10 Best Solar Flashlights For 2024 [Top Reviews]

I think we can all admit that flashlights are pretty cool devices. Whether you need to power your way through a power outage or repair your car in the dark, nothing can help you quite like a handy little flashlight. But the great thing about flashlights is that they don’t necessarily need to run on standard batteries. As a matter of fact, you can get flashlights which run on solar power—which is not only good for your wallet, but also for the environment. How cool is that? Cool enough, indeed, that it merits an examination of how they work, which we’ll take a look at in the next section.

Reviews of the Best Solar Powered Flashlights

**Below, you’ll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.

Top 10 Solar Powered Flashlight Reviews

You must have noticed that there are literally hundreds of options available when you go to buy a solar flashlight. We have analyzed a wide range of solar powered flashlights and these are our recommendations. We hope that this will help you!

1. NPET T09 Solar Powered LED Flashlight

Features

• 22 years of burn time if used at night (11 if used on LED)
• Can hold 1 charge for 3 years
• 100% waterproof up to 80 inches of depth
• Floats in water

Strong, durable design

One major benefit of using this flashlight is that it has a strong, durable design. It can be used in water, for example—it is 100% waterproof, up to a depth of 80 inches—and can even float in water. The design features two powerful LED lights. Finally, the design is lightweight; it measures about 7 inches long. It is black in colour.

Powerful illumination

If used at night, its light can last for 22 years (or 11 if the LED setting is employed). The light is not affected by high temperatures. It can last for years and years; indeed, even a single charge can last for three years on its own. You can throw it aside in a drawer and pick it up three years later, and it will work like new. You don’t need to store it in the sun to make it work; it stores the energy on its own and releases it on command. Their lithium backup batteries last a long time and are affordable and easy to replace when the time comes. The centre area of the light creates brighter light, with a diameter of maybe about 1.5 feet, whereas the outer circle surrounding—this one measuring 8 feet—is made of diffused light. In other words, this flashlight creates a wide circle of illumination around you.

2. MECO Hand Cranking Solar Powered Rechargeable Flashlight

Features

• Rechargeable battery is built-in
• No external battery necessary
• Crank it to create light
• Can easily be clipped onto backpacks for hiking and camping

Convenient and easy usage

This model is convenient to use because you can quickly snap it onto your backpack with the carabiner clip. As such, it’s convenient for hiking, camping, climbing, and other outdoor trips with friends and family. It also features a classic, user-friendly design, and you benefit from a forty-day money-back guarantee when you buy it.

A durable build for powerful illumination

This flashlight is well-suited to different kinds of weather thanks to its durable build. Also featured is a rechargeable battery, which is built-in. It can store energy for a long time, and because of this there is no need for an inconvenient external battery. It features high conversion efficiency so that it can easily convert sunlight into energy to power its use. You can get light from the flashlight by cranking it; crank it for 6 minutes, and you’ll get an hour of illumination because the battery will go back to their charged state. This is excellent in the event where the battery drains in the darkness, and you can’t use other lights. You can store it in the sun to gain energy, or even under artificial light. Also, the battery life will be longer if it’s left in the sun every month.

3. Delxo Patriot Solar Powered Tactical Flashlight

Features

• 5 V solar panel is built-in
• High-capacity rechargeable battery is of 600 mAH
• Rechargeable via sunlight and a USB cable
• LED lights are incredibly bright

An amazing source of light and brightness

If you’re looking for a solar flashlight that will provide you with incredible brightness, then this model is an excellent choice. The LEDs included are powerful and strong, and the 600 mAH batteries are of high capacity so that its light can last for a nice, long amount of time. The solar panel, which is built-in, works on 5 V so that you can have almost unlimited power during both day and night. The 1 W LED light is very bright, with a lumens rating that is among the best in its class. The lighting distance is about 50 meters, which is great for different uses, including camping, travelling, and home emergencies. When properly charged, it can hold 3 are 4 hours of power—this power will last for up to 3 years if not used—and it can be used continuously for about four hours.

Premium design

This design is ergonomic so that the flashlight won’t create any unnecessary strain on your hands and wrists, and it is made out of sturdy aluminium alloy. In addition to its durability, it is also waterproof, with a portable, lightweight size, and a handle that is textured so that your hands won’t slip on it when you’re using it.

