The 6 Best Flashlights for Everyday Use

If raw lumens and longevity are top of your priority list, it’s hard to find a better choice than the Streamlight Polytac X USB. The starting point of 554 lumens is already solid, but in testing, the flashlight settles between 334 and 324 lumens, which is a far higher than nearly all other options we tested.

The relatively compact design doesn’t detract from the overall performance, as the light beam extends for close to 300 feet. That said, the reflector is not adjustable, so you’ll have to look elsewhere for a floodlight.

Beyond this, we liked the nylon polymer body which was grippy and a lot more comfortable to hold in comparison to a fully metal exterior, which can be icy to the touch in cold temperatures.

There are three preprogrammed function sets we were able to access using Streamlight’s Ten-Tap selector switch. The selection process is a little awkward, but most people will likely only use it sparingly to set the preferred programs, which include low/medium/high, high/strobe/low, and high only. We recommend reading the instructions thoroughly to get this right.

From a fully charged state, the Polytac X ran for almost 5.5 hours during our runtime test before going dark.

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No, Energizer isn’t just for batteries and Jeep isn’t just for cars. The collaboration between the two brands has led to an affordable, sturdy flashlight with enough brightness to cut through the darkness during late nights on the trails or on the roadside.

While Jeep’s involvement isn’t more than some design elements and a logo, this particular option is part of a larger lighting collection the brand did in collaboration with Energizer, featuring headlamps and other flashlights.

During our lumen testing, the flashlight measured a little less than 20 percent below the 1,000 lumens Energizer claims, which isn’t uncommon given nearly all flashlights fall a little short of their advertised number. It still offers tremendous light, especially in tandem with the reflector and lens, which do a nice job angling the light out in a steady, powerful beam.

Test Editor Bradley Ford noted: “The unique feature on this light is the Power Indicator screen for which it is named. When the light is turned on, or the mode changed, the screen displays estimated runtime for that mode—then it switches to battery capacity, listed as charge capacity remaining. Really a nice feature, and better than typical three or four battery-level indicators that are more common.”

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We’ve tested other flashlights from ThruNite and were impressed by their durable, powerful lighting. That’s why we called in the Archer 2A V3 to test.

The flashlight is said to have more than 8 hours of consistent lumen output, higher than many flashlights we tested. Along with brightness, the Archer flashlight is compact and easy to carry around for everyday tasks. Need a quick light to check the back of your shed? Simply reach into your pocket and use the Archer.

The ThruNite won’t be top of the list in any one category but thrives on being pretty consistent across all of them. It’s bright, long-lasting, and durable, which is just about all you really need.

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This ArkPro line of flashlights from Olight caught our eye not just for its slim, pocket-sized design, but also for the volume of additional features it offers. The ArkPro Ultra has four different lighting options: a long-range spotlight, a shallow floodlight, a UV light, and a laser pointer.

Furthermore, you can use those lights in combination with one another. For example, you can turn the laser pointer on and off while shining the flood.

During testing, the long-range spotlight and floodlight ended up being our favorite dual feature. We were able to illuminate small dark rooms easily with the shallow floodlight, while using the long-range spotlight for hallways and large empty spaces. Having both in one body is not a common feature. While we might have initially winced at the price tag, the Olight makes a solid case that it has the value of multiple flashlights.

That said, it’s worth noting that our measured lumens fell short of Olight’s claimed 1,700 figure. The flashlight is still much brighter than most other options but did degrade over the 30-minute test.

Another promising feature: the physical display lights on the body that indicate battery, brightness, and a lockout mode. That last one prevents kids from accidentally flashing the laser or other lights in their eyes by locking the device from shutting on and off.

The USB-C charging is also a plus. With nearly every smartphone charger already built in the same design, you’ve likely got dozens of compatible charging cords lying around.

Full Olight ArkPro Ultra Review

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This small, tactical flashlight from ThruNite does a number of key things well. The over 2400 lumens at its brightest setting rivals some of the most powerful options we recommend. At the same time the compact body and hip clip make it a great portable option that easily slips in a pocket or center console of your car.

What sets the TC15 apart from other options is the extraordinary runtime. On its Firefly mode (which is admittedly a very low setting), the flashlight can run for up to 30 days before needing to recharge.

The durable aluminum body is capable of handling a steep drop and the IPX8 rating means you can feel confident using it in the rain.

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