This component dictates the light’s beam pattern-basically, how the light looks as it projects from the flashlight-and we prefer reflectors over zoom lenses. Most flashlights have either a reflector or a zoom lens. This latest version of the TC15, the V3 model, has an improved pocket clip and replaces the original TC15 as our also-great pick. Rechargeable lights are great and offer a lot of convenience, but for the above reasons, we still prefer AA-battery-powered flashlights for our main recommendation. Also, if the battery drains during a power outage, you can’t use the light anymore unless you have an independent power source to recharge (or additional 18650 batteries). First, once the battery is drained, it takes time to fully charge again (in this case roughly three hours), so bringing a rechargeable flashlight back to life isn’t as quick as simply swapping out AA batteries. The downsides of the TC15 V3 are universal across rechargeable flashlights. The TC15 V3 typically costs between $50 and $60, at the lower end of rechargeable lights.

The included USB charging cord plugs directly into the flashlight, unlike on the majority of rechargeable flashlights, where you have to remove the 18650 battery for charging. It has a one-button interface that allows for instant access to both the brightest and dimmest settings. The TC15 V3 is just barely bigger than the Archer 2A V3, but at the high setting it’s twice as bright with a similar run time.

We have also looked at rechargeable flashlights, and not surprisingly, the ThruNite TC15 V3 USB rechargeable flashlight hits the same balance as the Archer 2A V3, offering high-end features at an entry-level price. Its two-AA-powered beam pattern produces such good overall visibility that, even after trying all the other lights, we reached for this flashlight first when we headed into the woods. The Archer 2A V3 also boasts a number of other features found on more-expensive lights: It doesn’t roll on a flat surface, it stands upright on its rear end, it can survive a 1-meter drop or full immersion in water-try that, smartphones-and it has a memory function as well as a momentary-on feature that turns the light on and off with a half-press of the rear button. The blinding strobe mode is useful in an emergency-but the Archer 2A V3’s design makes it easy to avoid activating the strobe during regular use, an advantage over most competitors. Like many of the best flashlights, this light has a two-button interface that lets you easily toggle through the brightness levels one-handed. The ThruNite Archer 2A V3 has the widest range of brightness settings of any AA-battery-powered light we tested, including a very dim mode that allowed us to read a map (without destroying our night vision) and a bright setting that illuminated trees 500 feet away.

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