We have learned and talked about water scarcity for decades now.

Most of the time, when we do so, we are talking about the shortage of pure, drinkable water, you know. And a survival adventure can show you how severe the issue has become.

In case you didn’t know, pollution has affected even the well-kept areas in the wilderness. It is not surprising, then, to see that you have problems finding pure water during survival runs and emergency bugout situations.

Even the most natural streams in the forest may have contaminants that can threaten your life and health. It is why people do not want to take risks.

	Survivor Filter Pro Hand Pump Water Filter 1. Tested in the USA 2. Carbon Filtration  3. Fast Flow Rate	Buy on Amazon
	Katadyn Vario Water Filter 1. Two quarts per minute 2. Faster flow mode 3. Cleanable ceramic disc	Buy on Amazon
	LifeStraw Personal Water Filter 1. Removes microplastics 2. Removes bacteria & parasites 3. Long Lifetime	Buy on Amazon
	Sawyer MINI Water Filtration System 1. Fits in the palm 2. 2 ounce weighs 3. Reusable 16-ounce pouch	Buy on Amazon
	Seychelle Advanced Water Filter Bottle 1. Squeezable bottle 2. Removes radiological contaminants 3. All made in USA	Buy on Amazon

Instead, they carry a water filter that can make things more effective and reliable. When you think about it, survival water filters are just magic. They can take water from some of the most polluted sources and give you reliable and drinkable water.

Considering that you cannot live without water, carrying a water filter is a better decision than adding so many water bottles to your backpack. This way, you can bring an empty water bottle and refill it with pure water whenever you want. Sounds incredible, right? Well, you must have a water filter most suitable for your survival adventure, though.

In this article, we have talked about five of the best survival water filters on the market. We have picked the products based on their performance, cleaning options, and ease of use. We believe you can make the best pick based on your specific needs.

Survivor Filter Pro Hand Pump Water Filter

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• Type: Hand Pump
• Volume: Not Applicable
• Flow Rate: 17 Ounces per minute
• Capacity: 100,000 liters

Survivor Filter Pro Hand Pump Water Filter is undoubtedly the best water filter that any survivalist must pick from the market. It comes from one of the most trusted brands in the category and can remove an immense variety of pollutants from natural water sources.

We should also appreciate the filter’, making it usable under any circumstances. It is also worth noting that Survivor Filter has included many innovative features in this small-looking package.

Benefits

• The Survivor Filter Pro Hand Pump Water Filter comes with an elementary-style use system. The filter comes with two hoses: the water inlet hose and the outlet hose. You can put the outlet hose into any form of water and the inlet hose to the container. You can get ultra-pure water in the container. As you can see, the process is simple that a toddler could do it.
• The filter used in the package effectively removes viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Besides, the company’s independent testing revealed that the filter reduces the presence of heavy metals, odors, and unpleasant tastes as well. As for the technicalities, the filter does not let anything more significant than 0.2 microns through the system, meaning that you get rid of most contaminants.
• Despite the affordable price tag it bears, the Survivor Filter Pro Hand Pump Water Filter has used exceptionally vital construction material. The shell uses ABS material, and Food-grade Activated Carbon is found in many components. Finally, the manufacturer has used medical-grade Polysulfone to make the filter.
• We must also note that the portable water filter system provides one of the best flow rates you can find in the market. You can filter up to 17 ounces of water per minute, which is excellent. It means you can fill a comparatively large container or water in a few minutes. This filter system can help you stay worry-less about water in the long run.
• Independent testing of the filter system also reveals that the filter can remove threats like Phi-X174 and E.coli from natural water sources. It is powerful-enough performance to recommend the system to most survivalists and hikers. Even if you are into long-term prepping, this filter will not let you down.

Drawbacks

• Some customers have noted that the Survivor Filter Pro Hand Pump Water Filter is not ideal for big groups. While solo survivalists can get enough water via a few minutes of pumping, filling too many water containers is too much effort. Therefore, we cannot recommend this water filter for big groups, especially if you have varying needs.

Extra Features

• It may not be an extra feature, per se, but you can connect the Survivor Filter Pro Hand Pump Water Filter to several accessories. Considering that a single filter unit can filter up to 100,000 liters of water, buying one of those accessories is a great decision. For instance, you can use the collapsible canteens to store the filtered water you get from the filtration system.
• The three-stage filtration system on this product is just off the charts from a performance perspective. It is also one of the most celebrated water filters on the market. Given that the filter works well with extreme conditions, you can expect a stable performance when you are in the wild for a casual survival adventure.

Buying Advice

For most solo travelers and small families, the Survivor Filter Pro Hand Pump Water Filter is the perfect water filter for survival adventures. It is an excellent addition to any prepping kit out there as well. The makers behind the product have combined the ideal performance with an ergonomic design and capacity. Although it does not have many convenient options like sip-to-filter, the design is suitable for entry-level survivalists and veterans alike. We cannot recommend the water filter for larger groups despite all these.

Katadyn Vario Water Filter

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• Type: Turn-to-filter system
• Volume: Not Applicable
• Flow Rate: 2 liters per minute
• Capacity: Up to 1875 liters

One problem with our top pick is that it cannot filter a lot of water per minute. However, the Katadyn Vario Water Filter fixes this problem and introduces an innovative design.

The design makes the water filter an impressive choice for larger groups and families. You will not have any trouble connecting it to a variety of containers, either. This is also a survival water filter popular among survivalist veterans.

Benefits

• Compared to our top pick, the Katadyn Vario Water Filter does not require too much effort from the customer. The turn-to-filter system is less time-consuming as well. Therefore, when you want to get an entire container of pure water quickly, you can count on this water filter without a doubt. Its core handle has also been designed for maximum durability.
• While the company does not specify what the filter can remove, the included filtration layers are very effective. The Vario Dual Technology uses two layers: a high-performance glass fiber filter and a pre-filter made of ceramic. Depending on the situation you are in and the type of water source, you can shift between these two options.
• It is impressive that the Katadyn Vario Water Filter uses a replaceable carbon core. This core can filter up to 1875 liters, which is significant. When it comes to removing pollutants, the carbon core can efficiently deal with chemicals, toxins, odors, and other elements that make water impure. The ceramic pre-filter is easily-cleanable as well.
• The Katadyn Vario Water Filter has one of the best flow rates you can expect from a portable water filter. The system can filter up to 2 liters of water per minute. It means you will not need more than a few minutes to fill an enormous water container. It is also why we recommend it to large groups of survivalists.
• As you can guess, you will not have any trouble using the water filter for heavy-duty needs. The bigger size of the system makes it more suitable for more extensive water sources. You can keep using the filter without worries of losing it somewhere. We should also appreciate the overall build quality of the water filtration system.

Drawbacks

• While the more prominent design is great for usability, it poses another problem: space consumption. You will have to dedicate a lot of space from your bugout bag or backpack if you want to carry this water filter around. Again, it is not a problem when traveling in a group. For solo survivalists, the filter is a little too big.
• We noticed that the Katadyn Vario Water Filter does not show any independent cleaning statistics as to what it can remove. We would have loved to see a better, more scientific answer from the makers instead of saying that the filter can remove toxins and chemicals. By the way, replacement cartridges for the machine are relatively more expensive.

Extra Features

• Like Survival Pro, Katadyn is a fully-fledged company in water filter equipment. So, it is easy for you to connect the water filter module to various accessories. Even though additions and replacements for the product are expensive, you can find them in online stores and typical stores across the country.
• Conveniently, the Katadyn Vario Water Filter comes as a complete package. You can find the pre-filter, carry bag, and cleaning pad in the box. You can use the carry bag to take around almost everything you need for filtering out water. If you have gotten started with survivalism and prepping, this nudge can save you time and space.

