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When you think about the evolution of technology, your mind probably doesn’t go directly to flashlights. However, how lighting technology has moved forward in recent decades is extremely impressive, and flashlights are a product that has seen massive evolution. Tungsten-based incandescent lights have, for the most part, been replaced by LED, which offers more efficient and compact flashlights at even more affordable price points. This advancement in lighting has also led us to a point where super bright flashlights no longer need to be powered by an outlet, as a few decades ago.
ThruNite Catapult V6 SST70
This affordable torch has powerful illuminating potential at 2836 lumens, certainly making it a super bright flashlight, plus the beam’s distance of 2270ft is twice the distance as many other torches boasting much higher lumens.
Super bright LED flashlights have become more accessible. You’d be hard-pressed not to find them offered at most hardware stores or through your regular online stores. As is the case with most products that offer an easy barrier to entry, it has become more of a challenge to identify a quality product from a waste of money. Understanding lumens – the measure of how bright a flashlight shines – is a good starting point before you jump in and make a purchase. With this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the best super-bright flashlights on the market. Products offer exceptional brightness, as well as reliability.
Our Selection of the Best Super Bright Flashlights
Finding a really good super-bright flashlight can be quite challenging, especially a super-bright LED flashlight. It would be best to have a quality flashlight with a high level of durability, lots of lumens, and a long-lasting build that will illuminate the way no matter the case. We have a great selection of the best super bright LED flashlights right here. Ones that come with quality and the features you would expect from any good flashlight.
The Thrunite Catapult v6 Is the Best Overall Flashlight
This affordable torch has powerful illuminating potential at 2836 lumens, certainly making it a super bright flashlight plus the beam’s distance of 2270ft is twice the distance as many other torches boasting much higher lumens.
1. ThruNite Catapult V6 SST70
Additional Technical Specifications
| Batteries | One lithium-ion battery |
| Charging Input | USB C Charging |
| Beam Range | 756 yards |
It is waterproof and can withstand impacts from shortfalls. The bright flashlight comes with rechargeable batteries and a USB-C charging port and a cable for fast charging. If you lose or forget the cable on a trip, it is a common one and therefore easily replaceable. It is truly an all-rounder which doesn’t disappoint in any shape or function.
The torch switches back on in the last mode it was used in. This memory function is considerably handy, as I hate circling through all the light modes whenever you switch it on. Turbo and strobe light will only come on if you double click. A long press on the switch changes modes between low, medium, and high. A single click switches it on and off.
Lumens
It has the capacity to run at 2836 lumens for 220 seconds after which it drops down to 1313 lumens for an additional 89 minutes in turbo mode. For everyday use, the medium mode of 270 lumens is more than sufficient.
Light Range
It has a concentration of light in the center hotspot which travels 2270ft in turbo.
Battery Life
It comes with a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery and USB C charging cable. This is a universal cable that can be found almost anywhere and used for multiple electronics, so no need to pack a whole tangle of cords on your next getaway.
Battery life 70 days max runtime, on firefly mode, which is a very dim setting. A more realistic run time is 9 hours on medium.
Build Design
Aluminum body with rubber seals. The diamond curl pattern on the handle means it is comfortable to hold and provides traction, preventing it from slipping out of your hand.
Other Features
This flashlight has 4.9ft impact resistance. Although this torch is not made specifically for underwater use, it can function in up to 6.5ft depth of water for 30 minutes. This means that if you accidentally drop it in a puddle or river and manage to retrieve it, it will still be in good working condition. An indicator light turns from red to blue when it is fully charged. It will also switch on to alert you when the battery is low and needs charging.
Reasons to Buy
For the best tactical super bright flashlight, get the Streamlight 88060
For any product to be deemed “tactical” they have to meet certain criteria and one of those is customization according to what the product user wants. The Streamlight 88060 offers exactly that, with its wide range of light modes allowing the user to select the light intensity, paracord attachment eyelet, and a range of battery charging options. Being adaptive and customizable is what makes the Streamlight the best choice for anyone looking for a tactical torch.
2. Streamlight 88060 ProTac HL 4
Additional Technical Specifications
| Batteries | 4x CR123A lithium or 2x Lithium rechargable |
| Charging Input | Micro USB |
| Beam Range | N/A |
| LED Technology | C4 LED |
| LED Lifespan | 50 000 Hours |
Suppose you are looking for an excellent, super bright tactical LED flashlight. In that case, the Streamlight 88060 Professional Tactical Flashlight is a nice option to keep in mind for several reasons. It comes with everything you need for a fun and safe camping, hiking, fishing trip, and much more.
