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Attaining a car flashlight is a valuable step for safe driving.

Flashlights allow you to see your surroundings or alert others during emergency situations.

But getting the best flashlight is crucial as well.

The best car flashlight is a durable, practical, and high-value flashlight that you can trust.

Here are the seven best car flashlights for drivers in 2023.

What is a Car Flashlight?

A car flashlight may look similar to a regular flashlight, but they typically have necessary, or at least useful, features for specific car-related situations.

For example, car flashlights are more practical when it comes to shining light farther distances, having a waterproof exterior for unexpected weather, and including a strobe or SOS light mode for emergencies.

Why Have a Car Flashlight?

There are several reasons why it’s imperative to keep a flashlight in your car.

Emergencies

If you need to alert others for help during an emergency and cannot flash your headlights, holding a flashlight out the window is an alternative signal for help.

Finding Stuff in the Dark

Flashlights can also help you find essential items in your car during an emergency situation, especially if the vehicle breaks down and the inside lights are not working.

Clean Up After an Accident

Finally, suppose you got into a minor car accident that damages or disrupts your car lights.

In that case, you might find a flashlight helpful for cleaning up both inside and outside of the vehicle, especially at night.

What Kind of Flashlight Should You Keep in Your Car?

There are three main features that you want to ensure your car flashlight entails for the maximum amount of safety, value, and durability.

Rechargeable

Having a rechargeable car flashlight is useful so that you don’t have to rely on batteries.

It’s challenging to know when a battery-operated flashlight is close to dying, and if you don’t have backup batteries, you’ll be out of luck if the flashlight dies during an emergency.

Plus, even if you do have backup batteries, if your flashlight has already died, it might be hard to find the backup batteries themselves.

This is why getting a rechargeable flashlight with high battery life, and keeping it as charged as possible, is essential.

Bright

Another vital feature of a car flashlight is brightness.

You don’t want to need a flashlight at a significant time, only to realize that the light is dull and unhelpful.

Waterproof

Finally, there may be times when you’ll need to use the flashlight when it is raining outside.

If you are flashing the light out the windows to alert others or checking outside car parts with your flashlight, it’s crucial to ensure that it is a waterproof flashlight and won’t get damaged by the rain.

7 Best Car Flashlights

Here are the seven best car flashlights available in 2023.

vector graphic showing a handful of the best car flashlights arranged in a row next to one another side by side

1. Nitecore Rechargeable LED Flashlight

Our Pick
9.4
Nitecore Bundle MH12S 1800 Lumen USB-C Rechargeable Tactical Flashlight with RSW3 Pressure Switch an
  • High performance tactical flashlight - 1800 lumen output with over 321 yards of throw, and 1500 hour
  • Mh12s tactical kit - include in this kit are the nitecore mh12s, nl2150 21700 rechargeable battery,
  • Incredible power options - includes 5000mah 21700 battery and battery sleeve for 18650, cr123, or rc
  • Easy to operate - tactical tail switch for momentary and constant activation. durable metal side swi
  • Ideal edc duty light - at only 5.55 inches long and just 5.23 oz with included battery, it's a great

The Nitecore Rechargeable LED Flashlight is a tactical, easy-to-operate flashlight suitable for any driver.

Run Time

The Nitecore LED light can run for an incredible 1500 hours in ultra-low mode.

Lumens

This flashlight has a high lumen output, at 1800 lumens, with the ability to beam light over 321 yards.

Features

Firstly, this flashlight has a 5000mAh rechargeable battery and comes with a battery sleeve.

It also is equipped with a fast-charging USB-C charging port.

Its tactical tail switch allows users to switch between momentary and constant light activation.

It also has five brightness settings, including strobe, SOS, and beacon light.

This is also a great flashlight for portability.

It is lightweight at only 5.5 inches long with a weight of 5.23 ounces.

However, it has a durable design with a metal side switch.

Finally, the Nitecore includes an O-ring, metal clip, and lanyard to make it convenient to carry and transport as well.  

Cost

You can purchase the Nitecore Rechargeable LED Flashlight for $89.95 on Amazon.

2. Anker Tactical Flashlight

Runner Up
9.4
Anker Ultra-Bright Tactical Flashlight with 1300 Lumens, Rechargeable(26650 Battery Included), IPX7
  • Ultra-bright: true 1300 lumens light output from 3 cree leds. sweep bright light beyond the length o
  • Long-lasting: up to 6 hours of powerful, non-diminishing brightness from the included premium rechar
  • Tough & reliable: ipx7-rated water resistantwithstands water ingress when submerged for 30 minutes i
  • Smart design: anti-slip coating holds fast in extreme conditions. stands on-end for full-room illumi
  • What you get: anker bolder lc130 flashlight, 26650 rechargeable battery, micro usb cable, wrist stra

Anker created an excellent rechargeable tactical flashlight on the market.

