The Brightest LED Flashlights

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brightest led flashlights

The Brightest Full-Size Flashlights

  • The brightest flashlight is now the Imalent M18 which shines at 100,000 lumens. It costs about $670.
  • Another very bright flashlight is the Acebeam X70 shines at 60,000 lumens. It costs around $550.

The Brightest Compact Flashlights and Headlamps

  • The Acebeam X80-GT is the brightest compact flashlight — it shines with an impressive 32500 lumens. It costs around $280.
  • The brightest headlamp is the Lupine Betty Rx14 — it shines with 5000 lumens and costs around $1095.
  • The brightest flashlight that uses AA cells is the Nitecore EA81. It shines at 2150 lumens. It takes eight AA batteries and costs about $120.
  • The brightest headlamp that uses AA cells is the Fenix 15-U — the maximum output is 900 lumens. See a full review.
  • The brightest headlamp that uses 16580 cells is ThruNite TH30 — maximum output is 3350 lumens
  • Surefire has released the Titan Plus, a new keychain flashlight that produces 300 lumens at the highest light mode. It costs about $81. See the full review.

Brightest Compact Light: Acebeam X-80-GT

brightest led flashlights

The Acebeam X8-GT0 shines at 32500 lumens — impressive for such a compact light!

It runs on six 18650 rechargeable batteries and has a beam range of 525 meters.

Brightest Flashlight: Acesbeam X60M

It is waterproof and impact resistant to 1.2 meters.

Home page: Acebeam

Another Bright Compact Flashlight: Thrunite TN36 UT

Thrunite TN36: Brightest Compact LED Flashlight

The Thrunite TN36 UT6 is a compact flashlight that outputs an impressive 7300 lumens. It runs on four 18650 rechargeable batteries. It’s waterproof to IPX-8 Standard (1.5 meters) and impact resistant to 2 meters.

The Thrunite TN36 UT6 is available on Amazon for about $230

The Brightest LED Flashlight That Uses AA Batteries: Nitecore EA81

ea81_4

The brightest flashlight with AA batteries is the Nitecore EA81, which shines at 2000 lumens. It takes eight AA batteries and costs about $200.

It’s waterproof to IPX-8 Standard (1.5 meters) and impact resistant to 1.5 meters.

The Nitecore EA81 is available on Amazon for about $280.

The Brightest Keychain Flashlight: Titan Plus

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Surefire has released the Titan Plus, a keychain flashlight that produces 300 lumens in its highest light mode. Before this release, the brightest keychain light produced about 80-120 lumens, so this threefold increase is significant.

I’ve purchased this light and will be testing it soon. The 300-lumen mode lasts about 1 hour using a AAA Ni-MH battery.

titan-b_3

All Surefire flashlights are designed and built in the USA, although some components are still sourced outside the US. Surefire says:

We do import a few components – most notably, the finest light emitting diodes (LEDs) from top-notch manufacturers outside the country – to incorporate into our products. All of that said, we do rely on as many American-made parts and components as possible, and the assembly of these components is done under our watchful eye in the U.S. to ensure optimal quality.

The Titan Plus is available from Amazon for about $81.

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175 thoughts on “The Brightest LED Flashlights”

  5. Bro

    Hi everyone,
    To update everyone on the current most powerful(at least more powerful than the torches listed) is the: X70 Rechargeable LED Searchlight – 60000 Lumens and it sells for usually around $1000 but is currently on sale at ledtorchshop.com.au for closer to $800, it is rechargeable and fully charged on 3hrs.

    3. Chris G.

      The Imalent MS08 or Acebeam X50. Both are affordable and built like tanks that have sun cannons on the roof. Neither will let you down. I own both and use the *hit out of them. I absolutely recommend for travel. Something smaller is the lumintop FW21 Pro. Single 21700, 10,000 lumen pocket blinder. Take a look at Battery Junction or Neal’s Gadgets, or Banggood. You’ll be mind blown at what’s out there now a days.

  9. Dubai pool maintenance

    Me and my employees has been looking for sometime now a workable flash light for our work. Since we do our pool maintance at night as well, we tend to always run into dark areas and find trouble along the way due to poor lighting. So Im gonna order this and give it a try for night time pool servicing…

    1. Anonymous

      Try replacing the bulb with a nice daylight led bulb it will take less power deliver more light and dissipate less heat. A win win win. For my over range LG Microwave I’ve been using the e17 led bulb like these.

