Last Updated on September, 2023
The most frequently bought flashlights are ones with AA batteries. AA flashlights are incredibly portable and easy to use since AA batteries are readily available everywhere.
Whether used during a power outage or for outdoor activities, AA flashlights are necessary for every household. However, with hundreds of everyday carry (EDC) flashlights, selecting the best flashlight for your needs can take time and effort.
Therefore, in this AA flashlight review, we have selected 9 of the best available online. You will learn the types of AA batteries, how to purchase a flashlight according to your needs, and most importantly, the finest AA flashlights and their unique features.
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The 9 Best AA Flashlights on the Market
After testing multiple AA flashlights, The Acebeam Rider RX AL was deemed the best AA flashlight in this list. However, this list is not in any particular order for quality; therefore, feel free to read through them before deciding which AA flashlight suits you.
1. Acebeam Rider RX AL (Editor’s Choice)
The Rider RX AL is a force to be reckoned with for a small AA flashlight!
This EDC flashlight has an impressive durability since it is made with 7075 Aerospace-grade aluminum alloy and a double-layer tube design for cooling. It is extremely lightweight, weighing only 2.27oz/64.3g even with the battery with a length of 3.76in.
The beauty of this flashlight is that any AA battery is compatible with it. Furthermore, the Acebeam Rider RX AL has a tail switch, which also makes it a great tactical torch. Although this is a 1x AA battery flashlight, the light output is pretty good. The brightness depends on the battery type you use.
This light contains four modes, of which the highest mode can give off a brightness of 650 lumens if you use a 14500 USB-C Li-ion battery. However, the output is limited to 200 lumens for an alkaline or Ni-MH battery.
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2. Olight i5R EOS (#2nd Best Choice)
The Olight i5R HCRI is another excellent option if you like compact and lightweight flashlights. It only weighs 2.2oz/ 62g and is 3.76in length.
Unlike Acebeam, this light runs on a customized 14500 lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Since this light uses a rechargeable battery, the brightness is 285 lumens, and the max beam distance is 58 meters.
The Olight i5R has a tail switch and is constructed with aluminum alloy. This light has two brightness settings; the lowest brightness is 12 lumens, making it a great torch to use if you want to preserve your night vision for outdoor activities.
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3. FENIX LD22 V2.0 (#3rd best Choice)
The Fenix LD22 V2.0 is an upgraded version of the original Fenix LD22. This multi-purpose tool has multiple power options and good performance.
This flashlight comes with a rechargeable Li-ion battery pack, although 2X AA batteries can also be used. Even with the battery it only weighs 3.39 oz/96g and is 5.84 inches long.
The Felix LD22 has a maximum light output of 800 lumens, a beam distance of 214 meters, and a runtime of 220 hours. This flashlight has seven lighting modes, including Strobe and SOS. This light has a dual switch and reverse polarity protection to protect it from improper battery insertion.
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4. Wuben E6
The Wuben E6 is a powerful AA flashlight with a light output of 900 lumens and a runtime of up to 32 hours with a standard NiMH or alkaline battery and 34 hours with a 14500 rechargeable one.
This light is unique from the rest as it has a battery level indicator and a breathing light feature that allows you to locate your flashlight in the dark. It weights only 2.45oz/ 75g and is 3.43in long.
Even though this flashlight is lightweight and small, it is very durable as it is made of aircraft-grade aluminum alloy and is grade III hard-anodized. It has five lighting modes, from high and low to SOS, controlled by the side switch.
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5. Lumintop FW1AA
The Lumintop FW1AA is a rechargeable 14500 battery flashlight. It does not have the facility to accommodate standard alkaline batteries.
However, the light output is excellent at 700 lumens. The maximum beam distance is 330 meters which you can adjust according to the light intensity.
The FW1AA makes an excellent tactical flashlight due to its tail switch and brightness. There are four modes in the user interface, including lockout mode. Furthermore, it is 3.04in long, having an aluminum body with hard-coat anodizing.
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6. Coast HX5
The Coast HX5 has the company’s signature pure-beam focusing optics which lets you transition from the flood beam to the spot beam effortlessly using the slide focus.
Although this light has only one mode, it is beneficial for reading or other low-brightness activities.
It is 4in long weighing 2.5 oz / 71 g.
This flashlight has a brightness of 168 lumens with an 88-meter beam distance that can last upto 3 hours and 15 minutes.
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7. Sofirn SP10V3
As the most affordable AA flashlight on this list, the Sofirn SP10V3 LED mini flashlight is one of a kind with a light output of 1000 lumens!
This tiny portable flashlight is perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking. It is only 3.46in in length and weighs 1.4oz/40g.
This is a very rugged and durable flashlight made from 6061 aluminum alloy. It has six lighting modes, including a hidden strobe and turbo mode.
Despite the flashlight being compatible with any AA battery, the beam distance is relatively low, with the max being 121 meters.
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8. ThruNite Archer 2A v3
The ThruNite LED Flashlight Archer 2A V3 is a dual-switch flashlight with a maximum light output of 500 lumens.
This is another excellent outdoor flashlight, as it has a good grip. Although it is 6 inches long, it weights only 1.69oz/48g therefore, its very portable.
The flashlight is lightweight yet long, with well-placed buttons to prevent accidental switch-ons. The Archer 2A v3 runs on standard AA batteries.
It operates in 5 modes: firefly, low, medium, high, and Strobe, with a beam distance of 93 meters.
