Most popular flashlights of 2023:
This list with the best flashlights started off as a survey on budgetlightforum, candlepowerforums, and Reddit at the end of last year. This list mainly focuses on Budgetlightforum.
1lumen selects and reviews products personally. We may earn affiliate commissions through our links, which help support our testing.
Best single cell LEP 2023
Weltool W3 PRO TAC
The Weltool W3 PRO Tac made one of the biggest output jumps in recent LEP history. While most LEP flashlights could ‘only’ reach 500 lumens, the W3 PRO TAC actually reaches over 1,000 lumens. This is such a huge jump, and makes it an amazing performer. It’s not regarded as the farthest reaching flashlight, it definitely has the best combo of throwy and wide beam for LEPs. The beam looks quite a bit like a regular LED flashlight, but it clearly is not.
Something that makes it stand out from the rest as well, is its UI. In normal use, you will notice only 1 mode. But there is also a hidden, lower mode, that can only be accessed from Off.
LEP stands for Laser Excited Phosphor, and is using a laser diode as its light source, but using a special technique make it look like a normal LED flashlight.
Here are some reasons why I think it’s so great:
- Best combination of throw and flood in an LEP flashlight
- Highest output of all single cell LEP flashlights
- Basically a single mode flashlight, but with a hidden strobe and Low mode
- Comes with a high quality, 5,000mAh USB-C rechargeable battery.
You can get 25% off at Nealsgadgets if you use our unique discount coupon: 1lumenLEP
Best multi-cell LEP of 2023
Maxtoch Owleyes W PRO v2
World’s farthest-reaching flashlight below $1000
- Farthest reaching LEP Flashlight (this is not an LED flashlight)
- Dual head LEP flashlight (Laser Excited Phosphor)
- Max output: 1200 lumens
- Works on 3*21700 batteries
LEP flashlights have become immensely popular recently. We reviewed about 40+ of them, and the Maxtoch Owleyes W PRO v2 came out as the best-performing LEP flashlight (and LED in that regard as well). Its specs rating claims a beam intensity of up to 4.0 Mcd, and mine was able to reach 4,000,000 cd with ease. This means a beam distance of 4,000 meters / 4374 yards / 2.49 miles. That with just the white beam, and it throws much less with the yellow, green, or red filters.
The Lowest mode is still able to reach up to over 2100 meters / 2300 yards for over 9 hours. Medium mode is still good for 3200 meters / 3500 yards. Most flashlights can only dream of these numbers. If you don’t mind a little funny looking flashlight, this is what you should get.
Interested in reading more: check out our review of the Maxtoch Owleyes W PRO v2.
Reasons why the Maxtoch Owleyes W PRO v2 is such an amazing flashlight:
- Can reach up to 4 kilometers, which is the best-performing LEP flashlight for consumers below $1000
- One of the best sustainable outputs and beam distance
- Comes with a pack of filters to change the color of the beam (which I don’t use)
Get $50 off with the following coupon: WP50V21L
Most powerful flashlight in the world, as of 2023
Imalent RS32
The brightest flashlight of 2023, and nothing else comes even close!
Most powerful flashlight of 2023
- Max output: 120,000 lumens (we measured 101.000)
- Max beam intensity: 1,090,000 cd (we measured 777,500 cd)
- Works on 8*21700 batterypack
The Imalent SR32 is the new Lumen King… and nothing comes even close!
It dethrones the Imalent MS18 as the brightest flashlight on planet earth, but only slightly.
Check out our full Imalent SR32 review.
Reasons why you should get the Imalent SR32:
- Most powerful flashlight on the planet in 2023
- Newly designed cooling system
- Includes a carry handle with built-in switch
- Ultra high speed charging due to the 100W USB-C charging.
Get 10% off with our exclusive discount coupon: 1Lumen
Best EDC light of 2023
Olight Baton 3 Pro Max
Olight is one of the few flashlight brands that keep innovating and upgrading their existing lights.
One of the popular flashlight series they have is the Baton.
