If you are looking for the best small flashlights on the market you have come to the right place.
Camping, backpacking, hiking these activities can be stressful after the sun goes down. Whether you need to move from point A to B or find your socks in the dark, a flashlight can be useful in many ways.
Another thing with those kinds of outdoor adventures is that you need a compact flashlight, and in this post, we present the 9 best small flashlights that you can consider for your next trip.
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There are many aspects to consider too when trying to pick your perfect flashlight.
From output to battery type and construction, we’ve covered all this in a brief buying guide further down this post. Let’s get started:
Top 9 Best Small Flashlights Reviews
1. Anker Rechargeable Bolder LC90 LED Flashlight
The Anker Rechargeable Bolder LC90 LED Flashlight is by far the best-selling flashlight on the market and we’re confident calling it the best small flashlight for backpackers.
It has a simplistic design yet high performing, powered by a 18650 3350mAh battery that’s USB rechargeable for maximum convenience.
Moreover, the battery house is uniquely designed to protect the battery against any water damage as well as help you from losing it.
The body is constructed from extra-hard anodized aluminum that’s scratch- and chip-resistant, maintaining a sleek appearance and enhancing grip.
It also has an extra-long handle and scalloped-bezel which are meant for striking.
With IP65 weatherproof rating, this flashlight is good to go in the rain or snow. In fact, this flashlight illuminates even in freezing temperatures as low as 14°F/-10°C.
You get five light settings in the form of high, medium, low, strobe and SOS.
Then there’s a dedicated built-in circuit and smart illumination driver that ensures consistent lighting each time you switch on the light.
The beam gives you 900 lumens of output with a 1000ft reach. Also included is a lanyard to wrap around your hand for added security.
2. 1000 Lumen Cree XP-L LED Rechargeable Flashlight
This 1000 Lumen Cree XP-L LED Rechargeable Flashlight has a convenient and innovative design.
It uses one 18650 battery which it comes with or you can buy two 3V CR123A Li-Ion batteries for the purpose.
There’s a battery status indicator that shows the power level and lets you know when to charge the battery.
Charging is via a USB cable and from a PC, power bank or even a car USB port.
It offers 5 levels of brightness that vary from 8, 80, 320, 650 and 1000 lumens, including strobe and SOS modes.
On its highest output, the flashlight offers 131 minutes of illumination while the lowest setting can run for 500 hours.
This compact flashlight is just 4.3 inches long and weighs a mere 3.35 ounces. Made from HAIII military grade hard-anodized aluminum material, it benefits from abrasion-resistance and IPX8 weatherproof rating, making it perfect to use for outdoor activities.
It comes complete with lanyard and clip for convenient charging and carrying it.
The lighting element has a lifespan of 100,000 hours. Whether you’re a camper, fireman, police or rescue person, this lighting is pretty much for any outdoor enthusiast.
3. Anker Ultra-Bright Tactical Flashlight with 1300 Lumens
The Anker Ultra-Bright Tactical Flashlight with 1300 Lumens is typically a tactical flashlight that can function great for any campsite or kept somewhere in your car for emergency situations.
It comes with a rechargeable 26650 5000mAh battery that includes a USB port and it can be charged off a laptop or any USB power source. It takes around 8 hours to fully charge from flat.
At the title suggests, the output is an impressive 1300 lumens with five different settings available to adjust to your needs.
The settings offer excellent color rendition between different modes for more accurate illumination.
The on/off button is conveniently fixed at the back and there’s a Crenulated Bezel at the front, which can be useful in self-defense situations.
Furthermore, the ON switch has a brief on function so you don’t have to turn fully on if you need to quickly flash on something. It can even
The device is also IP67 rated meaning it will be perfect for anyone using it in the rain.
There’s even a memory setting that allows you to turn back on to the last setting you used before switching off. A wrist strap also provides some added ease of use and security.
4. SureFire 6PX Series LED Flashlights
The SureFire 6PX Series LED Flashlights is a good quality device with rugged construction that’s surely built for the outdoors.
It’s made from aircraft-grade, hard-anodized aluminum that ensures extreme durability no matter the weather the flashlight will be facing.
This virtually indestructible LED light has a regulated output to maximize runtime.
You get two light modes in the form of high, which emits 320 lumens to run for 2.5 hours, and low, which produces 15 lumens with a maximum runtime of 45 hours.
The body is smoothly sculpted for a secure grip and it’s highly resistant to abrasion, corrosion, and scratches.
It also has a polycarbonate micro-textured reflector that delivers a wider beam with generous outlying light.
This flashlight uses 2 x CR123A batteries and it weighs 5.2oz. Overall, this one doesn’t have the fancy features you find in many other flashlights in this post; just a simple, rugged tactical flashlight but quite pricey.
5. Streamlight 74754 Strion LED HL Rechargeable Flashlight
Looking for a small, high lumen professional flashlight? This Streamlight 74754 Strion LED HL Rechargeable Flashlight feels much like it.
Thanks to its 615 lumens and 219 beam distance max, this flashlight is ideal for illuminating a large area, perfect for search activities, law enforcement, and professional applications.
It has a compact design and offers 3 microprocessor-controlled adjustable intensity modes and strobe mode for signaling your location.
This flashlight is also built from durable aircraft aluminum material.
The head designed in a way that the light won’t roll away when placed down, while it has a knurled barrel for a firm grip.
Its glass lens is gasket-sealed against outer damage and the entire thing is built to IPX4 standards so it resists water and dust.
It has actually been tested to 2m impact resistance and it stood its ground.
The 5.2-ounce flashlight comes with a Li-Ion 2600mAh battery that fully charges in a matter of 3.5 hours. A 12V DC charger is also included in the box.
