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In the quest for a reliable flashlight these days, it can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. When looking for the best flashlight under $50 online, the options seem endless, and finding the perfect budget-friendly light for preppers can be quite the challenge.
Many cheaper flashlights flood the market, but unfortunately, they don’t stand the test of time and quickly lose their shine. Some of these poorer quality flashlights barely make it past a few months of use.
However, fear not! We’ve taken the guesswork out of the equation by compiling this comprehensive list of top flashlights that not only fit your budget but also meet your prepping needs. From durable builds to impressive features, our curated selection of flashlights ensures you can make an informed purchase and find the perfect illuminating companion for your adventures. Don’t let darkness hold you back – light your way with confidence and get the best bang for your buck with these budget-friendly flashlight options.
Here are The Best Flashlights Under $50
A rating is one of the best ways to track the value of a flashlight that is priced at less than $50. Our chart can help compare some of the other top-rated flashlights in a simple table.
| Flashlight | Light Distance | Battery Type | Light Type | Lumens | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | 68 meters | 1 Lithium Ion | LED | 250 | |
  | 45 meters | 3 D batteries | LED | 168 | |
  | 200 meters | Rechargeable | LED | 1200 | |
  | 150 meters | 1 Lithium Ion | LED | 900 | |
  | 330 meters | 1 Lithium Ion | LED | 2030 |
Features of The Best Flashlight Under 50 Below
When you are browsing for a new cheap flashlight and in particular a cheaper one that’s under $50, then there may be a chance that the flashlight you’re looking at is powered by rechargeable batteries or even alkaline batteries.
Rechargeable is often the best option to go with for flashlights, especially in 2022, but alkaline batteries are far from going away. Whenever you have an emergency flashlight, it’s always a really good idea to have batteries packed away in a safe place.
If your flashlight just requires batteries you can always get rechargeable batteries. This is the ideal upgrade you should make to save money on buying batteries. Our favorite rechargeable batteries are the AmazonBasics and you will need a battery charger for your batteries. Although, you will find most of the flashlights in our list have built-in batteries that can recharge. This will be much better giving you a more accurate reading on battery life.
Now that you’re set on your batteries, you can get started to go over some of the most important features of these flashlights for under $50.
- Sometimes the battery will determine the size of the light and therefore there can be some allowances to this rule. Find a flashlight that’s a comfy fit for you so when you need it in an emergency you’ll have it and can access it quickly and safely.
- For the most part flashlights in this article fall into one of two materials. Plastic or metal. Plastic flashlights are usually cheaper than lighters ones and also usually have a low rating. However, metal flashlights are heavier and more durable and typically rated much better.
- As far as flashlights go, any flashlight on our list will do what it was designed to do for most light-duty flashlight tasks you will be fine, but if you want to light up your entire backfield you will need to pay much more.
Best Flashlight Under 50 – The Advantages of Choosing a Budget-Friendly Light
When picking a flashlight that’s under $50, you are still getting a lot of the light options that come with the more expensive lights on the market. Flashlights have come a long way since the modern flashlight. Lights now have LED, HID, and incandescent bulbs for a fair price.
One thing to consider is the different light options:
- These kinds of flashlights use a filament for making a glow and some other ones tend to use halogen you will notice these tend to be for the cheaper flashlights available.
- Usually well-constructed and has a long lifespan. You will be able to get the most hours out of these types of flashlights typically. This flashlight is among the most popular kind of flashlights you can get for under $50.
- These types of flashlights make use of metal vapors rather than a filament to produce light. Because of this, it makes it really bright, yet keep in mind it also requires a ballast to be operated. Rarely ever will you find one available in the under $50 price range but those are the things to keep in mind when they become available. Until then you can find the best flashlight under 50 in our top 10 list that will meet your needs.
Flashlight Lumen Rating
Typically every flashlight has a lumen rating and can be a little misleading. I’ve seen some ratings way off and I’ve learned that it’s because some rate the capacity of the light which might not ever be able to reach its full light capacity.
Other people rate the actual light lumens as how you would for a flashlight. But also some will rate light created a couple of millimeters away from the light source.
You will see higher the lumen comes with a higher price tag and that’s where you can get used to this guide to find the best flashlight that meets your requirements for what you will be using your light for. Read closely in this review to determine if these lights have the options you’re looking for. Another thing to note is if you do have higher lumens then it will reduce the lifespan of the batteries in your flashlight.
