9 Best Flashlights Under $100 [2024 Upd.] + Buyer's Guide (2024)

Last Updated on June, 2024

There are some great flashlights in the market that have some AMAZING features that don’t actually cost that much. In fact, the nine that we have picked for this list are considered the BEST flashlights under $100.

If you are in the market for a VALUABLE flashlight that offers great VALUE for money, you have come to the right place. We are experts when it comes to flashlights, and it is after carefully testing and researching dozens of flashlights we have come to this list of the BEST 9.

Hence, without further ado, let’s jump into the good stuff!

Editor’s Choice

Olight Baton 3 Pro

Brightness

Beam distance

Runtime

Durability

Price

5.0

4.9

5.0

5.0

5.0

Overall Score

5.0

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE

#2nd Best Choice

ThruNite TN12 V4

Brightness

Beam distance

Runtime

Durability

Price

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9

Overall Score

4.9

#3rd Best Choice

Acebeam E70 MINI

Brightness

Beam distance

Runtime

Durability

Price

4.9

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE

Table of Contents

  • 9 of the Best Flashlights Under $100
    • 1. Olight Baton 3 Pro (Editor’s Choice)
    • 2. ThruNite TN12 V4 (#2nd Best Choice)
    • 3. Acebeam E70 MINI(#3rd Best Choice)
    • 4. FENIX PD36R
    • 5. Nitecore MT10C
    • 6. IMALENT DM35
    • 7. MAGLITE 3-CELL D LED FLASHLIGHT
    • 8. Wuben C3
    • 9. Cyansky M3
  • The Risk When Buying a Flashlight Under $100
  • What to Look for When Buying a Flashlight Under $100?
  • Conclusion
  • FAQs
    • Are Flashlights Under $100 Reliable?
    • What Should I Look for When Buying a Flashlight Under $100?
    • What is the Best Flashlight Under $100?

9 of the Best Flashlights Under $100

We looked at various parameters when we picked the flashlights for this list. All the flashlights on this list have something that makes them an EXCELLENT pick.

Here is our list of the BEST 9 flashlights that will cost you less than $100!

1. Olight Baton 3 Pro (Editor’s Choice)

This small and compact rechargeable flashlight sure packs a punch. The body is made with high grade aluminum and has a beautiful no-slip grip that will fit right in your hand.

It has a large concave side switch that makes it easy to activate this flashlight. This is a great everyday carry flashlight and has an excellent lumen output.

With a maximum output of 1500 lumens, this little flashlight has a 175-meter throw! (That is quite the distance for a little flashlight – 3.99 inches, weighing 3.6 ounces.)

What’s AMAZING about this flashlight is the fact that it can run on a single charge for up to 120 days! That is almost half a year of illumination.

The flashlight is rechargeable and allows for fast charging. With five levels of brightness to choose from, the highest level of brightness has a runtime of almost five hours! While on the lowest mode, yes, this flashlight will work for 120DAYS!

With five modes to choose from, it comes with a strobe mode, making it a perfect tactical flashlight. Tactical flashlights need the ability to signal in case of emergency. The strobe function not only works to signal in case of emergency, but will also work to blind threats such as wildlife (while camping.)

It comes with a fancy pocket clip that will allow you to clip your flashlight onto a shirt, pocket, or belt. The pocket clip only increases the functionality of this flashlight.

This is one of the best lightweight flashlights on the market. However, when picking LED flashlights under $100, there are two things you should specifically look out for. Is the flashlight waterproof? Yes, this flashlight is rated IPX8 waterproof.

Secondly, is the flashlight durable? This flashlight has a stainless steel body, making it one of the toughest LED flashlights on the market.

This is one compact flashlight with some GREAT features. Highly Recommended at the top of the list!

Want to learn more about this flashlight? Here’s the complete Olight Baton 3 Pro Review.

