It is essential to carry a flashlight with you as it serves for convenience, ease of use and has a long runtime. A pocket flashlight especially comes in handy as it acts as a source of light and is small enough to put in your pocket and bag due to its portable characteristics.
Apart from that, this flashlight is an important item in your everyday carry list in case you are caught up in a sticky situation or when SHTF. Therefore, this portable flashlight will provide you with light so you can be alert of your surroundings and mainly for survival.
This small and portable flashlight is handier than your phone camera light as it has more power, sturdier construction and a longer runtime. This is solely because this flashlight is only designed for one purpose which is to provide you with light whereas your phone runs on numerous apps hence causing battery drainage at a faster period of time.
Modern tactical flashlights come with high-tech features such as USB charging capability as well as Bluetooth connectivity feature. On the other hand, the factors that determine the best EDC flashlight are lumens, beam types, flashlight size and waterproof rating.
Also, check out our best tactical flashlight for AR-15 rifle here.
Top 10 Rated EDC Flashlight Comparison Table
| Name of Product | Weight | Lumens | Waterproof Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zebralight SC63 XHP35 Flashlight | 1.3 oz | 1300 | IPX7 | $$ |
| Tactical 5.11 Unisex TMT L1 Flashlight | 5 oz | 212 | IPX4 | $$ |
| Streamlight 88062 Protac Tactical Flashlight | 4.48 oz | 500 | IPX7 | $$ |
| Eagletac D25C Clicky LED Flashlight | 0.96 oz | 453 | IPX8 | $$ |
| SOG Dark Energy Flashlight | 4.8 oz | 750 | IPX7 | $$$ |
| Nitecore MG12GT 1000 Lumen Rechargeable Flashlight | 3.1 oz | 1000 | IPX8 | $$ |
| Olight S1 Baton EDC LED Flashlight | 1.06 oz | 500 | IPX8 | $$ |
| LED Lenser-P5R.2 Rechargeable Flashlight | 2.82 oz | 270 | IPX4 | $$ |
| Fenix PD35 TAC 1000 Lumen Tactical Flashlight | 3.1 oz | 1000 | IPX8 | $$ |
| Surefire Defender Series LED Flashlight | 4.2 oz | 300 | IPX8 | $$$ |
Weight/Size
It is important for your flashlight to be small and compact. The main reason behind this is so that you can easily carry it along with your hence it being portable. Not everybody carry bags, hence it should be small enough to fit your pocket at least. Therefore, smaller and lightweight flashlights are suitable for your everyday carry.
A good EDC flashlight is able to illuminate very bright light with perfect throw and dispersion despite being small and compact. So, do not misinterpret that bigger flashlights will produce more and brighter light compared to the small ones.
Brightness
A lumen is the measure of the amount of visible light produced by your flashlight. Generally, it relates to the brightness of your EDC flashlight. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light beam of your flashlight. It is good to have flashlights with higher lumens as standby as you never know when STHF might strike and you get stranded in total darkness for example.
Most pocket flashlight ranges from 100 lumens to 1000 lumens. Your flashlight will usually have few modes in which the lumens will be ranging from the maximum to minimum. Therefore, you can easily adjust them according to your preference. However, higher power mode equivalent to higher number of lumens will actually drain your battery at a quicker rate.
Waterproof rating
Your tactical flashlight will be subjected to all weather conditions, whether rain or shine. You might need the flashlight maybe for illumination in the rain or during a flood. Therefore, it is important to purchase a flashlight that is waterproof to ensure its durability as well as versatility.
Flashlights are rated using an IPX code which identifies water resistance testing and characteristics. The higher the number of digit after the alphabet X, the more resistant your EDC flashlight is towards water. For example, with rating of IPX8, you can even submerge your flashlight in the water up to 1 meter.
Zebralight SC63 XHP35 Flashlight
Weighing 1.3 ounces, this EDC flashlight has a maximum light display of 1300 lumens. The flashlight illuminates a cool white LED light source that can be adjusted to various modes according to your preference. Despite the small and compact size of this flashlight, it still produces a very bright light. These light is both suitable to be used under low light condition as well as under bright sunlight.
Moreover, the smart user interface system on this flashlight provides quick and simple access to all modes of brightness and also additional light features such as beacon and strobe modes. Hence, once you get a hang of all these modes and the ways to adjust them, this product is rather easy to operate with a push of a button.