Lumens
First, the Streamlight 88060 Professional Tactical Flashlight uses C4 LED technology to provide an ultra-bright and far-reaching beam of light. Yes, this flashlight has only one bulb, but it does the trick just fine. This single LED bulb is housed in a very reflective casing that also works to concentrate the beam of light. In other words, the Streamlight 88060 Professional Tactical Flashlight is both very bright and far-reaching at the same time. It is great for tactical purposes, rescue, hunting, and other outdoor activities.
What is cool about the LED technology used here is that the bulb can last for up to 50,000 hours, which is a long time for any flashlight. The Streamlight 88060 Professional Tactical Flashlight features optimized electronics to regulate the light intensity and maximize the overall battery life.
Light Range
The Streamlight 88060 Professional Tactical Flashlight has fairly good battery life, which is true for all three main settings. The high setting puts out 2,200 lumens of light with a beam reaching 346 meters. The medium setting puts out 600 lumens with a light beam that can reach out to 182 meters. The low setting puts out 60 lumens of light with a beam reaching 56 meters. The battery life for all three settings is fairly good, with 1.5 hours for the high setting, 4 hours for the medium setting, and 40 hours for the lowest setting.
Battery Life
The Streamlight 88060 Professional Tactical Flashlight also has a strobe function that lasts up to 2.75 hours on a single charge. The Streamlight 88060 Professional Tactical Flashlight runs on CR123A batteries, which can be recharged to help you save a bit of cash. What is useful is that the Streamlight 88060 Professional Tactical Flashlight can use multiple kinds of batteries and features a self-adjusting cradle for multiple battery sizes.
Build Design
The modes are easy to select from the tactical tail switch, yet another bonus that this particular flashlight comes with. At the same time, the Streamlight 88060 Professional Tactical Flashlight is also built to be very durable and long-lasting. The aircraft-grade aluminum combined with the anodized coating used to build the Streamlight 88060 Professional Tactical Flashlight makes it extremely rugged. It can easily withstand impacts from over 3 feet high and is also extremely scratch-resistant. The glass lens is gasket-sealed for increased toughness.
Other Features
Also, the Streamlight 88060 Professional Tactical Flashlight has a waterproof rating of IPX-7, which means that it can be submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes without fear of suffering from water damage. The Streamlight 88060 Professional Tactical Flashlight is also very lightweight and features a sleek design, yet another bonus.
Reasons to buy
For the Brightest Flashlight, Get the Imalent MS18
The Imalent MS18 manufacturers were not messing around and certainly felt the same way, inventing a flashlight that currently holds the title as the world’s brightest flashlight. With a whopping 100,000 lumens thrown out over a distance of up to 4 429ft, there really isn’t anything more you could ask for in terms of a bright torch.
3. Imalent MS18 LED Flashlight
Additional Technical Specifications
| Batteries | 8x 21700 rechargeable lithium-ion |
| Charging Input | 19V-24V/2A |
| Beam Range | 1476 yards |
| LED Technology | 18x Cree XHP70 |
| LED Lifespan | Up to 50 000 Hours |
The Imalent MS18 is a behemoth of a flashlight. It’s so powerful that it’s considered to be the brightest flashlight in the world. The manufacturer claims an output of up to 100,000 lumens, placing it in a different league. That isn’t to say that the Imalent MS18 will cater to every customer. If anything, the limitations created by the amount of power required to provide this flashlight’s brightness narrow the number of real-world applications.
Lumens
As we mentioned previously, advertised lumens should be taken with a grain of salt, which is no exception. With that being said, there is no denying that this flashlight puts out a ridiculous amount of light, even if it is for a short period.
The Imalent MS18 provides the user with 8 different brightness modes, which start at an advertised 700 lumens (low mode) and continue to work upwards until you reach the turbo setting, where 100 000 lumens are achieved for a short period. It is important to note that while the turbo mode really does blow you away with its output – the battery can only handle a short period of this intensity before it will drop down to 25 000 lumens, not that 25 000 is anything to scoff at either.
The ability to switch between brightness modes and the wide variety of brightness options do make this flashlight rather versatile. At least in its battery management and general output. There is perhaps a bit of a learning curve involved in figuring out how best to handle the brightness settings to get the most out of this super-bright flashlight.
