Best Flashlights for Light Painting Photography 2026
- Stephen Knight
- 12 hours ago
- 12 min read
Updated: 12 minutes ago
This is the 2026 edition of the best flashlight/torch buying guide for light painting and night photographers. Now in its 10th 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. Ratings are based on feedback from light painting and night photographers, flashlight enthusiast reviews, and my own testing. This article will be regularly updated throughout the year when suitable new lights are released.
Each light’s description includes the maximum brightness in lumens (lm) or illuminance (lux/1m), battery type, and typical retail price in US$ at the time of original publication (excluding tax and and shipping; prices and availability are subject to change). Lumens for RGB colour lights have not been quoted as colour lumens are not directly comparable to white light lumens. Batteries are included or optional unless otherwise mentioned.
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.
Contents
1. Best Flashlights for Creating Light Trails
This section is for flashlights/torches and tube lights that can be used to create light trails when connected to light painting tools. A matrix displays which featured lights are compatible with popular commercial light painting systems. I've also added flashlight head diameter information to the matrix for other light painting systems, and for light painters who make DIY tools and connectors.
Light pens, calligraphy lights, programmable LED pixel sticks, staffs, tubes, pois, and hula hoops are out of the scope of this article, but are mentioned in my Light Painting Tools Buying Guide. If you want more information on how to create light trails, please read the article The Art of Light Painting Photography - Light Trails.
For a flashlight/torch to be featured in this section, it needs to meet most of these requirements:
Compatibility with at least one or more commercial light painting systems.
On/off switches need to be accessible when used with light painting systems.
Single click, or momentary switch access to most brightness levels and strobes.
Beam profile suitable for light painting - "Throwy" lights (higher candela/lumen) are better for saber like tools. "Floody" lights (lower candela/lumen) may be better for fiber optic brushes and light blades.
Value for money, internal battery charging, a side clip (for use with T8 tubes), and multiple LED options (including high CRI for portraits) will also help the ranking!
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. More lumens is not necessarily better.
Best RGB Colour Mixing Flashlights for Light Painting Photography
These RGB colour mixing flashlights have a wide range of colour fade and strobe/effects modes, making them fantastic for creative light painting photography:
Ants On A Melon RGB Critter BT (18650, $159) - The RGB Critter BT's settings are controlled by a Bluetooth connected app (iOS and Android), plus on-board buttons for on/off and navigation. Native tool attachments available including the Modular Sol Saber, Modular Lumi Saber, BitWhip, Fiber Optic Dusters, and Light Painting Blades. Compatibility with most other light painting systems via adapters. USB-C charging. Ants On A Melon Website Review
RGB LightPainter Beacon Mini (21700, $115-$125) - After much development and refinement, the RGB LIghtPainter Beacon Mini (RGB or RGBW) and Handset/Controller (which can be controlled via WiFi) is now in production. There are lots of native tool accessories, and good compatibility with other light painting systems. A review is coming soon of this exciting light painting system! RGB LightPainter Instagram RGB LightPainter Facebook
Best Flashlights with Strobes for Light Painting Photography
All of the flashlights in this category have bright white light output and constant frequency strobes. Options 1,2, and 7 have adjustable strobe frequency/speed and strobe brightness. All of these flashlights have either single click or momentary access to strobe modes.
Noctigon KR4 (3,000-4,000lm, 18650, $61) - Uses the complex Anduril 2 UI, with adjustable strobe frequency/speed. The "throwy" SFT-25R 6500K LEDs is recommended for use with saber like tools, or the "floody" high-CRI 519A with dome 5700K (or other CTT of your choosing) is recommended for use with blades and fiber optic brushes. Other LED options are available. Tick the Lume X1 driver option for highest efficiency. Squeezes into most T8 tubes. No internal charging. Purchase an unprotected high current 18650 battery separately. Intl Outdoor.
Noctigon KR1 (3,200lm, 18650, $50-$55) - Uses the complex Anduril 2 UI, with adjustable strobe frequency/speed. The "throwy" SFT-42R 6500K option is best for use with saber like light painting tools. Other LED options are available. Too large for T8 tubes. No internal charging. Purchase an unprotected high current 18650 battery separately. Intl Outdoor.
Olight Warrior 3S (2,300lm, 21700, $119) - Recommended for those who require a remote pressure switch (Olight sROD-7), or require compatibility with Eric Pare's Light-painting store AX2 adapter. Instant access to 13Hz Strobe or Turbo via the tail switch or pressure switch. Note: The light's proximity sensor has to be disabled by covering it with black tape or black sharpie ink, otherwise the light immediately dims when used with tools. USB-A to magnetic charging. Olight USA (affiliate). - 10% off with code: 10OFFTD Olight Australia (affiliate). - 10% off with code: OLT2026.
