When the lights go out at 9 p.m. and the whole street goes dark, the last thing you want is to be digging through a junk drawer for a flashlight with dead batteries. Whether it is a tropical storm rolling across Florida, a winter ice storm up north, or a blown transformer down the block, the best rechargeable flashlights for power outages are the ones that are charged, easy to find, and bright enough to get your family through the night safely.
Here in the Daytona area we have learned the hard way that one flashlight is not a plan. You want a small light in every pocket, a hands-free light for real work, and something that can brighten a whole room. Below are six Fenix rechargeable lights we carry at GoGoGadgets61.com, what each one is best at, and how to build a simple outage kit that actually works.
Quick picks: best rechargeable flashlights for power outages
- Best budget pocket light: Fenix E18R V2 ($59.95) - 1,200 lumens, magnetic base, 228-hour moonlight mode.
- Best for lighting up a room: Fenix E35R ($79.95) - 3,100 lumens in a wide beam, up to 69 hours on Eco.
- Best hands-free light: Fenix HM55R Headlamp ($74.95) - 3.7 oz, up to 141 hours of runtime.
- Best all-around duty light: Fenix PD36R Pro ($119.95) - 2,800 lumens, up to 42 hours on Eco, IP68.
- Best lantern that charges your phone: Fenix CP50R Lantern ($179.95) - 7 to 5,500 lumens, warm-to-cool light, device charging.
- Best for checking the yard after a storm: Fenix LR35R Pro ($229.95) - 10,000 lumens, 1,640-foot beam, can charge other devices.
1. Fenix E18R V2 - Best Budget Pocket Light ($59.95)
The Fenix E18R V2 is under 3 inches long but puts out up to 1,200 lumens with a beam that reaches 479 feet. For a power outage, the feature that matters most is the other end of the scale: a 1-lumen moonlight mode that can run for up to 228 hours. That is a gentle night light for a hallway or a kid's room that will not drain the battery overnight.
It recharges over USB-C in about 1.3 hours, has a magnetic base so you can stick it to the fridge or a metal door frame, and is rated IP68 waterproof with a 1-meter drop rating. Who it is for: anyone who wants an affordable light for every family member, or a spare to keep in the kitchen drawer and the car.
2. Fenix E35R - Best for Lighting Up a Room ($79.95)
Most flashlights throw a tight spot. The Fenix E35R pushes 3,100 lumens into a wide, room-filling beam, which is exactly what you want when you are cooking by flashlight or checking on everyone in the living room. Intelligent Overheat Protection keeps output reliable instead of stepping down at the worst moment.
A single side switch cycles through 6 modes, and a double-click locks it so it will not turn on in a bag. The included 5,000mAh battery runs up to 69 hours on Eco mode, which can stretch across several nights of an outage. Who it is for: the person in the house who wants one powerful light that does a little of everything.
3. Fenix HM55R Headlamp - Best Hands-Free Light ($74.95)
Ask anyone who has lived through a long outage and they will tell you the same thing: a headlamp is the light you end up using most. Hauling coolers, filling a generator, or flipping a breaker all go easier with two free hands. The Fenix HM55R weighs just 3.7 ounces and offers spotlight, floodlight, and red light modes with up to 1,200 lumens.
Its adjustable head angle lets you aim the light at your hands, and intelligent brightness downshift automatically dims the beam when you work up close. The battery delivers up to 141 hours of runtime and recharges over USB-C in about 2.5 hours. It is IP68 rated and handles 2-meter drops. Who it is for: whoever handles the "outage chores" in your house.
4. Fenix PD36R Pro - Best All-Around Duty Light ($119.95)
If you want one tough flashlight to keep by the bed, the Fenix PD36R Pro is built for it. Turbo mode reaches 2,800 lumens and 1,247 feet, enough to light up a parking lot or the far end of your yard. Dual glove-friendly tail switches let you click for steady light or press for instant strobe, one-handed.
The included 5,000mAh 21700 battery runs up to 42 hours on Eco, recharges via USB-C, and shows its status with an indicator so you are never guessing how much charge is left. It is wrapped in hard-anodized aircraft-grade aluminum, rated IP68, and impact-resistant to 1 meter. Who it is for: the homeowner who wants a no-nonsense, take-a-beating light for storms and everyday use.
