Choosing the right battery for your flashlight is important and will affect it’s overall performance. Disposable alkaline batteries are the common AAA, AA, C and D batteries. They don’t offer a great deal of power but they are very easy to find. Those in the prepper or survival industry will often opt for a flashlight that uses standard sized batteries because they know they are easily accessible.
Disposable Lithium Batteries
Disposable Lithium batteries should not be confused for Lithium Ion batteries. Disposable Lithium batteries are almost the exact same as disposable alkaline batteries except they’re more powerful, store more energy and are lighter. They will last longer as well. These are favored by survivalists for these reasons. However, they are more expensive.
Rechargeable
Rechargeable cells come in a variety of sizes. Specialized sizes for tactical flashlights include 18500, 18650, and RCR123A. They offer a very good output and the ability to recharge makes them more environmentally friendly. However, rechargeable flashlights are more expensive and require the purchasing of a decent charger as well.
Integrated Rechargeable
Integrated Rechargeable Pack batteries are specially made for specific tactical flashlights. They are either rechargeable or else you just plug the entire flashlight in to recharge. They can be hugely beneficial but it can be annoying when you run out of energy and have to wait while it recharges.
Material
The kind of material that you choose for your flashlight to be made of will have an effect on its durability and its weight. Tactical flashlights come in three different materials.
– Plastic or composite flashlights are generally of a lower quality, although Pelican is a good company for producing quality flashlights that uses plastic or composite materials.
– Anodized aluminum is the most common material used for quality flashlights. Make sure to have at least type II anodizing, but type III is the best.
– Stainless steel is a strong and durable material, but its downside is that it is heavy.