Buying Advice

For one, the Katadyn Vario Water Filter is an excellent choice for survivalists traveling in groups and those who need a lot of water. This product is expensive compared to our top pick but comes with a more innovative cleaning design.

In the end, you will not have any trouble using the water filter with water sources that you have never seen before. You must be ready to dedicate more space for carrying around the filtration system.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

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• Type: Sip-to-filter
• Volume: Not Applicable
• Flow Rate: Not Specified
• Capacity: 4,000 liters

There are times when you care more about filtration quality than convenience. If you need such an essential water filter, the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is a great pick. It comes with a compact design but gets the job done most of the time.

Despite all of these, the water filter can filter a good amount of polluted water. You can also count on the seemingly weird but effective filtering mechanism in most survivalist circumstances.

Benefits

• The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is very portable and does not take much space from your bugout bag or the survivalist backpack. Because of the no-fuzz design, you can use the filter system with any water source. Rest assured, the product will ensure good results, turning impure water into something drinkable.
• A single LifeStraw Personal Water Filter can filter up to 4,000 liters of water. This number is not only impressive but very practical. You can throw this filter into your bag, and you can stop worrying about drinking water for a couple of survivalist trips in the future. It is also significant that the filter removes almost every type of pollutant from water.
• The brand claims that the portable water filter can remove99.9999% of bacterial, protozoan parasites, and other risks. The filter has a pore size of 0.2 microns, meaning that not many pollutants make it to your mouth. Because you can sip the water to filter it, you can increase this filter’s flow rate by a long shot.

Drawbacks

• While the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is a compelling piece of tech, it provides zero to minimum convenience. Many people, especially kids, may have trouble using the water filter with unfamiliar water sources in the long run. Because of the sip-to-filter design, you cannot use the device for water storage purposes, either.

Extra Features

The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter does not have any extra features inside. However, you can get multiple-unit packs of this device for reasonable prices.

Buying Advice

You have to make a few compromises when choosing the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter over one of the typical water filters we saw above. However, you can embrace a more compact way to filter water while doing so.

Sure, the company has to work on the flow rate and the overall capacity of the smart straw, but that is it. If you can live with these disadvantages, you should consider getting this filter.

Sawyer MINI Water Filtration System

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• Type: Squeeze-to-filter
• Volume: 16 ounces
• Flow Rate: Not Specified
• Capacity: 100,000 gallons

If you think our first alternative was a little too inconvenient, you should check out the Sawyer MINI Water Filtration System. This water filter employs a more modern method to purify water.

However, it does not store the water anywhere. You have to filter water as you need it. If you are okay with that limitation, you should keep a lookout for this product. In the end, you will not regret adding this compact thing to your bag or survival backpack.

Benefits

• The Sawyer MINI Water Filtration System uses a squeeze-to-filter system that is incredibly effective. It means you can connect one end of the filter to a water container and squeeze the container to push water through the filter. And you can enjoy high-quality water on the other end of the filter, a pretty convenient way.
• The included filter has a pore size of just 0.1 microns. The number translates to the filter clearing out various pollutants from the water source. For instance, it can remove almost all bacteria, such as E.coli and cholera. The filter is very effective when it comes to eliminating microplastics from water.
• Compared to other water filters in this category, the Sawyer MINI Water Filtration System packs an incredible filtration capacity as well. A single cartridge can filter up to 100,000 gallons of water, and you can use the 16-ounce squeeze pouch to store water. The drinking straw also comes in handy at times.

Drawbacks

• While the design is more convenient than the previous pick, the Sawyer MINI Water Filtration System offers a better place to store water. However, you cannot use this filter for your long-haul water filter needs or living in a group.

Extra Features

There are not many additional features in the Sawyer MINI Water Filtration System.

Buying Advice

On the one hand, the Sawyer MINI Water Filtration System is a definite convenience upgrade. Still, you cannot use the system to pour water into a big container and store it.

However, as a hiker or survivor, you may have to carry at least some water at a shorter distance. In those instances, you can consider this compact package from Sawyer.

Seychelle Advanced Water Filter Bottle

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• Type: Sip-to-filter
• Volume: 28 ounces
• Flow Rate: Not Specified
• Capacity: 100 gallons

If you are looking for the most convenient way to filter water during emergencies, you should consider the Seychelle Advanced Water Filter Bottle. This is a fully-fledged water bottle that can purify water as you need it.

The sip-to-filter mechanism is more effective than you think, but you have to get used to applying more force during the process. In the end, carrying this water filter bottle does not consume a lot of space from your backpack, either.

Benefits

• You can get used to the sip-to-filter system without any prior experience. Once you have filled water from the source, you can sip up to purify water. Depending on the pressure you apply, you can get a good amount of water. You will love this kind of freedom if you spend most of your day moving across the forest.
• For a bottle that you would carry around during the trip, the capacity of 100 gallons is excellent for the Seychelle Advanced Water Filter Bottle. You will have enough water to drink and days to spend before you have to replace the cartridge. On that note, we should mention that the cartridges are straightforward to find.
• Even though the design is simple, the Seychelle Advanced Water Filter Bottle can remove radiological contaminants, heavy metals, and industrial contaminants from the raw water. So, even if you get into uncharted territories, this water filter will provide you endless water supply. We think you will value this assurance as a survivalist.

Drawbacks

• Squeezing the bottle to get water may work, but it is not ideal. Therefore, you need something other than Seychelle Advanced Water Filter Bottle to enable water storage. In short, the bottle is made for personal use only.

Extra Features

The Seychelle Advanced Water Filter Bottle does not offer any extra features.

Buying Advice

If you need a super-convenient way to hold water and purify it during emergencies, we think you can choose the Seychelle Advanced Water Filter Bottle. As a survival water filter system, it is pretty effective and does a great job of removing even radiological contaminants. It is also impressive that the bottle does not cost as much as the other options.

Survival Water Filter FAQ

What water filter removes viruses?

Many water filters can remove viruses from natural water sources. In many cases, companies use a combination of activated carbon and fiber to remove viruses from water. It is also worth noting that these filters’ pore size will be minimal.

How do you filter water in a survival situation?

Since you cannot carry an unlimited amount of water, you have to rely on natural water sources. You will have to collect water from ponds, rivers, and other streams and purify it into something drinkable. It is why you need a water filter system.

What is the best solution for a more extended time?

We recommend going for a water filter system with high filtration capacity. You should choose a filter that can provide you enough water to store in other containers. Therefore, even if you cannot find water sources for a few days, you can survive with the reserve.

Can you drink any water with a help from a water filter?

Yes, in most situations. As we mentioned earlier, modern water filter systems can remove viruses, bacteria, and even radiological contaminants from water.

You can also remove chemicals and other odors from the water source. Therefore, unless you are in a strictly unbearable area, you can drink any water using a water filter.

The Bottom Line

We believe our coverage of the best survival water filter on the market helped you choose the right one for your needs.

We have recommended products from almost every category, including sip-to-filter and pump-to-filter systems. You have to make the final decision based on the number of people in your group and the type of event you are preparing for.

On any day, though, it is better to go for a water filter system with better storage and filtration capacity.

One thing about emergencies is that you cannot predict how long they last.

For instance, when a hurricane hits your area, you do not know how long you will have to shelter yourself.

Due to the same reason, it makes sense to carry something you can cook with instead of taking ready-to-eat food. I mean, you cannot take too much ready-made food without making your bugout bag a hefty affair.

On the other hand, if you can get a portable stove inside the survival kit, you can carry multiple packs of raw material and last longer. It is why experts advise you to get one of the best survival stoves for emergencies.