      You need 2 as this is for the work light for the stove or cook top light. I know these work for many brands and models for the work lights or cook top light however you will have to find another option if you insist on using the low setting as while they claim to be dimmable I have yet to find an led bulb that does not flicker anoyingly on the low setting. For the inside light though you will need to find out what the connector size is ( ie e11 e14 e17 or other and get an led bulb that matches the basic size and shape. Tube or what have you. I bumped my interior light up to 100-120 w equivalence and wow I could see what what going on. Just an FYI if your Microwave has a warming or browning feature make sure you only replace the bulb that is for the internal light with led because there will be a second bulb that is for the inwarming or browning feature and that needs to keep the same bulb type that it came with.

    1. Chris G

      Update:
      Imalent MS18-Worlds brightest flashlight.
      Nothing worth it til the AceBeam X50 at 40,000 lumens or Mankers MK38 at 41,500 lumens.
      Imalents MS08 is unbelievable at 34,000 lumens but sustains 15,000 until battery’s are drained.
      There are a pile of Torches that run on a single 21700 that boast up to 13-15,000 lumens and throw 600+ meters. True pocket rockets and pocket flooders.
      Let’s not forget about Hank with anything Noctigon. The 9.3 is 2 channel. Take a gander around. It’s unreal. As a Flashaholic, I love it!

  15. Ronald

    I need an LED light for my airplane,
    It will be placed on the dash, facing forward.
    What is best lamp for this, that will not
    reflect off of the windshield ?

    1. Patrick

      That is an extremely hard question. Scientifically at least. How much light do you think you’ll need? (Ballpark will do) 10-100-1000lm etc. The way reflection works that makes it uncomfortable to your eye and aka blind you is all based on Luminance. (How concentrated the source of light is. Most flashlights have very concentrated sources. Aka you have thousands of lumens coming out of a teeny tiny LED. – HIGH Luminance. A house light feels less bright because although they too have thousands of lumens, it’s not compacted into a tiny LED they spread out over like a big fluorescent tube etc. What you need is a diffuser cap to put on the end of your flashlight. Most high end brands like Nitecore, fénix etc sell these but you can make one out of white opaque plastic. Also for an extra touch you may want to get an LED that is a warm white (slight yellowish tint) as opposed to a cool white (standard office ceiling light color) IF you have a choice. Hope this helps!

  16. Martin Crean

    I’m looking for a large flashlight that I can use at night while walking my dog around our dark rural neighborhood without street lights. He is a small dog, and I’m looking for a flashlight that will also serve as a weapon if I have to protect my dog against another larger animal (of which we have plenty). Your help is appreciated. The only thing I’ve been able to find so far in a Mag Light that is about 15″, but I’m not so sure it would provide adequate light for large walkways.

    1. Patrick

      That will not. Most maglights are incandescent which have little light and a tiny spot. Even the LED ones have similar issues. You need something between 500-1000 lumens. Look for something that has an “orange peel reflector” you can tell by looking at the lights reflector, it will have a lumpy orange peel like reflector. This gives it a flood effect opposed to a spot. For self defense a crowned/crenulated bezel is your best bet opposed to a big bulky baton type. (Think compact knife vs swinging a big hammer). Perhaps look at the coast polysteel 600 although it’s not orange peel it can switch from flood mode to spot. If you just want a big club check out Home Depot’s defiant flashlights. Great stuff.

      1. Eric

        “Most maglights are incandescent”. First it is Maglite and no, most are not incandescent. Maglite has been manufacturing LED flashlights for years. Second fallacy “you need something between 500-1000 lumens”! Complete nonsense! The first generation D3 LED Maglite is around 160 lumens with flood, and spot capable over 400 meters validated against ANSI test standards. It is also quite robust and fully capable as a blunt force object. The newer ML series are over 600 lumens. I use several of the Maglite 160 lumen lights on a 400 acre farm and can certainly verify the focused distance drop-off claims. Even at 250 yards, you absolutely will not look directly into this beam. This is not a Maglite commercial; I just hate misinformation based on opinion rather than tested and validated data. For the OP’s question, the Maglite will easily meet his/her needs, as will flashlights from other manufacturers.

        1. Chris G.

          Lumens is measured at a specified distance for the volume of the light source. Candella is for intensity of the light source. High Lumens light up a big area USUALLY not real far. High Candella gives u a SPOT beam that goes a long way. Intensity vs. Overall brightness. Opinions are like *ssholes, everyone has one and most just spew *hit.

