What does lumen mean in a flashlight?
The term lumen comes from Latin and means light or luminaire. In addition, lumen is used as a unit for luminous flux. The value indicates how much light or what amount of light a light source emits per unit of time. So for flashlights, lumens measure how high the light output of the lamp is. The more lumens a flashlight has, the higher its light output.
How many lumens should a flashlight have?
The power a flashlight should have depends on what you want to use it for. For example, if you need a police flashlight to search for people in the woods or for nighttime operations, you will need a much higher output than if you want to illuminate a small room or tent. Too much power of the flashlight here would provide an unpleasant brightness, which in the worst case could even harm the eyes.
For most everyday situations, an LED flashlight with about 500 lumens is usually enough. However, it should be noted that the number of lumens does not necessarily allow a statement about the luminosity, since the built-in reflectors in the flashlight also play a major role here.
Practical examples and reference values: How many lumens does a flashlight need?
Even though other factors besides the number of lumens are decisive when choosing the right LED flashlight, such as the light range, the battery, the housing or the weight, the following values can serve as a rough estimate of whether the light output is sufficient for your projects:
- Less than 150 lumens: night light, reading light, backlighting
- 150 - 500 lumens: Everyday tasks indoors and outdoors, DIY
- 500 - 1000 lumens: camping, fishing, walking, hiking and running at night
- 1000 - 3000 lumens: outdoor activities
- Over 3000 lumens: Hunting, Police, Search & Rescue
Flashlights between < 150 to > 3000 lumens
Colors
Available
Colors
Available
Colors
Available
Lumen not necessarily decisive for luminous range
The number of lumens in a flashlight can give an initial indication of the luminosity of a lamp, but they are not necessarily decisive for the luminous range. Particularly important for the range and luminosity of a flashlight is the built-in optics. Even with a comparatively low lumen value, this can ensure high luminous ranges in use. Only in the case of two identical flashlights that differ only in the number of lumens, the lumens are decisive for which lamp can shine further.
The luminous range of a flashlight is given in meters and is usually listed by manufacturers in the product description. The right luminous range for your flashlight also depends on the area of use. While an LED light with a beam of 10 to 25 meters is sufficient for a walk with the dog, a light range of 100 meters or more is recommended for camping and other outdoor activities.
LEDs and lumens
Lumen is a value that indicates the maximum light output that the LED installed in the flashlight can produce under optimal conditions. However, to achieve this highest possible light output, the LED must be operated at maximum current. However, if the LED light is operated at such a high current, the runtime of its battery will be reduced. For this reason, LED flashlights usually use only 90 to 95 percent of their maximum battery capacity when in use.
Other features that are important when buying an LED flashlight
Besides the number of lumens in a flashlight and the luminous range in meters, there are other factors that determine whether a flashlight is suitable for your purposes:
- Battery: The burn time of a flashlight is essential in use. If you use the flashlight every day, for several hours or at work, a corresponding burn time without constantly changing the batteries or recharging the battery is important. Depending on the use, either a rechargeable flashlight or a flashlight with replaceable batteries can be the right choice for you.
- Housing: A robust housing that can withstand a fall from one meter without damage is of enormous importance, especially in everyday work. In addition, a certain weight is advantageous - especially for military, security or police forces - so that the lamp can also be used for self-defense.
- Functions: In addition to a classic light beam, many flashlights have other light modes that can come in handy when in use. These include, for example, adjusting the brightness or color of the light, a strobe and SOS function or focusing the light beam.
If you are looking for a high-quality LED flashlight, Ledlenser is the right choice for you. With our products you get innovative LED technology, high luminous ranges, powerful batteries and a sturdy housing. Whether you need a flashlight or headlamp for an outdoor adventure, for professional use or for everyday use - we have the right light for all purposes.