9 Best Survival Flashlights [2024 Reviews & Buyer's Guide] (2024)

Last Updated on June, 2024

A pre-arranged survival kit is always a good decision because you never know what situations you’ll be challenged with. And including a survival flashlight in your survival kit is a fantastic idea.

We have summed up the best survival flashlights into a list of the top 9 Even better, we have included a choice criterion for the best survival flashlight to help you make your decision easier.

9 of the Top best survival flashlights

1. Acebeam P15 EDC Tactical Flashlight (Editor’s Choice)

Do you ask why it is special?

Because it is positive and negative on the same pole. A 1.5A direct fast charging requires only 2.5 hours for a full charge. This battery can pump out power that will last 35 days straight for a 2-lumen light.

The P15 survival flashlights have five lighting modes and a strobe mode. The runtimes and performance on each mode are as follows;

• Turbo mode: 1,700-lumens, 27,225 cd, 330 meters, 1 hour 45 minutes
• High mode: 600-lumens, 10,000 cd, 200 meters, 2 hours 45 minutes
• Mid mode: 200-lumens, 3600 cd, 120 meters, 8.5 hours
• Low mode: 45-lumens, 400 cd, 40 meters, 37 hours
• Ultra-low mode: 2-lumens, 35 days

It is a tiny light that measures 5.14″ in length and 1″ in head diameter. It weighs only 151g with the battery included, meaning you can easily carry this survival flashlight around without weighing you down. The strong pocket clip makes it more convenient to carry it as an EDC in the pocket, backpack, or MOLLE system.

The body material is high-strength aluminum alloy with a premium type HAIII hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish. And the optical lens is a hardened dual AR-coated lens that supports up to 99% efficient light transmittance.

This build quality makes it durable at a waterproof rating of IPX68, so it is submersible in water up to 2 meters deep and can survive in heavy rain. It has an impact resistance of 1.5 meters to survive accidental drops.

It is equipped with a high-efficiency constant current circuit that is efficient up to 95%, meaning you will have continuously stable light.

It has a quick function switch installation and charging installation, making it flexible in operating ways.

The P15 EDC is ideal for search and rescue operations by law enforcement officers and other security professionals. It is also perfect for a survival kit as it passes as the best prepper flashlight.

Bottom line, the Acebeam P15 is the best survival flashlight. So it deserves first place on our list for its impressive features for an attractive rate.

2. Olight Odin Picatinny Tactical Flashlight (#2nd Best Choice)

• High mode- 2000 lumens for 2 minutes, 1000 lumens for 9 minutes, 760 lumens for 125 minutes, and 300 lumens for 24 minutes
• Low mode- 300-lumens for 8 hours

This tactical survival flashlight utilizes a high-performance neutral white LED as the light source. It can deliver a peak beam intensity of 22,500 cd, making it an excellent self-defense tool.

It has exciting features like the innovative remote switch and multifunctional tail switch. The intuitive three-in-one unique tailcap is designed for ease of use.

It allows direct tactical operation, serves as the port for magnetic charging, and allows magnetic attachment of the remote switch for remote controlling.

The body is made of aircraft-grade aluminum with a type III hard anodized finish, a stainless steel bezel, and PMMA optical lens giving it a sturdy and ultra-solid build quality. It has a 1.5-meter drop resistance and an IPX8 waterproof rating making it durable and reliable even in harsh situations.

It weighs 216g, including the battery, and measures 5.37″ in length and 1.14″ in head diameter. So it is a compact light that is easily portable.

It features a dependable tactical use design. The rotate-to-lock system and the two mounting slots in one rail allow you to quickly detach or attach to your preferred position, giving you control over the illumination of the target area.

You can read more about the Odin tactical light in this review.