    2. Chuck

      Walk softly & carry a big club. Points being that if you strike with the flashlight, it might short out, then you’re in deep dog#@%☆!!! So use a small bright flash or headlamp and something else as a weapon (SOLID walking stick, billy-club etc.). Pepper spray can work on big critters & small unless you really wanna get physical.

      1. Chris G.

        Good referral! Matt Smith is a solid Flashaholic. Knows his stuff. Those drop in upgrades are incredible. 2,000 and 5,000 lumens! Also on Amazon now. He makes each one himself! He has a YouTube channel also. Anyone looking for advice should check it out.

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  20. Paul C

    Hi
    Just got my IMALENT DT-70.

    Pro :
    – really bright : in high mode (8000 lm) more powerful than my TN36-UT. In turbo mode it’s amazing !
    – just need an USB Cable to charge. Really cool
    – have an integrated LCD display that display brightness in lumen and charging status
    – have strobe, sos, beacon modes

    Con :
    – becomes really very very very hot in turbo mode

    Definitly better than the TN36 but you can’t use it at max power more than 5/10 minutes…

    Regards

      1. Paul C

        The beam is great. Better than the Trhunite.
        BTW : be carrefull. There are no spring in the battery case thus “low cost” batteries without protection circuit won’t be ok as there are shorter than the protected ones (66 mm without protection, about 68 mm with protection)

        Don’t buy low cost chinese batteries copies !

  22. Daniel N

    A little update:
    – smallest (keychain) flashlight in the world: DQG SPY 120 lumens, 27mm
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoQ39dOTMBA

    – smallest EDC light: Manker E14 1600 lumens, 80 mm
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_9UelY0pRo

    – greatest LED thrower: Thrunite TN42 2000 lumens, 1550 m 700000 candela
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-wIEg5ouwE&spfreload=10

    – most powerful compact flashlight: Olight X7 Marauder 9000 lumens
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJbhp7GpFxg

    – most powerful flashlight: probably Acebeam X65 11150 lumens which is to come out soon. They also prepare D50 with 15000 lumens
    https://www.acebeam.com/x65

    Most powerful headlamp: Lupine Wilma RX14 5000 lumens
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c19fI8L_kl0

    If you want to see the insane just take a look at X-LED. They custom built the most powerful portable lights in the world, up to 100000 lumens
    https://www.x-ledtechnology.com/
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UejSzGqlfc

  23. Shane L

    A new flashlight called zanflare F1 WITH a nice price. only $39.99. CREE XP-L , IP68 waterproof, 1240lm output, 5 brightness & SOS Strobe. If it really like what it said, I think it should be in this review to compare with other brand.

  24. FletchNZ

    I am not a huge flashlight buyer, but I have noticed a change in design. The last time i bought a small pocket Energizer flashlight (steel case), it has 6 or 7 LED bulbs in it. When i went to by a replacement torch last week, it looked the same from the outside, but now just has one, tiny, yellow, chip in the middle (I guess it’s an LED) and is surrounded by a parabolic mirror. Is this a new thing? I looked also at a bigger torch and it also had the one small yellow chip in the centre. No bulbs.

  26. Rich S

    Buy a Trustfire TR-J20 and a FET driver from Mountain Electronics flashed with Dr. Jones Universal guppydrv Firmware.

    Do a 2X6 to 4X3 rewire of the LEDs, put in 3 KingJong (11.99 each at Lightmalls) ICR26650 s and you have a light drawing 189 watts and outputting 11,000+ lumens OTF.

    Cons: Head gets to 115 F (70 F ambient temp) after 30 seconds and you only get 20 minutes at full power but the driver is almost infinitely adjustable having 24 different combinations of settings.
    Weighs over 3 pounds and it’s a flood light rather than a thrower but it sure is fun to use.

  27. doug adams

    I just ordered a 3800 lumen model with re-chargable batts, and want a light that will put a spot on the clouds, which i have never been able to achieve with standard flashlights. If it does this at say 2000 ft cieling clouds, i will be satisfied it is the most powerful light i have had.

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    1. Anonymous

      now these pritty cool but check on u tube homemade carry light one was approx 100,000 lm yes true not torch size but like old big jim torch remember them i will do one myself 200 or no end is there few years back kyrpton globe best now f me where will they end up

    2. Rudy Verdin

      Darrell please look at the new collection of Acebeams,or heck even the Conviy L6 with an xhp 70 for 58.00 at adventuresportflashlightsover 3800 real lumens

  32. Jacob

    So I am an avid hunter, I am looking for a light than is very bright and shines very far. Though, I don’t want some big flashlight that feels super long or big in my hand like the one I ordered from Monster Flashlight. It claimed 2,000 lumens. But was not that. And did not shone very far. Therefor I’m looking for a bright light, that shines far, and isn’t huge to carry around.
    Could you let me know some recommendations?

