If you enjoy frequenting the outdoors, it’s imperative that you have a decent flashlight.
Actually, having a good flashlight is ideal for a number of situations, such as when you’re stuck in a blackout and can’t see. The thing is, not everyone can afford to spend a small fortune on a flashlight.
Sometimes, we just need a good option under $50.
Thankfully, you’re in luck! There are a whole bunch of great flashlights under $50 on the market, you just need to know where to look. The main issue is that it can be difficult to narrow down what will be the perfect choice for you.
We’re here to take a lot of the guesswork out!
Here are the best flashlights under $50. We’ve also written a handy buyer’s guide to help you to narrow down your decision.
| Rank | Name | Key Features | Ratings | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |   | • 4 Standard Modes(950 Lumens, 400 Lumens, 80 Lumens, 10 Lumens), 2 Special Modes(0.5 Lumens Moonlight Mode and 10Hz Strobe Mode) • HIGH EFFICIENCY • BUILT-IN TIMER • SMALL AND PORTABLE • Full-color night vision Support | 5 | $$ |
| #2 |  | • High intensity adjustable light beam • it has Precision-machined, high strength aluminum alloy case • Upgraded Every Day Carry Flashlight • Water Proof and Impact Resistant | 4.5 | $ |
| #3 |  | • Non-Fading Brightness • All-Metal Body • Braves the Cold • SUPER-BRIGHT: 900-lumen (max) Cree LED | 4 | $ |
| #4 |  | • Borofloat glass lens, O ring sealed • C4 LED technology, impervious to shock with a 50,000 hour lifetime • Tail cap push button provides one handed momentary or constant on | 4 | $ |
| #5 |  | • Virtually indestructible LED emitter regulated to maximize light output and runtimex • Single high output level of 600 lumens for maximum light • Tactical tailcap click switch | 4 | $ |
OLight S2 Baton
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If you’re looking for a great flashlight under $50, we highly suggest the OLight S2 Baton. Besides the affordability factor, this flashlight has a whole bunch of other things to love.
To begin with, the flashlight has been made to have 4 different modes of light output in total, and these are 950, 400, 80 and 10 lumens. It even has 2 special modes for you to take advantage of too. The beam is able to reach up to 142 meters too so it’s great if you need to see long distances away. The flashlight comes with a built in timer mode and this helps you to control the light. It’s even pretty portable!
If your hands are full you also need not worry. The flashlight comes with a magnet which will help you to be able to operate it without using your hands at all. The manufacturer has even provided a generous 5 year warranty. Of course, it should be noted that the clip that comes with it is somewhat heavy, but this isn’t much more than a minor inconvenience.
- Portable
- Hands free operation
- 5 year warranty
- Slightly heavy clip
Fenix E12
If you’re looking for a highly portable flashlight under $50, might we suggest the Fenix E12? This flashlight is a fantastic option for anyone on a budget so you don’t need to worry about breaking the bank when you buy this light.
The light has been made out of aluminum so it’s durable and long lasting. It’s perfect for use outdoors for this very reason. If you find yourself frequenting the woodlands late at night, you will enjoy the sheer brightness of this light. It also comes with Bright and Dim lighting options, so you can use it with ease. Of course, it’s not as bright as a lot of more expensive options but it’s certainly a fantastic choice.
The flashlight has a decent grip so you can hold it without worrying about it slipping out of your hands in mere seconds. It’s also lightweight and compact, so it’s perfect for carrying around with you wherever you need to go.
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Some people don’t find that it’s bright enough
Ankler LC90
If you want bright, we will give you bright! Let there be light with the Ankler LC90! This flashlight is able to provide you with up to 900 lumens of light and a beam distance of around 1000 feet. Pretty near, huh?
Not only that but the flashlight also comes with a focusable lens built in which means that you can illuminate the things that you want to see up close in certain situations. It comes with 5 different lighting settings that you can adapt based on your requirements. It even has 6 hours of battery life. Perfect for those long woodland strolls.
With this flashlight, you have a micro USB which you can use to charge it easily. It also has IP65-rating water resistance so you can even use it in heavy rain. It’s certainly a fantastic choice if you want a neat flashlight on a budget. With that being said, some people have found that the multi mode tail cap that it comes with can be a little confusing to operate initially.
