Technically, the Terralux TLE 300M EX isn’t a flashlight. It is a $79.99 street price replacement “bulb” for 4 to 6 cell Maglites that converts them into a whopping 500-700 lumen LED flashlight. Of course, the TLE-300 actually uses three of the latest 200 lumen Cree XRE super bright LEDs to make this possible. To put this in perspective, the light output of the TLE-300 is greater than a conventional 50 Watt MR-16 halogen light bulb.

The MFlare Super Bright 500 Flashlight Baton is a complete flashlight that uses 3 Luxeon Rebel 90 LEDs for 500 lumens output. The MFlare uses 4 x 1.5V D Size alkaline or rechargeable batteries and is of a typical size (12.2 x 2.1 x 2.1 inches) for such flashlights. Other features include a revolutionary patented 1X to 4X focus control to adjust the beam throw and a 2 mode (high/low) output selector dial. You also get a shoulder strap for the street price of around $89.99.

The Fenix TK40 High Performance Flashlight uses a CREE MC-E four-core LED (lifespan 50,000 hours) to provide a max 630 lumen output which is the basis for Fenix’s claim that the TK40 is the world’s brightest LED flashlight. The TK40 uses eight 1.5V AA batteries (Alkaline or Ni-MH, 4 AA batteries in an emergency) and has multiple modes: 4 types of primary output: Turbo Mode: 630 lumens (2hrs)-> Low: 13 lumens (130hrs) -> Mid: 93 lumens (20hrs) -> High: 277 lumens (6.8hrs) and 4 types of strobe mode: Strobe->Slow Flash->SOS->Fast Flash.

Other features that you get for the $132.95 street price are a high efficiency reflector with focus for far throw and a wide lighting range; constant brightness with efficient digitally regulated output circuitry and reverse polarity battery protection; low power indication with over discharge protection; durable Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish on the T-6 grade aircraft aluminum (8.2 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches) body; push-button tailcap switch; waterproof to IPX-8 Standard; tough ultra-clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating. The TK40 is also capable of standing up securely on a flat surface to serve as a candle. The included accessories are a shoulder strap, lanyard, rubber switch boot and two spare o-rings.

Guide Gear has replaced its old 200 LED flashlight with a new 238 LED Flashlight which is the current leader in combining as many LEDs as possible into one flashlight. It packs 238 LEDs into a 11″ long unit powered by 3 D batteries and it does not look particularly awkward. The list price is $60 but the current Amazon price is only $39.97 which seems quite reasonable. Other features: scratch-proof lens; comfort-grip rubber handle.

The big choice you have to make in red LED flashlights is whether you want a unit that is all red LEDs or whether you want one that has bulbs of other colors as well. Below are the best choices in both categories.

All red LED flashlights

The Gerber Infinity Ultra LED Task Light is the ideal specialized red LED flashlight for close-up task work. It has a superbright LED that provides 100 hours of burn time from one AA battery (included). The circuit is coated with epoxy for extra durability and is waterproof to 10 feet. The body is made from anodized aircraft aluminum and measures 3.2 by 0.8 by 0.8 inches, weighing 1.4 ounces. The street price is around $22.

The Orion RedBeam SP Self-Powered LED Flashlight is a red LED with a novel twist - no batteries are required! When Orion says “self powered,” they mean that it is powered by a small hand crank that, when wound, charges an internal rechargeable battery. Just 1 minute of winding cranks out up to 1 hour of red LED light! There are two brightness settings which illuminate either three or all five red LEDs. The Orion RedBeam SP can also be charged from a USB port (USB charge cable included) and it can even power a cell phone in an emergency (five popular cell phone adapters are included). The 6.4 oz until has a street price of about $27 dollars.

Mixed red LED flashlights

The Smith & Wesson Galaxy 13 LED Flashlight has 10 White LEDs and 3 Red LEDs and at a street price of about $24.00 is an ideal choice for aviators, astronomers, law enforcement, hunters, campers, and members of the military. The white LEDs handle the heavy lifting, with a 30-hour battery life via three AAA batteries (included). The red LEDs, which last for up to 80 hours on a single set of batteries, are particularly valuable for situations where you don’t want to disturb a driver but still need to read a map, or when you’re hunting in the early morning hours but don’t want to attract too much attention. The Smith & Wesson Galaxy 13 LED Flashlight comes with a deluxe holster and carries a limited lifetime warranty.

