The best solar-powered flashlight review is a necessity for adventurers. Going on a camping trip or going backpacking for the first time can be nerve-wracking.
No one wants to be in a situation with no light, where you have to use your cell phone, but then worry if that dies, you can’t see anything. This can lead to anxiety and rive up your flight or flight response, especially if you’re scared of the dark.
1. Thorfire Solar Flashlight
2. Hoshine Multi-Functional Powered LED lantern and flashlight
3. Primalcamp Hand Crank Solar Powered LED Flashlight
Personally, using a flashlight is vital at the cottage at night when going night swimming. You need to light up a path before you jump off the dock, or else it could lead to potential injuries. Slipping or falling off is scary! Therefore, using a flashlight you can crank up, or recharge is an optimal choice among adventurers who spend a lot of time outside or are on a 10-day camping trip.
This solar or crank flashlight review will break down the best solar light features. Most importantly, how they will benefit you on your next hiking, backpacking, or camping trip.
Table of Contents
Best Long-Lasting Solar Or Crank Powered Flashlights
Five Best Long-Lasting Solar Or Crank Powered Flashlights
#1 Thorfire Solar Flashlight: Best For Campers, Rock Climbers, Or Hikers
This solar and crank-powered flashlight is best for people doing outdoor activities who need very bright light. This flashlight provides 3 modes of LED light, that give you the option of light sources for any given situation.

Pros
- One-year return policy for a full refund to feel confident in your purchase.
- Hassle-free. Waterproof and only have to crank for a minute.
- LED bulbs. These LED bulbs can easily be charged by solar or winding it up to provide very bright light in emergencies. 3 lighting modes to adapt to any situation.
- No extra batteries needed. very handy for outdoor or indoor use to have a permanent light source anywhere.
Cons
- Size. Not as portable as smaller flashlights. No clip attached so it’s a handheld device.
- Can drop easier. Again, because it’s handheld, you may not feel a good grip on the light in an emergency. Have to zip in a bag and reach in to grab it instead of having the convenience to clip it.
#2 Hoshine Multi-Functional Powered LED Lantern And Flashlight: Best For Camping
This Hoshine LED flashlight is perfect for campers who need a long light life. The fun benefit of listening to radio FM or AM is the cherry on top of a crank and solar-powered flashlight.

Pros
- Solar and hand crank. Flashlight and lantern in one.
- Radio FM and AM. Hear weather changes to prepare for a week-long camping trip.
- Phone charger. Don’t need to buy a portable charger with this feature.
- Speaker. Built-in speaker for radio
Cons
- Size. Can be too big for people who prefer a portable flashlight.
- Non-portable. Have to carry this bigger light with a handle with no clip.
#3 Primalcamp Hand Crank Solar Powered LED Flashlight: Best For Portable Use
This flashlight is perfect to take on your next backpacking trip or to pack while rock climbing. The small grip and size of the flashlight are great for cranking and gripping at any angle on the go.

Pros
- Affordable. Amazon’s choice and reasonably priced
- Small. Attach to a bag or zip it in to fit nicely
- Crank and Solar powered. Crank it wherever you are to turn it on
- Return for a full refund
Cons
- Time-consuming. Cranking for a full 6 minutes may get tedious.
- One-color. Only comes in one color: yellow.
#4 ETON American Red Cross Clipray Crank-Powered Flashlight: Best For Emergency Preparation
The ETON crank-powered flashlight is ideal to bring on a backpacking trip or any circumstance where an unexpected emergency may come up. This emergency flashlight aid can charge a smartphone at the same time.

Pros
- Affordable. Amazon’s choice, reasonable price for the size and features for use
- Easy to use. Convenient light by only cranking for 1 minute in an emergency setting. No batteries required.
- Charging. Charge your phone if it dies in any situation. The clip has 500mAh at 5v output for charging.
- Readiness. Backpacking or barbecuing, pull out this flashlight for any unexpected emergency.
Cons
- Non-LED. Maybe less bright than other LED solar crank flashlights.
- Lasts for 10 minutes. Have to keep cranking if you want a couple more minutes of light.
#5 Swiss Safe Rechargeable Flashlight: Best For Camping Enthusiasts
The rechargeable flashlight is crank-powered and solar-powered to get the best of both worlds. Charge in the sunlight or crank for automatic light for up to a limit.

Pros
- Different colors. Comes in blue, black, green, or various colors in a bundle.
- Functions off solar power and hand crank. No batteries required.
- LED charged. This will provide bright light with 3 LEDs.
- Portable. The small size is very portable and can be clipped on a bag with a carabiner clip.
Cons
- 8 minutes of light. Have to crank it more for increased minutes of light.
- Too small. This flashlight is very small so is best for those who need a light for tight spaces.
Things To Consider Before Buying Solar And Crank-Powered Flashlights
Lumens
Read product descriptions for lumens, as it determines the brightness of the flashlight. The higher the number of lumens, the more bright the flashlight will be.
Light Bulb Type
Look for a LED-powered flashlight for the brightest flashlight to use. Research suggests that LED flashlights reduce predator attacks by lions.
Size
Depending on your recreational activity, use a portable flashlight for backpacking or any activity that requires movement and emergency preparation.
For camping, you can buy a bigger light as you can simply place it on the ground at night.
Crank Time
Most flashlights require minutes of crank time to charge. 1 minute of crank time usually equates to 10 or more minutes of light life. If you get lucky, less crank time equals more light life for less time consumption.
Solar Charge Time
Solar battery requires sunlight to charge the flashlight. Best for extreme weather conditions after sunlight charge. Nighttime energy without sun requires a houseware adapter at night or a crank feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Most Powerful Flashlight On The Market?
The most powerful flashlight on the market is the Fenix PD35 that is super bright for camping and works underwater too.
How Long Do Crank Flashlights Last?
Crank flashlights typically last up to half an hour after minutes of cranking. More advanced flashlights can last up to one hour.
What Is The Most Reliable Flashlight?
The most reliable flashlight is small solar and crank-powered emergency flashlight. If you need light instantly, crank for one minute or use the pre-charged solar light for immediate use.
What Is The Best Hand Crank Flashlight?
The best hand crank flashlight is the Thorfire flashlight in our opinion. It lasts up to an hour with 1 minute of crank time.
Preview | Product | Rating | |
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ThorFire Solar Flashlight Hand Crank Solar Powered Rechargeable Flashlight IPX6 Waterproof LED... | 1,772 Reviews | Buy on Amazon |
Conclusion
Buying crank or solar flashlights is made easier with these top suggestions. Our top three recommendations are Thorfire Solar Flashlight, Hoshine Multi-Functional Powered LED lantern and flashlight, and Primalcamp Hand Crank Solar Powered LED Flashlight.
You don’t have to worry about buying a deficient light, as these solar-powered lights are rechargeable and can hand crank for long life as discussed in this review.
You can go camping worry-free when you need to walk outside of your tent at night. By checking out these recommendations on Amazon.com, your nighttime adventure worries will dissipate.