10 Best 18650 Flashlights of 2024 With Guides to Purchasing the Right One

The 18650 flashlight series is here to leave you in awe. Even though they’re little in size, they possess energy storage and can deliver over 1000 lumens in power. Most 18650 flashlights are small enough to be slipped into your pocket.

Sounds cool, right?

After much research, I have judiciously surfed the online stores and present below the best 18650 flashlights of 2024.

Carefully read and comfortably choose the flashlight that meets your personal, tactical, hunting, or fishing trip requirements.

10 Best 18650 Flashlights Of 2024

1. SupFire Tactical Flashlight

At an affordable price, the SupFire Tactical Flashlight can brighten up a gloomy room in not more than a single click. You may also like to be informed that the brightness does not consume much power since the flashlight uses a 18650 type battery.  There is also an option to use the AAA battery type. The 18650 battery is very light, and unlike others, it can hold a higher amount of power.

In terms of functionality, the super bright LED flashlight is equipped with different 5 modes: high, medium, low, strobe, and SOS, which can run for up to 2 hours at the maximum.

That you will have all these features at a low-cost is inconceivable but true.

Check out some of its other features.

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Cons

2. NICRON N72 Tactical Flashlight

The NICRON N72 may be awarded the belt for the best cheap 18650 flashlights of 2024. At a very affordable price, a lot of its sophisticated features are quite impressive. One of these features is a 90 degrees swivel head with a magnetic clip tail that puts it over and above other 18650 series of flashlights.

 You may wonder why you need a swivel head or a magnetic tail in a flashlight.  It turns out to have a lot of opportunities for creativity. You can turn it hands-free by sticking the flashlight on a metal surface.

Since the magnet goes in unison with the adjustable aim, you can position your flashlight freely and aim it to your subject accurately.

This will ease the hassle of holding a flashlight when you are trying to concentrate on another activity.

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3. Hoxida Rechargeable Flashlight

Another on-budget flashlight with the best of features is the Hoxida Rechargeable Flashlight. It is designed with a sturdy material with a powerful magnetic tail designed for hands-free use in garages, reading, and more. It is packed with 2 flashlights powered by rechargeable 18650 flashlights each.

Hoxida flashlight is the light beast. The luminosity is super bright. It can produce up to 1000 lumen of light for over 10 hours in the conserved mode and 3 hours in its highest setting. Also, its headlights are adjustable to zoom to your preferred focus and floodlight.

Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about redundant clicks. A long press on the button for less than 3 seconds instantly turns off the flashlight without cycling through other settings.

All the above features come at a very affordable cost relative to other high-end flashlights. The flashlight is a recommendable and essential tool in your gear pack for an emergency, hiking, and other expeditions exercise.

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4. Super Bright EDC Lumintop FW3A

The Lumintop FW3A pocket flashlight should be awarded the medal for the smallest 18650 flashlights of 2024. FW3A is a perfect alliance between aesthetic and edge-cutting technology. It is well designed with a compact, lightweight, and dainty appearance.

Despite the small body size, the flashlight has 2800 lumen super-bright irradiation with a beam range of over 200 meters.  The power is located at the tail clip for convenient use. You will find this feature ideal for various outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, hunting, camping, running, fishing, explorations.

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5. Soonfire Cree XP-L Rechargeable

The Cree XP-L LED Rechargeable Flashlight by SoonFire features a sturdy, rugged physique. It is made from aero grade aluminum alloy, well anodized for waterproof and impact resistance per the IPX-8 industrial standard.

The accessories are very durable. It includes a 34000mAh 18650 battery, a quality holster, adjustable lanyard, O-rings, and a USB cable for recharging the battery.

It’s a tough and reliable top-level gear for hiking, expeditions, fishing, camping, and emergencies.

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6. WolfonFire XML-T6

You’ve probably used a lot of tactical flashlights. But the power of WolfonFire will always daze you.

A purchase of WolfonFire XML-T6 pack gives you two pieces of highly luminous white LED flashlights, along with four 3.7V High capacity battery, and a four-port Bay Charger. Sweet deal, right?

At a very affordable price, XML-T6 is ready to provide you with up to 8000 lumens of bright light at the highest light mode.  Also, Its ultrabright LED is zoomable in all the five brightness modes to focus more on your object.

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7. WUBEN C3 Pocket Flashlight

The WUBEN C3 pocket flashlight is ideal for everyday use because of its small, compact, and rugged body design. For a pocket-size flashlight, a bright 1200 lumen LED flashlight is a top deal.

The light can shine continuously for a long time with a surprising amount of throw beam distance. With a rechargeable 18650 lithium battery, power should not be an issue.

Also, it has five modes. This includes the strobe and SOS modes. The light has memory and can remember your last mode setting, excluding the SOS and strobe.

Other accessories included are a lanyard, two extra O-rings, USB-C cable.

Overall, it’s a good flashlight at a budget-friendly price. It shows relatively good qualities when compared to other expensive flashlights. The flashlight is a compact device. It is perfect for everyday use and outdoor activities.

