Quick answer: keep one light per person, plus spare batteries, where you can find them in the dark [1][2]. A headlamp leaves both hands free, a lantern lights a whole room, and a light that runs on common AA or AAA batteries keeps working when there’s nothing to recharge from. Use them instead of candles: the U.S. Fire Administration says to use flashlights, not candles, in an outage [3].
At a glance
- How many
- A flashlight for every household member [2]
- In the kit
- Flashlight and extra batteries, per Ready.gov [1]
- Candles
- About 20 home candle fires are reported each day on average [3]
- Rating to look for
- ANSI/PLATO FL 1 figures for lumens, run time and water resistance [4]
- How run time is measured
- Until output drops to 10% of the starting level [4]
How we chose
We picked these from the makers’ own spec pages. We didn’t test them ourselves.
- Comparable numbers. ANSI/PLATO FL 1 sets one way to measure light output, beam distance, run time, drop resistance and water resistance [4]. It’s voluntary, and each maker tests its own lights [4]. Streamlight says it reports FL 1 figures on its product pages and packages, and Petzl labels its headlamp’s figures as FL 1 [4][7].
- A long low mode. In an outage you need hours of modest light more than a few minutes of glare. Every pick lists its low-mode run time.
- Easy-to-find power. Three of the five run on AA or AAA alkaline batteries, alone or as a backup to a rechargeable pack.
- No recall. We searched the CPSC recall database for each brand and model on November 6, 2026, and left out anything recalled [10].
Our picks
Best for: One flashlight that runs on rechargeable or AA batteries
Streamlight ProTac 2AA-X
It takes either Streamlight's USB-C rechargeable pack or two AA alkalines, so a dead pack in a long outage isn't the end of your light. On AAs, low mode runs 48 hours [5].
- On AA alkaline: 270 lumens high (2.5 hours), 18 lumens low (48 hours) [5]
- On the rechargeable pack: 550 lumens high (2.25 hours), 40 lumens low (16 hours) [5]
- IPX7 waterproof to 1 meter; 2-meter drop tested [5]
- 6 inches long; 3.5 oz; aluminum body; limited lifetime warranty [5]
Safety check: No CPSC recall found for the ProTac 2AA-X or any Streamlight product (checked 2026-11-06).
Watch out: The factory setting starts with a strobe mode after high; switch it to the Low/High program if that would startle someone [5]. Streamlight's page doesn't say whether the rechargeable pack is included, so check the listing.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: A simple headlamp for each person in the house
Petzl Tikkina
A light, one-button headlamp with a wide beam for working up close, like reading or cooking in the dark. Three AAA batteries are included, and the lowest setting runs 100 hours [7].
- 300 lumens max (2.5 hours); 100 lumens standard (10 hours); 7 lumens (100 hours), ANSI/PLATO FL 1 [7]
- Three AAA batteries included; also takes Petzl's CORE rechargeable pack [7]
- IPX4 weather resistant; 92 g [7]
- Tilting lamp; washable headband; 5-year guarantee [7]
Safety check: No CPSC recall found for the Tikkina (checked 2026-11-06). Petzl's only CPSC light notice is a 2008 alert on its older MYO headlamps [11].
Watch out: IPX4 means splash resistant, not waterproof [7]. The wide beam is great up close but doesn't throw light far down a street.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: A featherweight rechargeable headlamp for kids or a go-bag
Streamlight Bandit
At 1.3 oz it's light enough for a child to wear, and it charges by USB in about 2.5 hours. A blinking light warns you when about 5 minutes of run time is left [8].
- 180 lumens high (2 hours); 35 lumens low (9.5 hours) [8]
- Built-in lithium polymer battery; charge indicator [8]
- IPX4 weather resistant; 2-meter drop tested [8]
- Includes visor clip, USB cord and elastic strap [8]
Safety check: No CPSC recall found for the Bandit (checked 2026-11-06).
Watch out: The battery is built in, so once it's drained you need power to recharge it. Its run time is the shortest of these picks; top it up every few months [8].
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Lighting a whole room during an outage
Streamlight Siege AA
A lantern spreads soft light in every direction, so a family can share one in a kitchen or living room. It runs on three AA alkalines, and its 50-lumen low mode lasts 37 hours [9].