What’s the average price for the best flashlight under 50?
I don’t mean to state the obvious here but every flashlight in our is under the $50 price range at least at the time of this article.
Flashlights that are used for emergency situations sometimes are just a basic light under $20 and in other situations, they’re used for taking out the trash or something light duty.
Now in the $50 price range, you start to see more multi-purpose lights, and the specs start to increase. These can range in features and advantaged lighting options for example controlling beam patterns or having rechargeable batteries is another feature and this is what to look for for the best flashlights under 50 price range.
Top 10 Flashlights Under $50
1. Streamlight 66604 250 Lumen - Best Overall Flashlight Under $50
Here is the Streamlight 66604, it’s super light and has a surprisingly beam from this micro steam. This is powered by a lithium-ion battery and can be recharged with a durable pocket clip. What’s not to love with this cheap flashlight?
One thing I really liked about this flashlight is the housing is constructed with aluminum making it very durable. Featuring an unbreakable scratch-resistant polycarbonate lens, and best of all easily charge by use of a USB cord.
If you want to go for extreme brightness and you don’t want to spend a bunch of money this is a could choose to do with. In my opinion, this microlight is more powerful than some of the more expensive flashlights I’ve owned in the past. The light source is LED and the lumen is 250, it’s actually very good for a small light!
Pros
- Durable
- Unbreakable lens
- USB chargeable
Cons
- The on/Off button requires some pressure
2. Maglite LED 3-Cell D - Best Budget Flashlight
Meet the Maglite LED 3-cell D regular-sized flashlight designed for professionals or consumers. This is solidly constructed and has advanced lighting making it great for hunting or fishing.
This flashlight has a great user experience and having a full-size flashlight comes in handy in some survival situations. A premium flashlight at a fair price, we feel like this light meets most expectations of your common chore.
This flashlight is appealing to a wide group of people. It’s highly regarded as it is one of the best cheap flashlights under $50. Super quality at an affordable price, you can’t really beat that!
Pros
- LED
- Powerful 168 lumens
- Full size
Cons
- Doesn’t hold a charge as good as others
3. Wuben Rechargeable L50 LED Flashlight - Best EDC Flashlight
Here’s another super bright light made by Wuben. It’s got 1200 lumens emitted from an OSRAM P9 LED with a max beam distance of 200m or further overall it’s a nice little flashlight and it’s super durable being constructed with aircraft-grade aluminum.
This tactical-styled flashlight is water-resistant and was designed to be used while raining. It’s durable and has nice features with a powerful led light reaching a fair distance. It has 2 backup batteries and is USB rechargeable.
Pros
- Tactical
- Water-resistant
- High powered lumens
Cons
- Small
4. Anker Rechargeable Bolder LC90 – Best for hiking
Now we have the Anker rechargeable bolder lc90 and it’s basically every camper or hiker’s dream flashlight. It’s got a 50,000-hour lifespan ensuring you will get over 5+ years of use.
It can handle light rain with an IPX5 rating, it’s perfect for hikers or people outside during misting and unexpected rain. Long-lasting battery life lasting over 20 hours before needing the next charge.
Overall, this is one of the better options for a cheap affordable price you can’t go wrong choosing anything by Anker for outdoor gear.
Pros
- Super bright
- 20 hours of playtime
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Takes 5 hours to charge
5. PowerTac M5-G2 Tactical LED - Best tactical Flashlight
This is a two-pack that comes in handy to throw in your bug-out bag or pack away with your emergency supplies. The price is right when it comes to the Tactical flashlight brought to you by FMU. With the zoomable option, it allows you easily to shift through different modes to get the best lighting from close or far away.
With a lumen of 2,030, this light uses LED bulbs to provide such an intensely bright light. Shine up an entire room or objects that are more than 1000 feet away. This light for the price is going to be hard to find better that can outperform and has the unique zoom and mode options.
It’s great for anyone who doesn’t want to spend very much. I like the idea that it comes in a 2 pack, you can just buy it and then place it with your gear in case of emergencies needless to say this makes it a great option for the best flashlight under 50.
Pros
- 2 Pack
- Light objects up to 1000 feet
- Adjustable zoom with 5 modes
Cons
- Not made in the US
6. Streamlight 66134 Stylus Pro - Best small flashlight
You can’t go wrong with any Streamlight but this, in particular, is the Stylus Pro and it’s most likely my personal favorite. With 3 different light settings, this is a convenient light for most ordinary light duties.