Light Range
As to be expected from a flashlight that offers so much power, the light range provided by the Imalent MS18 is nothing short of crazy. This flashlight offers a beam distance of nearly a mile when using the turbo mode. Naturally, this isn’t the distance you’re going to be getting on general use of the flashlight, and it will only be visible for a short period. But just the fact that it can reach these distances carries a lot of weight in an emergency. You can easily signal for help and be seen from quite some distance. Even on the lower power settings, the beam distance should still prove valuable for emergencies or security.
One application where the beam distance can come in handy is if you live on a large farm or are surveying a large area of ground for security reasons and would like to spot-check an area on your property from an extended distance. Perhaps you want to ensure that a gate is closed on the other side of the property or ensure there are no trespassers in a particular location.
Battery
There are 8x 21700 batteries that power this beast, which can be recharged using the provided cable without removing the batteries from the device. The charging time is around four and a half hours, which isn’t the fastest charging we’ve encountered but can be expected given the amount of juice required to power the Imalent MS18.
With regards to the expected battery life, if you choose to blast this flashlight on turbo mode, you’ll get about a minute of full power before it drops down to 25 000 lumens, whereafter you’ll get around 45 to 50 minutes of battery life. On the lowest setting of 700 lumens, the manufacturer claims a total of nearly 15 hours of battery life. In real-world situations, if you’re looking to use any of the high modes, you’re going to get around an hour of battery life.
Design
The Imalent MS18 is constructed from an aerospace-grade aluminum alloy body, wear-resistant Type III hard-anodized surface treatment and is made to be durable. 18 CREE XHP70 chips power it. The engineering is impressive, as a built-in heat pipe radiator with included inlet and outlet fans work as dissipating heat coming from the flashlight. Make no mistake; this device does get hot. Having this heat reduction mechanic is essential in ensuring the device remains working. Be sure not to block the intake or outflow fans, as this can cause a build-up of heat which could potentially destroy your flashlight.
The weight and size of the Imalent MS18 are definitely on the larger side, and this is the primary area in which it may not suit most consumers. With a weight of more than 7 pounds, you’re not going to be wanting to keep this in your hiking gear or keeping it in your car. It is ideally suited for specific uses where one does not need to worry about its weight or larger size.
Reasons to buy
The Best Budget Option Is the Semlos 6000 Lumen Super Bright Flashlight
In the torch world, many believe that you have to pay big bucks for brightness and although that may seem true for the higher-end torches which produce insanely high lumens, there are still quality torches at affordable prices, such as the Semlos 10,000 Lumen Flashlight.
For its price range, the Semlos offers quite the package, from amazing illumination coming from 12 LEDs, Insulation Protection Technology, a built-in LED power display indicator plus a 1-year replacement warranty. This certainly provides the buyer with a quality product at an affordable price. For these reasons, Semlos takes the Best Budget Award.
4. Semlos XM-L T6 Super Bright LED Flashlight
Additional Technical Specifications
| Batteries | 18650 Lithium-ion |
| Charging Input | USB-C |
Semlos is known for making high-quality equipment no matter what the case, which is definitely true for this particular super bright LED flashlight, the Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight. When it comes to camping, fixing your car, power outages, and everything in between, this really bright and long-lasting flashlight will illuminate whatever you need to see. Without a shadow of a doubt, the very best aspect of the Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight is that it is extremely bright at a huge distance.
Lumens
The Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight features CREE XM-L T6 LED bulbs, which are known for being extremely bright and long-lasting. This particular flashlight contains 12 bulbs, providing you with 12 times the amount of light that a single bulb would provide you with. These bulbs are also housed in a highly reflective casing which amplifies their brightness and their effective distance even more.
CREE XM-L T6 bulbs are some of the best you could go with when it comes to LED bulbs. When it comes to the brightness or the total lumens emitted by the Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight, it reaches a full 10,000 lumens.
This might not mean very much to you yet, but it should, because 10,000 lumens is a ridiculous amount. Most normal flashlights come with a few hundred lumens, maybe 1,000 at most, but the Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight comes with a full 10,000. In other words, you will be hard-pressed to find a brighter flashlight than the Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight.
This makes this particular flashlight more than ideal for nighttime fishing, camping, hunting, power outages, camping, hiking, and so much more. If you need a super bright LED flashlight, the Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight has got your back.
Light Range
There is also the fact that the Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight has an effective illumination range of 500 meters. Just like how bright this particular flashlight is, it has an impressive distance to match. When it comes to something like nighttime fishing, camping, or hiking in the dark, the Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight can illuminate your path from afar to let you know exactly what is ahead of you.
