
If you are one of those people who always look for throwing distance when searching for the perfect flashlight, then you are in the right place. It is not simple to determine whether a product covers the range that you want. So, buying the one that will suit your needs sometimes can be difficult.
But, don’t worry, we got you covered with information that will help you in these situations. Yes, every flashlight has its standard manufacturer declaration. There you can find almost everything you need to know about the specific model you want to purchase.
However, there are other ways you can use to check out some things about these products. And we are here to help you learn how to determine the longest throw flashlight. All you have to do is follow our guide when you decide to buy one.
So, if you want to know more about this topic, then please read on.
1. The Lens
The things that are playing leading roles in the equation are the size and depth. If you want a longer throwing distance, you need to search for a bigger reflector. A reflector is a plastic part that is coated with an aluminum layer that redirects the light rays from the lamp and rests around it.
A deeper, bigger one is able to offer less spill and more throw and focus the light into a smaller hotspot. There is a plastic or glass lens over it. Better light is the one with the glass lenses and which includes an anti-reflecting coating. So, if you want your flashlight to throw farther, look for the one with an excellent reflector lens.
2. The Beam Type
You can choose the different beam types when you are choosing the right flashlight. They can be changed by twisting the lens in a specific direction. There are three types.
- Fixed or flood – A single beam width which is great for common tasks while walking or in camp.
- Focused or spot – To penetrate a long distance, a single beam is condensed into a spotlight. This one is ideal for some fast-paced activities such as route-finding.
- Adjustable – This one ranges from wide to focus and the points between them.
As you may have assumed, focused beams are the best choice when you want a better throwing distance. Other ones tend to have less brightness as they have a shorter cast. So, when you are choosing an ideal flashlight for your specific needs, the best option for you would be the one with a focused beam.

3. Lumens
Lumens are a measure of this product’s brightness. The number of them will affect the throw range of your flashlight, although they are not the most critical factor. But, if you don’t want to waste your money on buying the torch with reduced brightness, then you should consider the number of lumens.
But, bear in mind that they will affect your product’s battery life. The higher the number of them, the shorter your run-time will be. But, without adequate power, there is no use in having a good lens. Over the last few years, optics has improved to the point where a single beam can have a fantastic throwing distance of hundreds of feet.
4. The Power Source
A lot of people think that the battery of the flashlight doesn’t affect the beam distance. But that is wrong, and we are going to explain why. We believe that this is important to mention although it doesn’t play the most significant role.
As you may assume, some good batteries will last longer than some regular ones, which also makes your flashlight last longer and shine brighter. In other words, the stronger the power source, the brighter the beam will be. And when it is brighter, the throwing distance is longer. Users usually recommend Li-lon batteries (18650 is common) for your flashlight because they have been proved to be one of the best choices.
Battery Type
- Disposable – AAA or AA are the most common batteries sizes in use and most available. CR123A is also an excellent option, but it can be hard to find these, and they are expensive.
- Renewable – These built-in batteries are energized by a solar panel or hand crank. They are perfect for an emergency kit.
- Rechargeable – You can recharge lithium-ion built-in batteries through a USB connection form a solar panel, DC or AC outlet or computer. These are great because they reduce waste and you don’t need to buy disposable batteries.
CAUTION: Never use lithium-ion or lithium batteries with any flashlight model, unless the manufacturer recommends it. When you mismatch the battery with a light, you risk to damage it.
5. The Bulb Type
The advance in LED technology has outperformed other bulb types in every way. So, a lot of users say that LED bulbs are their best choice. There are two other options that you can also choose which are incandescent and Xenon.
Bear in mind that incandescent ones don’t have enough number of lumens, so they are not that great for a flashlight. On the other hand, it is a tight race between LED and Xenon bulbs. But, we need to admit that it is difficult to beat the impact resistance, runtime, brightness options and energy efficiency of a LED flashlight. Also, the bad thing about the Xenon ones is that they are pretty expensive and hard to find.
Conclusion
As we already said in this article, you can always read the manufacturers declaration about the product and find out almost everything you need to know about the flashlight you want to buy. However, you should also follow our tips to determine how far your flashlight can throw.
When you apply the proper knowledge, you won’t have any issue finding the right one. Whether you need it for home or professional use, it is essential to find the flashlight that will suit your needs.