Best Rechargeable Torches in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update November 22, 2024
You never know when you might need a torch. Rechargeable models are the most cost-effective illuminators since they will help you ...Read more
PROS

Besides the front powerful light, each side has additional lights (white light on the left side and red signal light on the right one). Soft white light is great for reading or working.

CONS

The casing is rather bulky.

OUR VERDICT

The NOVOSTELLA Ustellar is a fantastic lighting system for outdoor adventures. It provides a great amount of light as either a torch or a lantern. Excellent for camping, hiking, hunting, exploring, searching, and other activities.

detailed parameters
Max Light Output

650 Lumens

Lighting modes

2 front light modes, 2 side light modes, SOS

Maximum Beam Distance

Up to 500 metres

Power Source

2000mAh rechargeable battery

USB-port for charging (charging cable included)

Extras

Battery-status indicator, Easy-to-grip handle, Adjustable shoulder strap (detachable), Water-resistant housing (IPx4 class), Power bank feature

Dimensions

19 x 9.5 x 14.8 cm

0.45 kg

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The torch boasts 6 different lighting modes, so you can choose the optimal one based on your actual needs. Hanging hook will come in handy when you need to use it as a tent lantern.

CONS

The battery capacity could be higher. 

OUR VERDICT

This functional model can serve not only as a powerful and bright torch but also as a power bank for your phones. Also, it can act as a standing lamp, portable torch, or a camping lantern (two metal hooks included).

detailed parameters
Max Light Output

500 Lumens

Lighting modes

2 front light modes, 4 side light modes

Maximum Beam Distance

Up to 350 metres

Power Source

2600mAh rechargeable battery

Built-in USB-cable for charging

Extras

Battery-status indicator, Easy-to-grip handle, Hanging hook, Water-resistant housing (IPx4 class), Power bank feature

Dimensions

16.8 x 8.2 x 9 cm

0.36 kg

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The torch uses a 9000mAh battery which provides 10 hours of run time in High mode and 20 hours in Low mode, which is impressive compared to other models.

CONS

Only 2 light settings might seem insufficient for some users. 

OUR VERDICT

With the incredible 7000 Lumens output, this hand lamp is amazingly bright and can illuminate objects up to 1000 meters away. It will be useful for outdoor adventures, home security, and professional use.

detailed parameters
Max Light Output

7000 Lumens

Lighting modes

2 light modes

Maximum Beam Distance

Up to 1000 metres

Power Source

9000mAh rechargeable battery

USB-port for charging (charging cable included)

Extras

Battery-status indicator, Easy-to-grip handle, Adjustable shoulder strap (detachable), Water-resistant housing (IPx6 class), Power bank feature

Dimensions

19 x 10 x 13 cm

0.5 kg

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The easy-to-grip handle ensures a secure grip even in wet or dirty hands. Also included is an adjustable shoulder strap, which makes carrying the torch even easier. The body is made of durable plastic.

CONS

It's quite heavy. 

OUR VERDICT

If you are looking for a powerful torch that may become indispensable in emergency situations, we recommend purchasing this model. Even if the battery runs low, you'll be able to get light thanks to the hand crank.

detailed parameters
Max Light Output

1100 Lumens

Lighting modes

3 front light modes, 3 side light modes

Maximum Beam Distance

Up to 500 metres

Power Source

4500mAh rechargeable battery

USB-port for charging (charging cable included)

Hand-cranked function

Extras

Battery-status indicator, Easy-to-grip handle, Adjustable shoulder strap (detachable), Water-resistant housing (IPx4 class), Power bank feature

Dimensions

20 x 9 x 14 cm

0.68 kg

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The special shape of this torch allows you to use it as a glass breaker - a very useful feature in case of an accident when you need to get out of a locked car. 

CONS

Some users say that the charging cable is lacking in quality.