Battery Life
The Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight comes with rechargeable lithium batteries, which is always a bonus. The batteries can last for a full 5 hours on end on the highest setting without being charged, which is not the best, but still fairly impressive. When the batteries do finally run out, use the included AC power cord to charge them without ever taking them out of the Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight. You can buy extra batteries if you are going on a long camping trip and will not have access to a charger.
Design
You can indeed change the setting on this flashlight. You can choose between low, high, and strobe. The low setting is much brighter than most other flashlights but conserves some energy and is a little less intense than the highest setting on the Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight. In other words, the Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight can be used like a normal flashlight and a big-time power flashlight too. You can even hold the button down for 3 seconds to activate the strobe mode, which is useful for cycling and other things.
Yes, on that same note, the power button is conveniently located on the side of the Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight. Press it once for the lower setting, again for the higher setting, and again to turn it off. For the strobe light mode, hold the same button down for 3 seconds. The strobe light mode can be a good compliment to some good night vision hunting binoculars.
The Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight is very small and lightweight when it comes to convenience and comfort. It can be easily held with a single hand for a prolonged period of time, thanks to its lightweight nature. Also, its small size allows it to fit neatly into any pocket, fishing chest, and camping backpack.
Other Features
Finally, the Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight is very durable. It features an aluminum alloy casing that is scratch-resistant, shock-resistant, and impact-resistant too. It goes so far as this flashlight has an IPX-8 waterproof rating, which means that it can be used during the rain or even dropped in a puddle without fear of damaging the internal components.
All in all, the Semlos XM-L T6 Camping Flashlight is without a doubt one of the very best super bright LED flashlights on the market today. It’s comfortable and convenient, it has good battery life, it’s durable, and of course very bright too.
Reasons to buy
Honorable Mentions
5. Nitecore TM10K
Additional Technical Specifications
| Batteries | 4x CR123A lithium or 2x Lithium rechargable |
| Charging Input | Micro USB |
| Beam Range | N/A |
| LED Technology | C4 LED |
| LED Lifespan | 50 000 Hours |
If you are on the lookout for an excellent, super bright tactical LED flashlight, the Streamlight 88060 Professional Tactical Flashlight is a really nice option to keep in mind for several different reasons. It comes with everything you need for a fun and safe camping, hiking, and fishing trip, plus a whole lot more.
Lumens
This little flashlight packs a proper punch with an intensely bright 10 000 lumen turbo burst mode. Although it only lasts about seven seconds, it is still an impressive performance from this tiny flashlight. Combining 6 CREE XHP35 LEDs results in one of the most powerful tactical flashlights available.
When you’re not using the turbo mode, the 10K also has 4 other light settings of a lower brightness with the HIGH lighting mode being customizable. The output ranges from a dimly lit 400 to an average of 2000 lumens, within a 100-lumen increment.
Light Range
The Nitecore TM10K has a maximum throw distance of about 315 yards in an instant.
The Tiny Monster has 5 brightness levels and 3 special modes adding to its tactical functionality. The 3 special modes are strobe, SOS, and beacon lighting which is great if you need emergency signaling.
Battery Life
USB Type-C Rechargeable 4800mAh Li-ion battery which allows for easy and efficient charging and longer battery life when compared to standard battery-operated flashlights.
Build Design
Although this isn’t the smallest flashlight, it’s extremely impressive that the TM10K’s compact body of 4.3-inches has a 10 000-lumen output. Adding to its tactical prowess, the aluminum-made Tiny Monster 10K has a built-in pocket clip and holster accessories.
Other Features
Unibody design with copper cooling PCB and a CNC aluminum heatsink used to isolate the battery, all work together for maximum heat dissipation and cooling efficiency.
An OLED display on the side of the flashlight is well-lit and displays important operating information such as the flashlight’s current brightness level, its remaining runtime, temperature, and battery level.
Reasons to buy
6. ThruNite TN40S LED Flashlight
Additional Technical Specifications
| Batteries | 4 x 18650 |
| Charging Input | A/C Port |
| Beam Range | 1258 yards |
| LED Technology | 4x Cree XP-L HI |
| LED Lifespan | Up to 50 000 Hours |
ThruNite is an adequate name for this particular flashlight because it cuts through the night like virtually no other flashlight out there can. It might not be the brightest all-time flashlight with the highest lumen output, but it provides you with a far-reaching beam of light that will get you through whatever situation stands in your way. The ThruNite TN40S LED Flashlight is the perfect flashlight for camping, hiking, trekking, mountain climbing, fishing, and even just for your good old power outages.