    2. Steve Johnston

      I just bought the JetBeam WL-S4 at a gun show. The light is about 10 to 12 inches long, but it is only about an inch or so in diameter and is very lightweight. Also, it claims to be 2600 lumens (don’t have a way to actually measure it), but I can say that it is the brightest flashlight I have ever seen. Like you, I was looking for something to take hunting, and this fits that requirement perfectly. I got it for $100.00, and did a quick look on the Internet and found that is, roughly, the going price for this light.

    3. Kasper

      Only you can define what feels too big for your hand. I have big hands (paws) and an Eagletac torch at around 4200 natural white lumens feels right in my hands and wins me flashlight envy wherever I go with it. It runs on CR123A batteries which I prefer to rechargables. Downside: it takes two hands to change the brightness level. My best go-to torch with brightness and single-hand operation for changing output levels is the natural white version of the Nitecore EA81. The EA81 puts out around 2150 lumens on eight AA batteries.

    2. ray

      I’m have a chimney business I inspect the insides of chimneys for structural integrity .i usually look down the chimneys with cheap spotlights.anyway can you people recommend something that will really light up the inside of the chimney .thanks

  35. Marty

    Do the people who are using this site for their holier than I sermons realize that a discussion about flashlights is not the place to impose political and self righteous holier than thou self righteous arrogance. You apparantly know best so why were you looking at these flashlights in the first place if you thought that they were just wasteful and overpriced. i think your confusing these potentially life saving tools with your own wasteful life and self worth.

  39. Mona Clinton

    Excellent review!

    Could you help me choose between Acebeam X60M and Thrunite TN36 UT6.
    Which one is more convenient for using in forests.
    I like the Acebeam X60M but is it much brighter? Because i don’t want to pay an extra 160$ for just 2000 lumens.

    Tks!

  42. Emily

    Those flashlights are awesome and definitely necessary when i go camping or the electricity is turned off. I prefer Titan Plus than others because it seems more portable and economical.
    Could you please make a video about these things? Cheer!

  45. Anonymous

    Law enforcement and other safety related occupations often have to rely on flashlights as their only source of light in some critical situations. I have a ATAC R1 that I purchased at a uniform shop. Very well built, very bright, and rechargable. FYI

  46. David

    I buy a cheap $3 flashlight with high/low settings from wish.com. Uses 2 AAA batteries. Takes over 2 weeks to get it from China but is only $1 shipping fee. What more would I need to see where the dog poop is so I don’t step in it. I’m so poor that I’m lucky I have enough money to buy my dogs food. Welcome to the real American life of over 60% of America. And to think you all are bitching about $700 flashlights. To have your problems must be horrible.

    1. Jonathan

      Way to make yourself look like a first-rate asshole, David. If these products don’t apply to you, then why read about them, much less leave a whiny comment about what you cannot afford…idiot.

  49. Dan

    As I read through these comments, I reflected on Stuart’s comment about going below deck into a cargo hold. As a past tanker mate and current owner of an environmental company, one of my most trusted and coveted “tools” has always been an intrinsically safe flashlight. When Mag Lights became all the rage in the 90’s, they were neither approved by USCG personnel for use on bravo vessels (bulk petroleum) or by oil terminals. Even though it was advertised as waterproof (O-ring), it did not receive the class “1” rating we needed. We were stuck using the double “D” incandescent safety lights with the metal clip that held the bulb, least it broke free and sparked, igniting an explosion…
    Fast forward a few years and better (and brighter bulbs) came into the market and were advertised as “tank lights”. They were coveted (and often stolen by the gremlins who worked for me ;-D) but were somewhat affordable at around $25-$75. Of course, flashlights continued to get better and I when I came across this website, I was immediately intrigued at having so much light available at a reasonable price (think new product, quality construction, etc. – I agree with those who purport the cost…you generally get what you pay for. I imagine the price will come down, but to be the first kid on the block with this new technology, expect to pay for it…) I digress…
    I was wondering, does anybody know (I couldn’t find it) – if these lights approved for Class 1A explosion proof tank entry? If so, I know what I’ll be asking Santa for!

    Thanks all…may your lights shine brightly and your batteries not fail when you need them most!