3. Fenix TK22 TAC Tactical Flashlight (#3rd Best Choice)

The TK22 LED flashlights offer five brightness levels and a strobe mode operating on the tactical and duty modes. The brightness levels range from turbo to eco as follows;

Tactical mode

• Turbo level- 2800-lumens for 3 hours

Duty mode

• High level- 1000-lumens for 4 hours
• Med level- 350-lumens for 8 hours 10 minutes
• Low level- 150-lumens for 18 hours 30 minutes
• Eco level- 30-lumens for 49 hours and 30 minutes

This tactical flashlight has a body made of A6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum with a premium type HA III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish making it super durable. It is IP68 rated in water resistance and has an impact resistance of 1 meter.

These features make it perfect for everyday carry and as a self-defense weapon.

The TK22 tactical flashlights are equipped with intelligent overheat protection. Continuous use on higher lumens can cause heat to accumulate.

If the temperature reaches 60℃ or above, the light will automatically step down a few lumens to reduce heat production. When the temperature goes below 60℃, the user can operate the light on higher lumens again.

It also features a low voltage warning where the flashlight is programmed to drop to lower output when the voltage drops below the preset value. When this happens, the light blinks three times every five minutes so you can recharge or replace the battery.

4. Acebeam PT40 Multipurpose Work Flashlight and L-Shaped Headlight

SAMSUNG LH351D CRI≥90 6000K

• Turbo setting- 3000-lumens, 121 meters, 1 hour 30 minutes
• High setting- 1100 lumens, 76 meters, 2 hours
• Mid2 setting- 580-lumens, 57 meters, 2 hours 30 minutes
• Mid1 setting- 220 lumens, 34 meters, 6 hours 15 minutes
• Low setting- 80-lumens, 25 meters, 17 hours
• Ultra-low- 15-lumens, 80 hours

Luminus SST-20 4000K CRI 95

• Turbo setting- 2400 lumens, 230 meters, 1 hour 30 minutes
• High setting- 900 lumens, 141 meters, 2 hours
• Med2 setting- 500 lumens, 106 meters, 2 hours 30 minutes
• Med1 setting- 200 lumens, 69 meters, 6 hours 15 minutes
• Low setting- 70-lumens, 43 meters, 17 hours
• Ultra-low setting- 10-lumens, 80 hours

NICHIA 219C CRI ≥90

• Turbo setting- 2400 lumens, 166 meters, 1 hour 30 minutes
• High setting- 900 lumens, 106 meters, 2 hours
• Med2 setting- 450-lumens, 76 meters, 2 hours 30 minutes
• Med1 setting- 180 lumens, 49 meters, 6 hours 15 minutes
• Low setting- 50-lumens, 32 meters, 17 hours
• Ultra-low setting– 10-lumens, 80 hours

You can either use a rechargeable or non-rechargeable power source. It is recommended to use the high-performance Acebeam USB rechargeable 3100mAh 18650 lithium-ion battery. These lithium batteries have a built-in port and are rechargeable via USB-C-type cables.

The PT40 LED flashlights are multipurpose lights that can be used as an EDC flashlight, angled work light, and an L-shaped headlamp. It is designed to offer you versatility at its best.

It has a 110° flood beam angle to illuminate light over large areas. It also includes safety features such as intelligent temperature-controlled output to prevent overheating.

Additional features include reverse polarity protection to safeguard the device from any damage, high efficient constant current circuit for continuous and stable output, and small angle concentrated TIR (total internal reflection) for efficient light transmission.

These survival flashlights weigh 145g, measure 4.99″ in tube length, and are 1.29″ in diameter at the head. So they are super compact and lightweight, making them easily portable.

On top of that, this small flashlight has a durable aircraft-grade aluminum body structure giving it superior sturdiness. It has a water-resistant rating of IP68 and an impact resistance of 1 meter.

All these handy and dandy features come together to make it a quality flashlight. This survival light is ideal for everyday carry and as an emergency flashlight in critical situations.

Wait… there’s more. It is equipped with a strong magnetic base and a removable pocket clip and is adjustable to give you countless options for hands-free work. It also has a simple operation side switch for convenience and ease of use. It is a super dependable light.

