The two most important metrics to look for when shopping for a flashlight are the batteries and the lumens.
Batteries: There are two big categories of both flashlights and headlamps: rechargeable flashlights and those that take batteries. The difference is in how you recharge them. AA or AAA batteries are easy to find and can be swapped out quickly. When your light dies in the dark, you’ll see the genius of separate batteries. That said, rechargeable lights can charge off the same power bank you’re charging your devices on, and these days, with USB-C, many lights can recharge in less than an hour.
I used to swear by the battery option, and I still do recommend headlamps or flashlights with removable batteries for many situations (your emergency kit for example), but I must say I’ve come around to the convenience of a charging port for everyday-carry flashlights or camping headlamps….
