The Definitive Ranking of the 10 Most Popular Flashlight Brands

In today’s world, our smartphones have become an all – in – one essential. However, despite their numerous features that can enhance your outdoor adventures, some tasks are better served by specialized devices. When it comes to illumination, dedicated flashlights outshine the small lights on our phones. They are essential camping gear and more reliable in work settings. Flashlights are far brighter and much more durable. After all, no one wants to accidentally drop their iPhone into motor oil while trying to locate a drain plug, or be left with a weak light beam when trying to find a trail in the woods at night. Additionally, some flashlight apps come with rather concerning permission requests.

The flashlight market is vast, with brands ranging from inexpensive AA – powered models to high – end enthusiast products that can be customized to precise specifications. After extensive research, we’ve whittled down the best brand names to a top 10 list. Keep in mind that a lower ranking doesn’t mean the product is subpar; there are literally hundreds of flashlight brands out there. Our research involved scouring Reddit, online forums, YouTube reviews, and product recommendations from professional websites. We also sought the opinions of several mechanics and firearm enthusiasts about their favorite brands.

11. Astrolux / Mateminco

Astrolux, the house brand of the wholesale online retailer Banggood, offers a diverse range of flashlights. Many of them are rebranded products from the manufacturer Mateminco, and both brands receive excellent reviews. Astrolux flashlights often feature the characteristics that enthusiasts desire, usually at a more affordable price than expected. The company offers lights suitable for everyday carry as well as for specialized uses. Astrolux’s flashlights are frequently mentioned as some of the longest – throwing in the industry. One particular model performs exceptionally well, exceeding what one would anticipate from a light costing less than $200.

The Astrolux WP3 is a powerful laser – excited phosphor (LEP) flashlight. Laser – based flashlights like the WP3 were first introduced in 2018. There are different designs for converting a laser into a practical light source, but the general result is the same—LEP flashlights can project light over incredible distances. However, they also generate a significant amount of heat, which limits their applications. For example, the WP3 has an astonishing throw distance of 1.8 miles. It comes with a stainless – steel bezel, a knurled grip, and a reliable power and mode switch with excellent tactile feedback. While it may not be practical for tasks like finding keys on the garage floor, it can serve as a beacon, or be used for hunting or hiking. It’s also simply enjoyable to experiment with such a powerful flashlight, of course, while taking safety precautions.

The Astrolux WP3 is available from Banggood for approximately $160.

10. Maglite

For those who aren’t self – proclaimed “flashaholics” (yes, that’s the term used by enthusiasts) and just want a well – known name, Maglite is one of the most recognizable brands on our list. It has been around for over forty years. Since the introduction of its iconic flashlight design in 1979, the company has rapidly built a reputation for producing reliable and durable products, especially among first responders and mechanics. Since the launch of its flagship product, not only has the company expanded its product line, but it has also maintained manufacturing facilities in the United States throughout its existence.

Maglite has diversified into lights for various applications, from tactical models for firearm mounting to small everyday carry lights that can save your phone’s battery life when a handheld lighting solution is required. In our opinion, the “cop light”—the ML300L 4D—is still the go – to choice for an oversized light with an incredibly long battery life. The four regular D batteries it uses can retain power for over five years, making it ideal for stashing in the trunk of your vehicle and forgetting about until an emergency arises.

The ML300L can stay lit for five hours on its high setting and up to 18 days on its lowest. It’s impact – resistant and water – resistant. Although it’s heavy when batteries are installed, the flashlight can serve as a makeshift tool in a pinch.

The Maglite ML300L 4D is available on Amazon for under $50.

9. SureFire

Founded by the inventor of the first commercially available laser – sighted weapon, SureFire has been a staple in the field of firearms illumination and accessories since its establishment. The company specializes in flashlight attachments for weapons, as its primary focus is on manufacturing dependable tactical equipment for military and law enforcement use. However, SureFire also offers a range of lighting solutions for competitive shooting, camping, hunting, and outdoor activities.

One of their most popular everyday carry lights is the Stiletto Pro. This uniquely designed flashlight is comfortable to carry in a pocket or hold in your hand. It’s thin, flat, and durable, producing 1000 lumens on its brightest setting and recharging via a side – mounted USB – C port. Its design incorporates tactical elements, with a tail button that can activate a bright white strobe for self – defense. This programmable, bright, lightweight, and waterproof 4.5 – inch – long flashlight is a reliable and versatile tool. Clever users can reverse the pocket clip to attach the light to a baseball hat for hands – free use.

The SureFire Stiletto Pro is sold on Amazon for $226.

8. Nitecore

Nitecore has won several international and U.S. awards for design and innovation and has been innovating in the flashlight field for over 16 years. Its products are designed with outdoor enthusiasts in mind. In addition to a wide range of flashlights and lanterns, the company also manufactures items like backpacks and outdoor power solutions.

While Nitecore offers a great variety of traditional flashlights, we’ll spotlight its LR70. This lightweight little lantern can also function as a power bank and dual – beam flashlight. In flashlight mode, it can produce 3000 lumens, and 400 lumens as a lantern. The LR70 features separate buttons for flashlight and lantern controls. Its flat bottom/flashlight end allows it to be placed on a surface, and there’s also a built – in hook for hanging in a tent. The inclusion of a 10000mAh power bank is convenient for recharging a phone overnight. At around 4.5 inches tall, it’s a handy lantern for your next camping trip that can be stored in a large pocket or bag.

The Nitecore LR70 costs $80 and is available on Amazon.

7. Olight

Sometimes, all you have room for in your pocket is a light that can fit on a keychain. Olight is adored by fans of everyday carry flashlights and is widely available through Amazon and similar online retailers. From rail – mounted lights for firearms to lanterns, headlamps, and bike – mounted lights, Olight caters to a broad range of users. Its products come with innovative features such as shake – to – awake battery level indicators and proximity sensors to dim the output. The only drawback is that the company exclusively uses proprietary batteries, meaning you can’t just use any replacement power source.

