What are the most efficient flashlights available today? We think LED-based flashlights are the only ones worthy of consideration. LEDs will shine longer than other bulbs, and can withstand shocks and temperature extremes. The best LED flashlights incorporate bright, high-quality LEDs with regulatory circuits that insure a consistent, long-lasting light.

Here are some of the top rated flashlights, based on the reviews at the comprehensive (but complicated) Flashlight Reviews site, and reviews by Amazon buyers. (more…)

LED flashlights are now available in the ultraviolet frequency range. These flashlights have the same longevity and durability of other LED lamps. Some of the ultraviolet flashlights on the market are the Inova X5 Ultraviolet (made with anodized aluminum) and the hefty Streamlight Twin Task. You can see many other types listed on this page.

This is a nice children’s headlamp for about $18. We like it because it uses three bright, energy-efficient LEDs. So the batteries will last hundreds of hours. It has three settings: high, low and flash. Available at Amazon.

See also this similar headlamp from Amazon.

This hand-cranked flashlight provides 25-30 minutes of light, after one minute of charging. This is better than most hand-cranked flashlights, which need to be constantly wound or shook to keep them lit. The flashlight operates on an internal rechargeable lithium battery, which is recharged via the hand crank. It has a waterproof and shockproof shell. You can use either one or all three of the LEDs. The battery can be recharged 500 times (with proper use). The replacement batter is a standard CR2032 lithium coin cell.

Available from: Amazon ($16.00)

I have a “forever flashlight” — the kind that you shake for 20 seconds and get 5-10 minutes of light. This flashlight seems to be an improvement on that idea. It uses three ultra-bright LEDs. One minute of wind-up provides up to one hour of light. The price is $19.95. Available from: Science EStore. Via Red Ferret

Just completed a camping trip using several LED headlamps and wondered why there were no other campers using headlamps despite what I believed were clear advantages over flashlights, especially for hiking trails. With a headlamp, my hands were free. Also, the light was automatically pointed to where my eyes were looking at. Plus, the headlamp could be used as a flashlight, as well, anyway.

Why LED? For example, with only 2 AA rechargeable NiMH batteries, the 7-LED headlamp worked from 9PM to 8AM the next morning with power to spare. I brought along a portable Rayovac 1-Hour NiMH battery charger, IMHO the best NiMH/Nicad charger.

The Yukon’s Xenon bulb produced a yellowish light that showed trail terrain and texture best. With a bluish LED light, we couldn’t tell if the trail had changed from soil to sand.

FYI, here are my impressions of several brands/models of LED headlights for camping and hiking:

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Inexpensive, compact, lightweight, uses long-life LED bulbs and is waterproof to 500 feet. It qualifies.

Available from: REI Outlet ($10.93)

The Brunton Firelight windproof lighter with bright white LED light makes other windproof lighters look like cheap toys — it is truly stormproof. Eighty mile-per-hour winds don’t make the Firelight flinch. It also features a handy LED light in the base. The thimble-sized LED unit can even be unscrewed and used completely separate from the lighter.

Note: This item is no longer being sold. Bruton this offers this windproof lighter without an LED light.