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There are flashlights for daily carry that you can easily store in your pockets, and provide you with more than enough light for your daily tasks. And then there are times when you want to see how many eye-searing lumens you can bring to bear in a package that pushes the limits of something you can everyday carry. Lighting up a football field or two, illuminating a mountain range in the distance, or simply impressing the heck out of your friends: these challenges demand the highest output that current flashlight technology can muster. In this guide, we run down our recommendations for some of the best and brightest flashlights you can buy today.
This post was last updated on 12/21/2023.
Our Top Picks
The Brightest Flashlight:IMALENT MS18W [Buy]
The Most Premium Brightest Flashlight:Fenix LR80R [Buy]
The Best Budget Brightest Flashlight:Emisar D18 [Buy]
The Furthest Throwing Flashlight:Weltool W4Pro LEP[Buy]
The Most Compact Brightest Flashlight:Nitecore TM20K[Buy]
IMALENT MS18W | Fenix LR80R | Emisar D18 | Weltool W4Pro LEP | Nitecore TM20K |
 |  |  |  |  |
| $$$$ | $$$$ | $$ | $$$$ | $$$$ |
| Maximum Output: 100,000 lumens | Maximum Output:18,000 lumens | Maximum Output: 14,000 lumens | Maximum Output: 568 lumens | Maximum Output:20,000 lumens |
| Emitter:18 x Cree XHP70 | Emitter:6 x Luminus SST70 | Emitter: 18 x SST-20 | Emitter:LEP | Emitter: 19 x Cree XP-L2 |
| Key Features: The brightest flashlight in the world | Key Features: Intelligent downshifting sensor | Key Features: Affordable enthusiast functionality | Key Features:High-efficiency drive circuit | Key Features: Easy one-handed operation |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
The Brightest Flashlights
The best flashlight for you could mean different things. Whether you’re looking for a flashlight to add to your everyday carry or are only interested in a headlamp for your next camping adventure, this list will go through some of the best options you can choose from. Most of these LED flashlights have a high lumen output that is many times brighter than your smartphone, so tossing one of these into your emergency bag is a good idea, especially if you need (or want) to create gigantic walls of light to illuminate an area.
IMALENT MS18W Flashlight
Key Features
The brightest flashlight in the world
OLED battery indicator
Active cooling system
Specifications
Maximum Output
100,000 lumens
Emitter
18 x Cree XHP70
Battery
8 x Samsung 40T 21700 battery pack
The IMALENT MS18W is the world’s brightest flashlight with a 100,000-lumen output thanks to its 18 LED array. The head of the light features a light orange peel reflector to pump out a wide and impressive six-figure high output beam and is even available in this model's more eye-pleasing warmer tint. Thankfully, it’s not a simple on-an-off interface, and you have nine brightness levels and modes to choose from, including a Strobe mode. Active fans and a liquid cooling system manage thermals to keep this beast operating smoothly.
AceBeam X75 Flashlight
Key Features
Intelligent cooling fan
Intelligent thermal control
Dual switches design
Specifications
Maximum Output
80,000 lumens
Emitter
12 x Cree XHP70.2
Battery
14.4V/61.2Wh battery pack
One flashlight worth considering is the AceBeam X75, which is rocking a dozen Cree LEDs. Aside from having a maximum output of 80,000 lumens, you can also use it as a portable battery pack when you’re out and about. You can charge it quickly via USB-C and reach full capacity in around 1.5 hours. Dual switches on the handle let you cycle between brightness settings or switch light modes. The handle also has intelligent cooling that turns on automatically when the flashlight needs to be cooled down, which is a nice touch. It’s also built tough with an IP68 waterproof build.
