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Not all flashlights are made the same. For years, I had a cheap little light that I took on my camping trips. I thought it was fine until I went camping with my sister. 

Her flashlight made mine look like a joke. I suddenly realized that straining your eyes to see the ground in front of your feet isn’t normal. And that my rubbishy light was about 10 times dimmer than average. 

That can be pretty dangerous if you’re hiking in the dark. It takes only one misstep to sprain your ankle, and if you can’t see where you are going, you aren’t giving yourself a fighting chance!

So whether you’re popping out of your tent to the bathroom or trail running after sunset, you’ll need a bright flashlight with decent battery life.

Here are 12 of the best flashlights for camping. I’m sure one of them will be perfect for you!

12 Best Flashlights for Camping

Read also: Best Camping String Lights

Beike Tactical Flashlight

Best Value
Beike Tactical Flashlight (Two Pack)
$9.99 ($5.00 / count)
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11/17/2023 04:19 am GMT

Your best value choice for a camping trip is the Beike Tactical Flashlight. These affordable little flashlights are nice and bright. They come with five different settings, but you’ll probably want to keep it on the brightest setting most of the time. 

These flashlights don’t cost a lot, but they are perfect for a weekend camping trip. 

They are small enough to slip into your pocket so that you can keep them close. (You don’t want to try to find your flashlight when it’s already dark!) They are also water- and impact-resistant, which makes them perfect for the great outdoors. 

The manufacturer claims that these flashlights are 1000 lumens, but I seriously doubt that given the price.

It’s worth being aware that a lot of flashlights aren’t as bright as the description says, so take those claims with a pinch of salt. I can’t say I’ve purchased a light meter to check all the flashlights!

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Water-resistant 
  • Impact-resistant 

Cons:

  • Probably exaggerating lumens (not uncommon!)

OTYTY Outdoor Flood Lights

My Choice
OTYTY Outdoor Flood Lights (Two Pack)
$33.99
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02/18/2024 12:32 am GMT

The type of flashlight that you need will vary depending on your plans. (I’ll get into that a bit later in the article!)

But I have a couple of these OTYTY Outdoor Flood Lights, and I think they’re fantastic. At 1500 lumens, they’re bright enough to light up your tent or outdoor table so you can eat comfortably.

But they are also really nice and portable, so you can comfortably pick them up and use them as conventional flashlights. 

You can use the handle as a stand to focus the light where you want it, or you can hang the lights from the roof of your tent.

The battery compartment is easy to open and close, so you don’t have to mess around for ages trying to prise it open when it’s running low. But that does mean that the battery compartment isn’t completely waterproof. 

I’m comfortable using these flashlights outdoors, just not in really wet weather. 

Pros:

  • Bright 
  • Portable
  • Adaptable
  • Easy to change batteries 

Cons:

  • Not watertight

GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight

Best Overall
GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight (Two Pack)
$24.99 ($12.50 / count)
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11/16/2023 03:41 am GMT

The best all-around flashlight for camping has to be these GearLight LED Tactical Flashlights. The flashlights will survive a 10-foot drop or being submerged underwater, so you don’t have to worry about breaking them on your camping trip. 

They may be small enough to fit in a pocket, but you’ll get visibility of up to 1000 feet, and you can adjust the beam to be as wide or as narrow as you want.

That makes focusing on something in the distance much easier—perfect if you wake up in the night and want to check on that noise outside your tent. 

(Don’t worry, it’s almost always a deer or a sheep. We’ve all just watched too many horror films!) 

The price of these flashlights is more than fair, and user reviews are overwhelmingly positive. So whether you’re car camping or backpacking, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend these little guys. 

Pros:

  • Compact
  • Bright
  • Adjustable focus 
  • Robust
  • Waterproof

Cons:

  • Batteries not included

Craftersmark Rechargeable Spotlight

Craftersmark Rechargeable Spotlight 6000 Lumen
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They may be powerful, but those last flashlights are pretty tiny. If you want something bigger, you could consider the Craftersmark Rechargeable Spotlight. You can use this as a flashlight or set it down and use the sidelight as a lantern. 