However, this hasn’t stopped Olight from having the best – selling flashlight on Amazon at the time of writing this article. The Olight imini 2 is a tiny rechargeable keychain flashlight, measuring just over 2 inches long. It cleverly integrates a USB charger into the keyring portion of its design. The light itself is magnetically attached to the USB keyring, allowing for easy removal and use. It activates immediately upon removal from the keyring, eliminating the need for buttons or switches. It’s well – built, provides 50 lumens of highly portable light, and can even be attached to surfaces via its magnetic base for hands – free use.

The Olight imini 2 is $20 on Amazon.

6. Convoy

Convoy is often hailed as the “king of budget” flashlights among flashaholics, offering dozens of options in various colors and shapes. If you’re technically inclined and interested in the nitty – gritty of flashlight modification, Convoy provides plenty of swappable parts and add – ons. With the low cost of most of these parts and the base flashlight units, Convoy is an excellent starting point for beginners looking to get into the hobby. The Convoy S2+ is a popular choice, with the base unit costing under $9 on some websites. It’s bright, has a great throw distance, and is pocket – sized and rechargeable.

The company’s flashlights are available with less customization on Amazon and a number of smaller sites. However, flashaholics often direct shoppers to the Convoy store on AliExpress. This is because the one – man operation is willing to customize any order, provides exceptional customer service, and offers thorough feedback. The store also has numerous parts available for DIY modification of several Convoy flashlights.

The Convoy S2+ is available from AliExpress in a variety of emitter, body color, and battery option combinations for under $20.

5. X Flashlight

Although X Flashlight has only been in existence for 12 years (10 under its current name), it is among the top choices for several reviewers and flashlight hobbyists. The company manufactures specialized headlights for activities such as camping, mountain biking, and diving, and also caters to the tactical and hunting markets. X Flashlights are known for their solid construction, and most of its products come with a five – year warranty in case anything goes wrong.

While the cool – looking Terminator M2 – X is one of the more popular flashlights the brand produces, we’d like to highlight the reliable E75. The flashlight comes in four colors and has a strong magnet on the tail end. With an over 850 – foot (260 meters) throw distance and a maximum output of 3000 lumens, it’s suitable for almost any application. USB – C rechargeability, multiple brightness modes, a side – mounted power button, and a reversible clip for bezel – up or bezel – down storage options all contribute to making it a well – regarded light that’s great to use right out of the box.

4. Thrunite

Thrunite was founded in 2009 by a college dropout who decided to learn everything about LED products. Based in China, Thrunite offers the variety one would expect from a brand near the top of this list, with products for camping, hunting, and firearm use. It offers a wide range of smaller everyday carry and pen lights, but we’ll focus on something a bit more powerful.

The Thrunite TN36 flashlight was featured on SlashGear as one of the brightest on the market, and the company has improved upon it with the recently released TN50. The lumen output has been increased from 11,000 to 16,340, and the throw distance has been increased from 1,158 feet to 1,345. This powerhouse can also function as a long – lasting light source. Firefly mode reduces the lumen output to just 1.3, allowing for 62.5 days of soft light on a single charge. The lockout mode is easy to engage and disengage, and indicators make it easy for the user to check whether the light is locked and its charge status.

The Thrunite TN50 can be purchased on Amazon for $260.

3. Streamlight

Streamlight is one of the best – known flashlight brands and heavily markets towards emergency services, as well as hunting and firearm lighting. While some flashaholics argue that the flashlights are pricier due to the brand name, Streamlight has built its reputation by manufacturing reliable products in the United States, honoring its warranties, and being widely used by service personnel.

Streamlight is also a favorite among automotive technicians. Both the author of this piece and a group of BMW technicians we consulted swear by their Streamlight Stingers because of their durability and lifetime warranty. Personally, I’ve dropped my orange Stinger LED HL onto a running belt on an engine and into drain pans of both transmission fluid and coolant, and the flashlight still works perfectly.

The Stinger DS LED HL may not be as powerful as some of the other flashlights on this list, with a max output of 800 lumens and a throw distance of around 1,017 feet (310 meters). However, when it comes to reliability and durability, it’s hard not to recommend this model, and Streamlight as a whole.

The Stinger LED HL is available on Amazon for around $100.

2. Fenix

Fenix is well – known among both enthusiasts and everyday users and tops our list for being one of the most versatile and accessible flashlight brands. The company produces everything from tactical flashlights designed for military and first responders to lanterns for illuminating campsites. It even offers custom engraving with text and logos for many of its most popular products. Fenix flashlights are available almost everywhere you might think to buy a flashlight, whether it’s outdoor stores like REI, online retailers like Amazon, or discount department stores like Walmart.

The most popular flashlight from the brand is the Fenix PD36R PRO, a great example of an everyday carry flashlight that strikes a balance between performance and price. It’s rechargeable via USB – C and comes with a battery that can keep the light running at its lowest setting for up to 42 hours. The PD36R PRO is impact – resistant, dustproof, and waterproof up to 6.5 feet of submersion, and the company offers a limited lifetime warranty on its product.

The Fenix PD36R PRO is sold on Amazon for around $120.

1. Methodology

To compile this ranking, we delved into numerous reviews on trusted websites and forums, as well as Reddit and YouTube reviews. We visited a nearby firing range to gather the opinions of several patrons and also asked technicians at our local BMW dealership. The writer of this post, who owns flashlights from several of these brands and is a DIY enthusiast and former professional auto mechanic (fields where getting light into tight spaces is crucial), also contributed his own insights.