Keeping one of the best torches in the car is probably not the most burning concern of your winter car products list of things. After all, cars have their own lights, we carry smartphones with flashlights and the vast majority of the UK’s roads are arguably well-lit.
In the event of a breakdown, however, a torch will be one thing you’ll thank yourself for leaving in the car. Being stranded on a dark, isolated road in wintery cold and wet conditions isn’t anyone’s idea of fun, and using up your phone’s battery could leave you unable to call for assistance.
In the season of cold, dark nights and ice scrapers, you don’t want to suddenly appear in your worst nightmare and be stranded on the side of the road without being able to see what’s wrong with your vehicle. A torch can help you determine what you can tell the emergency assistance firms regarding what’s wrong with your vehicle and where you are. Shining a torch on road signs or road markers could be of massive help, as well as illuminating your vehicle’s components.
The best torches 2024 at a glance:
The best torch: NEBO 450 Flex – Buy from Amazon.
Editor’s pick: Maglite AA LED – Buy from Amazon.
Best premium torch: Fenix TK20R – Buy from Amazon.
If you’re planning a road trip somewhere during winter time, the days are shorter, and a torch will have your back if you need to look for something within your vehicle or assist with a quick bit of maintenance once the sun falls. Like de-icer products, torches are incredibly useful, depending on which one you pick. We’ve compiled a list of our favourite torches on the market, which both last a long time and will be useful in assisting you in the event of an emergency.
The best torches to keep in your car 2024
The best torch to keep in your car's glovebox
It even has a magnetic base, so it could become very useful when placing it underneath a bonnet for engine work. It even has an IP67 waterproof rating, meaning it can survive depths of up to a metre underwater.
Pros
- Four selectable modes for different situations
- Good build quality and materials
- Waterproof and magnetic base adds to versatility
Cons
- Potentially a bit overkill for some
Editor's pick
It also features an SOS mode, and blink mode and can reduce its power usage to yield 25% more run-time. If you want a torch that signifies style and iconography, the Maglite should certainly be on your shortlist.
Pros
- Simple and stylish design and popular in film and TV
- Robust construction and capable in difficult conditions
- Represents better value for money than some others at under £50
Cons
- Not rechargeable as it runs on AA batteries
| Max lumens | 127 |
| Weight | 118g |
| Dimensions | 16.8cm x 25.4cm x 25.4 |
| Waterproof rating | IXP4 |
| Extras | Case, two AA batteries |
The best mini torch
You can get up to 10-hours of runtime (in dim mode), 250 lumens of light (in high mode), and it's also waterproof (IPX4 rated) in case your vehicle breaks down in heavy downpour. It's rechargeable via USB-C and will comfortably fit into your pocket or small compartment in your vehicle. We say this because it only measures in at 20cm long.
Pros
- Magnetic base to stick under the bonnet
- Compact enough to be stored almost anywhere
- Rechargeable via USB-C
Cons
- Not quite as powerful as the others
Best budget torch
A potentially lifesaving feature is the scalloped bezel that's designed to shatter glass in the event of an accident. That combined with the SOS beam (part of five modes) means that in the event of an emergency, having the Anker rattling around in the glovebox could potentially save your life.
Pros
- Outstanding construction and material quality
- Powerful LED lights at 900 lumens
- Lasts up to six-hours which can be useful in a breakdown
Cons
- On/off switch not where you'd expect
| Max lumens | 900 |
| Weight | 175g |
| Dimensions | 6.2cm x 16xm x 6cm |
| Waterproof rating | IP65 |
| Extras | 5 light modes, wrist strap |
Best for roadside repairs
Rrp: $23.66
Rrp: $23.66
NEBO do claim that it's both water and impact-resistant, but there's no IP rating provided. Beyond that, the Big Larry 2 features a traditional flashlight and a flashing red emergency light. It's a little larger than the Anker which may make storage a bit more difficult, but it's well-made and very versatile.
Pros
- Versatile product with two lights attached
- Well-made and great value for money at just under £16
- Ideal to use as an inspection light as well as standard torch
Cons
- The light isn't as powerful as others
| Max lumens | 500 (200 flashlight) |
| Weight | 211g |
| Dimensions | 19.7cm x 2.5cm x 3.2cm |
| Waterproof rating | N/A |
| Extras | Both torch and work lamp functions, red emergency light |
Best rechargeable torch
What's more, it can last up to 40-hours when lit. So, when situations are critical, it will last a very, very long time. There are different versions of the P7R available in SE and UV trim, but these represent a substantial price increase over the standard model.
