Best LED Torch Buyers Guide (2022)

Everyone needs a torch – they are an essential part of your home – they will be ready for any power cuts, but are also perfect for if you are moving round your garden in the evening or if you are completing DIY in more enclosed spaces and you need extra light in the area! They are also a great way of coping in the outdoors if you are camping or walking your dog in the evening etc.

Traditional torches aren’t going to be as bright as they possibly need to be, which can leave you in a more dangerous situation or struggling to get the job done. This is why so many torches now use LED bulbs, which are going to be more energy efficient and offer a brighter light!

Keep reading for all the best LED torches that you will be able to choose from! We have also included a buyers guide so that you will know exactly what to look for!

Best Pick LED Torch – Ledlenser 500897 P5R

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In A Hurry?

Sick of fumbling around in the dark when you don’t need to? Or got a camping trip planned and need a torch to take with you? Then here is all the essential information you need to consider.

Why LED Bulbs?

LED bulbs are going to be a far better choice than standard bulbs. They work by reacting to the electrical current and emitting a bright light. These lights will come in a range of colours, allowing you to opt for whatever colour you need at a particular time, but when the colours are combined together they create a white light which is going to be brighter than an average bulb. Most of the best LED torches will also offer a “red” light setting which is great for in “low visibility” conditions or if you are wanting to lay low when out wild camping, for example.

LED bulbs produce light differently to incandescent bulbs as they create light through a semiconductor rather than through a light filament. A fantastic benefit to this is that there will be an instant reaction when wanting to switch the torch on and off. So instead of the bulb taking a little time to “warm up”, it will come on instantly and switch off instantly.

Another reason why you should always opt for LED torches is that they will be more energy efficient and also brighter thanks to the new technology. On average you will find that LED bulbs consume between 75% and 90% less energy than standard bulbs.

The main downside to LED bulbs is that they are going to be more expensive, which can be the reason some people are put off from purchasing an LED torch, but they are actually going to be much longer lasting than standard bulbs (more than double the lifespan) so will actually save you money in the long run.

Battery

The battery that comes with your LED torch is definitely a main component to consider! Some models don’t even come with batteries, you will have to provide these separately, so this is obviously the first thing to check for.

Then you need to look at exactly how your LED torch is going to be powered. Models range from AA or AAA batteries, or some use D batteries instead – all of these are going to be readily available at your local supermarket so you don’t need to worry about them being hard to replace!

Some of the best LED torches come with the option to recharge your batteries – with a wire included to allow you to do this. This will be better value for money and also save you a considerable amount of time and hassle so they are well worth looking out for in our opinion. If this is what you are looking for then make sure to opt for Lithium-ion batteries as these are going to be longer lasting!

Battery life really depends on the quality of the battery and the energy efficiency of the bulb (which you are already making the best choice on with looking for an LED model). Batteries can last for well over a year with the right conditions.

TOP TIP: If you do opt for a rechargeable battery make sure to check how long the battery is going to last before it needs recharging. Some will offer up to around 30 hours of continuous use before the need to recharge – but this time does often decrease as the life of the battery extends and is also affected by how bright you actually need the torch to be. Also look at how long it takes to charge the battery – some will be fully charged within an hour!

Lumens and Brightness

The brightness that you need really depends on what you are planning on using your torch for! Personally, we feel if you are getting an LED torch then you want to opt for the brightest model that you can – you don’t want to be fumbling around in the dark if you don’t need to be.

The best way to judge this is by looking at the lumens. Different LED lights are going to give off different Lumens (which is basically the brightness). But this is also impacted on the number of LED bulbs that there are. Some LED torches will only have one bulb whereas others will have multiple bulbs that make up the light, which is obviously going to give off considerably more light!

Lumen ratings tend to range from around 300 up to a massive 15,000 lumens – this is a massive difference so is definitely worth checking for! The best models will offer different settings with different brightness levels so that you can get the best of the battery life!

