The Best Flashlights of 2026

Light facts: Made in China, 1000 lumens, Turbo/High/Medium/Low/Strobe modes, comes with two CR123A batteries

The Fenix PD35 TAC is a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts for its rugged exterior and high water resistance at a depth of two meters for 30 minutes. It’s also one of the more versatile models that we tested. It has holes for a lanyard on the back, as well as an adjustable clip.

The PD35, has a good feel in the hand. However, after prolonged usage, the flashlight gets really hot, so if you’re going to use it for more than 10 minutes, keep it off the Tubro and High settings.

Light facts: Made in the United States, 139 lumens, uses 3 AAA batteries, High/Low/Strobe modes

We've all heard of Maglite, and the XL50 does the storied brand proud. When you first pick it up, you'll notice the heft. This American-made flashlight feels solid in our grip.

The reason the XL50 isn't one of our top picks is because of its fence sitting. Its 5-inch length makes it one of the larger flashlights in our EDC roundup.

However, its brightness does not match its size—in that it doesn’t create an effective level of light given how much space it takes up. Additionally, it uses AAA batteries for power, but it needs three of them to operate. As an in-the-drawer flashlight, the XL50 is a solid American choice, but it's design does not lend itself to being carried in your pocket. Also, it’s lightly textured grip made it difficult to grip during wet weather conditions.

Light facts: Made in China, 130 lumens, knurled body, pocket friendly

As far as pocket flashlights go, the Fenix E12 is a competent competitor. We find its 130-lumen bulb to be weak, and the lack of a pocket clip annoying. However, the sub-$30 price is hard to beat.

Light facts: Made in China, 90 lumens, uses 2 AAA batteries, has a lantern mode

The Streamlight Stylus Pro 360° has proven itself to be the strangest of all the flashlights we found. Its design contains elements from a lantern, a flashlight, and a signal light. If you pull on the front end, you'll reveal the built-in lantern attachment. It basically creates a small circle of even light that's ideal for signaling people behind you, as well as momentary reading.

There is an important limitation with the Stylus Pro–it's easy to turn on for a moment, but hard to switch it to continuous mode. It is impossible to get the Stylus to stay on using just a thumb; during testing, we needed to switch to either our index finger or other hand.

We recommend getting the Stylus Pro 360° if you do outdoor inspectional work, where a quick spotlight is often needed. We don’t recommend using one for an extended period of time.

Light facts: Made in China, 130 lumens, good for keychains, uses 1 AAA battery

Of all the flashlights we tested, the Thrunite Ti3 is only one of two flashlights small enough to mount on a keychain. And, it is the only one that uses a twist method to operate.

Honestly, the twist method causes a bit of frustration during use. You have to twist left to turn on, but twist right then left again to switch between low-light and strobe modes. However, for all its quirks, the 21-gram Ti3 delivers the most amount of light for the least amount of weight.

Light facts: Made in China, 650 lumens, good for keychains, built-in battery

The RovyVon A1 650 is a rechargeable keychain flashlight. Measuring only two inches in length, the A1 makes a solid choice for an EDC tool.

This little flashlight surprises us with its 650-lumen output, more than enough to illuminate the inside of a car or under a couch. The A1 is also water-resistant; with the ability to be dunked in water several times, and continuing to work.

While we like the A1, the fact that you can’t replace the battery keeps it from breaking into our top ranks.

Light facts: Made in China, 100 lumens, good for keychains, runs on three LR44 batteries

The Slughaus Bull3t has an eye-catching design and is one of the most powerful micro flashlights.

After using it, we think it’s more of a geeky gift than a tactical one. When it’s wet, the Bull3t is difficult to grip and hard to operate when you are wearing thick gloves.

However, it has a coolness factor, with cases made of gunmetal aluminum, black aluminum, and titanium. The Bull3t is durable and bright, it just does not have the utility that we’re looking for in an EDC flashlight.

Light facts: Made in the United States, ~12 lumens, uses CR2016 batteries, keychain ready

Ready to be placed on a keychain or lanyard right out of the box, the LRI Photon Freedom Micro is the most mobile of the flashlights in our roundup.

While it is the weakest of the flashlights we found—barely able to make a faint circle on a wall at 21 feet—the Freedom Micro charms us with its lightweight design. Easily found for under $20, it makes for a good stocking stuffer, when you’re in a jam.