What is the Best 18650 Flashlight for 2019?

In most cases, a lithium-ion 18650 battery is going to provide more power to a flashlight than a disposable battery. As a result, you’ll get a stronger light output that often lasts longer, along with the convenience of being able to recharge it without having to purchase new batteries all the time.

Initially, 18650 batteries are going to be more expensive. But over time you will see the benefits as you’ll recoup that initial investment over time with every recharge. A quality 18650 flashlight with good batteries can easily last for years, as long as you are using and charging it correctly.

Many of the best flashlights on the market today use 18650 batteries, so you shouldn’t have any problems finding quality options that utilize this type of battery. Whether you need a small flashlight for everyday use or a bigger one for special circumstances, there will likely be a 18650 model available that meets your requirements. If you’re looking for the best 18650 flashlight, we advise you not to buy the first or cheapest one you come across, but instead, take your time to evaluate all of the top options before pulling the trigger on a purchase.

We have done much of the legwork for you, as the list below contains five quality products that should each be considered the best 18650 flashlight on the market today. Each item is well-respected and have garnered plenty of positive reviews.

Top Five Picks & Comparisons

FENIX UC35 – Best 18650 Flashlight (Rechargeable)

Fenix is a leading name in the industry, and they have certainly earned more than a few supporters with this rechargeable model. Incredibly, this item offers 960 lumens from its small design, and it runs on a single 18650 battery. Many 18650 powered models don’t provide the kind of power seen from this one, so most buyers will appreciate the light output this item creates when it is switched on. It comes with a USB charging cable for easy recharging of the battery, and it also comes with a backup battery so you can swap it out on the fly if you don’t have time for a recharge.

Although it is fairly new to the market, it is a quality product and deserves to be on the list for the best 18650 flashlight. Users love the variable light output that it offers, claiming that it is suitable for everything from reading all the way up to looking across a long field at night – and everything in between. All in all, buyers say that this light lives up to the Fenix brand name, which is certainly a high compliment.

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Zebralight SC62w – Best 18650 Flashlight (Neutral White)

This compact light is designed for you to carry around comfortably, for long periods of time. This 18650 flashlight has everything you would expect to find in a quality product, including a waterproof design (up to two meters), durable construction, multiple brightness levels and plenty of power to light up the night. When turned to its highest setting, this compact light’s beam will surprise you, putting-out up to 930 lumens, which is more than what most people use on average.

It is no surprise this product made our list for the the best 18650 flashlight. Customers love that it is only 4.7’’ long, and it weighs just 3.2 ounces, which means you should have no problem putting it in your pocket, pack, or if you’re just carrying it around. Zebralight, like Fenix, is a brand with a great reputation in the business, so you should expect nothing short of quality and performance if you decide to make this 18650 flashlight your next choice.

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Nitecore MH25 CREE XM-L U2 LED 960 Lumen Rechargeable Flashlight

CREE LEDs are some of the best and brightest pocket lights available today, so many purchasers of this product have been impressed with the light it creates, with its rechargeable 18650 battery. One of the first things that are mentioned by many owners of this product is the convenience of using the micro-USB port to charge this product. Most of us are accustomed to using USB technology to charge and connect devices, so adding this feature to a modern flashlight only makes sense.

Are you looking for powerful light output from your next flashlight? That won’t be a problem at all when you choose the Nitecore. This product can put out up to 960 lumens, which is far beyond anything you would get from a ‘standard’ light that you pick up at your local hardware store. This model represents excellent value when compared to some of the other, more expensive 18650 battery-powered products on the market and on our list of the best 18650 flashlight.

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Sunwayman P25C 1000 Lumen CREE LED Tactical Flashlight

You don’t have to review this tactical product (see more options) very long to see that it offers about everything you could possibly want in an 18650 flashlight. It has an incredible max light output of 1,000 lumens, meaning you should be able to light up anything or anywhere in the dark – both near and far. It is rated for a lifetime of up to 50,000 hours, so don’t plan on having to buy a replacement anytime soon. Speaking of not having to buy replacements, that goes for the batteries as well, as you can recharge your 18650 battery over and over again to power this light.

What is impressive about this Sunwayman light is that you get a plethora of features at a low cost. This product is made from aluminum alloy and has tremendous power. Some customers would expect to spend a lot for this type of quality from a well-respected brand.

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On The Way 2000 Lumen Expedition Handheld Flashlight

This product is the perfect way to conclude our list and your search for the best 18650 flashlight. This product from On The Way advertises 2,000 lumens of light! While the actual performance of this product may fall somewhat short of that measure (at least, in the opinion of some users), it is still incredibly bright. Most 18650 powered products in this category are sold at well beyond this price point, so this model deserves consideration on value alone.

Beyond being a great value, this item gives users five modes, a water-resistant design, adjustable focus, and more. As is the case with nearly all LED lights, you shouldn’t have to worry about replacing the bulb in this light for the life of the product – it is rated to record up to 100,000 hours of use. It takes about 6-7 hours to fully recharge the battery, and you should be able to recharge the battery around 500 times.

This 18650 battery offers many of the same features as others on our list, and at such a great price, it is worth a second look.

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Conclusion

18650 flashlights seem to be on the rise, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise to find more and more of them on the market in years to come. With the ability to put out a surprisingly powerful light from such a small product, and the convenience of a quick recharge over and over again, there is plenty to like about the use of 18650 powered flashlights. After reading through the 5 product reviews on our list of the best 18650 flashlight, hopefully you were able to find one that you you can add to your collection of tactical gear.

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Additional Resources

• Candle Power Forums