The best 1000 lumen flashlights
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Table of contents:
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Note: we reviewed several hundred flashlights, and add about 15 new flashlights every month. The flashlights on this list are definitely recommended, but sometimes it may not fit your exact needs. In that case, read several reviews on this site, and check out some of our buyer’s guides. They can help you make the right decision. Just know, that from our standpoint, the following flashlights were tested close to 1000 lumens!
Smallest 1000 lumen flashlight
Nitecore TUP


Highlights: |
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Maximum output of 1000 lumens |
Very light weight at only 54 grams / 1.91 oz |
Built-in rechargeable battery so you don’t need to buy a battery charger |
The USB port is Micro USB.. USB-C would have been nicer. |
OLED display to show you the selected mode and battery life |
While there are many flashlights, claiming a thousand-lumen output. There are less than a handful of flashlights that can reach this with the size and weight of the Nitecore Tup.
Coming in at only 54 grams, it’s one of the most lightweight 1000-lumen flashlights I have ever seen.
Keep in mind though, that the highest output is only momentarily accessible. This means that you need to keep pressing the turbo button. When you release the switch, the light will fall back to the 200-lumen brightness level.
Why I think this is a great option:
- First of all, it’s a small flashlight and fits on your keychain, so you’ll have access to 1000 lumens at all times
- It’s rechargeable, so you don’t need to take the battery out, and you can charge it anywhere, at anytime
- It features an OLED screen that will tell you what mode you are in, and how long the battery will last. Even before you turn the light on.
- It uses 2 types of modes, including a lockout mode, so you can carry the TUP safely
Best rechargeable 1000 lumen flashlight
ThruNite T1S


Specification: | Highlights: |
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Max. brightness: | We measured 1166 lumens after 30 seconds |
LED type: | Luminus SST-40 LED |
Battery type: | 18350 (included) |
Charging: | USB-C |
Best for: | Every Day Carry / around the house |
Extra: | Has a magnetic tailcap |
First off, this is a bit brighter than 1000 lumens, but at 1166 lumens, you wouldn’t really notice the difference unless you put them side by side.
Anyways, this light is pretty much everything you need in an EDC flashlight. It’s actually pretty compact, so you can carry it in most types of pockets. The UI is easy to understand with direct access to firefly mode (low output of 0.4 lumens) as well as Turbo. And it even has a LED indicator that tells you when the battery needs to be charged again. We recommend to replace or recharge the battery when the indicator LED starts flashing red!
You can charge it anywhere, because it has a charger built-in, and comes with a USB-C cable. And the good thing is, that you don’t have to charge the battery inside the flashlight. You can just replace it with a spare, 18350 battery. For sure, ThruNite has packed a lot of value into this small package!
A summary of why we recommend the ThruNite T1S, as one of the best overall EDC flashlights:
- It’s very pocketable, lightweight and small.
- The T1S comes with a battery, and other accessories to get you going.
- Even though it’s so small, it can still reach over 200 yards!
- It’s pretty affordable, at around $40
Interested? Buy it at one of the following stores, or read our review of the ThruNite T1S for more info.
Best tactical 1000 lumen flashlight
Armytek Predator PRO Magnet USB


Specification: | Highlights: |
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Max. brightness: | We measured 1193 lumens |
LED type: | CREE XHP35.2 Hi |
Battery type: | Comes with a rechargeable battery (18650) |
Charging: | Magnetic charger (takes 4 hours) |
Best for: | Hunting / Tactical / Security |
Extra: | Lots of accessories included (and many optional accessories) |
Most flashlights that are advertised as being a thousand lumens don’t even reach that far. In this list, we looked through hundreds of reviews to see which ones were doing close to 1000 within a 20% range, and the Predator Pro just stayed within that parameter.
In our test, we measured 1193 lumens after 30 seconds (in line with the ANSI FL1 standards for flashlight testing) and a maximum reach of over 400 meters/yards. These numbers show that Predator PRO is a serious contender. Even though, it is advertised at 1400 lumens, which is a bit exaggerated.
It also stands out in the way you can charge it. It’s not using your typical USB port, but instead, using a magnetic charging cord that you attach to the rear (near the switch). This is much more waterproof than a USB port, and also less likely to get dirt inside.
BTW. there are a few versions of the Predator Pro, and the one I am referring to is the Predator PRO Magnetic USB version. It’s the latest tactical flashlight in this lineup.
A summary of why we recommend the Predator PRO flashlight:
- Has 2 different mode menus. For tactical use, and ‘normal’ use. Armytek calls it Hunting mode.
- Tactical mode is only 1 mode, and the UI gives you the choice to have either Turbo mode or Medium mode selected. This is programmable.
- Throws a beam for over 400 yards
- Comes with many accessories, but Armytek also sells many optional accessories for gun attachment etc.
Interested? Buy it at one of the following stores, or read our review of the Armytek Predator Pro Magnetic USB
Popular 1000 lumen EDC flashlight
Olight Arkfeld


