Strange but true! A flashlight can save your life if you know which is the best!

With excellent brightness, a flashlight serves as a guiding star, and it is used for self-defense in the darkness.

Have you decided to go adventure trip this summer? That might be excellent for this plan. Then what you really need is a flashlight, especially the 18650 one!

This kind of flashlight uses 18650 battery size term – so named for its lithium-ion at a size of 18 mm diameter, 65 mm length, and cylindrical shape.

If you are selecting an EDC flashlight for going camping, hunting or hiking, why not take a look at this detailed list of the top 4 best 18650 flashlights?

Top 4 Best 18650 Flashlights 2022 on The Market

Here are reviews about our 4 best 18650 flashlights 2021 for detailed pros and cons of each product that help you find out the most suitable ones.

1 ThruNite® TN12 EDC LED Flashlight – The Best & Most Cost-effective LED EDC Light!

ThruNite® TN12 EDC LED Flashlight can be used for hunting, camping, military, law enforcement, firefighters, police, army, emergency, security, and for any tactical use.

The TN12 (2016) Flashlight uses only one 18650 battery or two CR123A batteries and adopts the latest Cree XM-L2 U2 LED to give out the max of 1050 ANSI lumens.

This version of TN12 has a better-LED focus function than TN12 (2014).

It is more than needed to cover everyday use. Moreover, the compact size of this light enables you to take it anywhere in your backpack, pocket, or even on your gun.

To turn the light on, you only need to press the tail switch gently for momentary-on. Press again to turn it off. Then push the side switch to cycle through Firefly, Low, Medium, High, and Max modes.

Five 5 brightness setting modes make it easy to use with a simple accessible push button. Therefore, you can lower the brightness to save battery, or avoid bothering other people.

It runs on only one 18650 battery, which is going through smoothly. Therefore, you had better bring along extra batteries or use a rechargeable LI-ION 18650 battery.

The unique Firefly mode of ThruNite is truly a low-level light.

That is very useful for getting up at night for a latrine or munchy break or guiding the way without blinding yourself while awake from sleep, reading a map while surviving or just read in its original beam to protect the eyes.

This 0.4 lumen setting Firefly mode is similar to moonlight, which is what ThruNite keeps doing to be considered for every user, tactical or regular.

ThruNite® TN12 EDC LED Flashlight with the rating IPX-8 is protected from accidental submersion in 2 meters (about 6.6 feet) of water for up to 30 minutes.

PROS

The light is extremely bright and has multiple modes
The beam angle is pretty much perfect for everything you do
User Interface design: user-friendly and convenient operation with one hand

It is made of superior stain steel aircraft grade aluminum for durability and sharp looks.

CONS

When light on highest setting, the unit itself gets hot

Batteries life draining fast

2 The No.1 Brightness 18650 Flashlights

The ThruNite TN36 is one of the brightest torch flashlights available, with 7300 lumens at its brightest setting.

With a lifespan of over 20 years, ThruNite MINI TN30 ranks NO.1 in 3000-lumen brightness flashlights.

There are 6 modes available: Firefly, low, medium, high, turbo and strobe.

Its max output can reach 3200 lumens with four 18650 batteries.

Overall, The ThruNite TN36 has just one disadvantage that it has no focus and poorly targeted wide beam

You can use it for various applications such as law enforcement, EDC, security, camping, emergency, medical services, duty light, and self-defense.

With a compact body similar to the size of a 330ml Coca-Cola, ThruNite MINI TN30 is easy to bring along with you. The updated electronic system makes it even better for performance.

The advanced electronic metal switch with low voltage indication for silent operation, and ITC (Intelligent Temperature Control) technology to protect the Mini TN30 from overheating.

PROS

Waterproof and impact resistant
Six light modes
7300 lumens on high

CONS

Glass breaks quickly

3 Olight SR52 Intimidator 1200 Lumen Cree XM-L2 LED – The Perfect 18650 Flashlight

Olight SR52 Max 1200 lumen output with 637 yards throw.

It runs on three Genuine Olight 3400mAh 18650 Li-Ion rechargeable batteries or six EdisonBrigh CR123A lithium batteries.

The bundle includes Nitecore smart battery charger with a micro-USB port that allows rechargeable batteries to be charged inside the light.

A charging indicator will notify you when the light power is fully charged. A battery power LED indicator indicates red when the batteries are low.

From the off position, Olight SR52 automatically returns to your last brightness level thanks to the built-in memory function.

It also has a lock-out feature to prevent accidental activation.

A blue o-ring at the head of the flashlight glows in the dark to help locate your flashlight after use

PROS

Side switch cycles through three brightness levels and activates strobe

Waterproof up to 2 meters
Made from aircraft-grade aluminum with anti-scratch type III hard anodizing
Stainless steel bezel help protect the flashlight from drops

The turbo is a good mix of throw and flood

CONS

This product has no disadvantages at all.

4 The Most Comfortable 18650 Throw Flashlight

TN32 UT CW designed for flash holies. The Max output available can be up to 1150 Lumen.

Compared to other high-end tactical using 18650 battery, this light is a handful – like holding a drainpipe.

ThruNite TN32 is one of the best throw flashlight with max beam distance is 1043 meters and runs on three batteries 18650.

Copper circuit warehouse gives better heat dissipation performance.

TN32 has a max output even stronger than the TN31 XM-L2 version. It has better heat dissipation performance.

Otherwise, streamline design, and very beautiful body make it perfect. It is only 650 grams and light to bring along.

Ultra-clear tempered glass lens with anti-reflective coating

Overall, TN 32 is good for tactical, military, law enforcement, self-defense, hunting, search, rescue, and outdoor activities purposes.

PROS

Streamline body design and useful for searching and rescue purposes
Highly focused beam for maximum distance

Improved UI for more lumens
Intelligent highly efficient circuit board design for max performance and long run time
Intelligent temperature controlled light output for safety

CONS

Sometimes the product shipped without a battery holder

How to Choose the Right 18650 Flashlight?

There are many factors to consider before opening a pocket to buy an ideal flashlight.

What do you need it for being the suitable one, how bright is it, what type of batteries does it need, and does it use disposable batteries in a flashlight?

If the most popular battery type for flashlight users is the AA, there’s a controversy that the most popular battery type for flashlight users is the lithium ion-based 18650.

The fact that a single 18650 battery gives out the same power as three disposable batteries, you can recharge it whenever you want, and you can see where we are going with this.

The dimensions of the 18650 also mean that it can be replaced by two CR123A batteries, providing users some options in case they don’t have access to a charger.

For use in a flashlight, the 18650 is perfect. It is small but provides a high voltage for a long time.

If you want to take your flashlight game to the next level, you should be seriously considering a 18650 model.

Conclusion

When you are investing in one of these best 18650 flashlights, you need to look at how they are put together.

Price is always important, but the quality should be taken into consideration first.

And I hope that based on my review above, you can choose for yourself, not the best, but the most suitable for yourself.