Pros

  • Great battery life of 120 DAYS on low mode
  • Durable and hardy build
  • Pocket clip allowing for functionality
  • Good beam profile and beam distance
  • Variety of modes
  • Strobe for tactical scenarios
  • Waterproof rated IPX8

Cons

  • It can’t get much better than this for a flashlight below $100, so yeah, no cons whatsoever

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE

2. ThruNite TN12 V4 (#2nd Best Choice)

When it comes to flashlights under $100, the ThruNite TN12 V4 is a MARVELOUS pick!

It is made with T6061-T6 High-Grade Aluminum, which is one of the toughest alloys of aluminum.

This is one tough flashlight for the price it costs (the aluminum alloy body is TOUGH!). This flashlight has more light than an average flashlight that costs this much.

With a maximum lumen output of 1100 lumens, this flashlight has six lighting modes, including strobe and firefly mode. This is yet another great tactical flashlight.

What makes a flashlight a great tactical flashlight is the strobe function. This flashlight comes with strobe functionality.

Tactical flashlights such as this flashlight are great for outdoor use, such as camping. However, this flashlight is great for indoor use too, especially for night work.

The varying light modes have varying degrees of brightness. In turbo mode, this flashlight will use a maximum output of 1100 lumens of light, which has a throw distance of 240 meters. (That is an AMAZING throw distance for the price this tactical flashlight costs.) – most flashlights in this price range do not have such excellent beam distance.

The brightness settings can be altered at the touch of a button.

When it comes to LED flashlights, you want to consider the runtimes on the various modes, which can be important. The battery life will allow this flashlight to work in turbo mode for 2.2 hours. However, this flashlight can work up to 49DAYS in the lowest mode! (That is over a month on a single charge.)

This is a great everyday carry flashlight that has impressive battery life. The flashlight uses 18650 lithium-ion batteries (you can use a rechargeable battery).

These are the same type of batteries used in Tesla Model S Sedans. Much like using AA batteries, you can switch batteries when needed, and if you opt to use a rechargeable battery, you can recharge and reuse.

This flashlight is both waterproof and impact-proof. It has a waterproof rating of IPX8 and can be submerged underwater for up to 2 meters. It has also proved successful in a 1-meter drop test (impact-proof).

This is a bright flashlight for its price and produces concentrated light to illuminate the night sky.

Pros

  • Tough and durable design and build
  • Long battery life with 49 days on lowest mode
  • Good beam profile and control on brightness
  • Six excellent lighting modes
  • Waterproof rated IPX8

Cons

  • Tail switch can be a little hard to press at times

3. Acebeam E70 MINI(#3rd Best Choice)

The Acebeam E70 mini is loaded with three 519A LEDs and comes with a customized TIR lens that produces a soft and balanced beam, perfect for comfortable use.

All the lights (LEDs) work together to produce a beautifully balanced spectrum of light to illuminate the darkness.

When it comes to modern flashlights, you need to consider the material the body is made of. This little flashlight is made of aerospace grade aluminum.

This flashlight has six modes of operation, including TURBO!

The flashlight is operated by a handy switch and has a strobe feature which is excellent for emergencies (tactical flashlight.)

This is a USB rechargeable flashlight. This rechargeable flashlight comes with a built-in rechargeable battery that is charged using a USB-C cable.

Some Rechargeable flashlights usually have the edge over non-rechargeable models. You don’t have to keep buying new batteries, and you can quickly recharge this flashlight using a battery charger.

With a maximum lumen output of 2000 lumens, this flashlight has a 153-meter beam distance (which is impressive for a small flashlight.)

With a max runtime of 56 hours, this flashlight has good battery life for the price you pay.

This everyday carry (EDC) flashlight would be a good pick for you if you consider what it offers for its price!

Are you not convinced? This flashlight is waterproof! Rated IP68 and can be submerged in up to 2 meters of water.

Pros

  • 2000 lumens of brightness
  • Strobe mode for tactical use
  • Good amount of modes to choose
  • Impressive runtimes
  • Waterproof IP68

Cons

  • The flashlight should be turned on with a double click

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE

4. FENIX PD36R

This compact flashlight is one of the BEST flashlights under $100. Compared to other lights, Fenix is known to make POWERFUL and TRUST-WORTHY flashlights.