- Rechargeable
- Incredibly bright – 900 lumens
- 5 different adaptable light settings
- Some users have reported that the multi mode tail cap can be somewhat confusing to use
Streamlight Polytac 88850
This streamlined looking flashlight is fantastic for anyone that wants a powerful flashlight for a range of different purposes. It resists shock well and it even has a Borofloat glass lens. There’s also a whole lot more to love about it.
The Streamlight Polytac 88850 comes with a tail cap push button which means that you can operate the flashlight easily with just a push of a button. It’s pretty handy not to have to deal with two hand operation too. It also has a TEN-TAP programmable tail switch, and this lets you choose up to three different programs based on what you need. It has been designed to be incredibly durable and it’s certainly made with longevity in mind.
The product is shock resistant, meaning that you can use it when you’re in more rugged conditions. You could be climbing a mountain and this flashlight will still be useful by your side. Some users have said that it’s a little bit difficult to remove the clip on it though so this is something to keep in mind.
- Durable
- Shock resistant so it’s perfect for rugged conditions
- Easy to use
- It can be difficult to remove the clip
Surefire G2X
If you’re looking for a high quality flashlight on a budget, the Surefire G2X is a surefire option. This flashlight is pretty much indestructible, you could probably drop it from the top of Rapunzel’s tower and it still wouldn’t break. Though, we wouldn’t recommend attempting that. It has a Nitrolon Body and a polycarbonate window that is totally resistant to impact, which is what makes it so durable.
The flashlight has been well designed and has a respectable output of 320 lumens. This is ideal for most things though perhaps not for pitch black areas in the middle of a forest. The flashlight is very lightweight and compact, and you could probably just slip it into your pocket when out walking and whip it out when you need it. It’s ideal for any outdoor trips or when you’re caught in an emergency with a power outage.
The flashlight comes with a tactical tail cap switch in addition to a precision reflector, and this can help to make sure that your beam is going to work for whatever situation you are caught in. The dual settings are truly something to love, as is the impressive durability. No matter where you are, this is the perfect flashlight for someone out on the go that just needs a little bit of extra light, wherever they are.
- Durable construction – shock resistant
- The polycarbonate window is impact resistant, ideal for the occasions where you accidentally drop the flashlight
- Ideal for emergency situations such as power outages
- It isn’t very bright
Best Flashlight Under $50: A Buyer’s Guide
As we’ve said before, there are a number of different options out there when it comes to affordable flashlights.
With that being said, not all of them will be ideal for your situation so it is best that you thoroughly consider your options before you buy a flashlight. Here are just a couple of things that you should think about when you are looking to buy the best flashlight for under $50.
Light Output:
One of the key considerations when it comes to buying a flashlight is the light output that you are going to get. Light output is generally measured in Lumens. This is basically the amount of light that your flashlight is able to put out. One flashlight, then, may not emit as much light as another will.
In addition, you will need to consider whether the light output can match with your specific needs. You will generally find that if your flashlight is decent you will have a number of different levels so you can choose the correct amount of light for your requirements.
If you’re paying less money then you may not have quite as many options, but you should still be looking for one that will give you the key things that you are looking for. Look for ones that also have SOS signals as this can be helpful when you’re in an emergency.
Batteries:
You should always think about the kind of battery that is in the flashlight you are looking to invest in. You will usually find that there are two kinds of batteries in a flashlight – either rechargeable batteries or proprietary batteries.
Proprietary batteries are usually build into some flashlights that you can recharge. They have been made specifically for the flashlight which means that you can’t switch it out for another flashlight. You can also detach some batteries, but others cannot be removed. If you do need to change out the battery then you will need to contact the manufacturer.
Rechargeable batteries are usually a little more convenient. These kinds of flashlights usually come with charging elements built in so you don’t need a separate charger specifically for your rechargeable battery. It’s the ideal option because you won’t need to get different batteries from the manufacturer, you can probably just pop to your local store and get some new ones.
You can also opt for AAA standard batteries but these are usually expensive because you often need to replace them.
