LED Flashlights
LED (light emitting diode) flashlights are the most readily available type on the market. Incandescent flashlights are still available, but an incandescent bulb will usually not be as bright or last as long as an LED light.
A COB (circuit on board) light is a type of LED light that you’ll see as a small bar on some flashlights. This type of LED module produces a higher intensity light than a traditional LED bulb and can allow the flashlight to illuminate a wide area.
Flashlight Power Sources
Standard battery-operated flashlights are powered by disposable batteries. Flashlights that use AA or AAA batteries are common, easy to find and relatively inexpensive. Some flashlights may use larger C- or D-cell batteries, which are more expensive but typically offer a longer life. Some flashlights accept rechargeable lithium ion batteries. These can be reused many times but are more expensive than disposable batteries. Also, keep in mind they'll eventually need replacing and require special attention for proper disposal.
Rechargeable flashlights have built-in rechargeable batteries or may come with custom batteries, which may not be replaceable. These flashlights connect to a wall plug or a USB charger and often include an AC adapter to charge from a vehicle. Some rechargeable LED flashlights also have an option to use disposable batteries and have the ability to charge mobile devices.
Hand-crank flashlights are charged by the mechanical action of operating the crank. These can be useful in emergency or storm kits since they don’t require batteries that might go stale. They might have additional features such as a built-in radio or the ability to charge a mobile device.
All battery types don’t work with all flashlights. Make sure you know which batteries are compatible with the flashlight you’re considering. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and disposal.
Brightness and Light Output
The brightness or intensity of the light a flashlight produces is measured in lumens, with higher numbers indicating a brighter light and a beam that'll carry a greater distance.
While a high lumen rating indicates a high-power flashlight with an impressively bright beam of light, think about how you’ll use it. If you just want to read by flashlight, make your way through the house during a power outage or light your work on a car engine, double-digit lumens will often suffice. The brightest flashlight with the highest lumen rating might be helpful only in specific applications where you need a powerful flashlight to brightly illuminate distant objects. A high-intensity beam will also drain batteries more quickly.
Some flashlights allow you to adjust the light output so you can have the best flashlight to fit your specific application.
Beam Type: Spot Light or Flood Light
The beam type or beam spread indicates how focused the light from a flashlight will be. You may see the beam spread indicated in degrees.
Flashlights with a small beam spread measurement will function as a spot light. The flashlight casts a narrow, high-intensity beam a long distance. As the name implies, this type of beam can be useful to focus strong light on an object at a distance, such as locating a dock from a boat at night, however it's less helpful for close-in work, where the light will be too intense and may actually make the object more difficult to see clearly.
Flashlights with a larger beam spread will function more as a flood light, casting balanced light over a larger area. This type of beam is good for general tasks such as reading a map, looking for a light switch in a dark room, checking a breaker box or walking at night.
Flashlights with adjustable beams allow you to focus the light to a tight spot light beam or a wider flood light beam.
Battery Life
You may see flashlights labeled with a battery life or runtime. This is an estimate of how long you can expect the flashlight to operate before you need to replace or recharge the batteries. Keep in mind, battery life is affected by several factors, for example, continually operating an adjustable flashlight at the highest, brightness setting will reduce the battery life. While battery life works as a guide, operating times may differ.
Flashlight Types
In addition to the standard flashlight that serves general use around the home, you’ll see other types:
Mini Flashlights
Miniature or mini flashlights are compact and suitable for a pocket, backpack or vehicle glove box. Keychain flashlights are another type of miniature flashlight. Since they attach to a keychain, these small flashlights are easy to keep with you whenever you leave the house. They often use small, button-style batteries. Pen flashlights or penlights are also small, but are usually narrow and designed to fit easily in a breast pocket.
Tactical Flashlights
Tactical flashlights are available in a range of sizes and are designed to offer very bright light and high durability. Tactical flashlights tend to be lightweight, water-resistant or even waterproof.
Black Light Flashlights
Ultraviolet or UV flashlights, also known as black light flashlights, use ultraviolet LEDs rather than traditional LEDs. The UV light, while not visible like that from standard flashlights, can be useful in detecting pet stains on carpet and upholstery or leaks of fluorescent substances like antifreeze.
Power Tool Flashlights
Power tool flashlights are large, durable lights that run on a rechargeable power tool battery. On some models the battery provides a stable base while others have flip-up stands or hangers for hands-free illumination. These lights often have a pivoting head that lets you direct the light where you need it most.
Flashlight Features
- Water resistance is particularly useful for boating or camping. Look for ratings that range from basic splash resistance or higher levels of water resistance that mean the flashlight will work after being submerged.
- Light modes are available on some flashlights, allowing the light to shine different colors or intensities of light. Some patterns, such as a strobe mode, are useful for signaling others or making the user more visible at night.
- Some flashlights have a built-in magnet that lets you attach the light to a metal surface like the interior of a vehicle engine compartment or a breaker box. Magnetic flashlights are another good option for hands-free illumination.
How to Change a Flashlight Light Bulb
So, can you change the bulb on a flashlight? Yes, you can replace a flashlight bulb and it’s actually quite simple to do. When a flashlight stops working there are two main causes. Either the flashlight needs new batteries, or its bulb needs to be replaced.
One reason you might want to change your flashlight’s bulb is because it’s burnt out. Another reason is to switch from a standard bulb to an LED bulb. LED flashlight bulbs are brighter and their batteries last much longer than other bulb types, like incandescent bulbs. Here’s how to change your flashlight bulb in a few simple steps.
Step 1: Twist the flashlight’s cap to loosen it from its base. This is the piece that houses the bulb and is typically found on the top of the flashlight, where the bulb emits light. You’ll also need to unscrew the ring that holds the light bulb in place.
Step 2: Unscrew or pull the old bulb out of the flashlight.
Step 3: Replace the bulb cartridge with a new lightbulb, securing it with the retaining ring to hold it into place. Then, twist the flashlight’s cap back on to the base.
Step 4: Turn the flashlight on to test the new bulb.
LED Headlamps
Headlamps function as hands-free flashlights secured to a headband and share many specifications and available features with flashlights. They’re good options when you want two hands for a repair job or need to set up a campsite at night. They can also be useful as walking or running headlamps, particularly when they include a flashing mode that makes you more visible to motorists. Here are some key features:
- You’ll find models that use AA or AAA batteries as well as rechargeable headlamps that charge via a USB port and may also accept disposable batteries.
- Headlamps often allow you to pivot the beam up or down to direct the light.
- Some models have different options to narrow or widen the beam.
LED hats, with the LED lights installed in the brim, can also be useful when you need hands-free light.
Camping Lanterns
A camping lantern is a good choice when you need to illuminate a broad area like a tent or a campsite. The beam spread for a lantern is typically a full 360 degrees. As with flashlights, LED lanterns are common, offering bright light and a long life. And camping lanterns have features and specifications similar to those of flashlights. Here are some key things to consider when buying a camping lantern:
- Battery-operated camping lanterns may use larger (C- or D-cell) batteries than many flashlights. These batteries can power the lantern longer. Alkaline batteries will lose power in temperatures below freezing. Lithium batteries will hold their charge in cold conditions, but make sure the lantern can accept a lithium battery before installing it. See Should I Buy Lithium Batteries or Alkaline Batteries? to learn about the differences between lithium and alkaline batteries.
- Rechargeable lanterns typically charge with power supplied to a USB port.
- Solar lanterns have solar cells that allow you to charge then while you’re away from a power outlet.
- Some lanterns will charge your mobile devices.
- Like flashlights, brightness for these lanterns is measured in lumens. Camping lanterns often offer adjustable light output.