Best torches and lanterns for power cuts
DRAFT: This product guide, its products and prices is waiting for review. Figures and wording may change before launch.
Most homes already have a torch or two, so start by finding them and checking the batteries. Be Ready advises keeping a torch and spare batteries, and says torches are safer than candles. For a longer power cut, a lantern that lights a whole room and a head torch for hands-free jobs are useful extras. We have not tested any lights yet, so the picks below are placeholders.
Affiliate links: some links on this page are affiliate links, labelled “(affiliate link)”. If you buy through one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read our full affiliate disclosure.
Our picks
Placeholder: AA battery torch
Best simple torch for every room
You may already own this. most homes have a torch in a drawer, shed or car.
- Tested in hand
- No, not yet. We have not used this product ourselves.
- Test notes
- DRAFT: Not yet tested. When it is in hand we will check how easy it is to switch on in the dark, how long it runs on a fresh set of batteries, and how easy the batteries are to change.
- Good points
-
- Takes common batteries that are easy to store
- Small enough to keep one by each bed
- Things to check
-
- Batteries left inside for a long time can leak, so check it now and then
- A torch lights one spot, not a whole room
See Placeholder AA LED torch at Amazon UK (affiliate link) Price when checked: £7.99 on 29 October 2026.
Placeholder: battery lantern
Best for lighting a room
You may already own this. a camping lantern or battery fairy lights in a jar can light a room.
- Tested in hand
- No, not yet. We have not used this product ourselves.
- Test notes
- DRAFT: Not yet tested. When it is in hand we will check how well it lights an ordinary living room and kitchen, how long it runs on fresh batteries, and whether it is stable when set down.
- Good points
-
- Spreads light around a room, so everyone can see
- Can stand on a table or hang from a hook
- Things to check
-
- Bigger than a torch, so needs more storage space
- Check which batteries it takes and keep spares
See Placeholder battery LED lantern at Amazon UK (affiliate link) Price when checked: £12.99 on 29 October 2026.
Placeholder: rechargeable head torch
Best for keeping your hands free
You may already own this. a head torch from walking, running or camping does the same job.
- Tested in hand
- No, not yet. We have not used this product ourselves.
- Test notes
- DRAFT: Not yet tested. When it is in hand we will check comfort, how easy the button is to find, how long it runs after a full charge, and how well it holds charge when stored.
- Good points
-
- Leaves both hands free for cooking, caring or carrying
- No spare batteries to buy if you keep it charged
- Things to check
-
- Needs charging before a power cut, as you may not be able to charge it during one
- Some people find the strap uncomfortable for long periods
See Placeholder rechargeable head torch at Placeholder retailer (affiliate link) Price when checked: £16.00 on 29 October 2026.
Good light makes a power cut much calmer, especially in winter when it gets dark early. A torch helps you find your way. A lantern lets everyone in the room see what they are doing. You do not need lots of either.
What to look for
- Easy to switch on in the dark. A large button you can find by feel is best. Avoid lights where you must click through several modes to get to the one you want.
- Common batteries or easy charging. Battery lights are ready to go if you keep spares. Rechargeable lights need to be charged before a power cut.
- Brightness that suits the job. Brightness is often shown in lumens. A higher number is brighter, but you do not need the brightest light to move around a home safely.
- The right type for the job. A torch for each bedroom, a lantern for the main room and a head torch for jobs that need two hands.
- Stable and safe to set down. A lantern should stand firmly on a table without tipping, and a flat base helps.
- LED bulbs. Most lights now use LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs. Check the listing so you know what you are buying.
What you probably already own
Check your home first. You may find:
- torches in kitchen drawers, sheds, garages or the car
- a camping lantern or head torch from holidays or walking
- battery fairy lights, which give a soft light in a room
- solar garden lights, which can be brought inside after a sunny day
A phone torch can help for a few minutes, but it uses up phone battery you may need for calls. It is better to save your phone and use a separate torch.
Put fresh batteries in any torch you find, and keep a spare set with it. If you are helping an older relative, a torch by the bed is one of the simplest things you can do. See our guide to helping elderly parents prepare.
How we will test
Nothing on this page has been tested yet. The picks above are placeholders, and we have not used any of these lights.
When we have torches and lanterns in hand, we plan to:
- use each one in an ordinary UK home after dark, in a bedroom, hallway, stairs and kitchen
- time how long each one runs on fresh batteries or a full charge, and write down exactly what we found
- check how easy each one is to switch on in the dark, including with cold hands
- ask someone who has not used it before to find the switch and change the batteries
- leave rechargeable lights stored for a few months and check how much charge is left
- check a lantern is stable on a table and on the floor
We will date each test and only quote the manufacturer’s own wording for any claims. For more on getting through a power cut, see our guide on what to do in a power cut.
Common questions
Should I use candles in a power cut?
Be Ready says torches are safer than candles. Keep a torch and spare batteries where you can find them in the dark.
Is a torch or a lantern better?
They do different jobs. A torch is good for finding your way and looking at one spot. A lantern lights a whole room. Many homes find one of each useful.
Have you tested these lights?
Not yet. This is a draft page and nothing on it has been tested in hand. We will update it when we have tested real products.
Related guides
Prices change often. We show the price and the date we last checked it. Read our editorial and testing policy to see how we choose products.