The best camping flashlights: we shed light on the finest options for adventures in the dark

Without the best camping flashlight, your gear arsenal just isn’t complete. When the sun sets and you’re on your way back to camp via rough country paths, you need focussed illumination to break through the black. The best camping flashlights these days provide superb illumination for hours on end, not like the weak yellow beams and paltry battery life of the flashlights you grew up with.

Over the last ten years, the build quality of the best camping torches has moved on significantly. With durable, lightweight materials as standard, impressive shock resistance and deluge-beating waterproofing, the best camping flashlights are built to last. For those among us who spend a large amount of time in the outdoors, such heavy-duty, reliable torches are a real necessity.

Put simply, we wouldn’t pack our best camping tent into the car and set out for the backcountry without our flashlight, so we know a good model when we see one. We rate the Ledlenser MT14 1000 as the leading model, though different flashlights suit different applications. We’ve included models that can be solar charged and a torch specifically designed for runners.

For some, the handsfree option represented by the best headlamps may appeal, while those looking for a more broad light to hang a light from the top of their tent may wish to consider a camping lantern. However, for the best camping flashlights around, look no further.

How we test the best camping flashlights

At Advnture we endeavor to test every product we feature extensively in the field. That means one of our team of reviewers and writers – all experienced outdoor specialists active across the US, UK, Europe and Australasia – taking it out into the terrain and climatic conditions that it’s designed for. If, for any reason, this isn’t possible, we’ll say so in our buying guides and reviews.

Our reviewers test camping flashlights in a range of outdoor scenarios – camping, hiking, caving and wet-weather activities (where appropriate) – assessing their value and performance against the claims of the brand in terms of illumination, beam strength, weight, battery consumption, robustness and features.

The best camping flashlights you can buy

This small, lightweight, rechargeable flashlight delivers a powerful punch of light. Four light modes are controlled through Ledlenser’s Smart Light Technology and an ‘Advanced Focus System’ that lets you program and personalize the light beam for your specific environment and activity, offering functionality ranging from broad flood to long-distance focused beam. 

The USB rechargeable battery includes a status indicator to give you real-time, accurate readings on battery life. The MT14 delivers an incredible nine hours of run time on the highest mode and almost 200 hours at the lowest setting. The housing is weather-resistant, but not fully waterproof, so don’t go submerging it.

We rate this excellent torch as the best camping flashlight option of all.

This flashlight feels rugged the instant you pick it up. Crafted from aluminum, the housing is checkered to deliver a firm grip. No more frustration dropping your torch just when you need it. The 263-lumens beam is strong enough to illuminate your work. With a fine balance in your hand and five modes managed from a single button control, it’s easy to match the beam to the need. A belt hook keeps the Dark Energy flashlight close at hand. Powered by a pair of CR123 batteries. This torch is the middle offering in a range that also includes a less powerful flashlight with 128 lumens ($62) and a big brother that packs a punch that has 678 lumens behind it ($130).

The best flashlight for runners

If your training schedule means running after dark – and you’re not keen on wearing a head lamp – it’s nice to have a torch that’s designed specifically for that very activity. The Terra Fire shows that level of specialization the instant you pick it up. The ergonomic handle and 24-degree download projection angle illuminate the running path ahead of you. No more stumbling on cracked sidewalks or slipping on ice. Using USB rechargeable batteries, the Terra throws out 400 lumens in three modes. With a five-hour run time on high, there’s no worry about a fading light stranding you on the trail after dark. Although bad weather may send you scurrying home, the water-resistant housing is protected from snow, sleet and rain (but it’s not fully waterproof, so don’t submerge it). 

The best rechargeable flashlights

Simple, elegant design carries the day with this flashlight, produced by an Australian company that specializes in making bike lights. The torch packs a strong 600-lumen circular beam, which can be used as a camping flashlight or interchanged with another optional light head to serve as a bike light. Five light modes help you customize the beam. 

The PWR Bank also offers a USB port for charging other devices. A simple one-button push reveals battery life status. A removable lanyard helps you keep the flashlight handy when you’re setting up camp or organizing the inside of your tent. Knog hasn’t made the waterproofing rating of their lights public yet, but it seems to be weatherproof.

With this versatile flashlight, you can shift from spotlight to wide flood with a simple twist of the head. The end cap switch activates six illumination modes, from a high beam to a momentary strobe. The PowerSwitch dual power delivers juice through micro USB rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries or two CR123 batteries – which aren’t included but are widely available. Having this option means you can take spare batteries on longer adventures, where you won’t be able to plug the torch in and recharge. 

