- Stephen Knight
Best Flashlights for Light Painting Photography 2023
Updated: 1 day ago
Best Flashlights for Light Painting Photography 2024 will be published in February 2024. In the meantime, the 2023 guide will continue to be updated when suitable new lights are available.
This is the 2023 edition of the flashlight/torch buying guide for light painting and night photographers. Now in its 7th year, this buying guide is the most trusted source of information on flashlights for light painters, and the only buying guide that covers a wide range of light painting systems. Non-flashlight light sources such as LED panel lights, tube lights, and pixel lights are also included. Ratings are based on feedback from light painting and night photographers, flashlight enthusiast reviews, and my own testing. This buying guide is updated when suitable new lights are released and reviewed, so bookmark or check back at any time during the year if you are interested in purchasing new lights.
Each light’s description includes the maximum brightness in lumens (lm), battery type, and typical retail price in US$ (excluding tax and and shipping). Lumens for multi-colour/colour fading lights have not been quoted as colour lumens are not directly comparable to white light lumens.
This article contains some affiliate (marked as such) and non-affiliate product links. Commission made through purchases via affiliate links allows me to test more flashlights for the benefit of the light painting community. I do not make any commission through non-affiliate links. Affiliate links have no influence on product ratings.
1. Best Flashlights for Creating Light Trails
This section is for flashlights/torches that are compatible with various light painting systems or homemade tools, to create light trails and light drawings. At the end of this section is a matrix showing which featured lights are compatible with each of the following light painting systems:
Light Painting Brushes (Universal Connector).
Light Painting Paradise.
Light Painting Tubes.
Luminosify.
Light Painting King.
LightTubePro.
T8 Tubes (generic North American sized).
Lumenman.
Liteblades KYO
Ants On A Melon.
I've also added flashlight head diameter information to the matrix for light painters who like to make their own tools or connectors, or for any other light painting systems. Light Pens, and Calligraphy Lights are out of the scope of this article. Pixel LED Lights and Tube Lights now have their own categories.
Lights in this section have one or more of the following features suitable for light painters. See each flashlight description for more detail.
Accessible on/off switches - when in light painting connectors.
Constant frequency strobe - some lights even have adjustable strobe frequency and brightness.
Last mode memory - so that the light turns on in the last used mode.
Momentary switch - more fine control of on/off.
Multiple, well spaced brightness levels.
Most new consumer grade flashlights either have a hidden strobe and/or alternating frequency strobe, and are thus not particularly useful for light painting. Please be aware that most flashlights rapidly step-down (dim) from their maximum advertised brightness. Generally, the higher the brightness/size, the shorter the light will operate at maximum brightness before step-down. Also, there are many factors that affect how many lumens actually end up in the light painting tool, and thus more lumens is not necessarily better.
Best RGB Colour Flashlight >> Ants On A Melon RGB Critter 2.0 (18650, $130) – The AOAM RGB Critter is the best overall flashlight for light painting photography (creating light trails). This RGB colour changing light has an impressive selection of 39 colours, 93 preset colour effect modes, plus adjustable effect speeds, strobe frequency, and brightness. Controlled by 3 on-board buttons. Can save custom settings. Native tool attachments available including the Modular Sol Saber, Modular Lumi Saber, BitWhip, Jupiter Rope, Fiber Optic Dusters, and Light Painting Blades. Conditional compatibility with other light painting systems - see review. 18650 battery included, with micro USB input, which can also allow for firmware updates. The new firmware/UI and raised buttons in the the Critter 2.0 are a massive improvement over the original.
Ants On A Melon (affiliate) - 5% off with code "KNIGHT".
Also consider:
Ignis Shop Color LED Torch (internal, $149) - Colour fade, pulse, and flash modes controlled by an RF remote. Simple on/off switch and no momentary. Internal battery and charging.
Lightpainting.me Magic Light (unknown, $140) - New RGB light with colour WYSIWYG touch screen, and 24 programmable modes including colour strobe effects. Lightpainting.me.
Threeworlds Concentrate C5 (AAA, $30) - Tiny, single AAA light source with fantastic programmable effects modes. Unfortunately it is not very bright, and has a tricky single button user interface. Needs DIY padding to fit in light painting connectors, though can be purchased with a compatible Fusion glow staff. Threeworlds.
