The Best Flashlight 2022

The Best Flashlight

With an easy-to-store design and long battery life, this waterproof flashlight is undeniably one of our favorite models. It delivers convincing performance with a maximum of 1150 lumens, allowing versatile practice. Even if we regret the lack of zoom, its ergonomics are neat to perfection, which makes it pleasant to hold. In our tests, we particularly liked the magnetic charging base and the battery charge indicator.

The different torches we tested.

We analyzed the design of the different models.

The adhesion of each lamp was checked.

We have judged their ease of use.

We tested the power of the lighting.

Finally, we took into account the performance-endurance ratio.

With its minimalist, solid and resistant design and reasonable performance, this flashlight is in our opinion good value for money for some occasional troubleshooting. Our tests have shown us that it offers considerable advantages in terms of transport and handling, but it lacks power and ergonomics for more sustained use. Indeed, it uses a screwing process to be lit which requires your two hands, and it delivers only one intensity.

Even if its design is a little more bulky and not waterproof enough, the Anker Bolder LC90 displays a performance / price ratio all the same quite impressive, not to mention its very practical zoom and its formidable autonomy of 6 hours at maximum power (900 lumens). . In our tests, we found it easy to understand. You can therefore easily use it intensively without ever doubting its capabilities and versatility.

Comfortable in the hand but also resistant to different climatic conditions, it displays flawless ergonomics, in that it is easy to use and store. Despite its narrow beam, it also responds to efficiency since it illuminates relatively well (with a maximum of 1000 lumens) and has several functions. Without shining, its autonomy is satisfactory. Both in performance and design, we believe it is suitable for extreme tactical and daily outdoor use or for professional trades, such as the military or police.

our selection

Our choice, Best high end	Best cheap	Best midrange	High-end alternative
Olight S2R Baton II	Olight I3E EOS	Anchor Bollard LC90	Fenix PD35 V2.0
In addition to its superior performance, we especially appreciated its comfortable design and ease of use. Its magnetic charging system is also very practical.	This model is certainly the easiest to transport and store with its versatile size and lightness. It is also easy to use and fully waterproof.	In addition to its efficient lighting, it particularly seduced us thanks to its adjustable beam but also with its great autonomy, without necessarily sacrificing power.	Where it is interesting is its design resistant to various environments and ergonomic, which makes it one of the favored models in terms of both performance and comfort.
CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE

Honorable mentions

Olight I3T EOS (see test) (€ 21.95 when published): compact, light, waterproof and well designed, the Olight I3T EOS offers one of the best grip on the market with great ease of use. use. It is also easy to use and store. In our tests, we found that it did well with convincing performance (180 lumens) for its intended use, but in our opinion it is sorely lacking in battery life. It is therefore a perfect pocket model for occasional use but no more.

Thrunite Archer 2A V3 (see the test) (€ 39.99 when published): overall, we are faced with a solid, thin, comfortable in hand, easy to use, but also and above all, flashlight which illuminates well. However, this maximum power of 500 lumens has a negative impact on its autonomy (with less than 1 hour at the highest intensity) and on its power supply mode, making it unsuitable for regular use. In short, for occasional use, it is a good plan but it is to be avoided for longer and / or daily activities.

Anker Bolder LC40 (see the test) (€ 36.99 at the time of publication): even if it lacks waterproofing, this lamp is at the same time pleasant to hold, easy to use, efficient (400 lumens with a range of 100 meters) and very enduring (6 hours of autonomy at maximum intensity). Anker therefore puts forward a versatile and flawless model with a convincing price / quality ratio. We particularly recommend it for camping and hiking. On the other hand, although it is less bulky, what makes the difference compared to its predecessor is mainly the lack of zoom.

How did we test?

To begin with, we analyzed the design by checking the dimensions and weight of each model. In addition, we assessed the quality of the accessories supplied and their practicality, particularly in terms of transport and storage.

Once in hand, we checked the grip of the handle . To do this, we used the lamps with both wet and dry hands.

