(Last Update: Nov 16, 2023)
Currently, the brightest flashlight in the world for 2023 is the 120,000-lumen Imalent SR32 released in April 2023. This monster claims to unleash a beam down-range up to two kilometers. The SR32 unseats the 100,000 lumen Imalent MS18 which I already reviewed here.
5 years ago, the most powerful flashlight on the market could only produce 10,000 lumens! Needless to say, LED technology has grown by leaps and bounds since then.
The average set of car headlights produces less than 3000 lumens. By comparison, even the smallest flashlight on this list delivers 4000 lumens!
World’s Brightest Flashlights by Category
| Category | Name | Max Output (in lumens) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large |  | Imalent SR32 | 120,000 L |
| Large (2nd place) |  | Imalent MS18 | 100,000 L |
| Medium |  | Imalent MS12 Mini | 65,000 L |
| Tactical |  | Nitecore TM20K | 20,000 L |
| EDC |  | Imalent MS03 | 13,000 L |
| Mini (Tie |   | Nitecore T4K Imalent LD70 | 4000 L |
| Headlamp |  | ACEBEAM H30 | 4000 Lm |
World’s Brightest Flashlight: Imalent SR32
- Price: ~$680(Check latest price)
- Output: 120,000lm(turbo), 25,000lm(sustained)
- Range: 2030 meters(lab rating)
- Weight: 2.16kg (4.8lb)
With the release of the 120,000-lumen SR32 Imalent continues to defend the title of making the world’s brightest flashlight. This is an absolute BEAST!! The SR32 boasts a 20,000 lumen improvement over its predecessor, the MS18 and features USB mobile power bank functionality(100-watt fast charging), OLED display, forced air cooling, and a detachable handle.
One of the SR32’s main advantages over the its predecessor is the SR32’s dramatically increased throw. It is ANSI lab-rated to throw a beam downrange 2 km(1.25 mi)! Generally, I reduce lab ratings by at least half for a rough estimate of the “usable light” to the human eye. But still, that’s impressive!
At over 2kg(4.4lbs), it’s definitely a BIG flashlight! Thankfully, the Imalent SR32 ships with a shoulder strap. Despite the huge battery bank it only takes 90 minutes to fully charge.
2nd Brightest Large Flashlight: Imalent MS18
- Price: ~$670(Check latest Price)
- Output: 100,000 lm(turbo), 22,000lm(sustained)
- Range: 1350 meters(lab rating)
- Weight: 1.9kg(4.2lb)
I own this puppy(see my review) and it is no overstatement to say that the Imalent MS18 rivals police helicopter searchlights. The Imalent MS18 is a revolutionary flashlight in its own right and represented a massive leap forward in LED technology when it was released. It was the first to integrate a vapor-cooled forced-air radiator to manage the heat generated by the LEDs. It remained the brightest flashlight in the world for over 3 years.
In my opinion, It’s just a matter of time before flashlights like these attract the attention of regulators.
As you might expect, the MS18 is on the expensive side (check the latest price at Imalent). However, on a lumens-per-dollar basis, it is actually one of the cheapest flashlights on the market.
For a more affordable option, I’d recommend the 3rd place ACBEAM X75 (80000 lumens) which I also fully reviewed here.
Brightest Medium Flashlight: Imalent MS12 Mini
- Price: ~$400(Check latest price)
- Output: 65,000 lumens(Turbo), 13,000 lumens(sustained)
- Range: 1036m (3400ft)
- Weight: 787g (1.7lb)
In early 2022 the 65,000 lumen Imalent MS12 Mini was released knocking the ACEBEAM X50 2.0 (45,000lm) to the second brightest flashlight in the medium category.
The MS12 Mini can deploy a 45-second turbo burst up to 65,000 lumens before throttling back for a sustained 13,000 lumens for 45 minutes.
