An EDC flashlight is the perfect illumination tool. Whether you are walking home alone, riding your bike, camping, or walking the dog, an everyday carry flashlight lights up the dark and fits easily in your pocket.
The 10 Best EDC Flashlights
- OLIGHT S1R Baton II EDC Flashlight
- EdisonBright Fenix PD35 TAC Tactical Flashlight
- Soonfire Cree XP-L EDC Flashlight (Our Top Pick)
- Streamlight 66604 MicroStream Pocket Flashlight
- SOG Dark Energy EDC Flashlight
- Fenix E12 Pocket-Sized EDC Flashlight
- Helotex G2 CREE LED Tactical EDC Flashlight
- LUMINTOP 2.0 Pocket-Sized Flashlight
- ThruNite Ti3 LED Mini Flashlight
- GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight
Our Top Pick for the Best EDC Flashlight
Our top pick for the best EDC flashlight is the Soonfire Cree XP-L EDC Flashlight.
When you hold the Soonfire EDC flashlight in your hand, you will be able to face the dark with confidence. This mini flashlight is the perfect traveler’s companion. It has all the features you need; a super bright, long-lasting light; an indestructible all-weather housing; easy-to-use 5 brightness settings; and a rechargeable battery.
Check the price on AmazonThe EDC Flashlight is the Ultimate Traveler’s Companion
The EDC flashlight may feature a micro-design, but it does not compromise on lighting power. This ultra-powerful torch utilizes innovative lighting technology and a smart lens that creates a beam of light that can pierce the darkness. Wherever you need to use it, this portable flashlight is the ultimate traveler’s companion.
How to Choose the Best EDC Flashlight
LED Lens
We live in a high-tech world and flashlights, such as a tactical flashlight, a headlamp, or a keychain flashlight, use superior Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). As opposed to traditional incandescent bulbs, LEDs provide the strongest source of long-lasting lighting power.
Lumen Strength
The brightness of the flashlight is measured in Lumens, which is the measurement of the amount of visible light that is produced by the lens. Basically, the higher the lumens, the brighter the light.
Battery Power
The type of battery will also determine the overall performance of the flashlight. While AA batteries are cheap and easy to find, rechargeable batteries that have a long-lasting lithium cell can help to produce a blindingly bright light.
Extra Beam Features
Additional beam features like an adjustable beam offer extra lighting versatility. You can also use your flashlight for a variety of purposes. Narrow the beam to read a book or widen the beam to illuminate a campsite.
Strobe
A strobe function is an essential emergency function. If you are lost in the dark on a hiking track, or if your car has broken down on the highway, you can use it to signal for help.
Design
EDC flashlights combine the strength of a tactical flashlight with the lightweight design of a keychain flashlight. Just because they have a mini size does not mean they are made from thin material. The best EDC flashlights are crafted from aircraft-grade hard-anodized aluminum that is durable, weather, shock, and impact resistant.
Brightness Modes
You should have a good choice of brightness modes: low, high, medium, strobe, or even an additional turbo feature. Some basic models such as the Streamlight 66604 MicroStream Pocket Flashlight, has a high and low mode. Other more advanced lights have 3 settings or 5.
Control Functions
Tactical-style controls are easy to access and control. The most common types of controls are a tail switch or button, a twisting head, or a sliding switch. Press button functions or a switch on the tail of the light is the easiest to use. A twisting head may take some time for you to cycle through the settings to reach your desired mode.
Attachment Features
The best EDC flashlight should always offer an attachment option. A reversible pocket clip, a lanyard, or a keychain will keep the flashlight close by for emergencies.
10 Best EDC Flashlights – Reviews
1. OLIGHT S1R Baton II EDC Flashlight
The OLIGHT S1R Baton II EDC Flashlight is the smallest LED torch ever produced by OLIGHT. Although it has a mini design, this powerhouse is an excellent EDC flashlight for any traveler.
With just one click, the OLIGHT flashlight will banish the darkness as its high-tech TIR optic lens produces a blindingly bright beam that has a maximum output of 1000 lumens and can reach up to 476-feet.
You have a lot of lighting versatility at your command with 3 brightness modes: low, medium, and high, a moonlight setting, and a tactical turbo function. When the flashlight is used on the lower setting, the light provides illumination for up to 20 hours.
Built like a tank, the aircraft-grade aluminum body has an anti-scratch hard-anodized aluminum finish. The IPX8 waterproof rating means it can be submerged in water up to 2m and it has an impact resistance of 1.5m. Its lock-out function helps prevent accidental activation and reverse polarity protection prevents damage caused by improperly inserted batteries.
