The best rechargeable flashlights of 2023
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Table of contents:
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Note:
We tested hundreds of flashlights and headlamps. And each has been run through our extensive battery of tests, including runtime, output, and beam distance measurements. We test flashlights to help you make an informed decision on the best flashlight or headlamp to fit your needs. Unlike other websites that say “researched the best” …. which means, they read Amazon product reviews. Fail!
This list doesn’t contain flashlights that just run on rechargeable batteries. All flashlights can. All the flashlights in this list are thoroughly tested, and can be charged without taking the batteries out!
Unlike the authors of most of the “Top 10 best rechargeable flashlight” lists you will find on the internet, our team has collectively owned and reviewed hundreds of flashlights with decades of experience. Many of those Top 10 lists are written by people with little knowledge of flashlights or first-hand experience with them, evidenced by their very poor recommendations (no, that 1,000,000 lumen zoomable flashlight you see on Amazon is not a great flashlight). Below are our recommendations for the best rechargeable flashlights on the market. So, if you want the best, make sure you read the full review to see if it fits your needs.
Also, we have other buyer’s guides as well, so don’t forget to check them out:
- Brightest flashlights
- Tactical flashlights
- Farthest throwing flashlights (farthest reaching)
- Best EDC flashlights (every day carry)
Best small USB flashlight
Olight i1R 2 PRO
A compact rechargeable flashlight that fits on your keyring.
Best small flashlight with USB-C charging
| Specification: | Highlights: |
|---|---|
| Max. brightness: | 180 lumens (we tested 226 lumens at turn on) |
| LED type: | Unkown |
| Battery type: | Built-in |
| Charging: | USB-C charging |
| Best for: | Every Day Carry |
At just 2 inches long and 0.64 inch wide weighing in at 22 grams, the Olight i1R 2 PRO is a small rechargeable light with an easy UI and great performance.
In hand, it feels tiny, but very well built. However, when you turn it on, you get over 200 lumens in high-setting, and 8 lumens in low-setting. And since we tested every flashlight extensively, we noticed that the Low mode is advertised as running for 12 hours, but ours kept running for more than 15 hours. At that point, the output is so low, that we recommend charging the battery. High mode is only usable for 30 minutes-enough for quick, but important tasks.
It’s a worthwhile upgrade from the original Olight i1R EOS, which we also reviewed. The i1R 2 PRO has higher brightness, longer runtimes, and USB-C instead of micro USB. Well worth the extra few dollars. If you want to compare them, check out both flashlight reviews.
One more note: the one we tested is a limited edition with stars and stripes. However, the regular blue or black version has the same performance.
If you don’t need a 1000 lumen flashlight and want something small, check out the full review of the Olight i1R 2 PRO here.
This is why I would recommend this flashlight:
- It has a simple user interface with just 2 modes
- You can put it on your keychain, so you always have a flashlight on you
- Plenty bright
- It is available in different colors, even though the “Stars and stripes” in the picture is a limited edition, and not available anymore. You have to be quick to get a limited edition.
Interested? Buy at Olightstore with 10% off, using our discount code: 1Lumen
Best rechargeable LED flashlights with 18650 batteries
Olight Warrior Mini 2
Great rechargeable tactical flashlight with 18650 battery
The Olight Warrior Mini 2 is a short tactical 18650 flashlight with an inbuilt charge system. Its primary LED is a powerful Luminus SST40 for maximum brightness.
During our test, we noticed that the runtime of the Warrior Mini 2 was rather exceptional. It runs for 18+ hours at 100+ lumens in Medium mode, while Turbo and High mode last more than 3.5 hours. In terms of performance, the Warrior mini 2 does an amazing job.
It features 2 different mode groups, for general use and tactical use. The tactical mode group has an instant strobe feature.
As a safety feature, Olight incorporated a proximity sensor that detects when objects are close to the lens. At a preset distance, the output drops, reducing the chance of burning your finger or pockets.
To learn more about this flashlight, check out the complete review of the Olight Warrior Mini 2 here.