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8. Fenix PD35 TAC Camo

The Fenix PD35 is a military-grade tactical flashlight that well suits rigorous activities and rugged terrain. This is made possible by its durable aircraft-aluminum body that is well anodized by the type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish.

With the PD35 flashlight, you get to enjoy outstanding features like the ultra-bright white LED 1000 lumen worth of illumination. Two Fenix 18650 3500mAh rechargeable batteries power the LED. The batteries are included. So, you won’t have to worry about extra charges.

It is a quick buy and uses a flashlight perfect for just about any outdoor or work activity.

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9. Fenix TK22 UE

This upgraded Fenix TK22 is the definition of a power beat. Equipped with a 5000mAh rechargeable li-ion battery, it can fire up to 1600 lumen of white light at a staggering 405 meter area for long hours.

The new Fenix is also perfect for an event of emergencies. You can quickly activate the light with a tactical switch located at the tail and cycle through five different lightning modes like the SOS and variable frequency strobe mode.

Also, body construction, clips, and seals are recommendable. It is made with hardened glass and reflectors with a steel strike bezel and tungsten alloy glass. Lanyards are strong and adjustable.

In summary, this is quite a beast of lights. However, you will surely get the value you paid for.

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10. Supfire Tactical Cree Led

The Supfire LED flashlight with Cree LED is a super bright light you will love to reckon with. This pocket flashlight has a light-but-sturdy aluminum body and is comfortable to use. Its five brightness modes are intuitive and easy to use.

With a waterproof and smart design, Supfire is well-rated tactical flashlights. It is an IP34-rated waterproof, very shock-resistant, and have a lotus-head that can be used for defense.

In short, the Supfire rechargeable flashlight is awe of design when shopping for a powerful flashlight that will have a variety of use. It will serve you better than lights under the same price categories.

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Factors to consider when purchasing your next 18650 flashlights in 2024

18650 flashlight series are well known for their durable lithium 18650 type batteries that can be very powerful than ordinary AAA batteries.

The term ‘18650’ refers to a lithium-ion battery that measures 18 by 65 mm and is cylindrical. Also, they recharge faster than other flashlight types of the same battery capacity.

There are different types of the 18650 flashlight series. Although they serve the same purpose, they come with varying features such as size, design, lumen output, and diverse battery capacity.

Outstanding features of 18650 flashlights make it a top selection among survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts to keep them ready for any situation.

However, choosing the right type will be less stressful if you know the features you are looking for in a flashlight.

So, here is a guide to help you choose the best 18650 flashlights that suit your needs.

Budget

The first factor you will probably want to consider is your pocket. Relative to the functions and features, there are often many price ranges to explore. From the budget-buy to the high-end types, each has a unique feature.

However, 18650 flashlights are generally built to look sturdy with lasting battery life. Even at a low-budget price, you can rest assured you will get the best value for your money.

Lumen

The Lumen value of your 18650 flashlights is a measurement of your flashlight brightness and intensity. The higher the count, the brighter your 18650 flashlights. A single 18650 flashlight usually has more than one mode settings. However, the one advertised is the intensity of the light at its highest output. The 18650 flashlight series has a broad range of lumen designation. It varies from 50 lumens to over 5000 lumens.

High-end models that offer above 2000 lumens shine with a super bright light that can blind a foe’s eyes. It is ideal for close combat emergencies in the home or outdoors. On the other hand, some offer as low as 20-100 lumens that is just enough to read a book and other day-to-day activities.

Also, Lumen value is of great importance to hunting, camping, fishing, and other expeditions. The more the lumen value, the broader and farther the beam range of the flashlight.

In the end, the best lumen for you will often depend on what function you will like the flashlight to perform.

Body Material, Quality, and Durability

Many 18650 flashlight series have rugged and tactical body design. It is often built with the best aviation grade steel or aluminum and fully anodized to avoid wear and corrosion.  When you think the flashlights will be very bulky, it surprises you with a lightweight design, small enough to fit your hand and sometimes your pocket.

The quality and durability of your 18650 flashlights are essential for impact and water resistance because you will seldom drop your flashlight these days. The body and internal part must be rugged, quality, and sturdy to avoid unnecessary expense replacing spoilt flashlights.

Brightness Modes

Common flashlights are often engineered with different light modes for activities that might require varying levels of brightness. However, the 18650 series flashlights are endowed with more tactical mode options like SOS and strobe mode.

Strobe and SOS modes are quite versatile for emergency and security purposes. When in perplexity, the SOS mode can work like the morse code, alerting people to your location to save you during emergencies.

Besides the strobe and SOS mode, turbo power mode is perfect for hunting and other expeditions. It can easily blind prey and be bright enough for tracing blood trails, while low mode settings can be used around the camp tents.

Overall, the ability to choose between different brightness modes of the 18650 series flashlights adds to the diversity in its functionality. It also helps to conserve the battery as you only use what you need for a particular task.