Incredibly lightweight at 1.8-ounces, the flashlight will fit comfortably in your hand and your pocket without taking up too much space. You can either use the removable/reversible pocket clip to keep the flashlight securely attached to your shirt pocket or the lanyard to tie the light to a backpack. The magnetic tail cap allows convenient placement on a metal surface. A built-in timer turns the light on. The 3-color power level indicator lets you know the charging status of the flashlight.
The S1R has an easy-to-use side switch that allows you to cycle through the brightness modes. When light is turned ON or OFF, brightness will gradually increase or decrease to allow your eyes to adjust to the lighting level.
This flashlight comes with a rechargeable IMR16340 lithium-ion battery, a USB charging cable, a lanyard, and a pouch.
OLIGHT offers a 30-day replacement guarantee and a 5-year warranty on the EDC flashlight.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Ultra-compact and lightweight
- Blindingly bright 1000 lumens
- Maximum beam distance of 476-feet
- Durable anodized aluminum body
- IPX8 water rating
- 1.5m impact resistance
- Special lock-out function helps prevent accidental activation
- Reverse polarity protection
- Lower setting lasts up to 20 hours
- Magnetic tail cap
- Built-in timer
- Three-color charging indicator
- Easy to use
- Removable/reversible pocket clip
- Comes with a rechargeable battery, charging cable, lanyard, and a pouch
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Pricey
- Uses battery life quickly
2. EdisonBright Fenix PD35 TAC Tactical Flashlight
Named after the famous light bulb inventor, the EdisonBright Fenix PD35 TAC Tactical Flashlight provides on-demand light at just the flick of a switch.
The ultra-bright 1000 lumens CREE XP-L (V5) LED has a reach of 656-feet and a lifespan of 50,000 hours. Its digitally regulated output maintains constant brightness, so you do not have to worry about a fluctuating light beam.
There are 2 modes. The Tactical Mode includes 3 settings: Turbo 1000 lumens (1 hr. 10 min), Low 60 lumens (29 h. 15 min), and Strobe 1000 lumens. The Outdoor Mode has 6 lighting settings: eco, low, medium, high, turbo, and strobe which can be accessed via the dual stainless steel side switch on the tail cap. Its intelligent memory circuit automatically enters the last-used output mode when the flashlight is turned on.
Designed for rough outdoor conditions, the flashlight has a durable hard-anodized anti-abrasive aircraft-grade aluminum body. The toughened ultra-clear glass lens has an anti-reflective coating.
Smart safety features include reverse polarity protection to stop improper battery installation, over-heating protection, and an anti-roll, slip-resistant body design. You do not have to remember when to replace the battery as the flashlight has a low-voltage warning function.
If you accidentally drop the flashlight in water, it has an IPX-8 waterproofing rating and can also withstand a 2m drop.
The flashlight is compact and lightweight and comes with a holster and a pocket clip, so it is the perfect EDC flashlight for law enforcement officers and soldiers.
EdisonBright offers the flashlight with 2 CR123A lithium batteries.
Pros
- Great quality
- Very good value for money
- Compact and lightweight
- Fits easily in your pocket
- Ultra-powerful 550 lumens
- 50,000 hours lifespan
- Tactical mode has 3 settings
- Outdoor mode has 6 settings
- Can be powered by a 16340 rechargeable or CR123A battery
- Durable aircraft-grade aluminum
- Hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
- Toughened ultra-clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating
- Waterproof IPX-8 rating
- Tactical tail cap switch has a momentary-on function
- Digitally regulated output maintains constant brightness
- Low-voltage warning function indicator
- Reverse polarity protection
- Over-heating protection
- Anti-roll, slip-resistant design
- Side dual switches
- Includes holster, pocket clip, lanyard, and a CR123A Lithium battery
Cons
- Expensive
- No tail stand capability
- No SOS functions
- Also no lockout mode
3. Soonfire Cree XP-L EDC Flashlight
Ultra-compact, lightweight, and powerful, the Soonfire Cree XP-L EDC Flashlight is the perfect illumination tool for hunting, hiking, camping or search and rescue operations.
Its long-lasting CREE XP-L LED punches out an amazingly powerful beam of 1000 lumens which lasts for 150 minutes and the beam has a throw distance of 225m when it is used with the included rechargeable 18650 battery. You can choose from 5 brightness modes: high, medium, low, moonlight, and strobe, and a memory mode.