When at low battery, an automatic stepping down occurs from high mode to medium mode and from medium mode to low mode to conserve your battery level. This product also features a built-in battery discharging protection with closely monitored voltage, current and temperature. Not only that, this product runs on 18650 size lithium ion rechargeable battery which further operates at a voltage of 2.7V to 6.0V.
Equipped with a durable electronic soft-touch switch, you are able to switch the modes of the flashlight and adjust them according to your liking with maximum ease. This pocket flashlight also comes with the beam type which consists of 80 degree spill as well as 12 degree hot spot.
A pre-installed pocket clip is included with the purchase of this EDC flashlight. With this pocket clip, you can then carry your flashlight safely and securely in your pocket at all times without worrying about it getting lost or falling off your pocket. Apart from that, this flashlight has an orange peel textured reflector.
Besides that, this product is constructed from a strong aluminium body while the lens of the flashlight is made out of tempered glass to ensure it stays clear during dusty conditions. Also, this flashlight is waterproof with a rating of IPX7 in which it can be emerged in 2 meters depth of water for 30 minutes.
Suitable for :
- 1300 lumens
- Smart user interface system
- Waterproof to IPX7
Tactical 5.11 Unisex TMT L1 Flashlight Review
Equipped with an aluminium construction, this EDC flashlight weighs about 5 ounces. Despite being lightweight and compact, it has a sturdy construction and is said to be durable and solidly built hence able to last for a lifetime.
Besides that, a break-away lanyard, stamped metal pocket clip as well as an anti-roll ring comes with the purchase of this product to ensure a stable and secure carry. With these accessories, you can either wear the flashlight over your neck or clip it to your pocket with ease and full security thus also providing you with multiple carry options.
This product runs on a CR123 duracell battery which is included with this flashlight. The runtime hours of this flashlight on the other hand are 2 hours on high mode, 3.25 hours on strobe mode and finally 25 hours on low mode. In other words, you can save and conserve the battery of your flashlight by leaving them on low mode.
Moreover, this flashlight produces C4 LED type of light. Its output beam on the other hand is maximum at 212 lumens at high and strobe mode. For low mode, the beam is at 16 lumens. Not only that, this product is equipped with a lock feature which comes in handy as it prevents the wastage of your battery due to accidental turning on of your flashlight.
This product on the other hand has a water resistant and impact resistant construction of up to 2 meters hence your flashlight will be able to withstand any weather conditions. In terms of size, you are able to perfectly grip this flashlight in your hand as it is portable due to its small size and can be placed in your pocket.
Not only that, this flashlight is equipped with an intelligent switch with 3 modes which are the high, low and strobe mode. The light produced is very bright and is able to light up large areas due to its excellent illumination.
Suitable for :
- Intelligent switch system
- Lock feature
- 3 light modes
Streamlight 88062 Protac Tactical Flashlight
Weighing 4.48 ounces, this pocket flashlight is available in black fit and finish. It has an aluminium housing with Type II military spec anodizing thus producing an abrasion resistant and durable flashlight. Also, this flashlight is great to use as your everyday carry.
The maximum output light beam of this flashlight is 500 lumens when on high mode whereas as low as 40 lumens on the low mode. Apart from that, this product includes 2 CR123A battery upon your purchase of the product, but not the 18650 battery kit in which you can buy separately according to your preference.
Instead of the CR123A battery, you can utilize the one stream rechargeable 18650 lithium ion cell for your EDC flashlight. Therefore, this flashlight offers multi battery versatility. For example, you can use the primary disposable cells such as CR123 A batteries to power your flashlight if your rechargeable battery runs out of power or vice versa.
Moreover, in terms of runtime hours, this flashlight runs for 2.75 hours at maximum on high mode meanwhile on low mode, it runs for 30 hours. In other words, you can save your battery when the flashlight is on low mode. The 3 light modes available on this EDC flashlight are the high mode, low mode and strobe mode. The strobe mode is used mainly for signaling and disorienting the light.
This product features a tactical tail cap switch which comes in handy for momentary or constant on operation of you flashlight as well as 3 different user selectable mode programs. The operation of this product is fairly simple as you just need to forward click and pick from the 3 pre-programmed modes. Also, a removable pocket clip and holster are included for your convenience when carrying your tactical flashlight as it will securely hold your flashlight into your pocket.
