The best handheld torch for most people is a pocketable single-cell light, roughly 100 to 120 mm long, with USB-C charging, a sustained output of a few hundred lumens, a tail or dual switch, and a genuinely low mode. Buy a bigger duty light with a high candela figure only if you need to identify things at distance outdoors. Pay more attention to the output a torch can sustain than to its headline lumen number.
The reason is buried in how torch specs are measured. Under the ANSI/PLATO FL1 standard, runtime is timed from 30 seconds after switch-on until output falls to 10% of its starting value (Streamlight FL1 summary). So a "2 hour" torch may spend most of those two hours nowhere near the lumen figure printed next to it. Neither number is a lie, but together they can tell a story the torch cannot deliver. Once you know that, the honest buying questions are size, switches, batteries and sustained output.
Key takeaways
- ANSI FL1 runtime runs until output drops to 10% of its starting value, so the headline lumens and the headline runtime rarely happen together.
- Compact torches step down from turbo within minutes to protect the LED; compare what they sustain.
- Candela, not lumens, decides how far you can see: beam distance is 2 × √candela in metres.
- IPX7 means immersion to 1 m for 30 minutes; IPX4 means splash-resistant only.
- CR123A primaries suit stored and cold-weather torches; rechargeable lithium-ion suits daily use.
Step-down: the spec behind the spec
LED output in a small torch is limited by heat, not by the electronics. A compact body cannot shed the heat that four-figure lumen outputs generate, so after a short burst at full power the driver steps output down and holds it at a level the body can sustain. That sustained level is the torch you actually own; the turbo figure is a short burst on top.
What to do about it: favour manufacturers who publish output-over-time graphs rather than single figures, and compare torches on sustained output. A torch that holds 400 lumens for two hours is a better tool for almost every real job than one that flashes 1,800 lumens briefly and then settles far lower. Bigger bodies step down later and less, which is one reason size is the first real decision.
Size classes: pocket reality against output
| Class | Typical size and cell | Sustained output | Honest role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyring | Under 70 mm, AAA or built-in cell | Tens of lumens | Locks and dropped keys; always with you, never enough |
| EDC | 90–120 mm, built-in pack, 18350/16340 or CR123A format | Low hundreds | The daily answer: genuinely pocketable, genuinely useful |
| Duty / full size | 130–160 mm, 18650/21700 or 2 × CR123A | High hundreds, strong candela | Belt or bag carry; searching and outdoor work |
| Search / thrower | Large head, 21700 or several cells | High sustained output, big reflector | Fields and foreshore; not a pocket item |
Two examples from our range show the EDC class. The Streamlight MicroStream USB is 98 mm and 34 g, giving 250 lumens on high and 50 on low from a built-in USB-rechargeable cell (Streamlight MicroStream USB). The MacroStream USB is 114 mm, gives 500 lumens and 2,000 cd, and runs 2 hours on high (Streamlight MacroStream USB).
At duty size, the Streamlight ProTac 2.0 is 155 mm and runs on the SL-B50 rechargeable pack. Streamlight quotes 2,000 lumens and 17,300 cd on high, and a 100-lumen low that runs for 25 hours (Streamlight ProTac 2.0). The SureFire P1RZ-B-DFT publishes 1,500 lumens and 34,000 cd on its SF18650 cell, or 1,100 lumens on two CR123As (SureFire P1RZ-B-DFT). A duty light buys you later step-down, a bigger reflector and more reach, but you have to choose to carry it. The torch you have with you beats the better one at home.
Switches: the interface you live with
- Tail switch: the tactical convention. Your thumb falls on it in an overhand grip, momentary activation is instant, and it works with gloves. It is weaker for cycling modes.
- Side switch: better for extended work and changing modes, but slower under stress and more prone to switching on in a pocket. A lockout mode is worth treating as essential.
- Dual switch: tail for on/off, side for modes. It is the best of both, found on many current duty lights, at a slightly higher cost.
- Twist head: simple and robust, but it needs two hands. Fine on a keyring light, frustrating above that.