If you are getting a rechargeable flashlight then you will need to think about how you charge the flashlight. The main kinds of charging mechanisms are solar charging and USB charging. Solar charging is usually better for when you are going hiking or camping and you don’t have a charging source readily available to.
Alternatively USB charging or options that can be charged with an auto cigarette lighter are usually better because they are more versatile. It ultimately depends on what you are using the flashlight for.
Battery Life:
It’s important to consider the amount of time that you can use the flashlight for before you buy it. The last thing you want is to be walking around in the pitch dark with your flashlight on and then it suddenly cuts out. In addition to that, it’s also important to remember that rechargeable batteries do have a lifespan and after a while they won’t hold onto charge as well.
Consider how long the battery runs – you can usually see this by checking the Milliamp (mAh) rating of the flashlight. The higher the rating the longer the battery will last. If you leave the battery idle for a while too it can start to drain so you may need to charge it fully again in order to have it maintain performance.
Durability:
Durability is always an important consideration when buying a flashlight, but especially if it’s for tactical purposes or use outdoors. Flashlights should be designed to be able to withstand being dropped, or getting caught in the snow or rain.
It should also be able to cope well in warmer weather. You can usually check how durable the product is by looking at other customer reviews, and having a look at what the flashlight is made out of. Keep an eye out for flashlights made out of durable materials.
Light Control:
Not every flashlight is designed the same, and as such the controls are likely to be different depending on the model that you choose. Some options may use a traditional switch. With others, you may need to press a button, and for others you may need to twist the flashlight in order to operate it.
You will need to make sure that the controls suit you well otherwise you’re going to have a flashlight that you won’t enjoy using. Check out if the model has extra controls too, as these can often be handy.
Heat Management:
A lot of LED flashlights can heat up quite quickly when you use them on higher settings. If the flashlight costs a little bit more money then the heat management will generally be better.
If you’re looking for a model under $50 then you may find that the heat can end up shortening the life span of your flashlight. So, with that being said, you will need to ensure that you have a flashlight with a well made body so that you don’t end up having your flashlight getting damaged from excessive heat.
Accessories:
There are some flashlights that come with additional accessories that can be extra handy. Of course they are not completely necessary and what you get will ultimately depend on your main requirements, but they are still nice to have.
Some features include an extra keychain flashlight, a padded gift box, a lanyard, some extra parts and more. The main accessories you should be looking for though are chargers, batteries, adapters, more batteries and a case for your flashlight.
Type of Beam:
There are a range of different types of beams based on the lens reflector used in the flashlights. There are three primary options, and these are flood lights, spot lights and adjustable lights.
Flood lights are the width of a single beam. These kinds of flashlights are usually best for when you’re just trying to do a few chores around camp or for when you’re taking a walk in the dark. Spot lights are essentially a single beam that has been made into a spot light. These lights have been designed to reach a long distance, making them ideal for finding routes.
Finally you have adjustable beams. These can range from wide to focused lights, so this is good if you’re going a number of tasks and you need to range between seeing a short distance and a long distance away.
Weight And Size:
This is yet another factor that is going to primarily depend on personal preference. You may not want to carry something particularly large and heavy, you may instead want something small and compact that you can keep in your pocket.
With that being said, a bigger and more heavy duty unit is likely to run longer as it will have a better battery capacity. This does not mean that it’s necessarily brighter though.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a bright flashlight as far as lumens are concerned?
Flashlights can come in all sorts of different high numbers. For instance, a headlamp may give you around 50 to 100 lumens of light.
Alternatively, a tactical flashlight may give you even more lighting – even more than 4100 lumens! This is ideal if you need to light up massive areas such as factories, shipyards or construction sites.
With that being said, if you’re looking for a flashlight for personal use you are best suited to an option with around 1000 lumens. You may even need less depending on your purpose for use.
Conclusion
So, if you were in the market for the best flashlight under $50, those are just a few of our top picks!
If you want to have the absolute best option then we highly recommend buying the OLight S2 Baton, as it has a bunch of different flashlight modes and even a generous 5 year warranty so that if you aren’t happy you can exchange it for another or buy a new flashlight entirely.
With this list, we hope you have found the best possible flashlight for under $50 for you. With that being said – light ‘em up!