    Dan

  51. Stuart

    To those ( like Charley) who say it is stupid to spend so much on a utility bright compact light. Let’s see you climb down into an enclosed space or a tank on a 1000 foot long cargo ship with your $17 Chinese flashlight, and drop it in the grease. I am sure many posting here NEED quality high end lights for work and many other activities your not even thinking of. I like to have my own tools, and a flashlight is one I cannot live without, literally in some cases. great information here! thanks.

    1. Brad

      Agreed, I work at a power generating station and am constantly climbing in and out of dark confined spaces. I wouldn’t trust a cheap I $2 flashlight to shine my way out

    1. master

      In the keychain flashlight category, the Aimkon iTP A3 is said to be brighter than the Fenix — the 130 lumens is impressive. However, some buyers on Amazon said the build quality is a dodgy. I will have to test this flashlight.

      1. master

        I bought the Aimkon iTP A3 for testing — it was flimsier than the Fenix. I took it on a night hike, and turned it on the brightest setting. It ran out very quickly on that setting.

  54. James

    Don’t know why you need a $700.00 flashlight, but it sounds like there are numerous people. I hope these people are worth at least $100,000,000. Then they may want it for their yacht.
    No more than $50.00 for a FLASHLIGHT, that’s all you need to spend. If you want a spot light or something similar, then maybe a little more. I bought spotlight (12″ (I think) diameter, maybe 14″) on sale for $49.99. We shine it into the woods from the cabin and see what shows up and then sometimes we would shine (signal) the small fishing boats going out at night on the lake. We had a clear view to the lake from the cabin.
    But I digress. Unless a company buys it for you or you are worth $100,000,000 or more then forget those outrageous prices.
    Oh Yeah you aren’t taking a $700.00 flashlight camping and if you are a security guard at night you should not spend for one, so then you are doing things at night when you should be home and/or sleeping. Be careful though.

    Thanks Brothers

    God Bless

    James

    1. JB

      It really isn’t any of your business what someone wants a 700.00 flashlight for. Same reason someone wants a BMW instead of a Honda. They have their reasons. Leave it at that instead of ranting on like a fool for multiple paragraphs. You chastise others for buying an expensive flashlight yet you are spending the time to do it. It is a fools errand either way. It is a flashlight. People buy expensive stuff that you can buy cheap every day. Diamond studded and gold plated smart phones that they will get rid of in 2 years or less. You bought a spot light for nothing more than to shine it into the woods to see what you can see or shine it at boats on the lake that probably did nothing but piss off the people in the boat you were shining it at. Some would say that was a waste of money as well.

      1. Skip

        I do have a $700.00 flashlight. And you know where I keep it? On my yacht! Couple things. First a yacht can be a 25ft sailboat. Second, you may take your cool 50 buck big light out to the porch at your cool cabin and looks for a coon in the trees and think thats real fun, but it will not do you a bit of good when you are sailing that 25ft yacht in the middle of the Atlantic double handed and your crew goes overboard in 25-30 foot swells with driving rain and a boat that is over on her side rather than standing up. That $700.00 has saved my life more than once. You should really not use such big numbers. It is just silly.

        1. =Mac=

          I have a sailboat, a 26 foot Grampian, that I sail on Lake Ontario. Yes, because it is a pleasure vessel, it’s called a yacht. Most marina’s are well lit but, even then, a good powerful flashlight is good to have. However, some of the empty coves that are great for anchoring in do have ROCKS that I need to see from a distance. My sailboat has a 4 foot draft (the bottom reaches 4 feet below the water surface) and I need to see if any of those ROCKS are a threat to my vessel. I had a 3 million candlepower halogen handheld (3 megalumens/steradian) but it got hot fast and was heavy to carry on the deck. But, it saved me, my wife, and my vessel on night when I discovered a barely submerged, uncharted rock 4 or 5 boat lengths dead on the bow while we were motoring into a cove one rainy night.

          I NEED a good strong light.

    2. 11B

      Some of us use these flashlights to identify and engage bad guys, NO we aren’t millionaires, we are actually way underpaid for the fact that we protect you and yours every day and night. We spend our hard earned money on reliable equipment that will not fail us and that erases the bad guy’s advantage of darkness. Leave your opinions at home, and if I want to spend 350 to 500 bucks or more to make sure I come home alive, it’s my prerogative.
      You’re Welcome

    3. Less self righteous than you

      I use flashlights for night trekking and night hunting (legal). When you’re miles into a river bottom or a swamp, and you have one light that means the difference between walking out blind or walking out safe, you tend to want something of good quality and the highest power possible. I’d prefer not to step on snakes, fall in holes, walk over a cliff, or step in a trapper’s snare. When you’re done lecturing me on why I don’t need a good flashlight, maybe you can jump off your soapbox and do something more productive like clean up after the high horse you’ve been riding on.