Made tough for rough conditions, the durable hard-anodized aircraft-grade aluminum alloy body has a waterproof IPX-8 rating and an impact resistance to 1.5m, so it is a great alternative to carrying a heavy, bulky flashlight.
With a strong and sturdy clip, this light can be attached to your pocket or belt or mount onto a rifle.
Using the Soonfire flashlight is very easy. Just press the stainless steel switch to choose from the various light settings.
An innovative user-friendly feature is the battery indicator that flashes red for charging and blue when the battery has been fully charged.
To stop the flashlight from overheating, the built-in thermal management safety program drops the high lighting output by 50% within 1 minute of constant operation.
The flashlight can also be powered by 2 CR123A rechargeable lithium batteries and recharged via the built-in micro-USB port.
You can choose from 3 stylish colors, black, gold, or grey.
Soonfire offers an 18-month repair warranty on its EDC flashlight.
Pros
- High quality
- Affordable price
- Ultra-compact and lightweight
- Very powerful 1000 lumens light
- Bright beam has a distance of 225m
- Durable hard-anodized aircraft-grade aluminum body
- Five lighting modes and a memory mode
- Easy to use stainless steel switch
- Pocket clip
- Built-in thermal management safety over-heating program
- Comes with a rechargeable 18650 battery
- Built-in USB port
- Battery charging light indicator
- 18-month repair warranty
Cons
- Power button is very sensitive and can come on easily in your pocket
- Mediocre battery life
4. Streamlight 66604 MicroStream Pocket Flashlight
The Streamlight 66604 MicroStream Pocket Flashlight creates an ultra-bright long-lasting beam of light that banishes the darkness.
This compact and lightweight flashlight is an excellent tool for any outdoor adventure. The black anodized aircraft aluminum construction is abrasion-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and shock-proof. The unbreakable, scratch-resistant polycarbonate lens is O-ring sealed. It is also rated IPX4 for water-resistant operation and has been 1m impact resistance tested.
Utilizing innovative C4 LED technology, the 250 lumens lens delivers extreme brightness up to 68m and has a 30,000-hour lifetime. There are 2 settings, high and low, and a runtime of 1½ hours on the high setting and 3½ hours on the low setting.
The USB port features a charge indicator that shows red when the battery needs to be recharged and green when it is in charging mode. Other features include a push-button tail cap switch, a momentary or constant-on operation, and a combination pocket/hat clip for ultra-portable convenience.
Streamlight offers the EDC flashlight in black with a USB cord and a high-strength lanyard. You can purchase the flashlight with an AAA battery or rechargeable battery. The EDC flashlight is covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value for money
- Very good price
- High durability
- Corrosion-resistant anodized aluminum alloy case
- Unbreakable and scratch-resistant polycarbonate lens
- O-ring sealed
- Ultra-compact and lightweight
- Powerful and long-lasting brightness
- Quick charging battery can be recharged up to 300 times
- Multi-function push-button tail switch has a charging indicator
- IPX4 water-resistant
- 1m impact resistance tested
- Removable pocket clip
- Available in black
- USB cord and high-strength lanyard also available
- Can be used with AAA or rechargeable battery
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not a lot of lumen strength
- Limited brightness settings
5. SOG Dark Energy EDC Flashlight
The SOG Dark Energy EDC Flashlight will light up the night with its piercingly ultrabright light.
With 687 lumens in the palm of your hand, you will be able to light up the treetops or have a long-distance range. The Dark Energy flashlight is equipped with 5 light operation modes: 100%, 40%, reading, flash, and Strobe. Its rechargeable battery has a maximum run time of 105 minutes on 100% brightness or 32 hours on the reading mode.
Crafted from hard-anodized 6061-T6 aluminum, the flashlight has a slip-free textured body that is well-balanced. It is extremely lightweight and fits easily in your pocket or backpack. The flashlight has an IPX-7 rating so it is protected against water immersion for 30 minutes at a depth of 1m.
SOG Specialty Knives includes a limited lifetime warranty, and the flashlight comes with a battery charger and a belt clip.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value for money
- Blinding bright light
- Max output of 687 lumens
- Runtime of 105 minutes on 100% brightness
- 32 hours on reading mode
- Five operation modes
- Extremely lightweight
- Tough hard-anodized 6061-T6 aluminum
- Slip-free textured body is also slip-free
- Well balanced
- IPX-7 water resistance rating
- Includes a 18650 rechargeable battery and charger
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Gets very hot on the high setting
6. Fenix E12 Pocket-Sized EDC Flashlight
Delivering a powerful performance, the Fenix E12 Pocket-Sized Bright Flashlight is perfect for your everyday carry illumination needs.
