The right flashlight can be hard to find, and one of the big challenges can be figuring out the correct brightness. Torch brightness is measured with lumens, so how many lumens should a good flashlight have?
200 - 1000 lumens. A higher number of lumens provides a more powerful light but will cause the battery to drain more quickly. In contrast, lower lumen count lights can keep a space illuminated for a more extended period on batteries. Depending on the activity, different lumen levels may work best.
A brighter flashlight is not always the best option, and some activities are better suited to a lower lumen flashlight. Read on to find out more about what makes a great flashlight and how many lumens you should be looking for.
A lumen is a unit of measurement that measures the visible light from any light source. A flashlight may be as few as 50 or as much as 5000 lumens, and the more lumens a light source has, the brighter it is. You can read more about how lumens work here.
The short answer to this question is “no,” but the more accurate answer is “it depends.” Suppose you are camping and need a flashlight to help you find bathrooms at night, or add a little extra illumination to your evening campfire. In that case, you don’t need a high lumen level. An intense light is likely to wake and annoy anyone else asleep around you. In contrast, if you are in a pitch-black cave and you need to see as much, and as far as possible, a high-lumen flashlight is a must-have.
Lumens are also not the only consideration when choosing the right flashlight for you. Some flashlights are spotlights, meaning they illuminate one spot with a high degree of intensity. Some are floodlights, which can’t illuminate the same distance but provide a much broader light scope, eliminating any tunnel vision effect.
Additionally, some flashlights are waterproof, rechargeable, and are highly durable in a range of conditions. You could have the brightest flashlight in the world, but it breaks at the first sign of cold; that is not the flashlight to take on your winter adventures. Lumens are a significant factor, but it is worth considering all the features offered to ensure you choose the right flashlight for your needs.
Several crimes and violations occur under cover of darkness, so law enforcement needs high-powered flashlights. They generally use flashlights with between 800 and 1000 lumens. There are a few other features popular among police flashlights.
The most common high-powered flashlights used by law enforcement are LED flashlights. These are more durable and don’t produce any heat with the light they give off. They also tend to have a blue hue making them an excellent choice for use in very dark environments such as law enforcement commonly find themselves in.
Police often also use weapon lights, which are tactical flashlights attached to long guns or handguns. This flashlight type is essential in situations that involve weapons. Instead of awkwardly holding both a firearm and a handheld flashlight, law enforcement can illuminate whole spaces with high-powered flashlights.
An excellent option for a high-powered flashlight that attaches to a firearm is The B.A.M.F.F. 10.0, which provides 1000 lumens of light across both a powerful spotlight and a wide-angle floodlight. This offers a wide range of illuminated vision, completely hands-free.
One lumen is about as bright as one birthday candle, so multiply that by a thousand, and you can begin to get an idea of how bright 1000 lumens might be. A 1000 lumen flashlight will produce a beam that will allow you to see around 150-200 meters.
1000 lumens will allow you to see far into the distance, but is it necessary? That depends on what you are using it for. Suppose you need to light up large spaces or see in the pitch black. In that case, 1000 lumens will be perfect. However, if you’re looking for illumination during dawn, dusk, or when you don’t want to disturb people sleeping, then 1000 lumens are likely to be far too many.
1000 lumens may be the standard for tactical flashlights such as those used by law enforcement, but it is overkill for many other activities. For day-to-day flashlight use, 400-600 lumens is more than enough to provide adequate lighting for most situations, from camping to looking for something in a garage or other dim space.
200 to 600 lumens is generally accepted to be adequate lighting for activities such as sailing, fishing, climbing, hiking, hunting, and similar tasks. An excellent flashlight option that sits right in the middle of this range is the B.A.M.F.F. 4.0, which provides a powerful 400lumens of LED lighting. This light combines a spotlight with a broader floodlight, allowing good visibility at a distance as well as lighting your immediate surroundings. Because this flashlight is a slightly lower lumen level than other options, the light will drain the battery less-quickly than its higher-lumen siblings in the B.A.M.F.F. lineup.
Another option for a slightly higher lumen level is the B.A.M.F.F. 6.0, which gives off 600 lumens of light. This flashlight also has both a wide-angle floodlight and a long-distance spotlight. However, unlike the 4.0, the 6.0 is powered by a Lithium-Ion 2000mAh rechargeable battery, making it easy to use and charge when you need. This makes it an excellent option for a day-to-day flashlight with a higher light level.
Anything over 600 lumens could be considered a high lumen flashlight, but if you want to go for a high lumen light for maximum illumination, there are a couple of great options that you should consider.
The B.A.M.F.F. 8.0 is a great handheld flashlight option. The LED spotlight is excellent for long-distance visibility and the wide-angle floodlight prevents tunnel vision and allows you to see what’s around you. This flashlight is also rechargeable, making it a great and durable option for work and outdoor adventures.
Another great high-powered flashlight option is the B.A.M.F.F. 10.0, which can be used as a handheld flashlight or attached to a gun with the included hardware for hands-free rifle or shotgun lighting. A tactical switch is also included. This light also has a spotlight and a floodlight, which can be used individually and together for maximum lighting. This flashlight measures 1000 lumens, making it an extremely bright and high-powered flashlight.
There is no one right flashlight for everybody. Different activities require different amounts of light. 200-600 lumens is more than enough for providing adequate but not excessive lighting for most activities. Sometimes, a brighter flashlight with more lumens makes more sense to illuminate total darkness, 800 to 100 lumen will be a better choice. If you want a great, high-lumen flashlight, check out the B.A.M.F.F. 8.0 and the B.A.M.F.F. 10.0, which provide powerful illumination and a study design. Check out the full range of B.A.M.F.F flashlights here.
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Curtis Turnroth
April 21, 2021
Extremely well written article detailing ALL of the moving parts relating to the LED flashlight world. Quite comprehensive and delivered in a way a layman can understand. Best I have seen on a website. I have been following LED lights for years and this article has more solid common sense detail explaining the ins and outs than I have ever encountered. An informed buyer makes a satisfied customer. Kudos!!