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With winter approaching, the clocks going back and the nights getting longer, it’s time to reach for the trusty LED torch. But, wait, it’s run out of batteries and they’re not only some obscure size you’ve never heard of, it turns out they’re obscenely expensive, too.
The obvious solution to this periodical problem is to arm yourself with a rechargeable torch that doesn’t chew through expensive disposable batteries that cost a small fortune to replace and ultimately end up in a landfill.
So, with this in mind, we called in cluster of portable shiners and headed out into the blackness of night to put them through a series of demanding real-world tests. After much deliberation – and one or two night caps – we finally picked out the five best torches below. Take your pick – every one of these torches excels at the job they were designed to do.
How to buy the best torch for you
Why do most modern torches use LED technology?
If you're wondering why the vast majority of today’s torches use LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs, then there's a simple answer: they're hundreds of times more energy efficient than the filament bulb you used to have in your old EverReady torch. To be more precise, the average LED consumes about 12% of the energy used by halogen and filament bulbs to emit the same amount of light, and will go on burning for hours, if not days on the same set of batteries. What’s more, the average LED has a life span of up to 50,000 hours, compared to, say, a filament bulb which fizzles out at around 2,000 hours. Rest assured that whichever model of torch you select will likely provide many years of useful service.
Who invented the LED?
The humble white LED (Light Emitting Diode) is one of the truly great inventions of the past twenty years. Although it was originally invented in 1927, the concept lay dormant until, in 1993, Japanese electronics professor Shuji Nakamura pulled off a doozy by developing the modern white LED we see today in every torch in every land.
An LED’s light intensity is calculated in lumens, a unit of measurement used to quantify the amount of brightness emitted by a light source. As an example, a wax candle generates 13 lumens, while that old 100watt filament bulb you still have in your living room generates around 1,200 lumens. But all you need to know is that the more lumens a torch has, the brighter it’ll be.
What size or type of LED torch should I buy?
LED torches come in a myriad of sizes and shapes. If you simply need a flashlight for day-to-day or holiday use, consider a pocket model. These measure around seven centimeters in length yet still provide enough light to see where you’re going. They don’t cost much either. Most pocket models come with a variety of beam strengths from 10 and 800 lumens and many even have extra features like strobe (supposedly handy for disorientating assailants) and SOS signaling.
If you enjoy outdoor pursuits then consider taking along a larger pocket-sized model (around 12cm in length) with a higher lumen specification of around 1,000 lumens. Some of these models also provide several focus options, which allows you to narrow or widen the size of the beam. The hands-free, head-mounted variety is also an invaluable option, especially if camping, caving, climbing or orienteering.
If you work in security, the hunting industry or the rescue services then you’ll almost certainly require a heavyweight floodlight-type model in excess of 1,500 lumens. These monsters are heavy and large (often more than 20cm long) but they have the power to turn night into day at the press of a button. They can usually be set to provide either a football stadium-like super wide beam or one that sharpens to highlight subjects up to a kilometre away.
Finally, don’t underestimate the versatility of the humble key-ring torch. These titchy beamers will not only highlight the route ahead but they’ll illuminate your front door keyhole, provide light when the car’s broken down in a country lane and guide you to the fuse box when the lights go out.
Rechargeable vs disposable batteries
Until fairly recently, most LED flashlights used disposable batteries and many still do. Cheaper models invariably draw their power from ordinary alkaline batteries (AA, AAA etc) while the more expensive models use dearer but much longer lasting lithiums (usually of the CR variety).
However, disposable batteries are not only costly (especially the lithium variety) but they ultimately end up in landfills and that’s a bad thing for the environment. The latest trend, therefore, is towards rechargeable lithium batteries that can be recharged very conveniently using a simple Micro USB cable attached to a mains source, a computer or a portable USB power bank. The torch itself may be more costly but you’ll save a heap of sterling in the long run – and help save the planet, too.