	REDCAMP Wood Burning Camp Stove	Buy on Amazon
	OAKVUE Foldable Camping Stove	Buy on Amazon
	Ohuhu Stainless Steel Backpacking Stove	Buy on Amazon
	Solo Stove Lite	Buy on Amazon
	STADELHORN Titanium Minimalist Wood Stove	Buy on Amazon

Now, because emergencies vary, you may also have different kinds of emergency preparedness. The bugout bags of people who regularly face hurricanes and people who come across earthquakes are very different.

Besides, you have to consider how long you want to stay away, as we said. Therefore, we cannot recommend the single perfect survival stove for emergencies.

Instead, we have narrowed down the options from a variety of categories. In this way, we could include survival stoves from multiple categories based on size, fuel type, performance, and ideal usage conditions.

Based on a few factors like customer reviews, design, and features, we have ranked these portable/survival stoves. We hope the collection helps you make the right choice.

REDCAMP Wood Burning Camp Stove

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• Type: Camping Stove and Grill
• Size: 8.3” x 5.9” x 5.5”
• Material: 430 Stainless Steel
• Fuel: Wood
• Weight: 1.9lbs

If you do not want to spend too much on a survival stove but want something practical, you should consider the REDCAMP Wood Burning Camp Stove.

This portable stove/grill combines the best construction quality, ergonomic design, and portability. It is also an excellent choice for those unpredictable situations when you may want to use multiple types of fuels.

Thanks to its modern design and features, the REDCAMP stove can help you survive in the wild for several weeks or months.

Benefits

• REDCAMP has used 430 stainless steel to construct this portable survival stove. It helps the device in two ways. The construction keeps the stove’s weight to a minimum of 1.9lbs. So, it will be easy to carry this device around. Two, the durable construction can handle a wide variety of pans. As you can expect, the design is also heat-resistant to a great extent. It means you can take your survivalist cooking skills to a whole new level.
• The REDCAMP Wood Burning Camp Stove design is very versatile in addition to being sturdy and durable. It means you can use the stove for different cooking needs. For instance, if you want to grill some meat you hunted from the wild, you can use the grilling panel. Otherwise, you can use one of the available skillets to cook a proper meal. As long as you provide a good amount of fuel from below, this stove can catch up with your emergency needs.
• Even though the REDCAMP Wood Burning Camp Stove uses wood as the primary fuel, you can consider some other options as well. For instance, you can use synthetic fuels and twigs to ensure good heat during the cooking process. Some alternatives include leaves, solid fuel tablets, coal, and spirit burner. The best part is that the stove can conform to your situation. This multi-fuel design makes this portable stove the ideal pick for emergency bugout bags.
• Despite packing so much power and durability, this burning camp stove is portable to the core. It has a total weight of just 1.9lbs and measures 8.” X 5.9” x 1.5” when folding. 1.5 inches is an incredible figure by any standard. Because all parts of the stove snap so ideally, you do not have to worry about any protruding points, either. We should also mention how ergonomic the controls on this stove are from a user-friendly perspective.

Drawbacks

• The REDCAMP Wood Burning Camp Stove does not have any drawbacks. However, this stove might not be the ideal emergency cooking solution for large families. If you want to cook heavy-duty meals, which need better surface area and skillets, this stove would not be perfect. In that case, you should consider going for a larger variant.

Extra Features

• It is not exactly an extra feature, but the REDCAMP Wood Burning Camp Stove ships with all things you need to start a survivalist cooking project. As we said, the grilling panel is a great fit when you want to deal with some sausages or freshly-hunted meat. The stove also has a mechanism to keep the ash quite effectively. All these features get a boost from the ventilation-friendly design as well.

Buying Advice

If you are looking for the best survival stove that does not cost a fortune, the REDCAMP Wood Burning Camp Stove is an excellent choice. The versatile design lets you use the stove for conventional cooking, grilling, and barbecuing.

Conveniently, you can use various fuels to light up fire on this stove. In the end, the package is quite comprehensive as well. The stove comes with an incredible packing bag as well.

OAKVUE Foldable Camping Stove

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• Type: Camping Stove
• Size: 8.07” x 7.28” x 1.34”
• Material: Stainless Steel
• Fuel: Wood
• Weight: 1.1lbs

If you think the previous survival stove has a generic design, you must consider what the OAKVUE Foldable Camping Stove offers on the front. It comes with a design that improves the overall performance and heat distribution within the stove.

Simultaneously, the plan does not compromise the quality or sturdiness of the device. Considering that you can carry this stove as quickly as you did the last one, we think it is a superb choice for many people.

Benefits

• As we said, manufacturers have designed the OAKVUE Foldable Camping Stove to withstand a variety of cooking requirements. Regardless of the pot you use for cooking, the design offers sufficient power and protection. The entire structure uses ventilation holes that increase the airflow and decrease the cooking time. Despite the seemingly complex design, setting up this portable stove does not take more than a few seconds.
• Like we saw with the final product, the OAKVUE Foldable Camping Stove can also work with multiple fuel sources. While wood is the best option, you can also turn to solid fuel cells and charcoal. Given that you cannot predict fuel flow during emergencies, this multi-source design can boost how useful the camping accessory is. Regardless of the fuel you use, the material stays sturdy and lasts a lot. It is also very safe.
• This portable stove goes a step further than being foldable. You can remove almost every part of the stove and reattach them after cleaning. It is a great feature to have if you are into heavy-duty cooking in the survivalist scene. Even after preparing meals for many people, cleaning the stove will be an easy task. We should also mention that the built-in design does an impressive job of taking care of debris.
• The OAKVUE Foldable Camping Stove also happens to be one of the most lightweight stoves you can get for camping needs. It weighs only 1.1lbs, which is barely a noticeable amount of weight to add to your bugout bag. However, you should not underestimate the performance of the design since the primary pane can handle skillets and pans that weigh multiple times the device itself. This is an area where the real power of stainless steel is visible.

Drawbacks

• While the overall system can handle various containers, we cannot suggest this stove as an ideal option for continuous cooking. If you have a family with many members, you may want to get more than one unit of this stove. Considering that the product costs less than a good cup of coffee, even that would be a reasonable decision.

Extra Features

• We noticed that the manufacturer behind the OAKVUE Foldable Camping Stove includes quite a few accessories in the package. These come in handy when you are in an unpredictable situation. It comes with a collapsible fire bellow and a telescopic fire tube igniter. The second accessory will help you in lighting fire even when the environment is rough. Considering that the product does not cost much, it is nice to see these accessories.

Buying Advice

The OAKVUE Foldable Camping Stove checks all the necessary boxes as a survival stove for emergencies. We are talking about sturdy construction quality, compatibility with multiple pans, and running on many fuel types.

The manufacturer has also included some useful accessories in the package. The stove is portable and worth-carrying-around as well.

Ohuhu Stainless Steel Backpacking Stove

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• Type: Camping Stove
• Size: 5.3” x 5.3 x 5.3”
• Material: Stainless Steel
• Fuel: Wood
• Weight: 0.8lbs

If you are looking for a low-cost survival stove that does not compromise in significant aspects, you should check out the Ohuhu Stainless Steel Backpacking Stove. This product does not offer all the benefits we saw in the previous two options.

However, it can help you fulfill the basic cooking needs when you are in a rough place with your family. We also noticed that the survival stove had been designed to save as much space as possible.

