Best emergency torch and headlamp: what to buy for power cuts
For a power cut, the most useful light is a head torch for every person plus one LED lantern per room you use. Choose lights with 100–300 lumens, a long low-power mode, and batteries you can replace: AA/AAA or a rechargeable that also accepts standard cells.
We earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Brands never pay for placement. Read our disclosure.
How many lights does a household need?
| Light | How many | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Head torch | 1 per person | Moving around, cooking, first aid, stairs |
| LED lantern | 1 per room you will use | Living room and bathroom light for hours |
| Handheld torch | 1–2 per home | Checking the fuse box, outside, signalling |
| Small torch in daily bag | 1 per adult | Stuck in a lift, metro or train |
| Night lights or glow sticks | Optional | Children’s rooms, hallways |
This is what lets a household carry on almost normally after dark. One torch for the whole family means someone is always waiting in the dark.
What matters (and what doesn’t)
Lumens: less than you think
Marketing focuses on maximum brightness, but in a dark home you will mostly use 10–50 lumens, which is enough to read and cook without dazzling anyone. A maximum of 200–400 lumens covers almost everything indoors. Very high lumen figures usually last only a minute or two before the light steps down to protect the battery.
Runtime on low
Check how many hours the light runs on its low setting. That is the number that gets you through three evenings.
Batteries you can replace
For a 72-hour kit, lights that run on AA or AAA cells are hard to beat: you can buy batteries anywhere and store them for years. Rechargeable lights with USB-C are brighter and cheaper to run, but plan how you will recharge them: a power bank or power station. Hybrid headlamps take both a rechargeable pack and standard batteries.
Red light and lock
A red mode preserves night vision and doesn’t wake children. A lockout stops the light switching on in a bag and draining the battery, a common reason torches are flat when you need them.
Water resistance
IPX4 handles rain. IPX7 survives immersion to about 1 metre (3.3 ft) for 30 minutes, which matters for a flood kit.
Our picks
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED head torch (AAA, 2-pack) | Every person in the household | Cheap, light, standard batteries | Check price on Amazon |
| Petzl Actik Core | Adults who want one good headlamp | Rechargeable pack or 3 × AAA | Check price on Amazon |
| Rechargeable LED torch | Everyday carry, outdoor checks | USB-C charging | Check price on Amazon |
| Ledlenser P7R Core | Bright, durable handheld torch | Rechargeable, focusable beam | Check price on Amazon |
| LED camping lantern | Room light for hours | Battery-powered, 360° light | Check price on Amazon |
| Waterproof head torch | Flood and storm kits | IPX7 or better | Check price on Amazon |
We don’t list prices because they change often. Use the button to see the current price on Amazon.
Lights for children
Children cope with a power cut far better when they have their own light. A small kids’ head torch turns the evening into an adventure, and glow sticks make a safe night light. See our emergency kit for kids.
Batteries: how many to store
- For three evenings, plan on at least one full spare set for every light, two for the lantern.
- Standardise on one size if you can (AAA for head torches, AA for lanterns and radios).
- Keep a set of rechargeable AA/AAA batteries with a charger for longer outages; they can be refilled from a power bank.
- Remove batteries from lights you store for months, or use the lockout.
Where to keep your lights
Keep a head torch on each bedside table, a lantern in the kitchen or living room, and the handheld torch next to the fuse box or front door. If the lights go out at night, nobody should have to search for a torch in the dark. Then follow our blackout guide for the first 30 minutes.
Never use camping gas lanterns, oil lamps or candles near curtains or while sleeping. If you use any flame-based light, keep a working smoke alarm and ventilate the room.
Questions people ask
How many lumens do I need for an emergency torch?
Indoors, 100–300 lumens is plenty and a low mode of 10–50 lumens is what you will use most. Around 500–1,000 lumens is useful outside, for example to check a car or a garden at night.
Is a headlamp better than a flashlight?
For most emergency tasks, yes: it leaves both hands free and lights wherever you look. A handheld torch is better for pointing light far away. Ideally have both.
Rechargeable or battery torch for emergencies?
Rechargeables are cheaper to run and brighter, but you need a way to recharge them in a long outage. A hybrid light that accepts AAA or AA batteries, or a power bank, solves that.
Are candles safe in a power cut?
Torches and LED lanterns are much safer. If you use candles, never leave them unattended and keep them away from curtains, children and pets.
What does IPX4 or IPX7 mean?
IPX4 means splash-resistant (rain). IPX7 means the light survives immersion to about 1 metre (3.3 ft) for 30 minutes. For flood kits, choose IPX7 or better.
Keep reading
- Best emergency radio: crank, solar and battery
- /what-to-do-in-a-power-blackout/
- Emergency kit for apartments and small flats
- /kits/blackout/