The best torches to buy
1. Ledlenser MT10: Best all-round torch under £100
Price: Around £90 – Buy now from Ledlenser
This stupendously bright 1,000-lumen pocket model ticks every box and then some. Most contemporary LED flashlights come with a variety of flashing modes that get in the way of everyday use. By contrast, this one defaults to the function that matters most: beam strength. Turn it on and each tap of the robust thumb button makes the beam gradually soften from ultra bright to dim – a really classy touch that suggests a lot of thought went into its design. However, because the torch is customizable, users can easily reverse the process so that the torch starts on a low beam instead. There’s a strobe function, too, but, given that it’ll hardly ever be used, it’s hidden away under a different custom mode.
However the best thing about this flashlight is that it comes with a multiple focus beam that’s easily adjusted by sliding the front barrel forwards or backwards. This means you can opt for a super wide soft-focus beam for general see-where-you’re-going use, a sharp outrageously bright beam for highlighting distant subjects up to 180 metres away and anything in between.
The splash-proof MT10 measures just 12.8cm in length and uses a single Xtreme LED that burns for a gobsmacking six hours on full beam and an even more impressive 144 hours on low beam. To charge, just plug it into the nearest USB 3.0 power source; it even comes with a useful battery indicator.
Although this flashlight will easily fit inside a small jacket pocket, the good eggs at Ledlenser have seen fit to include a natty integrated belt clip and even a separate nylon hip case. If you’re looking for a torch with superb versatility then be sure to place this matchless model right at the top of your list.
Key specs – Length: 125mm; Width: 30mm; Max lumens: 1,000; Min lumens: 10; Max beam distance: 180m; Max runtime: 144 hrs
2. MecArmy PT10: Best compact torch
Price: Around £53
This rechargeable aluminium-clad 800-lumen pocket model is just 7.7cm long but its three Cree XP-G2 LEDs are easily bright enough to illuminate a tennis court. Its diffuse, ultra-wide white beam is perfect for revealing the route ahead and to both sides. Ingeniously, instead of switching on at full pelt, the first time you press the button, it emits a soft glow so you don’t draw too much attention to yourself.
Hold the button down and the beam strength jumps a notch higher, then higher still and then, when you think it can’t possibly get any brighter, it reaches full power and everything looks like it’s in broad daylight. Well sort of.
Furthermore, if you double tap the button, it skips straight to full beam. And if you hold the button from the off position it stays on full beam for as long as your thumb’s on the button. Finally, there’s strobe mode for really attracting some attention or disorientating an assailant.
The only issue with this model is that the on/off button is very sensitive which means it can easily be switched on if the button is resting against another object in your pocket, drawer or a suitcase. But thankfully it charges up in about 90 minutes using a standard Micro USB cable (provided). You can safely expect about 18 minutes of use on full beam (not especially great, granted) and up to 17 hours on low. It’s waterproof to two metres, too.
The MecArmy is generally very well designed, comfortably grippy and, for a torch so small, it has one of the brightest, most useable beams in the business.
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MecArmy PT10 Torches 800 Lumens Rechargeable EDC Mini Torch 3* CREE XP-G2 LED Ultra Compact Key Chain Portable Flashlight with Battery+ USB light
Key specs – Length: 77mm; Width: 22mm; Max lumens: 800; Min lumens: 10; Max beam distance: 126m; Max runtime: 17 hrs
3. Fenix UC02: The best keyring torch
Price: Around £24
At a shade over four centimeters in length and just 1.4cm wide, the UC02 is the ideal keyring torch for daily use. It’s a doddle to use – just twist the rear barrel for two different beam outputs – but make sure to first unscrew the rear compartment and remove the protective battery disk or it simply won’t work.
This titchy aluminium fella was pitted against a couple of longer pen-shaped models and it blew them out of the darkness. At 130 lumens, it’s perfectly capable of illuminating a garden shed from over 30 metres away and well up to the task of brightening the route ahead. Expect a runtime of about 25 minutes on high (130 lumens) and almost four hours on low (10 lumens). When it comes to charging time, simply unscrew the tiny lamp head and plug in the provided USB cable.