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9. Convoy T4
Lastly, the convoy T4 is a 14500 rechargeable flashlight. This flashlight gives out 800 lumens of brightness at its max setting and a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes.
This 6in long flashlight has 13 modes, even without a user interface. You can adjust the brightness by tapping the switch.
Although 14500 batteries are more suitable, standard AA batteries are still compatible with this torch. Additionally, it is made of aluminum alloy and has a tail stand.
Due to its multiple modes, this is a good pick if you want an AA tactical flashlight.
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Buyer’s Guide to Finding the Finest AA Flashlights for You
You know the best AA flashlights on the market. Now what? It’s not easy to choose when you have so many great options. I will break down the key features you need to consider before purchasing an AA flashlight.
Types of AA Batteries
There are three types of AA batteries. One is the standard alkaline AA battery; the others are the Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) AA battery and the rechargeable 14500 Li-ion battery.
Depending on whether the 14500 battery is customized or not, it might be slightly smaller or have a different shape from the standard AA battery. If you want a flashlight with a durable battery, the 14500 Li-ion one has a longer shelf-life and a higher light output than the other two.
Battery Life
Speaking of shelf-life, does the runtime of the flashlight change with the different AA types? Yes, it does.
In your Acebeam flashlight, you will notice that if you insert a rechargeable 14500 battery, the runtime for 5-7 lumens is around 53 hours, but if you insert a typical alkaline or NiMH, the runtime is reduced to 30-24 hours.
This is because Li-ion rechargeable batteries have more power and a slow self-discharge rate. Therefore, if you want a long battery life that can run for long hours, choose an AA flashlight with a rechargeable battery or one with multiple battery type options.
Size and Durability of Flashlight
If you are looking for EDC lights, the more lightweight and compact they are, the better.
The last thing you want is to carry a heavy flashlight in your pocket or purse, especially outdoors.
Most AA flashlights are the ideal size unless you want to purchase a 4X AA or 8X AA flashlight.
Durability is the biggest factor when picking a flashlight. Even if the runtime is long and the brightness is very good, the flashlight is not worthy if it is not constructed from a strong metal and good LEDs or has no water-resistant or dustproof features.
Beam Distance and Intensity
If you want to purchase an AA flashlight, keep in mind that the maximum luminous flux of an AA battery is 1000 lumens with atleast 2X AA/rechargeable batteries. In general rechargeable batteries are capable of producing brighter light than a standard AA.
The beam distance depends on the number of AA batteries the flashlight utilizes and the battery type. At 1000 lumens, the beam distance of an AA light can reach up to 120 meters.
However, this is only possible with a rechargeable battery or at least 2-4X AAs. Typically the beam distance can reach up to 400 meters with a standard AA battery.
If you want brighter and more powerful beams, rechargeable AA flashlights are a suitable pick as they produce more lumens.
Why Should You Get an AA Battery Flashlight?
Are there batteries more potent than AA? Of course. But will they fit your needs and requirements?
A powerful flashlight is excellent for hunting, camping, or tactical operations that require a high brightness level. However, the problem with powerful flashlights is that they are not pocket sized and their low light modes are sometimes not low enough for specific situations.
For instance, if you like star gazing, you might not need a white beam light for that, but you will need an EDC flashlight to find your way to that location without affecting your night vision.
Good AA flashlights are usually versatile with at least three modes, and since the maximum light output is not very high, they are very capable tools to use in any situation.
Furthermore, AA flashlights are cheap and generally available in any store or marketplace.
How Do AA Batteries Compare to Other Battery Types?
When comparing AA battery flashlights to AAA flashlights, the winner in terms of brightness is, obviously, AA. AAA batteries do not have enough power to produce the same amount of light as AA battery.
On the other end of the spectrum, batteries, mainly rechargeable ones such as the18650 and 26650, can produce 1000 lumens even from one battery alone due to the high mAh rating. Although they are powerful, these types of batteries aren’t suitable for tasks that require low light settings.
Although more than one battery is required in some cases, the AA battery can bring a good balance for brightness levels in a torch.
Which is Better? 1X AA VS 2X AA VS 4X AA Flashlights
This is probably not the dilemma you thought you would have to go through in your life. Does the number of AA batteries make a difference in your flashlight? Yes, it does!!!!!
The higher the number of AA batteries your flashlight utilizes, the brighter the light. A single AA battery torch might give a light output of close to 200 lumens. In contrast, a 4x AA flashlight can provide more lumens, for example higher than 1000 at its highest setting.
Although it might be easy to conclude the more batteries the flashlight uses, the better, that is not true. On the contrary, the quality of the light depends on its durability, build, and features.
If you are using your flashlight for reading or as an every day carry tool, a 1X AA flashlight is much more suitable than a 4X AA flashlight.
Conclusion
We have come to the end of the review. I hope my buyer’s guide comes in handy for EDC and any other flashlight you purchase in the future. Now that you have gotten to know the finest options on the market, deciding the best AA flashlight for you should be a breeze.
The Acebeam Rider RX AL is clearly one of the best AA flashlights on the market. With its superior build and runtime, this small flashlight is a great option. However, if you are put off by the size or want something with more brightness, there are eight other fantastic flashlights to choose from.
In terms of affordability, the Sofirn SP10V3 and Coast HX 5 flashlights are the most apparent picks from this list.
On the other hand, if you don’t mind splashing a bit of cash for a great quality flashlight with excellent brightness, the FENIX LD22 V2.0, Wuben E6, and Convoy T4 have light output levels above 700 lumens.
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