In certain situations, you will find yourself in need of a tactical flashlight, whether you’re in the woods overnight or looking for something you lost in the garage.
While an expensive tactical flashlight can assure a premium experience, you can still get one for an affordable price and get high-quality. To help you with that, we will provide a comprehensive guideline on choosing the best emergency flashlight for home.
Here are the best emergency flashlights for home you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight S1000
- Durable: PEETPEN USB Rechargeable LED Flashlight 1200 High Lumens
- Ultra-Compact: EVEREADY LED Tactical Flashlight
- Best For Night Fishing: LETION Led Flashlight Rechargeable
- Best For Family Camping: LumiNRG Tactical Flashlight
- Best Weather Resistant Light: GearLight TAC LED Tactical Flashlight
| 6 Best Emergency Flashlights For Home | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight S1000 | |
Durable | PEETPEN USB Rechargeable LED Flashlight 1200 High Lumens | |
Ultra-Compact | EVEREADY LED Tactical Flashlight | |
Best For Night Fishing | LETION Led Flashlight Rechargeable | |
Best For Family Camping | LumiNRG Tactical Flashlight | |
Best Weather Resistant Light | GearLight TAC LED Tactical Flashlight | |
Best Overall: GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight S1000
- Indestructible & long-lasting – able to work in frost-bite snowy or rain environment & bear 10-foot drops or truck’s weight with no problem
- Customizable & easy to control – 5 flashing modes
- Convenient to power it – two power source options
- Wish the lens was scratch-resistant
We’re not going to lie, the overall performance of this tactical flashlight is just as the military-grade models as seen on TV.
It’s able to work in frost-bite cold environments, snow, rain, and durable enough to be submerged contemporarily underwater, handle drops from 10 feet, or a truck running over it.
There are, on the other hand, 5 flashing modes – including SOS, strobe, low, medium, and high – to choose from.
The size is very pocket-friendly that you can keep it almost anywhere. Our favorite part is its power source options. This tactical flashlight can be powered by a rechargeable battery or three AAA batteries depending on your situation.
For the price under $20, you’ve got two packs, and each is backed by a one-year warranty. What else to ask?
| GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight S1000 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 6.1 x 1.57 x 1.57 inches |
Brightness | 500 average to 1000 max lumens. |
No of Modes | 5 |
Max Beam Distance | 1000 feet away |
Highlight Features | Able to work in frost-bite snowy or rain environment & bear 10-foot drops or truck’s weight with no problem |
Balancing all elements that you'd expect in an excellent affordable tactical flashlight, the GearLight S1000 totally blows the competition out of the water.
Durable: PEETPEN USB Rechargeable LED Flashlight 1200 High Lumens
- Good at waterproofing and impact-resisting - anti-skid military-grade aluminum material and IPX6 waterproof rating design
- Ideal for big hands – extended handle, around 8 inches’ long
- Easy to control – simple design (two flashing modes & a power button) & all located within your reach
- The lens is plastic
- Not ideal for long-term adventures – require re-charging after 9 hours
If your budget for a tactical flashlight is under $20 and you want it to be the most durable for harsh abuse, we highly recommend this model.
It is very good at waterproofing and impact-resisting, even able to hold up well against 3-foot drops, all thanks to the anti-skid military-grade aluminum material and IPX6 waterproof rating design.
Those who have big hands will also love this tactical flashlight as it – aside from compact and lightweight – is extended in the handle (around 8 inches) for a comfier handheld experience.
Besides, there’re only two flashing modes and a power button, which is very simple plus all of them are specifically located to be within your reach for quick control.
One thing to take note is that this flashlight is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can last up to 9 hours in a full charge for low mode. So, we only suggest choosing this for short-term outdoor use.
| PEETPEN USB Rechargeable LED Flashlight 1200 High Lumens Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 7.99 x 1.93 x 1.93 inches |
Brightness | 1200 High Lumens |
No of Modes | 2 |
Max Beam Distance | 1312ft. |
Highlight Features | Anti-skid military-grade aluminum material and IPX6 waterproof rating design |
While most affordable tactical flashlights are just an initial investment then will be broken down after a short time, this ultra-durable model isn’t a thing.
Ultra-Compact: EVEREADY LED Tactical Flashlight
- Full of control – 3 light modes & adjustable beam
- Able to quickly grab for emergency uses – it stands up by itself
- Hands-free capability – added a lanyard
- Not afford for quick adjustment between three flashing modes
- Not easy for big hands to use
- No batteries included
If your need is just a single tactical flashlight, this is the most affordable yet high-quality option. It is priced under $9 and powered by three AAA batteries but provides you with 3 light modes, an impact-resistant design, and an IPX4 waterproof rating.