Klarus XT2CR Pro (2,100lm, 18650, $75) - An alternative to the Olight Warrior 3S for use with Eric Pare's AX2 adapter. Works with the TRC1 remote pressure switch. Strobe is single frequency if the switch is held down, but the UI can be fiddly. USB-C charging.
Nitecore P10V2 (1,100lm, 18650, $50) - Quite an old model, with a dual tail switch for instant access to Turbo or Strobe, or access to 3 different brightness levels. Some visible PWM. Optional RSW2 remote pressure switch. Optional 18650 battery (button top). Requires an external charger.
Sofirn SC31 Pro (2,000lm, 18650, $30) - With a side switch, the 6500K version of this light is recommended for the Magnetic Lights system. Uses an older version of Anduril 2 UI, so has adjustable strobe frequency/speed, momentary, but no tactical mode. Select 6500K version. USB-C charging. Sofirn (affiliate).
Gone but not forgotten:
Light Painting Paradise LightPainter – Ryu’s Lightworks V2 (1,800lm, 18650) - Sadly discontinued at the end of 2025. This awesome flashlight has 8 brightness levels, 8 strobe frequency/speed (1-50Hz), 8 flash mode speeds (1-66Hz), 8 ribbon strobe speeds (1-66Hz), tail switch, and 2 side switches with 2 different side access modes for more creativity. Optional remote pressure switch. 50% brighter than the original. Battery with USB-C charging. There may still be a few available - follow these contact details. Otherwise now only available second hand. Review here.
Light Painting Paradise LightPainter - Ryu's Lightworks (1,200lm, 18650) - This flashlight has adjustable strobe frequency/speed and brightness, with strobe, flash, ribbon, and trigger modes, Now only available second hand.
Best Budget Flashlights for Continuous Light Trails
These budget flashlights are useful for creating continuous (non-strobe) light trails during light painting photography, and have at least 4 brightness modes with last mode memory. Some have momentary switches. As with most consumer orientated flashlights currently on the market, they all have (undesirable for light painting) alternating/two frequency strobes.
Wurkkos TD02 (1,250lm, 18650, $27-29) - Not as bright as the claimed 2,000lm, but still a decent tail switch only budget light, and USB-C charging. 5 well spaced brightness levels with last mode memory. Optional battery, and a side clip. Wurkkos (affiliate).
Sofirn SP31 V2.0 XP-L HI (1,200lm, 18650, $28-30) - This light is directly compatible with the LPP "All In One" V1 adapter. Five well spaced brightness levels, with last mode memory and momentary. Side and tail switch. Sustains Turbo mode longer than most flashlights. Battery and charger are optional. Sofirn (affiliate).
Sofirn SP31 V3.0 (1,200/2,000lm, 18650, $34-36) - Updated version of the SP31 V2.0, with a larger head diameter. Side and tail switch. USB-C charging and optional battery. High brightness SST-40 6500K version is best for saber like tools. A high CRI 519A 5000K version is also available. SST-40 version. 519A version (affiliate).
Convoy S2+ (700-1500lm, 18650, $17-20) – Popular budget flashlight with tail switch and optional remote pressure switch. The Osram CSLNM1 emitter versions are available in red, green, blue, and orange-yellow; 519A 5700K version for high CRI, or SST40 6500K version for maximum lumens. Select "12 Group Buck" driver option. Last mode memory. Optional battery, side clip. No internal charging. Convoy (ConvoyLight).
Convoy T4 (420lm with 2xAA, $21) - By far the best budget AA tail switch flashlight I've tested for those who don't want to/can't use Li-ion batteries. Sustained 420lm with "throwy" SFT-25R 6500K, or "floody" high-CRI 519A 5700K option. Default mode has 4 brightness levels with last mode memory. Optional side clip. Requires 2xAA Alkaline or NiMH batteries (or 2x14500 Li-ion) Convoy (ConvoyLight).
Light Painting System Compatibility Matrix
The compatibility matrix looks at flashlight/torch compatibility with various light painting systems. Please contact me if there are any inaccuracies.
2. Best Lights for Night Photography Illumination
This section recommends the best portable 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. Lights specifically designed for photography, videography, and filmmaking, such as pocket LED panel lights and portable COB lights are making headway into this section as they have HSI/RGB colour mixing and adjustable white light correlated colour temperature (CCT). Aside from a couple of RGB flashlights, most flashlights are generally fixed to a single white light CCT, but have more responsive on/off control and more portable ergonomics. The article The Art of Light Painting - Illumination explains these techniques in more detail.