The Anker Tactical Flashlight is durable, rechargeable, water-resistant, and intelligently designed.

Run Time

The run time of Anker’s flashlight is 6 hours of super bright light, and its total lifespan is 50,000 hours.

Lumens

The Anker uses 1300 lumens from 3 Cree LEDs and has a beam distance of 1200 ft – over two football fields.

Features

The Anker Flashlight has five light settings that are easy to switch from, including high, medium, low, SOS, and strobe mode.

It also has a rechargeable battery with high battery life with an easy-to-use USB port.

Additionally, you can submerge it in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes, making it highly water-resistant and reliable in any weather condition.

The non-slip grip and wrist strap also help users hold on to the flashlight regardless of the weather.

This flashlight has an effective overall design, especially given that you can stand it upright to light up a whole room or car at once.

Finally, this flashlight comes with a reassuring 18-month warranty.

Cost

You can buy the Anker Tactical Flightlight for $59.98 on Amazon.

3. Yifeng LED

Tactical Flashlight - YIFENG Led Flashlight High Lumens S1000 - XML T6 Upgraded Flash Light Ultra Br
  • Advanced material- yifeng tactical flahslights have employed premium 6061t aerial aluminum alloy whi
  • Long lasting- powered by 1 x li-on 18650 rechargeable battery or 3 x aaa batteries (both not include
  • Easy operation- with just 1 button for 5 lighting modes (high, medium, low, strobe, sos/emergency),
  • Zoomable design- our flash light can cast a brilliant large beam of floodlight or perfectly intensed
  • Wide application- these ideal pocket flashlight are small enough to carry in your backpack, purse, c

If you want a highly durable flashlight made with a premium, nearly indestructible material, check out the Yifeng LED flashlight.

Run Time

The Yifeng has notably high battery life.

The low light can shine for 10+ hours straight, while the high setting can last for around four hours.

Lumens

The Yifeng LED bulb can go above 1000 lumens when using the rechargeable battery option.

Features

The best aspect of the Yifeng LED flashlight is its advanced 6061T aerial aluminum alloy material that is durable, scratch-resistant, and waterproof.

It can hold up against water submersion, freezing temperatures, and even a 10-foot drop.

This flashlight has five lighting modes – low, medium, high, strobe, and SOS, all accessible through a single button.

Plus, the light on this flashlight can shine over 600 ft.

It is compatible with either a Li-on 18650 rechargeable battery or three AAA batteries; however, neither of these batteries are included.

Finally, the Yifeng flashlight has a zoom in/zoom out feature for adjustable focus.

Cost

You can get the Yifeng LED flashlight at a reasonable $14.99 for a 2-pack on Amazon.

The price is presumably lower than its competitors because it does not come with a rechargeable battery.

4. NPET Solar Flashlight

NPET T09 Solar Flashlight Car Flashlight 268 Lumens LED COB Light USB Rechargeable Tactical Multi-Fu
  • 7 working modes flashlight: headlight (4-6hrs) -high, medium and flashing, side white lamp (4-7hrs)
  • Car escape tool: features with window breaker break the stuck window and the seat belt cutter to cut
  • Hands-free: with a powerful magnet on the side of the flashlight head, you could attach it to the ca
  • Reliable and necessary: flashlight is water resistant & shock resistant for use under the most rugge
  • Rechargeable power bank: this solar flashlight could be charged with included usb cable (4-5hrs) or

The NPET Solar Flashlight is a high-value, multi-function torch with seven lighting modes.

It’s one of the best car flashlights for several reasons.

Run Time

This versatile flashlight has various run times for its distinct lighting features.

The red side light can run for up to 6-7 hours, the white side lamp can run from 4-7, and the headlight can run for about 4-6 hours on high.

Lumens

This is a notably bright flashlight with an output of 268 lumens.

It’s capable of throwing light up to 700 feet on LED mode.

Features

There are seven adaptable lighting settings on the NPET flashlight that are easy to switch to with the press of a button.

This flashlight is also water-resistant and shock-resistant due to its durable aluminum alloy material and easy-to-grip design.

Additionally, you can either recharge the NPET flashlight with its internal rechargeable battery and USB cable or with eco-friendly solar power.

Plus, if it’s charged at least 20%, you can use a USB cable to charge your phone through the flashlight as well

But the most standout feature of this flashlight, especially for car use, is its car escape functionality.

If you’re ever in an emergency, you can use parts of this flashlight to cut your seatbelt and break the window open.

Cost

You can get these high-quality features from the NPET T09 flashlight for $22.99 on Amazon.

