See Our Top Picks for the Best Flashlights for Power Outages

By Bob Beacham

Posted on Nov 4, 2024 11:26 AM EST

Reviewed By Stephanie Cronk

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›

Every home should have a flashlight for power outages. When it suddenly goes dark, having a flashlight isn’t just convenient—it’s also a matter of safety. From helping you locate whatever you need to find in the house to preventing you from tripping, falling, or otherwise risking injury, a good flashlight can keep you and your family safe and at ease.

Fortunately, there are a host of affordable emergency power outage flashlights available with a range of performance options to suit every need. So, the only challenge you’ll need to face when providing light during a power outage is choosing the right model.

We’ve put together this guide to discuss the key features one should consider while shopping for a flashlight for power outages, and we’ve highlighted choices from leading flashlight brands. Our top pick, the DeWalt DCL040 20V MAX LED work light, is quite versatile and delivers an exceptionally long run time. Others on our list of the best flashlights for power outages are also worth investigating, from small flashlights that fit easily into a pocket to those that double as a lantern.

We’ve covered the best flashlights for general-purpose use before, so in this article, we wanted to focus on features that were particularly appropriate for an emergency flashlight. For starters, a good emergency flashlight needs to be tough because it might need to be used in harsh conditions. Water resistance is a plus. Range and brightness are key elements, as is run time.

Feedback from professionals who frequently rely on this type of handheld flashlight also had an impact on our choices. Steve Leasure, Vice President at Rainbow Restoration, agreed with our main points and had an interesting addition: “Flashlights that have a radio built in them will help if the power goes out and homeowners need to hear the news of what’s coming their way.” For safety, he also suggested that you should “keep the flashlight in or near your emergency preparedness kit in a designated location.” Lucas Moncado, co-owner of Brooks Electrical Solutions, made an important point. He said, “I test all my flashlights regularly and suggest keeping extras on hand for family.” That’s also one of the things we recommend in our guide to preparing for a power outage in winter.

Reliability may be what matters most in a power outage, and few brands have a better reputation for reliability than DeWalt. At 110 lumens, the DCL040 battery flashlight from DeWalt may not be the brightest available, but its compatibility with both 20V (volt) and 60V batteries means it can provide illumination for up to 25 hours.

It’s also versatile when in use. With a battery inserted, it has a wide and very stable base. The chunky rubberized handle is comfortable to hold for long periods, and there’s a stainless steel loop if you want to hang it up. It is quite large, though—it certainly won’t be featured in any best pocket flashlight awards—and it doesn’t come with a battery and charger, so users will have to buy these separately if they don’t already own them.

Bob Vila writer and tester Glenda Taylor thought the DCL040 was “a solid option that pulls double duty both as a flashlight and a work light.” She also appreciated that “the pivoting head on the DeWalt flashlight fine-tunes the angle of the light beam.”

Get the DeWalt flashlight for power outages at Amazon or The Home Depot.

The following list has been put together to cover as wide a variety of needs and budgets as possible. Flashlights range from the very affordable to the very powerful. According to feedback from retailers, each is highly recommended by our Product Reviews team.

Reading the article above should give a good idea of the key features to look for when buying a flashlight for power outages. Following the links to each of the individual models will allow you to explore each product’s specifications in more detail. In the section below, we address some of the questions that came up frequently during our research on the best flashlights for power outages.

Some experts say that a 500-lumen flashlight is sufficient for everyday use, and even a small flashlight often exceeds this. A high-power flashlight like those used by law enforcement will usually be in the 1,000- to 2,500-lumen range.

This depends on your needs. Lanterns are great for illuminating a room, but a flashlight is more portable. For reasons we discuss in our power outage survival guide, it’s not a good idea to rely on candles.

A power interruption is usually considered brief—as little as a couple of seconds. Before you know it, the power is back on again. A power outage (also known as a blackout) could last several hours or more.

It depends on the type. LED lights wired to the mains will not work, but those used in rechargeable flashlights will.

Contributing Writer

Bob Beacham is an engineer by trade and has spent 35 years working on everything from auto parts to oil rigs. He is also an avid DIY enthusiast. Bob started writing for the Bob Vila team in 2020 and covers tools, outdoor equipment, and home improvement projects.

Learn more about BobVila.com Editorial Standards

We’re committed to testing and reviewing products so you can make an informed decision. Advertising does not influence our product reviews and it never will. We always focus our coverage on standout products and never hesitate to mention their flaws and quirks. By using our affiliate links, you’re supporting our work and helping us continue to provide expert analysis. Find out more about our product evaluation process.