Though most of us don’t want to admit it, being afraid of the dark is a real thing, and even more so during times of emergency. When the lights go out, it’s easy to panic because darkness disorients us, making things feel even scarier than usual. What can make things worse is an unreliable flashlight. Poorly made flashlights can slip from your hands or roll off the table, breaking or becoming inaccessible. Many inexpensive flashlights plunge everyone back into darkness after only an hour or two due to their poor power supply and lack of backup power options.
Having a reliable flashlight nearby significantly reduces the fear of darkness and can make all the difference in staying safe and feeling secure when the power goes out.
Infinity X1 is here to help you learn about the most important features you need in the best emergency preparedness flashlights.
5 Key Features of Emergency Flashlights
When shopping for an emergency preparedness flashlight, you want one with all these features. Don’t settle for less!
1. Sturdy and Durable
One of the essential things to consider when buying a flashlight is how sturdy it is. You’ll likely need it in all situations, from outdoor explorations to indoor repairs and power outages during disasters, so your flashlight must stand up to all sorts of bumps, drops, and dings.
If you’re using your flashlight for indoor and outdoor emergency lighting, you’ll want a more rugged model for dependable illumination. If you have younger children at home, you’ll want to make sure you choose a sturdy flashlight that can survive getting dropped without getting damaged.
Look For:
- A body made of aircraft-grade aluminum or other sturdy metal.
- LED light, not old-fashioned incandescent bulbs. The bulb filaments break easily.
- Water and dust resistance of IP4 or higher to withstand rain or dust.
In short, it must be tough enough to survive your day-to-day activities without damage while still being ready for emergencies. A flashlight that can’t take a beating may cost you more than money if it won’t work when you need it most.
2. Battery Life and Charging Capabilities
When shopping for a quality flashlight, choose a rechargeable emergency flashlight. Better still, get one that has Hybrid Dual-Core Power. Hybrid power combines rechargeable batteries with standard batteries. The advantage is you can still use ordinary dry-cell batteries if you don’t have access to a charger or power.
Look For:
- Hybrid Dual-Core Power – You have two power options available in one emergency flashlight.
- Rechargeable Batteries – If it doesn’t have Hybrid Power, at least get a flashlight with rechargeable batteries, which can also help reduce battery waste in landfills.
- Long Battery Life – Adjustable power settings allow longer battery life at lower power. You want a light that can last up to 5 hours on a charge.
- Power Indicator – Helps you manage the power, so you know when to charge it or prepare a back-up option.
The best rechargeable flashlights use a charging method that’s easy to access and use. Avoid models that require a special charging cord or station that may not be available when you need it. You don’t want to be stuck in the dark with no way to charge or power your flashlight.
3. Lamp Brightness or Intensity Level
The most critical consideration of any flashlight is it's brightness. Lumens measure a light’s brightness, so choose lights with the highest lumens possible.
Look For:
- 1,000 Lumens or More – Headlamps and flashlights should provide a minimum of 1,000 lumens. A 1,000-lumen light will shine 490 feet (150 meters), and a 5,000-lumen light will send a bright beam over 656 feet (200 meters).
- Adjustable Beam – Emergency flashlights and headlamps should be able to focus the light to a narrow field for close-up work or wide to match the person’s peripheral vision for active searching.
You’ll want to choose a flashlight, headlamp, or emergency lantern with a brightness level appropriate for the area. Lights with a brightness level too low create a safety hazard as they may not be able to illuminate your surroundings during a storm or power outage.
4. Sustainability and Environmentally Friendly
Sure, your family’s safety doesn’t depend on whether an emergency flashlight is sustainable, but if you can get one, why not? It’s a bonus to help the planet as you prepare for a potential emergency.
Look For:
- Rechargeable – Reduces battery waste and saves you money!
- Minimal and Recycled Packaging – Smaller packaging means less paper and plastic in landfills.
- Recyclable Materials – High-grade aluminum and other materials recycle well, saving energy and land.
Select a flashlight from a brand that takes sustainability seriously by using recycled or recyclable packaging materials and offers rechargeable power options to help reduce battery waste in landfills. Recycled materials, renewable sources, and eco-friendly packaging lower our carbon footprint.
5. Price and Value
If you’re shopping for an emergency preparedness flashlight, you’ll want to ensure you get one with the best value. Emergency flashlights are an investment in your family’s safety and peace of mind. It’s unnecessary to overspend, but don’t skimp on quality and end up with a flashlight that won’t last or work when you need it most.
Look For:
- Multiple Use – An emergency flashlight should have a USB-Out port to charge phones or other small devices for a backup power source.
- Multiple Power Options – A light that can recharge by USB, solar, and use ordinary batteries gives you more options to keep the light shining.
- Adjustable Modes – A quality flashlight offers various settings to save power, along with strobe or manual modes for signaling.
- Lifetime Warranty – A lifetime warranty means the company stands by its product’s quality.
Quality flashlights will pay for themselves in the long run because they always shine when you need them.