Camping Panda
A flashlight is one of the most important assets in your camping gear kit. Not only it can replace a tent lantern, but you can also use it to illuminate your path in the dark. When it comes to getting one, the market spoils you with choices. But what if you’re caught in the middle of a downpour or suddenly drop it in a puddle?
If you don’t want to worry about remaining without light, the best thing to do is to get a waterproof flashlight. Wondering which? Check out our rundown to find the best waterproof flashlight for you.
Waterproof
Is it well protected?
Lumens
Is it bright enough?
Beam Distance
Is it adjustable?
Battery Life
Is it long lasting?
Impact-Resistant
Is it shock-absorbent?
Portability
Is it easy to carry?
Lifespan
Is it build for years to come?
Durability
Is it sturdy enough?
14
Hours Researched
19
Products Evaluated
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Reviews Considered
2
Sources Researched
Small but mighty, the Lumitop Mini Flashlight suits campers, anglers, survivalists, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Ideal for boating, it withstands immersions to 6.6 feet for up to 30 minutes, and – obviously – it can also be used in heavy rain and humid environments.
Besides utmost water resistance, we also like its strength. This flashlight withstands shocks and works even in extreme temperatures. It’s small enough to fit in a pocket, and comes with a convenient lanyard. Suitable for everything, from walking the dog to camping to using in emergency conditions, the Lumitop Mini is undeniably one of the best waterproof flashlights on the market.
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The Dorcy 55 might not be the lightest flashlight out there, nor the smallest, but it impresses with its anti-slip grip and water resistance. Like our best overall, it can be immersed for up to 30 minutes, so you can use it for all outdoor applications.
Its performance isn’t mind-blowing, but with its 55 lumens, it still features a beam distance of 31 meters. That’s more than enough to see what’s in front of you while you’re exploring the wilderness after dusk. Powered by standard AA batteries, it could be your trustworthy camping companion if you don’t want to break the bank.
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The ThruNite TN42 might be costly, but it’s undeniably the ultimate waterproof flashlight. Outstanding lumen output and beam distance, as well as IPX8 water resistance make it a winner. Our favorite feature is the oversized design that makes it easy to grip. Despite its weight, the flashlight is ergonomic, but not your best bet for backpacking.
The flashlight runs on proprietary lithium-ion battery that can be replaced by four 18650 batteries if you don’t have a USB outlet nearby. Powerful and designed to last, it is a great choice for car camping, tailgating, and boating alike.
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The Rayovac is an excellent choice for adventurers who need a tactical flashlight. It’s not as water resistant as our options above, but can still withstand immersions. You can use it for swimming, snorkeling, as well as exploring the outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
It has a slim, ergonomic design that makes it easy to carry – just keep in mind that it’s relatively heavy. We particularly like its recessed lens design that enhances resistance even if you drop it. The flashlight is powered by six AA batteries and outputs particularly bright light – ideal for tactical purposes as well as night hiking.
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If you need a small, tactical flashlight for day trips and short adventures, the NICRON N7 might be it. This tactical flashlight boasts four modes, including low, high, SOS, and strobe. It’s not fully waterproof, but it’s made to withstand heavy rain.
A 90-degree rotating head helps you direct the light exactly where it’s needed. It works with either AA or rechargeable battery, outputting up to 600 lumens if you opt for the latter. The runtime is not outstanding, but you’ll still have enough juice for over three hours of continuous operation. Durable and reliable, this flashlight is perfect for survivalists and hikers.
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Similar to the NICRON N7 up to an extent, the LumiNRG is another waterproof flashlight you can use for both camping and tactical needs. The unit resists brief immersions as well as shocks, making it a heavy-duty choice for your adventures.
We particularly like its COB lantern mode that turns into a perfect tent lamp thanks to its 360-degree illumination. Like the N7, this model comes with a magnetic base and is easy to hold thanks to its ergonomic design. A durable and affordable choice for outdoor lovers on a budget.
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Fully waterproof and shock-resistant, the Coast Polysteel 600R is another reliable flashlight to add to your arsenal. It doesn’t have a jaw-dropping lumen output, but it impresses with two kinds of beams.
Indeed, you can switch from bulls-eye spot beam to ultra-wide flood beam, depending on your needs. Well-balanced and ergonomic, it also boasts a rubberized construction that enhances grip. The flashlight is available in multiple colors and is perfectly sized for camping and tailgating.
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A flashlight and spotlight in one, Zohi is a perfect choice for the casual campers concerned about comfort rather than portability. The unit is quite heavy for backpacking, but more than suitable for shorter night hikes as well as illuminating your campsite.
Powered by two rechargeable batteries, it boasts up to 20 hours of runtime. Furthermore, we like its durable construction and the fact that it floats if dropped in the water.
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Easy to spot even in the dark thanks to its bright yellow color, the Streamlight Dualie has made it to our list of best waterproof flashlights thanks to its dual function LED. Indeed, the flashlight features both a forward-facing LED for beam light as well as side-facing LEDs for flood light.
The lumen output is not the greatest, but you can still expect it to illuminate to 171 meters. Its strong construction and ergonomic grip are other highlights. Suitable for anything, from using on construction sites to camping, hiking, and tailgating, this flashlight is truly up to anything.
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The UST SplashFlash may not be your regular camping flashlight, but it can be a useful asset in many camping and survival situations. It is particularly suitable for short trips, as well as daily use in the city.
Boasting a keychain size, it illuminates up to 6 meters. Like you’d expect, it’s fully waterproof and submersible. A carabiner makes it easy to clip onto your belt or backpack. Furthermore, it has two modes, for steady light or emergency situations.