To check for leaks , we have completely immersed some equipment in water while for others, we have tested them in the rain.

We stayed a while navigating, switching between modes and handling the beam. This allowed us on the one hand to see the ease of use but also to browse the different functions offered by each of the lamps.

Through this process, we were also able to observe the quality of the lighting and measure the range of each output level.

This review was carried out under various circumstances (walks in the woods, short hikes, mechanical activities, etc.) in both very dark and brighter environments, in order to assess the versatility of all models.

Regarding autonomy , we made sure to exhaust each battery by leaving it on at maximum power. Of course, we took into account the performance / endurance ratio.

Finally, we checked the recharging mechanism and the power supply mode by counting each charging time and their practicality.

How did we make our choice?

A flashlight can come in handy in any situation, but first and foremost you need to target the use you want to make of it. Among the many models that exist, it is sometimes difficult to navigate.

This buying guide should therefore help you to see more clearly:

• The type of lamp : headlamps are mainly used for activities requiring both hands free, such as running, cycling or caving. Tactical lights work with a tactical switch and are useful in the civilian or military, not only for their power, but also for the strobe mode that can neutralize an attacker. The “standard” lamps are more basic and their use is summarized in an on / off button with possibly some intensity settings.
• Size : for everyday use, prefer a pocket model, which is a maximum of 7 cm long. For outdoor activities, a light output approaching 1000 lumens is ideal and this is generally found on lamps with a length of around 12 cm. For professionals (hunting, emergency services, etc.), lamps producing more than 1,500 lumens and measuring more than 20 cm are the most efficient.
• Handling : handling it should be as easy as possible. Ideally, it should be light and easy to use. However, be careful: the more powerful the lamp, the more likely it is to be a little heavy. It is then necessary to look more at the design of the handle of the torch, if it is non-slip, if it facilitates the holding of the torch etc.
• Power : This is measured in lumens. The greater the value, the more powerful the lamp, and the more it illuminates around it. Some flashlights offer different power levels in order to adapt the brightness to your immediate needs and, if necessary, to save a little autonomy.
• The range : this data is more important than it can seem because it determines how far your light beam can go to illuminate in front of you. It is of course better to have a longer range so that you can see as far as possible, unless your sole purpose is to use this lamp for repairs.
• The power supply mode : Some lamps, rather rare, also work with a mains power supply. Others can be recharged via the cigarette lighter of your car or by dynamo. But generally, they use cells or batteries, preferably rechargeable. But be careful: alkaline batteries are dangerous in that they can leak and damage the lamp.
• Battery life : this simply determines how long you can run it. Models with greater battery life are generally more expensive. This is a criterion that really should not be overlooked, especially in case you find yourself in an emergency situation.
• The strobe function : most of these devices offer a strobe mode as well as an additional SOS function. The strobe is useful in many different situations, such as an emergency on the side of the road, when running at night or, and this is its most famous use, to defend yourself by blinding someone. You can also switch to different intensity modes.
• Heat : some lamps heat up more than others. Others have a system to avoid any risk of overheating. Make sure that it does not heat up to the point of being hot and in general, stay on the less powerful lighting modes as much as possible to avoid any inconvenience.
• The design : the quality of the components determines the resistance to impacts, scratches and waterproofing. This last characteristic is defined from an IP index which is composed of two digits, one indicating the level of protection against solid particles such as sand and dust (from 0 to 6) and the other communicating the resistance. with water (from 0 to 9). Often, we find an aircraft aluminum alloy with an anodized and anti-abrasive finish.

Sources

1. Cnet, Best flashlights for 2021: ThruNite, Olight and more, 1 mars 2021
2. Expert Reviews, Best torch 2020: Our pick of the best rechargeable LED flashlights and high-powered torches, 1 mars 2021
3. iMore, Best Tactical Flashlights in 2021, 1 mars 2021
4. T3, Best torch 2021: LED flashlights, mini torches and more to illuminate your way, 1 mars 2021
5. The Spruce, The 8 Best Flashlights of 2020, 1 mars 2021