9 Best Small Flashlights of 2021

Small flashlights are portable illumination tools that can easily be carried anywhere. Are you going on a camping trip? You need one! Love to jog at night? That's another use for a compact flashlight. In fact, they are very versatile and there is a wide range of ways you can make them useful.

Best, these flashlights are so small that you do not even need a holster to carry. You can either clip it to your belt or place it in your pocket. They are lightweight and you will quickly forget they are even there.

If you are looking for the best small flashlights for the money, then you have come to the right place. We have reviewed some of the top flashlight models money can buy. Let’s get to it!

Without further ado, here is our review of some of the best small flashlight on the market.

• Lumen: 140 lumens
• Product Weight: 3.4 ounces
• Dimension: 4.29 x 1.34 inches

As its name suggests, the LightingEver CREE has a small CREE LED driver that allows it to produce 140 lumens of light. This flashlight is small and compact making it very portable. Additionally, this model is also one of the most affordable models in this review.

As for the light intensity, it isn't much when compared to other flashlights but still decent enough to illuminate an object or area brightly. Moreover, the light quality is quite good and not too dazzling to the eye.

Even more so, this small and compact flashlight has an excellent beam distance of 152 meters which is one of the best in this review. Our recommendation is simple. If you need a compact and small flashlight that can illuminate a long distance, the LightingEver CREE is one of the best small flashlights for the money.

• Lumen: 500 lumens
• Product Weight: 5.1 ounces
• Dimension: 6.1 x 1.6 inches

With the Gearlight S1000, you don’t get 1 but 2 small flashlights. This is a combo pack that comes with 2 flashlights for the price of 1. Neat! What makes the Gearlight S1000 such a good purchase is its high brightness. Indeed, this unit can out a very powerful light of 500 lumens.

It does so without overheating as it has an efficient LED driver. It isn’t the most compact flashlight in this review, as the length of each flashlight is 6.1-inch. Still portable you might say, but not as small and portable as other models in this review.

However, what it loses in terms of length it makes up for it in terms of weight. It’s a lightweight flashlight that is comfortable to hold.

Additionally, the zoom function makes this flashlight versatile and value for money. It can be used to adjust the beam distance on the fly.

All in all, there is a lot going on in this model. Ideal for those going out hunting or camping with multiple people.

• Lumen: 100 lumens
• Product Weight: 0.64 ounce
• Dimension: 3.5 x 0.59 inches

The Perman CREE XPE-R3 is one of the best compact small flashlights on the market. It takes only 1 AAA battery and measures 3.5 inches in length. This highly compact and slim flashlight will easily fit your pocket and this model is so small that you will quickly forget that it’s there.

Moreover, the shell is made from an aircraft grade aluminum that makes it the lightest flashlight in this review. Not forgetting that it’s also durable and should last for quite a while.

But what really makes the Perman CREE XPE-R3 a seriously good deal and the best mini LED flashlight is its price. This model is by far the most affordable compact flashlight in this review. It even sports a belt clip for accessibility and it will not roll on a flat table, making it a good candlelight. Sweet.

• Lumen: 500 lumens
• Product Weight: 3.17 ounces
• Dimension: 5.1 x 2.1 inches

Olight S1 is a small powerful flashlight that is also quite compact. Despite its very small size, the LED driver can output an impressive 500 lumens of light without overheating issues.

This model uses a CR123A battery, that is not included in the purchase but any electronics shop should sell those. Moreover, that we absolutely love about this model is its ergonomic shape. The surface is anti-skid and has a nice handling despite its ultra small size.

Further, the switch on/off is located at the top which makes it more convenient to use. The build construction is superb and quality. Very durable and compact flashlight that is built like a tank! This product is one of the smallest tactical flashlights on the market.

For more versatility, there are 3 light modes with a special moonlight mode that emits only 0.5 lumen of light. Excellent for those out camping and need only a small candlelight to eat. Best, it even has a clip for better accessibility.

• Lumen: 400 lumens
• Product Weight: 2.08 ounces
• Dimension: 4.9 x 1.1 inches

For those looking for a quality and affordable small flashlight, the Anker Bolder LC40 offers excellent value. This is a powerful 400-lumen flashlight with very decent build quality made from durable aluminum.

What demarks the Anker Bolder LC40 apart from the competition is its long beam distance of 100 meters. If you need to shine a far away object and need a highly compact flashlight, this is the best model to get.

It even has a lanyard for better accessibility and portability. Best, this model is also weather-proof and waterproof making it an excellent flashlight to use outdoors. The different light modes also make it suitable as a camping or hunting flashlight where size matters more than power.

• Lumen: 28 lumens
• Product Weight: 1.04 ounces
• Dimension: 3.54 x 0.59 inches

Not everybody needs a powerful small flashlight. Many of us simply want a functional device and as long it outputs a decently bright light for a long period, we’re satisfied. This is a good description for the Streamlight 66318.

It outputs only a low-light of 28 lumens and while this isn’t very bright, this product is still bright enough to get good clarity. Best, it can shine a beam for up to a distance of 52 meters making it quite versatile.