Best Flashlight for Strobes >> Ants On A Melon RGB Critter 2.0 (18650, $130) – The AOAM RGB Critter wins a second category, with excellent options for creating light trails with strobes. Whilst it isn't as bright as the white light flashlights in this category, many of the Critter's 93 preset modes contain colourful strobes. With 10 speed settings for each preset there are lots of possibilities. Each preset and colour mode can also have a strobe overlaid on top, with 10 speed settings, and 10 brightness settings.
Ants On A Melon (affiliate) - 5% off with code "KNIGHT"
Also consider:
Noctigon KR1 (2,200lm, 18650, $50) - The SST-40 6500k version is one of the brightest flashlights I have tested for use with light painting tools. Tail switch light with the complex Anduril user interface. Multiple effects modes include the super bright (1,900lm) tactical strobe with 33% on-time (adjustable 2.3Hz-80Hz), and not so bright "motion freezing" party strobe with 1.3ms on time (adjustable 3.5Hz-90Hz) which I use to create "fairy dust" effects at the slowest speed. Too large for T8 tubes. No internal charging. Best used with a high current unprotected 18650 battery. Intl Outdoor.
Noctigon KR4 (2,000lm, 18650, $55-$85) - The W2/Boost driver option is the most optimal (and most expensive) configuration of the KR4 for light painting. SST20 6500k is the best budget option. Tail switch with the complex Anduril user interface. Multiple effects modes include the bright tactical strobe with 33% on-time (adjustable 2.5Hz-90Hz), and not so bright "motion freezing" party strobe with 3ms on time (adjustable 4Hz-90Hz). Squeezes into most T8 tubes. No internal charging. Best used with a high current unprotected 18650 battery. Intl Outdoor.
Lightpainting.me Strobelight PRO (1,200lm, 18650, $135) - Interesting custom built light with a flashlight connected to a handheld remote by cable. Strobe frequency adjustable between 5Hz and 57Hz using rotary switches. Strobe (50% on/off), Flash (5ms on), and Ribbon modes. Momentary functionality. Brightness is switchable between 1200lm, or 800lm. Lightpainting.me.
The previous winner of this category, the now legendary Light Painting Paradise LightPainter – Ryu’s Lightworks was discontinued in early 2023. If you can pick one up second hand, it is an amazing light with 4 strobe modes, adjustable strobe frequency, adjustable strobe brightness, compatible with LPP and LPB systems, and T8 tubes.
Best Tactical Flashlights:
Nitecore P10v2 (1,100lm, 18650, $55) - This is my favourite tactical/consumer grade flashlight for light painting. This dual tail switch light that makes it easy to switch between turbo and 19Hz strobe modes on the fly in "Tactical" mode. "Daily" mode has last mode memory and momentary functionality for all 3 brightness settings. Can be used with the Nitecore RSW2 remote pressure switch. 3 minutes until brightness step-down. Noticeable Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). Requires button top protected 18650 batteries if not included, and no internal charging. Nitecore Store USA (affiliate).
Klarus XT11S (1,100lm, 18650, $70) / XT11GT (2,000lm, 18650, $85) / XT11GT Pro (2,200lm, 18650, $95) / XT11GT Pro V2 (3,300, $90) – I generally only recommend these if you plan to use the Liteblades KYO system, as there are better flashlights for other systems. Each generation of the XT11 has more maximum lumens, but shorter time until the brightness falls of a cliff. Dual tail switches for instant access to Turbo or Strobe. No side switches on the Pro versions. Optional Klarus TRC1 remote pressure switch. Strobes are alternating frequency unless the strobe switch is held down, and there is no direct access to Mid or High Modes from the tail switch. Battery included. USB charging.
Klarus XT2CR Pro (2,200lm, 18650, $75) – One of the best flashlights for (briefly) getting lots of light into a light painting tool. It is basically the XT11GT Pro (above) with a smaller head. Battery included. USB-C charging input.
Ledlenser P6R Signature (1,400lm, 18650, $150) / P6R Core (900lm, 18650, $100) - The only zoom lights in this article. Programmable modes. Optional last mode memory, but with 3 second mode memory timer. 20Hz strobe. Expensive, but with a 7 year warranty. Battery included. Magnetic charging input.
