2025 pushed boundaries. This year brought innovation in flat flashlight design, advanced control systems, extreme brightness, and purpose-built durability. These are the flashlights that dominated their categories: from everyday carry to professional-grade power, these are the standouts.
Best Flashlight of 2025: PD36R ACE
The Fenix PD36R ACE Flashlight takes the title without question.
With 3000 lumens of output and a beam that reaches 1362ft (415m), this flashlight delivers professional-grade capability. Runtime extends over 60 hours on lower modes, keeping you operational through extended shifts and missions.
What sets it apart? ACE's SET mode gives more control over operation. Choose between three preset options: Turbo-only, Eco/Med/Turbo, or full range. Strobe is available in all three presets with the option to disable it entirely. That means you don't have to cycle through modes you never use, so you have instant access to the settings you need.
The hidden USB-C charging port maintains waterproof integrity while providing convenient recharging, with an IP68 rating that ensures dust and water protection in demanding conditions.
This is what the best flashlight of 2025 should deliver: raw capability combined with user control that eliminates frustration. The PD36R ACE proves you don't have to choose between power and precision.
Best New Flashlight: E06R PRO Flat Flashlight
Innovation that changes how we think about EDC, that's the Fenix E06R PRO Flat Flashlight.
It has a maximum 1600-lumen output, 525ft (160m) beam distance, and 111 hours of maximum runtime. But the real innovation is in the design.
This is Fenix's first full-size EDC flat flashlight. The flat profile solves pocket carry problems that cylindrical lights create: no uncomfortable bulge, no rolling off surfaces, just stable, ready access when you need it.
The E06R PRO delivers adjustable spotlight and floodlight modes that operate independently. Switch between focused throw and wide-area coverage with a single click. UV light can handle pest or stain detection. The red laser provides pinpoint accuracy for presentations or distance marking. The 3D mood light ring offers five effects for signaling or ambiance.
The E06R PRO redefined what a pocket-friendly flashlight can be with serious capability in a form factor that actually works with everyday carry.
Most Innovative: The ACE Series
Technology that gives users control: that's the foundation of the ACE Series.
Every ACE flashlight features a hidden SET button tucked beneath the neck. This button allows preset mode selection so you can configure how the light operates before you ever use it.
Choose the outputs you need, disable the modes you don't, and eliminate cycling through settings that waste time in critical moments.
PD26R ACE
The Fenix PD26R ACE Flashlight delivers 1300 lumens with a beam that reaches 1161ft (354m). Compact EDC size meets serious throw capability with a SET control system in the smallest ACE package, proving advanced features don't require bulk.
PD35R ACE
The Fenix PD35R ACE Flashlight pushes 2000 lumens to 1247ft (380m). This tactical/EDC crossover takes a proven platform and upgrades it with ACE precision. Tail switch activation and side switch control provide the intuitive operation professionals demand.
PD36R ACE
The Fenix PD36R ACE Flashlight represents flagship performance: 3000 lumens, 1362ft (415m) beam distance, and maximum capability with SET precision. This is the best flashlight of 2025 for good reason, it combines raw output with user control that adapts to any mission.
PD45R ACE
The Fenix PD45R ACE Flashlight delivers 3200 lumens with 1345ft (410m) of throw with six preset options (more than any other ACE model), a 6000mAh battery that provides up to 57 hours of runtime. Plus, a lockout mode that can lock the beam on for consistent illumination.
These flashlights eliminated mode cycling frustration across the entire lineup. Professional control without professional complexity.
Brightest: LR35R PRO Flashlight
When maximum output matters, the Fenix LR35R PRO Flashlight is among the best flashlights of 2025.
10000 lumens of combined spot/floodlight output with a beam that reaches 1640ft (500m). This isn't everyday carry: this is professional-grade power for search, rescue, and tactical missions that demand serious illumination.
The rotary dial provides stepless brightness control. No preset modes to cycle through, just smooth adjustment from minimum to maximum output. Its system instantly responds to your input so you have precise control over exactly how much light you need.
Independent spotlight and floodlight operation means you choose between focused throw and wide-area coverage. It’s up to you: run them separately for extended battery life or combine them for maximum output.
Red light mode preserves night vision during transitions. UV light handles inspections or leak detection. Dual 6000mAh batteries power extended operations, and the light functions as a power bank when needed.
When you need the brightest performance available, the LR35R PRO delivers. Browse more extreme output options in our brightest flashlights collection.
Longest Battery Life: PD35R ACE
Runtime that keeps working when you can't afford downtime, that's the Fenix PD35R ACE Flashlight.
With 2000 lumens of maximum output and 1247ft (380m) of beam distance, the PD35R ACE delivers professional capability. But the runtime advantage helps it stand out from the pack with up to 720 hours possible on a single charge. Extended operation on lower modes keeps you working through long shifts without battery anxiety.
The 4000mAh 18650 battery platform proves itself reliable over thousands of charge cycles. Intelligent memory saves your last setting, so the light turns on exactly where you left it, and a low-voltage warning that prevents surprise shutdowns that leave you scrambling in the dark.
USB-C recharging maintains convenience without sacrificing the runtime benefits of a replaceable battery system. When you need a fresh cell immediately, swap it. When you have time to charge, plug it in.
The ACE bonus: SET mode eliminates cycling through unused modes. Every button press goes to an output you actually need, preserving battery life by avoiding accidental high-output activation.
Most Unique: LD35R Multipurpose Flashlight
Design that serves multiple roles without compromise comes down to the Fenix LD35R Multipurpose Flashlight.
With 1800 lumens of forward-facing output and a beam reaching 1106ft (337m), the LD35R handles standard flashlight duties without question. But three independent light sources make it unique.
The toggle switch provides instant access: forward white light for navigation and distance, diffused side lights that function like a lantern, and red/blue color modes for preserving night vision or emergency signaling when flashing.
Real-world use cases stack up fast. Forward light navigates trails and illuminates targets at a distance. Side lights and a magnetic base create hands-free area lighting for camp setups or work tasks. Red mode preserves night vision during transitions. Blue flashing mode signals for attention in emergencies.
Glass-breaking tips on the strike bezel add emergency capability. IP68 waterproof rating ensures reliability in any weather.
Why it wins: Versatility that replaces multiple tools. The LD35R handles roles that normally require separate lights, all while maintaining professional-grade performance in each mode.
The Best Flashlight of 2025 Comes Down to Your Mission
The best flashlight of 2025 depends on what you demand from it.
Need total control with flagship capability? The PD36R ACE combines 3000 lumens with SET mode precision. Want innovation that redefines pocket carry? The E06R PRO flat flashlight proves serious performance fits in your front pocket. Looking for extreme brightness? The LR35R PRO pushes 10000 lumens for professional missions. Need runtime that outlasts your shift? The PD35R ACE keeps working when others quit. Want versatility that replaces multiple tools? The LD35R handles forward light, area lighting, and signaling in one package.
2025 proved innovation happens across categories, not just one metric. Whether you need the best flashlight of 2025 for EDC, tactical work, or professional missions, Fenix delivers options that perform.
Browse the complete lineup at our flashlights collection. These are the standards we're setting. The bar moves higher in 2026.