You’re likely already cognizant of the fact that power disruptions happen frequently and they can be particularly aggravating when electricity is essential. It’s a fact that it’s impossible to foresee when the next power failure will happen. Nonetheless, you can always be ready for these types of circumstances thanks to the best emergency lights for homes.
Designed to turn on as soon as the power goes out, these emergency lighting can light up your rooms so you have enough light to continue your activities until the power comes back.
Here’s a rundown of the top-rated options in the market today.
Top 10 Emergency Lights of 2023
1. Ideal Security SK638 Home Emergency Power Failure
We recommend this product because it has a decent rating, with decent scores for weight, brightness, and battery life. For less than $100, what you get here is a powerful emergency lighting system that can give you up to 16 hours of lighting on a single charge.
Coming home to a blackout is disappointing, if not heartbreaking, but Ideal Security SK638 Home Emergency Power Failure can give you quite some relief.
The Ideal Security SK638 features three brightness modes, full, high, and night light mode. You get 120 lumens on full light mode, about 60 lumens when you set this unit to half-light mode, and only 6 lumens when you switch to night light mode.
How long the rechargeable battery lasts depends on the light mode that you choose. The full light mode only gives you 4 hours of runtime on a single charge. Switch to half-light mode and you get about 8 hours of runtime, again on a single charge. If you want more runtime on a single charge, set this device to night light mode, which gives you a runtime of 16 hours.
This unit uses a 4000 mAh rechargeable battery. Built to last for a long time and intended to consume very low power, the battery can last up to six years before a need for replacement. But It is best if you replace it once every 3 years. The battery takes up to 48 hours to recharge.
Pros
The night light sensor is a plus.
It features 3 unique light modes.
It automatically detects a power outage.
Cons
It takes a very long time to fully charge the battery.
This emergency lighting is somewhat expensive.
2. Eton Black Buddy Emergency Flashlight
In our opinion, this isn’t one of the typical flashlights sold in the street. It is an advanced unit that automatically lights itself up when the power goes off. It will definitely give you value for your money.
Black Buddy isn’t as costly as Ideal Security SK638, so It is a good option for someone who is looking for cheap emergency lighting.
Eton made the Black Buddy as compact as possible. Measuring 2 by 4 by 0.75 inches, the Black Buddy is probably the smallest emergency lighting solution you’ll ever come by. The outer cover is a rubbery coating, and the overall weight is just 2 ounces, making it a lightweight unit that you can easily move around the house.
The light sensor, located above the Eton logo, is the strongest selling point of this device. It supports the light-activated function, going on automatically when it detects a power outage.
The switch on the side makes it easy for you to control the nightlight function. Here, you practically have two light modes; off and auto. If you set the function to off, the LED lights will light up only when the unit detects a power outage. If set to auto, the LED lights will go off when the room gets dark.
It is important to keep in mind that LED bulbs don’t consume a lot of power, so you can use this unit without worrying about additional power bills.
Pros
The battery is easy to charge.
You get two modes to control light.
The LED lights are bright, but they won’t blind you.
Cheap.
Cons
The pungent smell that accompanies unpacking is annoying, it does fade though.
3. Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern
With a good score for brightness and low power consumption, this unit will give you the battery runtime you need to make your home and camp experience memorable.
Camping can be fun during the day, but a little scary in the cold, chilly, and windy night if you don’t have a nightlight. Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern solves this problem, allowing you to enhance your camping experience under 360-degree bright light. Made of high-quality military-grade materials, this lantern can stand even the scariest weather imaginable.
Vont uses a combination of metal and plastic to design this emergency lighting unit. The fixture settings, as well as the handles, are made of metal. The rest of the body is high-grade plastic. There is nothing fancy about the visuals, particularly because it comes in black. But the overall design and functionality align with the brand’s main goal; to give you a durable nightlight for camping.
The Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern is very easy to use, so even a first-time camper should have an easy time handling it. All you have to do is unfold the metallic handle and pull it up to illuminate the lantern. To illuminate your surrounding with 360-degree illumination from the 30 LEDs, simply pull the handle all the way to the top.