This is why I would recommend this flashlight:
- Maximum output of over 1600 lumens
- High power Olight 18650 battery is included. I recommend getting a spare one!
- UI: Standard modes and Tactical modes for instant strobe and turbo
- Proprietary magnetic USB charging system (no USB port) for maximum waterproofing.
Interested? Buy at Olightstore with 10% off, using our discount code: 1Lumen
Some of the best USB-C rechargeable flashlights
WildTrail WT3M
A new brand, but definitely worth a look
The WT3M is a triple LED, high power compact flashlight. Although WildTrail is a throwback brand from the early days of enthusiast flashlights, the WT3M is by no means an outdated light. From our review: “Nothing else out there looks like the WT series lights (especially when buck naked), and for the price, it’s hard to beat the performance and features. I obviously got a very nice bin of XHP50.2’s, and the beam is fantastic with a nice balance of flood and some throw. You get an excellent driver, onboard charging, and excellent thermal performance to boot. It’s also fully moddable, so if you get tired of the 50.2’s, they can easily be swapped for either SFT or SST40s. The thermal performance is very good for a small light as well, further accentuated by Anduril’s thermal configurability.
There were some issues though. I didn’t like the flimsy charge port cover, nor the errant clear coating with resultant connection issues and flickering (although easily remedied). The lack of a pocket clip for EDC duty was also annoying, as was the unimpressive peak charge current on my sample.
Although it doesn’t do anything remarkably better than the competition, all things considered, the WildTrail WT3M is an excellent light and a great option if you’re in the market for a hotrod triple. The future seems to be very bright for WildTrail and I hope to see more like this in the future.” Check out the full review of the WildTrail WT3M here.
This is why I would recommend this flashlight:
- 6800 lumen advertised output with CREE XHP50.2 LEDs (we measured 6132 at start)
- Available with CREE XHP50.2s or Luminus SST40 LEDs to fit your needs
- Has a very advanced UI, if that’s your thing
- Uses USB-C for charging
Olight Warrior X Pro
A tactical flashlight with vibration low-battery alert and simple UI.
The Olight Warrior X PRO is probably the first of its kind, as it comes with an interesting vibration Low Voltage Warning: it actually vibrates! When the battery level goes down to 30%, it starts vibrating once every 5 minutes. When the battery SOC (State of Charge) drops to 10%, it will vibrate every 60 seconds. When it drops to 5%, it does so every 10 seconds.
The Warrior X Pro features a redesigned raised tail switch for intuitive operation. The IPX8-rated aluminum alloy body sports a pronounced knurling pattern for a better grip. It has only 2 output levels, Turbo and regular output, 2250 lumens and 300 lumens. You don’t need a zoom mechanism with this type of light. Fortunately, the X PRO can be wall-mounted with the L-dock magnetic charging kit (optional). And the built-in magnet helps to use it hands-free.
If you’re looking for a tactical-use flashlight with an innovative low voltage notification and super-simple UI, check out the Olight Warrior X Pro.
This is why I would recommend this flashlight:
- The X Pro includes a high-quality 21700 battery, and has onboard magnetic charging via an MCC3 USB cable
- Has a unique low voltage warning vibration system. So you don’t have to look at a series of lights ot anything.
- Very simple and straightforward UI, which would be great for tactical use.
Best rechargeable flashlight with 32650 battery
Olight Marauder Mini
One of the most interesting 26650 lights currently available
I can’t help, but say that the Marauder Mini is a phenomenal rechargeable flashlight with phenomenal performance combined with exceptional battery life. With a physical switch, you easily toggle between spot mode and flood mode. Both light sources have 7 modes, while you have access to 3 colored modes with 4 modes each.
And like most other Olight flashlights, its performance is outstanding. Turbo mode (L7) is approximately 6000 for 5 minutes before dropping to 2,000 lumens. And Level 6 is 3,000 lumens for more than 26 minutes before dropping to 1000 lumens. No other flashlight in this class has been able to achieve this. If you find one, let us know.
For more details, check out our Olight Marauder Mini review.
