REVIEWED BY POPULAR MECHANICS:
Our best overall is an evolution on the classic hefty Maglite you remember in your parents junk drawer that could blind you if you looked directly at it. This model trades in the D batteries for a rechargeable and replaceable battery. Furthermore, the flashlight has an LED bulb that shines just as brightly as the old-school models you remember.
While Maglite lists that the flashlight shines with a brightness of 1,082 lumens, our own testing measured an even higher figure, not dropping below 1,082 lumens for more than three minutes.
Beyond this, I really love how it feels in my hand. It isn’t quite as clunky as the giant models of the past, but it still boasts a similar heft that feels solid and durable. The aluminum frame and IPX4 water resistance rating backs that feeling up.
The brand has evolved with leaner, more efficient flashlights that still have the heft and reliability that we’ve come to expect.
The Maglite ML150LR is a rechargeable flashlight that actually outperformed our lumen test.
Despite the company listing 1,082 lumens, it was brighter than that in our lab test and didn’t drop below 1,082 for three full minutes.
The flashlight also has some heft in your hand, similar to the classic Maglites of the past.
Thinking about Maglite might stir up memories of D batteries and a 1970s cop tapping on the window of a pulled-over car. However, the flashlight brand has evolved with leaner, more efficient models that still have the heft and sturdiness that we’ve come to expect.
The Maglite ML150LR flashlight is a perfect example of this. It isn’t meant for everyday carry in a backpack. It’s designed to sit patiently in a drawer until you need something convenient and powerful during a blackout, while fixing something under the sink, or as you’re searching for Christmas decorations in the attic.
This flashlight uses an LED bulb and is rechargeable, making it significantly more cost-effective. You’ll save money on batteries considering the dozen or so that the old-school lights seemingly gobbled up. At the same time, the flashlight doesn’t give up all of the hardiness and weight in the process.
Despite the rechargeable battery reducing the weight and the slim handle, the flashlight is quite sturdy. It still has the same heft in my hand as the classic Maglite from my childhood. The aluminum body backs that weight up with real durability. It won’t dent, crack, or snap if you drop it, which I did onto asphalt from about waist height a number of times. The aluminum is even anodized to better resist moisture and water. In fact, the flashlight is rated IPX4 for water resistance, so feel free to bring it with you when you’re out in the rain.
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