Best rechargeable flashlight & Work Lights
Just about every home has one – that bottom drawer filled with junk that no longer works, but we just can’t bring ourselves to throw the stuff away because we’ve paid good money for it. I can almost guarantee that if you look in any of these drawers around the country, you’re going to find at least one flashlight, if not several.
Intro | Best Rechargeable Flashlight
A flashlight is something that everyone needs and we normally have quite a few. One in the car, the garage, a few around the house and one in the tool box. The thing is, they don’t cost too much, so we don’t put too much thought into buying one. You see that fantastic offer in the checkout aisle – ultra-bright LED flashlight, thousands of hours of reliable duty, your batteries will last for years and it’s only $5.99. The truth is, that cheap flashlight is going to end up in that dreaded bottom drawer after you’ve used it once or twice. You’d have been better off spending that money on a burger.
Then there’s the issue of batteries. How many times have you pulled out a flashlight in an emergency, only to find that when you switch it on, you get a dim light that’s fading rapidly? A desperate search for spare batteries in the dark leads you to find out that you have three spare batteries, but the flashlight needs four. We’ve all been there.
Best Waterproof Rechargeable Flashlight | STANLEY FATMAX FL5W10
Nowadays, rechargeable batteries are the in thing. But even then, you get rechargeable batteries that deliver on their promise and those that don’t. Battery technology has progressed in leaps and bounds over the last ten years. It’s possible to find rechargeable batteries that will last for years and keep giving many hours of good use on a single charge.
The problem with a flashlight is, you never know what you’re buying. It’s only after you’ve used it for a while, that you discover you’ve wasted your cash on a piece of junk. The same can be said for rechargeable batteries. If you’re going to spend $20,000 or more on a car, you’re going to do some research, ask around, and find the best deal for your buck. But a flashlight? Come on, who’s got the time to research hundreds of options to find the best rechargeable flashlight? Besides, where are you going to get the information from? Even if you go to all this trouble, where are you going to find a store that sells the one that you’re looking for?
Well, we’ve gone to that trouble. After all, that’s what we do. By now thousands (if not millions) of people have found what they’re looking for and got a quality product for the best price, simply because we’ve done the research and kept your best interests in mind. So we’ve set about to find the best rechargeable flashlight, with different options for different applications, at various prices.
When setting out to buy the best rechargeable flashlight, it’s worth paying a little extra for something that’s going to last. But let’s be realistic here, you’re buying a flashlight – not making a major investment. There’s a limit to what we’re prepared to pay, even if it’s reputed to be the best rechargeable flashlight on the market. So, with this in mind, we’ve found a selection of really great rechargeable flashlights at a reasonable price. They’re not the cheapest that you’ll get. But then again, they’re also not going to end up in that bottom drawer. The electronics graveyard.
Our list of the best rechargeable flash lights ranges from high performance, super bright flashlights, good enough for hunters and others who want a powerful portable light source, right down to handy little units that can be used anywhere by anyone. We’ve also included portable work lights, ideal for contractors and other people who need a bright light that offers more than what you’d get from a standard flashlight.
Because we’ve checked what people have to say about these products and how they rate by people who’ve actually used them, you won’t be in for any nasty surprises. These are quality rechargeable flashlights, from reputable manufacturers and have all been met with great enthusiasm by customers who’ve put them through their paces. So you can be sure to get LEDs that actually keep burning bright for years and a battery that’s going to keep delivering the power that they’re supposed to.
Stanley FATMAX SL10LEDS | 10 Watt
One of the best rechargeable flashlights / Spotlight — 920 Lumen LED
Features:
- Ultra- bright 10 Watt LED
- Reaches up to 920 Lumens
- Up to 7 hrs of runtime
- Lithium Ion Battery stays charged for up to 12 months
- Heavy duty bezel
- 3 Mode Trigger: High / Low / Off
- Pivoting/ collapsible stand for hands free use
- Charges with included AC and DC charging adapters
✓ View or download the MANUAL for the STANLEY FATMAX SL10LEDS.
You can’t really go wrong with Stanley products when it comes to affordable quality. The Stanley FATMAX SL10LEDS is true to this promise. It’s a really powerful 10W LED rechargeable flashlight in a very robust casing that will take quite a few knocks and keep on shining bright. This is a reliable and rugged companion when you’re stuck in the dark.