This is why I would recommend this flashlight:
- Has great maximum output of over 5,000 lumens, and almost 700 yards (632 meters) with the spotlight
- Easy switching between a narrow beam to throw far, and a wide beam for close up stuff
- Runs for extremely long, and should last for a whole week, when you just use the light in the lowest setting, each night. (Total runtime is over 35 hours on lowest mode, which is 100 lumens)
- Has a unique low-voltage warning vibration system. So you don’t have to look at a series of lights ot anything.
- Very simple and straightforward UI, which would be great for tactical use.
- Has different colors of light, if that’s your thing
Top 2 Brightest rechargeable flashlights with most lumens
Acebeam X75 (Top pick)
At 80,000 lumen rechargeable flashlight
- Max output: 80,000 lumens (we measured over 80,000 lumens)
- LED: 12 CREE XHP70.2 LEDs
- Light mode: 6 modes + strobe
- Replaceable cooling fan
- 4×21700 battery pack built-in
- Built-in charging USB-C PD
If you’re looking for a high-lumen rechargeable light that can sustain its brightness the longest, it’s the Acebeam X75. Check out the runtime graph to see how long and how high it can sustain its brightness. At the moment, this is the highest sustainable output in any flashlight! No joke.
In our test, we noticed that it can sustain more than 20,000 lumens for 20 minutes. No other flashlight can do this, including the more powerful Imalent MS18. And keep in mind that it’s even waterproof, even with the fan.
Here’s some reasons why you should consider the Acebeam X75 as your next high-power rechargeable flashlight.:
- Extremely fast charging (65Watt charger is included, but an optional 100W charger is available)
- Highest sustainable output in the world, with over 20,000 lumens for 20 minutes
- Includes a replaceable cooling fan (and it includes a spare one) to keep the flashlight cooled
- Has a powerbank feature to charge any USB device on the fly
- The carry handle has a switch built-in.. so you only need to use 1 hand
- Get direct access to Turbo mode, Ultra Low mode, and Strobe mode.
Imalent MS18
At 100,000 lumens, it is the brightest rechargeable flashlight on planet earth.
This is the brightest rechargeable flashlight in the world, with a whopping 100,000-lumen output in Turbo mode, and 70,000 in the high lumen setting. This would be our top pick if you want the highest brightness.
No other flashlight can claim the MS18’s output claims, and no other brand has fielded a competitor, so the Imalent MS18 occupies a special niche in the flashlight market. With the included quick charge adapter, charging takes about 4 hours from empty to fully charged. The output is really breathtaking. If you are into high-powered flashlights, the Imalent MS18 is one you should consider. It has a hefty price tag, but you are buying the most powerful flashlight in the world. If you can handle the noisy built-in fans, you won’t be disappointed. It’s about 100 times as bright as the Maglite ML150LR!
Don’t forget to check out our review of the Imalent MS18 for more information, runtime graphs, output tests, lumen, and throw distance tests with beamshots to see what 100,000 lumens look like. Oh and you don’t need to use 100,000 lumens all the time, you can choose any brightness level between 10K and 100K.
Here’s some reasons why you should consider the Imalent MS18
- It has the highest lumen output of all flashlights currently available
- Come with a carry case for maximum protection during storage and carry
- Uses (noisy) fans to keep the temperature in check
FAQ about Rechargeable torches
Are these really the best rechargeable flashlights?
Although new flashlights are popping up in online stores almost daily, it’s impossible to test and review every single flashlight on the market. This list is not exhaustive but represents the best and most-requested flashlights. 1Lumen strives to provide you with the latest and most thorough reviews, so if you would like to see a particular light tested, feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll have a look. We are always open to suggestions and try to provide you with the best and brightest. Our goal is to have the “best rechargeable flashlight list” on the Internet.
Any words of caution?
When looking for a rechargeable flashlight, proper care and handling are important factors to consider. Although rechargeable flashlights are pretty safe, most of them still contain lithium batteries, and lithium-ion batteries can cause fires or even explode if mishandled. Always consult the user manuals for safe handling and use of lithium batteries. It’s dangerous to try charging disposable batteries in a flashlight!
