As the name suggests, survival flashlights are essential for dangerous situations. From helping you find a missing item in your bag to illuminating your way back to the campsite, it is a crucial part of every survival kit.
You never know when you might need a flashlight, so it’s better to keep one with you at all times.
However, with thousands of models available today, choosing the best flashlight is no easy task. To help make your decision easier, the following are some of the best survival flashlights. So, feel free to read on and find one that best suits your needs!
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Survival Flashlight
Comparison of the Best Survival Flashlights
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How Can a Survival Flashlight Be Used?
A survival flashlight can be used for several different things. Some of the most common uses include:
Providing Light in Emergency Situations
If the power inside your home goes out or your vehicle breaks down on the side of the road, a survival flashlight effectively provides the light you need. With the right model, you can even choose between soft ambient light and a bright light.
Better Night Vision
Flashlights are designed with different colored filters that provide different types of lights. Red filters ensure better night vision, green filters are perfect for hunting at night, and blue filters provide the best light output for reading maps at night.
Self-Defense
Survival flashlights can also come in the form of billy clubs. Even individuals who keep other means of protection, such as pepper spray or firearm, consider survival flashlights to be a useful make-shift weapon, as they are capable of delivering a powerful blow to both animals and humans during an attack.
Signaling
Some models are built with strobe patterns that can be used to signal for help. Whether you’re trying to flag down another vehicle during an emergency or find a search party, the strobe patterns help you find help quickly.
What Makes a Flashlight Great for Survival?
While there are several different models, there are certain features that make a flashlight great for survival. Some of these include:
Type of Battery
Most flashlights run on AAA or AA batteries, but some models are also powered by 9-volt, C, or D batteries. However, survival flashlights are usually powered by lithium batteries as they do not leak, making them better for long-term storage. They also work better in cold conditions. Also, make sure that the survival flashlight you choose has a minimum battery life of eight hours at 50 lumens.
Durability
A survival flashlight will most likely be exposed to extreme conditions. That’s why it’s essential that the model you choose is both impact-resistant and waterproof. A waterproof IPX-4 flashlight provides basic water resistance, but if you want a unit that can be fully submerged in water, then it should be IPX-7 or 8.
Materials
A quality survival flashlight should either be manufactured with metal or a combination of intense rubberized plastic and metal. It’s advisable to purchase a flashlight made with anodized aluminum. Metal protects the sensitive electronics, ensuring that the unit functions properly whenever it’s needed. Rubberized flashlights can also withstand abuse and are able to absorb the impact of being mishandled, making them the perfect survival tool.
Review of the Best Survival Flashlights
It’s important that you purchase the best flashlight you can find. But with thousands of models available, choosing the right one is often a difficult and time-consuming task. To help make this decision easier, the following are reviews of some of the best survival flashlights. So, read on and find the model that suits you best!
Best Overall:
Streamlight 88031 ProTac 2L 350
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Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Almost all the people who invested in the Streamlight agree that it’s an absolute hit! Users were particularly impressed by its brightness and also liked the fact that it’s small, lightweight, and programmable. However, some customers reported receiving a model that stopped charging after only a few weeks of use.
Why it Stands Out to Us
While the Streamlight 88031 comes with several great features, its bright and powerful LED technology is what makes it the top unit on our list. Boasting a shelf life of ten years, the C4 LED technology ensures maximum light output throughout its life. Furthermore, the model features a run time of 50 hours on low, six hours on strobe, and three hours on high.
Who Will Use This Most
If you’re looking for something that’s compact and bright, but more durable than a penlight, the Streamlight is the perfect flashlight for you. Designed to meet the needs of both professionals and everyday users, the unit is ideal for security, law enforcement, working in the workshop, sporting, emergency medical services, and personal use.
Bottom Line
Offering three different lighting options, the Streamlight is surely one of the best models to have for any survival or emergency situations. Its high-quality construction ensures durability and longevity, while its innovative design makes it extremely easy to use and carry. However, the small size might not be suitable for some.
Runner-up:
Streamlight 90540
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Most firefighters who purchased the Streamlight found it to be rugged, compact, and lighter than other models on the market. Users also stated it had excellent battery life, with some even describing it as a firefighter’s standard equipment. However, some customers reported that their model stopped working after only a few months of use.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The model’s ease of use is what makes it stand out from the crowd. Featuring a reduced low-profile bezel length, it minimizes snag hazards and doesn’t interfere with equipment and gear. An updated clip design further provides better attachment, while the reinforced D-ring makes sure the light consistently hangs forward. Moreover, a large rubber dome push-button actuator ensures easy operation, allowing users to control the different modes quickly.
Who Will Use This Most
Designed for use in hazardous locations, the Streamlight 90540 is the perfect option for firefighters and search and rescue teams. Since it can be easily used with gloves, it’s a good cold-weather option, as well. Lastly, it’s also ideal for law enforcement, as it can be easily linked to a strap or belt.
Bottom Line
Specially designed for use in hazardous locations, the Streamlight 90540 is a rugged, safe, and lightweight flashlight. With C4 LED technology, the model provides bright, powerful light, making it ideal for emergency situations. However, Streamlight’s quality control could be improved, as some users reported receiving low-quality flashlights.