Benefits

• Compared to most of the market’s survival stoves, the Ohuhu Stainless Steel Backpacking Stove is easy to set up. You can also insert many elements, such as wooden branches and twigs, to improve the stove’s cooking experience. Altogether, the intelligent design compensates for the small format of the stove.
• The Ohuhu Stainless Steel Backpacking Stove measures only 5.3” x 5.3” x 3” when folded. It means you will have no trouble carrying the stove in your backpack. The weight of 0.8lbs means you can get a couple of these stoves to keep in the bag. If the emergency wants you to start communal living, these stoves will help you a lot.
• It is excellent that the survival stove comes with the necessary hardware for cooking and barbecue. You can count on the protruding stands while placing a pan or skillet on the stove. Otherwise, the built-in barbecue stand will offer you enough surface area to deal with some sausages or meat. In both cases, the stove provides a stable cooking experience.
• We should also appreciate the manufacturer designing the Ohuhu Stainless Steel Backpacking Stove in multiple layers. Thanks to this design, you get dedicated places for different elements. For instance, there is a place where you can keep solidified alcohol fuel in addition to the typical chamber to keep twigs and dried wood.

Drawbacks

• There are not many problems with the survival stove per se. However, some customers say that the manufacturer could improve the ventilation options. If we keep that apart, the stove’s design is pure class.

Extra Features

The Ohuhu Stainless Steel Backpacking Stove does not have any extra features.

Buying Advice

If you are looking for an affordable alternative to multipurpose cooking, you should consider Ohuhu Stainless Steel Backpacking Stove as an option.

While it costs less than a good plate of a meal, the stove can help you make hundreds of meals when you are in the wild. The design deserves special applause for usability.

Solo Stove Lite

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• Type: Gasification Rocket Stove
• Size: 3.8” x 3.8” x 4.25”
• Material: 304 Stainless Steel
• Fuel: Wood, Gasoline
• Weight: 0.88lbs

When you are into hardcore survivalism, efficiency is an essential factor. You must get the most out of fuel, even if it is a bunch of twigs. If you are willing to spend extra for this extra efficiency, the Solo Stove Lite will be an excellent addition for you.

Many enthusiastic survivalists have shifted to the Solo Stove Lite after trying their luck with a conventional stove. We should also mention that the stove comes with a range of limitations.

Benefits

• An innovative design ensures that the Solo Stove Lite gets a sufficient amount of air to boost the cooking process. It is one reason why the stove can offer some of the best water boiling times, among other things. This happens even when you have a low amount of fuel as well. As we said, the stove can increase efficiency to a great extent.
• We should say that the Solo Stove Lite’s extra price is a fantastic investment. You will not have to continuously purchase packaged fuel or white gas to power your survivalist adventures. Even if the emergency makes you stranded without any stores, this survival stove will help you keep up.
• The design indeed contains many techniques to improve the efficacy of cooking. However, the makers have done this without impacting the compactness. 304 stainless ensures that the stove is as lightweight as 0.88lbs and measures only 3.8” x 3.8” x 4.25”. It can handle many pots even if the weight varies by a long shot.
• We believe the multi-layer design of the Solo Stove Lite deserves another applause. The technique can ensure that the burning material is fully utilized before changing it. Thanks to the secondary burn system, the stove can improve the amount of heat while lasting a lot longer than you expect.

Drawbacks

• There are times when the Solo Stove Lite becomes too small for the purpose. In that case, you have to get a larger variant.

Extra Features

You can connect the Solo Stove Lite with several accessories from the manufacturer. For instance, the Solo Stove Pot 900 offers the best performance, and you can use the space to store the stove. These accessories enhance efficiency or offer better convenience.

Buying Advice

We can recommend the Solo Stove Lite without a doubt if efficiency is your priority. As you saw, the stove works just great and provides the right cooking environment for most people. By shifting to a more efficient stove, you can help the environment.

STADELHORN Titanium Minimalist Wood Stove

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• Type: Wood Stove
• Size: 3.8” x 3.8” x 4.25”
• Material: Titanium
• Fuel: Wood
• Weight: 0.5lbs

The STADELHORN Titanium Minimalist Wood Stove is an excellent alternative for those who prioritize build quality over everything else. If you want to prepare for the worst disasters and need a portable stove to keep up, this titanium-made option is the best.

Thanks to the innovative design it comes with, you do not have to compromise efficiency. We should also mention that it is one of the highest-rated emergency stoves on Amazon.

Benefits

• As the name says, the STADELHORN Titanium Minimalist Wood Stove is made using 100% titanium, which helps in two ways. First, the stove is more lightweight than the stainless steel counterparts. Two, the design can withstand a tremendous amount of force and power. For reference, the stove can handle up to 100lbs of weight.
• Even though you have to spend a little on this portable stove, the amount will be one of the worthiest investments ever. With regular usage, this product can last for decades. Even if you put it under too much pressure, the titanium-based construction will last for years. You should also note that it is heat and shatter-resistant.
• As icing on the cake, the STADELHORN Titanium Minimalist Wood Stove is very portable. You can fold the stove and place it in your bag and expand the system whenever you want. The design will ensure maximum heat distribution and easier lighting when you do. Of course, you do not have to keep worrying about fuel canisters.
• We also noticed that installing and using the titanium stove is very easy. Even if you are utterly new to survivalism, you can get started with the stove. Because the design supports natural kindling, you do not have to put too much effort, either. Although the design is standard, you can expect high efficiency from this package.

Drawbacks

• Considering that the entire stove is made of titanium, the price is higher. This could be a problem for those who have a limited budget. On the other hand, if you are preparing a fully-fledged bugout bag, this stove is a must-have.

Extra Features

The STADELHORN Titanium Minimalist Wood Stove does not offer any extra features.

Buying Advice

You should think about the STADELHORN Titanium Minimalist Wood Stove only if you can justify paying for better build quality. If we keep that aspect apart, the stove is not different from the other emergency stove systems in the market.

Survival Stoves FAQ

Why does any prepper need a stove?

During emergencies, you cannot have a constant supply of food. Nor can you carry enough ready-to-eat food for weeks or months.

Therefore, a prepper should have a survival stove. In that case, they can use the space to pack more raw material or even hunt and cook.

Can you cook on a survival stove?

You can cook on a survival stove. Most survival stoves are designed to support bigger pans as well as skillets. It means you can enjoy a smooth cooking experience. However, you may have to get a sturdier survival stove for this purpose.

How do you make your survival stove?

Depending on the availability of materials, you can make a survival stove using stones.

However, the stoves made in this way are not the most efficient option out there. They might have ventilation options and fail to provide enough heat/flame to cook correctly.

Should you opt for a wood or gas stove?

Ideally, you should have a hybrid stove. However, if you have to choose, we recommend going for a wood stove.

The reason is simple. You cannot expect a steady supply of gasoline or other types of packaged fuel during an emergency. On the other hand, you can easily find wood.

Conclusion

Like we mentioned in the introduction, we have included different types of survival stoves in the list.

Based on the level of prepping you are into, you can choose one or more of these solutions. However, if you are planning for a casual survivalist adventure, you should look for something sturdy.

As we said a couple of times, you should also consider the number of people the stove should serve. For instance, there is no point in getting an entry-level survival stove if you are prepping for a high-impact emergency as a family.

On the other hand, if you just want to stay on top of your fear using a simple bugout bag, a starter survival stove is enough.

If you are going out into the wild or just preparing a kit for an emergency, something that every expert will tell you is to have a flashlight on hand. Now, it might seem kind of obvious that a flashlight is fairly important for survival scenarios, emergencies, and even just for camping too.

However, flashlights can do more than just light up the pages of your book or allow you to go to the bathroom at night without tripping over rocks and sticks. A flashlight might not seem like anything too exciting, like anything that could save your life.

However, flashlights actually have many uses, although most aren’t standard uses that you’d think of, but nonetheless, a flashlight makes for a great survival tool, and this is true for a variety of reasons.

1. Illuminating the Way

Alright, so to start with the obvious, the main use for your flashlight is of course for illumination. If you find yourself in a survival scenario, chances are that you won’t have access to any electricity, so when the sun goes down, you’re left in the dark.