5. Nitecore T4K 4000 Lumen Super Bright EDC Flashlight

4000-lumen keychain flashlight. Unbelievable right? But it is TRUE. The Nitecore T4K is a super bright and tiny EDC survival flashlight.

It even claims to be the world’s most compact 4000-lumen keychain light. Let’s dive deep to find out what all the hype is about.

This survival flashlight weighs only 2.72oz and is 3.24″ in length, 1.15″ in width, and 1.15″ in height. It has a water-resistant rating of IP54 and an impact resistance of 1 m.

This thumb-sized keychain light can give a 10-second burst of a 4000-lumen light.

It uses four Cree XP L 2 V6 as the light source to squeeze out a 4000-lumen bright light with a peak beam intensity of 10900 cd over a beam distance of 228 yards. It offers five lighting levels;

• Turbo- 4000-lumen for a 10-second burst
• High- 200-lumens for 2 hours 45 minutes
• Mid- 65-lumens for 7 hours
• Low- 15-lumens for 21 hours
• Ultra-low- 1-lumen for 67 hours

It runs on a built-in fast-charging 1000mAh USB-C rechargeable battery that can be fully charged in under 1.5 hours.

It features an OLED display that gives real-time information on battery level and charging status. It also has two lock-out functions to improve battery life and performance and operates on an intuitive, simple dual-button UI. It comes with an adjustable pocket clip, making it an ideal EDC light.

6. Streamlight Wedge LED Flashlight

This high-performance EDC light uses an LED bulb impervious to shock with a 50 000 hour lifetime. This survival light has two brightness modes as;

• Constant ON mode– 300-lumens, 69 meters, 3 hours
• THRO (temporarily heightened regulated output) momentary mode- 1000-lumens, 110 meters, 35-second bursts

These Wedge handheld flashlights have a removable pocket clip for a clean pocket carry. It features an intuitive rotating thumb switch allowing tactile control over the flashlight.

7. Wuben L50 Rechargeable 18650 EDC Flashlight

These survival flashlights use the OSRAM P9 LED to light up every corner of your house or campsite effortlessly.

It features a high-efficiency constant current circuit to prevent light flickerings and protect your eyes from strain. It is equipped with a tail switch for easy thumb operation and has the mode memory function for all brightness levels.

The power source is 18650 lithium batteries. On a full charge, it can give a max run time of 12 nights, up to 143 hours. So it is ideal to have during power outages. It also has a charging status indication to make charging convenient.

The L50 EDC flashlights measure 5.46″ in length and 1.02″ in head diameter. It has a body made of aircraft-grade aluminum and weighs only 138g, including the battery. It is rated IP68 at a waterproof level so that it can be submerged in 2m deep water for up to 1 hour.

And it has an impact resistance of 1.5 meters. So yeah! This survival flashlight is small, compact, lightweight, portable, super durable, waterproof, and can survive accidental drops. Can it get any better?

8. Mag-Tac LED Rechargeable Flashlight

It is a 159g survival flashlight with a waterproof rating of IPX4 and a drop resistance of 1 meter. It is 5.8″ in length and has a 1.050″ barrel diameter. It is machined using lightweight aluminum alloy. And is anodized inside out for enhanced corrosion resistance.

It uses a LED light source to give a peak beam intensity of 8545 cd. The design’s balanced optics provide a superior beam performance. It has a faceted knurl design for better grip and a detachable pocket clip.

9. Thrunite H01 Super Compact EDC Headlamp

The thrunite H01 survival flashlight weighs 78.5g and is made of high-strength aircraft-grade aluminum alloy with a premium type III hard anodized finish.

It is 66mm in length, 21.5mm in width, and 21mm in height. It has an impact resistance of 1.5 meters and a waterproof rating of IPX8.

This smart design is super compact, lightweight, and has a sturdy finish for rugged use.

The CREE XP-G3 LED can produce a max beam intensity of 2080 cd over a max throw distance of 91 meters. This makes it ideal for long-range vision and long-lasting use.