Best for the Money:
J5 Tactical V1-PRO
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Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Most people who invested in the J5 stated that the flashlight worked wonderfully and recommended it to other potential buyers, as well. Users found the unit sturdy and bright, and particularly liked the fact that it only uses one AA battery. However, some customers reported that their model stopped working after only a few months of use.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The J5 deserves its place as one of the top models due to its quality construction. Designed with aircraft aluminum alloy, the unit is practically indestructible. Able to work in the most extreme conditions, it can be dropped from a height of nine feet and will still perform flawlessly. The light also features an attack head that can be used as a makeshift weapon. Its skid-proof design further prevents it from rolling away when it’s dropped.
Who Will Use This Most
The J5 is a simple flashlight that can be used to scope an area or spy deep into the wilderness. This EDC unit is also ideal for home use and is extremely useful during power outages and for finding missing items in crannies, crooks, and under sofas. Since it can be easily attached to a bicycle, a backpack, or a helmet, it’s also the perfect option for camping trips and night rides.
Bottom Line
The J5 Tactical V1-PRO is a tough flashlight that provides excellent value for money. Perfect for both occasional and daily use, the unit is able to survive drops to the garage floor, while its water resistance allows you to use it in the rain. However, the on/off switch might become jammed after a few months of use.
4. Fenix PD35 TAC 1000
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Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Most buyers were extremely satisfied with the Fenix and recommended the light to other people, as well. Users loved its compact and lightweight design and were particularly impressed by its brightness and build quality. However, some customers were disappointed with the wrist strap and did not like the placement of the button that changes between modes.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Fenix PD35 primarily stands out to us because of its strong beam power. Equipped with six different lighting modes, the LED provides around 1000 lumens of power and boasts a lifespan of approximately 50,000 hours. With a beam that spans up to 656 feet, the unit ensures an impressive performance in harsh environments as well.
Who Will Use This Most
The Fenix PD35 is the perfect flashlight for survival purposes. Ideal for security and law enforcement, outdoor use, and professional use, the Fenix delivers powerful and reliable illumination for a wide range of situations.
Bottom Line
All in all, the Fenix PD35 TAC 1000 is a well-built flashlight that provides extreme and reliable illumination. Boasting a sturdy construction, the waterproof and slip-resistant model is perfect for any serious outdoorsman. However, the charger will need to be purchased separately.
5. UltraFire 7w 300lm Mini Cree LED Flashlight
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Most buyers were happy with the UltraFire and stated they would not hesitate to purchase the unit again. Users found it to be extremely handy and were particularly impressed by its build quality and price. However, some customers reported receiving defective models that provided less than 100 lumens.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Since the UltraFire is one of the best models available, there are several reasons it stands out to us. Firstly, it’s inexpensive, reasonably durable, and bright. Manufactured with aluminum alloy, the flashlight is water-resistant and boasts a good battery life. With LED technology, the unit also lasts longer than older models.
Who Will Use This Most
As the clip can be attached right to your belt, the UltraFire is perfect for mountain hikers and rock climbers. It’s also ideal for hunting, camping, law enforcement, and military purposes. These models can also be kept in vehicles for regular and emergency use.
Bottom Line
To put it simply, the UltraFire Mini Cree is an inexpensive, small, single AA battery-powered LED flashlight that features an adjustable focus. Ideal for hunting, camping, and cycling, the unit provides an output of 300 lumens. However, it gets hot if it’s left on high mode for a long time.
Why Should I Get a New Survival Flashlight?
As mentioned above, having the right flashlight is extremely important, especially when the sun goes down. Some reasons for purchasing a new flashlight include:
Better Illumination
Older flashlights were designed with incandescent bulbs, but LEDs have finally taken over. Outperforming incandescents on all measures, light-emitting diode-based models are brighter, tougher, and more battery efficient. They’re also more durable than incandescents and don’t break easily when used in outdoor applications.
Durable and Shock-Resistant
A must-have feature for every survival tool, these are also designed to be shock-resistant. If a model has passed the ANSI FL1 standards, it means it’s able to take a beating. Usually, a shock-resistant flashlight will have an LED bulb.
Beam Features
An extremely useful feature, an adjustable beam makes a survival flashlight pretty versatile. The feature allows you to illuminate a wide area for travel or search applications, or reduce it to a narrow beam for signaling and tactical purposes. You can even hang the light from the the top of your tent as a makeshift lamp.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
There are several different factors you should consider before purchasing a survival flashlight. Some of these include:
Brightness
Different models have different brightness levels. If you need a survival flashlight, it’s advisable to choose one with between 45 and 200 lumens. Perfect for camping, general outdoor use, hiking, and tactical applications, a 200-lumen model provides the right brightness level for every survival situation.
It’s also advisable to choose a unit with multiple brightness settings. This feature enables you to adjust the brightness according to your needs, allowing you to save power, as well.
Portability
Make sure the flashlight you purchase is portable and can easily be packed into your survival kit. You should also consider the weight of the model. It’s advisable to choose one that weighs eight ounces or less. Size is also an important factor, with the ideal size being shorter than eight inches.
Function and Features
As the name suggests, survival flashlights are specifically designed for use in survival and emergency situations. That’s why it’s essential that the unit you choose has built-in emergency features. Emergency strobes are one of the most common built-in features, with the SOS strobe being the most useful strobe pattern.
Conclusion
Survival flashlights are more than a simple source of light, they’re a lifesaving device as well. Along with providing ambient or bright light with the right diffusers and filters in an emergency, some flashlights can also be used as a makeshift weapon for self-defense. There are hundreds of excellent options available, so make sure you read the aforementioned reviews to find one that best suits your needs!