Best Pocket LED Panel Lights for Nearfield Illumination
These lights have RGB colour mixing, a range of CCTs from cool to warm white. These are best suited for nearfield illumination (<10m) as they have a very floody beam.
Aputure MC Pro (399lux/1m, integrated battery, $199) - Professional quality RGBWW LED panel light. The IP65 weatherproof design makes this a good choice for outdoor use in inclement weather. It has a more focused 45 degree beam than other pocket panel lights, has strong magnets, multiple beam shaping accessories, effects modes, and lots of control options. USB-C charging.
Nanlite Pico (339lux/1m, integrated battery, $49) - An affordable pocket RGBWW LED panel light with 45 degree beam. On-board or app control. Includes a diffuser, hot shoe and magnetic yoke base. USB-C charging.
The Aputure MC Pro is useful for night and urbex photography illumination.
Best RGB Flashlights for Illumination
These flashlights are useful for short to medium distance illumination.
Ants On A Melon RGB Critter BT (18650, $159) - Upgraded version of the only consumer grade, colour changing/mixing RGB flashlight. The RGB Critter BT's settings are controlled by a Bluetooth connected app (iOS and Android), and on-board buttons for on/off and momentary, full RGB colour mixing, plus last mode memory. AOAM Orb Tool, DIY Connector, and Illuminator tools can be used to manipulate the light's beam. USB-C charging. Ants On A Melon Website Review
RGB LightPainter Beacon Mini (21700, $115-$125) - After much development and refinement, the RGB LIghtPainter Beacon Mini (RGB or RGBW) and Handset/Controller (which can be controlled via WiFi) is now in production. A review is coming soon of this exciting light painting system! RGB LightPainter Instagram RGB LightPainter Facebook
Best Portable COB Video Lights for Illumination
These very bright portable lights under 850g (including internal battery or battery pack), all have RGB colour mixing, a range of CCTs from cool to warm white, on-board and app control, plus beam shaping options including reflectors and (optional) mini soft-boxes. Portable COB video lights can be prone to battery defects, so make sure you buy from reputable sources with warranties.
SmallRig RC 60C (2,430lux/1m without reflector, integrated battery, $179-$199) - The brightest portable RGBCW COB video light under 700g, with a good range of beam modifiers. USB-C charging (100W PD preferred).
Zhiyun Molus X100 RGB Combo Kit (3,110lux/1m without reflector, battery grip, $449) - Compact portable (850g incl. battery grip) RGBWW COB video light, with ergonomic battery grip. USB-C charging, and very impressive range of beam modifiers.
The Amaran Ray 60c (3,910lux/1m without reflector, battery grip, $189) is very impressive, with an IP54 rating, but tips the scales at 1.1kg when paired with the Peak 75 battery grip.
Best High-CRI Flashlights for Illumination
Unlike COB video lights, these flashlights are smaller, more weatherproof, have more responsive on/off/brightness control, but are generally limited to a single CCT or colour option per light. Lower brightness settings are also useful for miniature light painting.
Convoy S21E (1,150lm, 21700, $26) - The 519A or B35AM high CRI LEDs is my recommendation for night and urbex photography illumination, with 7 CCT options from 2700K warm white to 6500K cool white. Select "constant current" driver. USB-C charging, and optional diffuser. Convoy S21E (ConvoyLight).
Noctigon KR4 (3,000lm, 18650, $40-62) - I recommend the high CRI 519A emitters (with dome) in a range of CCTs from 2700K to 5700K. Other LEDs including coloured LEDs are also available. The KR4's 29mm head diameter also allows light painting connectors to be used as a snoot. Uses the complex Anduril 2 UI. Requires an unprotected high current 18650 Li-ion battery, and lacks internal charging. Dual channel versions available. Not for muggles. Intl Outdoor.
Whilst only available with neutral white CCTs of 4000K or 5000K, the Wurkkos FC11S (1,200lm, 18650, $22) is also worth a look. Wurkkos (affiliate).
The Convoy S21E is the best flashlight for colour temperature (CCT) options such as cool, neutral, and warm white.
Specialist Uses
Best Flashlight for High Brightness / Long Distance Illumination > Olight Marauder Mini 2 (10,000lm max, 32650, $199) - Sequel to the hugely popular Marauder Mini. Crazy bright 10,000lm floody beam, 750m spot beam, 400lm Red beam, and 200lm side light. IPX68 weatherproof. Amazing sustained output. USB-C charging. Olight USA (affiliate). - 10% off with code: 10OFFTD Olight Australia (affiliate). - 10% off with code: OLT2026.