Whether you need to travel in the dark, walk through the woods, or just find the bathroom in the night without falling down the stairs, a good survival flashlight will have you covered. It can also be used for other purposes like providing you with light so you can cook in the dark, set up shelter, and more.

2. Starting a Fire

Something that you may not know about flashlights is that they can be used to start fires. Of course, it’s the not the primary function of a flashlight, but it is possible to do. One method of lighting a fire with a flashlight is to take out the glass lens and use it as a magnifying glass to enhance natural sunlight. That concentrated beam of sunlight is hot enough to light dry tinder.

If you have a flashlight with a filament, so not an LED light, you can also break the bulb while leaving the filament intact, and then turn the flashlight on while holding the filament to dry tinder. That filament gets so hot that it will light up anything dry nearly instantly. If your flashlight has the right kind of battery, you can also use foil wrappers and steel wool to make fires.

3. Blinding an Attacker

In the event that an animal tries to attack you, or a human comes into your camp or home to try and steal supplies, you can use a bright flashlight to blind them. Even better is if you have a flashlight with a very bright strobe mode that flashes on and off very quickly. This will disoriented and confuse any attacker, thus providing you with enough time to either escape or neutralize the threat.

4. Hunting in the Dark

If you are a in dire survival situation, chances are that you don’t have enough food. Sure, hunting during the day is fine, but it might not always be possible, and there are some meaty animals that only come out during the night. The right kind of flashlight can be mounted to a rifle or bow, thus lighting up the area in front of you, so you can spot and kill your next meal.

5. A Blunt Self-Defence Weapon

Although a small survival flashlight might not be the best weapon of choice when it comes to defending yourself, it’s still better than nothing. No, it’s not a gun, a knife, or even a big stick, but when you are in a tight spot, it can still come in handy.

If you have ever seen older movies, there is a reason why police officers have those massive flashlights, because that thing can be used to clonk a bad guy over the head.

If all else fails, you can use a smaller flashlight as a projectile. No, throwing a small flashlight at somebody might not do a whole lot of damage, but it can act as a momentary distraction at the very least.

6. Extreme Weather

A good survival flashlight can also help you find your way in an intense rainstorm, blizzard, or even through thick fog. That light isn’t just handy during the night.

7. Surveillance

You can also use a good flashlight for surveillance and monitoring. In other words, if you think a bad guy is hiding in the bushes and waiting to come into your camp or home to steal supplies or do whatever bad guys do, you can survey the scene and use that light as a deterrent. Moreover, if it dark out, and you need to set up camp, you can use a flashlight to find the best camping spot.

8. Signaling for Help

One of the biggest uses of a flashlight in terms of a survival situation is to signal for help. Many modern flashlights, particular LED flashlights, have strobe modes. These strobe modes feature a very strong beam of light that flashes on and off in rapid succession.

This way, you can signal to airplanes, boats, and whoever else is close by for help. On that same note, seeing as flashlights can also be used to start fires, with fires being very bright and smoky, it’s another way that they can be used to signal for help.

9. Digging a Hole

Although it’s not to common, a large flashlight could technically be used to dig a small hole in the event that you need to dig a latrine, dig for water, or search for grubs to eat. On that same note, if you have a really durable flashlight, you might even be able to use it as a hammer for various purposes.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, a flashlight is good for a whole lot more than for reading books and finding the latrine in the dark. You need to have a good flashlight in your survival kit because it can end up saving your life in more ways than one.

Whenever you go to purchase any type of product, there are always several features that need to be considered. Even with something as seemingly simple as a flashlight, there is a whole lot to think about.

Sure, the size, durability, and battery life are all important, but then again, this is a flashlight, and perhaps the most important aspect of all is how good that bulb is. How bright is that bulb? How long will it last? How far does the beam of light actually travel?

They’re all fair questions that you need to ask yourself before buying a flashlight, and in case you didn’t already know, the answers there will all be determined (mostly) by the type of bulb the flashlight in question has.

So, what are the different types of flashlight bulbs, how do they perform, and what are their advantages and drawbacks?

1. Incandescent Bulbs

The first type of flashlight bulb to think about is the incandescent bulb, which also happens to be the type of bulb and flashlight that has been around for the longest amount of time.

Now, this type of flashlight bulb doesn’t cost much to purchase in the first place, which is nice, and sure, they are fine for basic and occasional use around the house, such as for those couple of hours where the power goes out, but that’s about it. Incandescent flashlights might be the oldest kind, but certainly not the best.

For one, those incandescent bulbs just don’t last very long. With regular use, you will end up replacing that bulb in no time at all, and that is going to cost you money. There is also the fact that this type of bulb is not efficient in the least. In terms of how much power they use, they aren’t all that bright. Sure, they’re bright enough to provide a bit of illumination, but they don’t rival modern LED and HID lights, not even close.

These things waste a ton of energy, which means that they drain batteries fast, and will require replacement batteries often, something else that will end up costing you. There’s also the fact that incandescent bulbs are not very durable. Drop an incandescent flashlight and it’s almost certain to break. Finally, these things just aren’t eco-friendly either as they waste a lot of energy.

In essence, if you need a good flashlight, you probably want to stay away from incandescent bulbs.

2. Xenon, Halogen, & Krypton Bulbs

The next type of flashlight bulb to be considered is the xenon, halogen, or krypton variety. Now, this type of flashlight bulb is actually still an incandescent one, with one major difference. That difference is that inside of the glass, along with the filament, there is also pressurized gas, usually xenon, halogen, or krypton.

This is a step up from your regular incandescent bulb because that pressurized gas allows the filament in the bulb to burn brighter and longer without wearing down as much, and all without requiring more juice to power it.

In fact, when it comes right down to it, these are the brightest types of flashlights that you can buy. However, in all reality, they don’t make for great survival flashlights, as they are still very fragile, their battery life still isn’t great, and their overall lifespan still doesn’t compare to other flashlight bulb types, mainly LED.

3. High Intensity Discharge Bulbs

In terms of uncommon flashlights bulbs, high intensity discharge, or simply HID bulbs, are the least common. This type of bulb features a sealed ball that is filled with ionized gas. An electric current is then passed through that gas, which through the miracle of science then lights up.

This type of flashlight bulb is also very bright, almost as bright as the xenon bulbs discussed above. The bulbs also tend to be quite durable and long-lasting.

However, when it comes to portability and survival purposes, they aren’t exactly ideal due to their bulkiness. Moreover, HID flashlights tend to be very expensive, usually way more than people are willing to spend.

4. LED Bulbs

The final type of flashlight bulb to consider is the LED bulb (light emitting diode), and when it comes to survival flashlights, this is what you want to go for. LED lights, for one, don’t have any kind of glass or filament such as the other bulb types, and this helps make them very durable and long lasting.

Some LED flashlights can last 100,000 hours or more. LED flashlights often have good impact resistance, so they won’t break if they are dropped (to a reasonable extent anyway), and many are even shockproof and waterproof (also to a certain extent).

There is also the fact that LED flashlights waste much less energy than incandescent and other bulb types. A lot more of the energy coming from the batteries is used to produce light, whereas other bulb types usually produce a lot of heat. Heat is just wasted energy in this sense. On that note, due to the fact that LED lights don’t get hot, it’s another thing that allows for a greater lifespan.

Moreover, LED lights are the most efficient around, both in terms of energy usage and conversion. In other words, you won’t end up replacing the batteries in an LED flashlight nearly as often as with other bulb types, not to mention that the most modern options sometimes come with rechargeable batteries.

Now, LED flashlights can be relatively expensive, although the price across the board has come down a lot in the last years, but that said, due to the fact that they last a long time, produce a lot of light, and don’t use much battery power, they can be seen as being very cost effective in the long run. Simply put, if you need a good survival flashlight, the LED bulb is what you want to go for. It’s durable, bright, long-lasting, and energy efficient.