The best thing about this camping lantern is that it gives you up to 12 hours of clear light even in the deepest of darkness. And given that it can stand up to even the most extreme weather condition out there, it should work fine for your camping escapades.
Pros
The collapsible design makes it easy to fold and store away when not in use.
Waterproof.
Durable.
Promising battery life.
Cons
The instruction manual comes in pictures, which is confusing and unclear for several users.
4. Capstone 4-in-1 Eco-I-Lite
This is the best option for someone who is looking for some flexibility. The 4-in-1 feature makes this unit quite versatile. This kind of flexibility makes Eco-I-Lite easy to use, and it even eliminates the need to buy an additional light source.
Power failure isn’t always something you anticipate, but It is important to have Capstone 4-in-1 emergency light in place to provide light in the event of a blackout. This 4-in-1 unit is quite lightweight, at 11.2 ounces, it should be easy to carry around, especially when you use it as a flashlight in complete darkness. The price is reasonable, and it performs just as well as Ideal Security SK638.
It can work as a backup for power failure. When you set it to Power Failure Mode, the 10 Led lights will turn themselves on automatically in the event of a blackout. The 10 LEDs will provide the light you need to move and do things around the house, usually for up to 15 hours.
You can also use this device for work. In fact, when you set it to Work Light Mode, you can use it to provide sufficient light, particularly if your job demands light. As an example, you will find this LED light useful if you work under a sink in dark places.
Convert this to a flashlight and you get enough brightness to walk from place to place. Once you charge this stuff, you can go with it almost anywhere without worrying about the battery dying soon. At the very least, 15 hours of runtime is a lot of time to get you around with ease.
It is also a good night light device, that’s because it can turn on automatically once it detects darkness.
Pros
Multi-functional.
Affordable.
Works automatically, as long as the battery is charged.
Cons
It doesn’t come with a user guide.
5. Ciata Lighting Emergency Lights
You will love this light for two reasons; you do get 90 minutes of runtime from the rechargeable battery, and it comes with a backup battery that you can easily swap and use in case of power doesn’t come back after an hour and a half.
Ciata Lighting may not provide a longer runtime like Capstone 4-in-1 Eco-I-Lite and Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern, but It is still a good solution for emergency illumination.
Ciata designed this unit to turn on automatically in the event of a power loss. What you get for the price here is a unit that will easily light your surroundings so you can see where you step and where you go. And while it doesn’t has a great battery life per se, it has just enough runtime power to help you get things in order at night.
The energy efficiency of this unit is something you will love. Of course, every household strives to save on power expenses, so you wouldn’t buy an emergency light that sucks up your electricity. That’s why Ciata uses LED bulbs to power this unit. These LED bulbs use around 75% less energy.
Another thing you will love is the longevity and optimal light distribution of this unit. In terms of longevity, this lighting is made of engineering-grade plastic, so it is of superior quality and durability is guaranteed. The LED lamps are adjustable, so you get a wider range to distribute light in the direction of your choice.
Pros
The LED lamps are easy to adjust.
Easy to mount.
It comes with a backup battery.
Cons
The battery can last only for 90 minutes.
6. LE Rechargeable LED Camping Lantern
Although this LED emergency light is for camping, It is completely versatile, you can use it to light up your home too. It is durable and will serve you for a very long time to come.
Camping in the dark brings with it a mix of excitement and scariness, so if you’re the one person that can’t stand the dark in the wild for too long unless you’re deep asleep in a tent, you definitely need LE Rechargeable LED Camping Lantern. It is affordable, lightweight, and durable.
The 2 torches are so small that they can’t illuminate a larger area, but they are quite handy nonetheless, especially when it comes to tracing paths in the jungle and finding your way back to your tent.
The battery life of this unit won’t be appealing if you prefer long hour runtime. But if a 4-hour battery life, which gives you 600 lumens brightness on a single charge, is something you can do just fine with, this option is a grab-and-go.