The 160 lumens LED lens produces an ultrabright beam of light with a 68m reach. As the flashlight has a very wide beam, it will easily illuminate a darkened alley or a campsite.
You can quickly access the lighting control button on the tail switch to turn the light on and cycle through the 3 different modes: High 160 lumens (1 hour), Medium 30 lumens (13 hours), and Low 5 lumens (70 hours).
Highly durable, the black hard-anodized aircraft-grade aluminum body has an impact-resistant rating of 1m and an IP68 rating so it can be submerged in 1.5m of water.
Incredibly compact and lightweight, the E12 measures 3.06-inches and weighs just under 1-ounce so it fits easily in the palm of your hand. You can attach it to your pocket with the pocket clip or use the lanyard hole to tie the light to a backpack.
The flashlight comes with a lanyard, AA battery, spare O-ring, and a LumenTec battery organizer.
Pros
- Great quality
- Very affordable price
- Ultrabright light
- Very wide beam
- 68m reach
- Three lighting modes
- Low mode can last up to 70 hours
- Black hard-anodized aircraft-grade aluminum body
- Impact-resistant rating of 1m
- IP68 waterproof rating
- Compact and lightweight
- Battery is included
- Comes with a lanyard, spare O-ring, and a LumenTec battery organizer
Cons
- No strobe
- Battery is not rechargeable
7. Helotex G2 CREE LED Tactical EDC Flashlight
The Helotex G2 CREE LED Tactical EDC Flashlight is a great illumination tool for extreme outdoor environments.
This newly designed flashlight features a superb dual power capability as the CREE XR-E LED has a massive 50,000 lifespan. It delivers an incredible output of 130 lumens with a cr123 battery and 120 lumens with an AA battery.
The flashlight features an easy-to-use tactile click on/off button on the rear of the flashlight. Once the light is turned on, you can easily toggle between the 3 modes: high, low, and strobe functions. It has a memory function. After turning the light off for a second, it will revert to the high setting the next time it is turned on, regardless of what the previous mode was.
Built with a tactical construction, the G2 has a durable anodized aircraft aluminum body, and the secure O-ring seal offers optimum weather resistance.
The compact flashlight also comes with a sturdy pocket clip to keep it close for emergencies.
Helotex offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on the G2 flashlight.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent price
- Great value for money
- Slimline compact design
- Durable anodized aircraft aluminum
- Weather-resistant O-rings
- Runs on AA or cr123 battery
- High, low, and strobe settings
- Powerfully bright CREE XR-E LED
- Delivers 130 lumens on the cr123 battery or 120 lumens on the AA battery
- Smart memory function
- Sturdy pocket clip
Cons
- Only 3 settings
- Batteries are not included
- Little bit heavy for carrying in a pocket
8. LUMINTOP 2.0 Pocket-Sized Flashlight
Whether you need a torch for indoors or outdoors use, the pocket-size LUMINTOP 2.0 Pocket-Sized Flashlight is a great choice for everyday use.
You can expect a powerful performance as the high-efficiency Cree XPL-HD 650 lumens LED has a 50,000-hour lifespan and pumps out a super-bright non-diminishing beam of penetrating light that reaches up to 127m and can last up to 60 hours on the low setting. The LUMINTOP can be powered by the included AA battery, but for optimal performance, use a 14500-lithium battery.
Built tough for rough outdoor conditions, the military-grade black anodized aircraft-grade aluminum body is durable but also very lightweight and comfortable to hold.
The EDC flashlight has an IP68 waterproof certification, so it is suitable for continual submersion in 2m of water. Its anti-slip finish holds fast in your hand during extreme conditions. If you do drop it, no worries, it has an ANSI verified impact resistance up to 1.5m.
Simple to operate, the 2.0 flashlight features 5 modes, low, medium, high, strobe, and turbo, plus a memory mode. You can easily press and twist the base to operate the light even if you are wearing gloves. There is no need to cycle through the modes to adjust the brightness.
It has a magnetic base so it can also serve as a candle on a metal surface, and the glow-in-the-dark tail is easy to spot in a dark room or tent. You can use the reversible pocket clip to attach the light to your jacket pocket or use the lanyard hole to tie it to a backpack.
