Best flashlight for $25 using AA?

Tint, 1A is cool white, ironically that means a higher color temperature, ~6000K. 3C is ~5000K IIRC.

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/14230

I bought the 3C. It's personal preference, you just have to try a few.

It has an issue with sometimes having no output when changing modes. It's in that long thread. Not a big problem IMO, considering the price. Just have to cycle around again.