Lumens
One of the neat things about the ThruNite TN40S LED Flashlight is its many different modes of operation. It features a low, medium, high, strobe, turbo, and Firefly setting. As you can see, this particular flashlight has more settings than any of the other models we have looked at here today. The low setting puts out around 90 lumens of light power, which is still more than most regular flashlights. The medium setting puts out 580 lumens.
The high setting puts out 1,780 lumens. The turbo setting is what you are looking for, which puts out 4,450 lumens of light power. This is very impressive indeed.
Light Range
The firefly setting gives you a gentle glow, which is great for nighttime reading, cooking, and other such activities, with just 1.2 lumens. The strobe setting can also be useful in various situations, emitting 1,100 lumens of light through concentrated bursts. In other words, the ThruNite TN40S LED Flashlight is a very versatile flashlight that can provide you with adequate amounts of light for virtually any situation.
Also, you can use the switch on the front to change modes easily, plus the ThruNite TN40S LED Flashlight has a memory function to remember the last setting it was on before being turned off.
Battery Life
The battery life on the ThruNite TN40S LED Flashlight is pretty good. It could be better, but considering how powerful and useful this flashlight is, it could be worse, too. This flashlight lasts 2.5 days on the low setting, the high setting for 2.7 hours, and the turbo setting for about 85 minutes. If you only use the firefly mode, the ThruNite TN40S LED Flashlight can last for 57 days. The batteries that this flashlight uses are rechargeable, which is a big bonus, no doubt.
Now, the impressive aspect of the ThruNite TN40S LED Flashlight is that it is further reaching than pretty much any other flashlight out there, certainly more than any option we have on this list today. The ThruNite TN40S LED Flashlight can project its beam of light up to 1,151 meters on a clear night. That is really far, no doubt. If you are boating, mountain climbing, or need to find something in the dark at a far distance, this is an awesome flashlight to have in your arsenal.
This is thanks in part to the 4 x CREE XP-L HI LED bulbs that the ThruNite TN40S LED Flashlight features. These bulbs are extremely bright, long-lasting, and can serve you for a total of 20 years before ever needing to be replaced. On that same note, the ultra-reflective housing that brightens and concentrates the beam of light helps increase the usable distance.
A really cool aspect of the ThruNite TN40S LED Flashlight is that it will automatically lower the amount of energy used and light projected when it gets too hot, thus protecting from overheating and ultimately extending this lifespan flashlight.
Build Design
This is a fairly convenient flashlight in the sense that it is fairly lightweight and compact. Carrying it for prolonged periods of time is no problem at all, plus fitting it in a pocket or into some camping gear is no problem either. The really cool part is that the ThruNite TN40S LED Flashlight comes with a shoulder strap, O-ring, and strap ring so you can strap it onto your camping back or anything else, so you don’t even have to hold it while in use.
The ThruNite TN40S LED Flashlight is also very durable, which is thanks to the solid shell. The shell is scratch-resistant and impact-resistant up to 1 meter, thus making it fairly rugged.
Other Features
This flashlight has a waterproof rating of IPX-8, which means that it can actually be submerged in shallow water for a short time without fear of suffering from water damage.
Reasons to buy
Understanding Lumens
You’ll notice that many of these super bright LED flashlights have advertised lumens to indicate how bright they are. Lumens are used to represent the brightness of a device but the process to measure the exact number is a little more complex.
In layman’s terms, lumens can be thought of as the power of the flashlight. With this said, just because you have a bright bulb (or collection of bulbs) doesn’t mean that the output from the device will be more efficient or provide better quality. The way light is directed and the obstacles it needs to pass through will directly influence the quality of the flashlight in practical use.
Think about it this way. If you hang a 60W lightbulb from the ceiling without a light cover, the light is dispersed across the room in no particular direction. Now imagine you place a metallic reflector on that light that faces in one direction. You’ll notice the latter, and the light will appear more intense in the direction it is being channeled. Likewise, if you place a thick piece of plastic around the light, the brightness will become dimmed as it cannot pass through the plastic in the same way.
Similarly, a flashlight bulb may produce a lot of lumens. Still, how light is channeled or obstructed in the design may make a lower-lumen flashlight that is better designed just as affected as a higher-lumen option.
Take Lumens With a Grain of Salt
Without understanding lumens, it may be easy to see a flashlight claiming to put out 50 000 lumens and not blink an eye. Unfortunately, it’s not an uncommon practice for cheaper flashlight producers to claim impossible lumen numbers that, while it looks good to the buyer who sees numbers, for those who have made an effort to understand it – the scam becomes easily visible. For our list of the best super bright flashlights, we attempted to avoid products that seemed to overinflate the lumen values, though the reality is that exaggerated manufacturer claims are commonplace.