10 watts of LED lighting is pretty potent – 930 lumens to be precise. This is equivalent to a small security flood light and will give you clear usable light for a 100 yards or more. It’s fairly large (4” X 9” X 11”) and weighs 2.5 LBS. A soft grip handle with a convenient trigger switch makes it easy to use. The switch is operated with your forefinger and will give you the option of high power or low power for saving on battery power when you don’t need the full potency of all those LEDs.
If you need both hands free, it has a flip out stand that can function as an extra handle and also allows you to hang it from a convenient position. Or you can turn it around and stand it on any flat surface, tilting it to the required position. As part of its rugged design, the lens is protected by a heavy duty bezel. You don’t need to worry too much about dropping it (within reason) as the lens and LEDs won’t easily be damaged. There’s also a red lens for roadside emergencies.
To provide you with a decent power supply for all that illumination, the Stanley FATMAX SL10LEDS has a quality 12V lithium-ion battery that will keep the flashlight powered for up to 7 hours. The battery also stays charged for up to 12 months, so you’ll never be left in the dark when the power fails unexpectedly.
Thankfully, it has a USB port that will let you charge up your phone or tablet in an emergency – using the power from the flashlight’s battery. You can charge the battery using either AC or DC power and you can use it while the battery is charging. So if you get stuck in the middle of nowhere and the battery runs flat (which won’t happen too easily), you can hook it up to your car battery and keep on using it.
So what do the people have to say about the Stanley FATMAX SL10LEDS rechargeable flashlight? With very few exceptions, people absolutely love it and it can certainly be considered one of the best rechargeable flashlights. To be fair to you, I had to find something negative to point out. It took some searching, but I managed to find one complaint that might be worth mentioning. This is not a waterproof flashlight.
It will handle some water, so you could use it if there’s light rain, but if you’re going to take it out in a heavy storm, there’s a possibility that it may take in some water. I certainly wouldn’t recommend it as a diving spotlight for under water use. Then again, this is not what it’s been designed for.
For around fifty bucks for a flashlight with this kind of power and durability, I think it’s a bargain. Stanley offers a 3-year warranty on their flashlights, which is really good. The Stanley FATMAX is a fantastic deal for people looking for a high-power spotlight that can easily be taken anywhere.
Learn more about FATMAX SL10LEDS and other Rechargeable Flashlights on the Stanley site.
Stanley 95-111 | Mini Tripod Flashlight
Innovative flashlight worth your money. Not rechargeable.
Features :
- Tripod design provides capability for hands-free use
- Magnetized and anodized aluminum tripod legs fold to become a regular hand-held flashlight
- 100-degree rotational head with shatter-resistant lens focuses light where it’s needed most
- Three 5 mm bright white, long-lasting LEDs
- Slip-resistant rubber grip and feet
- On/off switch
- Compliant with ANSI, CE and RoHs standards
- Batteries not included (requires three AAA batteries)
- Tripod design provides capability for hands-free use
Overview | Stanley 95-111
If you’re looking for a regular flashlight for everyday home use, the Stanley FATMAX will seem a bit on the expensive side, that’s because it’s a very powerful spotlight and not just your standard flashlight. For a more affordable small rechargeable flashlight, the Stanley 95-111 Mini Tripod is the best in many ways and really isn’t expensive for something this great.
The design of this little flashlight is pure genius and certainly deserves some credit. The tripod design is pretty innovative and though not very common, it’s not unique to Stanley. I would say, though, that this one is about the best. Why? The magnetized and anodized aluminum used to construct the tripod is not only extremely durable but is also incredibly versatile. Because they’re magnetized, you can attach the flashlight to any metal surface, giving limitless options as to where you position the flashlight for maximum convenience.
The tripod folds neatly into a position that makes for a comfortable handle when you want to use it as a conventional flashlight. The tripod also has rubber feet so it can be placed down and stand in a sturdy position anywhere. You’ve got to admit this is pretty amazing.
The design is rugged in every aspect. Made from very durable plastic, the lamp head protects the shatter-resistant lens and the three 5mm bright LEDs (rated with a 100,000 hour lifetime). The head can rotate 100° for even more versatility. Energy efficiency is the name of the game with LED flashlights and the Stanley Mini Tripod will give you around 10 hours from 3 AAA batteries (not included).
Now, I know this is supposed to be a review of the best rechargeable flashlights and this one doesn’t include batteries, but it’s so great that it had to be mentioned. If you feel a little cheated by the fact that this flashlight is not rechargeable, let me make it up to you. I’ve gone the extra mile to find the best rechargeable batteries for this flashlight.