At 6000 lumens, this is a seriously bright light. In fact, the spotlight can reach up to 2600 feet!

I love that this flashlight is made from tough materials that can handle the elements and any knocks and bumps on a camping trip.

It has four settings, so you can adjust the brightness to save the battery. You also have a red and SOS mode, and the USB port means that you can use the flashlight to power up your phone in an emergency. 

This is a splash-proof light, so don’t worry about it getting a bit wet. But don’t submerge it in water to prove a point, as it might not handle that very well!

Pros:

  • Flashlight and lantern in one 
  • Durable
  • 6000 lumens 
  • USB charger
  • Splash-proof

Cons:

  • Too bulky for backpacking

YIERBLUE Rechargeable Spotlight 

YIERBLUE Rechargeable Spotlight - 2000 Lumen LED
$35.68
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02/18/2024 12:32 am GMT

Car campers don’t have to worry so much about portability. Although I think everyone should have a head torch when camping, you can also consider a nice, powerful spotlight like the YierBlue model. 

This is perfect for setting up your tent in the dark or searching for those lost keys that you dropped on the way back from the car.

I love that it has a little built-in stand, so you can set it down and keep your hands free. 

The customer service also stands out. The company is determined to ensure that all its users are satisfied and it doesn’t hesitate to give advice or replacements if anything should go wrong.

But I think it’s fair to say that this flashlight isn’t the most resistant, and it’s not going to survive knocks and scrapes as well as some of its competitors. 

I do love how quickly this flashlight charges compared to similar models. You can fully charge this thing in three to four hours, compared to the 10 hours that similar-looking lights need. 

Pros:

  • Waterproof
  • Fast-charging 
  • Built-in stand
  • Helpful customer service 

Cons:

  • Not the most robust

LE Rechargeable LED Camping Lantern & Flashlight 

LE Rechargeable LED Camping Lantern & Flashlight
$39.99
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02/17/2024 06:22 pm GMT

I love this 1000-lumen flashlight because it doubles as a lantern. 

Just set it on its end and change the setting, and you have a more gentle light for hanging out in the evening.

You can also switch the lantern onto red mode and use it as a safety light if your car breaks down and you need to keep your family safe from oncoming traffic. 

When you want to use it as a flashlight, you can use two different brightness settings. This will help you conserve the battery for longer. A downside of this light is that you can’t replace the batteries.

Though you can recharge it with a USB cable, you’ll have to throw it out once the batteries weaken over time. 

Overall, this is still an excellent choice. In an emergency, you can use the USB port to charge your phone.

But don’t rely on this as your phone charger, as you need to keep your power for the light!

Pros:

  • Flashlight and lantern
  • Red and white light modes
  • Emergency phone charger

Cons:

  • Batteries not replaceable

Lylting Super Bright Rechargeable LED Flashlights

Lylting Super Bright Rechargeable LED Flashlights
$39.99
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02/17/2024 02:54 pm GMT

This flashlight is not one for backpackers. But if you’re car camping, it’s worth investing in something a bit bigger and more powerful.

You can use it on the floodlight setting if you want to see what’s going on around your tent or zoom in for a farther-reaching, more focused beam. It claims to be 90,000 lumens, so it’s bright!

But let’s be honest: It probably isn’t that bright. 

This flashlight has a neat little power display, so you can keep an eye on how much battery you have left before recharging it. (It’s nice to know you won’t get caught out in the dark!) 

In addition to being rechargeable, this device makes it easy to change the batteries, which means you don’t have to chuck it out when the batteries degrade over time.

It also means that you can have some backup batteries on hand if you can’t access a charging point. 