Pros
- Long battery life of up to 40-hours
- Durable materials and build quality
- 1,000 lumens available, and a beam distance of 210-metres
Cons
- Doesn't represent as good value as the others at £70
| Lumens | 120 |
| Weight | 55g |
| Dimensions | 5.5cm x 0.6cm x6cm |
| Waterproof capacity | N/A |
| Extras | N/A |
The best heavy duty torch
It's also waterproof (IPX4 rated) and has a total of five lighting modes and even has a magnetic base, making it ideal for storage under a vehicle's bonnet or other compartment.
Pros
- Waterproof with an IPX4 weather rating
- Powerful at 1,500 lumens
- Designed to last in harsh conditions
Cons
- Possibly overkill for most use cases
Most stylish torch
Rrp: $73.66
Rrp: $73.66
It's just as, if not even more stylish than the grey Maglite and the brand even offers a ten-year warranty which adds extra reassurance to buyers.
Pros
- Ten-year warranty offered by Maglite, which is reassuring of its quality
- Iconic design and heavily used in film and TV
- Durable construction and powerful lighting
Cons
- Doesn't represent as good value as the AA-powered Maglite
Best premium torch
You also get six lighting modes, a previous mode memory setting, overheating protection, and can be rechargeable via USB-C. Fenix say the TK20R is ideal for military, hunting, and security patrol use. So, it must be seriously tough and capable in harsh conditions.
Pros
- Bulletproof reliability and made to last
- Powerful with a beam distance of 450-metres
- IP68 waterproof rating means it can survive up to 2-metres underwater
Cons
- Is likely to be overkill for some buyers
| Max lumens | 3000 |
| Weight | 300g |
| Dimensions | 13.4cm x 3.3cm x 3.3cm |
| Waterproof rating | IP68 |
| Extras | N/A |
Best compact powerful torch
Rrp: $80.99
Rrp: $80.99
It has a magnetic base as well, so you can have all the lighting power while being able to work on your own car. These capabilities make it useful in camping situations, too, if that's your thing. On top of all of that, it boasts amazing value as well compared to some of the other torches on our list.
Pros
- Usefully compact size, making it portable and easy to store
- Utilises a lot of power and has a 200-metre beam length
- Lasts up to 30-hours on a charge
Cons
- Power doesn't match some others, but this is reflected in the price point
FAQs and what to look for in torches
Are smaller or larger torches better?
Like a glass squeegee, the size is important. Smaller options may hide away in your car’s stowage spots easily, but may have reduced battery life. Larger units may get in the way on the other hand, especially in smaller cars.
Are lumens important in torches?
Lumens measure the quantity of light coming from the torch which means the higher the number, the more intense and powerful the light. For the purpose of this article, we’re imagining torches in the event of a night-time breakdown or possibly a camping trip away. So, with that in mind, the amount of lumens alone isn’t necesserily the most important thing. However, it is worth bearing in mind, depending on your needs.
Is battery life important in torches?
Battery life will be crucial during a breakdown. A lot of them have many hours worth of runtime, but those top numbers will apply to the dim and/or lowest light modes. If you want all the lumens of your torch, its battery life will be reduced greatly. Opting for a torch with the longer claimed battery life will often correlate to it surviving longer on high beam, but this will be reflected in the cost of the torch itself.
Are smartphone torches as good as standalone torches?
Every smartphone ships with a torch nowadays so it may be tempting to skip the torch and rely on that instead. In the same way that you might skip snow socks for a set of decent tyres. The issue is, these torches are often quite underpowered compared to even a cheap standalone torch and it’ll also drain your phone’s battery – a crucial tool during the event of a breakdown.
What other items have a torch feature?
Tyre inflators often feature a torch function, primarily to aid with finding the tyre valve during a night time flat tyre. They can be used in a pinch but will often be too unwieldy to use as a proper torch. Modern battery boosters will often work far better as a torch thanks to lower weight and smaller sizes. Brands such as NOCO and GOOLOO often integrate some fabulous torches in their car battery jump starters and often have a number of modes, too. However, much like with a set of snow chains, it’s probably a good idea to keep this as a last resort and instead use a dedicated torch to prevent draining the battery.
How we choose
All of these torches have been hand-selected by our team of experts who have spent hours investigating and researching torches to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we’d never recommend a product we don’t believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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