Whatever the switch, insist on two things. The first is momentary operation, because brief checks and signalling are half of real torch use. The second is a predictable start mode, so the torch doesn't greet dark-adapted eyes with unexpected turbo. SureFire's IntelliBeam versions, such as the P1RZ-IB-DF, take a different approach: the torch adjusts itself between 15 and 1,500 lumens according to its surroundings (SureFire P1RZ-IB-DF).
Batteries: the decision inside the decision
Rechargeable lithium-ion (18650, 21700, 18350 and built-in packs): the modern default. They offer high capacity and high current for big output, and are rechargeable hundreds of times; Streamlight rates its SL-B50 pack for at least 500 charges (Streamlight SL-B50). Use protected cells from the torch maker or a reputable brand, and expect less punch in serious cold.
CR123A lithium primaries: the storage and cold-weather choice. SureFire quotes a 10-year shelf life for its 123A cells (SureFire 123A), and Energizer rates its 123 from -40 °C to 60 °C (Energizer 123 datasheet). The cost adds up with daily use, which is why a common pattern is a rechargeable torch for daily use with CR123As in the drawer for power cuts.
AA and AAA: available everywhere, which is their whole argument. Output is far lower, but for a glovebox or loft torch used twice a year, universal availability beats performance.
Whatever the chemistry, rotate a spare. The full comparison is in rechargeable vs CR123.
The quieter specs that matter
- Candela: it decides how far you can identify anything. An outdoor torch wants a proper reflector and a five-figure candela number. Our lumens vs candela chart converts candela into beam distance.
- Water resistance: IPX7 means immersion to 1 m for 30 minutes. IPX8 means beyond that, to a depth the maker declares. IPX4 means splash only, as on the MicroStream and MacroStream. See IP ratings explained.
- Impact rating: quoted as a drop height. Streamlight quotes 1 m for the MicroStream and 2 m for the ProTac 2.0.
- Low mode: a genuinely low setting preserves night vision, reads a map without dazzling you and stretches runtime into days.
Expert tip
Before you buy, look at the lowest mode as well as the highest. A torch whose lowest setting is 100 lumens or more is tiring to use for close jobs and in the dark. A good low mode is the feature people notice missing within a week.
Three honest archetypes
Everyday: a 100–115 mm single-cell EDC light with USB-C charging, a sustained few hundred lumens, a tail or dual switch and a proper low. It is pocketable enough to carry daily and capable enough for most jobs.
Outdoor and rural: a duty-size body with a throw-biased reflector for identifying at 100 m and beyond, on an 18650 or 21700, with CR123A compatibility as a bonus. For lamping and night vermin work, read our guide to optics for fox and night vermin control, which covers the rules.
House and car: a light that takes batteries you can buy anywhere, plus stored lithium primaries. Chosen for availability, not numbers.
Many households end up with one of each from the handheld torch range. None of the three needs the biggest lumen figure in the catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my torch dim after a minute at full power?
Thermal step-down. A compact body cannot shed the heat of maximum output, so the driver reduces power to protect the LED. It is normal and by design; compare torches on the output they sustain.
Are 18650 torches better than CR123A ones?
They suit different jobs. Rechargeable 18650s win on capacity, output and running cost for regular use. CR123A primaries win on shelf life and cold-weather performance, which makes them ideal for stored and backup lights. Dual-fuel torches take either.
How many lumens do I need in a handheld torch?
A sustained few hundred lumens covers nearly every real task. For outdoor distance, look at candela rather than more lumens.
What is the difference between an EDC and a duty torch?
Size, sustained output and reach. An EDC light (roughly 90–120 mm) is built to be carried every day; a duty light (130 mm and up) steps down later, has a bigger reflector for more candela, and suits belt or bag carry.
Shop this guide
- Handheld torches: EDC and duty torches from Streamlight and SureFire.
- Streamlight handheld torches: MicroStream, MacroStream and ProTac 2.0.
- SureFire P1RZ-B-DFT: a dual-fuel duty torch with 34,000 cd on its rechargeable cell.
- Tactical lighting: torches and weapon lights together.