It’s likely that you’ve been disappointed by rechargeable AAA or AA batteries in the past – many of them don’t really make the grade and they can be a complete waste of money. If you want to find out more about the best rechargeable AAA or AA batteries, we’ll look into this later in the article, but if you really must know : Panasonic K-KJ17M3A4BA rechargeable AAA batteries.
To conclude on the Stanley 95-111, Mini Tripod Flashlight, I’d say that even though it doesn’t have a built-in rechargeable battery it’s an excellent product, at a fantastic price. It’s made to the highest quality standards. So it’s going to last for years and, like other Stanley flashlights, it comes with a 3-year warranty.
Streamlight 75712 Stinger C4
Best LED Rechargeable Flashlight with NiCad Battery / 12V DC Charger
Features :
- Multi-function On/Off push-button switch lets you choose three lighting modes and strobe; designed for extremely long life; tested at 1 million actuations
- Three modes and strobe:
- High for a bright super-bright beam – 350 lumens; 24,000 candela peak beam intensity; 310 meter beam distance; runs 2 hours
- Medium for bright light and longer run times – 175 lumens; 12,000 candela peak beam intensity; 219 meter beam distance; runs 3.75 hours
- Low for light without glare and extended run times – 85 lumens; 6,000 candela peak beam intensity; 155 meter beam distance; runs 7.25 hours
- Strobe for disorienting or signaling your location; runs 5.5 hours
- Deep-dish parabolic reflector produces a concentrated beam with optimum peripheral illumination
- C4 LED technology, impervious to shock with a 50,000 hour lifetime
- Regulated run time provides consistent performance throughout battery life
- 3-cell, 3.6 Volt NiCad sub-C battery, rechargeable up to 1000 times.
- 10 hr. steady charge, 2.5 hr. fast charge, or PiggyBack charger options
- Machined aircraft aluminum body with non-slip rubberized comfort grip
- IPX4 water-resistant; 1 meter impact resistance tested
- Unbreakable polycarbonate lens with scratch-resistant coating
- Includes anti-roll rubber ring
- Length: 8.41″; Weight: 12.4 oz
- Serialized for positive identification
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Assembled in USA
Overview | Best rechargeable flashlight
If you’re looking for an indestructible, high-powered and water-resistant rechargeable LED flashlight, look no further than the Streamlight 75712 Stinger C4. It’s designed to be as robust as a flashlight can be with an all-aluminum body and the polycarbonate lens won’t crack, even under harsh circumstances and the lens has a non-scratch coating.
The Streamlight 75712 uses 3 X C4 LEDs. These high-grade LEDs are designed for optimum power and durability. So they are shock resistant and will out-perform any other LED under any conditions – rated for a lifetime 20000 hours.
The 3.6V, three cell Ni-Mh battery is made to last, giving you 1000 charge cycles – it could last as long as ten years, depending on how much you use it. If you use the flashlight at full power, you’ll get 2-hours of continuous run time. At medium power, the run time is 3¾-hours and 7¼-hours at low power. It takes 10 hours to recharge the battery to full charge, using the standard snap on12V charger that comes with this model. There are other options for a 120V charger.
To give you an idea of the incredible power of the C4 LED lamp, it will give you a beam of 310 meters (339 yards) at full power, with a strength of 350 lumens. At medium power, it delivers 175 lumens with a 219-meter beam (239.5 yards). When used on low power, you get 85 lumens over a distance of 155 meters (169.5 yards). So even when you’re saving power to keep the battery running for more than 7-hours, you still get a very powerful light.
The flashlight weighs 12.4 Oz and measures 8.41” in length, the diameter of the head is 1.62” and the body diameter is 1.17” with a soft grip for comfortable handling. Don’t let this little size fool you – it’s a tough item, designed to take anything that you throw at it. It has been tested for 1-meter impact resistance and the lens is sealed with an O-ring, giving it an IPX4 rating for water resistance.
Outstanding performance and quality, make this one of the strongest and most dependable flashlights that you’ll find. It’s the kind of flashlight that you’ll see law enforcement officers and emergency workers using. A lifetime warranty from the manufacturers is proof that it is intended to provide optimum performance for a long time.