6. Fenix Flashlights FX-PD35TAC Flashlight
The Fenix Flashlights FX-PD35TAC Flashlight is a pocket-size tactical light that uses CREE XP-L (V5) LED with a lifespan of 50,000 hours.
It has three modes of operation including Turbo with 1000 lumens output that can run for 1hr 10min max, low mode with 60 lumens for 29 hours 15 minutes runtime and strobe with 1000 lumens output.
There’s also a tactical tail switch with momentary-on function for when you don’t need the full light.
Thanks to an integrated memory circuit, you can automatically enter the last used mode when you turn on the light.
In terms of construction, it is made from aircraft-grade aluminum with a premium hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish.
The body is rated IPX8, meaning it can withstand underwater submersion up to 6.5ft for 30 minutes.
The recommended batteries are 18650 rechargeable type but they are not included in the box.
7. TX11 Tactical Flashlight
The TX11 Tactical Flashlight is perfectly designed for survival situations and is also suitable for camping.
Built from aircraft-grade aluminum, this flashlight benefits from IPX8 waterproof rating, shock resistance up to 1m and superior resilience.
The torch provides up to 1,000 lumens on its highest output with a beam distance of 2 football fields.
In total, there are 6 light modes including firefly, low, mid, high, turbo and strobe with 1200, 70, 6, 2.5, 1h 10min, and 2.5 hours runtime respectively.
It also features a low battery reminder so you know when to charge the battery.
This flashlight is powered by 2 x CR123A 3V Li-Ion batteries or 1 x 18650 3.7V Li-Ion battery, giving you maximum versatility.
Lightweight and compact, this flashlight fits in a pocket, clips to a belt or even a tactical holster.
And since it’s powerful like a car’s headlight, it’s ideal for security officers, hunters, guards, mechanics, and home emergencies.
8. Niwalker Tactical Flashlight with Magnetic Swith
The Niwalker Tactical Flashlight with Magnetic Swith is a military-grade flashlight with an impressive output of 2650 lumens max.
The flashlight uses CREE XHP35 HI LED with a lifespan of 100,000 hours.
Its beam distance of 6230ft is probably the longest on the market, making the flashlight suitable for hunting, night riding, hiking, emergency applications, among many other tactical applications.
Built from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, this flashlight is designed to IPX7 waterproof standard, meaning it can be submerged in water up to 1m for 30 minutes and still come out fully functioning.
It’s the perfect tool to use in a harsh environment such as snorkeling.
While it has a smaller design, it benefits from a magnetic switch that lets you change between modes more conveniently.
Last but not least, the manufacturer offers a 1-year warranty and they have excellent customer service to solve your concerns within 24 hours.
9. Fenix PD35 TAC 1000 Lumen CREE XP-L LED Tactical Flashlight
This Fenix PD35 TAC 1000 Lumen CREE XP-L LED Tactical Flashlight features two modes of operation for general purpose and tactical purposes.
One is the ‘Outdoor’ mode which offers five output intensities plus strobe, which is selectable via a side body switch.
The other one is the ‘Tactical’ mode, which offers switching between tactical-minded outputs via tail cap pushbutton, with only turbo, strobe and low outputs available.
Using a CREE XP-L (V5) LED, this flashlight produces an output range from a low task-oriented 8 lumens to a powerful, extra bright 1000-lumen turbo that’s perfect for illuminating large areas or search activities.
The highest 1000-lumen mode can also be used to signal in emergency situations or disorientate an intruder.
The device runs on one 18650 battery (included) or two CR123 batteries.
Some other nice features include overheating protection, reverse-polarity protection, and digitally regulated output.
The durable aluminum body is impact resistance tested to 1m, waterproof to 2m submersion (IPX8 rated) and it has a sure grip in wet conditions.
What to look for when shopping for the best small flashlight
Below are the fundamental aspects to consider when it comes to buying the best flashlight.
Output
Measured in lumens, it indicates how bright the light will be. Most flashlights have varying outputs that offer different runtimes, with the lowest lumens often providing less brightness while the highest mode being providing the most brightness.
Lower lumens are preferred for activities such as reading whereas higher lumens are ideal for long-distance illumination, for example, when trekking at night.
Light settings
Most flashlights have adjustable light settings with lower levels being good at extending the battery life.
Additional settings such as strobe and SOS can come in handy for emergency situations and using around the camping.
Beam distance
With lumens comes beam distance, which shows how far you can effectively see with the beam of your device.
For midnight hikes, you would be fine with a beam distance of at least 100m. A shorter one is sufficient for use around the campsite.
Also, consider whether you get both a flood and spot beam. The former is ideal for illuminating a wider area while the latter is perfect for focusing on a specific subject.
Battery type
There are two types; rechargeable and replaceable. Rechargeable is the most preferred because they save money and reduce waste.
Some rechargeable batteries are also removable and these can be good when camping for several days.
With replaceable options, you will have to buy more once the existing ones run out.
Construction material
Any outdoor item should be reasonably tough and flashlights are certainly made so.
Most are built from aerospace-grade aluminum, which shockproof, IPX7 or IPX8 waterproof rated, corrosion- and abrasion-resistant and durable. The body ought to offer a good grip too.
Size and weight
Even small flashlights differ in size. Some can easily sneak into a pocket while others are only good being handheld.
Our Final Conclusion
Having listed out the top-rated products on the market, all that’s left is you to identify a flashlight that suits your needs.
Make sure it has good reviews regarding waterproofness and durability because these two are key to how long your flashlight can cope with the elements out there. Have a bliss!
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