Whether you are an emergency service worker working the graveyard shift or a housewife at home alone facing a power outage, there is nothing more indispensable than a good, reliable flashlight. We often don’t consider just how important flashlights are until it’s too late and we’re stuck in the dark, risking damage and injury as we attempt to get our bearings. It has become increasingly hard in our modern electronic society to deal with darkness, and if you are a shift worker, it could be quite impossible to accomplish certain job functions without a dependable flashlight. As a police officer, I know first-hand how important a good flashlight is to the job and safety.
There are many brands and models of flashlights on the market today, but they are not all created equal. Some are definitely better and more reliable than others. Just like everything else, flashlights have evolved over the years and gotten much brighter thanks to new technologies. Here is a list of some of the best flashlights available for under $50.
Streamlight ProTac 2L Professional Tactical Flashlight
The Streamlight ProTac 2L is one of the best and most reliable flashlights in this price range. This awesome and compact flashlight is becoming the flashlight of choice among law enforcement officers, fire fighters and SWAT teams because of portability and power. One look at the brightness of the LED beam and you’ll know why. This little torch packs some power. It is made out of extremely rugged aircraft aluminum and is built to last. This flashlight also features a low-lumen, battery-saving setting for routine use.
The ProTac 2L lumen rating is 180 in “Full Illumination” mode allowing the light beam to extend a surprising distance outdoors and can light up an entire room with no problem. There is also a “Strobe” setting which could be perfect in situations where you may need to signal others. In addition to “Full Illumination” and “Strobe”, there is also a setting for “10 Lumen Illumination” which can preserve battery life when using the flashlight in non-emergency situations. The ProTac comes with 2 CR123A batteries and a holster for easy carry.
The only drawback to this great flashlight is possibly the battery life when used exclusively at full power. You can expect only about 2.5 hours of charge, but when used at the lower lumen setting, you can get over 50 hours! The Streamlight ProTac 2L is one of the top best-rated flashlights available for under $50.
Maglite XL200 LED Flashlight
The Maglite XL200 is another awesome LED flashlight under $50. This torch may be smaller than its well known bigger brothers, but it packs the same high-powered punch. The XL200 operates in 5 different modes including High Power, Strobe, Night-Light, Signal and SOS for emergency distress situations. The lumen rating for this flashlight is 173 giving it the capability of shining a beam up to 600 feet. This rugged flashlight is constructed out of machined aluminum and has been anodized ion the inside and outside to prevent corrosion.
The Maglite XL200 operates on 3-AAA batteries which are included and provide about 2.5 hours of battery-life when the flashlight is in high-power mode. In lower power settings, this flashlight can get over 218 hours of life out of a set of batteries.
Maglite has been an industry leader in flashlights for years and this small, yet powerful flashlight lives up to the Maglite standard for quality. The small size is perfect for carrying in almost any situation and it is well worth the price when it comes to functionality. If you are looking for a tough flashlight that will always come through when you need it, the Maglite XL200 LED is definitely one of the best flashlights under $50.
Fenix E21 Portable LED Flashlight
Fenix is another name that is becoming synonymous with great quality flashlights. The Fenix E21 is another outstanding flashlight for under $50. This easy-to-use, compact flashlight is ideal for any outdoor adventure and is perfect for everyday use as well. The E21 runs on 2-AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries and is powerful enough to illuminate up to 439 feet. Seriously, this thing looks like a headlight when you look back at it! It features 2 modes (high and low) for use in various situations. Just like the previously mentioned flashlights, the Fenix E21 is constructed of sturdy aircraft grade aluminum making it prefect for the outdoors.
The Fenix E21 was designed for simplicity and ease of use. By simply twisting the head, you can easily go from low lumen (48 lumen) to high lumen (150 lumen) and back again. Under low-lumen conditions, this light will burn for up to 11 hours. When operated on high you can expect a battery-life of about 2 hours and 15 minutes. This flashlight is also waterproof, so it is nice to have in inclement weather. You also don’t have to worry about it getting destroyed if it falls in the water while you are fishing! In short, this is an impressive, lightweight and bright light that will get the job done when called on. The Fenix E21 definitely fits the bill as one of the best flashlights under $50 and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that you cannot afford to wait until you need a good flashlight to get one. By then, it’s already too late. Don’t be the unfortunate one to stumble to a kitchen cabinet in the dark only to pull out your old $5 plastic flashlight with the dead batteries. We’ve all been there! Get one of these great LED flashlights that will be ready to perform when the lights go out or the sun goes down. Nothing will make you feel more secure in the dark than to be able to shed a little light on your surroundings. Get one of these 3 best flashlights for under $50 and you won’t go wrong!