Flashlight Performance Considerations
Not all super bright flashlights are created equal and when choosing the ideal one for you, it’s not all about how bright they are. There is more to it than simply switching it on and waving it around as the beam of light fills the room. Each flashlight can serve a different purpose and as the buyer choosing the flashlight that best suits your needs will be the main objective.
So let’s look at a few things to consider when considering a flashlight’s performance.
1. Light Output
The brightness and intensity at which the flashlight emits light is the number one performance point most people look at when choosing a flashlight and for good reason.
The higher the lumens the greater the light emission, yet there can be a thing as too many lumens and not enough lumens. It is best to decide first as to what purpose the flashlight will serve before purchasing one. A flashlight simply needed for the inside of a tent to generate enough light to read a book will only need a range of 20 to 100 lumens, while a flashlight needed for hiking through the woods at night will have to produce a 1,500 lumens minimum.
2. Beam Distance & Angle
Super bright LED flashlights can be designed to focus the light into a concentrated beam, only lighting up a small area but with maximum efficiency, while others may broadcast a wider beam of light where they are designed to try and illuminate a greater area.
Campers would be more inclined to choose a flashlight that lights up an area, for example at a campsite. Flashlights that are designed to light an area and have a wider angle, generally do not have the capability to shine far into the distance.
If you are wanting to look at one specific area that is say 100 or 200 yards away, perhaps searching for a lost pet that has run off or maybe you need to point out a specific area or object, then flashlights with concentrated beams that have the ability to shine over long distances should be considered.
3. Battery Type & Life
What good is a torch if it can’t shine? You can spend all the money in the world on a super bright torch but if the battery dies after only a few minutes, then all you end up in your hands is a fancy stick.
A quality flashlight should have a battery life of at least 2 to 3 hours minimum of continuous non-stop use. If you are wanting something to use in short bursts but need maximum brightness, for example searching through boxes in the attic, then a lower battery life may work. Yet, if you are planning on a hiking trip and a large part of the hike will happen during the night then a torch with long battery life is what you should consider.
4. Durability & Functionality
Flashlights are designed for darkness, humans not so much. Our poor eyesight under darker conditions has an effect on our balance and ability to navigate through and avoid obstacles, which ultimately means a greater risk of tripping, stumbling, and falling.
One needs to consider the durability of a flashlight for the obvious reason of having it get damaged and no longer working but some people tend to overlook the functionality of a flashlight. Is it easy to switch on and toggle through the various modes? Does the flashlight have safety features such as a lock button to prevent it from switching on in your bag and draining the battery? Does the flashlight provide an indication as to how much battery life is left? These small features all add to the torch’s performance because at the end of the day a torch’s performance is ultimately based on what type of experience the user obtains from using the flashlight.
Water resistance is another factor that falls under the durability and performance of a flashlight. The IPX system is used as a rating for how water resistant a flashlight is, the higher the rating the greater the flashlight’s water resistance. For example, an IPX 8 rating means the flashlight could be submerged for up to 4 hours at a depth specified by the manufacturer.
Why Would You Need a Super Bright Flashlight?
Flashlights, especially with the rapid evolution of LED technology, have become brighter across the board to where a 1000 lumen flashlight is nothing out of the ordinary anymore. So, who would really need a super-bright flashlight? Not surprisingly, there are actually a couple of scenarios or instances where a super bright flashlight would be required.
Security
If you’re buying a flashlight for the primary purpose of helping you secure your homestead, then we’d say there are quite a few arguments to be made for getting a super-bright flashlight. First and foremost, you want to be assured that you’ll be able to light up even the darkest corner of your yard when your alarms go off.
While a lower-powered flashlight could still arguably light up the areas that you’re looking to illuminate, it may require you to get close and then only light up a few feet ahead of you. This is obviously not ideal for security purposes, and for the sake of safety, you want to retain as much range as possible on any suspects. A super bright flashlight will allow you to remain near your home entrance and shine the torch onto the grounds of your homestead while still ensuring you are in a safer position.
Emergencies
In case of an emergency, whether it be some natural disaster, like a hurricane or tornado that knocks out the power or a large accident like a gas explosion at night, you’d want to be sure to have an auxiliary light source. In these circumstances, having a super bright flashlight to either signal emergency workers or help you find your way as you wade through floodwaters is essential.
