Shining a Light on LED Alternative Flashlights

Advancements in LED technology are having a significant impact on energy consumption in the United States. With products boasting up to 85% energy savings, extended operational lifetimes and low carbon dioxide emissions, it is no surprise that LED flashlight bulbs have also gained immense popularity with consumers as a portable lighting option. LED flashlights emit light through a light-emitting diode (LED), rather than a traditional filament wire which depends upon electricity from the batteries to heat the wire and, consequently, produce light. With LED alternatives, energy is conserved and bulbs do not need to be replaced regularly due to burned out wires. LED flashlights, in fact, only draw 5-10% of the the power of an equivalent light bulb and can hold up under 5-10 years of consistent use!

Distinguishing between truth and hype, however, can be tricky in a market saturated with products toting superior performance, durability and prolonged battery life. When determining which LED flashlight is right for you, the following factors should be duly noted.
  1.  Lumens:  Light output is measured in lumens and can range from 20 lumens all the way to 3500! However, one must note that beam intensity, distance and type all impact the effectiveness of a light in different applications and should be thoughtfully considered in conjunction with light output properties.
  2.  Beam distance:  Beam distance is measured in meters and indicates how far a light will shine before the brightness diminishes to that emitted by the full moon.
  3.  Run time:  Run time is measured in hours and is determined by the length of time it takes the light output to drop to 10% of the rated output on new batteries, rounded to the nearest quarter hour.
  4.  Impact Resistance:  Impact resistance is measured in meters and illustrates how susceptible a flashlight is to damage after suffering some accidental drops.
  5.  Water resistance:  A rating of IPX4 suggests that the light is splash resistant from all angles, while an IPX7 rating implies that the light can withstand temporary immersion; up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1 m. Flashlights bearing an IPX8 rating may be submersed in water up to 4 hours at the specified depth while remaining protected.

Aside from the aforementioned characteristics, the type and availability of batteries for your flashlight is also worth noting. Some available options include disposable, rechargeable and renewable batteries. Although conventional alkaline batteries, such as AA or AAA, are readily available and have a longer shelf life, they are more prone to leaking if stored for long periods of time. On the other hand, built-in, rechargeable lithium batteries pack a heavier price tag, but limit waste and render lower operational costs over time.

The type of flashlight that you ultimately choose to purchase will depend on your unique needs.  LED flashlights come in a variety of sizes and weights, ranging from tiny coin cell key chains to large, stand-mounted work lights that are perfect for industrial applications. Larger flashlights are typically tougher and exhibit longer run times due to their larger battery capacity, while plastic bodies are lighter, but far less durable. Understanding these various components, however, will take you a long way in finding the flashlight that is just right for you.