Best LED Work Lights
As much as a flashlight is an essential item for just about everyone, there will be times that you need a more powerful portable light source. Contractors that work at night or in buildings that don’t have much natural light, will need to see what they’re doing. If you’re painting your home or renovating, you’ll know, very well, that sometimes you need extra light to see properly. Perhaps you need a decent light for nighttime or indoor photography or shooting videos.
Anyone who’s worked on vehicles will also understand the importance of a portable work light. In these situations, a powerful work Light is your only feasible option. They’re bright, versatile, and easy to move about, usually designed for both indoor and outdoor use.
By now, we all know the energy saving benefits of LED lighting, they can save up to 90% of the electricity cost compared to incandescent equivalents. There’s another great advantage to using an LED work light, they don’t get very hot – generally around 120°F (± 32°C). When you’re using a work light, you’ll usually want to move it around quite a lot. You also, most probably, will be using them at a height where you’ll easily make contact with light – either accidentally or deliberately.
An LED light never gets hot enough to burn you, so they have a distinct safety advantage over other lamps. In addition to this, when you’re working in an enclosed area with limited ventilation, traditional work lights can make the room uncomfortably hot. This won’t happen if you use an LED work light.
So, with all these benefits, you can see why a powerful LED work light is just the thing for people who need this type of lighting. Let’s look at your options for the best LED work lights.
Snap-on 922261 | LED Work Light
2000 Lumens : Best rechargeable flashlight
Features:
- 2000 lumens led long lasting, durable super bright LED’s; integrated led bulbs never need replacing.
- Low power consumption; sealed on/off switch; for indoor/outdoor dry location.
- Ergonomic padded carry handle; low energy led light stays cool to the touch.
- Adjustable angle knobs allow easy tilting of the light.
- Cord lenth:6 ft.(1.8m) plug type: grounded 3-prong.
The Snap on 922261 is a powerful 25W LED work light, delivering an astounding 2000 lumens. You can compare this to a 500W incandescent flood light, without the massive electricity bill that goes with it. A color temperature of 5000K means that it has a very pure white light.
It has a sturdy base for standing the work light on a flat surface and a padded handle for carrying or hanging it in a convenient position. With a 6 Ft power cord, you have a fair deal of moving range, though I would think that you’ll usually be plugging it into an extension cord. It runs off regular 120V AC power and uses a standard 3-prong plug. The Snap on 922261 is designed for both indoor and outdoor use, as long as the operating environment is dry. Using a 120V AC power source means that you run the risk of injury if it comes into contact with moisture.
VIDEO | See it in Action | Snap-on 922261
Weighing only 4 LBS and measuring 10” X 10” X 4”, it’s really practical and easy to move. Their warranty agreement is a little vague, stating that it is guaranteed free from defects for the usable life of the product. There’s no specific mention of their LED work lights, so I’m not sure what they consider to be their usable life. Where they do make specific mention to products, the warranty is 1-year. So, all I can say is that the warranty of this product should be at least one year, possibly longer because LED products have a longer expected usable lifetime than most other items.
STANLEY BF0109 | BarFlex LED Work Light
Best Rechargeable Light for work (LED)
Features:
- 26 Ultra- bright LEDs
- Rechargeable
- High / Low / Flashing modes
- Magnetic base supports light on metal surfaces
- Flexible and pivoting base to adjust light direction
- 360 degree carabiner hook for hands free use
- Impact resistant, heavy duty housing
✓ View or download the MANUAL for the Stanley BF0109 BarFlex.
Overview | Stanley BF0109 BarFlex
The Stanley BF0109 is one of the most versatile work lights in that it has rechargeable Ni-MH batteries and can also run off standard AC power. The great design of the light also lends itself to just about any application.
Measuring 17.8” X 7.8” X 4.3” and weighing only 1.3 LBS means that you can take it anywhere. Combine this compact size with its cordless, battery operation, the Stanley BF0109 is a fantastic high-powered light for roadside emergencies and camping. It has a sturdy base for standing, a handle for carrying and hanging, and it is magnetic. This means that you can attach the Stanley BF01009 to any metal surface, further increasing its versatility. This light is favorite for mechanics because of its versatile working positions and flexibility.
It can rotate 360° on its handle and is flexible. The tower-shaped light can bend in any direction to provide light in hard to reach areas. It uses 26 LEDs that Stanley refer to as “ultra-bright” though they don’t give a rating wattage or lumens. It is a bright light and is certainly more powerful than any flashlight.
