Best Cheap Flashlights | Our recommended budget flashlights under $25

Lumintop EDC01

Not the cheapest keychain flashlight, but much better than most of its competition. And still affordable at $10-$12

If you are new to flashlights, and you just want to get started, get yourself at least this keychain light. It’s very affordable at only $10-$12 depending on where you order.

Once you get used to it, you probably can’t live without anymore.. Kind of like your smartphone, lol.

The EDC01 is a tiny AAA flashlight that you can put on your keys. With 120 lumens (we measured 111 lumens at turn-on) you have plenty of light. Especially for simple tasks around the house.

It has 3 modes and uses a twisty switch. You have to tighten the head to the battery tube to turn it on. Loosen and tighten again to go to the next brightness level. The lack of a normal switch makes it so short, and also more durable.

It’s also great you can use widely available disposable batteries during emergencies. Although these Alkaline batteries are not recommended for normal use, and especially not for long-term storage.

If you want to know more, check out our full review of the Lumintop EDC01.

Lumintop Tool AA 2.0

Lumintop being a higher-end flashlight manufacturer still produces a rather good quality budget-friendly flashlight, called the Lumintop Tool AA.

Lumintop isn’t really a budget brand, but it still produces an AA flashlight for less than $20! If you look through our reviews you will see that Lumintop has some serious flashlights including the BLF GT, GT Mini and many many more. The Tool AA is one of those lights you just can’t go wrong with. We’ve reviewed the Titanium version of the Lumintop Tool AA 2.0 here. The price for the aluminum version is usually below $20 but sometimes reaches a price of just above $20.

If you are looking for just a reliable but still affordable flashlight, take the Tool AA into consideration! (beware that there also is a Lumintop Tool AAA, which can only use AAA batteries)

Sofirn SP10 v3

Affordable AA flashlight with a side switch

The Sofirn SP10 is an extremely affordable AA flashlight with side-switch.

If you haven’t heard of the Sofirn SP10 yet, take notice.

It’s an affordable High CRI AA flashlight, and probably one of the best bang for the buck you can get.

You get a flashlight with a side switch and a high CRI LED. And that for less than $20. If you think that an AA battery isn’t bright enough, you can upgrade to a 14500 lithium-ion battery to double the output, going from roughly 332 lumens for AA to 996 lumens with a 14500 lithium-ion battery.

Check out our in-depth review of the Sofirn SP10 v3 for more details.

Wurkkos TS10

Most popular budget AA-sized flashlight in the flashlight community

Note: this does not work with AA batteries, only 14500 lithium-ion

In our survey in the flashlight communities, and especially Budgetlightforum, we found that the #1 recommend flashlight was the Wukkro TS10. It’s such a versatile flashlight and it only costs less than $20. Yes, you need to have (or buy) a 14500 battery and a charger.

Here’s what Josh (our reviewer) said about the Wurkkos TS10:

“The Wurkkos TS10 is one of the most “bang for the buck” lights out there right now, if not ever. Anduril 2, 1400 lumens, triple TIR optics and great feel. With auxiliary lights to boot! The user interface could be a learning curve that is a little much if someone new is thrown into the Anduril firmware, but to some, that just means a lot of new exciting things to learn. Everything considered, the TS10 flies to the top of my list as the most “giftable” lights out there. Now, if you receive one with the Anduril bugs that mine have, I have to give this 4 stars. If you update the software, or buy one after the updates, it is enough to earn another half of a star. There are still a few issues, like the heat and it could use a thinner (more pliable) or redesigned pocketclip. But, in its current standing, I would have to say 4 stars.”

Convoy S2+

The Convoy S2+ is one of the hidden gems amongst the vast amount of flashlight available online.

The convoy S2+ already existed for quite a few years, and that is also a sign of success. Simon (the owner of the Convoy brand) made a simple straightforward, high-quality 18650 flashlight. The S2+ didn’t change much over the years, but still got upgraded with the newest LEDs and also different colored coatings. Now they are available in about half a dozen colors. The new coatings include Sand, Grey, Green, Blue, Purple and Orange. If you want a good, reliable but budget flashlight, this is the one to get! If you have to choose your desired LED, I would suggest going for the 3D or 4C tints, since they are neutral white. The higher the number the warmer the light, so 1A is very cool, and 7A is very warm. Also if you can choose between 7135×3 or 7135×8 choose the latter for the highest output (x8 means 8 chips, and x3 means 3 chips).

Check out our review of the Convoy S2+

Convoy S21A

High quality, budget 21700 flashlight

Convoy is really dominating this list and not for any dubious reason. If you look at the quality and the price of their products, nothing can beat them. If you come along another brand in their price category that beats Convoy, I will eat my flashlights. LOL.

The S21A is a 21700-battery type flashlight with a SST40 LED. You can choose between a 5000K and 6500K LED, plus a 4 mode driver and a 12-groups driver. This kind of service for the price is just amazing.

Take note that the 12-groups driver is programmable. You can select 1 of the 12 different groups. The 4-mode driver has 4 non-programmable modes.

Just make sure you buy a high quality 21700 battery and charger along with the light. You can still use it with a 18650 battery if you’d like. But 21700 batteries tend to have much higher capacity. Max 5100mAh for 21700 batteries and max 3600mAh for 18650 batteries.

Convoy C8+

Best cheap flashlight thrower

An extremely good and affordable flashlight thrower.

When you are looking for a flashlight that can throw a beam over a long distance, have a look at the Convoy C8+. First a word of warning: don’t go out and look for the same model but from another brand, like Boruit, or Wainlight. Those look the same but are inferior. Although the C8 style flashlights have been around for more than 10 years, only in the last couple of years have they become higher quality… Usually, it’s the other way around. This is kind of a mix between a tactical flashlight and your average long-range flashlight because of the different mode options you can choose from.

There are tons of options with different colors and mode groups. I’d recommend buying the one that is linked below. This is probably the #1 best thrower around $25.

Convoy S21E

Great EDC flashlight

One of the best cheap rechargeable 21700 flashlights Buy at Nealsgadgets.com

I am not affiliated with Convoy, but they are hands down one of the only trustable and good-quality affordable flashlights! I am actually quite surprised I had to add yet another Convoy to the list. There aren’t that many rechargeable flashlights available below $20 that are also still trustworthy. The Convoy S21E has been tested by our reviewer Rob, have a look at his Convoy S21E review and decide whether it is worth going for this flashlight.

Sofirn SP33 v3

One of the best cheap rechargeable, 21700 flashlights

Like a lot of lights in this price range, build quality is perfectly acceptable – anodization is solid, and there are no protruding sharp edges. This version of the SP33 comes with an XHP50.2 3V and is much brighter than any other offering in this price category. The beam that the XHP50.2 makes has a clearly defined hotspot, and then a fade-off to the corona.

As the light includes USB-C charging (USB-A to USB-C only, though), it’s a simple matter to pop the battery to charge just about anywhere you go. Check out the full review of the Sofirn SP33 v3.

This flashlight is not without flaws, but it’s the best one that reaches over 3,000 lumens (with the right battery) and still doesn’t break the $30.