Magliite flashlights are the best. They are relatively indestructible, bright, and the LED version is easy on batteries. You should have one in the house for blackouts and in the car for that horrible realization that you have to change the tire on a dark rainy night. Larger Maglites can be used as a club in the event of a scarier emergency.

Of course they can also be used to read under the blankets in the middle of the night, or make shadow puppets on the wall.

There are cheaper flashlights, but I love the way the Maglite feels. Even though it is only psychological, I feel more comfortable carrying a maglite in a power outage than any other flashlight.

That and it just looks bad ass. If you are going to carry a flashlight around like a sissy, might as well have one that looks bad ass.

Be ready and stay ready.

Flashlights should be sturdy. After all, you use them in the dark and they can easily be dropped. I used to buy cheap flashlights because the features on a flashlight are limited. However, the maglite's are sturdy, easy to hold, direct light efficiently and last longer than, well, you.

Made with precision in the USA, always useful, and you can never have too many. I prefer the LED versions.

Keep a big one in the car, it can double as a self-defense aid.

I have them all over the house, and they make great gifts. Love finding unusual colors!