One of the latest ones we reviewed is the Baton 3 Pro Max, with a total of 2500 lumens (we measured 2380) and available in 3 versions, cool white, neutral white, and warm white. This is the color temperature of the light it produces, so you can get your preferred LED option.
Its runtimes are also amazing with over 60 days of runtime in its lowest, 1 lumen mode. We haven’t tested this, because we have too many flashlights to review, and focus on the brightest modes mostly.
Interested in reading more: check out our review of the Olight Baton 3 Pro Max.
Reasons why the Baton 3 Pro Max is recommended:
- Can run for 60 days in its lowest mode
- High quality build, and Olight has a great warranty
- Has plenty of power, in combination with an easy to use UI
- Available in different body colors
- Available with different LED colors
- Comes with a rechargeable battery and magnetic charging cable, so you don’t need to invest anything into a special battery charger
Get 10% off at Olight with the following coupon: 1lumen
Best #4 (Shared)
Acebeam Pokelit AA
#4 most popular light in the flashlight community
High power AA type EDC flashlight
| Specification: | Highlights: |
|---|---|
| Max output | 550 lumens – 1000 lumens |
| LED type | Nichia 519A |
| Battery configuration | 1*AA-14500 |
There are actually 2 versions of the Acebeam Pokelit AA. The regular version has a maximum output of 550 lumens (with 14500 battery), while the Pokelit AA Gray has a maximum claimed output of 1,000 lumens. We’ve tested the Pokelit AA Gray version, being the brightest of the 2.
Keep in mind that the ‘Gray’ is not just the color of the flashlight, but it has different electronics (driver) and therefore produce a higher output. It’s a different flashlight altogether.
During our test, we noticed that the specified 1,000 lumens was still a bit too optimistic, and we measured an output of 805 lumens. This of course, is with the provided 14500 lithium-ion battery.
Our AA test, done with an Eneloop AA, gave us a total of 321 lumens. This is definitely not bad for a single AA battery. Read our full review here: Acebeam Pokelit AA Gray.
Reasons why the Acebeam Pokelit is so popular:
- Awesome build quality, fit and finish
- Easy UI
- LED has High CRI
Get 15% off with the following coupon: AE15
Emisar D2
Tiny Hank light
Low power headlamp
| Specification: | Highlights: |
|---|---|
| Max output | ? |
| LED type | Many types |
| Battery configuration | 1*14500 |
| User type | Only for advanced users |
The Emisar D2 fills a niche segment of the flashlight market: Dual channel, right angle, Anduril, 14500-sized light. I say “light” because it’s the only one! That’s not to say that you have to need all of those requirements to own and enjoy the D2; you should consider it if you’re looking for any of those features. It’s backed by Hank’s famous quality and service, and if you know anything about that, you should already be interested.
That said, it’s not for everyone. Not everyone likes Anduril or needs a right angle light, maybe you need ultra low moonlight, or 14500 is too small for your needs. It has some ergonomics problems like the stiff switch (which may just be the switch on my model) and clip placement against your hand; there’s the problem with the squarish beam if you request the clear optics, and it would’ve been nice if the light could take AA batteries, too.
All in all, I give the Emisar D2 4 stars for being small, versatile, and powerful, even if there are some drawbacks.
Reasons why the Emisar D2 is so popular:
- Specifically built for flashlight enthusiasts
- Uses the very advanced Anduril 2 firmware/user interface
- Multitude of LED options available
Best #3 (shared)
Acebeam E75
#3 most popular light in the flashlight community
High power EDC flashlight
| Specification: | Highlights: |
|---|---|
| Max output | 3,000 lumens |
| LED type | 4*Nichia 519A |
| Battery configuration | 1*21700 |
The Acebeam E75 is a quad LED flashlight that can produce 3000-4500 lumens, depending on the LED choice. It is powered by a 21700 battery that can be charged via USB-C, and has a simple user interface with six modes, including strobe.
The build quality is excellent, you get the choice between NW and CW LEDs. We reviewed the NW version, which performs lower than the CW version.
Besides that, the handling is great, making it an easy to use, general purpose flashlight. Especially considering the high sustained output, this is well appreciated by many users.
