The two most important functions in an emergency situation are light when you need it (so a reliable battery that keeps a charge) and where you need it. Emergencies could include a variety of situations, but life-threatening scenarios include treating an injury with first aid, and navigating your way out of a dangerous space. Both of those situations call for a strong, focused beam, rather than a light that fills a room (that’s more useful for camping or project work). So for emergencies, look for a flashlight with a strong, directed beam (rather than one that is spread out) or a function that gives you that option. You also might want to consider two lights in your emergency kit — the flashlight with a powerful beam, and a headlamp, which gives you hands-free option if you need to do any close or detailed work with both your hands in an emergency.