The 8 Best Flashlights and Headlamps for Pilots in 2024
6 July 2021 | Updated on November 24, 2024
Flashlights or headlamps are an essential tool in any pilot’s flight bag. Pilots need to be prepared for emergencies or electrical failures at night and the best way to ensure this is by having a quality flashlight with you.
Flashlights can offer a valuable tool during pre-flighting or in the cockpit. They can be a life-saving tool as well, in case of an emergency or electrical failure at night.
The Best Flashlights and Headlamps for Pilots list below will help pilots find the right light for their needs while flying at night.
If you’re interested in learning what to look for when buying a (new) flashlight or headlamp, make sure to read our buying guide below as well.
The Best Flashlights for Pilots in 2024
Let’s start with some of the best flashlights for pilots. These are all convenient, reliable and compact flashlights to carry in your flight bag.
1. Smith & Wesson M&P Delta Force 1050 Lumen Flashlight
The Smith & Wesson Galaxy M&P Delta Force LED Flashlight is highly durable and functional in any situation. It has 4 modes (Low, High, Strobe and Momentary ON) producing 1050 lumens. The flashlight has a 1-hour 25-minute runtime on High/40-hour 40-minute runtime on Low. It weighs 5.86 oz.
What we like about this flashlight:
- Durable
- 4 brightness modes
- 1050 lumens
What we don’t like about this flashlight:
- Single white LED color
- Great for pre-flight walkarounds outside the aircraft, perhaps too bright for inside the cockpit
2. LEDLENSER – T2QC Multi-Color LED Flashlight, 140 Lumens
The LEDLENSER T2QC Multi-Color LED Flashlight impresses with 140 Lumens of brightness and the ability to change the LED in 4 different colors. Made from high-quality aluminum, this convenient flashlight is very lightweight and durable. With Rapid Focus technology you can quickly adjust between a wide beam or spotlight for precision in any situation.
This Ledlenser has a 5-year warranty so you will never worry about it breaking down after continuous use.
What we like about this flashlight:
- 4 LED colors
- Lightweight
- Inexpensive
What we don’t like about this flashlight:
- AAA batteries, not rechargeable
- Only 140 lumens
3. Flight Outfitters Pilot Flashlight
The Pilot Flashlight was designed specifically for aviation. Two buttons will independently control the two types of light. No more scrolling through the blinding white light to get to the red light. The knurled grip and included wrist strap will make keeping the light close at hand easy. For those inevitable times when a pilot holds their flashlight with their mouth, a soft silicon bite ring protects you teeth for scraping against the metal. Uses 3 AAA batteries.
What we like about this flashlight:
- Dual-color: red/white
- Includes power bank (2600 mAh)
- Fully rechargeable (battery included)
- 4x zoom beam
- Robust
4. ASA’s Flightlight LED Flashlight – Red, Green & White
$24.69
This AirClassics flashlight has both white and red lenses for preflight and night flying, a MIL-spec blue-green lens to read maps or see in the dark. This durable black machined aluminum gadget is water-tight with an extra bi-pin bulb stored within–perfect whether you need some light while camping out under stars or reading charts on your next flight. Focuses from spot to floodlight so it’s perfect no matter what time of day! Comes with two AA batteries plus spare bulbs included too!
What we like about this flashlight:
- Multiple LED colors
- Lightweight
- Inexpensive
- Engineering for pilots
- Durable
What we don’t like about this flashlight:
- Maybe a little too bright in a dark cockpit at night
5. LUMENSHOOTER Upgraded 4 Color in 1 Multi-Color Tactical Flashlight
$19.99
This multipurpose flashlight has many different options to meet a diverse range of needs. The four LED colors (red, green, blue and white) make it easy for you to change the color by just clicking on the tail cap switch. It’s also wind and rainproof, so no problem using it outdoor in bad weather conditions.
