flashlight Archives

Gear up or get stuck

🚘 When you’re in a pinch, a little prep goes a long way.

This hammer and seatbelt cutter combo (19% off) could be your lifesaver.
These bike lights (36% off) make sure you’re seen during late-night rides.
From bikes to small cars, fix that flat with a portable inflator (27% off).
Clip a flashlight (25% off) onto your key chain so you always have light.
Older ride? This adapter (33% off) syncs your phone to CarPlay or Android Auto.

🪛 Screw it: Snag a portable electric screwdriver (24% off) with 14 metal bits, so you’re ready for any job.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Huge storm causes 1 million power outages: Here's how to stay safe

Photo 183239358 © Info723783 | Dreamstime.com

Severe winter conditions are blasting the country with snow and sleet. Power outages rippled across the U.S. recently, leaving millions of Americans without power or water. Many seek preparation plans to protect themselves from natural disasters in times like these.

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Inspector Gadget, who?

🧰 If your tools are ghosting you mid-project, start here:

🔦 Power outage MVP: This rechargeable flashlight (20% off) shines for up to 15 hours. Zoomable and waterproof.
🪓 Tool that rules: Screw, hammer, cut and more with a 14-in-1 multitool (11% off). 4.7 stars and 18,000+ reviews.
🎁 Gift-wrapping stress? A paper roll dispenser and cutter ($39.99) makes clean slices every time.
📐 Tilted shelves? Use a laser level (20% off) with a 150-foot range. Retire your shaky hands already.
🖌️ Fix that nick: Forget rollers, this touch-up paint pen (25% off) tackles scuffs without trays, mess or regret.
😎 Shield your eyes: Anti-fog safety glasses (19% off) fit over your readers to block UV, blue light and bad decisions.

❤️ Love these? You’ll find even more in my storefront. There’s a new DIY page waiting for you there.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🔦 Light it up: On your iPhone, hold down the flashlight button and drag the slider up or down to control its brightness. One more: Say, “Siri, turn on the flashlight” when you need it, then tell her to turn it off, too.

🔦 Let there be light: On iPhone, you can control your flashlight’s brightness. Open Control Center, press and hold the flashlight icon, and wait for the larger beam slider to appear. Slide up to brighten or down to dim. Bonus: If your model has a multi-LED flash, swipe left or right to adjust the beam’s focus.

Shopping guide: Ben's best-reviewed products of 2021

Over the past year, I’ve reviewed dozens of products, from battery chargers to motorized standing desks. While not every new gadget managed to wow me, quite a few made a positive impression.

They might do the same for you. There could even be a few that would make an excellent gift for someone you know — especially those who are difficult to buy for.

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18 must-have items that help you survive any emergency

Life has a way of sweeping you off your feet. Not in the romantic, exciting way — in the dangerous way that turns your whole world upside down. Take, for example, the power outages that rippled across southern and central states last year.

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Call of the wild

⛰️ Hitting the trails (or just the backyard)? Start here.

Stay covered with a tent (36% off) that’s easy to pop out.
This rechargeable fan (12% off) fits right around your neck.
Woah, these foldable stools (7% off) hold up to 400 lbs.
Put an LED flashlight ($16, six-pack) in your emergency bag.
Keep your gear safe in an outdoor storage box (5% off).

☀️ Soak up the sun: These handy UV detection stickers ($20) tell you when it’s time to reapply sunscreen. Neat.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🔦 Light it up: Your iPhone’s flashlight has more brightness levels than the default sun mode. Hold down the flashlight button and drag the slider up or down. Sweet. Btw, you can also say, “Siri, turn on the flashlight” when you need it (and tell her to turn it off, too).

Written by, Justin Case

🛟 Staying prepared is smart.

Hike or camp? Grab a water filter (12% off) to sip up to 1,000 gallons of clean water.
Charge up using the sun with a solar power bank (33% off).
This tiny LED flashlight shines over 700 feet and clips to your key chain.
Baby on the way? Childproof your home with a 10-pack of cabinet locks.
Accidents happen, but you’ll be ready with an all-purpose first aid kit (25% off).

🚘 Car trouble? If your battery’s dead or you’ve got a flat, this jump-starter and air compressor (25% off) combo is a lifesaver.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Prep your home for emergencies

Boy, will you be thankful if you ever need to use this gear! It’s all about peace of mind.

Flashlights (25% off) and batteries are both musts.
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio is perfect in case there’s no cell signal.
Don’t forget a first-aid kit … which you should already own, really.
Grab a manual can opener (20% off) if yours is electric.
Make sure you have a cooler (this one keeps ice for five days!) and lots of ice packs (20% off).
I like to keep around a solar charger, too. It’s a good time to buy, with this one now 28% off.

💩 You take your phone to the bathroom. Sanitize it the right way! This top-rated UV model gets rid of 99% of germs in 10 minutes.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

It looks like a flashlight, but also jump-starts your car - Is it worth it?

Many modern cars are pretty good at shutting off power to anything you left on that could end up killing the battery. Older cars, on the other hand, forget to turn off that overhead light (or it’s just a frigid day), and you’ll be looking for the jumper cables.

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This car tool can jump start, charge phones and much more

The CarAIDE is an 18-in-1 multi-tool built specifically for road emergencies. It’s a flashlight, compass, burglar alarm and a charger that can jump-start your car – not to mention your phone or other devices. All this and more is in one tool that fits in your glove box.

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