I’m an avid biker and once the weather allows it, I get on my bike and hit the trails to blow off some steam and recharge my batteries. Unfortunately, the blistering hot summers in Australia make it quite the challenge to enjoy my favourite pastime during daytime. At first I was struggling with the heat, but then it dawned on me – night time rides. Doing what I love has never felt so good.

Of course, riding at night required some additional accessories to make it as safe as possible, such as a powerful flashlight. The dilemma was what kind to choose to ensure myself a peace of mind. So I did my homework and here’s what I found out when I was making my list of pros and cons of the two types of flashlights.

Rechargeable Flashlights

Rechargeable flashlights mostly use lithium-ion batteries that are not only the most powerful source for quality LED lights, but can be also recharged without having to take them out. Although they might have a somewhat high price tag, when properly taken care of, these batteries can last for years. Because rechargeable batteries do not require frequently changing them, they are not a dangerous pollutant like disposable batteries are. Lithium-ion batteries are also better for harsh outdoor conditions. They have the ability to survive even the most drastic of temperatures, ranging from very low under zero to higher than 40ºC. You probably are well-aware what lithium-ion batteries are, since they are used to power your phone. And before you argue that you can’t find any outlet when you’re out and about, think twice. How about that coffee break you so love taking somewhere in the middle of your route? Yup, if you ever run out of battery, you can recharge it while resting and enjoying your coffee. Rechargeable flashlights have it all – comfort, convenience and safety.

Non-rechargeable Flashlights

Non-rechargeable flashlights use disposable batteries, which are easy to find in any super market. They are also incredibly cheap. However, non-rechargeable batteries don’t have a long lifespan like the rechargeable ones do and you will always need to carry spare ones in your pocket. The frequent changing of batteries in the end will cost you up to ten times more than if you bought a rechargeable flashlight with a powerful lithium-ion battery. Moreover, they are not very suitable to use in low temperatures because if it’s too cold, non-rechargeable batteries can freeze or malfunction. Even worse, they can burst and completely destroy your flashlight. Disposable batteries also have the bad reputation for being toxic. They consist of corrosive materials and have heavy metals inside them that could cause a lot of damage to the environment and your health if they leak out. Because of this, non-rechargeable batteries often cannot be recycled and their disposal is a complicated and special process that varies from place to place.

Bear in mind that there is always some kind of danger lurking in the dark, especially when you’re dealing with nature and its unpredictability. If you too consider trying this nighttime adrenaline-filled experience, make your safety a priority and make sure that you and your crew are equipped with rechargeable flashlights.