5. Fenix CP50R Lantern - Best Lantern That Charges Your Phone ($179.95)
A lantern changes how an outage feels. Instead of everyone pointing beams in each other's eyes, the Fenix CP50R lights the whole table. Brightness is stepless from 7 to 5,500 lumens, and color temperature adjusts from warm 2700K to cool 6500K, so you can go cozy for card games or bright for task work. You can use spotlight, floodlight, or both together.
It runs on two 21700 batteries with USB-C charging, and it can charge other devices, which is a big deal when phones are dying. A rotatable 360-degree magnetic handle, a tripod socket, and red hazard and triangle signal modes also make it a strong roadside light. It is IP66 waterproof with 1-meter impact resistance. Who it is for: families who want one light that serves the whole room and doubles as a backup phone charger.
6. Fenix LR35R Pro - Best for Checking the Yard After a Storm ($229.95)
When the wind dies down and you need to see whether a limb is on the roof or a fence is down, you need reach. The Fenix LR35R Pro is a palm-sized searchlight with up to 10,000 lumens and a 1,640-foot beam. Spotlight and floodlight work together or separately, and you also get red (flashing and constant) and UV output.
Dual 6,000mAh batteries support fast USB-C charging and can charge other devices in the field. Stepless brightness, a proximity sensor, a lockout function, and IP68 waterproofing round it out. Who it is for: homeowners with big yards, rural properties, or anyone who wants the most light possible in a hand-held size.
How to choose the right outage light
- Runtime beats max brightness. Turbo modes look great on the box, but during an outage you will mostly use low and medium modes. Look at Eco or moonlight runtimes (like 228 hours on the E18R V2 or 141 hours on the HM55R).
- Mix your light types. A good kit has a pocket flashlight, a headlamp for hands-free work, and a lantern for the room.
- Look for USB-C charging and a battery indicator. You can top off from a power bank, laptop, or car charger, and you will always know where you stand.
- Consider device charging. The CP50R and LR35R Pro can charge other devices, which gives you a backup for phones.
- Check waterproof ratings. If you will be outside in the rain, look for IP66 or IP68.
Pro tip: store your lights in one known spot, and top them off every couple of months and again whenever a storm is in the forecast. A rechargeable light only helps if it is charged. If you want a dedicated room light for your kit, compare all six options in our guide to the best rechargeable camping lantern.
Build out the rest of your kit
Lighting is just one piece of being ready. If you walk the dog after dark, our guide on how to keep your dog safe on night walks covers visibility gear that pulls double duty during outages. Riders heading out to Biketoberfest should also check our cold-weather and safety gear for Daytona riders, and if you are already holiday shopping, see our Christmas gifts for car guys under $50.
Want to see more? Browse our full Tools & Equipment collection for more Fenix flashlights, headlamps, and bike lights.
Frequently asked questions
How many lumens do I need for a power outage?
For walking around the house, a few hundred lumens is usually plenty, and lower modes save battery. Higher outputs, like 2,800 to 10,000 lumens, are useful for checking the yard, the roof, or the street after a storm. That is why lights with many brightness levels work best for outages.
Is a lantern or a flashlight better during a power outage?
Both have a job. A lantern like the Fenix CP50R lights up a whole room so everyone can see, while a flashlight or headlamp is better for moving around and doing tasks. Most households are best served by having at least one of each.
Can a flashlight charge my phone during an outage?
Some can. The Fenix CP50R lantern and the Fenix LR35R Pro searchlight both have device-charging capability, so they can give a phone a boost. Pocket lights like the E18R V2 are built for light, not charging, so plan on a separate power bank if you only buy small flashlights.
Are rechargeable flashlights good for hurricanes and long outages?
Yes, as long as you keep them charged before the storm. Rechargeable lights save you from hunting for spare batteries, and many offer long low-mode runtimes. Pair them with a power bank or car charger so you can top them off if the power stays out for days.
How should I store emergency flashlights?
Keep them in one spot everyone in the house knows, like a kitchen drawer or a hall closet shelf. Charge them every couple of months and again when a storm is in the forecast, and use the lockout feature if your light has one so it does not switch on by accident.