Best EDC Flashlights: See Things More Clearly

Armed with an output of 250 lumens, this everyday carry flashlight is ready to light up your path up to 68 meters. The flashlight is perfect if you are looking for something small for easy portability with a wide beam distance. The light comes in two modes, which are high and low modes that will serve you for 1.5 and 3.5 hours, respectively. The keychain light also helps you carry it with ease.

One of the advantages of this flashlight is that it is built to last. The durable, machined aluminum construction and unbreakable polycarbonate will serve you for years. If you are careful, you can add many years of service.

The item is not entirely perfect, though. You will have occasional issues with the interchangeable modes. It may stop working suddenly before it resumes after a while. The battery run time is low, as it can only last four hours after a full charge.

Illuminate objects up to 600 feet away with this craftily designed tactical flashlight that provides 300 lumens of light. The flashlight has a zoomable focus, which makes it ideal for nighttime activities such as hunting, fishing, or camping. It also features three light modes (high, low, and strobe). The strobe mode can be used as a defense strategy to disorient the attacker and give yourself enough time to run or plan an attack.

The unit is designed to last through tough military use and has a tough aluminum alloy body that can survive a nine-foot drop or being temporarily submerged in water. It can run on a single 14500 rechargeable battery or an AA battery.

Unfortunately, the batteries are sold separately, and the flashlight can get noticeably dimmer after a few hours of use. Aside from that, when you click the tail cap switch, the flashlight goes off then the next click will take it to the subsequent mode. Therefore, if you would like to use it in high mode, you would have to click the tail switch at least six times to get to it.

This flashlight has the longest lifespan in this category, as it can serve you for more than 20 years with proper care. The secrets behind this lifespan are the AAA batteries and shock resistance, which avoids breakage thanks to the strong aluminium body. It has three different modes: high, low, and strobe. It is so small that you will mistake it for a penlight, but this strengthens its portability.

This flashlight is comfortable and portable. It has a lanyard that you can attach to your keyholder. Also, it has a two-way reverse clip for holding in pockets. You will also love the fact that it is 1PX8 waterproof, so you can even use it underwater.

The only downside of this flashlight is that it’s not super-bright, so you can’t use it from a long distance. You will also have a difficult time trying to determine how the different modes work. The modes also change when you turn it off, so you will have to readjust when you open it.

Anker is one of the leading brands in high-quality, rechargeable flashlights, and the Bolder LC40 is a testament to the brand’s popularity. It comes packing a rechargeable 3350 mAh battery that recharges for about six hours and can run for up to 20 hours on a medium-light setting. The flashlight uses CREE LED bulbs that produce 400 lumens and have a 50,000-hour lifespan. It can operate in five settings: high, medium, low, strobe, and SOS mode. Therefore, you should keep this on your person or in your glove box at all times for emergencies.

Its tactical aluminum body is designed for maximum durability, and can withstand a dusty environment and heavy rain. It’s also shock-resistant and works reliably even when the temperatures dip to 14 degrees. The housing is topped off with an anti-slip finish so that you can maintain a firm grip at all times. In addition, the lens reflector is made from heat-resistant aluminum and has a rubber seal at the edge to prevent water penetration.

However, you might find the small switch button rather uncomfortable to use, especially if you have large hands. There’s a USB port right next to the switch and that’s probably why Anker had to sacrifice the size of the button. Also, you have to long-press the button for it to switch off, which can be inconvenient when you need to turn it off in a hurry.

Much like other Streamlight flashlights, the Protac also has a compact profile and a tactical design that makes it a convenient everyday carry tool. The flashlight uses C4 LED technology, which has a 50,000-hour runtime, and utilizes Solid State Power Regulation technology to ensure that it provides maximum illumination throughout the battery life. The battery is rated at three watts for maximum power efficiency and provides 350 lumens, which are enough to illuminate a dark room. In addition, it comes with four modes: high (1.75-hour runtime), medium (3.5-hour runtime), low, and strobe (6.75-hour runtime for both).

The Protac flashlight is built to last with a high-temperature, anodized aluminum construction, and an impact-resistant glass lens. It can survive being submerged in 3 feet of water for 30 minutes or a 6-foot drop. What’s impressive is that all these features are tucked away in a 4.25-inch long unit with a tactical tail switch for easy one-handed operation.

However, we are disappointed that the beam isn’t zoomable so you only have to rely on the different modes to adjust the light. Also, there’s only one button for powering on the flashlight and selecting the modes.

Quality construction is a trademark of most Olight flashlights and the design of the Olight S1 is a testament to this. The unit utilizes Cree LED lights with a maximum output of 500 lumens. It also has a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens that helps to focus the beam and enhance the beam distance by up to 360 feet. The body is made from stainless steel bezel with a PCD coating for enhanced shock and corrosion resistance. On top of that, the tail cap is fitted with a strong magnet so that you can attach it on any metal surface for hands-free operation.

The light can be adjusted to five modes: high (500 lumens), medium (80 lumens), low (eight lumens), moonlight mode (0.5 lumens), and strobe mode (10 hertz). To prevent accidental operation while the flashlight is in your pocket, Olight includes a low-profile, side switch that glows red when the battery is low.

The main issue with this flashlight is that the side switch can be a bit challenging to find in the dark. Also, the batteries are sold separately and can drain pretty fast when the flashlight is set to high mode.

Gearlight didn’t cut corners when designing the S1000 flashlight, and this is evident from its high-strength, aircraft-grade aluminum alloy housing. The case can survive a 10-foot drop, being submerged in water, and extreme weather conditions, including a heavy downpour and snow. Also, the head of the flashlight has an anti-roll design while the rest of the body has an embossed finish to provide maximum grip.

Its illuminating power is unparalleled since it can provide a steady beam over a distance of 1,000 feet. Therefore, it’s a great option for nighttime fishing, hunting, or hiking. Besides that, there are five modes to choose from, including high, medium, low, strobe, and SOS mode. The functions can be adjusted from the tail cap switch with just one hand. In addition, the package comes with two flashlights, rechargeable AAA batteries, and a holster, so it does offer great value for the money. 

However, being one of the cheapest EDC flashlights on the market, it may not hold up to heavy-duty use. It might also go dimmer after a few months of use and this condition may not improve even if you replace the batteries.

This Maglite flashlight has a surprisingly durable build for a budget-friendly option. The design features weather-resistant seals to prevent water penetration and an anodized aluminum casing that’s resistant to corrosion. The flashlight can survive accidental drops, and since it’s IPX4-rated for water resistance, you won’t regret using it in a wet environment.

The LED lights will offer about 50,000 hours of usage, and you will get at least six hours of continuous illumination from the battery. The power switch is located at the side, and you can adjust the beam from a spot to a huge floodlight simply by rotating the cap.

However, it has a slightly bulkier profile than the other EDC flashlights on our list, but this could work to the advantage of anyone with large hands who doesn’t want to strain using a small flashlight.