How to Choose LED Flashlight – Best buying Guides

How to choose a flashlight? Which LED flashlight is the best in the world? Generally, there is no answer to this question, because the choice depends on the intended spectrum of use.

As a buyer, it’s prudent that you know why choosing the right flashlight is a better investment than any other lighting option. Every buyer should ask him/herself the following five basic questions:

1. Contents

   • 1 What is the housing material?
   • 2 Is the LED flashlight waterproof?
   • 3 What is the run time?
   • 4 Which lumen levels you need?
   • 5 What are your Purposes?
   • 6 Is the flashlight durability?
   • 7 Is it easy to handle?
   • 8 Which model?
   • 9 9.Far-reaching or bright – what are the illuminating properties like?
   • 10 11.Weight & Composition
   • 11 12.Brand
   • 12 13.Price
   • 13 14 . Important Options and Functions to Choose a flashlight
   • 14 Summary

   What is the housing material?

The materials used to create a flashlight largely determine its durability and weight. The most commonly used house materials are:

• Plastics or Composites: These are not high-quality flashlights.
• Anodized Aluminum: This is the most popular material used to manufacture flashlights today. The material is much durable than composites model.
• Stainless Steel: Though strong and durable, flashlights made of this material are quite heavy.
• Titanium: This is arguably the best house material of both worlds. They’re strong like stainless steel and much lighter. One downside, however, is that they’re quite expensive.

Ensure that the reflector is made of glass. Plastic gets scratched easily, which has a considerable effect on the illumination, especially when long distances are involved.

2. Is the LED flashlight waterproof?

The International Protection Code, IPX, denotes the level of protection against moisture.

• IPX-0 = no protection, for indoor use only
• IPX-4 = protected from splashing water, an allrounder, mainly intended for indoor use
• IPX-6 = protected from powerful jets of water (e.g. rain), for walking the dog, outdoor sports, guard duty
• IPX-7 = protected from brief immersion in water, for leisure activities and camping
• IPX-8 = protected from extended immersion in water (LED flashlights for diving), for survival, jobs with frequent water contact

3. What is the run time?

• Longer Battery Life –Choosing the right flashlight accrues you the benefit of battery power efficiency.
• Better Investment over Time – As much as a customer may shy away from the huge initial price tag associated with a high-end flashlight, they normally cost less over time. For instance, you won’t require frequent change of battery.
• Longer Bulb Life – A good flashlight offers longer bulb life with lesser power consumption thus proving handy for those who regularly use a flashlight for nighttime activities like hunting or fishing.

4. Which lumen levels you need?

High-end flashlights offer different lumen levels. Buyers ought to consider how and the purpose of the flashlights before considering the lumen levels. Thankfully, there are a number of options to choose from.

5. What are your Purposes?

Quality flashlights are versatile. They normally come in a variety of form factors ranging from durable and bulky to slim and small.

6. Is the flashlight durability?

Good flashlights usually have sturdier construction than their other counterparts. They come with house materials that have the ability to withstand adverse impacts.

7. Is it easy to handle?

A high-quality flashlight has an ergonomic (designed for efficiency and comfort in the working environment) shape. The handle is sheathed in profiled rubber, making it pleasant to hold for extended periods, even in winter. Once again, this will appeal to dog-walkers, hikers, hunters, and task forces.

The convenient one-handed operation, even when wearing gloves, enables you to easily change modes or focus.

8. Which model?

A flashlight with a tail stand can be positioned on the cap of the handle. A lanyard also serves as a halter or a belt clip, ensuring safe carrying and preventing the flashlight from being lost.

Round flashlights can roll or be dropped. Take the shape of the lamp head and the handle into account, and find out whether square rubber sleeves are available as an accessory.

For joggers, headlamps might be the right choice.

9.Far-reaching or bright – what are the illuminating properties like?

Compared to a halogen light, a powerful LED flashlight provides brighter light with less energy consumption. The Cree LED flashlights, which contain xenon in their LEDs, are particularly effective.

Illumination power of 1000 lumens in an LED flashlight is equivalent to 100 watts. A flashlight that has 7000 lumens is brighter than the bright headlights of an automobile: ideal for photographers, cyclists, hikers, and fishermen.

Lumens determine the volume of light produced over a wide area. If you need to illuminate a distant area, you also need to choose a model with a high lux value. An LED flashlight with 1000 lumens can illuminate an area approx. 230m away, which is adequate for a normal hiker.

If an LED flashlight is “regulated”, the illumination power is not reduced as the charge in the battery drops, which provides for more predictable illumination.

11.Weight & Composition

Designers create flashlights and ensure they’re adaptable to varied situations. For example, light flashlights provide greater usability thanks to their maneuverability and ease of carrying. They can also be easily mounted onto a hunting weapon thus increasing sturdiness.

12.Brand

This is vital since it ensures better performance, excellent warranties, durability, larger brightness, extra beam variations and peace of mind.

13.Price

As far as this goes, you’ll ultimately get what you pay for, period. Simply follow this guide to help you determine the right flashlight on your way to owning the right flashlight and getting value for your money.

14 . Important Options and Functions to Choose a flashlight

Evidently, a majority of these are purely user preference but still very essential to consider when shopping for a flashlight. First things first, you ought to consider:

Summary

First, think about how you are going to use the flashlight. A flooder illuminates the immediate area widely and a thrower illuminates in the distance, with a zoomable beam.

Consider the following selection criteria:

• How often will the flashlight be used, and where?
• Is it rechargeable and is the housing waterproof?
• What modes of light are available?
• Are size and weight well proportioned?

Read our advisory, where we address special features. Armed with this information, you should be able to find a suitable LED flashlight at a good price-performance ratio.