Final Thoughts

There you have it folks, everything you need to know about the different types of bulbs that flashlights might come with. Now you can make your own informed decision as to what is best for you. Once again, when it comes to survival flashlights, we strongly recommend LED.

Are you tired of paying way too much money for anything you buy, especially if you want quality? Yeah, some things are just way too expensive, such as some tactical and survival flashlights. Well, right now we want to take a look at one particular survival flashlight that doesn’t cost too much, yet still has some pretty impressive features.

Streamlight ProTac 2AA 250 Tactical Flashlight

Today, we want to take a closer look at the Streamlight ProTac 2AA Flashlight, a simple yet effective flashlight with a bright and far-reaching beam, decent battery life, and a very rugged design, all for a very reasonable price.

Who is this Product for?

The Streamlight ProTac 2AA Flashlight is designed for people who want a decent survival flashlight without having to pay an arm and a leg for it.

What’s Included?

When you purchase the Streamlight ProTac 2AA Flashlight, you get a 6 inch long flashlight complete with a C4LED bulb, a decent waterproof rating, and plenty of other features that we’ll discuss below.

Overview of Features

What we want to say right off the bat is considering that the Streamlight ProTac 2AA Flashlight comes in at such a reasonable price, it does have some rather impressive features worth talking about. First off, this particular flashlight comes with a high output C4 LED bulb, one that features a lifetime of up to 50,000 hours, which is nothing short of impressive.

In terms of brightness, this bulb can pump out up to 250 lumens on high mode, and the beam distance is up to 130 meters, or about 400 feet. You can also choose the low light mode, which produces just 18 lumens of light energy, and features a 40 meter beam distance, or somewhere around 140 feet. The Streamlight ProTac 2AA Flashlight does also come with a strobe mode.

In terms of battery life, when running on high mode, the Streamlight ProTac 2AA Flashlight can last for about 2 hours, and when on low mode it can last for about 43 hours. It might not be the longest runtime in the world, but it’s certainly not too bad either, especially considering the more than reasonable price that this thing comes in at.

Something else that you might appreciate about the Streamlight ProTac 2AA Flashlight is that it is quite portable. Now, it’s not the smallest flashlight in the world, but that said, it is only 6 inches long, which is short enough to fit in any bugout kit, backpack, or even into your jacket pocket. On that same note, with the batteries, this flashlight weighs just over 3 ounces, which is very lightweight. All in all, we would consider it to be fairly portable. It does also come with a pocket clip, a simple yet effective add-on in terms of portability.

In case you are concerned about durability, the Streamlight ProTac 2AA Flashlight is pretty tough. It’s made out of high-quality and solid materials that allow for a good bit of impact resistance, up to 2 meters in fact, plus it’s impervious to shock as well.

In case you are worried about weather, this flashlight features an IPX7 waterproof rating, which means that it can handle being submerged down to a few feet for up to 90 minutes. All in all, keeping in mind that this flashlight is one of the more affordable ones out there, the features you in this small package are rather impressive.

Tutorial

In terms of getting the most out of it, keep in mind that the Streamlight ProTac 2AA Flashlight is designed specifically for use with AA alkaline batteries, so you do want to make sure to use those specific batteries. Moreover, although it does have a good waterproof rating, we would not recommend testing it out too much in this sense. Keep it dry if you can.

Alternatives

In case you are looking for a survival flashlight that is smaller than this model, one that you can easily fit into your pocket, as well as one that is much brighter, has more light modes, and a better runtime, you might want to consider something like the LUMINTOP TOOL AA 2.0 EDC Flashlight.

If you want something even brighter and more powerful, the Fenix UC35 V2.0 1000 Lumen Rechargeable Tactical Flashlight is another good option to consider.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that the Streamlight ProTac 2AA Flashlight is a great flashlight all things considered. It might not be quite the brightest or most compact option out there, but it still puts out a good amount of light, it’s small enough to be considered portable, and it’s pretty darn tough too, and all with a price tag that won’t set you back very much.

Do you need a really good flashlight for survival and emergency situations, but don’t want to pay a fortune for it? If so, you have come to the right place, because right now we want to take a look at a particular flashlight that can fit in the palm of your hand and light up the way literally hundreds of feet into the distance.

Lumintop Tool 2.0 EDC Flashlight

Today we are here to review the Lumintop Tool 2.0 EDC Flashlight, a super portable flashlight with a rugged shell, a super bright bulb, and great battery life too. If you are looking for a fantastic survival flashlight, but don’t want to pay through the nose for it, then this is a good option to consider.

Who is this Product for?

The Lumintop Tool 2.0 EDC Flashlight is designed for anybody who needs a small, tough, portable, bright, and long-lasting flashlight. You could use it for camping, to keep in your car for emergencies, for when the power goes out, and for any other situation where a whole lot of light will come in handy.

What’s Included?

When you purchase the Lumintop Tool 2.0 EDC Flashlight, you get an awesome survival flashlight with an XPL-HD LED, the ability to handle multiple battery types, and more.

Overview of Features

One of the standout features of the Lumintop Tool 2.0 EDC Flashlight is how it body is made out of aircraft-grade aluminum, which is then finished with a military-grade anodized surface. In other words, this thing is about as tough as it gets.

With ANSI verified impact resistance of up to 5 feet, you can be sure that if you drop this flashlight on the ground, it’s not going to break. Next, the Lumintop Tool 2.0 EDC Flashlight is also built to be shockproof. Moreover, it also has a shatterproof lens for added strength.

To top it all off, this flashlight is sealed in such a way that makes it IP68 waterproof, which means that it can be submerged to depths of 6.5 feet for several hours without fear of breaking. There is also the fact that this flashlight can handle both extreme heat and cold without fear of degrading. When it comes down to it, this is one of the most durable flashlights out there.

What is also worth noting about the Lumintop Tool 2.0 EDC Flashlight is that it is designed for portability. It comes in at under 4 inches long, which means that you can easily stuff it in any pocket and forget that you have it on you.

On that same note, this flashlight weighs less than 1 ounce (without battery), thus making it one of the most lightweight flashlights out there. In terms of rugged portability, you won’t find much better than this. The included pocket clip is another aspect that helps increase overall portability.

One of the most impressive features of the Lumintop Tool 2.0 EDC Flashlight is the XPL-HD LED bulb that it comes with, one that has an impressive 50,000 lifespan. In terms of brightness, when using the right kind of battery, this thing can pump out a whopping 650 lumens with a beam distance of 417 feet, which is nothing short of impressive.

In terms of both brightness and battery life, this is definitely a top notch flashlight to consider. On turbo mode, it can pump out 650 lumens for up to 33 minutes, on high mode it produces 360 lumens for 79 minutes, on medium mode it puts out 28 lumens for up to 12.5 hours, and on low mode it puts out 16 lumens for up to 37 hours.

Not only is the Lumintop Tool 2.0 EDC Flashlight great because there are so many light modes to choose from, but also because it has great battery life too.

The other thing worth mentioning about this flashlight is that it has a textured grip that makes it easy to hold, even in wet and slippery conditions.

Tutorial

There isn’t really anything special that you need to know about using the Lumintop Tool 2.0 EDC Flashlight. The only thing you should know is that for the best results, the most lumens, and the longest runtime on a single charge, you should use a 14500 battery.

You may also use regular alkaline or Ni-MH batteries, but they won’t last nearly as long or produce nearly as much light.

Alternatives

If this flashlight seems like it is overkill to you, maybe because it’s brighter than you will ever need, a good alternative to consider is the Streamlight 88033 ProTac Tactical Flashlight.