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We can never really tell the weather during outdoor activities. One minute it could be sunny another minute it could be raining cats and dogs. Outdoor gears need to always be ready for any sudden change in weather. Hence it is best for gears to be waterproof, even flashlights.
We listed here factors that need to be considered before purchasing your waterproof flashlight from the brightness, waterproofing, battery life, and other factors, you’ll find it here. It is uncommon to be shopping for a flashlight but if you are somebody who loves to travel or enjoy the outdoors, this best waterproof flashlight buying guide is for you.
This should be the number one consideration when looking for a waterproof flashlight. An object’s waterproof ability is gauged and measured via its IPX rating. IP stands for “Ingress Protection” and the X tells the user that there is no dust rating. On the lower end of the IPX rating system there is IPX-0 which means the housing is not water-resistant at all and any contact with water will result in damaging electronic components.
Waterproof flashlights IPX rating range from IPX4 to IPX8. Take a look below for a quick description of the different IPX rating for your reference:
This means that the Lumintop Mini LED Flashlight can be fully submerged underwater given that it has IPX8 rating. We also chose the Lumintop Mini LED Flashlight as overall waterproof flashlight because it is not just waterproof but shockproof as well and can work amazingly under extreme temperature.
For outdoor activities like camping or trail running, the IPX5 rating of the NICRON N7 Tactical Flashlight is still at a good level. It is still dependable outdoors to provide for your lighting needs even during sudden change in weather conditions.
As with any outdoor gear that provides light, lumens rating is one major consideration. The term “lumens” quantifies the amount of light being put out by a light source. Flashlights are equipped with around 300 lumens although some advanced ones go for up to 1200 lumens (these are generally used for special instances like rescue missions).
It is recommended to avoid anything that falls way below that range. Although it is important to note that the amount of light decreases as your power source decreases. Meaning if you are bound to change your batteries, the brightness of your flashlight will decrease significantly.
For heavy-duty outdoor activities or special instances we recommend our premium choice, ThruNite TN42 Waterproof Flashlight with its 2,000 lumen output rating. You are guaranteed a powerful light source despite being underwater given its IPX8 rating as well.
Aside from being waterproof it is an additional feature if your waterproof flashlight can also float. This feature would come handy for you since it will allow you to recover your light source easily in the event that you lose your grip on it. The Dorcy 55 Floating Waterproof Flashlight has this feature that we recommend; it will not submerge fully when it falls in the water. Instead, it will float at the surface of the water. The Dorcy 55 Floating Waterproof Flashlight might not be the most powerful waterproof flashlight on the list, but it can provide basic light source with 55 lumen output at a beam distance of 35 meters.
Beam distance refers to how far the light beam can travel. This value is often referred to as a flashlight throw or range in the product’s packaging. Beam distance is an equally important number. A headlamp with a 100m beam length will allow you to see 100m in front of you in good conditions, while a 600m beam length will allow you to see 600m away. Beam distance needs to be checked if you plan to use your waterproof flashlight in extreme conditions requiring larger distances.
This is where both the ThruNite TN42 Waterproof Flashlight and the Zohi Waterproof Rechargeable Flashlight excelled. The two have the largest beam distance on the list 1550 meters and 450 meters respectively. Both can be used in extreme conditions requiring both large beam distance and high lumen output with the ThruNIte at 2,000 lumens and the Zohi at 1,500 lumens, these two are powerful and heavy duty.
But generally a beam distance of a few hundred meters like the 171 meter beam distance of Streamlight ProPolymer Dualie Flashlight is acceptable for light camping needs.
There are a few exceptions with models that have low beam distance like the UST SplashFlash Waterproof Mini-Lantern, that has a short beam distance of just six meters. This type of waterproof flashlight caters more to personal use and for emergency circumstances hence the compact and lightweight design.
The type of battery in a flashlight is a key determinant of how long it can run, this is usually indicated in hours on the packaging. The two most common batteries used in any lighting gear are alkaline or lithium-ions. With lithium-ion being much preferred due to its longer lasting battery life.
It is worth noting that if you are constantly using your waterproof flashlights maximum settings for brightness, your battery charge might deplete pretty fast. In this case, it may be a good idea to consider investing in a rechargeable model. Like the LumiNRG Tactical Flashlight that comes with rechargeable batteries but also has a USB for alternative power source which you can use after you’ve used up its 10 hours battery runtime.
Though the battery runtime is determined by how you use your waterproof flashlight, we find the 65 hours battery life of the Rayovac Waterproof Tactical Flashlight pretty amazing. It is a good choice if you plan on going to outdoor dusty locations as it is also dustproof.
The Lumintop Mini Flashlight is the best small waterproof flashlight on the market. Made from military-grade titanium alloy, it’s practically indestructible and very light. It also features an ergonomic, non-slip grip and delivers outstanding performance. With an affordable price tag considering its durability, this flashlight is undeniably worth it.
Manufacturers follow the same process to make both standard and waterproof flashlights. The latter, however, are sealed with gaskets and o-rings that prevent water from getting inside. The flashlight is then tested and rated with an ingress protection (IP) factor.
Waterproof flashlights can be bought at most outdoor and tool stores, as well as online. Buying from Amazon comes with a wealth of advantages, including exclusive offers, speedy delivery with Amazon Prime, and seamless returns, should you be disappointed with the product.
Water-resistant flashlights have an IP factor of 4 or 5 (IPX4 or IPX5). Waterproof flashlights can have IPX6, IPX7, or IPX8.
Simply check the user manual and see the IP rating of the flashlight you want to buy. Since the ingress protection factor is international, all manufacturers must follow strict rules to get this type of certification. However, you should be aware of any products deemed as waterproof but that don’t have the IP factor disclosed.