Fenix is a trustworthy brand that has quite the name around town.

This flashlight has a simple user interface and a fantastic beam spread. When it comes to Every Day Carry flashlights, you have to consider how easy it is to turn on.

This flashlight has a highly accessible tailcap switch, which is used to both turn on and change modes.

It has 5 degrees of brightness (great beam spread) and a strobe function that you can choose from. It comes with a user manual, which will tell you everything you need to know about the flashlight.

With a maximum lumen output of 1600 lumens, in turbo mode, the flashlight will work for 2 hours and 50 minutes. This is excellent battery life for a flashlight of this size.

The lowest setting at a 30-lumen output will have a runtime for 115 hours which is excellent.

This handy light, with its compact size, is made of high grade aluminum. The aluminum body gives it a polished and strong finish, while the high lumens of this flashlight make it very bright for the price you pay. (In fact, it won’t be easy to find such high lumens under $100.)

It is a RECHARGEABLE flashlight and is charged through a USB port.

With a throw distance of 283 meters (many flashlights under $100 do not have such a reasonable throw distance), this USB rechargeable flashlight is AMAZING!

This tactical flashlight has a strobe function in case of emergency, making it a great tactical USB rechargeable light.

It is rated IP68 waterproof, can be submerged in up to 2 meters of water, and is classified as dust-proof. It has been drop tested at 1 meter, making it impact-resistant.

This is a great little flashlight for the price you pay (high lumens.)

Pros

  • Rechargeable, charged through a USB port
  • Durable and lightweight design perfect for everyday carry
  • Good beam profile and modes of brightness
  • Easy UI
  • Waterproof rated IP68

Cons

  • Quick access to turbo and strobe mode would’ve been ideal

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE

5. Nitecore MT10C

With a maximum lumen output of 920 lumens, this flashlight offers EXCELLENT brightness for the price you pay. (Great value for money.)

The Nitecore MT10C is a great EDC flashlight that will work to illuminate the way.

It has five levels of brightness with a maximum throw distance of 189 meters. This is an excellent throw distance for a flashlight this size.

It has a runtime of 120 HOURS on low mode.

It has a red light mode, which can work as a beacon in case of emergency. This is one of those features that’s present in tactical flashlight, to see it in an EDC is impressive.

The flashlight is operated through a highly accessible tail switch which you can use to directly access both the turbo mode and the red light mode.

Though the turbo mode works for 30 minutes, this flashlight works with IMR18350, which are both rechargeable and replaceable. This is a nice feature to have, considering the high setting only works for 30 minutes.

At only 3.6 inches long, this small and compact flashlight is excellent for everyday use! It is rated IPX8 and can be submerged in up to 2 meters of water. It also has an impact resistance of 1 meter.

Pros

  • Great beam distance at 189 meters
  • Good battery life with 120 hours of life on low mode
  • Highly useful tactical features
  • Durable and strong build
  • Waterproof rated IPX8

Cons

  • Battery runtime on medium mode could have been better

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE

6. IMALENT DM35

The Imalent DM35 has a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours! Don’t let the compact size of this flashlight fool you; this is a powerful EDC flashlight.

This flashlight has a maximum lumen output of 2000 lumens. (It isn’t easy to find a flashlight with this high lumens under $100.)

We were blown away by the beam profile of this flashlight. With a maximum distance of 450 meters, this flashlight offers an AMAZING beam profile for the price you pay.

It uses 21700 Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and is recharged using a USB port.

This is a great feature to have in any flashlight. You don’t want to have to keep replacing batteries or carry a bunch of spare batteries when you go camping.

The battery’s runtime of up to 210 hours in low mode is EXCELLENT, and the flashlight has five modes to choose from. That is five levels of brightness and five light settings (choose the light setting that best suits your requirement.)

It has a magnetic tailcap which allows you to work hands-free. This can be great for when you are working under the hood of your car!