On the other hand, if you want something even brighter, and you are willing to pay a bit extra, something like the Fenix UC35 V2.0 1000 Lumen Rechargeable Tactical Flashlight could be right for you.

Conclusion

When all has been said and done, we think that the Lumintop Tool 2.0 EDC Flashlight is a fantastic survival flashlight to consider. Besides a couple of minor flaws, it has everything you could want and need in a flashlight. It’s tough, it’s portable, it’s bright, and it has great battery life too.

If you need a good flashlight for survival purposes, whether to get you through a power outage, an emergency, or even just for a camping trip too, the seemingly endless possibilities might make your head spin.

Fear not though, because we are here today with a narrowed-down list of the best survival flashlights that the market has to offer. Let’s get to it and find the best survival flashlight for you.

Best Survival Flashlights: Reviews

	LUMINTOP TOOL AA 2.0 EDC Flashlight Specifications Pocket-sized Keychain Flashlight Super Bright 650 Lumens 5 Modes with Mode Memory IP68 Waterproof Powered by One AA or 14500  Camping Hiking Emergency	Buy on Amazon
	Streamlight 88033 ProTac 2AA 250 Specifications Lumen Professional Tactical Flashlight High/Low/Strobe w/ 2 x AA Batteries 250 Lumens	Buy on Amazon
	NITECORE P12 2015 Version Specifications 1000 Lumens Precise Tactical Flashlight CREE XM-L2 U2 LED Waterproof Flashlight	Buy on Amazon
	ThruNite TN4A 1150Lumen Specifications Single CREE XP-L V6 LED Flashlight/Powered by 4 AA batteries Neutral White	Buy on Amazon
	Fenix UC35 V2.0 1000 Specifications Lumen Rechargeable Tactical Flashlight 3500mAh Battery 2X Lumen Tactical CR123A Backup Batteries	Buy on Amazon

Lumintop 2.0 EDC Flashlight

If you need a super small pocket size flashlight, one that is built tough and designed with maximum brightness in mind, the Lumintop 2.0 EDC Flashlight is a good option to consider.

Product Highlights

Right off the bat, one of the really cool things about this flashlight is that it allows you to use either a single AA battery or a 14500 cell to power it.

The AA battery is fine, but if you want the brightest experience with the highest possible lumens, as well as the longest runtime, using the 14500 cell is recommended.

When used on low mode, with a single battery, you can get up to 60 hours of use, which is quite impressive to say the least. When using the 14500 battery, on high mode, you can get just under 80 minutes of use out of it, and on the turbo mode you can get about 33 minutes.

Speaking of lumens, the Lumintop 2.0 EDC Flashlight is by far one of the brightest flashlights around. When using the best battery option, on turbo mode, this thing can pump out 650 lumens. For a flashlight this small, impressive is an understatement. For the record, it comes with low, medium, high, turbo, and strobe modes.

Moving onto the size of the Lumintop 2.0 EDC Flashlight, it is about half as long as a human hand, making it one of the most compact flashlights around, and it weighs less than an ounce. In terms of survival flashlights that can be stored in a small place and transported with ease, it’s a great option to consider. It also comes with a little clip so you can clip it into your belt, your pants, or any other such location.

Not only is this flashlight portable, bright, and long lasting, but it’s also built tough. This thing has a high amount of impact resistance and can be dropped from as high as five feet without worry, it can withstand both extreme heat and cold, and it has an IP68 waterproof rating as well. To top it all off, it comes with a textured grip so you can hold onto it without fear of dropping it.

The Good

What we like about the Lumintop 2.0 EDC Flashlight is that it’s just an all-around great flashlight. It’s durable, portable and compact, lightweight, and very bright too, at least with the right battery. For the low price it comes in at, we think that it’s one of the best survival flashlights out there.

The Bad

One of the only drawbacks to consider with the Lumintop 2.0 EDC Flashlight is that if you are just using a single AA battery, both the brightness and runtime are going to be quite limited.

Streamlight 88033 ProTac Flashlight

Here we have a slightly more expensive survival flashlight than the one above, but it does also have some really nice features that you might like. It may not look like much, but it’s definitely a top contender.

Product Highlights

What is quite impressive about the Streamlight 88033 ProTac Flashlight is that it can put out a maximum of 250 lumens (when set to high mode), which is not too bad at all, more than bright enough for the darkest of nights, not to mention that the beam can reach up to 130 meters, which is pretty far indeed.

It does also come with a low mode, which features a beam of 18 lumens that can reach out to 40 meters. Here you can choose from low, high, and strobe modes.

What is also pretty good about the Streamlight 88033 ProTac Flashlight is that when on high mode, it can run for up to two hours, and when on low mode it can run for a whopping 43 hours with just two AA batteries.

In terms of the size, this flashlight is just under six inches long, and when it comes to the weight, it’s roughly 3.5 ounces. While it is not the smallest or lightest flashlight around, it’s still more than compact enough to be considered portable and to easily keep it in a jacket pocket or a backpack.

What you may like about the Streamlight 88033 ProTac Flashlight is its high level of durability. This model is made out of anodized aircraft grade machined aluminum, which makes it very tough, not to mention that it features an impact resistant glass lens, and the whole package has an IPX7 waterproof rating, which means that it can be submerged down to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes without fear of breaking.

The anti-roll front-end of it makes sure that it doesn’t roll around when you lay it down, and the removable pocket clip helps make life a little easier too.

The Good

More than anything else, we really like how the Streamlight 88033 ProTac Flashlight is so durable. It is totally shockproof, highly impact resistant, and it can handle being submerged for a short amount of time too. Besides that, even when used on high mode, the runtime is pretty good considering that it uses basic AA batteries.

The Bad

Something we don’t like about the Streamlight 88033 ProTac Flashlight is that it doesn’t really have any texture on it, which can make it easy to drop, especially in wet conditions. Moreover, the pocket clip not the strongest either.

Nitecore P12 Tactical Flashlight

If you are looking for an extremely bright flashlight that can shoot a beam hundreds of meters into the distance, there might not be anything better than this Nitecore P12 Tactical Flashlight. In terms of lumen output, this thing is an absolute powerhouse.

Product Highlights

Hands down the most impressive aspect of the Nitecore P12 Tactical Flashlight is how bright it is. On turbo mode, this thing can pump out a whopping 1,000 lumens. Not only is this a 1K lumen flashlight, but that beam of light can reach out to 253 yards, which is a very long distance no doubt.

That said, the Nitecore P12 Tactical Flashlight does also have other modes including the medium mode with 240 lumens, the low mode with 70 lumens, and the lowest mode with just one lumen.

In terms of battery life, when on the highest mode, this flashlight can last for about 75 minutes, on medium mode it lasts for six hours, on low mode it can last 28 hours, and on the lowest mode it can last for a whopping 520 hours.

Keep in mind that this flashlight also comes with strobe, location beacon, and SOS modes. Another related feature you might like is how this flashlight will remember your previously used setting, and will automatically switch to that setting the next time it is turned on.

In terms of the size, the Nitecore P12 Tactical Flashlight comes in at 5.47 inches, and weighs just over three ounces, making it a very small and lightweight option, something that you can fit in jacket pocket and completely forget about. It’s definitely something we would consider to be portable, which is also thanks to the integrated belt clip.

The Nitecore P12 Tactical Flashlight is also made out of some very durable materials, mainly anodized aircraft grade aluminum, and it is well-sealed too, more than enough to allow for impact resistance up to 1.5 meters, plus it’s waterproof too. To top it all off, this flashlight has a really good grip texture all along the outside, which makes it hard to drop even when slippery.

