Lamps & Torches

Lamps & Torches

Torches, flashlights and portable work lighting, and lumens is the number that actually matters rather than the size of the head. Roughly 100 to 250 lumens covers a household torch for a power cut or checking the attic. 500 to 1,000 lumens suits outdoor use, walking a dog on an unlit road or working under a car. Above that you are into floodlight territory for a site or a yard. Beam type matters as much as brightness: a focused spot throws distance, a flood beam lights a work area, and most decent torches now do both on a twist. Then the power source. Battery torches on AA, AAA or D cells will always work if you keep spares in the drawer, and are the sensible choice for an emergency torch that sits unused for months. Rechargeable USB torches cost less to run and are brighter for the size, but a flat one is useless. Head torches leave both hands free, which is the difference between finishing a job under a sink and holding a torch in your teeth. Inspection lamps, work lights on stands and camping lanterns cover the rest.

Lighthouse is the largest range, covering rechargeable and battery LED torches, head torches, inspection lamps, work lights and lanterns across the lumen range. Energizer follows with household and pocket LED torches, head torches and lanterns, and Powermaster supplies value torches, work lights and floodlights. Duracell and Eveready cover the battery torch end, Ultralight and Luceco rechargeable and site lighting, and Scangrip, DeWalt, Faithfull and Stanley the trade inspection and work light range. Newgrange Living adds decorative lanterns. For batteries see Batteries, for bulbs Lightbulbs, and for home lighting Table Lamps & Lanterns.