10 Best EDC Flashlights of 2021

If you have been searching for flashlights online, then you may have come across the term EDC flashlights. But what exactly does it mean? EDC is short for "Every Day Carry". These are flashlights that you carry everywhere and every day with you. And they are generally lightweight and compact.

They are popular types of flashlights that are known for their excellent built quality, longevity and versatility. But above all, they give you an excellent tactical advantage because of their high brightness. They can be used as a defense and tactical weapon when needed.

If you are on the lookout for the best EDC flashlight for the money but don’t know where to look, you have come to the right place. We have researched and hand-picked some of the best EDC flashlights on the market.

Additionally, you can read our impressions on those products, as well as our comprehensive guide below to get more knowledge on EDC flashlights.

• Lumen: 300 lumens
• Battery Type: AA
• Product Weight: 8.2 ounces
• Dimension: 4.2 x 1 inches

The Gearlight M3 is actually a pack of 2 compact flashlights. The best thing about this combo kit is that it has a very affordable price. There is a lot of value in it. The Gearlight M3 is solidly built with an aluminum chassis that gives the flashlight durability.

Moreover, this is an excellent EDC flashlight as it can output 300 lumens of light. Which is quite impressive considering the small size of this unit and especially that it requires only a single AA battery to output such power. 2 AA batteries are also delivered with this purchase since you are effectively getting X2 EDC flashlights here.

Further, we like the presence of a red marked tail switch that makes it easily visible in the dark. The M3 is fully water resistant and weatherproof, making it an excellent EDC flashlight for outdoors. Its compact form factor is very discreet and you will easily forget you're carrying a flashlight in your pocket.

All in all, this model is one of the best mini EDC flashlights as it’s value for money.

• Lumen: 500 lumens
• Battery Type: AA and 14500 battery
• Product Weight: 1.28 ounces
• Dimension: 3.8 x 0.8 inches

Thorfire TG06S is a pocket EDC flashlight that packs a real punch. This very small illumination tool has an impressive maximum brightness of 500 lumens, which is exceptionally bright for a flashlight this small. Especially considering that this little guy is powered by only a single AA battery. It also accepts the 14500 battery type for more versatility. This is quite some engineering feat right there.

Moreover, this product is very lightweight at only 1.28 ounces and thus highly portable. With such a lightweight, you will quickly forget you are even carrying a flashlight in your pocket. The clip can be reversed for better accessibility and the beauty of this flashlight is that it can also be used as a cap light if you prefer.

Despite all those interesting and desirable features, it still manages to remain quite affordable. For those who need a daily flashlight that is compact and ultra bright, we highly recommend the Thorfire TG06S.

• Lumen: 110 lumens
• Battery Type: AA and 14500 battery
• Product Weight: 2.24 ounces
• Dimension: 3.8 x 0.8 inches

This mini EDC flashlight looks a little bit different than other models. The reason for this is that this EDC keychain made from a heavy-duty titanium material that makes it incredibly strong. The Reylight is still a very compact model that is very tough and long-lasting.

This is a type of flashlight that can go through abuse and still not get a scratch on. This model is small enough to fit in your pocket but big enough to have a comfortable handling. The Reylight Titanium has a 4000K Nichia 219C LED driver that can switch up to 4 different light modes for versatility. This is an incredible set of features in such a small and compact flashlight.

Additionally, there's a special moonlight setting in this unit that allows it to output 0.2 lumen of light. This is a very soft and warm light that does a good job mimicking a candlelight. Therefore, this keychain is an excellent camping flashlight.

But despite its small size, this unit is still a very powerful flashlight that can output up to 390 lumens of light when used with a 14500 battery. With AA batteries, it can achieve a maximum of 110 lumens which is still very good. Even with such brightness, it does a good job not overheating as the titanium shell does a pretty good job absorbing any extra heat and thus protecting the flashlight in the long term.

• Lumen: 120 lumens
• Battery Type: AAA
• Product Weight: 1.28 ounces
• Dimension: 5.2 × 0.6 inches

This model from I-pure is a typical looking tactical pen flashlight. It has been streamlined and engineered to be very portable and has an ergonomic and comfortable handling.

This model is powered by 2 AAA batteries that provided with enough power to output 120 lumens of power. Compared to other EDC flashlights in this review, this isn't much but when you compare it with a regular flashlight there is a big difference.

What we like about the I-pure XPE2 though is its lightweight. It weighs only 1.28 ounces which is very light and because of the height of this flashlight, it has an exceptionally good handling. In fact, the whole surface is coated with a soft rubber material to promote comfort.

The pen clip helps with accessibility and the position of the clip can even be adjusted if required. This is a very portable EDC flashlight, no doubt. Best of all, the I-pure XPE2 is offered at a bargain price and we think that this model is value for money. This model is definitely one of the best EDC flashlights on the market especially considering its price.

• Lumen: 500 lumens
• Battery Type: RCR123 and CR128A
• Product Weight: 3.17 ounces
• Dimension: 5.1 × 2.1 inches

The Olight S1 is one of the best pocket EDC flashlights we have in this review. This flashlight is a very compact model that despite its small size can output a lot of brightness. The device is built like a tank with an anodized aluminum alloy with an extremely efficient design.

