Best torch 2024: illuminate your way through the dark

Looking for the ultimate handheld beacon to guide you through life's darkest moments? I've got the nine top options for chasing shadows on impromptu nocturnal hikes or just navigating through another power cut listed below.

Before you take the plunge, make sure you're barking up the right tree. If you require hands-free enlightenment, the best head torches might provide a better user experience, at least in my experience.

There are many different torches below, all catering to different needs. You don't need a handheld lighthouse beam if you only want to use it as a backup for dog walking. Equally, night-time hikers need something more reliable than a pocket light.

My top choice right now is the Olight Seeker 4 Pro. With a maximum brightness of 4,600 lumens, it's a super-bright torch in an impressively compact body. Maglite's MAG-TAC Rechargeable LED Torch stunned me (literally) with its durability and easy use. Finally, if you're looking for a mini torch, you can't go wrong with the Baton 4 from Olight.

The best torch to buy right now

Best overall

The Olight Seeker 4 Pro impressed us with its 4,600-lumen brightness, multiple light modes, and magnetic base, designed for diverse outdoor scenarios. It features a waterproof IPX8 rating and a magnetic rotary dimmer, allowing smooth, adjustable brightness across five output settings.

It has a much higher maximum light output than the Maglite MAG-TAC Rechargeable LED Torch, which offers 671 lumens and a tactical design. The Seeker 4 Pro also has far superior brightness and adaptability, though the MAG-TAC’s straightforward, rugged build may appeal more to those prioritising simplicity and durability.

The Seeker 4 Pro’s charging holster, with fast USB-C recharging, adds convenience for extended outdoor use, though it requires its holster for charging. Altogether, the Seeker 4 Pro is ideal for those needing high performance and versatility across various settings, excelling over both competitors in brightness and durability.

Read our full Olight Seeker 4 Pro review.

Best rugged

The Maglite MAG-TAC Rechargeable LED Torch is a compact, durable, and versatile lighting solution suitable for various scenarios, from tactical operations to everyday use.

Boasting a rugged construction with an IPX4 water resistance rating and drop-proof design, it's built to withstand harsh conditions. The torch features a rechargeable Lithium Iron Phosphate battery with fast charging capability, providing up to 671 lumens of brightness and a beam distance of 185 meters.

Its knurled grip ensures a secure hold, while the pocket clip allows for convenient portability. The torch offers four lighting modes, including momentary, latched, eco, and strobe, catering to different needs.

Despite its tactical focus, the MAG-TAC can also serve as a backup torch for emergencies or general use, thanks to its quick-charging capabilities and durable build quality.

Read our full Maglite MAG-TAC Rechargeable LED Torch review.

Also consider: the Acebeam Rider RX torch boasts a unique design featuring a snap-in tail switch and titanium chassis. With 650 lumens, it's ideal for casual use. Powered by AA batteries, it's rugged, waterproof, and versatile but not recommended for extreme outdoor adventures.

Best mini

The Olight Baton 4 is a compact yet powerful torch with a remarkable throw length and diverse modes. With six lighting modes, robust build quality, and a waterproof design, it's a versatile companion for outdoor adventures, camping, and travel.

The Baton 4's compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry, while its contoured shaft ensures a good grip. Better still, it comes with a clip for attaching to caps or pockets, which makes it double up as a head torch.

Despite lacking a red light option and a lock for the light, its simple operation and impressive performance make it a top choice for everyday carry. The Baton 4's docking unit resembles a Zippo lighter and serves multiple purposes, offering wireless charging and acting as a power bank.

This nifty device is extremely useful for travelling and adventuring. It provides exceptional range and burn time, making it ideal for various scenarios, from walking the dog to camping outdoors.

Read our full Olight Baton 4 review.

Best for cycling

Predominantly a bike front light, the Knog Blinder 900 is a versatile and powerful cycling accessory designed for those who prioritise both visibility and utility. With a strong 900-lumen output, it effectively illuminates dark paths, making it an excellent choice for night riding and hikes.

The light features multiple modes, allowing users to adjust the brightness according to different conditions, enhancing battery efficiency. Its robust, IP67-rated construction, which incorporates a sealed charge port and a silicone button, is built to withstand harsh weather.

The non-removable battery could be a drawback for long-term users, as battery degradation over time may reduce its overall lifespan. The light’s compact size makes it easy to carry, but given its limited battery capacity, it might be less suitable for those needing extended hours of high-intensity light.

Despite these minor shortcomings, the Knog Blinder 900 is a reliable, multifunctional light for urban cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts who require a dependable lighting solution in various settings.

Read our full Knog Blinder 900 review.

Best long-throw

I know what you're thinking – if you're going to spend this much on a torch, you'll want serious bang for your buck. Luckily, that's exactly what you get with the Maglite ML150LRX, which throws out a whopping 1,082 lumens, a compact design, and a beam range of 458 metres – plus a highly sought-after five-star rating from the US National Tactical Officer's Association. If you have a bigger budget, this could well be the best flashlight for you.