This flashlight is resistant and splash-proof. It tends to get quite hot, though. Be careful if you’ll be using it for prolonged periods. 

Pros:

  • Bright
  • Power display 
  • Rechargeable and replaceable batteries 

Cons:

  • Gets quite hot

Duracell 700 Lumen Aluminum Focusing Flashlight 

Duracell 700 Lumen Aluminum Focusing Flashlight
$25.99
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11/16/2023 09:17 pm GMT

Duracell has an excellent reputation for making batteries, but the company makes neat flashlights, too!

Now, 700 lumens might not seem like a lot of light, but you have to remember that Duracell is a well-known brand. That means it can’t get away with exaggerating or manipulating its numbers without being called out. 

This might not seem like the brightest flashlight, but I’d choose it over a 1000-lumen flashlight from a cheap brand I’ve never heard of. 

This flashlight comes with AAA batteries, which you can easily change once you run out of power.

You can zoom the beam in and out depending on what you want to focus on, and at six inches in size, this will not take up too much room in your pack. 

Although this is not the brightest of flashlights, it will be fine for most campers. 

Pros:

  • Comes with batteries 
  • Well-known brand 
  • Compact

Cons:

  • Not the brightest

UST SplashFlash Waterproof LED Flashlight

UST SplashFlash Waterproof LED Flashlight
$12.17
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02/17/2024 11:19 pm GMT

This UST flashlight is quite different from the other ones I’ve recommended.

It measures only 1x3 inches, taking a single AAA battery. That means you can easily clip it onto your key chain or belt and forget about it. 

This is a great emergency backup light with an impressive 20-hour battery life. For a single battery, that is a lot of running time!

Some people hang this up in the tent in the evenings to give themselves some soft light to see what they are doing (because not everyone wants to get blasted with a floodlight before bed).

Other people clip it onto their dogs’ collars, so that they can keep an eye on where their pups are after sunset. 

And then some people pop it on their kayaks, so they are visible to other boats. It won’t illuminate much, but it will make you feel much safer as you move around in the dark. 

I like this as a lightweight safety tool, and I wouldn’t hesitate to get one for my dog on my next camping trip.

It’s not the best choice for hiking in the dark, though, because it’s only 25 lumens!

Pros:

  • Keychain size
  • Great safety light 

Cons:

  • Only 25 lumens

Delxo Patriot Solar Powered Flashlight

Delxo Patriot Solar Powered Flashlight
$22.99
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11/15/2023 11:15 pm GMT

Coming from dark and rainy England, I’m always hesitant to get solar-powered camping equipment. But if you live or camp in a bright and sunny climate, this is an exciting possibility to explore. 

(You can charge the flashlight with the power cord if necessary, so you aren’t relying on the weather alone.)

Your best approach is probably to fully charge this thing in the mains but leave it out in the sun during the day to help it maintain a good level of battery power. 

If you’re backpacking, you could attach it to the outside of your bag so that it charges as you hike. Most users are positive about this flashlight, which has a magnetic strip and a built-in safety cutter as bonus tools. 

But some people say it doesn’t stay very bright when it loses battery. That’s worth considering if you’re planning a more extended camping trip. 

Pros:

  • Solar and mains charging 
  • Magnetic strip for storage

Cons:

  • Only for sunny climates

Fenix LD30 Rechargeable Flashlight 

Full disclosure: These last two flashlights are not cheap. But for people with a larger budget, they are highly recommended by users. 

The Fenix Rechargeable Flashlight is a completely dust-proof and waterproof model.

Unlike some of the others I’ve recommended, which are just splash-proof, this can survive being submerged in a meter of water for a full 30 minutes.

That means you can use it with complete confidence, no matter what the weather is. 

This has a great battery life, but it still has 1600 lumens of brightness. (For real this time, as the brand is well known enough to trust!)

If you’re looking for something robust and powerful, this will be a great choice. Just be prepared to part with more cash than you might have planned on. 