Olight Warrior Mini 3 (1,750lm, 18650, $90) - Due to Olight's annoying proximity sensor, this light is only useable for light painting on the 1,750lm 13Hz Strobe mode, or 120lm Medium mode using the two stage momentary tail switch. Compatible remote pressure switch. Battery included. USB-A to magnetic charging input. Olight USA (affiliate). Olight Australia (affiliate).
Fenix PD36R Pro (2,800lm, 21700, $119) / Fenix PD36R (1,600lm, 21700, $100) - These are good consumer grade flashlight for continuous (non-strobe) light trails, though some budget alternatives (below) are almost as good. Brightness falls of a cliff quickly on Turbo mode. Five well spaced brightness levels, last mode memory and momentary. Unfortunately the strobe is alternating frequency and not memorised. Battery included and USB-C charging.
Folomov Hero (2,300lm, 18650, $50) - This light only makes the list due to having a decent 13Hz strobe. However, the light's user interface is inconsistent and frustrating, and only really suitable for basic light painting techniques. The beam profile is also sub-optimal. Battery included, with USB-C charging port.
Best Budget Flashlights (less than $35):
Sofirn SP31 V2.0 XP-L HI (1,200lm, 18650, $25) – This light is fantastic for creating continuous (non-strobe) light trails, and is also directly compatible with the "All In One" adapter designed for the discontinued LightPainter - Ryu's Lightworks flashlight. Five well spaced brightness levels, mode memory and momentary on all continuous modes. Unfortunately the strobe is alternating frequency and not memorised. Battery and charger are optional, or use an unprotected 3500mAh 18650 battery.
Sofirn SC32 (2,000lm/900lm, 18650, $31-$33) - If you want a budget flashlight with direct access to 3 continuous brightness levels of 900lm, 450lm, and 90lm, USB-C charging, optional battery, and side clip, then this is a good choice. Unfortunately there is no single click access from off to 2,000lm Turbo mode, or strobe, which is alternating frequency.
Convoy S15 (1,500lm, 18650, $16-20) - Cheap, basic, and bright flashlight with 4 brightness levels and last mode memory. No strobe. Side clip included. Optional battery. No internal USB charging, but Convoy also sell basic chargers for only a few $. Aliexpress (no battery) (with battery).
Convoy S2+ CSLNM1 (700lm, 18650, $20) – The CSLNM1 emitter versions, with 12 Group user interface are a great choice for light saber like tools, have last mode memory, but the strobe is alternating frequency. These are available with White, Red, Green, Blue, and Orange-Yellow emitters, optionally with battery. Optional side clip. Best used with unprotected 3500mAh 18650 batteries. No internal charging.
Folomov 18650S (900lm, 18650, $28) – Quirky budget light that includes a micro USB rechargeable battery, and can move between 7Hz strobe and continuous "on the fly", or momentary operation using the tail switch.
Convoy T4 SST-20 (420lm with 2xAA, $21) - The best budget AA/AAA flashlight I've tested. Sustained 420lm with SST-20 6500k emitter option. Default mode has 4 brightness levels with mode memory. 12 other mode options, but the strobe is alternating frequency. Optional side clip. Aliexpress.
Light Painting System Compatibility Matrix
The next three categories are for light sources that are not compatible with light painting systems, but can be used for aspects of creating light trails.
Best Flashlight for "Fairy Dust" Starbursts/Sunstars >> Olight i5R (350lm, AA, $35) - Just point the flashlight at the camera lens, then half press and hold the tail switch (momentary low mode) for a few seconds to create a starburst. Add more starbursts for "fairy dust" effects. Olight USA (affiliate). Olight Australia (affiliate).
Best LED Pixel Light >> Fotorgear Magilight (800lm, 2x26350, $309) - Best addressable LED pixel light (noting the Pixelstick has been out of stock for years) which allows saved images to be drawn in mid-air. 144 LEDs along the 100cm length, dimmable, and with adjustable strobe frequency. Included charger and 2x26350 batteries. Fotorgear also make the RGB colour fading Lithub which connects to a small range of light blades and fiber optic brushes.
Best Tube Light >> Nanlite Pavotube T8-7X (350lux/0.5m, internal, $95) - A budget LED light wand aimed at creators, and already popular with light painters. Not the brightest LED wand for illumination, but great for creating color fading light trails. Onboard, wired, or Bluetooth wireless control.