Most super bright LED flashlights have multiple settings, allowing you to tone down your power usage to ensure the battery lasts longer. Another feature, almost uniquely suited for emergencies, is a strobe option which is, of course, a great way to signal your location.
Camping
You could argue that a standard bright flashlight would be sufficient for camping, and in most cases, we’d agree. There are, however, instances, especially when you’re suddenly faced with bad weather, a flat tire, or a pair of eyes just outside the circle of light from your campfire, where having something with a little more power would help. Remember, in the wild, light pollution is not much different from noise pollution.
When you’re out in the wilderness, you may also need to keep an eye out for wild animals. A super bright flashlight will be able to light up the surrounding areas in a way that allows you to spot potential threats before they become a problem.
Please don’t be that obnoxious camper who tries to light up everything, including your neighbors and the mountain ridge you are camping against, while everyone else is trying to see the stars.
Tactical
We’re separating tactical use from everyday security as those individuals with actual tactical self-defense skills are fewer, usually better trained, and have particular requirements for a flashlight. Regardless of your tactical skills, it is hard to argue against adding a super bright flashlight to your kit. Your nocturnal self-defense and assault options are almost always enhanced by having this piece of gear available.
Night Time Nature Watching
Another use for a super bright flashlight is for birders or other animal enthusiasts to spot nocturnal species from a distance without directly disturbing them in the same way they would when using a short-range flashlight. Owls and Nightjars, for instance, can be difficult to spot at night without the assistance of a flashlight. The same can be said for nocturnal mammals.
Affordability & Quality
Super bright LED flashlights range in price from not too much more than a regular household flashlight to several hundred dollars. In turn, you may be wondering what makes a particular flashlight so much more expensive and whether it’s worth it to opt for a cheaper or more expensive option. The truth is, it will come down to what you need. If you are looking for a product that offers the best chances of survival when lost in the wilderness, we certainly recommend picking up a more expensive, higher-quality product.
Not only is it likely to be brighter, but the last thing you need is reliability issues when you do need to use it. Likewise, if you are using it for security – it’s an investment that you’ll be thankful for when it comes time to use it. If you’re looking for a really bright flashlight when you’re out camping, you can probably opt for one of the cheaper quality products on the list.
So why exactly are some of these flashlights so pricy? In LED technology, efficiency is everything. While one can acquire cheap diodes that may do the trick, there is no escaping that the type of LED will affect the direct lumen output and affect how much battery life it has. Better LED quality means better efficiency, and more efficiency means that you can get more brightness while using less battery.
You may immediately think of a super bright flashlight as just an extension of a regular flashlight, but take a look at the features offered in some of these lights, and you’ll soon be able to understand that these are not your everyday novelty items or toys – these are high-quality tools in many cases.
What To Look Out For When Buying a Flashlight – A Buyer’s Guide
Before you go out and make any purchase, there are a few crucial aspects that you should look out for. You can always check out the videos below for some more considerations to keep in mind.
Purpose
Will your flashlight mainly be for recreational or tactical use? What specialized modes will you require? Buy the flashlight with the features that best suit your purpose, perhaps creating a list of features in order of their priorities will help you decide.
Budget
You may not be prepared to spend as much on a flashlight if you are only using it once a year on holidays, whereas if you use it every night for your job you can invest in the best.
Durability
Is it going to spend most of its life tucked in the back of your cupboard or will it be on your belt every day? Look for something which will withstand falls, dust, and water if it is going to be in constant use.
Physical requirements
Do you have a size limit? For example, if you are buying a flashlight to keep in your vehicle you might have size restrictions to fit your glove box. The body shape may affect the way you are able to carry or mount it.
Size & Weight
One of the things that are fairly important to look out for before purchasing any super bright LED flashlight is how big and heavy it is. Generally speaking, the smaller and lighter the flashlight in question is, the easier it will carry around. When you go camping, fishing, or do anything else outdoors, you want a flashlight that you can easily fit into your pack. You will already have lots of gear with you, so the small size and lightweight design will come in handy.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that a smaller and lighter flashlight might not be as bright as a bigger flashlight. In that case, you should purchase one that fits your required use. For security purposes for instance where you won’t be traveling around with it, you may not really need a small, compact flashlight.
Durability
Another crucial thing when it comes to super bright flashlights is how durable they are. After all, you don’t want to spend a good amount of money to find out that the flashlight you go is only going to last for a few weeks or months. You want a model that has an excellent and tough casing, something like aircraft-grade aluminum. It also helps if the flashlight has some anodized coating. Together these features help to ensure that the flashlight you get is impact-resistant, scratch-resistant, shockproof, and more. Simply put, you want a flashlight that will last for years to come.