Charging this unit isn’t hard. In fact, you do have several options, thanks to the USB port. You can charge it at home before your camping trip, in your car, or with a portable charger (power bank). Of course, it won’t charge nearly as fast if you use a power bank or a car charger, but these options should work fine if you’re already outdoors.
While the water-resistance rate of this unit may not stand up to the test in stormy weather, it can pretty much handle any other water condition and work just fine. Based on its IPX rating, this device can resist some drizzle in the camping area.
Pros
It features a compass.
Durable and affordable.
Waterproof.
It has 2 additional flashlights.
Cons
You only get 4 hours runtime.
7. Bluetech LED Flashlight Night Light for Emergency Preparedness
The brand prices this one quite well, and its performance is up to standard. So, if you’re on a tight budget and you really need emergency lighting, you’ll definitely find this one useful.
Bluetech has built a powerful LED that you can trust. This unit performs quite well across different metrics, thus earning a top rating from real users. It’s bright enough to illuminate a large room, it’s lightweight, hence easy to move around the house, it’s durable, and it has decent battery life.
Even if you know the nooks and crannies of your house to a tee, chances are you might hit on something as you walk in total darkness. To ensure this doesn’t happen, and for the sake of your safety, Bluetech built in a motion detection feature to monitor your movement.
The working concept of the motion sensor is quite simple; when the device detects movement in your house, it will switch itself on automatically. Then, it will stay on for 15 seconds and then turn off. It will turn back on again the next time it detects motion.
The Bluetech LED Flashlight Night Light isn’t just for indoor use, It is a good option for night outdoor events like camping and night swimming.
Keep in mind that this flashlight only works through a rechargeable docking station and It is quite handy in the event of an emergency, particularly when you need light to get things done.
Pros
Easy to set up.
Lightweight (only 1.15 pounds) and portable.
It is good for outdoor events, like camping and outdoor grilling.
Cons
It might be too bright for some people.
8. Amerelle Emergency Lights for Homes by Amertac
Amerelle Emergency Lights for Home is a piece of its kind, if Amertac had charged more than its current price tag, it would still sell big. For the price, what you get here is emergency lighting already popular in many homes, with hundreds of positive rating that proves just how it lives up to the manufacturer’s hype.
Amerelle Emergency Lights for Homes scores a good rating for versatility. This kind of flexibility allows you to use this LED light in three different ways.
Flashlight: You can use it as a flashlight to light your path when walking around at night. This is particularly helpful when you go camping or walk on paths unfamiliar to you.
Power Failure Light: A blackout can be a little frightening, especially when you need light the most. This emergency unit can save the day by lighting up your home when the power goes out.
Plug-in Light: You can just plug it in and use it as your source of light, whether there is electricity or not.
Amerelle Emergency Lights for Homes has decent battery life. On your first-time use (and testing), you will notice that it runs for 24 hours on a single charge. That’s a lot of time to get things done in the house in the event of a blackout. The battery takes only a few hours to recharge.
Pros
You can use it in three different ways.
It is affordable, so It is a good option if you’re on a budget.
It has decent battery life.
Cons
It is not as light as some options in this guide.
9. Etekcity 4 Pack Camping Lantern LED Portable Flashlights
Reasonably priced, with a good score on weight, durability, portability, and battery life, this pack makes a decent option to use when light becomes necessary in your night camping adventure.
Etekcity 4 Pack Camping Lantern Flashlights are among the most popular emergency lighting solutions in the market. Beyond camping, you can use Etekcity 4 Pack Flashlights for indoor lighting in the event of a blackout.
Each lantern has 30 low-powered LED bulbs. So, for a pack of 4, you get 120 LEDs, big and bright enough to provide light in a large camping area. High-quality, rechargeable AA batteries power each portable lantern.
Because these flashlights are made of military-grade materials, you can expect them to withstand unfriendly weather conditions and perform well for a long duration. The ability to collapse them to smaller sizes means they eventually take up small space, so they are easy to store away when not in use.