Fenix LR80R Flashlight
Key Features
Intelligent downshifting sensor
Dual switch respectively controls dual mode
Detachable handle
Specifications
Maximum Output
18,000 lumens
Emitter
6 x Luminus SST70
Battery
7.2V/12000 mAh Li-ion battery pack
Fenix is a trusted source of quality everyday carry flashlights, and the LR80R is a prime example. It uses six Luminus SST70 LEDs and features an 18,000-lumen maximum output making it the brightest flashlight the company offers. Dual buttons on the flashlight let you choose between high and low-powered modes, so you can select which one you want with a single click. This flashlight also doubles as a power bank, so should you need to charge your gadgets, you can tap its rechargeable battery to keep you going. There are also multiple different modes you can choose from, including SOS, Eco, Strobe, or Turbo mode, to name a few. At 3.6 pounds, the Fenix LR80R is a big flashlight with an output to match.
Emisar D18 Flashlight
Key Features
Choice between narrow or floody optics
Andúril interface
Affordable enthusiast functionality
Specifications
Maximum Output
14,000 lumens
Emitter
18 x SST-20
Battery
3 x 18650
Rating
Just released
Price
$$
The Emisar D18 brings a lot of value to the table for its price point. Sporting a “soda can” form factor, this enthusiast light puts out up to 14,000 lumens thanks to 18 x SST20 LEDs and is powered by three 18650 li-ion batteries. Machined from aircraft-grade aluminum, it features an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. Like some of its peers, this light also sports an electronic button interface to switch between brightness settings and many other functions, thanks to its Andúril interface.
ThruNite TN50 Flashlight
Key Features
Intelligent power level indicator
Versatile modes
Holster
Specifications
Maximum Output
16,340 lumens
Emitter
4 x Cree XHP70.2
Battery
21700 battery pack
Pumping out more than 16,000 lumens, the TN50 is a powerhouse of an LED light that’s still compact and in the classic “soda can” form factor, even rated to IPX8 for water and impact resistance. A single switch navigates its seven main modes, while a lockout function, low voltage indicator, and fast charging make a great combination of brains and brawn. It has a throw of over 400 meters and is fully rechargeable, so you don’t need to carry any extra batteries just in case.
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Nitecore TM20K Flashlight
Key Features
Slimmer design
USB-C rechargeable with built-in battery
Easy one-handed operation
Specifications
Maximum Output
20,000 lumens
Emitter
19 x Cree XP-L2
Battery
9600mAh battery pack
If you’re looking for a smaller flashlight that doesn’t sacrifice brightness, check out the Nitecore TM20K. Thisrechargeable flashlighthas an ergonomic handle that fits nicely in hand and a pocket clip, magnetic holster, or lanyard, so you can carry it however you see fit. It has 19 Cree XP-L2 LEDs that offer an impressive 20,000-lumen output. You can also choose between Turbo, Strobe, Floodlight, and Standard modes to best fit your needs.
Olight X9R Marauder Flashlight
Key Features
Unique mode/battery display
Smart output control to prevent overheating
Carrying harness
Specifications
Maximum Output
25,000 lumens
Emitter
6 x Cree XHP70.2 CW
The X9R Marauder is Olight's most powerful light yet, setting an extremely high (and bright) bar of 25,000 lumens for a production light. Olight's familiar interface and the X9R's mode and battery indicators make it easy to use the light, if not a bit difficult to carry around. Still, the IPX7 resistance helps it keep trucking. Battery life varies depending on which of its nine modes you’re in, but at 200 lumens, the X9R Marauder will last roughly 27 hours. If you opt for high-power modes, that time drops to around 100 minutes.
IMALENT MR90 Flashlight
Key Features
Dual-purpose LED arrangement
Multifunction switch button
Lock and unlock function
Specifications
Maximum Output
50,000 lumens
Emitter
8 x Cree XHP 70.2
Battery
4 x 21700
The IMALENT MR90 may not be the brightest flashlight in the world or even in IMALENT’s catalog (that title goes to the MS18W earlier on this list), but it still won’t leave you in the dark with a crazy 50,000-lumen output. Its beam has a throw of over 1,500 meters, and there are seven distinct modes that you can choose from, including Turbo, Strobe, and Max. It features an IPX8 waterproof build, perfect for the outdoors. It also has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, so you don’t need to worry about whether you’re running out of batteries. Simply plug it in to charge when it’s running low on power.