  55. Charley Howe

    A few things to keep in mind about “super-bright” LED flashlights…………..

    #1. Exactly what do you want it for? “bragging rights” so you can say, “I have the brightest light in town, yada,yada, yada” ? (You’ll be happy and no one else will know the difference!)

    That’s easy! just buy the cheapest Chinese flashlight that makes the biggest “claims”! (and costs $17 USD or less)

    Seriously….from reading some of these posts, one could easily assume that!
    Now, back to REAL #1. it will always have the best “led”? “emitter”? also; what is furnishing the POWER to make all of that light? 4 X rechargeable “D” cells from Hong Kong, that cost $3.29 /dozen? or 4 large car batteries, wired in parallel ? (Not so “portable” , need semi truck to “transport”)

    Can you see what I’m driving at here? Get serious, people! some of you sound like you expect to find a 10,000 lumen flashlight with a 5 kilometer “throw” at the neighborhood 5 & 10 cent store!
    If you really want the most light, you’re gonna need the best emitter/emitterS; (think “Cree” (and FORGET “halogen”! (That’s what college kids used to use to burn down their dorms! ) (things get HOT!)

    As you may have noticed by now, a LOT of people are trying to sell “super bright” LED flashlights on the internet these days; (come back in 6 months and see how many of them are still around) The crooks will be gone, but there will always be more crooks to take their place! (The best way to get rid of internet crooks is to have a LOT MORE “smart”, “knowledgeable” “buyers”! Become one!

    I’ll be honest with you; I have all of exactly ONE “decent” LED flashlight, that I bought “on a whim” at Wally’s World; $50 for the thing; I forget the name…..probably couldn’t pronounce it anyway; But hey….it’s a great light, only uses one li-ion cell, (forget which one), an 18650 I think, but probably not a great one, and I can’t find the charger so till I find the thing, I need another flashlight; (it’s a little on the “big” side to carry around much anyway );

    Here’s my best advice; before you try to “pick out” what light to plunk down $100 (or more) on, figure out what you’re gonna use the thing for, FIRST, then you’ll have a better idea of how much light you need, THEN you can start “picking out” the flashlight; me…….I’m about half way ready to buy a 2015 ed Fenix PD35, couple of L2S 18650 L-ion Fenix cells, (3400 m-ah )
    Remember: 18650’s come in dozens of “flavors” (more /less power , always rated by “mili-amp-hrs” (or “mah” something like that. Also remember; those really bright Crees make a LOT of light, and due to the laws of physics, they make a LOT of heat doing it! (so much heat in fact that after about 5 minutes on max, Fenix has some clever circuitry that automatically dims the thing down to the next level; ( so don’t buy a PD35 to clip on the handlebars of your mountain bike when you fly down off of Pike’s Peak at night! (The PD 35 is SMALL, but still makes 1,000 lumens (for 5 minutes), then drops down to maybe 600? Which will cover nicely what I need it for! (carry on mb belt, operate with my left hand while operating my G-34 with my right;
    The light from Wally’s World……..It’s great too, but for other things. (with only 600 lumens, you can easily see a katydid in the top of a tall oak tree by the road at night with it, and it’s 3 times as big as a PD 35 ).

    You’ve probably noticed those 18650’s aren’t cheap; ( some of them ARE “cheapER”………but FORGET them! They make less power, thus less light, last 2 weeks if you’re lucky! AND……always remember ……..you gotta charge ’em up now & then; you can get “cheap chargers”; DON’T! (Not for really good cells; ) At the end of the day, “cheap” usually ends up meaning “cheap performance”, “cheap reliability” and “cheap every thing else”. (the old saying, “you get what you pay for” (sometimes , sometimes not if you’re stupid).. (be “smart”/ “knowledgeable” / same thing.

    You still want a great flashlight……..that’s great……but do your homework before you blow $300 , (or even $50 ) on a clunker! Read, study, ask questions, and end up “delighted” with your new “light”!

