Do I really need a red-light mode?

Red light preserves night vision and is far less likely to disturb others in a shared tent or campsite, which is why several picks here (DanForce, Fenix, and the Petzl line) include it. If you camp in groups, do astronomy, or hunt, red light is genuinely useful; for solo dog walks and household tasks it's a nice-to-have rather than essential.