What we like about this flashlight:
- Very inexpensive
- 4 LED colors
- Ease of use: single button
- Lightweight
- Zoomable Lens
What we don’t like about this flashlight:
- Lower built quality
- No batteries included (3 AAA batteries or a single 18650 rechargeable battery)
- Switches to default color after turning off and on
The Best Headlamps for Pilots in 2024
If you’re looking for a convenient way of using a flashlight, while still freeing both your hands for more important tasks, a headlamp is the way to go.
Below are a few of the best headlamp options for pilots.
1. Flight Outfitters Headlamp
$26.95 $29.95
Flying at night can be a daunting task. Having both hands free to handle the workload during these tense situations is extremely important. This dual-color headlamp puts the right type of light right where you need it without tying up your hands. Dual switches allow you to turn on just the white light, or just the red light. This means you don’t have to scroll through different lights and ruin your night vision. Each color of light has a high and low setting to maximize battery life. Uses 3AAA batteries (included).
What we like about this headlamp:
- Dual-color: red/white
- High/low light setting
What we don’t like about this headlamp:
- Built quality: pivoting attachment point may break easily
2. Coast – 20755 FL85R 700 Lumen Dual Color (White/Red)
The FL85R Headlamp is Coast’s most potent rechargeable front-loaded LED headlamp. The light features their Flex Charge Dual Power system, which allows for the battery to be recharged inside or outside of the headlamp using a micro USB. With this in mind, it can run on either your custom rechargeable battery pack or standard alkaline batteries. It also includes an ultra-wide flood beam and then quickly twists the bezel to a long-reaching spot beam. You can also switch rapidly between red LED mode when preserving night vision as well as reflective safety strap for additional safety benefits and ANSI/FL1 rated impact resistance.
What we like about this headlamp:
- Dual-color: red/white
- Great quality
- USB charging
- Choice between Li-Ion battery pack or AAA batteries
What we don’t like about this headlamp:
- More expensive than other lights on this list
3. VEKKIA Ultra Bright LED Headlamp
$9.99 $16.99
The Vekkia headlamp is a great all-around headlamp for many different situations. It features a super-bright dual-color LED, with an adjustable head and IPX6 waterproof design. It’s powered by 3 AAA batteries. LED brightness can be toggled from bright, soft to strobe, in two colors red and white.
What we like about this headlamp:
- Dual-color: red/white
- Very inexpensive; great value for money
- Comfortable, light-weight
What we don’t like about this headlamp:
- Red light is not very bright
- Cheap quality
- You must cycle through all light modes (high/low/blink/off) every time you use it
Things to Consider When Buying a Flashlight or Headlamp as a Pilot
Now that you’ve seen some of the best options, it’s a good idea to also look at a few important features to consider when shopping for your next pilot flashlight or headlamp.
Types of Flashlights
When it comes to flashlights, there are a few different options to consider.
To start, we have two main types of lights, the standard flashlights to hold in your hand or the headlamps that mount on your head to free your hands. This second type can be very convenient as you often need both hands in the cockpit. The first type offers more flexibility, mostly out of the cockpit when doing your walk-around, for example.
LED colors
Furthermore, it’s important to pick a flashlight that can switch to different colors. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the flashlight has a red color, which prevents your eyes from losing their light sensitivity when turning on the light.
It’s a good idea to pick a flashlight that has independent switches for the different colors of light. You don’t want to scroll through blinding white light to get to the night vision-friendly red light.
All of the flashlights mentioned in this guide are able to switch to different colors, including red.
Batteries
Most flashlights you will find are powered by a few changeable batteries, mostly AA batteries. Other types might have rechargeable batteries that can plug in a power outlet or USB port to charge. Although it might be a little more expensive to change AA batteries frequently, they do offer the advantage of being able to switch quickly, while a rechargeable battery often has to charge for a few hours before it can be used again. Most pilots already have spare Alkaline batteries in their flight bag anyway for headsets and other gear.
