Best flashlights, lanterns and headlamps for power outages (2026)

A flashlight is on Ready.gov's basic kit list, but an outage goes better with three kinds of light: a lantern to light a room, a headlamp to keep your hands free, and a flashlight for outside. Here are good picks for each, compared on brightness and how they're powered.

By PreparedStates editors · Updated October 22, 2026 · 5 products, 1 of 5 price-tracked

Our picks

Our top pick 4.5

Black Diamond Spot 400-R

Headlamp · 400 lm · Rechargeable (1,500 mAh)

Hands-free light for an outage

Researched

Check price →

Runner-up 4.0

Energizer X1000 lantern

Lantern · 1,150 lm · Rechargeable (micro-USB)

Bright room light, rechargeable

Researched

Check price →

Also good 4.0

Coleman LED lantern

Lantern · 1,000 lm · Batteries

Battery lantern that waits in a closet

Researched

Check price →

All 5 compared

Light	Type	Brightness	Power	Price
1. Black Diamond Spot 400-R Rechargeable Headlamp Our top pick Headlamp · 400 lm · Rechargeable (1,500 mAh) Hands-free light for an outage 4.5	Headlamp	400 lm	Rechargeable (1,500 mAh)	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A headlamp leaves both hands free for cooking, fuses and kids in the dark. 400 lumens and rechargeable. Best for Hands-free light for an outage Good Hands-free Rechargeable 400 lumens Worth knowing Recharging needs USB power Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a room-filling light: get a lantern too.
2. Energizer X1000 LED Camping Lantern Runner-up Lantern · 1,150 lm · Rechargeable (micro-USB) Bright room light, rechargeable 4.0	Lantern	1,150 lm	Rechargeable (micro-USB)	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched Lights a whole room at 1,150 lumens; drop to a low setting to stretch the battery through a night. Best for Bright room light, rechargeable Good Very bright Rechargeable Worth knowing 3.5 hours on high 8-hour recharge Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need days of light without power to recharge: keep a battery lantern too.
3. Coleman LED Lantern with Enhanced Battery Protection Also good Lantern · 1,000 lm · Batteries Battery lantern that waits in a closet 4.0	Lantern	1,000 lm	Batteries	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched Runs on ordinary batteries, so it works on day five of an outage if you've stored spares. Up to 1,000 lumens. Best for Battery lantern that waits in a closet Good Runs on stored batteries Water-resistant Worth knowing Battery cost Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you'd rather recharge by USB.
4. Streamlight ProTac 2L-X USB Flashlight Flashlight · USB rechargeable A tough, compact flashlight 4.0	Flashlight	—	USB rechargeable	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A well-built, rechargeable flashlight from a brand trusted by first responders. Good for checking the yard or the breaker box. Best for A tough, compact flashlight Good Very durable Rechargeable Worth knowing Lumens not stated on the listing we read Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want area light: get a lantern.
5. LuminAID PackLite Max 2-in-1 Solar Lantern and Phone Charger Inflatable solar lantern · Solar + USB, charges a phone Light that recharges in the sun 3.5	Inflatable solar lantern	—	Solar + USB, charges a phone	$46 at LuminAID Checked Oct 22 In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched An inflatable lantern that charges in sunlight and can top up a phone: useful when an outage outlasts your batteries. Packs flat. Best for Light that recharges in the sun Good Solar charging Packs flat Phone top-up Worth knowing Brightness not stated on the page we read Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need a very bright light.

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The honest bit

Candles cause fires in outages. Battery and rechargeable lights are safer and brighter; keep spare batteries or a power bank so they last the whole outage.

Before you buy

Mix your power sources

Rechargeable lights are cheap to run, but a battery lantern with spare batteries works on day five when everything else is flat.

Lumens measure brightness.

Around 300-400 is plenty for a headlamp; a lantern lighting a room benefits from more.

Solar lanterns like LuminAID recharge in daylight, useful when an outage runs for days.

Keep a light where you can find it in the dark, like by the bed and the kitchen door.

How we choose

We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labelled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test — and commissions never change a ranking either way. Read our full methodology →

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Common questions

What is the best light for a power outage?

A combination: a lantern for the room, a headlamp for hands-free tasks and a flashlight for outside. Ready.gov lists a flashlight and extra batteries in the basic kit.

Are rechargeable or battery lanterns better?

Both have a place. Rechargeables are cheaper to run; battery lanterns keep working when you can't recharge. Keep at least one of each.

Are candles safe in a power outage?

Battery-powered lights are safer: candles are a common cause of fires during outages.

How many lumens do I need?

Around 300-400 lumens for a headlamp; 1,000 or so lights a room well from a lantern.