2. Best Light Sources for Illumination
This section recommends the best light sources for illuminating scenes instead of creating light trails. This is also relevant to urbex (urban exploration), long exposure night landscapes, astrophotography, and low level landscape lighting genres of photography. These "best in class" portable lights have one or more useful features including:
Different colour temperature options e.g. cool 6500k, neutral 4500k, or warm white 2700k (Correlated Colour Temperature = CCT).
High colour rendering (CRI) >95CRI/R9080 white LED emitters - better colour rendering of illuminated objects (no more "washed out" night photos).
Colour LED emitter options.
Compatible diffusers - turns flashlights into an omni-directional "lantern" light source. Kaidomain. Aliexpress (Convoy).
Can be tripod mounted (all lights in the compact and medium categories) Aliexpress (Small Rig).
Decent sustained brightness - tested brightness after 10 to 15 minutes of continuous use.
Included/optional batteries and/or internal USB charging.
Unless specified otherwise flashlights in this section have a floody beam, useful for near to medium distance illumination. Diffusers can turn flashlights into omni-directional light sources. Throwy beams are better for illuminating distant objects, or more fine control of light.
All featured flashlights in this section have decent sustained brightness/size, and realistic lumen ratings. There are many non-featured flashlights advertised with either highly exaggerated lumens, or the lights step-down (dim) from max brightness too rapidly to actually be useful. Don't be fooled by maximum advertised lumens!
Best Compact Flashlight for Illumination >> Convoy S21E 519A (1,150lm max, 21700, $25) - This is my favourite flashlight for night and urbex photography illumination. 95CRI Nichia 519A LED options in 7 CCTs from 2700k to 5700k. Can sustain 500-600lm. Side switch, with stepped or ramped brightness levels. Compatible diffuser. USB-C charging input. Optional 21700 battery. Aliexpress (no battery). (with battery). The floodier 60 degree optic version, or brighter and more efficient XHP50.3HI versions, are also worth considering.
Also consider:
Acebeam E75 (4,500lm max, 21700, $100) - Best consumer grade flashlight in this category, outperforming many much larger lights. 4,500lm max/1,500 sustained with 70CRI 6500k option, or 3,000lm max/1,000lm sustained with 90CRI 5000k version. Side switch, Included 21700 battery and USB-C charging. Acebeam (affiliate).
Olight Seeker 4 Mini (1,200lm max, 18350, $80) - Mini flashlight with 70CRI white light and 365nm UV LEDs. Neutral or cool white CCTs. Can sustain 500lm. Included 18350 battery, and USB-A to magnetic charging. Olight USA (affiliate). Olight Australia (affiliate).
Flashlight enthusiasts will also be aware of the impressive Emisar D2, D1, D1K, D4V2, D4SV2, D4K, DT8, DT8K, Noctigon KR1, and KR4. Not for muggles!
Best Medium Sized Flashlight for Illumination >> Olight Marauder Mini (7,000lm max, 32650, $199) - Hugely popular and feature packed flood/throw flashlight. This is my "go to" flashlight for backlighting. 7,000lm floody beam, 600m spot beam, as well as Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) LEDs (though no last mode memory for RGB). Awesome sustained output - can sustain 6,000lm for the first 4mins on L7 mode, or 2,700lm for the first 23mins on L6 mode! 70 CRI. Can be tripod mounted with a SmallRig Super clamp. Battery included, USB-A to magnetic charging. Olight USA (affiliate). Olight Australia (affiliate).
Best RGB Flashlight for Coloured Illumination >> Ants On A Melon RGB Critter 2.0 (18650, $130) – The first consumer grade, colour changing flashlight. With an impressive selection of 39 colours and last mode memory, the Critter is excellent for both illumination and creating light trails. AOAM Orb Tool, DIY Connector, and Illuminator tools can be used to manipulate the light's beam. Ants On A Melon (affiliate) - 5% off with code "KNIGHT".
Best Budget Flashlight for Coloured Illumination >> Convoy S2+ CSLNM1 (18650, $15-$20) - Throwy beam CSLNM1 red, green, blue, and orange-yellow flashlights are useful for coloured illumination, optionally with battery. Compatible diffuser, and can be tripod mounted. There are over 200 other Convoy S2+ configurations including Ultraviolet and Infrared. Best used with an unprotected 3500mAh 18650 battery. No internal charging, so you will need a dedicated Li-ion charger. All Convoy S series options incl. with batteries.
