A torch is one of only six items that appear in all 24 national guides we compiled. When the power goes at night, it is the first thing you reach for. Here is how to choose one that will still work when you need it.
Torch, head torch or lantern?
| Type | Good for | Less good for |
|---|---|---|
| Head torch | Cooking, first aid, stairs, carrying things: hands free | Lighting a whole room |
| Hand torch | Looking further, checking the fuse box or the street | Anything that needs two hands |
| LED lantern | Lighting a room for everyone | Moving around; often bulkier |
A head torch is the most useful single light. In a power cut you will spend more time doing things than pointing a beam at something. One per person is ideal, so nobody has to share in the dark. For two adults we suggest two.
A lantern is a comfortable addition for evenings in one room. Without one, you can point a head torch at the ceiling, or strap it to a full water bottle, to spread the light. Our post on candles vs LED lanterns covers room lighting in more detail.
Batteries or rechargeable?
This matters more than brightness.
- Standard batteries (AA or AAA) can be swapped in seconds and shared with your radio. Twenty-two of the 24 guides list spare batteries. Lithium cells keep for years and work in the cold.
- Built-in rechargeable batteries are convenient day to day, but in a long outage you depend on a power bank or car charger to recharge them.
- Both: some lights take a rechargeable pack or standard batteries. That is the most flexible option.
If your torch only charges by USB, make sure your power bank is big enough for it as well as your phones. See our guide to power banks for a power cut.
What to look for
- Run time on a low setting. You don't need the brightest torch on the market. A light that runs for many hours on a modest setting is more useful than one that dazzles for a short time.
- Several brightness levels. Low for reading and moving around, high for looking outside.
- A red light mode, if it has one, which doesn't dazzle other people at night.
- A lock. A light that switches itself on in a drawer or bag will be flat when you need it.
- Water resistance, if you might need it outdoors or when leaving in bad weather.
- The same battery size as your radio, so one stock of spares covers both.
Where to keep it
Keep one torch where you can find it in the dark: by the bed, or next to the fuse box. Keep another in the grab bag, if you have one. Sixteen guides recommend a bag packed and ready by the door; see our grab bag checklist.
Why not just use your phone?
A phone's torch drains the battery you need for calls, messages and official alerts. In a long power cut, mobile networks may fail and charging becomes hard. Keep the phone for communication and use a separate light.
Candles as a backup
Nineteen guides also list candles, matches and a lighter. They need no batteries and never go flat, but they are a fire risk exactly when help is slowest to arrive. Use them as a backup to a torch, not instead of one, and never leave a flame unattended.
Check it twice a year
When you check the rest of your kit, switch every light on, replace weak batteries, and recharge anything with a built-in battery. Store spare cells in their packaging, away from keys and coins, which can short them.
Our checklist includes torches and batteries, sized for your household.