Best Hand Crank Flashlights
Hand crank flashlights feature a small hand crank power generator that is used to charge an onboard battery which is then used to power LEDs but sometimes also for other purposes as well, like charging the USB charged devices and similar.
Often, hand crank flashlights also feature a small solar panel that collects the light and slowly charges the battery, keeping the flashlight almost always ready to go.
As such, hand crank flashlights are an excellent choice for anybody who likes camping, hiking, fishing, and similar outdoor activities, but they also come in rather handy in various emergencies and blackouts.
Updated: October 6, 2022.
Emergency Weather Radios
Hand crank flashlights can be simple devices consisting of a hand crank generator, battery, and LEDs, or they can be a part of a more complex device.
Emergency Weather Radios often consists of a hand crank generator, a radio receiver (7-band NOAA, FM, AM), lithium-ion rechargeable battery, solar panel, audio SOS alarm, multi-mode LED flashlights, etc.
Also, Emergency Weather Radios can be powered and recharged using a wall power adapter and in emergencies can be used to recharge smartphones, tablets, and other USB charged devices.
Despite all of their features, Emergency Weather Radios are rather affordable - if You like outdoor activities or want to be prepared for various emergencies, consider one or more of these units.
However, if Emergency Weather Radios are overkill for your needs, then a simple hand crank flashlight without many additional features is your best choice.
Hand Crank Solar Flashlights
Hand crank solar flashlights are simple devices that often lack any other feature. This simplicity decreases their price and increases their robustness and reliability.
Although there are many models on the market, here are a few of the most popular ones.
Thorfire Hand Crank Solar Powered Rechargeable Flashlight
Thorfire Hand Crank Solar Powered Rechargeable Flashlight features a hand crank generator and a small solar panel for recharging the built-in battery.
The unit is very robust with an IPX6 rating - it can be submerged down to 45 feet (~13.7 m) without adverse effects, making it perfect for people who like fishing, camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
The flashlight features three LEDs and three modes of operation - medium light (one LED), high light (all three LEDs), and SOS flash mode.
The unit is very efficient - just one minute of cranking at moderate speed can generate enough energy for the flashlight to operate up to 60 minutes with all three LEDs On, up to 80 minutes with only one LED On, and up to 110 minutes in Flashing Mode.
Also, when the solar panel is exposed to direct sunlight, one hour of sunlight is generally enough for 120 minutes of light and 140 minutes of Flashing Mode.
Thorfire Hand Crank Solar Powered Rechargeable Flashlight is one of the most popular hand crank solar flashlights on the market - it is reliable, robust, and affordable.
If You are looking for hand crank solar flashlights, consider this one.
For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check the Thorfire Hand Crank Solar Powered Rechargeable Flashlight Amazon link (link opens in the new window).
Simpeak Hand Crank Solar Powered Flashlight
Simpeak Hand Crank Solar Powered Flashlight comes in very affordable packages containing 2 units.
Each unit features a hand crank generator, solar panel, and energy-efficient LED flashlight.
Simpeak Hand Crank Solar Powered Flashlight is very compact and lightweight - 4.88 x 1.77 x 1.26 inches (124 x 45 x 32 mm) and it weighs ~3 ounces (86g).
While its built-in solar panel collected all kinds of light and keeps the battery charged, on average it takes 1 minute of cranking (at two hand cranks per second) to provide enough energy for up to 10 minutes of light.
The unit also features a safety clip, allowing the user to hang it onto the backpack, rope, or something similar in order to collect the sunlight.
If You are looking for a cheap and reliable hand-crank flashlight, consider this one.
For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check the Simpeak Hand Crank Solar Powered Flashlight Amazon link (link opens in the new window).
ThorFire Hand Crank USB Rechargeable Camping Lantern
ThorFire Hand Crank USB Rechargeable Camping Lantern is a versatile, collapsible hand crank flashlight.
When extended, ThorFire Hand Crank USB Rechargeable Camping Lantern can be used as a camping lantern flashlight, and when folded, it can be used as a compact mini flashlight.
The unit features a hand crank generator that can be used for charging the onboard battery and for charging USB-charged devices like smartphones, tablets, and similar.
Also, the unit can be recharged using a USB cable and any suitable 5V USB charging port.
The onboard flashlight features two light modes, high (65 lumens) and low (15 lumens) - neither of these modes is ultra-strong, but it is more than enough for tents, RVs, boats, and similar.
When cranking at speed of two cranks per second (120 cranks per minute), 1 minute of cranking is approximately enough for 18 minutes of light on High Mode and 40 minutes of light on Low Mode.
Also, when cranking 90 times a minute, for one minute, it is enough for 15 minutes of light on High Mode and 20 minutes of light on Low Mode.
When the unit is recharged using a USB charging port and cable, after a full recharge, the unit can operate up to 4.5 hours in the low light mode and up to 40 minutes in the high-level light mode.
Note: Although ThorFire Hand Crank USB Rechargeable Camping Lantern doesn't feature a solar panel, it can be recharged via USB port using foldable solar panels with USB charging ports.
For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check the ThorFire Hand Crank USB Rechargeable Camping Lantern Amazon link (link opens in the new window).
Few Final Words
There are many other similar hand crank solar flashlights on the market, but these models are some of the most popular ones.
Having one or more of these units helps the user not to be dependable on the mains power when being outdoors or during blackouts and other emergencies.
When choosing "the best" hand crank flashlight, always choose according to your own needs and preferences.