Charge it via sunlight or via USB cable

You can charge this flashlight with either a USB cable and an AC charger or by leaving it out in the sun, at which point it will gather in the sunlight, convert it into energy, and store power so that the light lasts longer.

4. Hybridlight Journey Solar Waterproof Flashlight

Features

• Provides 160 lumens of light
• Waterproof
• Blk in colour
• Solar panel is built-in
• Charge the solar panel inside and out

Multifunctional, versatile usage

This flashlight has many abilities, which makes it ideal for different uses. For example, it has both high- and low-beam capacities, thanks to its dual mode, so you can use it in different contexts. When you’re shining it on the low-beam option, it can go for 25 hours, or 7 hours or if it’s using the high-beam light. You can charge your mobile devices with it thanks to its USB phone charger. Its portable design ensures that it can easily be stored in a drawer or the glove compartment in your car. The battery is a 2400-mAh lithium-ion model and thus can hold its charge for up to seven years.

Durable and powerful

The solar panel is built-in, and you can charge it both outside and inside; in the latter case, you’ll either need to connect it to the USB charger (for a quick charge) or charge it underneath incandescent lighting. You can do these different options because it’s a hybrid model. When you use the USB cable, you can even charge cell phones and other mobile devices, which is convenient if you’re not at home or you’re stuck in a power outage. It is also waterproof—and the enclosure is perfectly waterproof—up to 3 meters, and it even floats so that you won’t lose it in the water when you go out hiking or camping. Despite its strength, it only weighs 4.5 ounces and is 6 inches long.

5. Otdair Solar Powered Tactical LED Flashlight

Features

• 7 lighting modes, including emergency light
• Like a Swiss army knife: includes multiple tools
• Waterproof design
• Strong and powerful; 200 lumens
• Comes with all the necessary equipment

A multifunctional tool

The great thing about this device is that it isn’t just a flashlight. On the contrary, it’s rather like a Swiss army knife, in that it includes a variety of tools in one simple device. There is a tactical cutting knife, a backup compass, and an attack hammer. The light itself can be generated from both the headlight and the sidelight. This package includes not only the flashlight, but also three wristlets to wear it with, a micro USB cable, and a user manual. The USB cable can be used to connect your phone to the flashlight in case of emergency. It is also skid-proof, and water-resistant, with a rating of IP65.

Different kinds of light

The flashlight has seven types of lighting modes: there is a side red emergency light, a side white lamp, semi-bright light, a strobe light, and a slow-strobe light. You can easily change working modes by pressing the switch, and, if you hold the button for three seconds, you can change between the headlight and the sidelight.

Powerful light

This flashlight creates strong light to help you out whenever you need it. It works thanks to its 2000-mAH 18650 battery, which you can also use to charge your phone.

6. Hybridlight Journey Solar Powered LED Flashlight

Features

• Uses an AC charger to charge if there’s no sunlight
• 6W LED is very bright
• Ergonomic aluminium design
• 5V solar panel is built-in

Durable and rugged

This flashlight is durable and rugged, so that it will work properly at all times, no matter what kind of adventures you take it on. For example, the solar panel, which is built in, is of 5 volts, so that you can get nigh-unlimited power during the day.

Effective illumination

You charge this flashlight by leaving it out in the sunlight. If it’s nighttime and the sun isn’t out, you can still charge it thanks to its AC charger. It takes 6 hours to charge it if you leave it out in the sunlight, and 1 hour if you use the included USB cable. When it’s working, you can use it continuously for about 6 hours before you have to charge it again. The light itself is quite bright, thanks to the 6W LED lights, which create lightning of 500 lumens. The lighting distance is about 200 meters, which is ideal for everyday indoor use as well as travelling, camping, and driving.

Ergonomic design

The design of this flashlight, which is made out of aluminium alloy, is designed in such a way that it won’t create undue stress and pressure on your hands. Its waterproof casing is complemented by a portable size, in addition to an anti-slip handle.