The matte black finish makes this one of the more stylish torches on the market, and it's also incredibly easy to charge – you'll need just 30 minutes to boost it to 80 per cent power. I'm also a fan of the brilliant charging cradle (which can be used with the included 12 V car adaptor), which hugs the torch tightly even when upside down, so you can continue to power up whether you're bouncing around in the back of a safari jeep or hunkering down in a remote mountain refuge.

The icing on the cake is a 10-year warranty and an ultra-rugged exterior made from high-strength aircraft aluminium. One slight downside here is the water resistance rating – this is IPX4, which means it'll be resistant to water splashes from any direction but won't withstand a sustained spray.

Best for camping

If you’re after a small but affordable torch that packs a punch, the Lifesystems Intensity 370 LED hand torch could light up your life. It’s armed with a 370 lumens LED bulb, but it’s what it does with it that’s impressive. The beam can be narrowed and widened for different uses, and when concentrated, it becomes very bright – able to light up subjects from well over 100ft away.

There are also five handy brightness modes, including a flashing SOS mode for safety. The slim build is very pocketable and easy to hold (although I would ideally like some more grip on the handle), and it's water-resistant, too. This torch is battery-powered and non-rechargeable, which might be a pro or a con, depending on what you need it for.

Read our full Life Systems Intensity 370 Hand Torch review.

Best magnetic

The Nebo Big Larry 2 is built with workshops in mind, but I think this versatile wand-style flashlight will come in handy in a whole range of situations. As well as a clip that means it can be used like a pen torch, it includes a magnetic spot that enables you to attach it to metal surfaces to illuminate the area hands-free.

The not-actually-that-big anodized aircraft-grade aluminium body is water- and impact-resistant, so it should withstand a fair amount of wear and tear. Unlike most flashlights, Big Larry's main light is on its side, and there are four light modes to choose from: Top Light (200 lumens), Work Light (500 lumens), Red Light (40 lumens) and Red Hazard Flasher.

Head to our full Nebo Big Larry 2 review for more info.

Best budget

The best budget torch around is the Duronic Hurricane LED torch. It offers an impressive range of features for such a low price tag: short of inflating your air bed or helping put up your tent, this torch can does pretty much everything. To start with, it's not only a handheld torch but a powerful lantern, thanks to transparent sides and a sturdy handle that allows it to be dangled from hooks, branches or tent poles.

There's no chance of the lights going out, either – charge it quickly via its USB port or simply crank the handle for emergency lighting. One minute of cranking will give you 15 minutes of light – more than enough time for that dash to the toilet or a quick wildlife-spotting foray into the woods. You can also use the torch to charge your iPhone, and the beacon setting, which produces an incredibly bright, red flashing light, offers peace of mind if you're concerned about a camping-related calamity.

Highest light output

The AceBeam X75's build quality is near-enough bombproof, making this rugged lighting equipment a handy – albeit expensive – tool for all sorts of people, from outdoor enthusiasts, volunteers and professionals such as rangers to regular outback travellers and security staff.

The super high-lumen beam setting grabs the attention of most, but it's more likely you'll use it on a mid-range, and the brightness and battery life on these settings are good. Its alter ego as a portable power bank is also really useful, provided you have the right connections to take advantage of it.

Read our full AceBeam X75 Power Bank Flashlight review.

How to choose the best torch for you

The best torch for you will depend on your demands, but there’s plenty of choice for those that want to upgrade from their smartphone’s weak and weedy flashlight. For example, a keyring flashlight is ideal for stashing in a bag so that you always have a half-decent source of emergency light to hand. For those willing to travel with a little more bulk, compact torches are small enough for stashing in camping kit bags and hiking backpacks. What’s more, they can pump out a lot of brightness.

For those who work outdoors and need to create an intense beam of light quickly to locate someone or something, look for a portable floodlight or a tactical torch, both of which will have a super-high lumens count for maximum brightness. The latter will be easy to attach to your clothing or bag too.

The rechargeable flashlights in our best torches list cost more than battery-operated models, but this higher cost will pay handsomely in the long run. Not only will they prevent you from constantly having to shell out for new batteries, but you will contribute less to landfill.

Torches come in a variety of sizes, from chunky handheld floodlights to dinky keyring lights. Beam strength ranges from 10 to 7,000+ lumens, depending on the type of torch you buy, though anything over 150 lumens offers a decent level of brightness.

For outdoor adventures where you need to clearly see where you’re stepping in the dark, especially on trails and in remote rural areas, pack a torch that has 800+ lumens and, ideally a range of modes, including SOS or Strobe. Security guards and other outdoors workers would do well with tactical torches dishing out 1,500+ lumens, quickly lighting up even the darkest areas.

How we test the best torches

In testing handheld torches, we thoroughly evaluate build quality, assessing materials, durability, and waterproofing. We test ergonomics for comfort and accessibility. Illumination capabilities, including brightness, beam distance, and quality, are examined across different settings.

Battery life and rechargeability are analysed for practical outdoor use. We also assess versatility, portability, and additional features like adjustable focus or magnetic bases. Field tests in real-world conditions validate performance claims, providing insights into practical use scenarios such as camping trips and hiking expeditions.

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