It’s built tough to withstand harsh working conditions and is impact resistant. As one of the most versatile work lights I’ve ever seen, the Stanley BF0109 is a big hit with me. It comes with the Stanley 1-year warranty and the AC charger is included when you buy it.
Gear Aid FLUX — 20,800 mAh | 82 LEDs
20,800 mAh : Best Rechargeable Light and Portable Power Station
Features:
- Portable power bank and LED work light; quickly changes into camping lantern with included diffuser bag and hanging hook
- 20,800 mAh Li-ion battery recharges phones, tablets, and other devices with 1.5-amp USB port; charges most iPhones up to 10 times
- Fully adjustable light with 3 color temperatures and 10 brightness settings; runs 20 to 640 lumens for 13 to 192 hours of operation
- 1/4-20 threaded point compatible with tripods and Gear Aid, RAM, and GoPro mounts (RAM and GoPro adapters sold separately)
- Built with an adjustable metal kickstand and IP65-rated spray-proof casing
- Includes: light, stainless-steel hook, diffuser bag and USB charging cable
Overview | Gear Aid FLUX
The first advantage I see to the Gear Aid Flux is that it has a water resistant housing and a sealed diffuser. So it’s great for using outdoors. It also includes a hanging diffuser bag which provides soft ambient lighting for when you’re entertaining outdoors. The whole construction is tough and should handle quite a bit of knocking about.
It uses a 2800 mAh lithium-ion battery that charges through a standard 5V 2.1A USB charger. With 10 different power settings, you can get an incredible working time from the battery – around 13 hours at high-power and up to 192 hours at the lowest power setting. This means several days on a single charge. What’s more, it has a USB outlet so that you can use the Gear Aid Flux to charge your USB devices – up to 10 times when charging an iPhone or 5 times, if you’re charging your tablet.
The light is reasonably bright with 640 lumens at the highest setting and 20 lumens at the lowest setting. It uses 82 LEDs. The color temperature is adjustable, with three settings. This means you can set it at a warm color temperature for ambient lighting or a cold temperature for a pure white light for working and shining over a greater distance.
The handle is designed so that you hang or stand the light. In addition to this, it has a threaded point that allows it to be used with a number of Gear Aid mounting options which include a tripod, magnetic stand, and a suction stand. Weighing only 24 Oz and measuring 4.5” X 2.2” X 5”, it’s really easy to take with you anywhere you go.
The Gear Aid Flux is versatile portable work light that can be used in any work situation and is also ideal for outdoor lighting at home or when camping. It has a 1-year warranty.
Panasonic Eneloop K-KJ17M3A4BA
AAA Battery Charger with 4 Batteries
Features:
- Recharge up to 2100 times
- Maintain up to 70% of their charge after 10 years (when stored properly and not in use)
- 800mAh type, 750mAh min, Ni-MH pre-charged rechargeable battery
- 4 position charger with advanced, individual battery charging; charges both AA and AAA cells
- Battery detection technology – automatically shuts off when charging is complete
Overview | Panasonic eneloop K-KJ17M3A4BA
Finding reliable AAA or AA batteries is a nightmare. There are so many cheap options but most turn out to be a complete disappointment. So, if you’re looking for AAA batteries for your flashlight (or any other device that uses these batteries), the Panasonic Eneloop battery and charger kit are the best. They also come in AA size, so you can get the best rechargeable batteries for your remote, gaming controls and so many other devices.
I did an exhaustive search for the best rechargeable AAA batteries because they are such an important part of our everyday lives. One name came out tops and that’s the Panasonic Eneloop. The guys at Panasonic claim they will hold their charge for up to 10 years. Of course, this is if they’re not being used and stored properly. This is excessive, none of us going to store a battery for 10 years, but it proves how far they’ve gone to ensure the quality of their rechargeable AAA batteries. Panasonic is a brand that I’ve trusted for decades and I know that they deliver the goods.
The NI-MH batteries are rated for 800mAh with a minimum charge delivery of 750mAh. They have 21000 cycles, this means you can recharge them 21000 times and have a full charge over this period. With normal use, that’s quite a few years – probably around five to ten years or more for most of us. You really won’t find a better choice for rechargeable AAA or AA batteries.
As a second choice that’s quite a bit cheaper, you could consider the EBL 808 — an AA and AAA battery charger kit . They’re not quite in the same league as the Panasonic Eneloop, which are by far the best but, for their price, they offer excellent value.