On that same note, you want to look out for a waterproof or water-resistant model, at the very least. You will be using this flashlight outdoors, and it will probably get wet, so this is fairly important to keep in mind. A waterproof rating of IXP-6, 7, or better yet, IXP-8, is ideal. A Waterproof rating of IXP-8 means that you will be able to submerge the flashlight in question under a few feet of water for at least 30 minutes without fear of water damage. This is something that will come in handy when camping, fishing, and other outdoor activities too.
The Power
We are talking about the best super bright flashlights here, so how powerful the model in question is needs to be considered. As you can tell from our above reviews, these flashlights can put out anywhere from 1,000 to 30,000 lumens of light power. The brighter the light is (more lumens), the better you will see in the dark, and the further the beam of light will reach. For serious camping, hunting, fishing trip, or even rescue purposes, you definitely want many lumens. On that same note, you want to pay attention to how far the beam can reach.
Some of the best super bright LED flashlights will project their beams well over 1 kilometer, and even the lower power ones can go for over 350 meters. The further you can see, the safer you will be. This also has to do with the type of bulbs involved as well as the housing. A flashlight with a housing designed to reflect light outwards and concentrate the beam is always ideal. Keep in mind that flashlights with higher outputs will also probably consume more energy.
Batteries
There are no set rules for battery life of course, as the intended use of your device is what will drive the weight you put on the battery life. If you’re using your super bright flashlight solely for occasional home security, where you may hear a noise you wish to investigate, then battery life isn’t quite as important as if you were using the flashlights for an emergency scenario or a long camping trip.
If battery life is important to you, you are going to want an LED flashlight that has rechargeable batteries. Yes, using conventional batteries is useful, but being able to recharge is where it is really at these days. A flashlight with rechargeable batteries is key. Some even come with charging cables, so you never even have to remove the batteries from the flashlight to charge. At any rate, you want to look for a model with superior battery life, preferably being able to last for at least 1.5 hours on the highest light setting.
What is the brightest flashlight in the world?
The Imalent MS18 is considered to be the brightest flashlight in the world. As we’ve discussed above, the Imalent MS18 can reach close to 100 000 lumens when using its highest power mode. The ultra brightness of this top setting may not last very long. When the turbo mode is used, it is an extremely powerful flashlight, that pushes out an unbelievable amount of light.
Which flashlight has the longest beam?
The Imalent MS18 is the winner. The beam distance of the MS18 is incredible, reaching nearly 1000 yards or 1370 meters. While this beam distance is ahead of other flashlights on the market, this range is only achievable for a short period of time before the flashlight will enable battery saving and lower the output.
What is the difference between a Lumen and a Watt?
Watts measure the amount of energy a light bulb uses. Since the invention of energy-efficient light bulbs, Watt’s, or energy, is no longer synonymous with brighter lights, hence the need for a new measurement to measure the amount of light emitted from the source instead. So for example, an LED light can have a lower wattage bulb that produces greater lumens than a traditional incandescent bulb, or in layman’s terms, it will shine brighter while consuming less energy.
How many lumens are considered super bright?
To put it in perspective, 1 lumen is the equivalent of light that 1 candle produces and a traditional 40-watt bulb has approximately 400 lumens. You would need less than 200 lumens to be able to see 100m in your backyard at night. Anything over 1000 lumens can be considered a very bright and powerful light.
How many lumens does it take to go blind?
It only takes 80 lumens at night and 200 lumens during the day if a torch is shone directly into your eyes to cause temporary blindness and disorientation. However, in order to cause permanent damage, you would need tens of thousands of laser-focused light or constant prolonged exposure.
The chances of a torch causing permanent detrimental effects are highly unlikely. You are more likely to cause yourself a secondary injury during the time that you are stumbling around in the dark, so still be careful not to shine it in anyone’s eyes, unless used as a self-defense mechanism
Why does my super-bright flashlight heat up?
All flashlights will heat up during the conversion of energy to light, but it may be especially noticeable when using a high-lumen flashlight in a high-intensity mode for extended periods of time. This is why turbo modes are not sustainable for long, despite the battery perhaps still having enough charge to continue.
The more sophisticated cooling systems will direct heat away from the electronics, prolonging your LED’s lifespan and allowing your torch to function bright for longer times. However these advanced cooling systems will most definitely add to the cost of the torch, so be prepared to pay more for a torch with a quality cooling system. It will be worth it in the long run!