Should I buy a rechargeable flashlight or lithium ion batteries on eBay, Amazon, Banggood, or Aliexpress?
A word of advice: Buy at your own risk. Most flashlights sold on eBay are an unknown brand and rely on slow Micro USB or USB-C charging systems, non existent low-voltage protection for the lithium battery, dodgy electronics, and sometimes really poor quality. Spend the extra money and get a rechargeable flashlight from a reputable brand like Thrunite, Astrolux, Mateminco, Fenix, Olight, and Acebeam. The same rule applies when buying lithium ion batteries. Always buy batteries from reputable sellers, and be sure to only purchase name brand batteries from Samsung, Sony, LG, Molicel, and Sanyo/Panasonic.
Types of rechargeable flashlights
There are currently 3 main charging solutions for flashlights, and each of them has pros and cons. So, before you purchase a flashlight, make sure you know what type of rechargeable flashlight fits your needs. You only know how you want to use your flashlight. Choosing ‘the best ones’ depend solely on your requirements.
Here are the 3 types:
- With USB ports (Micro USB, USB-C)
- Magnetic charging (Proprietary systems)
- DC Power adapter (Kind of proprietary)
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What are the Pros & cons of Micro USB and USB-C Charging
Micro USB and the newer USB-C are the most common charging solutions for flashlights. The issues with these are they aren’t particularly waterproof because they are built inside the flashlight, and the charge ports can break or wear out over time. Moreover, the charge ports are usually covered with a rubber cover to keep water out, so if this cover gets damaged or lost, it creates an entry point for moisture, dust, or dirt.
The benefits of USB-C over Micro USB include the ability to charge batteries quickly thanks to quick charge and PD (power delivery) protocols can put out up to 45 watts or more compared to the typical 10 watts. It’s great for high-capacity battery packs found on high-lumen lights like the Fenix LR80R.
Most of these flashlights are using lithium-ion batteries, instead of rechargeable AA or AAA batteries. -
What’s the deal with Magnetic charging?
The other method is magnetic charging. Two popular brands employ magnetic charging: Olight and Armytek, and both have their own proprietary charge system. The main benefits of these systems are durability and waterproofness. There are no ports or openings, so water and debris aren’t going to get into the light. There’s also no physical connector or plug to break or wear out.
The downside of these magnetic charging solutions is the magnetic base. It can stick to your keys, or other small metal things. Depending on the flashlight, it could potentially activate the light by accident. The other negative is if you lose the proprietary charging cable, you cannot use a generic one, so you will have to buy a replacement. Unless, you take the battery out and charge it in a normal lithium-ion charger.
A magnetic Olight or Armytek flashlight comes with a battery, by default. -
What are some benefits of DC Power Adapters/Barrel Jacks?
Some lights, particularly high power lights, use a DC power adapter paired with a traditional barrel jack and connector for charging, like the Imalent MS18, Imalent MS12 Mini, Acebeam X70, Wuben A1, and Thrunite TN50. They all ship with their own power adapter that can charge a high-capacity battery pack (the MS18 has 8, 4000 mAh 21700 cells in its battery) quicker than standard USB can manage.
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Anything else interesting to note?
Not too long ago, a 1 amp Micro USB charging solution was considered ‘quick.’ However, with the rise of USB-C with PD (power delivery) and quick charging, recharging times have dropped quite a bit in the last two years. Now, 10 watts is on the low end, and it’s becoming commonplace where manufacturers are fielding QC and PD charging on their lights, with 18 and even 24 watt recharge rates. Even high-capacity batteries can be charged very quickly.
Also, make sure you get a rechargeable battery shipped with the flashlight. Not all rechargeable flashlights include a battery. Most magnetic and DC-powered chargers come with a battery or built-in battery pack. -
How about rechargeable headlamps?
Best rechargeable headlamps
We also made a list of the best rechargeable headlamps. These lists contain flashlight and headlamps we reviewed personally.