Interested in reading more: check out our review of the Acebeam E75
Reasons why the Acebeam E75 is so popular:
- Awesome build quality, fit and finish
- Comes with 21700 battery and onboard charging
- High CRI NW option
Get 15% off with the following coupon: AE15
Emisar D4K
Another popular enthusiast light
| Specification: | Highlights: |
|---|---|
| Max output | ? |
| LED type | Many types |
| Battery configuration | 1*21700 |
| User type | Only for advanced users |
The Emisar D4 is a very niche flashlight with lots and lots of LED options.
Hank, the owner of Intl-Outdoor produces Emisar and Noctigon specifically focusing on die-hard flashlights enthusiast, who love Anduril based lights, with lots of options.
Hank gives you the opportunity to choose your favorite flashlight color, the retaining ring type, switch backlight, and LED.
When it comes to LEDs, the D4K will give you about 20 different options. With the default version going for about $39, some LED options will add another $10 on top.
Besides these options, you can even include a more floody optic, SS bezel, deep carry pocket clip, magnetic tailcap, etc..
This is the reason why Emisar and Noctigon are so popular on BLF and Reddit. It’s not about performance, but about the multitude of options and UI.
If you want to use flashlights professionally, I would look at other options, and not these.
Reasons why the Emisar D4K is so popular:
- Specifically built for flashlight enthusiasts
- Uses the very advanced Anduril 2 firmware/user interface
- Multitude of LED options available
Best #2
Emisar D4Sv2
Another popular enthusiast light
| Specification: | Highlights: |
|---|---|
| Max output | ? |
| LED type | Many types |
| Battery configuration | 1*22650 |
| User type | Only for advanced users |
The Emisar D4Sv2 is a very niche flashlight with lots and lots of LED options.
Hank, the owner of Intl-Outdoor produces Emisar and Noctigon specifically focusing on die-hard flashlights enthusiast, who love Anduril based lights, with lots of options.
Hank gives you the opportunity to choose your favorite flashlight color, the retaining ring type, switch backlight, and LED.
When it comes to LEDs, the D4S v2 will give you about 20 different options. With the default version going for about $39, some LED options will add another $5 – $15 on top.
Besides these options, you can even include a more floody optic, SS bezel, deep carry pocket clip, magnetic tailcap, etc..
This is the reason why Emisar and Noctigon are so popular on BLF and Reddit. It’s not about performance, but about the multitude of options and UI.
If you want to use flashlights professionally, I would look at other options, and not these.
Reasons why the Emisar D4S v2 is so popular:
- Specifically built for flashlight enthusiasts
- Uses the very advanced Anduril 2 firmware/user interface
- Multitude of LED options available
Best #1
Wurkkos TS10
| Specification: | Highlights: |
|---|---|
| Max output | 1400 lumens (we measured 1454 at turn on, but 129 lm after 30 sec) |
| LED type | Many types |
| Battery configuration | 1*14500 |
The TS10 is again mentioned as most popular flashlight on the list.. the same winner as 2022.
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.
Reasons why the Wurkkos TS10 is the most popular flashlight in the community:
- One of the most affordable triple LED flashlights with Anduril 2 on the planet
- The Wurkkos TS10 is available for less than $20
- Comes with Anduril 2 firmware, which makes it extremely versatile
- Very pocketable because of the 14500 style battery
- You can choose the flashlight color, LED type, and AUX colors. The number of choices you get is just amazing!
More interesting flashlights lists
Throughout the year we will update the list with new and interesting flashlights that we think fit this page. And we don’t limit ourselves to certain categories. Some are great throwers, while others are great keychain lights. Some might be great for EDC, while others may be great for camping or self-defense.
If you are particularly looking for the best within a certain category, make sure you check out the following links:
- Best rechargeable flashlights
- Best tactical flashlights
- Best EDC flashlights
- Best pocket flashlights
- Brightest flashlight
What is the best flashlight? We reviewed 600+
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Get a popular flashlight from the past:
Most popular flashlights of 2022
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