It ships with 4 high-drain lithium 21700 batteries, and on paper, this flashlight can throw a beam downrange about 1km. However, as a rule of thumb, I count about half of whatever the flashlight’s lab-rated specs say(so 500 meters).
13,000 lumens is roughly equivalent to 4 sets of care headlights on high beam! Impressive.
Brightest Tactical Flashlight: Nitecore TM20K
- Price: ~$300(Check latest price)
- Output: 20,000lm(Turbo), ~1,000lm (sustained)
- Range: 290m (317yds)
- Weight: 422g (14.9 oz)
The “TM” in the Nitecore TM20K, stands for “Tiny Monster.” It is indeed! Nitecore re-asserted their dominance in tactical flashlight category by crushing their own 9000 lumen TM9K.
I should point out that the TM20k’s massive output is only for a short time due to heat and heavy battery discharge.
Nitecore was able to cram 2 high-drain 21700 batteries into slim profile. TM20K is a refreshingly unique design boasting multi-tail switch control, epic power, and up to 13 hours of endurance on low. Nitecore makes premium professional-grade flashlights so you’ll be paying around 300 bucks for this puppy.
This flashlight has won a 2022 Reddot design award. It’s a beautiful and original-looking flashlight that is ideal for law enforcement.
Brightest EDC Flashlight: Imalent MS03
- Price: ~$130(Check latest price)
- Output: 13,000lm(Turbo), ~2000lm (sustained)
- Range: 324m (354yds)
- Weight: 187g (6.6 oz)
Imalent released the MS-03 about three years ago and so far no one has produced anything to rival its 13,000 lumens and 324 meters of throw.
This little flashlight packs a massive wallop with 4 times more light than a set of car headlights!
Here’s my complete review of the MS03.
The Imalent MS03 is able to crank out this massive amount of light by utilizing a high-drain 21700 battery driving three 2nd-generation American CREE XHP70 LEDs.
Brightest Mini Flashlight: Imalent LD70 and Nitecore T4K
It’s pure witchcraft. I don’t know how else it is possible to flog 4000 lumens from such a tiny flashlights. These tiny monsters outperform flashlights way above their weight class.
Both the Imalent LD70 and Nitecore T4K are tied for the brightest mini flashlight category with 4000 lumens. Independent testing of these flashlights give numbers slightly less 4000 lumens, nonetheless, these flashlights are evenly matched for the top spot.
While the LD70 and T4K are closely matched in terms of size and performance, they are distinct in many regards. The T4K is wider, more expensive, and has dual top-button controls while the LD70 has a single tail button and is charged via an included magnetic USB cable as opposed to USB-C on the T4K. (See the table below.)
| Nitecore T4K | Imalent LD70 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$90(check price) | ~$60(check price) |
| Output(turbo) | 4000 lumens | 4000 lumens |
| Max runtime | 67hrs @ 1 lumen | 15hrs @ 20 lumens |
| Length, Weight | 82mm,77grams | 81mm, 87grams |
| Multifunction display | yes | yes |
| Charging | USB-C | USB magnetic |
| Waterproofness | No IP54(dust) | Yes (submersible 2m) |
| Keychain | Yes | No |
Brightest Headlamp: ACEBEAM H30
- Price: ~$140(Check latest price)
- Output: 4000lm(Turbo), ~1100 lm(sustained)
- Range: 171m (187yds)
- Weight: 190g (6.7 oz)
See my full review of the ACBEAM H30 Here.
The 4000-lumen Acebeam H30 is a true lumen monster. The only other headlamp that comes close is the Army Tech Wizard C2 Promax(Amazon link) which delivers a little less than its claimed lumens. The ACEBEAM H30 has two secondary LEDs available in multiple combinations(red, green, UV, CR90+).
This headlamp is USB-C rechargeable and also doubles as a mobile power bank which is handy for camping trips.
Pro tip: Don’t look at your friends when this thing is on high or you’ll burn their corneas out.
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If you think another flashlight with proven specs deserves to be on this list reach out and let me know via the contact form.
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