Manker MK38 Satellite Flashlight
Key Features
Multiple body color and tint options
Detachable handle
Intelligent temperature regulation
Specifications
Maximum Output
41,500 lumens
Emitter
8 x Cree XHP70.2 LEDs
Battery
3 x 21700
The Manker MK38 Satellite flashlight is a rugged, handheld flashlight perfect for both mundane and emergency situations. Depending on your choice, you can choose between three different LED bulb options if you’re looking for a particular color temperature, each ranging from 20,000 to 41,5000 lumens. It also has internal temperature regulation, providing optimal power in all conditions. It’s machined from aluminum alloy and is IPX7 waterproof up to a meter. There are all kinds of specs you can dig into, including the battery life at different outputs and how it handles thermal regulation, so if you want something you can trust wholeheartedly, this is worth looking into.
Weltool W4Pro LEP Flashlight
Key Features
High-efficiency drive circuit
Temperature control protection
Battery over-discharge protection
Specifications
Maximum Output
568 lumens
Emitter
LEP
Battery
1 x 21700
Rating
Just released
Price
$$$$
A core mantra of everyday carry is making sure you have the right tool for the job, and when it comes to flashlights, there’s more to that than just maximum lumen output with the longest runtime. While the Weltool W4Pro LEP flashlight has an output of only 570 lumens, it has an insanely precise throw and powerful candela (beam intensity). A LEP (Laser Excited Phosphor) flashlight uses a laser as its light source and passes it through layers and special lenses. The technology allows a LEP’s beam to go further than almost every other flashlight out there, reaching over 3,300 meters. This beam can come in handy whether you’re in search and rescue operations or want to be more discreet and avoid lighting up the entire forest on your next camping trip. It’s also IP64 waterproof and has been drop-tested up to a meter so you can rely on it in tougher environments.
Lumintop BLF GT4 Flashlight
Key Features
Designed for output and throw
Neutral and cool white LED options
Detachable handle
Specifications
Maximum Output
25,000 lumens
Emitter
4 x Cree XHP70.2 CW/NW
Battery
8 x 18650
Developed with input from members of the BudgetLightForum, the Lumintop BLF GT4 (GigaThrower 4) reaches a 1,370-meter maximum beam distance from its four Cree XHP70.2 LEDs. Peaking at 25,000 lumens, massive cooling fins around the head and an optional carry handle help handle this optimized thrower. If you're looking for a bright light with an ergonomic handle to help you handle it, then this is a great option.
Olight Marauder 2 Flashlight
Key Features
User-friendly interface
Easy switching between floodlight and spotlight mode
800m throw
Specifications
Maximum Output
14,000 lumens
Emitter
13 x High-performance Cool White LEDs
Battery
3 x customized 21700 battery pack
Like its predecessor, the Marauder 2 retains the same LED setup of a central spotlight LED surrounded by 12 smaller floodlight LEDs. This updated model's total output is increased to 14,000 lumens, powered by three customized 21700 batteries and rechargeable via USB-C. What makes this light unique is with a flick of a switch, the Marauder 2 can switch between an area flood mode and a spotlight that can reach up to 800 meters. As far as operation goes, you can use seven different brightness settings on both spotlight and floodlight modes thanks to its easy-to-use interface.
How to Choose the Brightest Flashlight
When choosing the brightest flashlight, you should know a few things first. Whether you’re cross-shopping a few lights to add to your kit or want to be familiar with what’s available, these common terms will help you understand what makes one flashlight better than another.
Lumens
A lumen is a unit of measurement that describes brightness. Saying that a flashlight is bright doesn’t help to describe how bright it is. Lumens provide context and a frame of reference so you can get a general idea of the amount of output a flashlight has. For reference, the LED flashlight on the back of a modern smartphone has an output of roughly 50 lumens.