The biggest selling point is you can adjust its beam to use in different situations, and the product can stand up by itself for a quick grab in darkness.
There is also a lanyard added for hands-free capability.
If you are wondering about its compactness, this unit is measured by 1.4 x 1.7 x 4.3 inches, weighing under 4 ounces, which is petite enough to fit in a purse.
| EVEREADY LED Tactical Flashlight Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | L x W x H 1.4 x 1.7 x 4.3 inches |
Brightness | 270 lumens |
No of Modes | 3 |
Max Beam Distance | 500 feet |
Highlight Features | 3 light modes & adjustable beam |
The EVEREADY LED Tactical Flashlight is our top pick for those people who want something ultra-compact for ease of storage.
Best For Night Fishing: LETION Led Flashlight Rechargeable
- Super-bright & give the furthest illumination distance – 1500lm of brightness & 1640-foot max beam range
- Pocket-friendly – 5.4” long
- Durable and impact-resistant - durable machined unibody aluminum casing
- Versatile to power it - either 4 AAA batteries or a USB-port rechargeable battery, all the batteries are included
- The charger is cheap
- Only come with one charger
Out of a bunch, this tactical flashlight is the brightest – up to 1500 lumens, meaning for the furthest illumination distance (1640 feet away). Besides, it gives you five shining modes similar to the Gearlight above for versatile applications.
The 5.4” size makes it very pocket-friendly while the durable machined unibody aluminum casing allows it to resist phenomenally well to corrosion, abrasions, scratches, and more.
It is also waterproof to be used in all kinds of weather, including light rain and wet conditions. Considering such highlight points, this tactical flashlight is definitely the best choice for night fishing.
Note that it is operated by either 4 AAA batteries or a USB-port rechargeable battery. A good plus is all the batteries are included.
| LETION Led Flashlight Rechargeable Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches |
Brightness | 1500Lumens High Brightness |
No of Modes | 5 |
Max Beam Distance | 500 meters/1640 feet |
Highlight Features | 1500lm of brightness & 1640-foot max beam range |
LETION Led Flashlight has been a favorite of ours for a long time whenever we have a night fishing trip.
Best For Family Camping: LumiNRG Tactical Flashlight
- Easy to set up camp - COB lantern mode
- Ideal for emergencies – adjustable beam angle & strobe flashing mode
- Able to work in a longer time - 10 hours on medium mode
- Extra convenience – a magnetic base
- The on/off button isn’t really quality
Aside from those must-have features that a common tactical flashlight must have, such as good brightness, far beam distance, and impact-resistant body, this stands out for its COB lantern mode.
This special feature provides 360-degree light for setting up camp.
Besides, the beam angle is adjustable and it has a strobe flashing mode for emergencies, like disorienting a trespasser or sending signals from a distance. Its max beam range is up to 1200 feet away.
We also appreciate the extended rechargeable battery runtime – 10 hours on medium mode and longer on the low (as long as it’s fully charged).
The final bonus is for its functional magnetic base, which you can attach it to any metal things, such as car hood, metal workbench, and so on.
| LumiNRG Tactical Flashlight Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 12 x 6 x 6 inches |
Brightness | 1000 Lumens |
No of Modes | 4 |
Max Beam Distance | 1200 feet |
Highlight Features | COB lantern mode |
We can’t help but give the LumiNRG Tactical Flashlight a notable mention for its decent performance, especially during camping trips.
Best Weather Resistant Light: GearLight TAC LED Tactical Flashlight
- Weatherproof, shock-resistant, and anti-slip - tough military-grade metal body and knurled design
- Extra convenience and hands-free capabilities - an integrated detachable clip
- Ideal for emergencies – a single mode with an adjustable beam angle
- Eat up batteries even when off
- No batteries included
- No strap or a metal hang-up loop on it
Giving two packs at a price of around $12, the GearLight TAC LED Tactical Flashlight is the most affordable option here.
Regardless of its incredibly low price tag, these models are backed by a one-year warranty, and on the other hand, it’s durable, weatherproof, shock-resistant, and anti-slip very well.
That’s a big thank you to the tough military-grade metal body and knurled design.
There’s also an integrated detachable clip for extra convenience and hands-free capabilities. Unlike other counterparts, this is a single-mode flashlight but its beam angle is adjustable to send signals for emergency cases.