If you want a bigger and brighter mixed red LED flashlight, a great choice is the Smith & Wesson Galaxy 28 LED Flashlight which has 20 white, 4 red, and 4 green LEDs. It features the latest MSAT switch technology which allows the powerfully bright 20 white LED mode to operate on one switch while the the 4 red LED mode for night vision or the 4 green LED mode for low light color LED modes are activated on a separate switch. These separate on-off push buttons avoid the confusion of a single switch mechanism. Ideal for aviation, outdoors, automotive, home, and professional use, the 20 LED mode provides a brilliant beam of white light perfect for general usage, while the 4 LED modes are ideal for conserving battery power and signaling and identifying targets at night without hampering night vision. It’s constructed of precision-machined 6063 anodized aluminum for maximum resistance to corrosion and weather. The flashlight also includes 3 AAA batteries and a deluxe holster with a spare battery holder. It’s backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

The Rayovac SELUX2AA3W-B Sportsman Xtreme 3-Watt Luxeon LED Flashlight comes with batteries and everything else you need in a high performance 3 watt LED flashlight designed for the “Xtreme” sportsman in everyone. The street price of $29.99 buys you a 4.8 x 4.2 x 9.8 inch; 5.6 ounce unit made from machined aircraft aluminum and is water resistant. It puts out 80-lumens and is powered by 2 AA batteries.

The Dorcy 41-4275 3AAA 3-Watt Aluminum Flashlight has a street price of about $24.99 and all the specifications of a top contender. The super 3-watt LED generates 75 lumens of light output through a supercarbonate lens and will project a beam of light over 100 feet. The 5-1/2-inch black anodized aluminum meets all the needs of the most demanding enthusiast and will last for years.

The Pailide Ultra-Bright G7231 Xenon 3 WATT LED Compact Aluminum Flashlight is the bargain offering in this collection as it has a street price of about $10.94. There is no skimping on features though since it has a Xenon 3-Watt LED, shockproof aluminum alloy body and is shockproof, dustproof, and waterproof. The bulb outputs 45-55 lumens brightness with an effective range above 40 Meters. The flashlight is powered by 3 AAA (1.5V) batteries. The physical specs are length: 4.6 inch; diameter: 1.5 inch; net weight: 0.2 pound.

The Neiko Tools Heavy-Duty Ultra-Bright 3-Watt Luxeon LED Aluminum Flashlight is probably the best value among the 75 lumen Luxeon models with a street price of $18.97. Popular with law enforcement, security personnel and emergency responders. Very comfortable to hold with a precision all-aluminum body and a positive-action switch (click on/click off) that’s perfectly positioned for use with the thumb. It comes in a Black Satin or Camouflage finish and the overall dimensions are 5″ length, 1-1/4″-diameter barrel, 1-5/8″-diameter lamp-head.

The Rayovac HighBeam Flashlight 3 Watt Luxeon LED Flashlight is nearly the same as the above Ray-o-Vac flashlight but can generally be found $5 cheaper. Made out of aircraft grade aluminum, it has an adjustable beam, handy clip & wrist strap, and DC/DC regulated circuitry to provide maximum light output throughout the life of the 2 AA batteries. There is also a lifetime warranty.

If you want maximum light in minimum space then the Fenix P1D Natural 3 Watts CR123A Luxeon LED Flashlight is for you. Yes it uses lithium CR123A batteries, but it is only 2.8 x 2.1 x 2.1 inches in size and weighs 3 ounces. The digital control system has the following 5 output modes: 40 lumens(2.8hrs)->70 lumens(1hrs)->7 lumens(21hrs)->Strobe->SOS. It is made from aerospace grade aluminum with a Type III hard anodized finish and includes a belt holster, spare o-ring, and claw key ring. Note that the battery is not included in the $44.95 street price.