Best Cube Light >> LumeCube 2.0 (400lm max/sustained, internal battery, $90) - A compact 90CRI 5600k, very floody light, great for drone attachment (or attaching to pretty much anything), waterproof, can be remotely controlled via Bluetooth, and lots of low brightness modes for astro photography. Large range of accessories. Internal battery and USB-C charging. If you don't need the mounting options or waterproofing, you might be better off with a RGB LED Panel Light.
Best Pocket LED Panel Light >> Pilotcine Atomcube RX7 (2,100lux/0.5m, $180)- The most professional pocket RGB panel light. >95CRI. Adjustable CCT between 2500k and 8500k, adjustable Green/Magenta tint, RGB/HSL colour mixing, brightness and saturation adjustment, on-board or app control. Includes a diffuser and cold-shoe mount. No magnets. Internal battery and USB-C charging.
Best Budget Pocket LED Panel Light >> Weeylite RB9 (1,200lux/0.5m, internal battery, $85) - The best value for money portable RGB panel light. Its very floody beam is x3 brighter than the Aputure MC! Note that the lowest 1% output level may be verging on too bright for some astro-photography/low level landscape lighting scenes. >95CRI. Adjustable CCT between 2500k and 8500k (which can result in a slight magenta tint), RGB/HSL colour mixing, brightness and saturation adjustment, lots of effects modes (including rainbow colour fade), on-board or app control. Includes a diffuser, mini-tripod, and cold-shoe mount. No magnets. Internal battery and USB-C charging. The smaller, cheaper, and 50% less bright Weeylite S05 is also worth a look.
Best Pen Light for Miniature Scenes >> Wuben E19 (200lm max, 2xAAA, $25) - Pen lights are useful for illuminating miniature scenes - flowers, fruit bowls, etc. This light is also good for medical use. The Wuben E19 uses a 4000k high-CRI 219C emitter, and has 4 brightness levels with last mode memory. Requires 2xAAA batteries. Wuben (affiliate). - 10% off with code "STEPHENKNIGHT"
Best "Throwy" Flashlight for Long Distance Illumination >> Sofirn IF22A (2,100lm max, 21700, $35-$39) - Excellent budget throwy flashlight with bright pencil beam and dim spill beam, which can illuminate up to nearly 700m. USB-C charging, included 21700 battery.
3. Best Headlamps for Night Photography
I would advise using headlamps/head torches with at least 200 lumens for finding your way in the dark, and for camera focusing - many headlamps will fit that requirement. These headlamps have the edge for light painting, with high brightness, last mode memory, and relatively bright red output.
Best Headlamp for Red Light >> Olight Array 2 Pro (1,500lm max, internal, $89) - Centrally located spot and flood white emitters (1500lm), plus a super bright red (200lm) emitter. Last mode memory. No moonlight mode is only major omission. You might need to cover the battery charge indicator with black tape. Internal battery and USB-C charging. The older Array 2S is also worth considering. Olight USA (affiliate). Olight Australia (affiliate).
Best Budget Headlamp >> Sofirn D25LR (500lm max, 18650, $25) - Excellent value for money budget headlamp with 90CRI neutral white 500lm LED, and super bright 150lm SST-20 660nm Deep Red LED. Moonlight modes, last mode memory for both Red and White, and easy user interface. Can get rather hot on the highest modes. This is currently my most used headlamp! Optional battery and micro USB charging.
Best Ultra-light Headlamp >> Nitecore NU33 (700lm max, internal, $50) - Fantastic lightweight headlamp with 700lm max primary LED, 60lm high-CRI auxiliary light, and 13lm red light. The red light isn't as bright as the other featured headlamps in this category, but is still more than twice as bright as the red light on most headlamps. Internal battery with USB-C charging. Nitecore Store (USA) (Affiliate).
4. Conclusion
This article has listed many flashlights or torches that will make light painting much easier. Your light painting techniques will determine which lights are most suitable, and I would advise building up a collection of lights that meet your requirements.
If you need more information about batteries and chargers, please have a look at my Battery and Charger Buying Guide.
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