The Top 5 Flashlights for the Woods or Forest

Whether you are camping or hunting, you need a good flashlight when you are in the woods or forest. It needs to be powerful and last a long time. The best flashlight also has to be durable and functional for your specific needs. For carrying it in the woods or forest, you do not want it to be too heavy either. 

The top 5 flashlights for the woods or forest include, in order:

• GearLight S2000
• Maglite ML300LX 
• Anker LC90
• ThruNite Archer 2AV3
• Fenix PD35

Of course, with thousands on the market, there will be the odd one or two that may not have made the list that others think should have. But this is the list of the most popular five flashlights according to ratings and popularity.

What to Look for in a Flashlight?

There are features that are necessities and those that are just specific to your personal wants or needs. The features we’re focusing on right now depend on what you are doing in the woods. For hiking, you need a powerful and long-lasting light that is light and easy to carry. Hunters like to have a light that is super bright but small enough to tuck in a pocket. 

Brightness and Versatility are Key

When hunting, you want a high-powered light that can illuminate your target from far away. Brightness is measured in lumens. The typical flashlight for the woods has 500 to 1,000 lumens. But you also want to have a lower beam when using it at other times, so you do not scare away the prey. So, a good flashlight must be versatile and have different settings. 

Runtime is Important Too

More lumens are great, but the brighter the light, the faster the battery goes dead. You want the runtime to be good, so you are not left standing in the woods in the dark. The adjustable light settings help so you are not constantly looking for new batteries. 

Rechargeable Versus Disposable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries are great because you save money not having to buy more batteries all the time. And you do not have to carry extra batteries around with you. However, there are not many opportunities to plug in your flashlight to charge when you are in the woods. Carrying extra disposable batteries is easy to do since they are not heavy.

Reliable Flashlights Are a Must

Reliability is important as well. You do not want to get out in the woods and have your light stop working for no reason. You need one that has been tested and has proven to be reliable in all situations. Make sure it is not one of the lights that stop working the first time you drop it. Because let’s face it, you will drop it. 

The Top 5 Flashlights for the Woods or Forest

Now that you know what to look for in a flashlight, we can take a look at the top five flashlights for the woods or forest. Although your needs may be different from these specific flashlights, these are the ones that are rated the best and purchased the most often. 

GearLight S2000

What gives the GearLight S2000 the most stars are the lumens and the price. You get the most lumens and the versatility of the other lights at a fraction of the cost. This one is the brightest of the bunch and is still small and light enough to fit in your bag or pocket. The super-wide beam is zoomable and lets you focus on things that are 1,000 feet away. Being out in the rain or snow is not a problem with the watertight body, and it can even be submerged in water for a short time. The durability is great, and it can survive falls up to 10 feet. 

• 1,200 lumens 
• Durable drop resistance
• Is the perfect handheld size at 7.5 inches long
• Multiple settings for versatility
• Only weighs 13 ounces
• Reaches up to 1,000 feet away
• Runtime up to 10 hours
• Uses four AA batteries
• Water-resistant IPX4

Maglite ML300LX 

The Maglite is a popular name brand and earned itself 4.7 stars on Amazon. It may not have as many lumens as some of the others, but it is longer-lasting and has more settings. The advanced focus system gives it the ability to reach more than 1,000 feet on high. The price is not bad, but you may be paying more because it is a name brand. It is longer than the others, but it fits in a backpack or bag easily. Because it runs on D batteries, it is heavier than others as well, but that makes it a nice weight for self-defense if needed.  

• 625 lumens
• Has a lifetime limited warranty
• Has five settings to choose from
• Nice handheld size at 11.75 inches
• Reaches up to 1,332 feet
• Runtime up to 117 hours
• Water-resistant IPX4
• Weighs 26.4 ounces

Anker LC90

The Anker LC90 is rated 4.6 stars by Amazon as well as many hunting and camping websites. It is the best value for a rechargeable light with so many lumens and a higher-water resistance than some of the others. The aluminum body makes it nice and light, and it has a gold-plated spring. This is one of the top-rated flashlights for durability and can survive multiple drops from more than 10 feet high. The lithium-ion battery means you do not have to carry extra batteries as well. 

• 900 lumens
• Has an 18-month warranty
• Has five settings to choose from
• Nice compact size at 6.2 inches
• Only weighs 6.24 ounces
• Reaches up to 1,000 feet
• Runtime up to six hours
• Water-resistant IPX5

ThruNite Archer 2AV3

With a rating of 4.6 stars on Amazon, the ThruNite is small but mighty. This tiny light is one of the smallest of the bunch at only 6.1 inches and the lightest at 1.7 ounces so that you can carry it all night. It can also slip into any pocket with ease. You won’t be missing out on much power either since it has 500 lumens and can reach over 300 feet. You can expect it to last about 12 hours with the low lumens so that you can use it for days. And you do not have to worry about water because it is rated at the highest waterproof rating. 

• 500 lumens
• Has five settings to choose from
• Only 6.1 inches long
• Only weighs 1.7 ounces
• Reaches up to 305 feet
• Runtime up to 12 hours
• Waterproof at IPX-8

Fenix PD35

The Fenix is one of the most powerful flashlights on the list but only got 4.5 stars on Amazon. This may be due to the price, which is higher than the others. However, the rechargeable batteries save you money in the long run, and the runtime is phenomenal. None of the other flashlights on the list can keep you seeing as long as this one. 

The Fenix is the smallest on the list, so you can slip it into any pocket or carry it all night since it is so light. It comes with two rechargeable batteries, so you always have a spare, and it is waterproof at the highest rating of IPX-8.

• 1,000 lumens
• Has six settings to choose from
• Only 5.4 inches long
• Reaches up to 656 feet
• Runtime up to 140 hours
• Waterproof at IPX-8
• Weighs just 3.1 ounces

These five flashlights are rated in the top five because of their lumens and runtime mostly. They are also high in durability, and two of them are completely waterproof. All of them are lightweight except for the Maglite, but it can still be carried easily. You will have to decide whether you want the most lumens or longest-lasting also, because the more lumens, the shorter the battery life. Getting one with rechargeable batteries can solve that problem, though. Weigh the options and choose what is right for your needs.