When where this product is a true winner is in portability. This unit can equally be used as a tactical EDC flashlight because it can be hidden when the hand is clenched. It offers 3 light modes and on high setting, it can output an impressive 500 lumens of pure power.

The efficiency of the design makes sure that this compact flashlight is able to convert at least 90% of the battery power into light which is one of the best stats in this review. It also has two regular modes where it can output 0.5 lumen for those who need a soft light.

Best, with this model you have versatility in the battery as it uses both RCR123 and CR123A. The only caveat with this EDC flashlight is at a high price. But other than that, this flashlight is simply perfect!

• Lumen: 550 lumens
• Battery Type: CR123A and 16340
• Product Weight: 2.47 ounces
• Dimension: 5.3 x 1 inches

The Fenix PD25 has long been one of our favorite models. This EDC flashlight is also one of the brightest EDC flashlights in this review with a brightness of 550 lumens. This is possible when paired with a 16340 lithium-ion battery as it’s the only way to deliver such brightness.

Despite so much power, this model still manages to be quite portable. At 2.47 ounces, it’s not as lightweight as other EDC flashlights in this review, but relatively speaking not a heavy flashlight at all.

One of the best things about this model is that it has a rating of IPX-8 which means that this flashlight is fully waterproof and can be immersed in water for up to a depth of 2 meters for 30 minutes.

If you are a swimmer and need a compact flashlight, this is the best EDC flashlight for your need as there is nothing that comes even close to it in terms of brightness and performance.

Again, everything has a price. This model is also the process in this review but if you can afford it, it will definitely serve you well for a long time.

• Lumen: 950 lumens
• Battery Type: 2 x CR123A, 2 x RCR123A or 1 x 18650
• Product Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Dimension: 4.1 x 0.9 inches

The S2 from Olight is another highly compact and heavy-duty EDC flashlight that offers a lot of versatility. It uses no less than 3 different types of batteries and it can output a high brightness of 950 lumens. This is a blinding light that eventually makes the Olight S2 an excellent tactical EDC flashlight and easily the brightest EDC flashlight in this review.

The S2 is very lightweight at 1.6 ounces and coupled with its small size of 4.1 inches, this is an extremely portable flashlight. One of the better features in this model is that it contains a timer where it will automatically shut off every 3 minutes or 9 minutes depending on the user's choice.

Additionally, there are 4 light modes which makes it even more versatile and suitable for a wide range of activities, from camping to hunting to even biking. All in all, if you need a very powerful and compact EDC flashlight then this model from Olight is the best EDC flashlight for the money. This flashlight isn't the cheapest but definitely well worth it.

• Lumen: 54 lumens
• Battery Type: AAA
• Product Weight: 1.5 ounces
• Dimension: 4.02 x 0.6 inches

The Coast G19 is a more conservative EDC flashlight. Powered by only one AAA battery, it outputs only 54 lumens of light on its max setting. This isn't as blinding as other models we have reviewed but still bright enough to provide a good illumination.

The Coast G19 is built from anodized aluminum making a durable and long-lasting. Moreover, it has a good beam distance of 20 meters and a runtime of 2 hours 30 minutes. This is pretty average when compared to an average EDC flashlight, but still superior to a regular flashlight.

Additionally, this flashlight is also quite affordable and considering that this unit lasts a long time, we think that this model is a good buy if you like it.

• Lumen: 150 lumens
• Battery Type: AAA
• Product Weight: 1.06 ounces
• Dimension: 2.75 x 0.55 inches

Glaree Keychain is an extremely inexpensive EDC flashlight solution. In fact, this is the most affordable model in this review. This products is effectively a Keychain that is very portable and can be hung anywhere you like. It measures only 2.75 inches in length which is very small by EDC flashlight standards.

Despite its very low price, this keychain still built from an aluminum alloy that makes it durable and it doesn't feel that cheap. It can output a decent 150 lumens of light which is bright.

Additionally, the beam distance of 45 meters is quite good as well. If you're looking for a cost-effective and highly affordable EDC flashlight then we cannot think of any model better than this Keychain flashlight from Glaree.

• Lumen: 200 lumens
• Battery Type: 10180
• Product Weight: 0.8 ounce
• Dimension: 1.65 x 0.51 inches

Sdenow Mini earns its name well as this model is by far the smallest EDC flashlight in this review. And by small, we mean it is absolutely tiny.

It measures only 1.65 inches and weighs 0.8 ounce which is almost nothing. However, it still manages to output 200 lumens of light which are quite bright and even outperforms much more expensive and bigger EDC flashlights in this review.

Best, this EDC flashlight is waterproof and even comes with a charging indicator. We don't think that there will be durability issues since this model is quite well-built and should be long-lasting. We cannot think of any practical way to use this EDC flashlight all other than it being a novelty. Get it if you like it. If not, there are more serious flashlights in this review.

A regular flashlight may have its advantages, but compared to an EDC flashlight it won’t be able to compete. For one, EDC flashlights are more expensive than regular flashlights. So much so, that for the price of one EDC flashlight, you can often get many regular flashlights.