You also want to look at the spread of the light as this will affect how bright the actual beam looks. For example, an LED torch offering 6000 Lumens with a “throw” beam will look brighter than a torch with 6000 Lumens but a “flood” beam as a flood beam spreads over a wider distance so you will be able to light up a wider area but not quite as brightly.

Best Budget LED Torch – 2x 300 Lumen Torches

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Size and Weight

The size and weight of LED torches varies considerably. As a general rule, the larger the torch, the more powerful and therefore the brighter that it is going to be, but this isn’t always the case – there are smaller models that will pack a punch too!

The best LED torches are going to be made from aluminium as this is one of the lightest materials that you are going to find, making the torch easy to carry with you. It will also be relatively durable – but if you are wanting added protection then look for one with a plastic or rubber casing!

Some models are as light as 60g, whereas others will go up to around 1.5kg so make sure to check the overall weight. The same goes for the size, which will range from as small as around 10cm up to around 30cm.

The Best LED Torches Have….

Here are some of the additional features that we feel are worth looking out for if you are wanting to get the best value for money, a torch that is going to last and that will be there to brighten your day whenever you need it!

Colour – You may think that the colour of your torch isn’t important but actually it is. A darker coloured torch is going to be much harder to spot in an already dark space!
Hook or Wrist Strap – If you are planning on moving around and working with your torch then look out for a model that comes with a wrist strap. This will help to avoid you dropping the torch whilst you work and move around. Others come with a pocket strap that is great for if you are out walking, as you can forget about it until you need it.
Grip – Make sure to check the grip on the torch as this is going to affect how easy they are to work with. Look out for rubber grips if you are wanting a strong grip that is also going to be more comfortable. Plastic is going to be your cheaper and more durable option but is arguably less comfortable.
Adjustable settings – Some of the best LED torches are going to come with a variety of settings so that you can change the brightness of the light, the colour and shape of the beam and even change between a constant light and a flickering light should you need to. It is also worth checking whether this is achieved through pressing a button or through twisting the head of the torch and think about which you would prefer.
Switch – Look at the quality of the switch that comes with the torch, some can be quite poor quality which can begin to affect how easy it is to switch on and off. We particularly like models that are built into the main design securely as these will be safer from water and dust.
Waterproof and dust resistant – Even if you aren’t planning on regularly using your LED torch, in our opinion it is still worth looking for whether it is waterproof and dust proof as accidents can happen and it is a sign that your torch will be able to withstand them! The IP rating is the one that you need to check for when looking to see how durable the torch is going to be – an IP rating of 44 or above is definitely the best option. Most LED torches will also provide you with an impact resistance rating – look for models that are at least 1.5m as this means that if you drop the torch from a standard height it shouldn’t be damaged!
Turn-off timer – We really like torches that automatically switch off after a few minutes, yes they’re not ideal for if you know you are going to be using your torch for a long time but they are a great way to save battery life if you can be forgetful in leaving the torch on by mistake. Some models even have a choice to select this mode or not so they can please everyone.
LED Battery light – Models that come with LED battery lights are the best way to never run out of light. They will warn you when the battery is running low so that you can recharge and usually then go green when they are fully charged.
USB charging – If you are looking for a quick way to charge your LED torch then look out for models that come with a USB charger! This can then either be attached to a plug or charged in your car or laptop etc.
Lockout function – A lockout function means that if you know you are carrying the torch with you and don’t want it switching on accidentally in your bag you can “lock” the on switch.
SOS function – If you are planning on using your LED torch out camping then we really like models that come with an SOS function. These will provide signals if you get yourself into any danger whilst out and about.

Best of the Rest

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Frequently Asked Questions

What guarantee will I get with an LED torch?

All LED torches are going to come with a warranty. Depending on the quality this usually ranges between one and three years, but we did find some of the best LED torches have five year warranties.

How long will an LED torch last?

There are a lot of factors that need to be considered when looking at how long the LED torch will last. LED bulbs can last for up to 30,000 hours of use and the batteries can last for a couple of years, if not longer for rechargeable options! You will usually find that an LED torch will have double the life of a standard torch.