It is equipped with a 650mAh 16340 micro-USB rechargeable battery. The charging indicator gives updates on the charging status. This survival flashlight can be used while charging on the firefly and low modes. It also has a battery capacity indicator to display battery percentage.

It offers five brightness levels and a strobe option to help with your night vision. The performance on each mode is as follows;

• Turbo- 687 lumens for 75 seconds and 205 lumens for 85 minutes
• High- 195-lumens for 100 minutes
• Medium- 50-lumens for 7 hours
• Low- 6-lumens for 60 hours
• Firefly-0.5-lumens for 15 days

This mini LED survival flashlight has a magnetic tail cap and dual direction clip for hands-free options. This flashlight is perfect for camping, cycling, hiking, and other indoor and outdoor activities. The firefly and low modes are perfect to use during extended power outages.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Survival Flashlights

Flashlight Outputs

A flashlight’s effectiveness should be determined based on the specific use it was designed for. Obviously, you wouldn’t use a 15cm ruler to measure a land plot right?

So similarly, a floodlight or just any EDC cannot be used as a survival flashlight. The three main factors of a flashlight beam anatomy that needs consideration are brightness, beam distance, and beam intensity.

Brightness

The brightness of the light power is measured in lumens: the greater the lumen count, the brighter the light output. So an ideal survival flashlight providing an output between 300-1000 lumens will sufficiently meet your needs.

Beam Distance

The distance of the light throw is measured in meters and is influenced by the light source and reflector type.

Beam Intensity

The beam intensity is measured in candelas. The throw distance and beam intensity determine the concentration of the light beam. A higher beam intensity means a focused beam extending over a great distance.

A lower beam intensity means a wider light beam with no proper center point.

Flashlight Batteries

It is essential to consider a flashlight’s battery type and battery life to prepare for different situations and scenarios. There are three main battery types you will have to choose from;

• Alkaline batteries are the cheapest option but only last for a short time. These will need timely replacement. So it is best you carry backup batteries if your flashlight runs on these batteries. These types include the standard aa batteries and aaa batteries.
• Rechargeable NiMH batteries- They offer a longer life than alkaline batteries and can be recharged multiple times before needing a replacement.
• Lithium batteries offer the longest shelf life and do not need replacing as often. You can easily and conveniently recharge too.

Flashlight Size and Weight

A survival flashlight shouldn’t weigh you down. It should easily fit into your survival kits and be conveniently portable. So choose a model in a reasonable size and weight range and make sure it will fulfill your requirements.

Flashlight Durability and Build

The build quality will tell you how reliable the flashlight handles different environmental conditions.

Good-quality aluminum for the casing makes the flashlight durable, sturdy, and suitable for rugged use.

Consider the following factors in terms of flashlight construction;

• Waterproof rating- An IPX rating is given after testing a flashlight in varied water pressure levels to determine the point it fails. A higher rating means greater protection from water intrusion.
• Shock resistance rating- You should choose a flashlight that can take a beating and survive accidental drops. Always go for a drop-tested flashlight.

Flashlight Price

Lastly, the price. Make sure to invest in a flashlight that offers all the features you need at an affordable price.

You can get the best flashlight for your specific desired works with our guide here.

Conclusion

All in all, it comes down to what sense of survival scenario you are prepping for. Some of the flashlights in this list are perfect for long power outages, tactical situations, disaster preparedness, camping, hiking, or even for emergency use indoors.

Our recommendation for the overall best survival flashlight is the Acebeam P15 EDC tactical flashlight. It will definitely and efficiently meet any survival scenario you are faced with.

I hope this article helped you with what you were looking for. It is essential that you distinguish the differences between the flashlights to pick what best suits you.

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Pros

• Quality construction and finish

• Versatile UI design

• Great run times on lower modes

• Lightweight

• Fast and easy recharging

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Cons

• Pocket clip design could be better