Rechargeable, battery-powered, or both?
Whether you should get a rechargeable flashlight or battery-powered light depends on what you will use it for. If you plan on adding the light to your daily kit, a rechargeable light might be worth looking into since you can easily plug it into a charger to power it up again. Plus, if you use it often, you will run through plenty of batteries. On the other hand, if you’re getting a flashlight for a particular use case or tossing it in an emergency pack, battery-powered might be the way to go since you can swap them out relatively quickly. This means you can have a functioning light again in seconds instead of waiting for a light to recharge.
Size
Size matters with everything in everyday carry, but that’s especially true when it comes to bright flashlights. While plenty of powerful flashlights also come in a small size, you’ll typically find that larger lights have the brightest output. This is because manufacturers can fit more LEDs on it or have more space to cram batteries into. These may not be the best flashlights for everyday carry, but they’re the best at what they do.
You might actually need a tactical flashlight.
When picking an everyday carry flashlight, most people will be fine with a tough light that is lightweight, easy to use, rechargeable, and somewhat water-resistant. Most, but not all, people. If you’re putting your flashlight through extreme use and prefer tougher build quality, it might be worth looking more intotactical flashlights that can withstand greater stress. That said, some options on this list should cover your bases if your main concern is peak brightness.
Brightest Flashlight FAQ
What is the brightest flashlight on the market?
The brightest flashlight you can get is the Imalent MS18 (or MS18W), which has a crazy 100,000-lumen output. If you need to go as bright as possible, this is the one for you.
What is a flashlight's lumens?
A flashlight’s lumens are just a measurement of the amount of light that a source emits over a period of time. It’s a unit of measurement that helps people compare flashlights.
What are the best features of the brightest flashlight?
The best feature of the brightest flashlight would be its lumen output. The second would probably be how large the flashlight is and whether or not it’s waterproof. It depends on your use case.
What is the brightest rechargeable flashlight?
The AceBeam X75 is the brightest rechargeable flashlight you can get, thanks to 8 CREE LEDs pumping out 80,000 lumens of brightness. It keeps its charging port hidden inside its tailcap for even more protection against the elements.
How we picked
Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what's new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for EDCers of every trade, industry, and budget.
What is Everyday Carry?
Everyday Carry is both the concept of what people carry in their pockets and the process of picking out gear that thoughtfully considers what one wants or needs in their daily life. It encompasses everything from style to preparedness to utility, meaning an entire industry full of valuable tools and essentials to choose from.
Why you should trust us
Our team has decades of combined experience in all aspects of everyday men's essentials, from wallets to pens to bags and everything in between, and we know where to find great gear ideas that you may not come across at your local stores or when shopping online. Our expertise in the industry and familiarity with design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.
Adam Molina is a product review expert and seasoned everyday-carry enthusiast. They have covered gadgets and niche items for almost ten years and are passionate about exploring the ever-evolving landscape of consumer electronics and everyday carry gear. Having always been drawn towards electronics, they began their career reviewing audio gear and personal electronics for outlets like Soundguys, Android Authority, and Business Insider. They are currently a member of MKBHD network of channels, including an executive producer role on the Waveform Podcast.
In addition to their expertise in the tech realm, Adam possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in everyday carry gear ranging from watches to niche carabiners. He has used more backpacks than he can count, a plethora of different kinds of wallets, all kinds of multi-tools, and many random gadgets that never even make it into a recommended buying guide. Adam has developed a deep understanding of the nuances and practicality that make these items indispensable to modern-day life.
Adam is an avid runner and reader in their spare time and loves to learn random skills. Adam is the go-to resource if you are looking for an expert opinion on a product or want to learn more about everyday carry. They are happy to answer any questions and help you find the best products for your needs.
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.
Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.
In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.
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