5. Wdt Pro

High-Powered LED Flashlight S3000, WdtPro Super Bright Flashlights - High Lumen, IP67 Water Resistan
  • Lowest price now, will increase soon!brightest flashlight with high power osram p8 led, the s3000 pr
  • Long-lasting lighting timeflashlight features the pdo technology for extreme brightness, providing u
  • 3 modes & zoomable simply rotating this flashlight in or out for a spot light or as flood light; it
  • Waterproof & toughled flashlight is built with ip67 waterproof, now you can stop worrying about unex
  • 100% satisfaction includes a high-powered flashlight. youll be pleasantly surprised at the brightnes

Another best-selling car flashlight is the Wdt Pro S3000, a high-powered, water-resistant, and zoomable torch.

Run Time

The Wdt Pro flashlight can shine up to 30 hours straight in low-light mode, which is a significant amount of time for a mid-size, low-priced flashlight.

In powerful, high-light mode, it shines for up to six hours. Its total lifespan is up to 50,000 hours.

Lumens

The Wdt Pro S3000 uses OSRAM P8 LED lighting, with up to 1600 lumens.  

Features

This flashlight is built with durable aluminum construction and a waterproof LED system, so users won’t have to fret about unexpected weather conditions.

Additionally, it has three switchable light modes – low, high, and strobe – which some people prefer for ease and simplicity.

Further, Wdt Pro offers a 90-day money-back guarantee on this flashlight and a 2-year replacement warranty.

Unfortunately, this flashlight is not rechargeable.

You will need four AA batteries to power it, which are not included.

Cost

You can order this Wdt Pro flashlight on Amazon for $16.99.

6. iToncs Magnetic Flashlight

LED Flashlight Rechargeable, 1000 Lumens Super Bright Magnetic Flashlight with COB Work Light, Water
  • [ super bright led flashlight ] : 1000 lumens maximum can provide up to 600 feet of intense light. f
  • [ strong magnetic and cob side lights ] : a strong magnet in flashlight tail enables you can attach
  • [ upgraded one-button shutdown function ] : in any mode, press and hold the button for 1 to 3 second
  • [ long-lasting & durable ] : the included high-quality rechargeable battery provides up to 10 hours
  • [ usb rechargeable flashlight ] : equipped with an upgraded rechargeable battery to prevent overchar

The iToncs Magnetic Flashlight is suitable for an adventure light or a work light, given its convenient size, lightweight design, and magnetic feature.

Run Time

This impressive torch can shine for up to 10 hours on low mode and has up to 60,000 hours of life.

Lumens

This flashlight uses 100 lumens maximum and shines light up to 600 feet long.

Features

The most notable feature of this iToncs flashlight is its magnetic design, allowing users to attach the torch to an iron surface for hands-free use.

This feature is especially beneficial when repairing and cleaning.

It also is easy to carry even without using the magnet feature, given its compact design and pocket clip.

Finally, it has a sturdy and durable aluminum body that makes it suitable for adventures and trustworthy for emergencies.

Cost

You can purchase the iToncs Magnetic Flashlight for $25.99 on Amazon.

7. Eton American Red Cross Clip-On

Eton, American Red Cross FRX3+ Emergency NOAA Weather Radio & Red Cross Clipray Crank-Powered, Clip-
  • Product 1: emergency radio: be prepared for any emergencies and disasters with this rechargeable
  • Product 1: stay alert: the alert function automatically broadcasts any emergency weather alerts for
  • Product 1: multifunction digital device: this am/fm/noaa weather band digital radio with display and
  • Product 1: keep connected: from weather alert radios and backup battery packs to solar-powered sound
  • Product 2: crank powered flashlight and charger: great for emergency kits or outdoor adventures, the
  • Product 2: easy to use and portable: crank for 1 minute to produce enough power for 10 minutes of 
  • Product 2: stay safe and have fun: for over 30 years we've been dedicated to creating award-winning,
  • Product 2: keep connected: from weather alert radios and backup battery packs to solar-powered sound

Eton’s American Red Cross Clip-On Flashlight is less of a high-powered flashlight and more of an add-on to the American Red Cross radio.

This flashlight and radio combination is an excellent purchase if you want to take a preventative approach and be prepared for any upcoming emergencies, disasters, or radio alerts through the Red Cross radio.

Run Time

This flashlight is crank-powered, and you can hand crank it for 1 minute to provide 10 minutes of light.

Lumens

Red Cross does not mention the lumen count, as this is a relatively small flashlight overall.

Features

Since the flashlight is crank-operated, you don’t need batteries or any form of power.

This makes it less suitable for long-term uses but convenient for quick emergency flashlight use or outdoor camping.

You can also use the flashlight device to charge other items, like your cellphone.

Cost

You can get the weather radio and crank-powered flashlight together for $56.03 on Amazon.

Final Thoughts

It’s imperative to keep a high-quality flashlight in your car in case you need it after dark, after an accident, or during an emergency.

Car flashlights help you find items at night, clean up when you have no other light source, and alert oncoming traffic about a crisis.

The best car flashlights are bright, durable, waterproof, and rechargeable.

We hope this article helped you find the best car flashlight for your intended purposes and concerns.

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