If horror movies have taught us anything, it’s that having a flashlight on hand can be a lifesaver when someone cuts the power to your house. Additionally, life experience has taught us that it’s just a good idea to have a flashlight on hand in unexpected emergency scenarios.
In your car, in an emergency kit at home, tucked away in your pocket – light is essential to being able to see what’s around you, and in those moments where visibility is key, you’ll want a flashlight that’s durable and bright.
Pull from this list of the best flashlights under $20 and not only will your wallet be appreciative, you’ll also be blessed with the convenience of handheld light.
Streamlight Microstream Mini-Penlight
Portability is just one great feature of this mini-penlight. There’s also the sturdy case, 28 lumens of illumination, water-resistant casing, and 2.25 hours of total runtime, which all come together to create an affordable and reliable flashlight.
The compact size and sturdy belt clip make it perfect for IT techs who are often stuck working in tight spaces. Powered by AAA batteries, the Microstream remains lightweight while producing a bright, LED light from a long-lasting module.
Streamlight’s design is sleek, making it a flashlight that’s far more attractive than it needs to be; but it’s the flashlight’s ability to provide a distance and close-up illumination instead of one over the other.
Mini Perman Flashlight
Powered by one AAA battery, the Mini Perman still winds up delivering 1,000 lumens of light. The low cost of this penlight doesn’t speak to its overall quality, which is impressive considering you can score it for less than $5 with shipping.
The sturdy, waterproof LED flashlight measures only 3.5”-long, making it the perfect tool for on-the-go workers and automobile emergency kits. The flat bottom makes it so that the penlight can be used as a candle for late night reading or during power outages.
The price and size of the flashlight make it easy to have multiples of the same light, so don’t hesitate to stock one in every room of the house and in every car.
Slughaus Bullet Flashlight
At first glance, it’s easy to mistake this miniature flashlight for a pill bottle; but don’t let its tiny size fool you. This tactical light, touted as the world’s smallest, can shine up to 1 mile and has an LED that will last for more than 100,000 hours. Though it may only illuminate up to 15 lumens, it’s still a useful light, especially for the size.
Made from anodized aerograde aluminum, the Slughaus Bullet is waterproof and fireproof. Bring this tiny companion along on a camping trip, while hiking, or use it as a safety light or part of an EDC kit. Whatever the need, the Bullet Flashlight’s 1-mile illumination will definitely come in handy.
Fenix E05 R2 Compact Flashlight
For 2 hours and 50 minutes running off of one AAA battery, the Fenix E05 R2 is the ideal compact flashlight. An output of 27 lumens can light your way in emergency situations or provide necessary illumination while out in the wilderness after sundown.
The Fenix’s waterproof casing is durable and can take a beating, but is also available in a bright array of colors. It may be small at 2.5” long, but it’s a suitable product for the need for a steady stream of light arises.
Fenix opts for simplicity in design, giving the light a straight, smooth grip to make it more comfortable to hold onto.
Hausbell 7W Ultra Bright Mini LED Tactical Flashlight
Just one look at Hausbell’s 3.7” mini tactical flashlight and you know that it’s a product that will be with you for a long time. The sturdy case can handle being dropped without sacrificing the quality of the 300 lumens LED bulb inside.
The clip makes it incredibly portable and easy to carry on your person while the skid-proof and water-resistant design make it a versatile light. Whether you need a bright beam, a dim glow, or a flashing strobe, Hausbell’s Ultra Bright Mini LED comes with three useful settings.
Hausbell’s mini tactical flashlight lives up to its name. It’s small, making it perfect for an outdoor stroll or to be stored in a glove compartment, but it also looks and feels like a tactical light. It may only weight 2 oz, but it’s easy to tell from the craftsmanship that it won’t break down on you.
ITP Light A3 EOS Version 3
There are no bells and whistles with the Aimkon’s ITP A3 EOS portable light and there really doesn’t need to be. Straightforward, it’s a sleek light that produces a cool white illumination up to 130 lumens. Three different levels of light also provide a soft glow of 12 lumens or a mid-level beam of 60 lumens.
Anti-shatter and scratchproof, the lens is just as sturdy as the rest of the body. The included clip makes it easy to hang onto a belt loop or add it to an EDC kit. Either way, the Aimkon ITP can be by your side when it is needed most.
The orange peel reflector amplifies the light and helps the ITP Light A3 stand out in a crowd of similar product.
Coast G19 LED Inspection Flashlight
Clip for easy carry? Check! Sturdy case that can withstand hard impacts and water? Check! A practical design that provides a clear beam of light suitable for precision work? So, it appears the Coast G19 has everything needed to be a useful addition to your arsenal of gear.
The G19 may have a more focused beam that reaches only up to 30’ away, but the defined illumination makes it the perfect tool for anyone that needs precision lighting on small surface areas. The Inspection Beam Optics shines at 54 lumens, providing a practical light source without the overflow that can create unwanted shadows.
While you may not want this light leading your way while camping or hiking, it’s a great home-use light.
LRI FMW Photon Freedom LED Keychain Micro-Lights
It doesn’t look like much, but this keychain LED micro-light is an apt emergency option if carrying around a larger light isn’t possible. The small light attaches to any keychain, making it accessible on a whim while the quick press activation keeps you from having to fuss with switches.
Just clip it on and you’re ready to go on whatever adventures may await. The small LED may not replace the need for a larger flashlight in an emergency kit or while camping, but LRI’s small plastic light gets the job done.
At the smaller size, you can carry it around in your pocket and you won’t even know it.
Anker Bolder LC40 LED Flashlight
Dissect Anker’s LC40 LED flashlight and all you’re going to find is a sturdy set of components that connect together to create one reliable pocket-sized LED torch. The LED bulb has a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours, and that’s running at a reasonably bright 400 lumens.
Protected by an IP65-rated water-resistant shell, the LC40 was built to last, regardless of the conditions it’s being kept under. Stuck outside camping in the heavy rain? You can count on your torch to light the way.
The compact design makes it easy to hold and carry so it can be accessed on any occasion. Three different settings switch between a bright beam with a distance of up to 600’, a lighter glow more akin to a lantern, and a strobe for emergencies.
J5 Tactical V1-Pro Flashlight
Protected by an IPX-8-rated waterproof body made of aircraft-grade aluminum, there’s no doubt that this tactical flashlight could last longer than you will. The J5 was designed to withstand the rugged life, so whether you drop it on the ground or get it soaking wet, it will bounce right back to providing a high-quality illumination.
The J5 lights up to 300 lumens up to 600’, but if you’re in need of a subtler beam, it’s equipped with a lower setting and, when you need to grab someone’s attention, a strobe feature. To keep the J5 running, all it takes is one AA battery, so don’t worry about having to keep a hefty supply on you should it die after hours of use.
Along with the three individual settings, the J5 Tactical also features a zoomable feature. Whether you need a floodlight or a spotlight, you can adjust the beam width.
Maglite Solitaire
Maglite is to flashlights as McDonald’s is to fast food. It’s the go-to brand for flashlights, and with incredibly good reason. Maglite’s flashlights prove time and time again to be sturdy and reliable, they’re long-lasting, and they’re typically feature rich.
Though the Solitaire is a compact version of a heavy-duty Maglite, it still comes with the staples you’d expect from the brand. The powerful beam of light, which shines at 37 lumens, is adjustable to provide the kind of lighting you need.
It’s portable and compact, drop and water resistant, and is the ideal companion while out fishing, camping, hunting, or even just as a fixture in an emergency car care kit.