Time passes and electronic devices are shrinking. This seems to be the natural progression. Gone are the days of brick-sized cellphones, 20-pound laptops, and TVs that are thicker than they are wide. Despite the smaller sizes, today's gadgets have more capabilities than ever before. The same holds true for flashlights — with modern battery technology and high-output LEDs, you can get an astonishing amount of power from a tiny light.
However, small flashlights have some substantial downsides. They're easy to drop or misplace, they have limited battery life, and they're often fragile. Also, in a self-defense scenario, these miniature lights have limited use in fending off an attacker. Conversely, large flashlights excel in all these areas, making them a top choice for law enforcement, military, and security professionals.
Traditionally, large flashlights used three or more C- or D-cell alkaline batteries. Some lights are still available in that configuration today, but there's also a growing variety of models with rechargeable lithium-ion and nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) cells. Whatever the power source, these big-battery flashlights offer long run time, potent light output, and sturdy construction — a combination you can rely on whether you're at home, at work, or in a survival setting.
We took a look at six big-battery flashlights from leading manufacturers, so read on to see which one fits your needs.