Disclosure: Adventure Land is reader-supported, so posts may contain affiliate links. When you click on affiliate links on our site, we may earn a small commission, at zero cost to you. If you enjoyed our content and want to pay it forward (even if you don’t intend to buy anything) please click on any of our product links! Happy adventures!
You packed your bags and all of the things that you need for camping and you are ready to go, but when you got to the campsite and the day turns to night, you realized that you don’t have a flashlight.
It’s good that you have a campfire, but if you plan to go somewhere else in the camp, can you bring the campfire with you? You need a camping flashlight to accompany you in the dark so you will see where you are going.
If you want to look for the best camping flashlight, here are some of the things that you should know about.
Top 5 Best Camping Flashlight
1. Anker Rechargeable Bolder LC90 LED Flashlight
Anker is one of the most popular manufacturers of camping flashlight and the Anker Rechargeable Bolder LC90 LED Flashlight is currently one of the best in the market.
The Anker Rechargeable Bolder LC90 LED Flashlight provides a super bright light with 900-lumen. It can sweep and light up an area similar to the length of two football fields. It can even reach up to 1,000 feet. The light can also be zoomed from wide to narrow depending on your preference. It features 5 settings: SOS, Strobe, High, Medium, and Low.
The Anker Rechargeable Bolder LC90 LED Flashlight can last for a very long time and you can use it up to six hours when you are using a medium beam. The brightness won’t diminish throughout your use and it comes with a 3350mAh rechargeable battery.
Once the battery runs out, you can just charge it for 6 hours and you can use it again afterward. The LED also provides a lifespan of 50,000 hours so you can use it for a long time before replacing it.
The best thing about this camping flashlight is its IP65 water-resistant feature and you can even use it during heavy rains. If you are camping and rain started pouring, you can still use the flashlight outside when you need to go out. It has a very tough design and it is very durable since the body is made from aluminum and it has shock resistance.
The Anker Rechargeable Bolder LC90 LED Flashlight is known for its smart design and it is very pocket-friendly. It has an anti-slip design so you can use it even when your hands are wet.
Pros:
- Extremely durable
- Can be used up to 50,000 hours
- Rechargeable batteries
- 1,000-feet reach
- IP65 water-resistant
Con:
- Heats up when used for many hours
2. ThruNite Archer 2A V3 500 Lumens Neutral White AA Battery LED Flashlight
When you are looking for a camping flashlight, you have to look for a brand that will provide flexibility. Flashlights are supposed to be used for different circumstances so it should have specific features that would help you deal with any kind of situation.
The ThruNite Archer 2A V3 LED Flashlight is one of the top picks on this list simply because of its amazing flexibility. Two features would make this flashlight stand out compared with others with the same price range.
The extra dim firefly mode is one of its most amazing features and it offers only 0.2 lumens of light. It may seem like a contradiction to what you are expecting from a flashlight, but this flashlight can go from very bright to super dim. It is 40 times dimmer compared with the other dim settings of other flashlights.
Your eyes can adjust to the dark after a few minutes and because of this, you can use the extra dim firefly mode to use as dim lighting as possible to do the things that you need to do. It helps you save more power and you can use the flashlight longer.
The ThruNite Archer 2A V3 LED Flashlight also offers the brightest flash mode compared with other products on its price range. It can release 500 lumens of light. Although you won’t be needing a super bright flashlight in a camping site most of the time, you can use it during emergency situations as it would serve as a signal for rescue.
This flashlight is very durable and it features a 2-button interface, which makes it very easy to use.
Pros:
- Perfect dim settings
- Amazing durability
- Easy to use
- Lasts longer
- Bright flash mode
Con:
- No red-light mode
- Beam’s focus can’t be changed
3. Fenix E12 CREE XP-E2 130 Lumen LED flashlight
Fenix is known for the durability and longevity of their flashlights. Although the features are still there, most people are talking about the ability of the flashlights to withstand even the harshest of conditions. However, this feature comes with a price as they are usually more expensive than regular brands.
The Fenix E12 Flashlight is on the low side because it is cheaper and it provides decent features when used for camping. This type of flashlight is known for its basic features as it only offers the usual functions that a normal flashlight can provide.
The Fenix E12 Flashlight has three modes – Low, Medium, and High. Once you open the flashlight, it will suddenly appear in low mode, which is pretty handy, especially during camping. You don’t want your flashlight to blind you as soon as you open it. You have a chance to switch to a different mode depending on your preference.
It is pretty amazing for its price, but it has clear drawbacks that you will have to take note of. This flashlight is pretty decent so even if it has some flaws, it is still one of the top choices when it comes to camping flashlights.
It doesn’t offer any red-light mode and it does not have any strobe modes. The focus can’t be changed as well so it is pretty much a basic flashlight. You can use it around the camp to look for firewood or to stop something moving in the bushes, but aside from that, it is too basic for other tasks.