Suitable for :
- Removable pocket clip and holster
- 3 light modes
- Multi battery versatility
Eagletac D25C Clicky LED Flashlight Review
Despite having a small and compact frame, this EDC flashlight is of good quality and durable as it is said to last a very long time provided well taken care of. This flashlight is waterproof with a rating of IPX8 which is higher than most flashlight with rating of IPX7. In other words, this flashlight is more water resistant hence can be immersed into water with depth of more than 1 meter without damage.
Moreover, this product includes a clip with black finish. The clip on the other hand is sturdy and equipped with 2 security screws to further ensure its durability as well as securely accommodate your flashlight in your pocket and holding it in place with maximum comfort. The small frame of this product also makes it a great fit on your pocket, hence suitable as an everyday carry.
Weighing 0.96 ounces, this flashlight produces a beam with distance of 105 meters at maximum. The rear-clicking activation feature of this flashlight ensures the ability of your flashlight to switch from moonlight mode to eye-searing mode and programmable mode with ease. The turbo mode on the other hand produces bright light with a great throw. In other words, switching between modes are fairly easy once you get the hang of it.
Besides that, there are other hidden modes on this flashlight such as the SOS, strobe, flash and beacon mode therefore providing versatile light distribution options for you. This product utilizes a white LED light with maximum brightness output of 453 lumens as the light source. On the other hand, this product runs on a CR123A battery which is not included with this product.
The battery life drains a little fast, however it compensates the bright light produced by the flashlight. You can save your battery by putting your flashlight on low mode. Also, this product is rather simple to operate on with its user-friendly interface system.
Suitable for :
- Rear-clicky activation
- Multiple hidden modes
- IPX8 waterproof rating
SOG Dark Energy Flashlight Review
This EDC flashlight is constructed from several aluminium housings that are well-checkered as well as anodized to ensure maximum durability of your product. This also further ensures that your flashlight is slip-free and has a well-balanced design so you can get a good grip on it, thereby lessening the chances of you dropping it.
The small and compact frame of this product ensures that it is ideal to be used as an everyday carry. It can also fit your pocket with ease. The flashlight can be further secured in your pocket using the pocket clip provided upon the purchase of this product.
Apart from that, this flashlight comes with 4 modes which are the high mode (100%), low mode (40%), reading mode as well as tactical strobe mode. The flashlight operates on full power at 100% brightness with 750 lumens, utilizes low power at 40% brightness, reading mode at 25 lumens or tactical strobes for quick flashes of light.
Weighing just 4.8 ounces, this product comes with one 18650 rechargeable battery and a charger to power up this tactical flashlight. It has a runtime of 105 minutes on full brightness whereas 32 hours on reading mode. The lower the brightness of your light, the more battery life you can save. Also, it is good to always bring spare batteries with you at all times.
Furthermore, this product is fairly easy to operate once you get used to adjusting and switching in between modes according to your preference. You just have to click a button to switch to different modes. Also, this product has a waterproof rating of IPX7 in which it is protected against water immersion.
In terms of lighting, the medium mode is ideal enough for most of the tasks meanwhile the low mode is good for reading in the dark. Not only that, the lighting provides a great throw and produces focused flood beam, therefore improving the illumination of your flashlight especially at larger areas.
Suitable for :
- Easy to operate
- IPX7 waterproof rating
- Bright and focused beam of light
Nitecore MG12GT 1000 Lumen Rechargeable Flashlight
Weighing 3.07 ounces, this EDC flashlight comes with a battery bundle which consists of the flashlight, 2 Nitocore 18650 batteries, holster, 2 LumenTac CR123 batteries, pocket clip, a USB charging cable, tactical ring, spare O-ring, lanyard, spare rubber cover, spare USB port cover and a LumenTac battery organizer to keep your batteries secure in the holder.
Apart from that, you can easily charge your flashlight using the convenient USB charger which quickly powers the MH12GT with a built-in charging port and included charging cable. As a low battery alert, a power indicator is available under the side switch of this flashlight in which the blue charging indicator will turn off upon complete charge. It uses either one 18650 battery or two CR123A battery to operate.
In terms of runtime hours, this battery runs up to a maximum 520 hours with the 3400mAh rechargeable battery therefore it is suitable for a multi-hour job. This product also includes the CREE XP-L HI V3 LED feature which provides a powerful 1000 lumens light beam when the flashlight is turned on on high mode. This light beam is able to provide throw for up to 350 yards and 27500cd peak intensity.