OUR VERDICT

This torch has extra compact dimensions and low weight, so it can definitely find a place in your suitcase, travel backpack or the glove compartment of your vehicle. It comes with a wrist strap for easy carrying. 

detailed parameters
Max Light Output

2000 Lumens

Lighting modes

5 light modes

Maximum Beam Distance

Up to 200 metres

Power Source

~3000mAh rechargeable battery (charging cable included)

or 3 x "AAA" batteries

Extras

Battery-status indicator, Adjustable beam, Wrist strap, Water-resistant housing (IPx4 class), Built-in emergency hammer

Dimensions

15.7 x 4 x 4 cm

0.25 kg

Warranty

1 year

So Multifunctional!

The NOVOSTELLA Ustellar lighting system is a real find for campers, hikers, hunters, explorers, and anyone else who likes outdoor activity. It's a super multifunctional device that can provide a great amount of light as either a torch or a lantern.

In the front light mode, the unit offers two brightness levels, 650lm and 300lm with the long-range beam distances of about 500 and 250 meters correspondingly. You can use the max setting for rescue or camping needs. When set on half, the light becomes dimmer but is still bright enough for most. Naturally, it also uses less battery and can last up to 6.5 hours on a single charge compared to 2.5 hours on the highest setting.

As mentioned, the torch can also work in the lantern mode. The side light offers 100lm and 50lm output to meet different lighting requirements. It gives off soft white light from one side and red signal light from the other one. The soft white light on the left side can double as a lamp for reading or working. The right side light, red signal light, may come in helpful in an emergency.

Not Just a Torch

This heavy-duty flashlight was manufactured to a very high standard. It has a durable body with folding clips on the top allowing you to hang the unit on branches, nails, and hooks. Additionally, it's fitted with a retractable handle on the side and a shoulder strap for easy carrying when you go camping or hiking.

The unit has an IPX4 waterproof rating with all the control buttons reliably sealed inside the silicone cover. But the icing on the cake is that there's a couple of sockets (micro USB and normal USB) under the silicone cover which enable you to use the lantern as a power bank as well. That's a quite nice bonus, as there are never enough power banks in the wild. Both the input and output voltage equal 5V.

All this makes the NOVOSTELLA Ustellar a fantastic lighting system for outdoors. It's extremely multifunctional and can be useful on many occasions.

Last updated price £27.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01N9Q8P9Q

Smaller but Not Less Efficient

The LE Rechargeable CREE LED Torch is another extra-powerful and extra-functional device for lots of situations, including emergency ones. However, unlike other heavy-duty models from our shortlist, it's not that massive and hefty. Actually, it's around the size of a can and weighs less than half a kilo, meaning it's quite portable and can be easily taken during nighttime strolls in the areas near your campsite or wherever else you need. Yet, despite decreased dimensions, it still packs a big punch with the light it emits.

As a nice touch, the torch comes fully charged out of the box, so you can test it right after unpacking. The main beam offers two modes (full brightness and half brightness), while the side lantern has four settings along with dimming, white light, and red light (especially useful for emergencies in your car). For extra brightness, you can set the main beam and side lights work at the same time.

There are also four blue LED lights on the bottom that can show you how much battery life you have left. The unit is fitted with a USB rechargeable battery that can be juiced up via your laptop or power bank. Likewise, the torch can charge your mobile devices during a power cut or in the wild. The full battery will be enough to revive a couple of phones.

Extra Rugged Design

Lighting EVER, abbreviated to LE, is a passionate company focused on delivering the best lighting experience to its customers. That's why this LE Rechargeable CREE LED Torch is made only with high-end LEDs and advanced optical design. With that, the whole unit has a weatherproof construction with tight-fitting plastic parts rather than rubber seals to keep the water out. The only thing that you can open is the front lens cover that easily twists off when needed. The control buttons are rubber coated, and the USB output is protected with a durable rubber flap, so you shouldn't worry about the water ingress even if you take this torch on the muddiest of your outdoor adventures.

