What lightweight, practical flashlights would people recommend?

I want something that I could use while camping, dog walking, and general day-to-day tasks (finding something under the bed for example). Currently I use my phone torch, which isn’t particularly practical. My previous (battery powered) torches have died after too short a space of time - I want something that will last.

One with a clip would be handy, so I could attach it to a cap.

I see lots of ones online with insane lumens. 1000 lumens seems like overkill for my purposes!

Not too worried about price (within reason!)

  • dragontamer@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I’m looking it up and it seems like Zebralight is USA-only, so maybe the whole thing is moot. IMO, technology is always improving, 10 years from now we’ll have better… something. Its unpredictable, but something will be better. Maybe more-efficient MOSFETs (on/off switches relating to the power-delivery, especially in the voltage-converter circuits and/or current regulator circuits), or more-efficient LEDs, or more-efficient batteries. Who knows? Something will be obsolete in 10 years however, and you might care for an upgrade by that point.

    But I’m not so loyal to brands. What I believe in is that the “AA-size” is a good, practical, flashlight for everyday carry. Then again, I know that some people prefer the 18650 (aka: Lithium-cell) that’s roughly one-size larger instead.


    Here’s what I do think:

    1. Batteries wear out over time – Replaceable Batteries are key to longevity. My own collection of AAs are thrown away regularly, as they do break down, and I do buy new ones over time. Lithium-Ion in my phones only last 2 to 3 years in my experience. I absolutely require a replaceable battery for any long-term use.

    2. LEDs have long lifespans – 10+ years for the LED is likely. The flashlight likely won’t last for “life” as the LED is the critical component, but if we ignore the battery (which probably only has a few years of life at the best), the “next” component to likely fail is easily 10+ years of life. Other parts inside of the battery (Inductors / MLCC Capacitor for the boost circuit, and other chips) are 20+ year components.

    3. Technology always improves – Every part I listed here has improved in the past decade. Meaning I expect 10+ years from now, that the new tech will improve again somehow.

    4. Its the device class you should be thinking of. – Decide upon AAA-size, AA-size, or 18650-size flashlights. There’s a few custom-battery sizes outside of that, but 18650 is the “standard lithium” cell that likely is replaceable. AA-size might use Lithium-ion 14500 cells, which is also fine and standardized (albeit less popular, but its still a “standard” size with replacements available). The particular brand isn’t too important: as long as its using modern parts, you’ll get roughly the same performance as all competitors. (Be it a Zebralight or a M150 or whatever you end up buying).


    So yeah, that’s your main decision: AAA-sized (180 Lumens), AA-sized for ~280 to 300 lumens (or 14500-sized, the equivalent Li-ion standard-size), or 18650-sized (Li-ion only, 1000+ lumen).

    Bigger is more lumens and hours of use per charge.

    Smaller is easier to carry.

    Brand probably doesn’t matter as long as you choose a premium LED / premium brand of some kind.

    • OmegaMouse@feddit.ukOP
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      1 year ago

      Thanks again for the comprehensive info. It’s a shame that Zebralight are US only!

      I’ll do a bit of research based on what you’ve said :)