Besides that, this tactical flashlight is equipped with 4 output modes which consists of high mode with 1000 lumens and a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. The medium mode has a power of 280 lumens with runtime of 6 hours meanwhile the low mode has a power of 55 lumens with runtime of 28 hours. The ultra low mode on the other hand runs on 1 lumen from a period of 520 hours.
Constructed from aerograde aluminium, this flashlight is said to be very durable. The operation of this product includes handling a dual tailcap and side switch user interface. Not only that, the single tailcap button allows for easy operation with minimal handwork so you can adjust from the 4 brightness levels and three modes.
The three special modes are strobe mode, SOS mode and location beacon mode. Moreover, the operation of this pocket flashlight is rather easy in which you just need to press the tail cap switch until an audible click is heard to turn on and off the flashlight. Also, this product has a great memory function feature that remembers the previous mode and brightness level you are at when you turn on your flashlight for the next time.
Suitable for :
- Dual tailcap
- 4 brightness level
- 3 special mode (SOS, beacon, strobe)
- Memory function feature
Olight S1 Baton EDC LED Flashlight
This EDC flashlight is one of the smallest flashlight designed on the market in Olight history with its small side-switch LED. Apart from that, this flashlight is 2.4 inches in length and weighs 1.06 ounces. Therefore, due to its small and lightweight frame, it is extremely portable thus very suitable as your everyday carry.
Moreover, this product is equipped with 3 brightness levels to light up and illuminate your surroundings. These three modes are the moonlight mode which utilizes 0.5 lumens, the high mode which runs on 500 lumens (maximum), the low mode which runs on 8 lumens and the mid mode that runs on 80 lumens in addition to the special strobe mode.
The light illuminated by this small and compact flashlight is very bright with 500 lumens at maximum. It is able to light up large areas and has an ultra-far 120 yards beam throw. The battery runtime on the other hand is 25 days at maximum under the moonlight mode.
Not only that, this pocket flashlight is constructed from A6061-T6 aluminium material with class III anodizing layer hence ensuring the durability and toughness of this product. The lens on the other hand consists of TIR lens to create a balanced light beam with good throw and excellent dispersion.
This product comes with an Olight RCR123A rechargeable battery, lanyard and a compact LumenTac charger. The interface operation of this flashlight is fairly simple. Equipped with a built-in timer, you are able to turn the light on for 3 or 9 minutes according to your preference. Also, this product is waterproof with a rating of IPX8 in which it is submersible up to 2 meters for 30 minutes.
Conversely, this product has an impact resistance of 1.5 meters. It comes with recessed silicon design to prevent accidental operation of your flashlight thus draining your battery and also a stainless steel head and switch binder rings.
Apart from that, this flashlight is equipped with a no-slip pocket clip which ensures that your flashlight is secured in your pocket. It also has a magnetic tail cap so you can attach your flashlight at any magnetic surface. For example, you can stick it at tight quarters where it is hard to accommodate your hand.
Suitable for :
- Waterproof rating of IPX8
- Smallest side-switch LED
- 3 brightness levels
- Recessed silicon design
- Built-in timer
LED Lenser-P5R.2 Rechargeable Flashlight
This EDC flashlight is equipped with the matte frozen black texture coating which comes in handy as it improves your grip on the flashlight in addition to providing maximum comfort for you, thereby allowing the user for simpler handling under harsh conditions or while wearing gloves for instance.
Furthermore, it features the advanced focus system which is a patented combination of the lens and the reflector to produce a light source that provides focused beam at longer ranges and homogenous spill beam for up-close reading.
Weighing 2.82 ounces, the floating charge system of this product ensures that it is simple and convenient to charge your flashlight at all times. You just have to simply mount the recharging system on any wall, plug it in and touch the end-cap of your floating charge magnet. This method is suitable for both wall-mounted and on-the-go charging.
Also, it requires no battery memory. The on-the-go charging method on the other hand utilizes the USB cord provided with the purchase of this product to aid you in charging with maximum ease. Not only that, the maximum distance at which your light beam can be projected unto is 240 meters while the minimum distance is 50 meters depending on the different modes you choose.
Equipped with the smart light technology, this tactical flashlight allows you to program your own light functions. There are 3 pre-programmed modes however in the flashlight which are the high power, low power and defense strobe modes. These modes are easily adjusted and switched with full or half clicks.