The rule for choosing between them is quite simple. For those simply looking for an illumination tool, then a regular flashlight will do the job just fine. They don’t cost much and are quite reliable in the short term.

However, neither will the build quality nor the brightness of a regular flashlight be the same as an EDC model. EDC flashlights have a great attention to detail and they look professional and well-made.

They also have an excellent handling and output a very bright light in a short amount of time. This “burst light” mode in EDC flashlights is what makes them so popular as they can also be used as tactical defensive weapons as well.

Therefore, those planning to use their flashlight every day, and are looking for more versatility will definitely prefer an EDC flashlight as they are so much more superior to regular models.

There are several key reasons why many people prefer an EDC flashlight over any other type of flashlights, even if they generally cost more than regular models. Here are a few key reasons:

1. Brightness

As we have already previously discussed, EDC flashlights are extremely bright. This brightness is mostly attributed to the special engineering that goes into the making of an EDC flashlight. The LED driver is usually big and the head small in such a way that it compresses a maximum of light.

The end result is an extremely bright flash of light that can dazzle your opponent when used as a tactical defensive weapon. When used as a regular flashlight, it provides a light that is widespread and allows the user to see his or her peripheral clearly.

2. Tactical Tool

Due to the very high brightness of an EDC flashlight, it can be used as a military tactical weapon. Indeed, the light is so bright that it can dazzle your opponent and provide you with a tactical advantage. Therefore, many people choose to buy an EDC flashlight for its tactical capabilities.

3. Durability

In general, EDC flashlights are better built than other types. This is mostly because EDC flashlights cost more than regular units so manufacturers need a way to justify this price difference. However, it goes to the advantage of the user since EDC flashlights are highly durable and long-lasting.

4. Versatility

Due to their superior build construction and durability, EDC flashlights are more versatile and can be used as regular tools during an emergency situation.

5. Battery Type

EDC flashlights are very versatile when it comes to battery types. They use a wide range of batteries, from AA, AAA to lithium-ion batteries like 18650. Many times, they are interchangeable and you can use more than one type of battery in the same EDC flashlight. Very convenient.

6. Waterproof

Most EDC flashlights have a high IPX rating which says that they are weatherproof and waterproof. Thus, they are ideal companions for those who require a flashlight in wet conditions.

7. Compact

Other than offering all the benefits above, EDC flashlights are also highly compact which makes them very portable and easy to carry. It’s quite impressive that such a small and compact flashlight can pack so much power.

Before buying an EDC flashlight online, here are some important factors to look for. They will prevent you from wasting your money on an EDC model you do not need and miss on a model that would have been useful.

1. Lumen

EDC flashlights are reputed for their high brightness, therefore high lumen value. While most regular flashlights are happy to output a small amount of light, EDC flashlights can output up to a 1000 lumens.

This is a very high value, and produces a dazzling light since the head of an EDC flashlight is usually quite small and processes a big LED driver. Therefore, most of the light is compressed in a very small area thus allowing the EDC flashlight to produce such a dazzling amount of light.

However, be very careful when manipulating an EDC flashlight whether using it on yourself or on others as the light output can cause severe eye injury if mishandled.

2. Weight

By their very nature, easy flashlights are meant to be carried every day and everywhere you go. Therefore, it needs to be sufficiently lightweight so as to be portable and not to cause any type of discomfort.

As a general rule, since EDC flashlights are also a tactical flashlight, they generally do not weigh a lot. Most of the time, the weight in the range of 1 ounce to 3 ounces which is highly portable anyway you look at it.

3. Size

So as to easily fit in your pocket, an EDC flashlight must not be very tall. However, it also needs to be sufficiently big as it can fit comfortably in the palm of your hand.

This is especially true if you are planning to use the flashlight for an extended period every day. We recommend that you choose a model based on your hand size.

4. Bulb Type

There are several types of bulbs used in the driver of a flashlight. Incandescent is the oldest type, but also the weakest. For maximum impact, we recommend that you always choose an EDC flashlight that comes equipped with the last CREE LED driver. They are highly efficient and produce a lot of lumens with less power.

5. Battery Type

There is no “one” type of battery when it comes to EDC flashlights. It mostly depends on the manufacturer. AA and AAA batteries are perhaps the most common battery types used, but 18650 and CR123A are quickly becoming popular because they contain more power and have better autonomy than AAA or AA batteries.

6. Waterproof Rating

Since the EDC flashlight is carried everywhere, it absolutely needs to be weatherproof and waterproof. Luckily, most everyday carry EDC flashlights have no problem resisting water. Keep an eye out for the IPX rating of the flashlight. IPX-7 and IPX-8 are the best as they are fully waterproof. However, for most people anything above IPX-4 is fine.

After reading our guide and review, you’ve seen that choosing the best pocket EDC for your need is not a very difficult task. You need to stick to a few basic rules and don’t be hasty when purchasing one. Take your time, look at the important features we have discussed above and then go choose a model that appeals to you.

In any case, all the models we have listed above are superior to regular flashlights and will run circles around them, both in terms of durability and brightness. If you have not made up your mind on which EDC flashlight to get just yet, we welcome you to go through our review one more time.