Battery Life

In terms of power, 18650 flashlights are indispensable devices for long hours of outdoor activities. They have 18650 battery types that can be recharged very fast.  Some are provided with an inbuilt USB port, while others are charged with a charging bay.

In terms of chemical composition, Lithium-ion 18650 types are the leading power sources of the rechargeable battery market. They tend to hold a charge to a large extent and recharge faster.

Overall battery life is always situated between 5 to 10 years for a 18650 lithium-ion battery and can be charged over 2000 times. Investing in these batteries will give you the longest run for your money.

Beam Type

Flashlights are generally of two-beam patterns. 18650 flashlights that illuminate a long distance are called throw flashlight. However, flashlights that irradiate a broader area are said to have a flood pattern.

But the new 18650 flashlight series comes with a new beam pattern that allows you to adjust the flood and the throw distance of your flashlight illumination. These are referred to as the zoomable or adjustable flashlights.

The adjustable head allows you to change adapt the light beam between the throw and the flood pattern.

To recognize a flashlight beam pattern is necessary when buying a flashlight. A flood pattern flashlight is useful for daily activities when you need to see more of your immediate surroundings. However, a throw pattern will be the best fit for hunting, security, and other activities that require you to illuminate objects farther than the close range of your surroundings.

Zoomable and adjustable flashlights are also new features of the 18650 flashlight series. This feature allows the same flashlight used for hunting to be easily adjusted to a flood pattern around the camp tent. This is a versatile and economical feature of the 18650 flashlights series.

How do you recognize a flashlights beam pattern?

Most times, throw flashlights have a long head design due to their smooth reflectors. For a flood beam pattern flashlight, the head is often short, and the lens is grained to disperse the light beam. Eventually, each user will choose according to their penchant. Therefore, it is good to consider the task ahead to decide which beam pattern is the best for you.

Water-Resistant

You will also have to consider the potential of the flashlights to withstand water and other fluids. This is important for flashlights planned to be used for outdoor activities.

Activities like fishing and camping may require you to swim in rivers and lakes, move-in rainstorms, and other rugged and other wet conditions. To avoid the gloom, you will need a flashlight that is rugged, durable, and waterproof. Depending on factors like your planned location to use the flashlight, you may want a model that allows for temporary submersion in less than 30-50 minutes. Also, there are ones that can withstand complete submersion for up to 4 hours.

The water resistivity of a torch can be recognized by its IPX ratings. Ingress protection rating is a marking on the 18650s that denotes their extent of protection against water, dust, and fluids. The most common ratings for the 18650s are the IPX6 and IPX8. While the IPX6 rating is enough for temporary submersion up to 30 minutes, look out for an IPX8 rating for total waterproof against fluids.

Other accessories

The 18650s are versatile floodlights and are often packed with extra accessories for a reason or another. Such accessories may include an O-ring that tightens some parts of the light that must move against each other. It also serves as a form of waterproof materials for torches. Other accessories found are belt holsters for easy mobility. Other accessories may include a charging bay, extra batteries, USB cables, and more.

The extra parts are often crucial for emergency purposes and sometimes vital for survival. So when your use for the torch is more than the daily activities, it is a great add-on to consider a flashlight with an extra accessory kit.

FAQs

How Long do 18650 batteries last?

Most 18650 flashlights are rated to last between 200 to 500 cycles. However, this can be undermined by the way it is used or recharged.  A complete cycle of the battery is 80 percent of its nominal delivery capacity. At this rate, you can be assured that the battery is in good condition. However, discharging the battery below the threshold voltage will decrease its charge holding capacity. Some manufacturers also over-rate their batteries. This implies that the battery won’t last as much as anticipated. A better option for outdoor activities is to use a solar power source to recharge the batteries.

What are 18650 batteries?

They are rechargeable batteries that have lithium as their active chemical component. 18650 batteries are often designed for high-powered devices. Most flashlights that use 18650 Lithium-Ion batteries are durable, long-lasting, and hold a charge well. These batteries are preferred for tactical flashlights and in emergency or survival situations. They are often of two types, the protected and the unprotected forms. A protected or inbuilt battery is more preferred to prevent over-discharge and protect against high temperature and short-circuit. Overall, 18650 batteries are economical, powerful, and safer types of batteries to use.

How do I know my 18650 is faulty?

The most common symptoms of a dying 18650 flashlight include a battery capacity of less than 80 percent, overheating while recharging, abnormal recharging time, and reduced run time. You should note that flashlights and batteries stored on a shelf for years without charging will lose charge faster than anticipated. Also, after an average use time of 2 to 3 years, it’s normal to notice a reduction in the battery capacity and output of your 18650 flashlights. You might just have to replace it with a new one at this point.

Conclusion

18650 flashlights series has become well renowned in the flashlight market due to its powerful battery and extended run time. Despite their high power output, they are very compact with a lightweight design that can easily fit in your pockets or backpacks. 

Investing in one of these torches will give you the best run for your money. All you will need is to carefully follow the buying guides to choose your best fit for the task ahead.