Flashlights can be extremely useful both at home but also when you are out in the wild.
If you are on an outdoor adventure, carrying a large, bulky flashlight with you is not always practical or even possible in some situations.
Pocket flashlights allow you to always have a flashlight with you while not being cumbersome to carry.
It wasn’t too long ago when pocket flashlights were dim, low quality, and not fit for purpose. However, things have moved on in recent years, and there are now some very good ones for you to consider.
We have looked at a wide range of pocket flashlights in order to bring you this list of the best ones we found.
Best Pocket Flashlights – Quick Picks
For those of you who like to cut straight to the chase, we have broken down the flashlights in our list and picked our favorites.
All of the flashlights in this section are reviewed in more detail later on, along with all the others, so make sure you read on if you want to know more.
If you want to know the best pocket flashlights right now though, then here they are.
The V1-Pro only needs 1 AA battery to run and it gives you 300 lumens with a range of 600 feet - a powerful light that fits perfectly into your pocket.
This compact flashlight is tough and has 3 different light modes to chose from to make sure it fits into any situation.
Two flashlights for the price of one with a 200-meter distance covered by its beam - you get lots of light for your money with this one!
Best Pocket Flashlights Reviewed in Full
Only needing one AA battery to give you an hour of continuous light makes the J5 Tactical V1-Pro an efficient choice - you can even use rechargeable batteries in it. With its 300-lumen output, it is also bright enough to cope with all of your outdoor adventures. If you want to focus on a specific thing in the dark, the spotlight feature is particularly useful.
- A tough little flashlight that can be used for self-defense
- Quickly switch between wide beam and spotlight
- Has a pocket clip to make sure it is safely secured in your pocket
The Fenix PD35 has a maximum output of 1000 lumens, making it a super bright flashlight. It can cast this light up to 250 meters away (820 feet) too. This is a tactical flashlight that suits more extreme environments and comes with two lithium-ion batteries.
- 1000 lumen output
- 5 modes to choose from, including an instant strobe light
- Fully submersible for up to thirty minutes in 2 meters of water
This flashlight has the capability of running for up to 43 hours if you use it on its low light setting of 18 lumens. Even if you prefer using it at full capacity (250 lumens), you can still get 2 hours of battery life.
The pocket clip and nylon holster make sure the Streamlight 88033 is always safe and secure for your person.
- 3 light settings to choose from
- Impact-resistant up to heights of 2 meters and water-resistant down to 1 meter
- The glass lens is shatterproof
This tough little flashlight can take a beating as it is impact-resistant and can even take a quick dip in the water too.
It is a long-lasting and hard-wearing flashlight that can be worn around your neck using the included lanyard or on your waist using the removable pocket clip. The pocket clip can also be used to attach the 66318 to your hat if you’d prefer.
- Long-lasting LED bulb suitable for thousands of hours of use
- 2 and a half hours run time on one AAA battery
- Maximum light output of 45 lumens with a 41-meter range
This is a small but very tough flashlight. It is shock and vibration-proof, with an extremely long life expectancy of 50 000 hours. It requires 3 AAA batteries to function, but these are included.
- 2 modes so you can flick between flood and spotlight
- 140-lumen output with a range of 150 meters (500 feet)
- Scratch and fade-resistant body
Core Equipment 1250 Lumen Pocket Flashlight Outlite E5 High Powered Pocket Flashlight
Considering this can fit in your pocket, it is one very bright flashlight with a maximum output of 1250 lumens.
It’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum so it is tough and can take a bit of a beating.
It takes 9 AA batteries to run but these are included with the flashlight.
- Super bright (1250 lumens) with a beam distance of 263 meters (860 feet)
- 3 different light modes to work with
- Tough and durable to withstand most outdoor adventures
The Klarus Upgraded XT11GT Pocket Flashlight is rechargeable using a USB port, meaning you can quickly and easily charge it in the wild with a power pack.
A very useful feature that this flashlight has over others is its battery level indicator, so it is obvious when it needs charging - this helps to make sure it doesn’t let you down when you need it the most.
With a maximum light output of 2000 lumens, it is one of the brightest pocket flashlights out there.
- 3 different operating settings - advanced tactical, outdoor, and tactical
- Micro USB charging
- Battery level indicator
A pack of 5 pocket flashlights that don’t cost the Earth allows you to give 1 to every member of the family.
The belt clip gives you the option to keep it with you while keeping your hands free.
3 different modes and a maximum output of 300 lumens give you plenty of light to complete a range of tasks.
- 5 flashlights are included in 1 purchase
- 300-lumen output with a range of 274 meters (898 feet)
- 3 light modes - low, high, strobe
The J5 Tactical Hyperactive V Pocket Flashlight is tough and durable yet compact and mobile.
It can withstand impacts from heights of up to 9 feet, and it can comfortably survive a quick dip into the water as well.
At 400 lumens, it’s certainly a bright light that is suited to whatever outdoor-based adventure you find yourself on.
- Maximum light output of 400 lumens with a beam distance of 800 feet
- 3 different modes and the option to flick between wide beam and spotlight
- Impact-resistant
The Hausbell 7W Mini LED Pocket flashlight comes in a pack of 2 - this is not only great value but it also allows you to have a spare flashlight in case the first one fails.
This makes a great EDC flashlight as it is tough and can handle drops and impacts comfortably.