7. iRonsnow Solar Hand Crank Flashlight with Radio

Features

• Design is quite compact and easy to carry
• Charge it via hand crank, solar energy, or micro USB cable
• Includes a flashlight, cell phone charger, and a weather radio
• Excellent for survival kits

A versatile, multifunctional tool

This tool is more than just a flashlight: it’s a combined flashlight, weather radio, and cell phone charger, all in one device. The flashlight itself has 3 LED lights and can be charged via three different methods: either leaving it out in the sun to collect solar energy, external charge (such as with a micro USB cable), or self-charge (i.e., the hand cranking mechanism). If you hand-crank the device for 1 minute, it will create more than 30 minutes of continuous illumination, more than 5 minutes of radio playtime, and 5 minutes of cell phone talk time. The charger can be used to charge tablets—iPhone 5/6/7 Plus and iPad Air—e-readers like Kindles, GoPros, and cell phones that support USB functionality.

A great choice for emergency kits

The compact design of this flashlight ensures that it’s portable, lightweight, and easy to carry, which makes it a terrific choice for putting in survival kits or bug out bags. (The AM/FM NOAA and included cell phone charger don’t hurt, either.) The dimensions are 5″ x 2.4″ x 1.6″, and it weighs less than half a pound. The NOAA channel will issue an alert when you turn it on.

8. Solar Powered & Hand Cranking LED Flashlights by ThorFire

Features

• Batteries aren’t necessary
• Powered by solar energy and with a hand crank
• High conversion efficiency
• Ideal for emergency kits, backpacks and glove compartments

Charge it via solar power or via crank

If you want this flashlight to work and it’s suitably sunny out, you can simply leave it outside and wait for it to gather the sunlight and then turn it into energy, which it can do well thanks to its high conversion efficiency. However, if it’s not nice outside, you can simply use the hand crank. Crank it for a minute, and you can get the light for an hour. Because of these options, it doesn’t have batteries, and thus you won’t have to worry about the batteries dying on you.

A great source of light

The flashlight features a 80mAH/3.6V Ni-MH rechargeable battery. There are three different modes, including on, on with LEDs, and on with the LEDs blinking.

Compact design

The compact size of this flashlight ensures that it can easily be stowed away in backpacks and glove compartments. This design is improved by the fact that it’s waterproof, with a rating of IPX6, and you can put it inside the water at depths of up to 45 feet. The design is made out of premium-quality plastic. Finally, because there is a user’s guide included, you can find out everything you need to know about using—and charging—this flashlight.

9. Goal Zero Torch 250 Flashlight with Integrated Solar Panel

Features

• Charge it via the hand crank, solar panel, or USB cable
• The total output of 250 lumens
• Various modes: floodlight, or emergency light; bright, half bright
• Long-lasting battery

Versatile functionality: charge it in different ways

You can charge this flashlight in different ways: via the included solar panel so that it will gather in the sunlight and convert it to energy; via a USB charging cable; or via the hand crank, which you can crank for 1 minute (at 120 rpm) to create 10 minutes of light. To support such cables, it features a 1.5A USB port, and an included USB charging cable. To charge it, it’s ideal if you leave it in a windowsill so that it can passively store the energy when you’re not using it.

A terrific way of creating light

The light produced from this flashlight is strong and powerful, thanks to the 4400-mAH lithium battery. The total output of light is 250 lumens. The run time can last from 7 to 48 hours, depending on how bright you have the light settings set to. There are also multiple options for light; there are modes for bright, half bright, floodlight, or emergency light.

Balanced, ergonomic design

The design is ergonomic, so that—when you hold it in your hand—it will feel nice and balanced, with the weight evenly distributed across the different parts of your hand. It will feel nice and comfortable so that there is no unnecessary strain on your hands if you’ve been holding it for a while.

10. Secur Dynamo 8 Lumen Solar LED Rechargeable Flashlight

Features

• Solar panel is built-in
• Dynamo-powered hand crank
• No need for batteries
• One hour to charge
• 3 powerful LEDs

Effective charging method

You can charge this flashlight by leaving it out in the sunlight and waiting for it to gather in the light, then convert it into energy to charge the battery. However, if you get stuck in a bind—i.e., it isn’t sunny outside—then you can simply charge it by turning the hand crank, which is powered by a dynamo generator. If you crank it for one minute, you’ll get lighting for 80 minutes (almost an hour and a half). As a result of all this, you won’t need to worry about charging a battery when you need more light since no battery is included.

