Best flashlights of 2026

Emisar D3AA

For advanced users.. it uses a sophisticated firmware

The D3AA is a great EDC light, and really just a smaller but still full-featured Emisar D4V2! It looks good, feels good, and works good well. The new driver provides amazing output from either battery type, and Anduril allows for nearly infinite customization (if you’re into that).
While it’s well constructed, some of the components could use more refining, namely tougher anodization, a more forgiving clip, and better tolerance around the o-rings. Don’t let that dissuade you, though.
If you’re a fan of Emisar or even if you’ve never tried the brand, we recommend the D3AA with a 5 star score!

Interested in reading more: check out our review of the Emisar D3AA.

Wurkkos HD10

Great little right-angle light

The Wurkkos HD10 is a right-angle flashlight that builds on the success of the Wurkkos TS10, featuring a unique design with emitters positioned at a 90-degree angle. It comes in a sturdy, well-protected package that includes the flashlight, a USB-C charging cable, a lanyard, spare o-rings, and instructions. The HD10 is available in various anodized aluminum colors and offers a more user-friendly button and charging port, along with improved heat dissipation features.

Equipped with LatticePower CSP emitters, the HD10 produces a wide, even beam with a high color rendering index (CRI) and includes RGB aux LEDs for decorative and functional purposes. The flashlight has built-in USB-C charging, making it convenient for users, although it is not compatible with AA batteries. While the included 14500 battery has a slightly lower capacity than advertised, the HD10 offers versatility with multiple usage options, including headband attachment and magnetic mounting, making it a practical choice for various lighting needs.

Interested in reading more: check out our review of the Wurkkos HD10.

Sofirn HS21

Highly affordable, yet great performing headlamp

For those seeking a reliable and affordable headlamp, the Sofirn HS21 is highly, highly recommended. Priced around $45, it offers impressive features such as multiple light sources, a user-friendly rotary switch selector, and fully regulated output across all lighting modes! The headlamp is also pretty comfortable to wear and provides well-spaced brightness levels, making it the most popular headlamp.

While there are minor drawbacks, such as a stiff housing rotation and an unprotected optic, these issues do not detract significantly from its overall value. The HS21 stands out as an excellent budget option, especially for those who do not require the extensive warranties offered by higher-end brands. Very highly recommended.

Imalent MS32

We tested the Imalent MS32, and I almost can’t believe the performance results. During our testing we saw that the highest 3 modes can keep up with all the other brightest flashlights on this list..

So far, Imalent has been lonely at the top of this list for quite some time, and now it becomes even harder for any other brand to top it. The new MS32 is twice as bright as the MS18 on paper, and I measured almost 180,000 lumens at turn-on. This is even more because my testing setup (homemade integrating sphere) isn’t large enough for this output.

The charging process was also quite speedy because Imalent provides a 100W USB-C charger that can recharge the battery pack in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. To ensure accuracy, I timed the charging process six or seven times, and each time it took between 1 hour 43 minutes to 1 hour 53 minutes.

Besides having the highest output of all flashlights, it can also sustain the highest output of all. It can do about 36000+ lumens for 30+ minutes in Turbo mode and roughly 18,000 lumens in High 1 mode (without the use of the fans) for almost 1 hour and 30 minutes. That’s insane because it’s about the same sustained output as the Imalent SR32 in Turbo, but twice as long and without the noise of the cooling fans. And compared to the Acebeam X75 turbo mode, it’s slightly lower (but likely impossible to notice in person) but runs 4 times longer.

If you are looking for the brightest flashlight, this is it! It dwarfs its competition.

It’s a true lumen monster!

Weltool W3 PRO TAC

The Weltool W3 PRO Tac made one of the biggest output jumps in recent LEP history. While most LEP flashlights could ‘only’ reach 500 lumens, the W3 PRO TAC actually reaches over 1,000 lumens. This is such a huge jump, and makes it an amazing performer. It’s not regarded as the farthest reaching flashlight, it definitely has the best combo of throwy and wide beam for LEPs. The beam looks quite a bit like a regular LED flashlight, but it clearly is not.

Something that makes it stand out from the rest as well, is its UI. In normal use, you will notice only 1 mode. But there is also a hidden, lower mode, that can only be accessed from Off.

LEP stands for Laser Excited Phosphor, and is using a laser diode as its light source, but using a special technique make it look like a normal LED flashlight.

Maxtoch Owleyes W PRO v2 Diamond

World’s farthest-reaching flashlight below $1000

• Farthest reaching LEP Flashlight (this is not an LED flashlight)
• Dual head LEP flashlight (Laser Excited Phosphor)
• Max output: 1200 lumens
• Works ona single battery pack

LEP flashlights have become immensely popular recently. We reviewed about 40+ of them, and the Maxtoch Owleyes W PRO v2 came out as the best-performing LEP flashlight (and LED in that regard as well). Its specs rating claims a beam intensity of up to 4.0 Mcd, and mine was able to reach 4,000,000 cd with ease. This means a beam distance of 4,000 meters / 4374 yards / 2.49 miles. That with just the white beam, and it throws much less with the yellow, green, or red filters.

The Lowest mode is still able to reach up to over 2100 meters / 2300 yards for over 9 hours. Medium mode is still good for 3200 meters / 3500 yards. Most flashlights can only dream of these numbers. If you don’t mind a little funny looking flashlight, this is what you should get.

Interested in reading more: check out our review of the Maxtoch Owleyes W PRO v2.