    Charley

  57. DanielN

    Never heard of Supernova, stick with the quality brands. Cheap, no name brands, inflate the no. of lumens. BTW, do you know that when you multiply the lumens four times, for the human eye that light is perceived only twice as bright? So there is no significant difference between 1000 and 1300 lumens.
    Check this out for a suggestion: Jetbeam WL-S2

    Only one 18650 battery instead of four AA, much smaller package, same price

  59. Moose2Good

    Please list the equipment (light meter) that is being used for the lumen or candela (output) testing. Are you using a standard light meter that measures light waves in lux, and then a conversion calculation is performed? If so, please denote the conversion formula being utilized. Are multiple devices being used to give an average (standard scientific procedure) and if so, please list the equipment. Is the standard ANSI target method being used, with the 1 lx = 1 lm/m2 formula for lumen flux? What is the ambient temperature at which the measurements are being taken?

  61. Mardi

    Ok so I’m going to buy one of these highly over priced flashlights just because I want one and I walk my dogs at night and I want to light up my entire neighborhood. Is the Acebeam X60m still the brightest most powerful with the most distance handheld monster out there? If so, what are the best 18650 batteries to get with it? Thanks for any input!

    1. DanielN

      Mardi, X60M https://abload.de/img/p1120050e4uiq.jpg would probably not only light up the neighbourhood but also wake all the neighbours and get the police. It is too large, heavy and powerful to use in city. Thrunite TN36 https://abload.de/img/p1110402rxrv3.jpg or Nywalker MM15 https://abload.de/img/novamm15mfshr.jpg are more than enough. These are not throwers (only about 200m) but again, you don’t need more in a city. An even more practical solution to have your hands free would be this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RE5LuaIaQ4

  64. Trevor

    Hi,
    Is there any reason you haven’t reviewed the LED LENSER range…?
    I live in Australia, and apart from Fenix, NITECORE, EagleTac, KLARUS, JetBeam, NITEYE,
    LED LENSER seems to be the the most popular..? perhaps because it covers such a broad range..? or is it their marketing..?

    Anyway I’m looking for a torch similar to the P7-2 or the M7RX I’ve attached their catalogue in case you’re not familiar with them ( which I’m sure you are..), if you are I would appreciate your general feedback.?

    https://www.ledlenser.com.au/downloads/LEDLENSER_Catalogue_MSeries.pdf

    Thanks for your & your readers comments,

    1. Lummy

      If you like their focussing system, then go for it. I don’t like it that much and I’m not very impressed by beamshots from LED Lensers (neither focussed nor defocussed). Btw. there is a great beamshot comparison post here:

      Part 1:
      https://www.taschenlampen-forum.de/beamshot-vergleiche/27575-406-beamshots-lampenbildern.html

      Part2:
      https://www.taschenlampen-forum.de/beamshot-vergleiche/27575-406-beamshots-lampenbildern-2.html

      … and so on …

      Part7:
      https://www.taschenlampen-forum.de/beamshot-vergleiche/27575-406-beamshots-lampenbildern-7.html

      which is regulary updated.

  67. Daniel N

    Acebeam X60M with 10.000 lumens should be on top of the list (3×MTG2 LEDs). The next is Acebeam X60 with 7500 lumens (5 XML2 LEDs) then Niwalker MM15 with 5.000 lumens (2 MTG2 LEDs). Also Olight Marauder has 5000 lumens. Of course there is Foursevens XM18 with 15.000 lumens but it is a little big to be called a flashlight.

  68. Divya

    I find the reviews of this website really very useful, I am looking forward to buy a flashlight which has car charging facility with a budget of 100 to 150 USD, I would appreciate your suggestions. I would like a very bright High Beam torch, I was about to purchase the Auraglow Alphalux G194 10w Rechargeable High Intensity 800 lumen CREE LED Torch Flashlight with Tent Light Diffuser, but after seeing this website, I thought your advice would be more valuable on the purchase.

  69. gary

    Need best of 2014 of basic quality flashlight . Lumens between 80 and 1000 lumens .I be leave a lot of people would love to be able to pick a great flashlight . Oh like I like the olight s10r 4lm.

  70. Jim Fisher

    Just received my new flashlight. 1000 lumens. But, one thing concerns me. The name of the manufacture is not displayed on the light, just Made In China. Have I bought a “knock-off”?

  71. Sam

    I have both TM26 and TM06.

    The TM06 does NOT use AA batteries. It uses 4x 18650s just like the TM26.

    The TM26 comes in 2 versions. A 3500LM version using 4x CREE XM-L and a 3800LM version using the newer 4x CREE XM-L2.