At only 4.5 inches in length, this is a really small flashlight that packs a punch! It is rated IPX8 waterproof and can be submerged in up to 2 meters of water. It is also impact resistant and has survived a drop test of 1.5 meters.

Pros

  • Good build quality with a magnetic tailcap
  • Five levels of brightness for great control of light
  • Superb beam distance
  • Impact resistant at 1.5 meters
  • Waterproof rated IPX8

Cons

  • Should take the battery out to recharge the flashlight

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE

7. MAGLITE 3-CELL D LED FLASHLIGHT

The Maglite 3-Cell D LED flashlight is renowned for its quality, durability, and reliability. This flashlight is designed for both professional and consumer use.

With a maximum lumen output of 168 lumens, this flashlight has an excellent throw distance of 412 meters. That is close to quarter a mile of throw for a flashlight that is under $100.

It has a peak beam intensity of 42533 candelas and a runtime of 80 hours. It runs on D Cell Alkaline batteries which can be replaced or recharged when necessary.

Though this isn’t a rechargeable flashlight, simply using rechargeable D Cell batteries will solve the issue.

The fact that it isn’t a built-in battery serves the purpose well, especially when you are in need of a flashlight on a long trip, like when you go camping or hiking for the week.

This is a simple flashlight with a single mode (high mode) which works at an output of 168 lumens. At 12 inches in length, this isn’t the most miniature flashlight, but it has a thin and beautiful design.

It is rated IPX4 water resistant and has been drop tested at 1 meter (shock resistant).

Pros

  • Good battery life of 80 hours of illumination
  • Simple user interface; only one mode
  • Good beam profile and level of brightness
  • Waterproof rated IPX4

Cons

  • Quite large

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8. Wuben C3

The Wuben C3 is a very VERSATILE and HARDY flashlight with some fantastic features. It is one of the more affordable flashlights on our list.

Don’t be swayed into thinking this an unreliable flashlight, though. If it were unreliable, it wouldn’t have made our list of the BEST9.

With a maximum lumen output of 1200 lumens (great value for money), this little flashlight, at only 4.7 inches in length, has an AMAZING throw distance of 179 meters.

It has four modes of brightness that you can choose from, with the highest level of brightness working for 2.5 hours.

The lowest brightness level will work for 143 hours and has a throw distance of 1 meter.

It is powered by 18650 lithium-ion batteries and is rechargeable! This is a very nice feature. The battery is not built-in; you can replace the battery if you need to.

It even has SOS and Strobe functionality, making it great for tactical use. You want to know a secret – it is made with aircraft grade aluminum (HOW STRONG IS THAT?).

For the price you pay, this is an AMAZING little flashlight. It is even waterproof (rated IP68) and can be submerged in up to 2 meters of water for an HOUR!

It has been drop tested to 1.5 meters (impact-proof), making this a HARDY little flashlight for well under $100.

Here’s our complete review of Wuben C3.

Pros

  • Rechargeable features ensures you don’t need spare batteries
  • Durable and reliable design and functionality
  • Waterproof rated IP68
  • Impact resistant up to 1.5 meter drop

Cons

  • The difference between the low and medium mode is big, another mode in between would’ve made things better

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE

9. Cyansky M3

The Cyansky M3 is the last on our list. Don’t let the last position fool you; this is an AMAZING little light. Yes, little, how little? ONLY 1.36 inches in length.

This is one of the most miniature flashlights on the market!

This flashlight has some impressive features, making it a worthy consideration for any flashlight enthusiast.

The lightweight design and compact features make this flashing a very appealing choice for many people.

For its size, it has an excellent beam profile. With a maximum lumen output of 700 lumens, this flashlight has a max throw distance of up to 73 meters.

It runs on a 16340 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which can be easily replaced.

It has a STRONG TC-4 TITANIUM BODY; that’s right, this flashlight is made of TITANIUM! (AMAZINGLY STRONG!)