Specification: | Highlights: |
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Max. brightness: | We measured 858 lumens |
LED type: | Unknown |
Battery type: | Built-in 1050mAh battery (non replaceable) |
Charging: | USB cable with magnetic base |
Best for: | Every Day Carry / work / presentations etc. |
Extra: | Available with warm LED or Neutral LED, and has a laser pointer built-in. Available in different colors: black, blue, green, orange, and gray. |
Black flashlights get a bit boring, or not?
Olight knows this and adds many colors to its lineup. Some are limited editions, and some are standard colors, just like this blue Arkfeld.
And it’s not just a regular flashlight. It’s designed for everyday carry, and specifically for people who like the extra laser pointer built in. I normally think they are gimmicky, but this one is pretty cool. And yes, it does look a bit like a remote control.
In our test, we measured 858 lumens (with the cool white version) and 886 lumens (with the neutral white version). Of course, I am referring to the measurement at 30 seconds because that’s according the ANSI FL1 standards. Other websites don’t have a clue about this, and just use manufacturers’ specs in their roundup reviews. Sad really.
Anyway, the Turbo runs for about 2 hours till it turns off. Of course, it has a large drop in output within the first 5 minutes. With this size and design, you can’t sustain 1000 lumens for 2 hours. That’s also something all those other google results don’t tell.
Anyway, here’s a quick summary of why we recommend this flashlight:
- Great for everyday use, with its flat design and pocket clip.
- It’s easily rechargeable. You only need a USB-C cable.
- The built-in laser pointer can be very helpful for work or pointing out stuff.
- Available in many bright colors, so you can match it with your other EDC gear or outfit.
- Olight gives a good warranty, and stands behind its products.
Interested? Buy it at one of the following stores, or read our review of the Olight Arkfeld
Best budget 1000 lumen flashlight
Sofirn SP10V3


Specification: | Highlights: |
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Max. brightness: | We measured 905 lumens |
LED type: | Samsung LH351D (high CRI) |
Battery type: | 14500 / AA |
Charging: | No built-in charging |
Best for: | Every Day Carry |
Extra: | Very affordable 1000 lumen flashlight |
Some people really love Sofirn because of its balance between great value and decent quality. This particular one goes for about $20, give or take a few dollars.
As the name implies, the SP10 has gone through a few transformations, and the V3 is the best of them all.
In our test, we measured 905 lumens at 30 seconds (with a 14500 lithium battery) and 224 lumens (with a NiMH rechargeable AA battery), in Turbo mode. The output dropped slowly for the first 1.5 minutes, but then drops to +-250 lumens before we reach 3 minutes in the runtime test. That’s totally acceptable for this kind of flashlight.
It’s not a rechargeable flashlight, meaning it doesn’t have a built-in charger mechanism. You have to have a separate charger, or buy it with the full kit.
This is why we recommend it:
- Very affordable, at about $20. Often includes a battery and charger for a couple of dollars more. Great value for the money.
- Cheap optional accessories. Magnetic tailcap (about $3) pocket clip ($2) or a silicone diffuser ($2)
- Comes close to the claimed 1000-lumen output (you won’t really notice the difference between 905 and 1000 lumens)
- Works with lithium 14500 batteries, as well as rechargeable AA batteries (with reduced brightness).
Interested? Buy it at one of the following stores, or read our review of the Sofirn SP10 v3
Best 1000 lumen headlamp
Olight Perun Mini


Specification: | Highlights: |
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Max. brightness: | We measured exactly 1000 lumens (not kidding) |
LED type: | Unknown, but it is available in neutral white, and cool white. |
Battery type: | 18350 (even non-proprietary, but you lose charging capabilities) |
Charging: | Built-in magnetic charging (proprietary) |
Best for: | Hiking / Jogging / Every Day Carry / Headlamp |
Extra: | It’s L-shaped, so you don’t need to use the head strap! Comes in several colors, orange, black, yellow, and brown. |
Olight makes some very nice and interesting flashlights. And not just from a design perspective. Their specifications are usually spot-on, or even a little conservative. It was very interesting to see, that in our test, the Perun Mini measured 999.88 lumens at 30 seconds. That’s as close to 1000 lumen as we probably have ever measured. Well done Olight.
When you buy the Perun Mini, they’ll give you a few options. That includes not just the flashlight’s body color, but also the beam temperature. NW stands for neutral, which we measured at around 5000K, and the cool white version was measured between 6000K and 6400K. If you don’t know which to get, I recommend getting the 5000K (Neutral white). In our test, the NW version performed slightly better (1000 lumens vs 975 lumens).
And last but not least, unlike many other Olight flashlights, you can use generic 18350 batteries. But you will lose the built-in charging feature, which only works with the included Olight battery.
A summary of why we recommend this 1000-lumen headlamp:
- It’s the only headlamp we measured at exactly 1000 lumens. Pretty crazy, for sure.
- Pocketable, lightweight, and has a magnet built-in, so you can stick it to metal objects.
- Comes in an RTG (ready-to-go) package, which includes a battery, charging cable, head strap, and pocket clip.
- Not just a headlamp. With the L-shape, you can use it as a normal flashlight as well.
Interested? Buy it at one of the following stores, or read our review of the Olight Perun Mini
Oh, and if you buy a flashlight at Olight, use our exclusive 10% discount coupon: 1Lumen
FAQ:
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Are the flashlight on this list, really the best 1000 lumen flashlights?
For who? We recommend these flashlights because we have tested them, and know them to be good, and around 1000 lumens. We tested several hundred, and these are definitely some of the best flashlights on the market. But correct, it may not be the best for you. Therefore, read our reviews!
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Is 1000 lumens bright enough?
In many use cases, 1000-lumens is really enough. You don’t need 5000 lumens or, 10000 lumens for every task. If you want a wide beam, and don’t need to reach farther than 50 yards, like in an urban environment.. you should be fine. If you are looking for really high lumen flashlights, look at our ‘brightest flashlights‘ buyers guide.
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Aren’t all these flashlights the same, when they all produce the same brightness?
Are all cars the same that drive 80 miles an hour? There are so many variations in flashlights that it’ll take a long time to explain all the differences. Are you looking for a tactical flashlight? EDC flashlight? LED flashlight? LEP flashlight? There are so many different kinds, and they all work differently.