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Whether you’re caught in a power-cut, your car’s broken down at night or you’re going on a camping holiday, a torch can always come in handy.
Now with a large choice of cost-saving renewable energy torches, there’s no need for expensive batteries. Most now come with internal dynamo designs, meaning the LEDs never run out of power as long as you can wind it up.
Click on the gallery to see the IndyBest buys
8 best torches Power Plus Shark 1W LED Wind-Up Torch The Power Plus Shark looks mean because it comes in a protective heavy duty casing. The palm sized wind-up torch has two medium powerful LEDs, giving you the option of using one or both. A quick 60 second wind gives an hour of powerful lumination. Comes with a mobile phone charger adapter and a DC charger.
£27.20, amazon.co.uk
8 best torches Dynamo 3 Led Spinning Charge Torch This works by extending the handle and rotating the end to charge the three brights LEDs. The compact design makes this torch handy to keep in the car or in a backpack. With a mains charger included, this is an affordable and reliable option.
£9.95, nigelsecostore.com
8 best torches Farm Torches While these aren’t the brightest, kids will love the fun animal designs. They simply have to squeeze the animals’ arms to activate the internal dynamo and voila, you have light. Choose from four designs.
£5.99, nigelsecostore.com
8 best torches RAC 2-in-1 LED Torch and Lantern Doubling up as a stand-up lantern and torch, this RAC manufactured wind-up 2 in 1 comes with 5 LEDs with vortex optimisers. The torch can be charged using the car cigarette lighter socket and with a rubber casing makes it super durable.
£9.99, argos.co.uk
8 best torches PowerPlus Puma Torch Don’t be fooled by the tiny size of this torch. It may fit snugly in your palm but it packs a powerful punch with a strong beam, powered by cranking its small winding handle.
£11.95, johnlewis.com
8 best torches VonHaus 4in1 Dynamo Rechargable Torch Don’t be intimidated by the beefy looks of this one. Coming with three LEDs in the main torch and an impressive 10 LEDs in the lantern, it features a delightfully large handle and an emergency USB port to charge your mobile phone. It's easy to use and the results are impressive.
£14.99, amazon.co.uk
8 best torches Ventus Eco Pro Wind Up Torch This one's a mighty torch producing 90 minutes of light from just a one-minute wind. Made from recycled materials, it’s got a high and low light mode and can be charged by computer via its USB lead or in-car adapter.
£24.00, tandsarchitectural.co.uk
8 best torches PowerPlus Barracuda Torch This waterproof, solar panelled torch is a clever bit of kit. Leaving it in direct sunlight for an extended time gives 90 minutes lumination, while one minute of winding gives 60 minutes power. With three strong LEDs, it’s an impressive gadget.
£14.95, johnlewis.com
Verdict
At the budget end, the Dynamo Spinning Torch at £9.95 is a clever design making the most of a small space with strong lumination. Meanwhile, the Ventus Eco is a superbly powerful wind-up torch. Giving you an hour and a half’s worth of strong beam from just one minute of winding, it’s hard to match.
Buy now
1. Power Plus Shark 1W LED Wind-Up Torch, £27.20
2. Dynamo 3 Led Spinning Charge Torch, £9.95.
3. Farm Torches, £5.99.
4. RAC 2-in-1 LED Torch and Lantern, £9.99 .
5. PowerPlus Puma Torch, £11.95 .
6. VonHaus - 4in1 Dynamo 3 LED Spotlight Torch 10 LED Lantern - Wind Up Camping / Emergency Light, £14.99 .
7. Ventus Eco Pro Wind Up Torch, £24.00.
8. PowerPlus Barracuda Torch, £14.95.
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