Light is an incredible part of human life, but we usually take it for granted until the lights go out.
Imagine your vehicle breaks down on the road late at night, and it’s pitch dark. What to do? Here, an effective car flashlight can only be the solution for you.
You may think that an emergency car flashlight is not a compulsory item for your car’s emergency kit.
However, it is worth keeping as it can be your best friend in various unforeseen conditions, such as checking under the hood.
Here, in this article, we will discuss the key factors that you must consider while picking automobile flashlights and the top 5 automobile flashlights for emergencies.
What are Automobile Flashlights?
Automobile flashlights are portable, rechargeable flashlights designed for use in and around vehicles.
Commonly, car flashlights are used for various tasks such as changing tires, inspecting the engine, and more. These flashlights are either battery-powered or rechargeable.
Particularly, these flashlights become useful during emergencies on the road. Rechargeable flashlights are very efficient and offer strong light for longer hours.
In contrast, battery-powered flashlights have several advantages, are widely available, and are comparatively inexpensive.
Consider These Key Factors While Choosing a Car Flashlight
When choosing the best automobile flashlight for your car, you must consider some key features. Have a look at them!
Brightness and Lumens
Brightness is the most important factor, so you need to prioritise it. It is measured in lumens, and the lumen informs you about how much light the flashlight will produce.
You must choose a flashlight with 100 to 500 lumens, as it is ideal. This ideal range provides enough light to illuminate your surroundings.
Battery Type and Runtime
You must be aware of the battery type and runtime of your car flashlight. These two key factors have a great impact on your flashlight’s reliability.
You can pick a rechargeable flashlight for your car’s emergency kit. These flashlights offer a longer lifespan and save money over time.
Durability and Weather Resistance
A flashlight with high build quality is a must for tough situations. You can look for materials like aluminium or reinforced polymer. These materials are durable and have waterproofing qualities.
The Top 5 Automobile Flashlights For Emergency Situations
1. Anker Bolder LC40 LED Flashlight
Anker Bolder car flashlight is one of the most reliable automobile flashlights. It offers five light functions: high, low, medium, strobe, and SOS.
You can access those functions by clicking the sequential buttons. The body is completely sealed, so the battery can’t be moved.
The flashlight stays at 400 lumens and falls to 200 lumens at about 2 minutes. This flashlight is effective, especially for handling roadside emergencies.
Key Features:
- Compact but powerful
- 6 hours of battery life
- Perfect for changing tires in the dark
- IPX5 water resistant
- Recharge through a micro USB
Costs: 25.70 Pounds
2. Coast HP7R Rechargeable LED Torch Kit
The Coast HP7R is a solid choice for your car’s emergency kit. It includes two 2.6Ah rechargeable batteries and an alkaline pack. This automobile flashlight offers a longer runtime and plenty of versatility.
If you drive your car mostly on terrain or in harsh weather conditions, you can go forward with Coast HP7R.
This can be a great pick because it offers a high lumens of 530. This flashlight has dual power options: rechargeable and standard batteries.
Key features:
- IPX8 water resistant
- Up to 35 hours of battery life
- AA battery and rechargeable compatibility
- Top pick for off-roaders
Costs: 90 pounds
3. Maglite LED 3-Cell D Flashlight
Maglite LED 3-Cell flashlight is one of the signature car flashlights that you may think of keeping in your car emergency kit.
It boosts decent style and heritage while illuminating almost everything around you. Its design and size make this an ideal choice for your car emergency kit.
This flashlight uses 625 lumens and reaches up to almost 406 meters. The flashlight has up to 16 hours of battery life in high beam mode. The Maglite LED vehicle flashlight is easy to use and bright enough for working in a small area.
Key features:
- Designed using high-power LED technology
- Compact, reliable, and rugged
- Power up to 625 lumens
- Adjustable beam from spot to flood
Costs: 78.41 Pounds
4. Stanley Fat Max SL 10 LED
Stanley Fat Max is a rechargeable flashlight that is powerful and long-lasting. You can use this flashlight both indoors and outdoors.
If you face any breakdown of your car on the road in the dark, this flashlight helps you by making everything visible. It provides ultra-bright LED lights up to 2200 lumens.
So, you can imagine how powerful this flashlight can be compared to the others mentioned in the article. The lithium-ion technology has been used to provide emergency lights without recharging for up to 12 months.
Key features:
- Charging using a USB cable
- This flashlight can be your portable power station to recharge your electronics.
- Battery life up to 12 months
Costs: 39.98 pounds
5. NEBO Slyde King 2K

Are you looking for an LED flashlight that can do it all? Consider this NEBO Slude King 2K flashlight that is extremely versatile and reliable.
This flashlight has five different light modes, with the brightest throwing a beam of light at a distance of over 400 meters. This flashlight combines a 2000-lumen super bright LED flashlight and a 500-lumen work light.
The flashlight is plunged into the metal surface as it has a magnetic base. So, the flashlight remains in its place, ideal for changing a wheel or illuminating an engine bay.
Key features:
- USB-C rechargeable
- A 200-lumen flashlight and a 500-lumen work light
- Water and impact-resistant
Costs: 49.99 pounds
FAQs
What is the ideal place to store your flashlight in your car?
Ans: You might know that heat is not good for batteries. So, if you are travelling to a location where the batteries of the flashlight can get hot, you must skip keeping the flashlight in the glove compartment. The coolest place to keep the flashlight is underneath the seat.
Is it worth purchasing a multifunctional flashlight for your car?
Ans: The primary purpose of a flashlight is to brighten up and illuminate everything around the surroundings. Yes, you can look for a multifunctional flashlight for your car.
For example, if you pick a tactical flashlight model, some of them are equipped with a glass breaker. So, it is useful in emergencies to illuminate everything, along with allowing you to break a car window, if necessary.
Wrapping It Up
Choosing a perfect car flashlight is not only for convenience, but sometimes, it can be your lifesaver. If you ever face any hurdles on the road in the dark, you can promptly use it to brighten up your surroundings.
Whether you are looking for a high-powered flashlight or an effective rechargeable option, glance at the above-mentioned list.
You can pick one option from the list that perfectly suits your circumstances and needs. The smallest investment can make a huge difference for you on the road.