Best Flashlight for Backlight Scanners > Convoy S21D 519A (2,100lm max, 21700, $30) with "60 degree bead" optics is my choice for use with backlight scanners. No internal charging. ConvoyLight.
Best Light for Drone Light Painting > LumeCube 2.0 (35lux/1m or 400lm, integrated battery, $90) - A compact 90CRI, 5600K, "floody" light which is still the best consumer option for drone mounting. USB-C charging.
Best Zoom Flashlight for Gobo Projection > Ulanzi LM01 (175lux/1m, integrated battery, $45) - A chunky zoom video light with 5600K cool white, sunset orange, red, and blue LEDs. Includes 20 gobo filters. tripod thread, and USB-C charging. Ulanzi (affiliate).
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 pre-focusing - many headlamps will fit that requirement. These featured headlamps have the edge for light painting and night photography uses.
Best Headlamps for Night Photography
Sofirn D25LR / Wurkkos H25LR (500lm, 18650, $25) - Excellent value for money budget headlamp with 500lm high CRI LED, and super bright 150lm Deep Red LED. Moonlight modes, last mode memory for both Red and White, and easy user interface. Micro USB charging. This is my most used headlamp when out light painting! Sofirn (affiliate). Wurkkos (affiliate).
Nitecore UT27 MCT (2025) (800lm, integrated battery/3xAAA, $65) - Lightweight headlamp, with three different CTT settings 3000K, 4500K, or 6500K, plus 12lm Red output. USB-C charging.
Olight Perun 3 (3,000lm, 21700, $89) - Triple cool white emitters (3,000lm), plus a bright red (60lm) emitter. Last mode memory. Impressive runtimes for long nights out. USB-A to magnetic charging. Olight USA (affiliate). - 10% off with code: 10OFFTD Olight Australia (affiliate). - 10% off with code: OLT2026
4. Best Batteries and Chargers for Flashlights
Most of the flashlights in this article now come with included or optional batteries. However, if these are not included, or you need spares, these are my recommendations for flashlights suitable for light painting, including flashlights in this article:
AA/AAA Batteries
Best 1.2V NiMH Rechargeable AA/AAA Batteries > Ikea Ladda 2450mAh (AA) / 750mAh (AAA) - high quality, low price, made in the same Japanese factory as Eneloops (which are my second choice)!
Best 1.5V Li-ion Recheargeable AA/AAA Batteries > XTAR 1.5V 4150mWh (AA) /1620mWh (AAA) - can be used instead of NiMH AA/AAA batteries, but requires a charger than can charge 1.5V Li-ion such as the XTAR VX4. 1.5V Li-ion batteries are expensive, and generally more suited to devices with motors or LCD screens.
Li-ion 3.6/3.7V (4.2V max) batteries.
Best Unprotected 18650 Li-ion Batteries for High Capacity > Panasonic NCR18650GA, Molicel M35A, Samsung INR18650-35E, EVE INR18650/35V, LG MJ1.
Best Unprotected 18650 Li-ion Batteries for High Current > Sony US18650VTC6, Samsung INR18650-30Q, LG INR18650-HG2, Molicel P30B.
Best Unprotected 21700 Li-ion Batteries for High Capacity and Current > Samsung 50S, Molicel P50B.
Most of the lights in article include internal (usually USB) charging, however if you require a dedicated charger, or wish to use an analyzing charger to monitor battery capacity/health, then I recommend these choices:
Best Budget NiMH AA/AAA Charger > Ikea Stenkol ($10)- Best value 4 bay smart charger for AA/AAA NiMH batteries. This terminates charging correctly, unlike most other cheap AA/AAA chargers.
Best Consumer Li-ion Charger > XTAR VX2 Pro/VX4 ($30-49) - Easy to use, consumer orientated 2 and 4-bay chargers. Voltage, capacity, and repair functions. Works with NiMH, 1.5V Li-ion, 3.2V LiFePO4, and 3.6/3.7V (4.2V max) Li-ion batteries. USB-C PD input.
The budget priced Vapcell BL4 and expert orientated SkyRC MC5000 are analyzing chargers that are also worth considering.
5. Conclusion
This article has listed many flashlights or torches that will make light painting much easier. Your light painting techniques and budget will determine which lights are most suitable. I would advise building up a collection of flexible lights that meet your requirements. If you have any suggestions, updates, or questions related to this article, feel free to reach out to me on social media.
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