  72. angel

    Just want to share my newly bought flashlight from Nitecore… It’s TM06, 3800 lumens and a pocketable size.. i always bring it at night together with my friends.. it surely light my whole path, with advance ATR technology, you can feel a little hot in your palm.. i was holding it like 20-25 minutes, just normal hot.. but i did not really hold for an hour… not sure if the hot will increase, but with 3,800 lumens and the size of the body, i did not expect i can still hold it with that long period of time… but surely goodbye to overheat problems… please include it to your list… thanks

  73. Bill

    Serious question: I’m new to high tech flashlights/lights and use them for nighttime mountain biking…. I’m using lights with single (zoomable) cree xm-l t6 with Panasonic 18650 batts.
    From what I can figure out, the Fenix TK-35 is about twice as bright??? but A LOT more expensive than my $ 10 ones ( https://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-Lumen-Zoomable-CREE-XML-T6-LED-18650-Flashlight-Focus-Torch-Zoom-Lamp-Light-/221207837184)
    I’ve used lights like the ones above for two years with excellent results (with real batteries).

    Any comments, advice? Thanks.

    1. master

      Cheap flashlights from China listed on eBay tend to have heat sink problems or they just break down after a few months of use. Also, the beam shape and quality of light is often inferior.

      Having said that, I’m glad you’ve had a good experience with the flashlight you choose!

      1. Richard

        I also have an UltraFire CREE XML T6 and I absolutely love it. It has been bounced off the road, the ice, and has been dropped into a few puddles. The light is extremely bright, clean crisp edges and focuses very well. I have ran it for over 30 min and it never got much over warm. Great light for around $25 after batteries and charger.

  74. wayne

    I have a Skyray King 9,500 lumens and over a 1000 meters reach, came with batteries 4x 18650,s and charger £40.00, been using it all year its superb,best value for money by far,well built aircraft alloy construction.

    1. john

      Yes, its a fraud! They will actually send you a UltraFire flashlight (made in China) that you could buy on EBay for less than $15 delivered. Falsely advertise DELTASTREAM! BUT THAT AINT WHAT THEY SEND YA.

  78. Adam

    This post is perfect. I wish Google was smart enough to differentiate brilliant content (like this) from trash more consistently. These smart, succinct, posts don’t often get ranked above content specific written for Google’s robots – content which often annoys the heck out of human beings who just want critical information. THANKS for saving me a lot of time!

    1. master

      Sure, if that flashlight works for you. When you pay more you get a flashlight that is more reliable, and tends to have a better quality beam. Remember also that the flashlights listed here are about 3-5 times as bright.

    2. Jerry

      I agree with Mark. The Duracell 1000 lumens is a awesome flashlight. Very high quality. Very inexpensive.

      So for $19.00 you get a name-brand LED flashlight with more lumens than the average Joe needs (1,000), a zoom lens, multi-modes, that runs on inexpensive “C” batteries and is guaranteed locally. And if all you need is a flashlight with 300 or 500 lumens (different versions on different weeks).

  83. Gordon

    I think that ThruNite TN-32 should be included in this review… TN-32 is the only light that comes from the manufacturer already overclocked to stunning ~230 000 cd. ( 1702 Lumens)
    It is one of the best thrower on the market today,

  91. Pingback: Best Flashlights of 2013 | angryid

  92. MB

    What about the Nitecore TM15 Tiny Monster LED Flashlight with 2450 Lumen Triple CREE XM-L? It says it stays lit 60 minutes on bright, but says nothing about cooking your hand. I don’t have one, but it proposes to be smaller and brighter than Olight SR90 Intimidator. Although, I do like the heft and beam configuration better on the Olight. BTW: $200 for a fire starter that will blind the neighbors and permanently attached itself to your hand if used for the full 15 minutes from one charge seems WELL WORTH IT!!! Long live TORCH! Or, for however long 1000watt hours on a halogen bulb might be?

  93. R.B. Mathis

    I agree on your comments about Fenix torches, as they are tops in almost every way. However, I did recently purchase an Xtar s1 which I am very impressed with. Solidly built and throws quite a beam. I want to see the Fenix tk 75 and compare with the Xtar. Any comments on the above would be appreciated.

      1. Rudy Verdin

        Sorry about grammar my smart phone isn’t so smart after all lol any how each emitter takes over 5 amps though cheaply adequate the buiesness end has a deep triple reflector the same size as the BTU shocker and if you pull up cree new data sheet the emitter at 12 volts and 5 amps reads over 4000+lumens and it has a decent it doesn’t have the fancy magnetic control ring bit it is a monster and under 200.00 dollars please if the op could do a review on it would great to see
        Driver

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