Best Flashlight For Camping & Backpacking Trips

The ThruNite Archer 2A V3 is one of the more complete camping flashlights on our list with high marks across the board and no significant flaws, making it our top overall option we encountered. For example, 500 lumens is not the most powerful we saw, but it is still above average and also comes with a surprising 2912 cd intensity rating.

This combination of total light output with intensity provides the ThruNite Archer 2A V3 a substantial 108 m beam distance on its highest brightness settings. Even better, this camping flashlight also comes with five different lighting modes from low, medium, and high as well as a “firefly” and emergency strobe mode.

Beyond the standard specs, the ThruNite Archer 2A V3 comes with several “quality of life” features like a lanyard, detachable pocket clip, non-slip texture, and two switches to prevent accidental activation. By far, one of its top qualities is the Cree XP-L V6 LED bulb, which allows for a run time anywhere from 96 minutes for the high setting to 28 days for the firefly setting.

Granted, all of these features are not necessarily cheap, and the ThruNite Archer 2A V3 is a moderately expensive model, though it still provides excellent value for what you pay. On top of that, this camping flashlight is 6.1″ long, which is almost double the size of some of the other options reviewed.

Fenix is a company that specializes explicitly in flashlights, which allows them to provide all-around solid options that may not wow too much, but neither do they disappoint. A great example of this is in the portability of the Fenix E12, with it being the second-lightest option on our list at only 28 g. This model is also one of the most compact flashlights we came across at only 3 ⅗” x ½.” 

The Fenix E12 is more durable than some of its competitors, with a type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish running along the aircraft-grade aluminum.

To provide even more durability, the IPX8 is a water resistant flashlight, as well as having an impact resistance up to 1 m. The Cree LED XP-E2 bulb also offers a run time of 40 hours for the low setting, 6 ½ hours for the medium setting, and 1 ½ hours for the high setting– both of which rank near the top of our list.

Granted, likely a big part of that lengthy run time comes down to the Fenix E12 not being one of the more powerful models on our list, putting out only 130 lumens in an 88 m beam with only 1936 cd intensity. On top of that, the Fenix E12 has a recessed tail switch, missing alternative switches or carrying accessories to make using it easier.

The Nite Ize offers a wide range of different quality camping gear at excellent prices, which allows the Nite Ize Radiant 3-in-1 to come in as an inexpensive option and our top budget entry. Of course, the best budget flashlight needs to provide more than a low price, and this does so through versatility.

For instance, the Nite Ize Radiant 3-in-1 provides more lighting modes than any other model we reviewed with 7, but it is also one of the few camping flashlights on our list that can be used as a proper electric torch. Both the flashlight and lantern modes can engage a high and low setting, but an additional red light mode can also glow, flash, or blink out SOS in morse code.

The Nite Ize Radiant 3-in-1 is another highly portable flashlight with a 4 ½” x 1 ⅕” compact profile and a decent 77 g weight. Made from machined aluminum, this torch also comes with a lanyard loop for even easier portability and can stand upright without support.

Of course, all budget-friendly options come with costs somewhere down the line, and the Nite Ize Radiant 3-in-1 is one of the least powerful camping flashlights we reviewed, it only puts 80 lumens in a 50 m beam with a 625 maximum intensity. It also does not help that this is one of the least water resistant models on our list with an IPX4 rating, though it does still have an impact resistance of 1 m.

J5 is a company that focuses primarily on flashlights but specializes in everyday gear that can be used tactically as a means of self-defense. For the J5 Tactical v-1 Pro, this comes down to the design of its tactical attack head which features a ridged and rigid design suitable for hand to hand combat.

Even better, to ensure that you do not have to worry about durability whilst using it for self-defense, it is made out of a sturdy aluminum alloy. On top of that, the J5 v-1 Pro Tactical flashlight is one of the most impact-resistant models on our list with an impact rating of 2 ¾ m.

It is also easier to carry around thanks to its 4 ¼” x 1 ⅛” compact profile and its slightly lighter than average weight of 90 ⅔ g. What is even more surprising is that the J5 v-1 Pro Tactical flashlight provides all of this versatility. It is still an inexpensive option, even coming close to being our top budget flashlight.

On the other hand, the J5 LED tactical flashlight pays for this value with its power as the 300 lumens provided is closer to the bottom of the list than it is the top– though it is not one of the least powerful models we saw. This camping flashlight also does not do as well in inclement weather as it offers a water resistant rating of only IPX4.

Anker may not be a company known for its specialization in camping flashlights, but it does offer a wide range of solid electronics that do most things pretty well, making it a decent mid-tier option. An excellent example of this is the Anker Bolder flashlight’s waterproofing, which is decent at IPX65 but nowhere near the premium models we reviewed.