3 different light modes give you the flexibility to control how much light is emitted all the way up to 200 meters (656 feet)
- Can be used with disposable or rechargeable batteries
- 300 lumens giving a very bright light from such a compact flashlight
- A tough and durable EDC flashlight made from aluminum and ABS plastic
This is the smallest flashlight on our list measuring only 1.47 inches in size.
It has a white LED bulb that produces a maximum output of 10 lumens. This might sound low but its shape makes sure the light is distributed in the most effective manner.
- Comes with a carabiner clip allowing you to attach it to a key chain, backpack, or belt loop
- Batteries included that enable the flashlight to run for up to 8 hours
- Can easily be operated with 1 hand due to its small size and shape
The Coast HP1 Pure Beam Focusing LED Pocket Flashlight gives you 190 lumens of light.
As the name suggests, you have the ability to focus the beam of light onto a specific area using the zoom function.
This LED flashlight can be used with 3 different types of battery, giving you flexibility as well as backup options should you need your flashlight in an emergency and only have a certain type of battery to hand.
- Compatible with 3 types of battery - AA, NiMH, and Lithium
- Water-resistant
- Lightweight at just 0.32 ounces
If you want an ultra-tough and long-lasting tactical flashlight, the LE Cree LED Tactical Pocket Flashlight is a good choice thanks to its 6063 aluminum casing and Cree LED bulbs.
The 3 AAA batteries needed to power it are included and will give you around 5 hours of use before they need replacing.
A diamond pattern grip on the handle prevents any unwanted slips and drops - a wrist strap is also included if you want some additional protection when carrying too.
- 140-lumen output with a zoomed range of 500 feet
- Water-resistant, so an unexpected rain shower won’t be a problem
- Tough aluminum casing means it can take a beating
This is a bright flashlight considering its small size with an output of 300 lumens.
It is shock-resistant, so the odd bump, scrape, drop, or knock shouldn’t cause any significant damage.
This is another flashlight that is compatible with 3 different battery types.
- 300 lumens produced from its Cree LED bulb
- Compatible with 3 different types of battery - AA, Lithium, and NiMH\
- Extremely tough LED flashlight
The ThruNight Ti3 LED Pocket Flashlight has been designed to be carried on a keychain making it the perfect EDC flashlight as you will always have it with you.
It may be small at just 2.76 inches, but this is one tough flashlight thanks to its type III anodized aluminum body.
At 120 lumens, its maximum output is surprisingly high, considering its small size.
- Waterproof to a depth of 2 meters
- Reversible pocket clip allowing it to be attached to a hat
- 4 different modes
Pocket Flashlight Buyer’s Guide
If you are still unsure which is the best pocket flashlight for you, then you may want to do your own research on other models available.
Before you make your final decision, here are some key things to look at when choosing the best pocket flashlight.
The Output of the Light
The output of the light produced by a flashlight is measured in lumens. This is basically how bright your flashlight will be.
With the large range of pocket flashlights available, the lumens produced by each one can be anything from 20 lumens all the way up to more than 3000.
Think about what you will be using your flashlight for, and make sure the light output matches your needs.
Size of the Flashlight
In this article, we have been looking solely at pocket flashlights.
As the name suggests, pocket flashlights should be small enough to fit in your pocket comfortably. However, it may be that a pocket flashlight isn’t suitable for you if you need an ultra-bright light.
While pocket flashlights are perfect for portability, they aren’t always as bright as their less mobile counterparts, so this is something to consider when choosing a flashlight.
Distance of the Beam
The distance of the beam produced by your flashlight can be measured in meters or feet.
This is simply how far the light beam from your flashlight reaches before it reduces to a point where it doesn’t illuminate anything else.
Some of the pocket flashlights on this list have a beam distance of up to 500 meters, so even small flashlights can light up far-away points.
Battery Life of the Flashlight
The battery life of your flashlight is an important consideration. If you are heading out on a multi-day adventure, you don’t want to have to carry lots of replacement batteries to keep your flashlight powered up.
The higher the lumen output your flashlight has, the more power it requires meaning a shorter battery life.
Flashlights can be powered by disposable batteries or by rechargeable batteries. Some flashlights on this list have the option to run on either.
Something to think about is that it might be easy to quickly change disposable batteries when out in the wild, but they will cost more over time. Rechargeable batteries work out cheaper but aren’t so convenient when you need to charge them in the middle of nowhere.
Impact Resistance
When spending time outdoors, the chances are your gear is going to take a hit, bump, or drop from time to time.
Knowing that your flashlight can handle this makes you less worried about it breaking and letting you down when you need it most.
Impact resistance is measured in meters or feet. It is calculated by dropping the flashlight 6 times onto concrete. The maximum height it can be dropped all 6 times without breaking is the impact resistance level.
Water Resistance
Making sure your flashlight can survive some time in water can be important, depending on what you plan to use it for.
Anytime you take a flashlight outdoors, it needs to be able to withstand a rain shower at a minimum.
If you are taking the flashlight to use on a fishing trip, for kayaking, or for other water-based activities, then a higher level of water resistance will be necessary.
Final Thoughts on Best Pocket Flashlights
The best pocket flashlight for you will ultimately depend on your personal preferences, the environment you will be using it in, and the activity you will be doing while using it.
All of the pocket flashlights on this list have features that impressed us and would make a good choice for many people.
Having a good-quality pocket flashlight on you can be very useful whether you are at home, on the road, or out in the wild.
The best pocket flashlights are compact enough to fit into your pocket, tough enough to withstand the rigors of outdoor life, and bright enough to help you see everything you need to.
Hopefully, this list has helped you in your decision-making process for the best pocket flashlight for you.