In fact, Cyansky markets this flashlight as an ‘‘EXTREMELY TOUGH” flashlight that has EXCELLENT durability!

It comes with a tail clip that you can use to clip to a shirt, belt, pocket, or bag.

With a runtime of up to 72 hours on low mode, this flashlight has four modes that offer varying degrees of brightness.

It is rated IP68 waterproof and has been drop tested at 2 meters (shock resistant.)

This is one HARDY little flashlight under $100. Don’t let the last position on this list fool you; this is a HANDY little flashlight, which is the desire of many flashlight enthusiasts.

Pros

  • Amazingly durable and hardy flashlight with great build
  • Good beam profile and beam distance
  • Tail clip which comes in handy
  • Waterproof rated IP68

Cons

  • Switch is difficult to locate without looking

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE

The Risk When Buying a Flashlight Under $100

The trouble with picking a flashlight under $100 is reliability. Not everything in the market that is worth less than $100 offers the same level of trust and reliability.

You could find yourself testing half a dozen cheap flashlights and still not be happy with the flashlight you use, which is why we made it simple for you.

Our list of the nine best flashlights under $100 took into consideration everything. We researched through dozens of models and brands to bring you the BEST of the BEST!

When picking a flashlight under $100, you don’t want to be stuck with something that barely works or will work only for a few months. After all, it would help if you had a flashlight that you could trust, not something that would fail in the middle of the night or on a touch of a bit of rain.

Hence, when picking a flashlight under $100, there are a fair few things you HAVE to consider!

What to Look for When Buying a Flashlight Under $100?

9 Best Flashlights Under $100 [2024 Upd.] + Buyer's Guide (13)

When picking a flashlight in this price range, there are a few things you need to consider. You have to consider theproduct’s DURABILITY, which is most important. While some lights offer better beam profiles than others, this isn’t the point that is most worth considering.

The durability will decide how reliable a flashlight is. The more durable the flashlight, the more reliable it will be!

Though you should consider the lumen output and find a flashlight that has sufficient brightness for your need, you want to ensure that the flashlight you choose will work in the rain and won’t break if you throw it around a little.

Hence, you must consider features such as waterproof rating and impact resistance. If a flashlight ticks both of these features, you know you have a good flashlight under $100.

Once you have ticked the boxes on durability, you can consider the added features that come as a bonus!

Conclusion

Picking a flashlight under $100 can be tricky, considering there are so many options in the market. However, you need to know how to go about finding a good flashlight and differentiate a good flashlight from a not-so-good one.

To make things easier, we presented to you our selection of the NINE BEST flashlights for under $100. Each and every flashlight on this list is great in its own right. They all offer some AMAZING features, which makes you wonder,

How is this flashlight so cheap?

Well, don’t let the price fool you; Olight Baton 3 Pro is a good example for that. With a massive 120 DAYS battery life and tactical features, you simply can’t go wrong.

If you are out on the hunt for a great flashlight under $100, just take your pick from the nine we’ve listed. Take it from us; these are the nine BEST in the market under $100!

FAQs

Yes, there are many reliable flashlights that are both handy and dependable available for under $100.

When purchasing a flashlight under $100, consider factors such as durability, rechargeable battery, and long runtime.

The Olight Baton 3 Pro is the best flashlight available for under $100.

OUR #1 RECOMMENDATION

Olight Baton 3 Pro

Brightness

Beam distance

Runtime

Durability

Price

5.0

4.9

5.0

5.0

5.0

Overall Score

5.0

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE

9 Best Flashlights Under $100 [2024 Upd.] + Buyer's Guide (15)

Pros

Great battery life of 120 DAYS on low mode

Durable and hardy build

Pocket clip allowing for functionality

Good beam profile and beam distance

Variety of modes

Strobe for tactical scenarios

Waterproof rated IPX8

Get the BEST PRICE until the end of June

Cons

It can’t get much better than this for a flashlight below $100, so yeah, no cons whatsoever

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9 Best Flashlights Under $100 [2024 Upd.] + Buyer's Guide (2024)
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