Apart from coming in a variety of different shapes and sizes, flashlights have a lot of other aspects that need to be taken into account before making a purchase. The kind of application that it will be used for, the kind of bulb that would be best, the kind of brightness and light intensity that would be required are all some key questions that need to be asked. But probably the most important question is what kind of power options you are looking for. There are two major power options that you can opt for – battery operated or rechargeable. The selection of either power option depends on the application that you intend to use the flashlights for. If you need a flashlight for use around the house or to keep handy in the glove box of your car, a battery operated one will do just fine. On the other hand, if you intend to use the flashlight for use during camping or hunting expeditions, rechargeable flashlights would be the wiser choice.

Battery-Operated Flashlights

Battery operated flashlights use different types of disposable batteries. Below are some of the more common types.

Alkaline Batteries

Many people believe that the alkaline battery is obsolete, a dinosaur, a thing of the past but they are wrong. The alkaline battery is still as popular as ever. They might be bigger, bulkier and might not have the shelf life that lithium batteries have, but alkaline batteries still pack quite a punch when it comes to charging flashlights. Their availability and price are their biggest advantages.

Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries are fast becoming as common as alkaline batteries. They are lighter, longer lasting, and more power producing as compared to alkaline batteries but they have one major drawback – they cost almost twice as much as alkaline batteries.

CR123A Batteries

Not common at all, you’ll have to go to a specific store to buy these batteries which are a special type of lithium battery. They are great performers – putting out more power than even other lithium batteries, and last twice as long as an alkaline battery. If your flashlight has higher lumen potential than what it is currently giving you, the CR123A will allow the flashlight to deliver.

Flashlights with Rechargeable Batteries

Flashlights with rechargeable batteries are of two types.

Integrated Batteries

These batteries are a part of your flashlight and are mostly used in flashlights made for emergency purposes. These batteries are great in that most can be easily charges by winding or using solar power.

USB Rechargeable Flashlights

One type of flashlight with integrated batteries comes with a USB port that can be used to charge the flashlight by connecting it to any device such as a laptop. The USB port can even be used to charge the flashlight via a power socket.

Non-Integrated Batteries

They look like regular batteries but can be recharged. Usually you get a charging station with these batteries that will require you to remove them from the flashlight for charging.