The Good

For one, we think that the Nitecore P12 Tactical Flashlight looks very cool. It definitely looks like a tactical flashlight. Moreover, the simple fact that this thing can pump out 1,000 lumens for well over a full hour is nothing short of impressive. It’s durable, bright, long lasting, portable, and more, and all for a decent price.

The Bad

For some reason, the overall lifetime of the Nitecore P12 Tactical Flashlight does not appear to be very long, around two years at most. It appears to have some internal issues, some components that stop working after prolonged use.

ThruNite TN4A Flashlight

If the most important things you want in a flashlight are brightness and durability, then this ThruNite TN4A Flashlight is a fantastic option to consider. Now, it’s significantly more expensive than anything else reviewed here today, but that said, you get what you pay for, and here you get one heck of survival flashlight.

Product Highlights

First off, this particular flashlight comes in at roughly 7 inches long, with a total weight of just over 13 ounces. As you might be able to tell, in terms of our list, it is so far the biggest and heaviest flashlight. While you probably can’t fit it into your jean’s pockets, we would say that it is still lightweight and small enough to be considered portable, although less so than the other flashlights reviewed today.

Now, there is a trade off that you get for that size and weight, which is functionality. As mentioned in the intro, the ThruNite TN4A Flashlight is one of the brightest flashlights around. It can pump out an astounding 1,050 lumens with a beam distance of 326 meters (turbo mode).

This is of course truly astounding. However, it does also have other modes for use, including high (577 lumens), medium (138 lumens), low (17 lumens), and moonlight mode (0.38 lumens), as well as a strobe mode.

In terms of batteries, keep in mind that the ThruNite TN4A Flashlight required 4 x AA batteries, which is quite a few, but that said, the battery life here is quite good. It can last for 67 minutes on turbo mode, for 150 minutes on high, 14 hours on medium, 93 hours on low, and for a whopping 80 days on moonlight mode.

When it comes to durability, the ThruNite TN4A Flashlight is no slouch either, as it features impact resistance up to two meters, plus it is rated IPX-8 for waterproofing, which means that can survive being underwater down to 1.5 meters for about an hour.

Finally, we do also like how this flashlight is not round, something that prevents it from rolling around, plus it also makes it easy to hold, which is also thanks to the textured grip.

The Good

The good part about the ThruNite TN4A Flashlight is that it really makes for a fantastic survival flashlight. With well over 1,000 lumens and a beam distance of 300+ meters, as well as an extremely durable and waterproof shell, this thing can survive mostly anything that you throw at it.

The Bad

What’s not so great about this particular flashlight is its size and weight. Although it’s not heavay or large enough to be a dealbreaker for us, the fact of the matter is that it’s no the kind of flashlight that you can just shove in your pocket and forget about. Moreover, it is also quite wide. It kind of resembles a soda can.

Fenix UC35 V2.0 Tactical Flashlight

Here we have what is the most expensive flashlight on the list today, coming in at just under $100. However, like we said above, you get what you pay for, and what you get here is a real powerhouse, not to mention that it comes with one super special feature that the majority of flashlights don’t have.

Product Highlights

What really stands out about this particular flashlight is the CREE XP-L HI V3 bulb that it comes with, something that allows the Fenix UC35 V2.0 Tactical Flashlight to put out around 1,000 lumens with a beam distance of just under 300 yards. That’s bright and that’s far.

Yes, this flashlight has various brightness levels including turbo and strobe modes (1,000 lumens), high mode (350 lumens), medium mode (150 lumens), low mode (50 lumens), and moonlight mode (1 lumen).

Now, what is really impressive about the Fenix UC35 V2.0 Tactical Flashlight is that it comes with a rechargeable battery. Yes, that’s right, it comes with a charger, so that the included battery can be recharged. This is the super special feature we hinted at before.

In terms of battery life, this is very good too. Turbo mode allows for 2 hours and 15 minutes of use, high mode allows for 4 hours an 10 minutes, medium mode allows for 10 hours and 40 minutes, low mode allows for 28 hours and 10 minutes, and moonlight mode allows for 800 hours of use on a single charge.

Even though the Fenix UC35 V2.0 Tactical Flashlight is super bright, it also manages to come in a small and compact package. It’s just over five inches long and weight just over three ounces, making it one of the smallest, lightest, and most portable options on our list today, not to mention that it comes complete with a handy pocket clip too. It’s also easy to hold thanks to the rough texture it has on the handle.

It is also worth noting that the Fenix UC35 V2.0 Tactical Flashlight is super durable, as it is made out of high quality metal, and has the ability to resist a drop of one meter. Moreover, it also has a waterproof rating of IP68, so it can be submerged down to two meters for over 30 minutes without fear of breaking.

The Good

The good part about the Fenix UC35 V2.0 Tactical Flashlight is, well, everything really. When it comes down to it, this is the best survival flashlight on the list today. It’s bright, it’s durable, it’s portable, and it has excellent battery life, not to mention that it’s rechargeable too.

The Bad

One of the only downsides to the Fenix UC35 V2.0 Tactical Flashlight is the price. No, it’s not cheap. On a side note, the pocket clip is not overly durable, but it’s no dealbreaker.

Buyers Guide

Before you go out and buy just any old flashlight for survival purposes, let’s take a quick look at the main factors and features to keep an eye out for.

1. Brightness & Runtime

One of the most important things to look out for here is how bright the flashlight is on its highest mode. Generally speaking, the higher the lumen count the better. You want something that can put out a few hundred lumens at the very least, and if you can find a flashlight with 1,000 lumens, you’re on the right track. Just remember that the higher the lumen output, the less runtime you will get out of it. As you can see, even the best flashlights, when on turbo mode, can only last for a couple hours at the most.

2. Battery Type

When it comes to batteries, sure, disposable AA and AAA batteries are fine, but they just won’t last very long. Next you have your alkaline, lithium, and carbon-zinc batteries, which are all considered high performance (we recommend lithium). Finally, you can also go for a flashlight with a rechargeable battery, such as a NiMH or NiCd battery.

3. Durability

Of course, you want a survival flashlight that can handle some bumps. A good material for this kind of thing is anodized aircraft grade aluminum, as it is very strong and lightweight. Moreover, a shatterproof lens is recommended. As long as the flashlight in question can survive a drop of a couple meters, and as long as it has a decent waterproof rating, you’re on the right track.

4. Bulb Type

The bulb type is going to determine how bright the flashlight is and how far the beam can reach. Lowest on the list is the incandescent bulb, then the next best thing is LED, and after that, a high intensity discharge bulb is very bright and long lasting. When it comes to tactical and survival flashlights, generally speaking, your best options are bulbs such as CREE XPL-HD LED and CREE XP-L V6 LED bulbs.

5. Weatherproofing

You do want your flashlight to be sealed, which means that water cannot get inside of it. Remember, water resistant means that it can handle a bit of rain, but in all reality, you want a waterproof flashlight that can handle being submerged down to at least one meter for 30 minutes.

FAQs

1. What are Lumens?

Lumens are a measure of light output, or in other words, the intensity of the light coming from a specific source. It’s how much light a bulb can put out.

2. Do LED flashlights last longer?

Yes, LED flashlights do use less power than regular flashlights, and therefore you get a longer runtime out of them.

3. How many lumens should a good flashlight have?

If we are talking about normal flashlights, a couple hundred lumens is fine, but in terms of tactical and survival flashlights, something that can put out between 700 and 1,100 lumens is recommended.

Conclusion

Of you are looking for the best of the best, the number one option we recommend is the Fenix UC35 V2.0 Tactical Flashlight.

However, if you want something a bit more affordable, that still works well, the Lumintop 2.0 EDC Flashlight makes for a fine choice as well. Whatever your choice ends up being, just remember to keep the most important purchasing factors and features in mind at all times.