When the power goes out you want light you can rely on without fumbling. Area light fills a room so the household can carry on; a handheld torch points where you need it; and simple, foolproof backups mean you are never left in the dark if batteries die.
Our picks pair a rechargeable LED lantern for room light with a bright pocket torch, plus long-burning candles and glow sticks as cheap, battery-free failsafes. For hands-free work, see our best head torches guide.
A rechargeable LED lantern lights a whole room or tent with soft, even light — far more useful than a torch for sitting, cooking and keeping children calm during a power cut.
Look for a lantern that runs for many hours on low and recharges by USB, so you're not reliant on a drawer full of batteries.
A dimmable lantern lets you save power on a low setting for long nights, or go bright when you need to work.
A flat base and a hook or handle let you stand it on a table or hang it in a tent, doorway or under a shelf.
Torches are for moving and searching; lanterns are for living. A kit really wants both.
A rechargeable lantern left for months can self-discharge. Top it up occasionally so it's ready when the lights go out.
A bright, rechargeable lantern that lights a whole room or tent with soft, even light. A fire-safe alternative to candles for power cuts.
A bright, rechargeable LED torch with multiple modes including strobe and SOS. A dependable handheld light for power cuts and outdoor emergencies.
Broad, long-burning paraffin pillar candles that give hours of steady room light in a power cut, standing securely with minimal dripping and no batteries required.
Industrial-grade chemical light sticks that glow for hours with a single snap — no batteries, flame or sparks. Safe, reliable light for outages, marking and signalling.