Pros:
- Super durable
- Lasts for a long time
- Three mode settings
- Great value
- Basic features
Con:
- No red-light mode
- No strobe lights
- Can’t change focus
4. Nite Ize Radiant 3-in-1 LED Mini Flashlight
The NiteIze Radiant 3-in-1 Mini Flashlight is the flashlight that you would want to have if you are on a tight budget. Actually, this flashlight is nothing special since it doesn’t have a lot of features that make it much more appealing than the others. However, its low price tag is definitely the main reason why this flashlight made it on the list.
The best thing about the NiteIze Radiant 3-in-1 Mini Flashlight is its red-light mode and the strobe mode. Not all flashlights come with this kind of feature so this low-budget flashlight is a good alternative if you don’t have the money to spend on camping flashlights.
This flashlight can also be converted into a camping lantern even if it is not as bright as the other camping flashlights on the list. The user interface is pretty amazing for its price. However, you will have to toggle between the brightness modes in order to turn it on or off.
The best thing about this is that the red light is actually separated from the flashlight, which means that you can toggle red light or white light anytime you want.
Pros:
- Super affordable
- Very easy to use
- Durable
- Very handy
Con:
- Poor user interface
5. ALPS Mountaineering Spark 240 Flashlight
If you want a camping flashlight that can provide decent features and very affordable, the ALPS Mountaineering Spark 240 Camping Flashlight is your best bet. This flashlight is known for its waterproof features and you can use it anywhere you want. Even if it is raining hard outside, this flashlight will still be usable.
The ALPS Mountaineering Spark 240 Camping Flashlight has four settings: High, Low, SOS, and Strobe. It doesn’t have medium lighting, which is pretty lacking, but the fact that it has an SOS and Strobe feature is already good enough. It also has a beam that you can adjust from 15 to 75 degrees so it is pretty amazing since you can change the focus.
This flashlight can provide a 240-lumen light beam and you can maintain this light for five hours straight. However, the best thing about the ALPS Mountaineering Spark 240 Camping Flashlight is its rugged exterior. It is both waterproof and shockproof so it can withstand the harshest conditions in the campsite.
If you really want the best flashlight, the ALPS Mountaineering Spark 240 Camping Flashlight is one of the brands that you should check out.
Pros:
- Amazing construction
- With SOS and Strobe lights
- Adjustable beam
- Sturdy construction
- Very affordable
Con:
- Poor battery
Buyer’s Guide
With the list above, you’ve probably had at least two or three choices when it comes to camping flashlights, but if you really want to find the best one, you should know a thing or two about them. You have to learn about the features that they are offering. Here are some of the things that you have to consider when looking for a camping flashlight.
Light Output
When you are looking for a camping flashlight, light output is very important. You have to remember that when you are camping, unexpected events might occur and you need a flashlight that is strong enough to provide security to you.
Most camping flashlights have high lumens, which means that they have a strong and bright light. This would allow you to use it for emergency situations and they can turn into beacons so the rescuers can find where you are.
The light can range from 20, which is good for reading and other basic tasks in the camping site, up to 3,500 lumens, which would light up the entire campsite.
If your main aim is to only use the flashlight for miscellaneous tasks at the campsite, the light output won’t be an issue because even flashlights with 200 lumens would be useful for these tasks.
Beam Distance
Beam distance pertains to the ability of the flashlight to light up your path. It is the distance that the light from the flashlight can light up.
If you are going to go out during the night to pee or to look for something, you need a flashlight with a high beam distance. It means that it can light up the road in a linear fashion. You can light up the path in front of you so you won’t trip and you can see what is up ahead.
If you are only using the flashlight inside the tent, you don’t really need to worry about beam distance. Make sure that you think about what you are going to do with it before you decide to buy it.
Size and Weight
For camping purposes, you will usually buy a flashlight that is very small and portable. Well, you don’t want the flashlight to be super big that it would affect your movement when you are holding it. Again, the size and weight would depend on how the flashlight would be used.
You have to remember that the size and weight of the flashlight would have something to do with its battery life. Bigger flashlights have bigger batteries and they can last longer and smaller ones would only last for a few hours of usage.
For camping, you have to choose a flashlight that is very handy and not too heavy.
Run Time
You have to look for a camping flashlight that can last for at least several hours before you have to charge it. This is important because if your flashlight can only last for two to three hours, you will need several batteries to last the whole night.
Material
For flashlights, the plastic material is usually lighter, but they are not as durable as aluminum. You can look for camping flashlights that are made from aluminum since accidents are inevitable when you are walking. There is a chance that the flashlight would fall off from your hand.
Conclusion
Choosing a camping flashlight is not too difficult as long as you know where you will use it. On this list, the best choice would be the ThruNite Archer 2A V3 LED Flashlight. Its flexibility and the affordable price tag are only some of the reasons why it is better than most brands.