With a sleek look with a tactical feel, this super bright led light pen can conveniently fit right into your pocket. Choosing this kind of light allows for a flexible way to carry it around or by using the pocket clip. Not the most powerful light on our list but this bad boy is equipped with 250 lumens and can reach up to 109 meters in distance.
Streamlight makes good products. They have a variety have light colors available (even camo) for all you outdoorsy people out there. For the price, this is an overall good flashlight you can get at this price range.
Pros
- Flexible to use
- Durable
- Recharges up to 300 times
Cons
- Light time only 3.5 hours
7. Steamlight ProTac - Best Budget Flashlight
This is probably the highest-quality flashlight on the list. Originally Streamlight had this listed just below $100 and then marked it under $50. As a disclaimer you should note at the time of the writing of this article, this is the said price. If it should happen to change in price again I will update the blog.
The Streamlight 88033 ProTac is a professional tactical flashlight with 250 lumens. Light up to 130 meters and will run for over 42 hours on low. It supports multi-functions like a push-button tactical tail switch, strobe mode, and a few others but it is one of the best flashlight under 50.
If you are going for the best bargain and looking for a higher-quality flashlight then this could be something for you. This company makes nice high-quality products and mostly everyone has something good to say about these types of tactical lights.
Pros
- Versatile
- Waterproof
- 250 Lumens
Cons
- Takes batteries
8. Bercol Led Flashlight - Best flashlight for preppers
Featuring 5 different modes, this tactical flashlight can serve almost any purpose when needing a light for everyday kind of things. The lesion has an impressive 1500 lumens and can easily shine up an entire room for if your power ever goes out then you will have a good emergency light source.
It’s equipped with USB charging and has an ip4 waterproof rating, it will stand light rain fairly easily. Another thing I really like about this flashlight is that it can shine a beam up to 500 meters.
If you are going for the best bargain and looking for a higher-quality flashlight then this could be something for you. This company makes nice high-quality products and mostly everyone has something good to say about these types of tactical lights.
Pros
- Versatile
- Waterproof
Cons
- Doesn’t hold a charge as long as others
9. PeekPlus Rechargeable Tactical Flashlight - Best flashlight kit
Here’s a very impressive tactical flashlight that’s highly compact and can be unnoticed in your pockets and easily pack it away in your backpack for storage. But why is it impressive? It’s the 5 modes on it, high medium, and low as well as the strobe and the SOS mode. By pushing the body of light, you can change the way the light appears as a spotlight or floodlight.
With 1500 lumens this tactical flashlight has some serious power that will allow you to shine a beam up to 500 meters on an object. The frame is very durable and the best part about this is it’s a 2-pack.
For the price, this is a really good and affordable flashlight you can go with this option and get 2 awesome lights for the price of 1. This flashlight can take rechargeable batteries and would be great with a solar panel charger I think. One of the best flashlights under 50 you are able to get.
Pros
- 2 Pack
- Durable
- 5 modes
Cons
- Finicky
10. Brionac Rechargeable LED Flashlight - Best flashlight for recharging
Now last on our list is one of the most budget-friendly flashlights and is made by PeakPlus. This is one powerful light with high lumens but they are ten times better than old incandescent lights. Making this light source is the best flashlight under 50 as well as this is powered by either batteries or rechargeable batteries.
One thing that stands out with this flashlight is the heavy-duty outer layer, water resistance, skid proof, and anti-abrasive making it a popular choice to pick for all your lighting needs.
The price is right. A cheap option that can shine up to 600 feet in distance, supports rechargeable batteries, and is water resistant and made for heavy duty. It has all the right features that I love as a customer and I think anyone that gave this light a try would fall in love with it as well.
Pros
- Shines up to 600 feet
- 5 light modes
- Heavy duty
Cons
- One year warranty
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed reading our list and hopefully, this does help you in your search of finding the best flashlight under 50 and makes it easier to find one that suits you and what you plan on using your flashlight for.
*Disclosure: At the time during this edit, all flashlights were under the price mentioned in this article. We will update the links and keep this up to date so you can find a good EDC flashlight under the $50 range.
We featured a lot of really nice quality lights for a lower price and we think the best flashlight under 50 is the Streamlight or the Woben l50.
Have you read the best flashlights for preppers yet?