Besides that, this flashlight has a bright light with excellent dispersion despite its small and compact size. This flashlight is able to light up large areas due to its uniform throw. The high power mode utilizes 270 lumens (maximum) whereas the lower power mode utilizes 20 lumens. Your battery life can be thoroughly saved if you adjust the brightness level wisely as low power mode saves up so much of your battery life.
Suitable for :
- Smart light technology
- Floating charge system
- Advanced focus system
- Matte frozen black texture
Fenix PD35 TAC 1000 Lumen Tactical Flashlight Review
Fenix’s tactical flashlight is constructed from durable aircraft-grade aluminium and anodized with premium type III anti-abrasive finish to ensure that your flashlight is sturdy, tough and durable. Weighing 3.1 ounces, this product utilizes the 1000 Lumen CREE XP-L (V5) LED with an excellent lifespan of 50 000 hours. The beam distance on the other hand of the light is 656 feet.
This product uses either one 18650 rechargeable lithium ion battery or 2 3V CR123A lithium battery to operate. However, 2 Edison Bright CR123A lithium batteries comes with the purchase of this product for your convenience. Also, this flashlight comes with reversed polarity protection feature to prevent improper battery installation and a low voltage reminder that indicates that you need battery replacement.
Apart from that, this EDC flashlight has an intelligent memory circuit feature in which it automatically enters your last used output mode when you newly turn it on. Not only that, its anti-roll and slip resistant body design ensures that you have a good grip of the flashlight and that is safely secured in your pocket. It also comes with toughened ultra-clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating.
Moreover, this product has a tactical tail switch with a momentary-on function as well as 2 modes which are the tactical mode and outdoor mode. Switching between the tactical mode and outdoor mode is simple as you just have to press and hold the stainless steel side switch button for about 3 seconds. You are only capable of mode changing when under tactical mode.
The outdoor mode consists of the turbo, high, medium, low, eco and strobe modes whereas the tactical mode consists of the turbo, low and strobe mode. All in all, the light produces bright light with good spill that illuminates larger areas. Also, this product is waterproof with a rating of IPX8 in which it can be submerged up to 6.5 feet for 30 minutes.
Suitable for :
- Intelligent memory circuit
- Reverse polarity protection
- 1000 lumen maximum output
- Tactical tail switch
Surefire Defender Series LED Flashlight
Surefire’s EDC flashlight features a combination of LED emitter with the TIR lens to produce a tight, far-reaching beam with more than enough surround light to ensure great peripheral vision. This TIR lens come in handy as it provides a good throw as well as dispersion of light in addition to being really bright thereby able to illuminate large areas well.
Moreover, this product is equipped with 2 output levels which are the high and low modes. The high mode uses 300 lumens to produce the maximum light meanwhile the low mode utilizes 5 lumens which in return ensures extended runtime as your battery will least likely drain under low mode.
Equipped with a dual output tailcap click switch, this pocket flashlight is fairly simple to operate once you get the hang of it. You need to press it once for momentary-on high, click for constant-on high, then return to off then click again to select the low mode. Also, you can refer to tutorial videos online for further clarification.
This product comes with a strike bezel design which comes in handy in providing a personal defense option as well as added protection to your lens. In terms of size on the other hand, this product is small and compact, therefore ideal as your everyday carry as it can easily fit your pocket and secured well using the sturdy pocket clip provided.
The construction of this flashlight is durable and sturdy as it is constructed from high-strength aerospace aluminium body as well as mil-spec hard anodized for extreme durability. In terms of battery life on the other hand, this Surefire’s EDC flashlight has a great battery life.
The runtime at high output of 300 lumens is 2.25 hours. Also, there is a shield ring around the push-button activator of your flashlight to prevent any accidental activation of your flashlight. Hence, you won’t be wasting your battery unnecessarily upon accidental turn-on.
Suitable for :
- TIR lens
- Dual-output tailcap click
- Strike bezel design
- Shield ring
Conclusion
A pocket flashlight comes in handy during any survival situations as it compensates for your source of light especially under low light conditions. Therefore, it is important to carry an EDC flashlight with you all the time.
Factors such as waterproof rating, weight/size and lumen need to be taken into consideration when choosing the right flashlight well-suited to you. Therefore, I hope my review assists you in making the right decision.
To go with your pocket flashlight, you can get the top rated coon hunting lights to further assist you in hunting.