The brightest flashlights of 2024: Expert recommended

The brightest flashlight you can currently get is the Imalent MS32. Its maximum output gets up to a blinding 200,000 lumens -- beating its previous title-winning 120,000 lumen iteration (the Imalent SR32). This model has eight settings, including cold and warm light options and a moonlight and strobe mode. When switched on, the Imalent MS32 emits the highest brightness level for about 45 seconds before dimming to 40,000 lumens, which it can sustain for about 40 minutes. 

As the world's brightest flashlight, the Imalent MS32 also has a heat pipe cooling system that uses three cooling fans to ensure high performance (and to prevent overheating in your hands). In addition, the IP56 rating means the flashlight is water and dust-resistant. 

While not for everyday carry, this flashlight would serve well for emergency use cases or if you want the bragging rights of owning the world's brightest flashlight. However, at $800, it's clear that the cost of the world's brightest flashlight is a luxury.

Imalent MS32 tech specs: Lumens: 200,000 lumens | Beam distance: 5,308 feet | Peak beam intensity: 655000cd | Battery Life: 18 hours on lowest setting | IP Rating: IP56

Another option from Imalent may not beam as bright as the world's brightest flashlight, but is still a shining star, packing in 55,000 lumens with 16 LEDs. The turbo setting puts out 55,000 lumens for 42 seconds before going down to 11,000 lumens, which it can sustain for 50 minutes. 

There are six total settings, including a middle output of 4,200 lumens and a low output of 1,200 lumens. A built-in thermal control module will automatically adjust the brightness output so that you can use the flashlight comfortably without overheating. Amazon reviewers also note and were impressed by the flashlight's 736,000 candela rating, the unit of luminous intensity in the International System of Units (SI).

Steven Short, a flashlight enthusiast and who reviews flashlights and everyday carry (EDC) items on his YouTube channel, said that at 55,000 lumens, it's definitely bright enough to temporarily blind an attacker if you are ever in a situation when alone at night.

"I've used it on camping trips to light up the campsite at night. Instead of using a smaller one and having to move around with it wherever I needed to see, the Imalent SR16 is bright enough to illuminate the whole area for me," Short said. 

Imalent SR16 tech specs: Lumens: 55,000 lumens | Beam distance: 5,627 feet | Peak beam intensity: 736000cd | Battery life: 7 hours (on lowest setting) | IP Rating: IP56

Not only does this flashlight have a great battery life, but it's built-in 54Wh power rechargeable pack can also be used to charge your phone when you're exploring the outdoors at night. 

On the bright side (pun intended), the flashlight puts out 14,000 lumens from 12 LEDs, and has two separate modes: floodlight to shine across wide areas and spotlight to zone in on a specific direction. Each of these modes has seven modes that range in lumen count and intensity. 

"A friend of mine owns this flashlight and I have used it while hiking with him at night. It is super bright and really lights up the woods," Jason Hitchcock, founder of emergency preparedness site Survival Stoic, told ZDNET. "It has an adjustable brightness setting which is nice when you don't need the high brightness. When we meet others on the trail or need to look at something in our pack for example I can turn it down."

In addition, customers who purchased this flashlight noted that the quality of its build is top notch, and it feels sturdy and reliable in hand. However, they also said the temperature can get hot holding this one.

Olight Marauder 2 tech specs: Lumens: 14,000 lumens | Beam distance: 2,625 feet | Peak beam intensity: 160000cd | Battery life: 59 hours on lowest mode | IP Rating: IPX8

The TrustFire DF50 is technically a scuba diving light, but it also proves to be a pretty useful light if you're a photographer looking to illuminate dark spaces or if you're simply looking for a reliable and decently bright flashlight. It can run for 3.4 hours on the highest setting at 6,500 lumens as well as 6.8 hours at 1,000 lumens. The flashlight has white light, red light, and UV light, making it perfect for places underwater or in a cave. 

"This thing has 6,500 lumens and is made specifically for filming (so no flickering),"said Nick Poulson, a flashlight collector and abandoned mine explorer. 

"It not only provides a bright light but also offers a red light and, as if that were not enough, it also has a black light setting. Truly an awesome and fun feature to use in deep, dark mines where minerals line the walls, ready to be illuminated," he said. 

Poulson added that the only downside to this light is that heat is emitted after long periods of use. However, Amazon reviewers said the 12-hour battery life makes up for that. 

TrustFire DF50 tech specs: Lumens: 6,500 lumens | Beam distance: Up to 345 feet | Peak beam intensity: 2756cd | Battery life: Up to 12 hours | IP Rating: Waterproof up to 230 feet 

If you're looking for a bright flashlight that checks multiple boxes, this one from Fenix is a great pick. Its rugged design is made of anodized aluminum for extra durability, and it boasts a replaceable, rechargeable 5,000mAh battery. A single charge offers more than 40 hours of use. 

The company claims a lumen output of 2,800, but in our lab testing, the Fenix PD36R started out at an impressive 3,618 lumens. After one minute, we measured the lux (the amount of light that falls on a surface) to be 122.6 lumens per square meter, and then 46.9 lumens after five minutes. The flashlight was also able to shine at a distance of 414 yards, which is plenty of distance for the average person. 

The flashlight is classified as an everyday carry (EDC) flashlight, although some verified customers note that it is a bit large for an EDC. Still, it has a two-way body clip you can attach to your bag, purse, backpack, or belt for easy access.

Fenix PD36R tech specs: Lumens: 2,800 | Beam distance: 1,242 feet | Peak beam intensity: 36,600 cd | Battery life: ~42 hours | IP Rating: IP68+