WindFire LED flashlight review

We're always on the lookout for good-value products. This WindFire flashlight caught our eye because it is priced at around $25 but on paper, it boasts some impressive specs.

We've been reviewing torches long enough to know there aren't the '500,000' lumens specified in this torch's title on Amazon but we'd estimate you get around 3000 lumens out of it on the highest level. This is still incredibly bright.

The colored accents on the torch are a curious addition but have purpose — they glow in the dark to help you find this flashlight in your kitbag, tent or elsewhere. The design resembles a (larger) tactical flashlight but does its functionality reflect its hardy looks?

We are in the process of reviewing several flashlights and we're continually updating our best flashlight guide with our favorite models. Will this one make the cut? We're about to find out.

WindFire LED flashlight review

WindFire LED flashlight: Design

★★★1/2

• Feels solid in the hand
• Unusual fluorescent highlights
• One button operation

The WindFire flashlight is a well-built unit that can withstand bumps, knocks and drops. Of course, we respect all our gear but this flashlight has been designed to be used without worry. Chucked it in your kit bag or thrown it into your tent? Accidentally missed your pocket and dropped it? No worries, it will be fine.

Six unusual fluorescent colored highlights surround the lamp, a curious contrast to the otherwise tactical-looking design. In the daytime, we can't help but think these colors make the flashlight look a little toy-ish but they do serve a purpose in that they glow in the dark — helpful for finding the torch in your kitbag. When the torch is turned on, these little accents also light up to mimic the setting of the main LED. A nice touch but we would like the option to prevent this from happening.

The flashlight's bulbous, convex lens is protected by the surrounding case which, although bezel-like to look like a tactical torch, is only made from plastic so you'd struggle to smash double-glazed or reinforced glass without using lots of force.

The LCD display that shows the remaining battery level is useful and, from our tests so far, has proved accurate. If you're going out for a walk in the dark, this LCD indicator takes away the guesswork and you can feel confident that you won't be left in the dark.

The rubber button sits on the handle where your thumb would naturally be placed. The only issue we found with this is that the rubber USB-C port cover is directly opposite — we found ourselves pressing this on occasion, wondering why it wasn't turning the torch on. On a tactical torch, the button's location must be unmistakable.

WindFire LED flashlight: Performance

★★★★

• Very quick to switch from spotlight to floodlight
• Very bright
• The color of the beam might not be for everyone

There is no denying that this WindFire flashlight is bright. Turn it on and wow, it is obnoxiously bright on the highest setting, like a security light protecting a government building bright!

There are three brightness level, a strobe light and an SOS light. We've found ourselves sitting on the low setting for our dog walks and campsite wanders. We actually found this torch a little too bright and would have welcomed a dimmer setting. We had to put it under our clothes to make it appropriate to use in our tent and en route to the toilet at the campsite so as not to wake up the whole site!

Switching between a very focused spotlight and a wider flood couldn't be simpler. Push (for spot) or retract (for flood) the end of the torch. It would be possible to use your thumb and forefinger to do this with one hand but you'll probably find using two hands is easier. We could light up an expanse of land in front of us or zoom in to focus on trees way in the distance. The advertised beam length is 3280 ft (around one kilometer) and we think this is pretty accurate.

WindFire LED flashlight: Functionality

★★★1/2

• Charges using USB-C
• IPX6 water resistance
• Handy battery indicator
• Power bank functionality

The main function of this flashlight is to create a lot of light. Although that sounds obvious, today flashlights, headlamps and tactical lights often serve multiple purposes.

The secondary function is that it can be used as a power bank. Though we didn't need this, it is a 'nice-to-have' in case you need some emergency power.

The IPX6 water resistance means the unit is protected from powerful water jets. We tested this by leaving it outside on a very rainy night. True to its word, it was absolutely fine and operated perfectly in the morning and for the remainder of our trip.

A couple of features we'd have liked to see on this torch include a locking function to prevent it from accidentally turning on during transit and a momentary on button to quickly light up an area without actually turning the torch fully on. We do understand why they aren't on a torch that sits at such a low price point, though. Any additional functionality will add cost.

There is no tail cap power switch, like you'd expect to find on tactical flashlights, so having been used to using the Olight Perun 2, we'd have liked to have seen a magnetic base. We use this functionality often, especially when camping, to attach the torch to a gazebo or tent pole while cooking or getting dressed.

The LED battery indicator was useful, something that the Olight Perun 2 mentioned above lacks. It was accurate too so there was no anxiety about being left in the dark when venturing away from our tent.

Should I buy the WindFire flashlight?

If you want a very bright rechargeable torch without spending a lot of money, this WindFire flashlight is a good choice.

We think it would be best for large parks or gardens, farms and surveillance of large areas like warehouses and playing fields.

It seems strange to say that it is too bright, although we did find ourselves physically covering up the bulb to make this torch usable in some environments.

It is rugged and waterproof so it is a great choice to have lying around camp for trips to the toilet block. However, be mindful of other people — they might think car headlights are heading for their tent!

For an alternative non-tactical flashlight, we can recommend the Olight Perun 2. It has a lock mode, a 30-lumen 'low' mode and a handy magnetic base. This is our go-to torch for camping, dog walks and working on close-up objects like woodwork and mechanics.