Best Camping Flashlights
We know what it’s like to be hiking on a trail when it’s starting to get dusk. We’ve laid on the best camping hammocks, reading a good book, while it grows dark, and we’ve walked the dogs in pitch-black darkness, but a good and dependable flashlight is essential for camping. In our review, we discuss what features to look for as well as our top picks for best camping flashlight.
What to Look for in a Camping Flashlight
When you’re searching for the best camping flashlight, you want one that’s bright so it lights up the surrounding area. You also want that light to shine a long distance so you don’t suddenly come upon any wild animals. If you plan to camp in the deep woods or in a campground on an unpowered site, you should also look for a camping flashlight that has a long battery life so that it works when you need it the most.
If your camping trip involves hiking, fishing, or hunting then you also have to look for a flashlight that’s lightweight, yet durable.
Do You Need a Flashlight for Camping
If you’ve been camping in a state park, national forest, or Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, you’re familiar with the following scenario.
It’s night time, the campfire is out, and you’re settling into sleep. That’s when you, your child, or your dog decides it’s bathroom time. You poke your head out and take in the surrounding darkness with no street lights around. That’s when you realize the light from your smartphone isn’t going to do the job. You need something that’s going to light up the night.
How to Choose the Best Flashlight for Camping
Choosing the best camping flashlight depends on your idea of camping. If you’re in a camper on a site with full power, you might just need your flashlight for walking the dogs at night. You can get a rechargeable flashlight that you can charge during the day, so it’s ready to go at night.
If you’re someone who likes to camp in a tent, you will have different lighting needs. Setting up a campsite at night means that you will want a brighter flashlight with hands-free options. If setting up your site also includes inflating your mattress, check out our choices of the best camping mattresses. The right mattress when you’re camping makes all the difference when you need a good night’s sleep after a day of hiking.
If you’re someone who likes to strap on a backpack and hike into the deep forest to camp or go on wilderness survival trips, you will want a flashlight that is easy to carry and always dependable. In that case, you want to make sure you have a flashlight with a long battery life or a solar-powered flashlight, so you never have to worry about running out of batteries.
No matter what your idea of camping may look like, your primary deciding factors in a flashlight are probably brightness and battery life. While 100 lumens is standard for most flashlights, you’re likely to find that the best camping flashlights come with a higher number of lumens.
If you enjoy hiking on forest trails, you might also want a flashlight with an SOS mode, which is why we were sure to include it on our top picks.