- 200 lumens (7 hours), 100 lumens (15.5 hours), 50 lumens (37 hours) [9]
- Red mode and SOS flash that run 8 to 12 days [9]
- IPX7 waterproof to 1 meter, and it floats; 2-meter drop tested [9]
- Stands or hangs; battery level indicator; limited lifetime warranty [9]
Safety check: No CPSC recall found for the Siege AA (checked 2026-11-06).
Watch out: The AA batteries are sold separately, so buy them with the lantern [9]. It's area light, not a spotlight for finding something across the yard.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: The brightest light, for checking outside or a breaker panel
Streamlight ProTac HL USB
1,000 lumens and a 219-meter beam on high, with a USB-rechargeable battery that charges inside the light. It also takes two CR123A lithium batteries as a backup [6].
- 1,000 lumens (1.5 hours), 380 lumens (3.5 hours), 65 lumens (23 hours) [6]
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery included; also takes 2 CR123A batteries [6]
- IPX4 water resistant; 1-meter drop tested [6]
- 6.5 inches; 7.2 oz; anti-roll head; holster included [6]
Safety check: No CPSC recall found for the ProTac HL USB (checked 2026-11-06).
Watch out: High mode lasts only 1.5 hours, and CR123A batteries are harder to find than AAs [6]. It's more light than you need indoors.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
| Light | Power | Low mode | Low run time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petzl Tikkina | 3 AAA (included) | 7 lumens | 100 hours |
| Streamlight ProTac 2AA-X | 2 AA alkaline | 18 lumens | 48 hours |
| Streamlight Siege AA | 3 AA alkaline | 50 lumens | 37 hours |
| Streamlight ProTac HL USB | Rechargeable pack | 65 lumens | 23 hours |
| Streamlight Bandit | Built-in rechargeable | 35 lumens | 9.5 hours |
Building your outage lighting
- One per person, plus a lantern. Ready.gov says every household member should have a flashlight [2]. A lantern for the main room means fewer lights pointed in people’s eyes.
- Store spares with the lights. Ready.gov’s basic kit lists a flashlight and extra batteries [1]. Match the spares to what each light takes, and note the date you bought them.
- Keep rechargeables charged. Ready.gov suggests planning for batteries and other backup power, such as a portable charger or power bank [2].
- Put lights where you’ll reach for them, such as a bedside drawer, the kitchen and near the breaker panel, so nobody hunts in the dark.
- Read the run time with care. Under FL 1, run time ends when output falls to 10% of its starting level, so the light gets dimmer well before the listed time is up [4].
What to avoid
- Candles and open flames. Use flashlights, not candles, if the power goes out, the U.S. Fire Administration says [3].
- Recalled lanterns. In January 2026, Energizer recalled its Large Power Indicator Lantern (model BGAAL9) because its lithium-ion batteries can overheat [12]. If you have one, follow the recall notice.
Sources
- Ready.gov: Build a Kit
- Ready.gov: Power Outages
- U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA): Candle Fire Safety
- Streamlight: ANSI/PLATO FL 1 Information
- Streamlight: ProTac 2AA-X Flashlight
- Streamlight: ProTac HL USB
- Petzl: TIKKINA headlamp
- Streamlight: Bandit Headlamp
- Streamlight: Siege AA Lantern
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls
- CPSC: Safety Alert: Petzl America Warns of Burn Hazard from Headlamps (2008)
- CPSC: Energizer Recalls Rechargeable Lanterns Due to Overheating (2026)
Common questions
How many flashlights do I need for a power outage?
Ready.gov says to have flashlights for every household member. Keep extra batteries in your emergency kit too.
Should I use candles when the power goes out?
No. The U.S. Fire Administration says to use flashlights, not candles, during a power outage. It also notes that about 20 home candle fires are reported each day on average.
What does ANSI/PLATO FL 1 mean on a flashlight?
It's a voluntary industry standard for measuring and marking light output in lumens, beam distance, run time, impact resistance and water resistance. Run time is measured until output falls to 10% of where it started. Each maker runs its own tests.
Is a rechargeable or battery flashlight better for emergencies?
Each has a weakness. A rechargeable light is only as good as its last charge, and a long outage can leave you unable to recharge it. A light that takes AA or AAA batteries can run on spares from the store. A light that takes both covers both cases.