For the increased versatility, the LE lamp comes with two metal hooks, allowing you to hang it on a tree, fence or inside your tent. The hooks look like opposing 'J's letting you hang them on a rope and then bring together to form an enclosed loop.

All in all, if you're after a versatile unit that can act as a tent light or a torch that is relatively compact yet robust, this model seems to meet all the criteria. It's very portable, powerful and boasts excellent build quality, not to mention it offers a wide range of functions and brightness settings.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £66.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B071YTFD1V

Super Bright

The Ambertech Rechargeable LED flashlight is a frills-free torch that stands out with its amazing light output and range. Fitted with powerful T6 10W CREE XML LED lightball, the torch produces a fantastic beam with a halo to light up everything up to 1000 meters away. Namely, it's a 'spot' light with a narrow 3-cm concentrated beam, surrounded by a wide 30-cm ring of diffused outer light. However, if you don't need that high light output, you can switch the torch to Low mode.

It's a simple torch without the bells and whistles, so it's quite straightforward to use. It has just 2 brightness settings (Low and High) and one control button. To turn the unit on, you need to press the button once. The torch has no memory function and will switch on the max brightness, so you'll need to press again for the half brightness. The third press will turn it off.

Extra Long Battery Life

Besides being quite easy to use, the hand lamp is also easy to carry. It's surprisingly light to hold and offers a good handle grip. The trade-off for that is the plastic body and no traditional batteries inside.

Charging-wise, the torch has a built-in battery and comes with a USB port. Importantly, the supplied charging cable is featured with a tiny LED inside the flat part. It flashes red during charging and green when fully charged. The 9000mAh battery is enough for 10 hours in High mode and for 20 hours in Low mode. That's quite impressive battery life, especially considering how bright this lamp is.

To keep the battery in top-notch condition and prolong its lifespan, the manufacturer recommends users to charge it for 13 hours at least once a month. As an added benefit, the USB interface can be used to charge your phone and other gadgets in occasional.

All in all, this versatile bright lamp can be indispensable if you're in the dead of night with no other light source to rely on. It's great for outdoor adventures, home security, and professional use.

Last updated price £24.64
Stock In stock
ASIN B01JFPA0X2

Well-balanced Model

Those who would like to get a lot of light for not a lot of money can't go wrong with the ERAY Handheld Searchlight LED Torch. It's a one-of-a-kind model that is equipped with three projectors to meet various irradiation needs and outperform its counterparts in terms of output. Actually, this mighty lamp is capable of giving off as many as 3600 lumens to illuminate large distances up to 500 metres away.

Designed with camping and emergency needs in mind, the ERAY torch offers 6 lighting modes in total. The front projector features three lighting modes (high-low-SOS) and can last for 8-10 hours non-stop; the side flood lamp can emit high- or low-bright light for up to 10-15 hours continuously; the side red signal light is for SOS or warning and can work up to 20 hours after a full charge. The main beam can easily attract help and/or scare off unwanted visitors if needed, while side flood light is a welcome addition for power failures or acting as a general camping light. The red warning strobe can warn other drivers from a far distance if you've broken down.

Overall, it’s a very bright torch with an incredibly intense central spot and tight outer beam (there's a generous halo around this). It isn't much less powerful than a car headlamp and is definitely much brighter than most other similarly-sized torches.

Never Fails

Yet, what definitely sets this lamp apart from others is the availability of two charging modes. Besides the standard USB charging (2-3 hours for a full charge), the ERAY torch supports manual power generation. That is to say, the 1-minute hand cranking provides 10 minutes of use. So, owing to the hand-cranked function, you no longer need to worry about exhaustion of the built-in battery, making sure that even in the most extreme conditions, this torch won't let you down.

Made from premium ABS, this spotlight isn't the lightest on the market - it weighs approximately half a kilo but it's very convenient to carry thanks to the ergonomic handle and an adjustable shoulder strap. Therefore, even kids and seniors will find no difficulties when handling it.