Fireflylite E04

It checks all the boxes serious flashlight hobbyists want: Anduril 2, the latest in driver tech, high quality optics, wide selection of LEDs in various CCTs and output, and slick, nice-handling hosts. 

That all combines to create what this reviewer considers probably the most well-rounded FireflyLite to date. It has premium quality optics (pulling from the X1 series playbook), when properly spec’d can throw a ton, and has excellent regulated (and sustained) output without changing anything in the UI.

This is one you could take out, charge the battery, and get to work. Plus, FireflyLite added the screw-on lantern shade. I really liked it on the X4, and the larger size (with higher output and better sustained output) makes it super-useful as a tent light or backup lantern, more so thanks to the optional base.

There’s really not much to complain about at all, except the LED tint shift and positive duv, but that’s a bit arbitrary because if you want a better tint, get the FFL505A in 5000K or 4000K. The E04’s a winner for sure, and even in the super-crowded quad LED space, it’s a stand-out and I feel one of the premier options for a mid-size, pocketable light. Well done FireflyLite!

Interested in reading more: check out our review of the FireflyLite E04.

Weltool F6R

High power flashlight with unique battery

Performance-wise, it’s down from specs, but that’s a bit arbitrary because it still has very impressive sustained output and does a great job taming the SBT-90.2. For a single cell (albeit a big one) flashlight, there really aren’t any competitors. There’s not much I don’t like, but being nitpicky, the charge port plug isn’t captured and might get lost (although you can stick it to magnetic things), this is still a heavy light at almost 1 kg, and it didn’t meet the claimed outputs.
Would I buy one? This thing really is a unicorn in the searchlight class. If I could swing the high price of admission and were looking for a 1,000+ meter searchlight, I think the F6R would fit the bill and this is one I highly recommend.

Interested in reading more: check out our review of the Weltool F6R.

Olight Arkfeld Ultra

Unique flat EDC flashlight

White light, UV, and laser, oh my! The Olight Arkfeld Ultra combines three functions in one, and encapsulates them in the world-premier of their own specialized body material, O-Aluminum. Being 1.77 times stronger than 6061 aluminum yet still nearly the same weight, I’d expect more lights with this in the future.

Otherwise, the Arkfeld Ultra is basically an Arkfeld Pro with a little extra lumens. If you’ve ever considered an Arkfeld, consider the Arkfeld Ultra, too! It’s a compact EDC light with multiple features, easy use, a good, deep clip, and a challenge coin as a bonus!

Even though it would still be nice if Olight would switch to USB-C charging instead of proprietary magnetic and offer greater variety in emitters, I still recommend the Arkfeld Ultra with a full 5 star rating.

Interested in reading more: check out our review of the Olight Arkfeld Ultra.

Nitecore MH40 Pro

Long flashlight with many features

Nitecore’s MH40 Pro came through with upgraded led technology producing great throw and powerful output all while still lending itself to easy and convenient carry and usability. Having said that, I would easily give the Nitecore MH40 Pro 4.5 stars as it does what it says and it does it well. With intense throw, plenty of lumen output and good runtimes, you can easily expect to light up whatever you are looking for (or everything!) at some really good distances with ease. The Nitecore MH40 Pro with all of its included accessories, will perform, and perform well. If you are looking for a search and rescue type, long-range flashlight, or just really love throwers like I do, I think you are really going to enjoy and get some good use out of the Nitecore MH40 Pro.

Interested in reading more: check out our review of the Nitecore MH40 Pro.

Fenix E06R

Tiny EDC flashlight

The goodness isn’t just skin-deep, either. The Fenix E06R is packed with features – dual white LEDs from Luminus, a 365nm UV LED (also from Luminus), and a Class 1 red laser. That’s a lot of utility. Frequently, having three output channels means having to deal with a messy UI. Fenix worked around that by dedicating a separate button to each LED. It’s a slick, easy solution that works well. The E06R does a good job of preventing pocket activations, but it does so at the expense of UI features – there aren’t any shortcuts to speak of. Also along the lines of shortcomings, the Luminus SST12 emitters leave a bit to be desired. The CCT is cool, but not cold. The tint, though… it’s not great. I would love to see a Nichia 519A model of the E06R. That would be the bee’s knees.

Interested in reading more: check out our review of the Fenix E06R.

Acebeam EC20

EDC flashlight

Let’s be honest – there are a lot of flashlights that I may like ok, but after testing them I just stick them right back into the box. That will NOT be happening with the Acebeam EC20. Why not? Well, it’s just too good looking. It’s fine to use and would make a pretty nice EDC or around-the-house flashlight.

Unfortunately at the time of this writing, you cannot buy one of these in the gorgeous blue anodizing that has the Nichia 519A 5000K CRI90 LEDs. Sure, Acebeam does offer that as an emitter option, which is awesome. But the blue colorway is only offered with the Luminus SFT-25R LEDs… which are ok, I suppose, as long as you don’t mind cool white, low CRI, and siding on the green tint of the BBL.

On the plus side, the SFT-25R is the throwiest version – just take Acebeam’s intensity numbers with a big grain of rock salt. I’m not sure what to make of their candela claim, but it doesn’t really bother me that the EC20 isn’t as throwy as they say. I’m generally not looking for throw out of a triple-emitter compact tube EDC flashlight. There’s an awful lot to like about the Acebeam EC20 and I will gladly have it sitting on my shelf, ready to be used anytime. If I could dream for a minute, though… Acebeam, can Santa deliver an EC20 in blue with the Nichia option? And perhaps a way to dim down the Aux LEDs.

Interested in reading more: check out our review of the Acebeam EC20.