Skip advert
Advertisement

Torches

With the nights drawing in, a decent torch is an essential for your car. We take our pick from 10 shining stars...

Shed a little extra light on that roadside repair this winter with the latest in torch technology.

After years when normal filament bulbs fought it out with LED (light emitting diode) newcomers, the latter has won the battle, with most of the latest designs using them.

The good news is they’re ideal to keep in the glovebox, as the power consumption of LEDs is significantly less than conventional bulbs, so batteries last much longer. The light is also whiter than halogen or xenon bulbs, and the beam more usable, as makers often cluster several LEDs together to illuminate a wide area.

Advertisement - Article continues below

But which of this new generation of torches deserves a place in your car? We turned the lights out and put 10 top sellers through their paces to find the shining stars.

The test
Life in a car can be tough on kit, so we dropped all the torches four times from a metre to check build quality. On the practical side, we assessed the beam over eight metres plus under the bonnet, then checked how easy it was to change batteries and bulbs.

We also wanted torches that did not roll, so they could be left on a sloping surface. Desirable extras included batteries supplied in the pack, plus we factored in price.

Verdict

There's something for everyone on our podium. Kamasa takes the win with the effective and keenly priced Magnetic Torch, which is ideal for cars. Ring is in second spot with the conventional, but powerful and compact, Auro. It also takes the third spot with its Generator, which works well and is good for the planet, too.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,576 off RRP*Used from £12,854
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £3,970 off RRP*Used from £8,795
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,462 off RRP*Used from £11,847
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,575Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £7,850
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport 2025 review: an incredibly capable hot hatch but there's a catch
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport - front tracking

New Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport 2025 review: an incredibly capable hot hatch but there's a catch

The hottest front-wheel-drive Golf has sharpened up its act in Mk8.5 form, but it's not as fun as we'd like it to be
Road tests
11 Sep 2025
Farewell Volkswagen ID.4, hello ID. Tiguan
VW ID. Tiguan front 3/4 Avarvarii

Farewell Volkswagen ID.4, hello ID. Tiguan

Heavy update for EV will bring with it a fresh, but familiar, name
News
12 Sep 2025
New Honda Civic facelift 2025 review: subtle tweaks boost its appeal
Honda Civic facelift - front

New Honda Civic facelift 2025 review: subtle tweaks boost its appeal

The Honda Civic was already a great car, but updates for 2025 have elevated it even higher
Road tests
11 Sep 2025