Goal Zero Torch 250 Flashlight Review readylifestyle.com/torch-250-flashlight-review/ Joe Ready

The Goal Zero Torch 250 Flashlight is one of the most popular products from Goal Zero’s extensive line of rechargeable and solar-powered electronics aimed at people interested in camping, emergency, and preparedness. This product functions as a battery pack, flashlight, and solar panel all in one.

Goal Zero Torch 250 8.4

Battery Size 8.5 /10

Versatility 10.0 /10

Durability 8.0 /10

Recharge Time 7.0 /10

Pros Capable of filling many roles Two integrated charging methods so you don't need external power Pairs easily with other Goal Zero products

Cons 1/5

Takes a long time to recharge with its integrated solar panel Slightly more expensive than similar products Not as resistant to the elements as we'd like Check the Price on Amazon

Who Should be Interested in the Goal Zero Torch 250 This is a versatile, multi-function light that deserves a place in any emergency kit. Anyone interested in a battery pack that can recharge itself, recharge USB products, and function as a light should seriously consider picking up this product.

Features The Goal Zero Torch 250 has an internal 4400mAh battery that can be charged with the integrated solar panel, USB cable, or hand crank. It has a USB port that can be used to charge other electronic items such as a cell phone or tablet. The battery can recharge an average cell phone 1-2 times depending on the size of the phone’s battery. The Torch 250 also has a 250-lumen flashlight, a floodlight on the opposite side of the solar panel and a red light for use when you need to save your night vision. The red light also has a strobe setting for emergency signaling. All of these options have 2 power settings in order to let you choose the lowest amount of light that you need to preserve battery power.

2/5

On the lowest setting, which is still pretty bright, the floodlight can run for 48 hours. It’s perfect for lighting an area when the power goes out or just doesn’t exist. The body has a slightly rubberized coating that makes it feel very secure in the hand. It also has an angled design to allow the solar panel to be aimed at a 45-degree angle for maximum charging and a 2 piece hook system to allow the entire light to hang from nearly anything. Fully charging the battery requires 7 hours if it’s plugged into a USB port, 7 hours from an external solar panel (like the Goal Zero Nomad 7), and 24 hours from the integral solar panel. The hand crank provides around 2 minutes of run time for every minute of cranking.

Pros The biggest advantage that the Goal Zero Torch 250 has is its versatility. Being able to charge other electronic items, recharge itself with no external power sources, and the addition of an emergency hand crank means that this single flashlight can get you out of a lot of bad situations. It can also be kept in an always ready status by keeping it in a window or other area that gets a lot of sunlight. Adding an external solar panel is really easy. This cuts the charging time down to about a 1/3 compared to the internal solar panel.

3/5

Cons Charging the battery with the integrated solar panel takes at least 24 hours of direct sunlight. This means that it would take about three days to charge the battery to full with just the solar panel. 4/5

The hand crank is plastic and the internal gears are plastic too. This means that you’re going to want to be kind of gentle with it if you plan on using it a lot. I would only use it as an emergency since it takes a ton of work to get any meaningful amount of power by cranking it.

Conclusion I keep a Goal Zero Torch 250 sitting in my kitchen window so it’s always charged and ready to go in case of a power outage or other emergency. It mainly stays around my house for that use but I have taken it camping and had good results with it. The floodlight is a nice feature to light up an area the size of a four-man tent up to a small room. I’ve actually given these out as presents to 7 different family members and each one has made it a point to tell me how great it is. Several people use it like I do, as a light that’s always there in an emergency. My sister in law keeps it with her to top off her cell phone during the day when she’s out and about and my brother in law takes it on every camping trip he goes on. As an all in one battery, light, and solar charger it’s really hard to beat the Goal Zero Torch 250. Interested in putting together a bug out bag? Make sure you read our article The Best Bug Out Bag List – What You Need and Why You Need It! You can find more gear reviews on our gear review page.

5/5