If you’re in the market for a practical rechargeable torch no bigger than half a pinky finger then step right this way. It’s available in three colours – black, blue and purple – and comes with a fixture hole big enough to accommodate most split rings.
Key specs – Length: 40mm; Width: 14mm; Max lumens: 130; Min lumens: 10; Max beam distance: 48m; Max run time: 3hrs 50mins
4. Petzl Actik Core: The best head torch
Price: Around £50
The headtorch is a camping, orienteering and caving essential – without one you’re guaranteed to stumble over your guy ropes, trip headlong into the campfire or bang your head on a stalactite. It’s also a very useful item to keep in the car for night-time emergencies.
Petzl is a market leader in head torches and this new model comes with three beam strengths that are assigned very easily by repeatedly pressing the orange rubber power switch. Press once for low beam – which proves perfect for reading without disturbing a partner – twice for brighter, and three times for a maximum power of 350 lumens (bright enough to illuminate subjects up to 95 metres away). Full beam has a runtime of around two hours while low beam keeps going for up to 160 hours.
It also has a softer red LED beam to help preserve night vision and prevent dazzling others. A double tap of the red beam activates a pulsing strobe that runs for up to 350 hours; a very handy signal if in need of help. To recharge, simply plug the supplied Micro USB cable directly into the enclosed battery and attach it to the mains or a portable USB powerbank. And if you don’t have access to a power source then simply replace the removable rechargeable battery with three normal AAA batteries.
The Actik Core can be angled up or down and comes with a comfy reflective head strap replete with an integral emergency whistle that’s surprisingly loud. In the pantheon of wilderness gear, this rechargeable model is a mini triumph. It’s light as a feather, easy to use, not too expensive and extremely versatile.
Key specs – Length: 55mm; Width: 40mm; Max lumens: 350; Min lumens: 5; Max beam distance: 95m; Max runtime: 160 hrs
5. Olight X7R Marauder: The ultimate high-power torch
Price: Around £237
There’s something about ludicrously bright torches that really appeals and this expensive but monstrously bright heavyweight hitter is a case in point. The Marauder is almost the size and shape of a drinks can but, at 665 grams, considerably heavier. Nevertheless, it feels fabulously substantial in the hand and is exceedingly well made from beautifully machined aluminium. A handy holster is included for easier transport.
Waterproof to two metres, it has six beam strengths from 10-lumen candle-light all the way up to a truly astounding 12,000 lumens. Yes you read that correctly. This monster is so bright at full power that it will illuminate an entire football ground. There are other models out there that have a longer throw – the Nitecore TM36 has a whopping beam distance of over a kilometer – but this torch is more useable because it lights up the entire area. Just as well the manufacturer saw fit to include a dimming proximity sensor because the beam on this thing gets so hot at full power it could feasibly set fire to combustible objects.
At full pelt its three Cree XHP70 CW LEDs will run for about three minutes but this increases dramatically the lower you go. The 7,000 lumen setting, for instance, will give you 120 minutes of light up time while the lowly 10 lumen setting will keep on running for up to 30 days. The battery itself is of the built-in variety and is charged via USB-C.
Next time you’re camping in the wilds and you hear the crack of a twig in the dead of night, break out this brute and you’ll not only light up the culprit but the entire county. Amazing.
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Olight X7R Marauder Rechargeable Torches Super Bright Powerful Torch Max 12,000 Lumens Flashlight 3 x Cree XHP70 CW LED Cool White Torch Lamp Light, USB Type-C Charging Por Fast Charge, for Outdoor Sports, Self-defense, Search and Rescue
Key specs – Length: 129mm; Width: 52mm; Max lumens: 12,000; Min lumens: 10; Max beam distance: 380m; Max runtime: 30 days