up to 1000-ft (305 meters) away.
The beam can also be zoomed out for wide floodlight coverage while a tactical black color keeps it stealthy in the dark.
Aside from that, the flashlight features 5 lighting modes with strobe and SOS for disorienting and calling for help respectively.
You also get a waterproof, weather and shock resistant anodized aluminum body that can withstand a 10-ft drop. However, the required 4 AA batteries are not included in the set.
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8. Durable LED Flashlight: Streamlight 74751
Photo: Streamlight
- Max Lumen: 615
- Beam Distance: 219 m
- Batteries: Lithium Ion or 3 AAAA
- Run Time: 1.25 - 4.5 hours
- Weight: 5.2 oz.
There are two ways in which Streamlight 74751 is built for long-lasting use. First, it has durable C4 LEDs that have a lifespan of 50,000 hours. Second, the unit has an aircraft-grade aluminum body with a high-temp glass lens.
This body is shock-resistant (withstands a 2-meter drop), has an aggressive knurled barrel that is also very grippy, and gasket seals for waterproofing (IPX4-rated). The head has an anti-roll design that keeps the torch from rolling away when you set it down.
Apart from that, you get 4 lighting modes (high, medium, low, and strobe). The high mode projects a 615-lumen beam 219 meters away and this can run for 1.25 hours. With a low beam, you get a 160-lumen beam that is projected 110 meters away and this can run for 4.5 hours.
The flashlight is rechargeable and comes with a lithium-ion battery that has a lifecycle of 1000 charging cycles. This battery charges to full in 3.5 hours and an LED charge status indicator is built-in to show you when full.
One major issue though is that the unit is very expensive.
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9. Dual-Switch LED Flashlight: Streamlight 75458
Photo: Streamlight
- Max Lumen: 800
- Beam Distance: 310 m
- Batteries: NiMH or NiCd
- Run Time: 1.5 - 5 hours
- Weight: 12.8 oz.
Streamlight’s 75458 features dual switches for convenient use in which one is located on the tail cap while the other is mounted on the head. The rear switch is ideal for tactical use while the front one is good for normal use.
A rechargeable 3.6V NiMH battery is included in the set, which gives a runtime of 1.5 hours on high and 5 hours on low. This has a lifespan of 1000 charging cycles and recharges in 4 hours using the included charger. That said, the torch is also compatible with a NiCd battery.
More features are an anti-roll rubber ring, shockproof C4 LEDs with a 50,000-hour lifespan, a sturdy machined aircraft-grade aluminum case, and a scratch-free polycarbonate lens that is unbreakable. However, the piece is very expensive and its runtime is very short.
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10. Corrosion-Resistant LED Flashlight: Maglite ST3D016
Photo: Maglite
- Max Lumen: 168
- Beam Distance: 412 m
- Batteries: 3 D-Cell Alkaline
- Run Time: Up to 80 hours
- Weight: 30 oz.
With an anodized exterior and interior on its aluminum body, Maglite’s ST3D016 is highly corrosion resistant. It also has weather-resistant seals and the body and is drop resistant (1 meter) for maximum durability.
Power is provided by 3 D-Cell alkaline batteries, which give you a long runtime of up to 80 hours when new.
The flashlight’s head can be rotated to adjust the beam’s focus from spot to floodlight. In the spotlight setting, the beam illuminates up to 412 meters ahead, which is quite a long distance.
However, it only produces 168 lumens and this is not very bright. Also, you get a single lighting mode, which basically means you get an on/off switching mechanism.
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How to Buy the Best LED Flashlights
Photo: Fenix
1. Brightness
A flashlight is meant to illuminate your path ahead and therefore, it makes sense to consider its maximum brightness. Measured in lumens, the higher this value is, the brighter the unit is. For this reason, WdtPro’s S3000 has an edge over the rest because it produces a 1600-lumen beam.
2. Light Modes
Light modes are meant to expand your capabilities when using an LED flashlight. For instance, the high mode is for projecting the brightest light for clear visibility. Medium and low are meant to give you a decent amount of light while conserving the battery for extended use.
Strobe mode produces a flashing light that disorients your target. It also comes in handy for self-defense because it disorients what or who is after you. On the other hand, SOS mode flashes the light to communicate a call for help and to signal your location if you get lost.
These 5 are the most common modes but if you get more, the better. That said, you should check if the beam is zoomable to create a focused spotlight for long-range illumination or a floodlight for wide coverage. We highly recommend this feature.
3. Batteries and Runtime
One major factor that determines a flashlight’s runtime is its battery. Some units run on disposable batteries while others have rechargeable ones.
The latter is more environmentally friendly because you get to reuse it. However, in most cases, these don’t have a long runtime, which usually does not exceed 12 hours.
With disposable batteries though, you can get a very long runtime, which in some cases can exceed 100 hours in low light mode. Flashlights with this long runtime are recommended, especially in cases where you want to go deep into the woods for a few days.
For this, be sure to check out Maglite’s ML300LX .
4. Beam Distance
This shows how far the light can reach when you power the torch at the highest setting in spotlight mode. Ultimately, the furthest reaching beam is best because you’ll get to spot targets far away at night. That said, any beam that goes up to 200 meters is good enough.
5. Waterproof
If you intend to use the flashlight outdoors, then it must be waterproof so that it can withstand heavy rain and other weather conditions like snow. Water-resistance is rated in IP standards with the highest rating being the most ideal. For instance, a torch rated at IPX7 is better than IPX4.
Apart from this, you should also check for corrosion resistance and shock resistance for maximum durability.
6. Size and Weight
Since you will be carrying the torch outdoors, its size and weight will affect your performance. For comfortable use, we recommend getting a compact unit that is either small or medium size so that it fits in your backpack, pocket, or purse.
As for weight, the lighter it is, the better so that you don’t get fatigued when carrying it. However, you should not compromise on quality by checking the weight first.
Conclusion
As you can see, Maglite’s ML300LX is the overall best-LED flashlight because it has 5 lighting modes with a zoomable beam. It also has a long beam coverage of 406 meters and can run for up to 117 hours on ECO mode.
However, at 1600 lumens, WdtPro’s S3000 projects the brightest beam and it has a dedicated integrated circuit to prevent overheating at this high level. If you want the brightest torch, check it out.
If you prefer the rechargeable type though, we recommend Phixton’s T04 because it has multiple charging methods using its USB port. You also have the option of using 3 AAA batteries and the torch produces a bright 1200-lumen beam when using either power source.