Excellent source of illumination

There are three powerful LEDs to provide you with all the illumination you’ll need for hiking, camping, boating, and emergency uses. There are different modes for the light: you can have one LED on, three LEDs on, or the three LEDs on and flashing at the same time. The solar panel is built-in.

Strong and durable

This sturdy flashlight is wind- and rainproof, up to 45 feet in total, so you won’t have to worry too much about intense weather conditions if you plan on taking it outside. It is also totally waterproof because it’s designed to be used continuously during floods, storms, and other such weather eventualities.

How Do Solar Flashlights work?

Like other solar-powered devices, solar flashlights work by gathering in energy from the sun, which they can do so via their photovoltaic (solar) cells. Although the bulb can vary, they have often LED lights. Solar-powered flashlights have batteries, but they don’t need to be replaced as often as is the case with normal flashlights. They are an ideal choice for emergency kits or bug out bags, and are exceptionally helpful for those who live in remote areas where solar power is one of the main energy sources. With such flashlights, you can see easily see objects that are up to 50 meters in the distance; however, beams of light being emitted from the device can be seen from much farther distances. The light can generally last for five to seven hours, if not more.

Things To Consider When Buying Solar Flashlight

If you’re buying a solar flashlight, you need to find the model that’s right for you. In order to do so, there are several things you’ll absolutely need to take into account before you bring your flashlight to the cash register, or hit “send” on Amazon. If you don’t, then you risk wasting money on a flashlight which you’ll never use because you don’t like it. Therefore, be sure to watch out for the following considerations when it’s time to purchase a solar flashlight. They can help you make the best decision, by finding the model that’s perfect for your tastes.

How portable is it?

Naturally, all flashlights are portable, but some are more portable than others, in that they’re lighter or easier to carry. In this case, the specific dimensions of the flashlight will depend on how you need to use the light. If you only plan on using the flashlight occasionally, such as during emergency situations, then you’ll probably be okay with a model that’s heavier. If, on the other hand, you use the solar flashlight more often—like if you use it at work, for example—then you’ll want a model that’s more portable, in that it’s lighter and the shape is less unwieldy. Moreover, smaller solar flashlights can easily be stored in a bag, a small purse, or even on a keychain; you won’t be forced to store it in the trunk of your car.

How does the light come out?

Some flashlights will create brighter light, whereas others will generate a more subdued lighting scheme. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to see anything with a brightness level of more than 150 lumens, so you’ll want to avoid such models, as they will cause you to squint and not be able to see properly. Even in the case of 150 lumens, that’s still quite a lot of illumination and is not necessary for most uses of solar flashlights. You can settle for less, such as 75 lumens, if (for example) you keep it on your person when you’re out walking your dog. 100 to 150 lumens is ideal for camping or hiking, however.

Controlling the light

However, one thing to keep in mind—aside from the brightness of the light—is how you can control the light. This is often done with a switch that you can use to turn it on or off. Depending on the model, you might be able to push this button with one hand, even if the flashlight model itself requires two-handed usage. You can also get models with simple switches that can be easily flipped on or off. On the other hand, some models will have more sophisticated controls. Thus, some models will allow you to change the mode from floodlight to spotlight, and so forth.

Will it last for a long time?

Many flashlights won’t work for more than a few months, and this consideration also applies to solar-powered flashlights. Thus, carefully examine the reviews of any flashlight you’re interested in before you make the purchase, to make sure that this problem doesn’t come up. After all, you’d ideally like your flashlight to last years and years (and not a few months).

Final Verdict

By now, hopefully, you know a little more about purchasing your next solar flashlight. In this article, we’ve suggested ten different models of flashlights to help kick on your search. However—if you find that these models aren’t quite to your taste—don’t despair. There are hundreds of models offered on the market, so—if you do your research carefully—you will be able to find the perfect flashlights. We wish you the best of luck in your search; we know that you will find a great model. And finally, don’t forget to take into account all of the things we mentioned here today. They will help you find a flashlight that is highly compatible with all your needs.