Pros:

  • Fully waterproof
  • Dustproof
  • Bright
  • Long battery life

Cons:

  • Getting expensive

Fenix LD15R Flashlight

This flashlight is a smaller and lighter-duty version of the last one I recommended, but it’s still of great quality. 

It has 500 lumens, which is good considering the size. This flashlight is a fantastic choice for backpacking, as you can see up to 85 meters, but it’s still less than three inches long. 

The body clip makes it easy to mount on your pack or helmet, and the battery life is pretty good for the size. It will last over 100 hours on the lower mode, but only one hour and 20 minutes on the highest setting. 

I wouldn’t use this as my main flashlight for camping, but it’s an excellent option for a little emergency light when you’re backpacking. The price might make your eyes water!

Pros:

  • Powerful for its size
  • Great for backpacking 
  • Body clip 
  • Water-resistant 

Cons:

  • Pricey for size

Camping Flashlights Buying Guide 

One of those flashlights should be perfect for your next camping trip. But if you’re struggling to decide which one to go for, this buying guide will give you some helpful pointers. 

Rechargeable Versus Battery Powered

Rechargeable flashlights can save you money because you don’t have to keep buying batteries. If you have access to power on your camping trip, these are a good shout. You can plug them in during the day, then use them at night. 

But battery-powered torches last longer. That is because it’s the battery that tends to degrade first.

With rechargeable torches, you may have to throw away the whole torch when it stops holding a good charge. 

In an ideal world, you would get a rechargeable torch but you could also easily change the batteries.

(Oh, and I really don’t have time for hand-crank flashlights. I find them to be more of a gimmick than a useful tool.)

Portability 

If you’re car camping, you have free reign to choose the torch that you want. But if you’re thru-hiking, you don’t want to lug around a lantern with you.

There is no magic-size torch you need to have; just try to keep your kit light and compact whenever possible. 

Honestly, I would not go backpacking without a head torch, but there is no harm in bringing a small flashlight as a backup. 

Brightness 

Brightness is measured in lumens, but most companies wildly exaggerate how bright their torches are. 

Your best shot is to go down to the user reviews and check out what people are saying. 

I would typically aim for a minimum of 1000 lumens for my camping flashlight. (But I would be fully aware that the numbers are probably an exaggeration for a brand I haven’t heard of.)

Pretty much all flashlights are LED now. This is good because the light bulbs are brighter and last longer. (Have you noticed how some car lights are blinding on low beams these days? Those are the LED ones!)

Durability 

Your flashlight should be able to withstand dampness and being dropped if you’re taking it camping. Try to get a waterproof flashlight and look for shock-resistant models.

Once again, the user reviews will give you a more honest idea than the company descriptions. 

Modes 

You don’t need loads of different modes, but a couple of them can be helpful. I like to have a flashlight whose beam I can focus and broaden.

I also like having a red light option, so I pop it on my backpack to make myself visible at night. 

You can use strobe settings to signal for help, but some tactical flashlights have powerful strobes meant to temporarily blind an opponent. (I’m not sure who your opponent is meant to be on the trails, though!)

Also, if you get a flashlight with a low light mode, you can stretch out the battery for longer. But all of these modes are bonuses rather than requirements. 

Final Thoughts 

A decent flashlight is a great addition to any camping trip. You don’t need to spend a load of money, but you do need to lean toward shock- and water-resistant models wherever possible. 

If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be fine with the two-pack of Beike Tactical Flashlights.

I would personally go for a portable work light like the OTYTY Outdoor Flood Lights, but your best overall choice would probably be the GearLight LED Tactical Flashlights

I hope you found this article on the best camping flashlights helpful, and I wish you many bright and happy camping adventures. 

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Rachel

Rachel Horne

Rachel is a freelance adventure writer and founder of Highly Sensitive Nomad. When she isn’t writing, she can be found wild camping in the mountains and swimming in the lakes of Europe.