A charge indicator light turns from red to green when fully charged, and visa versa, so you can make the switch to batteries in good time, and there’s no more worrying about a fading light just when you need it most. The precision-machined, rugged mil-spec aluminum body is shockproof, crushproof and water-resistant (not waterproof, though). A steel belt clip keeps the flashlight secure and accessible.

The best solar-powered flashlight

Goal Zero moves away from the traditional flashlight shape with the Torch 500, which can be charged from the sun. The angular shape means it can be used as a handheld flashlight, or the unit stands on its end for use as a floodlight – useful in a tent and in all sorts of other situations when you want to keep your hands free. A built-in solar panel and USB-C rechargeable battery powers a 500-lumen three-level spotlight. The integrated powerbank also lets you charge other small electronics, such as a smartphone, GPS unit or headlamp. The rugged housing is waterproof. Use the convenient clip to hang the light to provide more illumination when needed. 

The best camping flashlight for wild camping

There are more advanced models in this collection of the best flashlights, but sophistication sometimes brings complication. The XL 50 is a simple, rugged, dependable tool. One button delivers a powerful beam for close-up work environments. One mode, one purpose, one singular benefit. Show me the light. It’s small, compact, light and inexpensive, so you can buy multiple units for your backpack hip belt pocket, day pack and glove box – this is a dependable little light that you can have as a secondary light source, in case all else fails. 

What to look for when buying the best camping flashlight

Every one of the best camping flashlight options above deliver high-performance illumination. Here are some criteria to help you evaluate the options and help you narrow down your choices. Add one (or two) to your gear kit, tick them off on your camping checklist and push back the dark.

If you haven't got a headlamp either, it's worth getting both. For guidance on their features, advantages and disadvantages, see our feature on headlamps vs flashlights.

Lumens

When it comes to the best camping flashlight, one of the first features brands brag about is the number of lumens offered. Lumens is a measure of how bright a torches' beam is, with max output being the number of lumens when the torch is on its most powerful setting. 

More is better, but that’s not always the full story. Different applications require different shapes and sizes of beams. From tight focused beams to full flood, the number of lumens is influenced by environment and application. Generally, a good flashlight will boast a minimum of 200 lumens, which is bright enough for the vast majority of applications.

Multiple light modes

Today’s flashlights are far more powerful than a simple high, medium and low settings. Most of the best torches offer a collection of useful settings including emergency, strobe and burst modes that target all of the flashlight’s lumens in a tightly focused beam. There’s no consistency between brands in terms of controlling and switching between modes. Power buttons can be found on the side or both ends of the flashlight housing. Some models can be programmed or customized for specific uses and preferences. All function well – just find a model that fits your needs.

Power source

Flashlights have been part of a camper’s gear kit since they were invented. The tech inside has evolved a long way, from low-power light bulbs to impressive LEDs that light up the night. Power is the next innovation. Many models have switched from standard AA batteries to rechargeable longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries.

Backpackers embarking on multi-day adventures can use flashlights with dual power sources, so they can take spare batteries, or use a torch with an inbuilt solar panel. With long run times and fast recharging rates, there’s no reason to stumble around in the dark.

Runtime

The runtime is the amount of time the flashlight will operate on a fully charged battery. Of course, different modes and settings drink juice at different rates, so it's worth getting clued up on these. Marching through the dark with your light on full is all well and good but if it runs out on you, you'll wish you'd had it on a lower setting. After all, you can always recharge when you get back to camp.

Extras 

Flashlights that use micro USB ports to bring power to the rechargeable batteries can serve a second purpose. With some models, the flashlight’s power bank can be used to recharge small electronics like a GPS watch, headlamp or smartphone. The power banks don’t store a lot of power, but nice to know there’s a little extra juice when your other gear is fading. 

Weather resistance and durability

The best camping flashlight is a piece of kit that works hard. They get dropped on rocky terrain on campsites, rolled around in the beds of pick-ups, and accidentally dumped into streams and lakes. Most torches are constructed of durable aluminum water-resistant housings. Surfaces are checkered to enhance the grip, especially when your hands are wet. Every flashlight’s product description includes a rating that explains the water-resistant or waterproof level of the flashlight’s housing. Take a look and match the model to your applications.