On top of that, this camping flashlight puts out more power than many of its competitors at 900 lumens with a 200 m beam at 6500 cd, second-best rated on our list. This is due primarily to the use of Cree XM-L2 LED bulbs encased in an anodized aluminum body that resists rust and corrosion better than most of its competition.

As if that were not enough, the Anker Bolder is exceptionally versatile, reaching second place on our list in terms of light modes with 3 standard beams and strobe and SOS effect. Even better, you do not have to worry about replacing the battery for this model – instead you can recharge the included 3350 mAh battery.

On the other hand, some people might find the Anker Bolder camping flashlight a little bit too expensive. It also does not help that this is one of the heavier models we have reviewed weighing in at 300 g, and not nearly as compact as some of its competitors at 6 ⅝” x 1 ⅝”.

Coast is one of the oldest and most experienced companies on our list, and though their focus has changed throughout the years, their dedication to providing the best products remains unchanged. As such, it is no wonder that the Coast Polysteel 400R enters our list as the top premium option on the market.

The highest powered flashlight on our list, the Coast Polysteel 400R power rating at 400 lumens lends to a beam distance of 202 m and intensity at a blinding 10965 cd. Even better, it is more durable than most of the competition, thanks to a stainless steel body and a poly-nylon wrap.

This means that you do not have to worry about rusting, nor will it slip from your grasp in wet conditions. Of course, even if it were to slip from your grasp, the Coast Polysteel 400R has the largest impact resistance we reviewed at 3 m and is IPX8 waterproof as well.

That said, all of these list-leading specs come at a price, and the Coast Polysteel 400R is an expensive model– even if you get a combination of some of the top specs we found. It also does not help that the 106 g weight makes this a heavier model, though the 5 ½” x 1 ¾” is still compact enough to carry around without issue.

Fenix makes another appearance on our list, but instead of trying to compete with higher-end models, the Fenix E05 aims to fill the smallest niche. To that end, this may be your choice for the best backpacking flashlight thanks to its feather-light weight of only 11.3 oz– less than half the weight of the next lightest competitor.

As if that were not enough, you do not have to worry about finding space for this model either as it only has a 2 ⅗” x ⅗” profile. To provide even more value, the Fenix E05 is more durable than most, with a housing made of aircraft-grade aluminum and a type 3 hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish.

The Fenix E05 meets the highest waterproofing standards in the market with an IPX8 rating and can handle drops from up to 1 m in height. Arguably the most surprising aspect of this configuration is the fact that the Fenix E05 is an inexpensive model.

Of course, this LED flashlight falls into the same trap as many other inexpensive models and is not that powerful. It has a Cree XP-E2 LED bulb that puts out only 85 lumens, and a short 45 m beam that is not very intense at 505 cd. It does not help either that the Fenix E05 is inefficient, with the AAA batteries only offering a 14 ½ hour run time on the lowest setting.

Stanley is likely the most well-known company on our list that focuses more on hand tools than anything else, but this means you often need specialized lights– like a spotlight. While this arrangement is ostensibly designed to provide lighting for dark crevices and late-night construction, it works exceptionally well for lighting trails and finding lost gear at night.

For example, these LED flashlights only have two settings, but one of those settings provides 1000 lumens, which is the most on our list, and even the low setting puts out 530 lumens. To better accommodate the spotlight function, the Stanley Fatmax Spotlight uses a unique design with an unfolding handle that makes it easier to hold. 

On top of that, this is the only model on our list that includes a trigger with its pistol grip to make it even easier to use. Keeping in line with this convenience trend, the Stanley Fatmax Spotlight also comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that uses a USB port.

Unfortunately, the specialized design combined with the unique functions leads the Stanley Fatmax Spotlight to be an expensive option. It is also worth noting that because this product is technically designed for construction, it is extremely large at 10″ x 5″ x 4″ and heavy at 567 g.

Goal Zero is one of the newer companies on our list, but they specialize in lighting products with a particular focus on the sustainable solar category. This not only helps prevent energy waste, but it also allows you to charge or power the Goal Zero Torch 250 in any condition– including while camping.

Even better, Goal Zero understands that the weather does not always cooperate with solar needs, so they also included a hand crank allowing you to manually charge this camping flashlight should you lack sunlight. If you don’t fancy spending hours cranking, you can charge the rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a USB port like most other rechargeable camping flashlights.

On top of that, as a modern company, Goal Zero understands the ubiquitousness of wireless devices, and this model comes with multiple charging ports too– the only camping flashlight we reviewed which does. Finally, the Goal Zero Torch 250 comes with a beam as well as a lantern mode for different types of light.

Unfortunately, solar power is not cheap– and neither are the other high-end electronic features– and this camping flashlight is extremely expensive. Also, to account for the solar panel and the internal electronics, the Goal Zero Torch 250 is larger than most at 10″ x 3 ½” x 1 ¾” as heavier at 408 g.