Bottom line, the ERAY rechargeable torch can find many uses around the house but it'll be particularly useful for such outdoor activities as camping, hiking, hunting, patrolling, fishing, and caving. Fitted with a hand-cranked function, it's a real life-saver that will never fail.
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B081RDXX3S

For EDC

If you're looking for a functional torch for everyday carry, the XHP50 torch should be right up your alley. For less than £20, it's a perfect LED light for dog walking, camping, and basic jobs around your house or garage. But whereas most other models of similar size can offer only 700-800 lumens of output, this one boasts incredible 2000 lumens and is able to produce both a large-area floodlight and a targeted spotlight. Owing to the "zoom" option, you'll be able to focus the narrow beam cone for longer distances or stretch the light to cover larger areas. The torch is extra powerful for its small size and will definitely help you light up any dark spot up to 600 metres away.

Besides the standard Strong, Medium, and Low intensities, the unit boasts SOS/Emergency mode and Strobe mode (especially useful for scaring away burglars or unwanted visitors). What is notable, you shouldn't cycle through all of the modes to switch on/off the unit like with other similar torches. Instead, just press the power button for a few seconds and you're done.

Another perk is the durable bulb with an advanced high-tech chip that provides up 100,000 hours of service life. With that, the torch needs only an hour to get fully charged. It uses the standard 18650 battery and the charging can be done either via USB or directly in a 18650 charger. Also, it comes with a case for normal batteries, so if you run out of juice somewhere where you don't have access to electricity, you can always benefit from using regular 3 x AAA batteries.

Doubles as a Mini Hammer

The great news is that this little beast is intended not just for lighting. The head here is designed with lotus flowers and boasts strong impact and drop resistance. Therefore, it can be used as a mini window hammer in case of accidents on the road or some other emergency situations.

Overall, it's composed of durable aluminium that is highly resistant to scratches, abrasions and corrosion. The torch has an IP4 waterproof rating and anti-slip handle, which makes it perfect for use in the rain, snow or other harsh conditions. And since it's a pocket-sized model, you can easily carry it with you 24/7 just in case.

With durable design and extra-powerful beam, the XHP50 Torch is a super useful unit for everyday carry. It can stand up to the toughest conditions, providing you with an extra light source and extra security during camping trips, hiking, running, or just walking a dog in the dark.

Last updated price £14.99
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B08JV68337

What Is a Rechargeable Flashlight?

No matter whether you're an avid camper looking for a light source for your adventures or a person searching for a torch to illuminate your way when walking your dog, a rechargeable torch is what you need. It's a handy tool fitted with a bright LED bulb and a rechargeable battery. It's much more cost-effective compared to standard torches since you won't need to replace its batteries over time. When it's completely flat, you can simply plug it in (or the batteries) and re-charge it. While some models are fitted with built-in batteries, others use removable Li-ion batteries. The chargers for such batteries are already included in the set; however, if you have a number of appliances that require batteries and want to charge several batteries at once, you can benefit from using multifunctional chargers.

Typically, rechargeable flashlights for daily use have a compact size and can slip straight in your pocket or purse, while styles for outdoor activities are usually bulkier but brighter and more functional. Actually, there's quite a lot of things to take into account, and below, we've covered the most important aspects you should consider when selecting a rechargeable torch.

What Features to Compare

Performance

Before getting a torch, you should first decide what purposes you need it for. For example, if you only need a torch to light your way home or a path when walking your dog in the park, you don't need to buy a very powerful device with high Lumen output. 300 Lumens will be more than enough to illuminate most dark spots around. Alternatively, if you're seeking a torch to use in the wildness it should be powerful enough to send light over pretty long distances. Besides the Lumens output, you should consider what other settings a flashlight offers. There are a couple of standard modes for rechargeable torches, which are Strobe and SOS, both being very useful for various occasions.