It has a traditional pen shape giving it a good ergonomic, and while it may lack features like a rubber handle, it has an excellent handling. The clip also helps promote accessibility and is a welcome feature.

Moreover, the anodized aluminum-built construction makes this flashlight durable and long-lasting. It even has a polycarbonate lens that protects it from scratches. The only caveat we have is the price.

• Product Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Dimension: 7.5 x 3.7 inches

The LRI Photon Freedom is a special compact flashlight in this review. This model is not exactly a flashlight, but rather a keychain. This device isn't meant for any type of heavy duty applications but in an emergency, this tiny keychain flashlight and come in very handy.

Additionally, it also has a lanyard that you can use to attach over Johann or even your neck for better portability. It animates a blue beam of light and has a high light efficiency due to its 24 K gold plated contacts.

Further, you can even adjust the light direction 360-degrees quickly and easily. To make it even more versatile, there is a crocodile clip support. For those looking for a very portable compact model that doesn't quite look like a flashlight, then this is by far the best mini led flashlight in this review.

The only caveat is that this model is made entirely out of plastic which is not the most durable or premium-looking. However, this flashlight is still waterproof and offers good weather-resistance which makes it an excellent outdoor mini flashlight for camping or hunting purposes.

• Lumen: 300 lumen
• Product Weight: 2.24 ounces
• Dimension: 3.7 x 1.2 inches

The Hausbell Ultra Bright is another combo kit that comes with 2 flashlights instead of one. It has an excellent build construction and quite powerful with its 300 lumens of light output.

Moreover, it has free settings which makes it very handy in an emergency situation. The handle and ahead has anti-skid marks to make it more comfortable to hold with wet hands.

This small flashlight is also weather resistant as well as waterproof which makes it a very interesting choice for those going out camping, hunting, cycling or any other type of outdoor activities.

Another welcome feature in this model is its zoom ability, where you can focus the beam distance for better clarity. There is a lot of versatility in this unit as this mini flashlight can be powered by either an AA battery or a 14500 lithium-ion cell.

• Lumen: 20 lumens
• Product Weight: 1.34 ounces
• Dimension: 3.7 x 1.2 inches

The EverBrite 9-LED is possibly one of the best deals we have in this review. This model is actually a 6-pack set that comes with small flashlights equipped with a 9-LED driver. The flashlights come in different colors to suit different tastes.

The EverBrite isn't the brightest compact flashlight as it only outputs 20 lumens of light. however, this flashlight is still plenty powerful for any type of general-purpose use. Obviously, this is not a professional flashlight but rather meant for casual users.

It still has a decent run time of four hours and a beam distance of 20 meters which is very good for a small fact side of this size. It will make an excellent hiking, hunting or even biking flashlight at a very affordable price.

Before you can get the best small flashlight, you need to first understand and look out for a few basic things. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Brightness

A flashlight brightness is measured in lumens. The brighter the flashlight, the more lumens it will have. However, even if a higher lumen is important, this is not always what you need to look for.

What is more important is that the product is both bright and gives a good quality light. Some lights from a flashlight can be too bright to the point that it becomes overwhelming and hurts the eyes. You absolutely don’t want that!

2. Dimension

In order to be portable, they need to be at a fairly small size. Keep an eye out for the dimension of the flashlight. Some compact flashlights may be smaller but do not output a lot of light. Others may be taller and have poor performance. Of course, you will need to choose a model that fits your need.

3. Performance

Part of what qualifies as performance in a flashlight is its brightness. But that’s not all. You need to take into account its runtime, LED driver efficiency and lumens as well. If you need a very performing flashlight then you will most of the time need to sacrifice battery life or portability.

4. Beam Distance

If you need to shine a light at a long distance, the beam distance is an important factor in a flashlight to understand. The longer the beam distance, the better you will be able to shine far-away objects.

5. Weight

For those looking for a portable compact flashlight, then you do not want one that is too heavy. It's because small and compact flashlights that are also heavy tend to be uncomfortable to hold.

If you need a performing flashlight and don’t mind the weight, we recommend you choose a tall model as there is more room for the hand to rest comfortably on the handle.

6. Battery Type

There is a wide range of small flashlights out there. They are powered by different types of batteries like AA, AAA, CR123A, 18650, etc. Keep note that the smallest and most compact ones are usually flashlights powered by a single AAA battery.

7. Clip

For better accessibility and portability, a model that comes with a clip is always a nice feature.

8. Power Switch

The position of the power switch is equally an important aspect as it will directly dictate the ergonomics of the flashlight. However, this is largely a question of preference.

Some people prefer the on/off switch to be at the top of the flashlight, while others like it at the tail. Choose a type and model based on your liking.

After reading our comprehensive guide and review, you are now better equipped to purchase a quality model online. As we’ve seen, the best mini flashlight does not have to be the most expensive model. In fact, most of the top models are competitively priced and offer a lot of value for money.

Therefore, by keeping an open eye for the weight, lumen output, beam distance, amongst others, you will definitely find an excellent small flashlight that fit your need.

In case you have still not found one yet, we recommend you read our flashlight review again.