This EDC flashlight also comes with 2 spare O-rings, a diffuser, and a lanyard.
LUMINTOP offers an unconditional 30-day money-back guarantee and a 5-year repair warranty on the flashlight.
Pros
- High quality
- Portable and compact
- Super bright light
- Military-grade anodized aircraft-grade aluminum body
- High-efficiency Cree top-class XPL-HD LED
- Non-diminishing 650 lumens brightness can reach up to 127m
- Light can last up to 60 hours on the low setting
- IP68 waterproof certification
- ANSI verified impact resistance to 1.5m
- Anti-slip finish
- Five brightness modes
- Comfortable to hold
- Reversible pocket clip
- Magnetic base and glow-in-the-dark tail switch
- Easy to use
- Includes an AA battery, 2 spare O-rings, diffuser, and lanyard
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Five-year repair warranty
Cons
- Battery drains fast
- Gets hot on high setting
- Light is not as powerful with the AA battery
9. ThruNite Ti3 LED Mini Flashlight
Delivering an all-night lighting performance, the ThruNite Ti3 LED Mini Flashlight is an excellent lighting tool for hiking, traveling, backpacking, dog walking, and home indoor use.
The CREE XP-G2 R5 120 lumens lens casts a powerful beam of light up to 50m and the OP reflector allows for good color diffusion and a smooth beam pattern.
For extra lighting versatility, the flashlight has 3 lighting modes, low, high, and strobe, and a memory function. With a user-friendly design, the flashlight is easy to use. Just twist the head to turn the flashlight on and off and access the brightness modes.
Designed for outdoor adventures, the compact mini flashlight features a durable hard-anodized aluminum housing that has an impact resistance of 1.2m. You can attach the EDC flashlight to a key ring or use the 2-way reversible pocket clip to attach it to your pocket, hat, or backpack.
ThruNite offers the flashlight with a cool white or neutral white LED, and the flashlight is covered by a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Great price
- Very good value for money
- Compact and lightweight
- Ideal for indoor use and outdoor applications
- Powerfully bright light
- Very good beam distance
- Good color diffusion and smooth beam pattern
- Strong and durable hard-anodized aluminum
- Three light modes with extra strobe
- Reversible pocket clip
- Two-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Available in a neutral beam color or a cool white
- Available with or without a keychain
Cons
- Have to twist the tail switch a few times to activate the strobe light
- Neutral light color is too yellow
10. GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight
The GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight all-metal sleek tactical design and ultra-bright light make it the perfect everyday lighting companion for camping, fishing, hunting, or dog walking.
You can count on it to light up the night as the powerful 300 lumens LED generates a super-bright, non-diminishing beam of light for up to 3 hours on a single AA battery.
The GearLight features a zoomable design and 3 operating modes: high, low, and flash/strobe. Zoom out for a wide beam that lights up a large area or an entire tent. Zoom in and instantly focus on an object a hundred feet away. Activate the strobe to signal for help in an emergency scenario.
Built for rough outdoor conditions, the weather and shock-resistant high-grade aluminum body can be used in heavy rain or snow. It can also survive accidental drops or temporary water submersions.
GearLight offers the flashlight in a convenient 2-pack. Keep one in your backpack or purse, in the car, at home, or give one as a present to a friend or family member.
The EDC flashlight comes with 2 AA batteries and a belt clip. GearLight offers an extended 1-year warranty and provides excellent customer service.
Pros
- High quality
- Great price
- Exceptional value for money
- US-based company
- Ultra-bright
- High performance 300 lumens LED
- Three hours of non-diminishing brightness
- Three light modes
- Instantly adjustable zoom
- All-weather resistance construction
- Water-resistant
- Shock resistant
- Compact and lightweight
- All-metal high-grade aluminum construction
- Comes with 2 AA batteries and a pocket clip
- One-year warranty
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- No memory mode
- Creates a faint halo around the beam
- Batteries do not produce long-lasting power
Our Top Pick for the Best EDC Flashlight
Our top pick for the best EDC flashlight is the Soonfire Cree XP-L EDC Flashlight.
When you hold the Soonfire EDC flashlight in your hand, you will be able to face the dark with confidence. This mini flashlight is the perfect traveler’s companion. It has all the features you need; a super bright, long-lasting light; an indestructible all-weather housing; easy-to-use 5 brightness settings; and a rechargeable battery.
Check the price on Amazon