Battery

Rechargeable flashlights may be powered by different types of batteries, both built-in and removable. The simplest models usually use 18650 Li-ion rechargeable batteries which last around 500 cycles. In practice, they provide enough run time for one and a half year of use without needing to recharge, which is quite a lot. Besides, it won't be out of service after this time. Only one thing will change, that is, a battery capacity: it will slightly decrease resulting in a flashlight holding the charge for less period of time. Torches of this type provide around 8 hours of run time from one charge on the lowest setting, which makes them a good option for those who need a torch to keep in a car.

However, if you need something more lasting and suitable for daily use, you may want to consider torches featuring 26650 Li-ion batteries. These provide considerably longer run time and are perfect for use in the wild where there are no power banks or outlets around.

Take note that many torches with removable, rechargeable batteries can also use simple AAA batteries as a power source (they come with special adaptors). So if you're someone who tends to forget to charge batteries timely, it might be a sensible idea to opt for this particular type of a device, though you'd still need to remember to keep a spare set of AAA batteries.

As for camping models, they use extra powerful batteries that can hold the charge for a long time. The batteries are usually non-removable and should be charged via a USB cable. What's remarkable is that these torches often feature a mini-USB slot for juicing up your mobile devices, which is a useful addition in the wild.

Material and Extras

Also, make sure to check what materials the torch is made of. It's recommended to select those models made from high-quality metal and with waterproof properties so you could safely use it outdoors. With that being said, if you need a simple torch for household use, there's no to overpay for a waterproof body. Speaking of extras, there aren't many that we can relate to torches, except for, perhaps, additional fastens allowing you to attach your torch to the backpack and straps for convenient carrying.

Did you know?

Before the Invention of a Flashlight

A lot of portable light sources have been around throughout the history of mankind. In the very early times, people learned to burn various animal fur and mineral oils to create lanterns. Later on, they began to use torches and candles as the sources of light. However, the candles were expensive, and once the candle was gone, people had to use a new one, otherwise they'd be stuck in the dark.

The First Flashlight

It was not until the late 19th century when the first flashlight was created. After the discovery of electricity and invention of the first light bulb, David Misell came up with an idea of making a light bulb that people could take with them anywhere they wanted to go. He obtained the patent for a portable flashlight in 1899.

The first "electric torch" designed by David Misell consisted of a metal tube with a lightbulb and was powered by a dry “D” cell battery. It was a huge step up from candles since it was odourless and emitted no smoke. Also, it could be instantly turned on/off. However, it cost quite a lot and suffered from low manufacturer interest.

Soon after, in 1904, a flashlight with improved cost-effective battery and a tungsten-filament lamp was introduced to the mass market. This electric novelty quickly became popular and already in 1922, there were estimated more than 10 million flashlight users in the US alone. During the last century, the advances in technology brought us hundreds of different styles and features. For example, today you can find special flashlights for working underwater or in high-temperature conditions.

The Benefits of LED Flashlights

LED flashlights made their debut in the early 2000s. They have numerous benefits over incandescent torches including:

  • The LED bulbs last far longer. The #1 advantage of LED bulbs is that they operate from 35,000 hours up to 100,000 hours. So, even if you use a torch 6-8 hours a day, it will serve you up to 15 years without losing any brightness.

  • They are amazingly energy-efficient. LED torches boast 80-90% efficiency, meaning 80-90% of the energy is transformed into the light rather than heat. For comparison, torches with incandescent bulbs are only 20% efficient. 80% of their energy is turned into the heat.

  • They are more environmentally-friendly. LED bulbs don’t contain toxic compounds or hazardous elements like mercury. Plus, they are 100% recyclable.

  • LED torches are perfect for use in cold environments. Unlike fluorescent or incandescent models, most LED flashlights aren’t affected by cold and can be used in extreme weather conditions.

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