The Best Penlights for Nurses in Australia

Few non-medical folks in Australia will ever understand the value of the right penlight to a nurse. They’ll argue that smartphones come with flashlights, which is true, but let’s see those people fish out their precious smartphones with a germ- and latex-covered hand during a busy shift.

Oh, and good luck getting that sensor to register a fingerprint or any perception of a human hand through a latex glove. Not to mention, phones are usually tucked away in pockets or lockers, not the convenient breast pocket of your scrubs.

In short, using the smartphone light is not an option for nurses and other medical professionals in Australia. A penlight is a must-have. 

When one needs a light on something, usually pupils, said light can't happen fast enough. Ideally, it's a perfect beam of intensity. Then, ideally, that light must neatly go away in such a way that one can find it again in a moment.

That is the magic of the penlight. This is what everyday people will never understand. It's close, convenient, and willing to put up with germs in demanding environments like hospitals and clinics.

Until scientists can create a voice-activated beam of light that emanates a perfect beam like magic from thin air, penlights will remain the James Bond gadget of nurses in Australia.

Before diving into the list of penlights every nurse in Australia must have, here is a brief review of features for the uninitiated (gift-giving) reader. Nurses, feel free to skip ahead...

Note: all prices are valid on the publication date 

Key Features of Penlights

By the name, most would expect penlights to have two main functions: to write and to light. In actuality, the "pen" part of the name refers to the shape of these mini-torches, not their function. They don't generally write—not any in our catalogue at Medshop Australia.

Early penlights came with miniature incandescent bulbs, but today’s versions are progressively more often made with LED technology. The features come down to a few simple options:

• Batteries (Rechargeable or not)
• Bulb (LED or Incandescent)
• Materials (Metal or Plastic)
• Pupil Gauge
• On/Off Switch
• Lumens (Brightness Level)
• Runtime (Battery Life)
• Pocket Clip (For easy everyday carry)
• Rechargeable Options (USB rechargeable penlights)

For some professionals, the life of a given penlight will be about as long as that of a pen, lost in the chaos of a day or co-opted by a coworker. Others will collect penlights like figurines.

This says nothing, however, about the value of a good penlight at the right time. What follows are the best options for the collectors and the misplacers, all available in Australia.

Spirit Instrulite

Spirit Medical designed their chrome Instrulite intending to supply nurses and other medical professionals with a mini torch that would hopefully last more than a day in the demanding Australian healthcare environment.

At $26.4 AUD, it’s definitely not a disposable light. This high-quality penlight offers bright illumination from a cold light, LED, even though the bulb looks like a traditional incandescent. It provides the right level of lumens for precise examination, making it an excellent choice for everyday carry (EDC) in a busy Australian clinic or hospital.

Unlike many penlights, the casing for this one is not plastic. It’s brass, coated in chrome, with a pupil gauge emblazoned on the side.

The clip both keeps one from losing it and serves as the switch. This also facilitates pulling it out, turning it on, and aiming it in one swift move from a breast pocket.

Spirit’s Instrulite comes with two AAA batteries, which can be easily swapped for rechargeable batteries to reduce waste and ensure longevity. It’s a good light for an organized professional who values quality and durability in a medical penlight.

Prestige Disposable

Taking a huge step down in cost, for $8.16 AUD one can have all the illumination of the Instrulite by Spirit, but in a disposable form factor with the Prestige Medical disposable penlight. 

Medshop Australia offers 14 color options for this disposable penlight. Unlike the previous light on this list, these cute, colored torches do not come with a pupil gauge on the side unless you order the white one specifically.

These are ideal for healthcare facilities in Australia that want to provide penlights that can run their course and then be disposed of. Individuals who run through penlights quickly will appreciate the low cost. The Prestige Disposable is the perfect solution for those who need a functional, affordable light source that they won't worry about misplacing.

Not only that, orders come in multiple colors so if you’re the sort of person who likes to change things up every day, life is a rainbow you’re lighting up as you go using Prestige's Disposable Penlight.

Welch Allyn Penlight

Totally different from the last option, this elegant penlight from Welch Allyn offers a premium penlight in a beautiful form factor.

This is not a good option for the sort of medical professional in Australia who misplaces tools often. For $92.57 AUD, most would call losing this lovely tool a “rough day at work.”

Housed in a solid brass casing, powder-coated in black, this sturdy penlight offers halogen light technology. That’s the same technology most vehicles use to light up the night, providing a bright, high CRI light for accurate tissue examination.

The bright white beam from this torch makes the Welch Allyn Penlight ideal for investigating tissue color as well as pupil dilation. It could also guide you through the dark in a power outage if necessary. With its durable construction and precision lighting, this medical penlight is built to last and deliver high-quality performance for Australian healthcare professionals.

Aero Pupil Gauge Disposable Penlight

Bi-Functional Penlight

Available from Medshop Australia in 7 colors, the Bi-Functional Penlight from Spirit offers a lightweight, sturdy design with a unique power button.

Unlike most of the penlights in this blog, the clip on this torch is the switch, but it also has an auxiliary control. Like its namesake, the pen, this light toggles on and off for short bursts via a button on the top. That helps the Bi-Functional save battery life, using two AA batteries. The LED bulb helps too, providing bright and consistent lumens for daily use.

What most users in Australia will notice about this penlight is how it stows away easily, thanks to its slim design. Non-assuming, it makes an ideal penlight for most medical professionals who need a reliable tool for their EDC gear. It also features a pocket clip for added convenience, allowing for quick access when needed during a shift.

Choosing the Right Penlight for You

When choosing a penlight in Australia, think about how you'll be using it. Do you need something disposable and low-cost, or are you looking for a more durable, high-end option? Consider factors like brightness (lumens), battery life (runtime), whether it's rechargeable, and how comfortable it is for everyday carry.

No matter your preference, having the right penlight can make all the difference in your day. So, why not start a little collection? Keep a few different types on hand so you're prepared for whatever comes your way.

Author: Steven John Cumper, B.App.SC. (Osteo.), M.Ost., is a businessman with a strong foundation in biomedical science and osteopathic medicine, who founded and led Medshop to international success, culminating in its acquisition by the Bunzl Group in September 2021, where he continues to serve as Managing Director (Medshop Group).