While the battery runtime could be better, It is not disappointing either. A 10-hour battery life is enough time to light your tent until you fall asleep. And you might just have some charge left to use the following day.
One thing to note is that light tends to go dim when the battery is about to hit the 10th-hour mark, but even the dim light is still enough to get through a couple of minutes before the battery eventually runs out of charge.
Pros
It doesn’t suck up the battery because the LEDs consume very little energy.
The pack is affordable.
You can easily control how much light you use.
Cons
The LEDs can cause eyestrain.
10. LE LED Camping Lantern Rechargeable
LE LED Camping Lantern is one of the best emergency lightings that money can buy. Although designed for backpacking and camping in the wild, you can use this unit to provide emergency lighting for your home in the event of a blackout.
The combination of light green and black gives this unit a visual appeal that is hard not to love. And the side-by-side flashlights are so bright that they can light up a dark room in the event of a power loss.
Features
This lantern stands out for two reasons. First, it provides an impressive level of brightness, you get 600 lumens, which is good enough to provide bright light even in complete darkness. Second, the 360-degree beam project lights the entire room or an outdoor area you’d like to brighten up.
This unit allows you to use two batteries, you can use the built-in 180mAh battery or you can use an external size battery. The goal here is to get light for an extended period. So, It is best to get ready to use both batteries.
It takes only about 5 hours to charge the battery. You can use a portable charger, charge it at home, or charge it in your car.
Pros
The metal handle securely holds the lantern in position.
Batteries charge faster.
The batteries are easy to remove and replace if the need to change them arises.
You can use it to light your home, for hiking, camping, and any other outdoor adventure.
Cons
This one is waterproof, so you can’t use it in under heavy rainfall.
It doesn’t feature any lighting mode.
Buyer`s Guide
Emergency lighting for homes comes in different forms. They have different features and sell at different prices. Apart from the price, here are a few things to look at before buying one.
Go for LED Lights, Nothing Else
Emergency lighting with LEDs is so popular these days and for good reasons. Not only do they offer higher light intensity to illuminate parts of your home, but they also have a low power consumption rate. Moreover, they make a good buying option because they have a longer lifespan.
Battery Charging Time
Some batteries take a long to charge, some take a short time. Keep in mind that just because a battery takes longer to charge doesn’t mean it will provide emergency lighting for long. So, you need to do your research on this before you spend your money.
Charging Options
Some emergency lighting support grid charging, some support solar charging, and some support both. The charging option you choose comes down to personal preference, but it would be best if you choose one that can charge both ways.
Check the Battery Life
It doesn’t make sense to buy an emergency light with short battery life. Make sure the backup time is longer. Remember, the thing about a power outage is you don’t know when light is likely to be restored. So, a lamp that offers more than 8 hours of runtime is a lot better.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
Should I buy a generator or battery-powered emergency lighting?
Generators don’t require backup batteries, but they can be expensive. And if they fail, you lose power completely. Battery-powered options, on the other hand, are affordable and more reliable. They turn on when the power goes out, and they provide light for a couple of hours to enable you to complete your activities.
Must I include emergency lighting in every room in my house?
It depends on you, but we’d recommend having them in places where you access the most so that even if the power goes out when you least expect it, you’ll still have lights to keep you going.
Do emergency lighting perform well in smoke?
Yes and no. If the presence of the smoke is thick, the lighting will perform just well by providing you with the light you need to see clearly. However, you can’t use them in areas with thick smoke because you will struggle to see.
After how long should I replace the battery?
It’s important to keep in mind that batteries lose their capacities over time. With that said, we recommend replacing the battery of your emergency lighting every four years.
Conclusion
While there are so many emergency lighting solutions in the market today, these are the ones that we found. Not only do they have a longer runtime, but they are also easy to charge. Moreover, they are inexpensive, so you won’t have to break the bank.
You may also love to see our experiment result in Philips Hue Lamps.