The various power source options make it versatile for different uses, whether in short-term or long-term adventures. Note that batteries aren’t included.
| GearLight TAC LED Tactical Flashlight Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 5.31 x 1.48 x 1.48 inches |
Brightness | 200 lumens |
No of Modes | 1 |
Highlight Features | Tough military-grade metal body and knurled design |
In search of a reliable, affordable tactical flashlight for emergencies? The GearLight TAC LED Tactical Flashlight is our proud suggestion.
How To Choose The Best Emergency Flashlight For Home?
Size
The size of your tactical flashlight should be suitable for how you use it. While the larger the size the more power, you know that the price will also increase accordingly. In a tight budget, we suggest that you choose either a small or medium size:
Small (10-12 cm long): most flashlights of this size can fit double batteries but you can opt for a single battery setup with more features. You can get tail switches or a deeper reflector for a longer-distance output. But they are not really powerful.
Medium (12-16 cm long): medium flashlights mostly use two batteries, especially 18500 and 18650 specialty batteries. Flashlights of this size are more powerful and output more lumens of light.
Power Source
When talking about the power source for a flashlight, we talk about types of batteries.
Disposable Alkaline: these batteries are commonly known as AA, AAA, C, or D batteries. Their advantage is that they are easy to find, but the drawback is that they offer less power. An Alkaline battery can live for about 2 years.
Disposable Lithium: these batteries are very similar to Alkaline ones, but they output more power. They also hold more power, hence a longer life cycle of about 10 years. Some examples of these batteries include CR2 and CR123A.
Integrated Rechargeable Pack: Instead of disposing the old batteries and replace them with new ones, you can recharge for tactical flashlights with these integrated rechargeable pack. While this isn’t very handy if you cannot access a socket, it’s cheaper in the long term.
Overall, disposable Alkaline and disposable Lithium batteries are more affordable at first while the integrated rechargeable pack helps you save more money in the long term.
Exterior Material
The exterior material determines the durability of your tactical flashlight, so you should choose the best one while maintaining a limited budget. There are three reasonable options:
Composites: this material isn’t popular for making flashlights and is less durable.
Anodized Aluminium: this is the most popular material among modern flashlights. You should opt for type II or type III anodizing.
Stainless steel: flashlights made of this material is very strong and durable but they are heavy too.
Among these, composite is the cheapest. On the other hand, titanium is ideal for making flashlights but expensive, so you may not want to choose this material.
Which Brands Make The Best Emergency Flashlight For Home?
GearLight
This brand offers dependable, affordable, and good tactical flashlights. Each of its products is carefully designed, then assembled with the highest-quality parts from reliable suppliers.
EVEREADY LED
With 115 years of experience, this brand has been offering lighting solutions that keep up with ever-changing customer needs, making it a popular choice for global users.
FAQs
Is cheap tactical flashlight any good?
Yes, it is. You can still find good flashlights for an affordable price. Though more expensive products seem better, technology advancements and enhance manufacturing have helped decrease the cost of flashlights for regular users.
Are 200 lumens good for a flashlight?
Yes, it’s good enough. With 200 lumens, you can light up a distance of 250 meters, use the flashlight for hiking, camping, tactical tasks, household use, and security.
Can you blind someone with a flashlight?
No, you can’t. Even with the best, more powerful flashlight, you can’t blind a person. However, a flashlight can dazzle a person, tress their retina a little, and block their view for a while.
What do 5000 lumens mean?
In general, 5000 lumens are enough to light up a 250 square foot living room, equal to give 100W incandescent bulbs, five 23W CFL bulbs, or eight 10W LED bulbs. Meanwhile, an actual 5000-lumen flashlight can light up a distance as long as a football field.
Can cheap tactical flashlights shine as far as expensive ones?
While more expensive flashlights often have higher quality, the brightness and distance of a flashlight depend on the lumens it produces. That means whether it’s a cheap or expensive flashlight, if you get the right lumen level, you will get the brightness you want.
Conclusion
We hope that with this instruction, you will find a good, cheap tactical flashlight for yourself.
Remember to pay close attention to the light output and material because brightness and durability are, of course, very important. When you have decided on the factors you want in your new flashlight, buy the best emergency flashlight for home from a reliable brand too.
Eugene WilliamsHi, my name is Eugene, the ultimate home enthusiast! I write buying guides and ideas on how to create a warm and welcoming home. Join me on my journey to make everyday in your house a staycation in the comfort of your own space!
