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If you are in a hurry, my pick for the Best Rechargeable Flashlight Under $50 is the OLight S2 Baton. Read on to find out why.
If you are an outdoor enthusiast, or you are just out and about a lot after dusk, you need a reliable flashlight to help illuminate your area when it gets dark. In addition, flashlights that use throw-away batteries can disappoint. Fortunately, technological advancements have paved the way for rechargeable flashlights, which are affordable and effective. If you need to get yourself the best rechargeable flashlight under $50, we will walk you through some of the products available on the market.
Here is a quick list of the Best Rechargeable Flashlights Under $50
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Things to Look For When Purchasing a Rechargeable Flashlight
Rechargeable flashlights have become a popular option among outdoor enthusiasts. Before you make your purchase decision, however, you must consider a couple of factors to ensure that you get a flashlight that is best suited for your needs. The prices and quality of flashlights vary from one brand to the next; therefore, to get the best rechargeable flashlight under $50, we advise that you check out the following features.
Light Output
When you go out to find yourself the best rechargeable flashlight under $50, one of the key things that you should look out for is the light output. Normally, the light output is measured in Lumens, which is the total quantity of light that your flashlight emits. Over the years, I have come to realize that light output varies from one flashlight to the other. Moreover, it’s vital for you to get a flashlight that emits light that is suitable for your needs. You would be wrong to pick a rechargeable flashlight whose light output is suitable for reading, while, you want a flashlight to illuminate dark paths.
Our Lumens, Lux, and Candela article is a great resource to learn more about Lumens and light output
Battery Types
Another key factor that we would recommend you look out for is the battery type of the flashlight that you would like to get. Rechargeable flashlights have two types of batteries – standard rechargeable batteries and proprietary batteries.
Proprietary batteries are integrated into rechargeable flashlights. Each battery is designed to suit a particular flashlight, and you cannot use it on another flashlight. Some of these batteries are detachable, but there also exist those that you cannot remove. To replace a proprietary battery, you need to contact the manufacturer.
On the other hand, we have standard rechargeable batteries. These have become a popular option these days because the flashlight comes with built-in charging components. You no longer have to rely on an external charger. Moreover, replacing this kind of battery is easy because you can obtain another from a couple of retailers and vendors.
Learn everything you need to know about Batteries with our Ultimate Guide to Batteries!
The Charging Mechanism
Another crucial factor that you should consider is the charging mechanism of the flashlight you wish to acquire. First, you need to ask yourself, where and how do I want to charge my flashlight? The charging mechanism should be based on the location that you’ll be using the flashlight. Is it outdoors or indoors?
The most common charging mechanisms for these flashlights include solar charging and USB cable charging. There are also those that can be charged using an auto cigarette lighter. We consider the USB cable charging mechanism as the most ideal because of its versatility. However, if you are going camping or hiking in an area where there is no power source, we recommend the solar charging mechanism.
Battery Life
Another important consideration that you must make before you purchase a rechargeable flashlight is its battery life. You must know that rechargeable batteries have a lifespan. Over time, the quality of the battery depreciates, and its ability to hold adequate charge reduces.
Additionally, you have to keep in mind the runtime of the rechargeable battery. You should check the Milliamp (mAh) rating of the battery on the flashlight that you would like to get. It determines the operation time of the flashlight. A higher mAh rating means a longer battery runtime. You also need to know that when a rechargeable battery stays idle for some time, it slowly gets drained. You may require charging it for full performance.
Light Control
Different brands of rechargeable flashlights feature different designs. There are those that still use a traditional switch, others require you to press a button, and others need you to twist them to turn the flashlights on and off. You should settle with a flashlight whose on/off control suits you. Moreover, there are models that have extra controls to provide you with other options such as mode changing and dimming.
Durability
If you have been using flashlights as often as I have, you probably have dead flashlights lying around your home. It is imperative for you to get durable flashlights that can last for more than a couple of months. A durable flashlight is a worthy investment.
How durable is it? What does IPX6 mean? Read our Ultimate Guide to the ANSI/PLATO FL1 Standard symbols!
Product Reviews
OLight S2 Baton
Might you be looking for the best rechargeable battery under $50? Well, you might want to try out OLIGHT S2. It is designed with 4 modes of light output – 950, 400, 80, and 10 Lumens, plus 2 special modes. The flashlight has an impressive beam distance of up to 142 meters. What’s more, it has a built-in timer mode to control the light, and it features a small and portable design.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Includes a magnet to allow a hands-free operation
- Has a 5-year warranty
Cons
- The clip is a bit heavy
- The lanyard isn’t so useful
Soonfire LED Rechargeable Flashlight
Another rechargeable flashlight that I found that could be worth trying out is Soonfire Cree XP-L LED Rechargeable Flashlight. It features aluminum construction, which is sturdy and durable. In addition, it is quite easy to use with five brightness levels. You can recharge its battery using a USB cable to optimize its performance. Additionally, it is designed with IPX-8 waterproof qualities, allowing you to submerge it in water up to 2 meters. It is also impact resistant for up to 1.5 meters. It has a maximum light output of 1000 Lumens for 150 hours, but it also has a Firefly mode that allows it to run for 500 hours at 8 Lumens. And it has a beam distance of up to 255 meters.
Pros
- Has water-resistant qualities
- Features a sturdy construction
- Durable
Cons
- Battery life is not impressive
- The USB port cover is very soft plastic
Streamlight Stylus Pro
If you have been looking for a lightweight and portable rechargeable flashlight, you could consider trying out the Streamlight Stylus Pro rechargeable flashlight. This flashlight is shaped like a pen, and it has a light output of 90 Lumens with a beam distance of 58 meters. It has a runtime of up to 3.3 hours. The torch is made of machined aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, and it also has Type II Mil-Spec anodize plating. Interestingly, it has a polycarbonate lens that’s scratch-resistance and unbreakable.
Pros
- It is resistant to water and corrosion
- Sturdy lens
- Has a lightweight design
Cons
- Not very durable
- Relatively less battery life
Nebo Slyde King
Having a flashlight that you can rely on when you’re outdoors is critical, and you could consider checking out this rechargeable flashlight. It has a maximum light output of 330 Lumen, and it relies on a USB cable for recharging. The flashlight has programmable memory settings for every light mode. It also comes with a keychain to enhance portability.
Pros
- Has programmable memory settings
- It includes a 4x adjustable zoom
- Waterproof and impact-resistant
Cons
- Not very durable
- Its button is not too sensitive
Conclusion
After sampling various rechargeable flashlights on the market, I picked the ones above as the most suitable. However, I consider the best rechargeable flashlight under $50 to be OLight S2. It features superb design and it is also quite portable. Furthermore, its durability is a non-issue as it comes with a 5-year warranty. Moreover, the magnet at its base allows you to use the flashlight without holding it.