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10 Best Pocket Flashlights 2025 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

OLIGHT Arkfeld Pro Rechargeable EDC Flat Flashlight with Green Beam, UV and White LED Combo, 1300 Lumens Portable Pocket Lights, Triple Sources for Outdoors Emergency Working (Black CW)

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,222
Durability and Water Resistance
Brightness (Lumens)
Battery Type

Most important from
3958 reviews

Durability and Water Resistance
The flashlight's all-metal construction ensures impressive durability and resilience against splashes and rough use, making it ideal for demanding work environments.
Brightness (Lumens)
Multiple brightness settings, including a very bright mode and strobe, provide versatile lighting options for various tasks and situations.
Battery Type
Battery life is outstanding, lasting several hours on medium brightness and going months without needing a recharge under typical daily use.
Size and Weight
Its footprint is slightly larger than some pocket lights, but the advanced features and reliability justify the extra size and weight.
Modes and Features
The UV light performs exceptionally well, revealing details like fluid leaks and cleanliness issues that are invisible to the naked eye.

The OLIGHT Arkfeld Pro is a compact and versatile pocket flashlight that stands out with its triple light sources: bright white LED, green beam, and UV light. It delivers a strong brightness of up to 1300 lumens, which is quite powerful for its small size, making it great for outdoor activities or emergency situations. The green beam and high-intensity UV light add unique features useful for specific tasks such as tracking or detecting substances invisible to normal light. It runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is convenient and environmentally friendly, and it includes a battery level indicator to keep you informed about remaining power.

In terms of size, it is fairly lightweight at about 6 ounces and slim (just under 5 inches long), making it easy to carry in a pocket without feeling bulky. Made of aluminum, it’s durable and waterproof, adding to its reliability in different weather conditions. The flashlight offers adjustable light modes accessible via a circular selector, allowing you to switch between white, green, and UV lights smoothly. However, the triple-mode design might feel a bit complex for users wanting a simple on/off flashlight.

Given the brightness and LED types, the flashlight provides a decent beam reach suitable for everyday and tactical purposes. One limitation might be the green beam power capped at 5mW, which is safe but less intense than some specialized devices. This flashlight is well-suited for people who want a multipurpose, rechargeable EDC (everyday carry) light with advanced features and solid build quality, especially if you appreciate having UV and green light alongside a powerful white LED.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,222
Durability and Water Resistance
Brightness (Lumens)
Battery Type

Most important from
3958 reviews

Durability and Water Resistance
The flashlight's all-metal construction ensures impressive durability and resilience against splashes and rough use, making it ideal for demanding work environments.
Brightness (Lumens)
Multiple brightness settings, including a very bright mode and strobe, provide versatile lighting options for various tasks and situations.
Battery Type
Battery life is outstanding, lasting several hours on medium brightness and going months without needing a recharge under typical daily use.
Size and Weight
Its footprint is slightly larger than some pocket lights, but the advanced features and reliability justify the extra size and weight.
Modes and Features
The UV light performs exceptionally well, revealing details like fluid leaks and cleanliness issues that are invisible to the naked eye.
#2

Streamlight 88811 Wedge 1000-Lumen Max 300-Lumen Standard 1200-Candela Flat Everyday Carry Flashlight, Includes USB-C Cable and Lanyard, Coyote

Rating
8.5
Brightness (Lumens)
Battery Type
Size and Weight

Most important from
4715 reviews

Brightness (Lumens)
High quality and very bright, especially with the newer LED models.
Battery Type
Incredible battery life for such a small and bright flashlight, lasting a long time per charge.
Size and Weight
Compact and lightweight, it can easily be clipped in a pocket without catching on things.
Beam Distance
While it doesn't throw light as far as larger models, its compactness and brightness make it a great trade-off.
Durability and Water Resistance
Super durable, surviving multiple drops onto concrete.
Modes and Features
No unnecessary 'tactical' modes—just on, extra bright, and off.

The Streamlight 88811 Wedge is a strong contender in the pocket flashlight category, particularly for those who value portability and versatility. With a maximum brightness of 300 lumens in high mode, it delivers impressive illumination for various tasks, making it suitable for outdoor adventures like camping or jogging as well as everyday carry scenarios. Its low mode, providing 50 lumens for a longer runtime of 11 hours, offers energy efficiency for less demanding situations.

Weighing only 3.2 ounces and featuring a slim design, it fits comfortably in your hand and can easily be carried in a pocket. The included deep carry pocket clip adds convenience, allowing for secure attachment to clothing or bags, while the lanyard provides additional carrying options.

Durability is another highlight, as the Wedge is made from anodized aluminum and boasts an IPX7 waterproof rating, which means it can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter. It's also tested for impact resistance up to 1 meter, making it suitable for rugged use. The rechargeable feature via USB-C is a significant advantage, allowing for quick charging in about 3 hours and providing a charge indicator for ease of use. The flashlight excels in many areas, though potential users should note that its maximum brightness of 300 lumens might not be sufficient for all high-intensity lighting needs, especially in very dark environments. The beam distance of 69 meters is decent but may not reach as far as some other models in similar categories.

Rating
8.5
Brightness (Lumens)
Battery Type
Size and Weight

Most important from
4715 reviews

Brightness (Lumens)
High quality and very bright, especially with the newer LED models.
Battery Type
Incredible battery life for such a small and bright flashlight, lasting a long time per charge.
Size and Weight
Compact and lightweight, it can easily be clipped in a pocket without catching on things.
Beam Distance
While it doesn't throw light as far as larger models, its compactness and brightness make it a great trade-off.
Durability and Water Resistance
Super durable, surviving multiple drops onto concrete.
Modes and Features
No unnecessary 'tactical' modes—just on, extra bright, and off.
#3

OLIGHT Arkfeld Ultra 1400 Lumens EDC Flat Flashlight, Rechargeable Compact Pocket Flash Light Combines White LED, UV and Green Beam, Triple Sources Perfect for Checking, Working (Olive-Green NW)

Rating
7.9
Brightness (Lumens)
Battery Type
Size and Weight

Most important from
1160 reviews

Brightness (Lumens)
With a maximum of 1400 lumens, the light output is impressively bright and consistent, perfect for a variety of tasks.
Battery Type
Despite not being a fan of proprietary chargers, the performance of this flashlight is so good that it's worth it.
Size and Weight
The OLIGHT Arkfeld Ultra is a marvel of design and functionality, making it incredibly pocketable and easy to carry around.
Durability and Water Resistance
The build quality is outstanding, with a solid aluminum body that feels heavy-duty and durable.
Modes and Features
The green laser and UV light add extra utility, making it a versatile tool for different situations.

The OLIGHT Arkfeld Ultra is a compact pocket flashlight that stands out with its impressive brightness of 1400 lumens, making it suitable for various tasks like camping, hiking, and emergency situations. One of its notable features is the three-in-one functionality, offering white, UV, and green beams, which adds versatility in different lighting needs, such as checking for pet stains or using it for outdoor activities at night.

In terms of size, the flashlight is quite portable, weighing just 4.2 ounces and measuring 0.63 x 1.06 x 4.72 inches, making it easy to carry in your pocket or bag. The material is O-aluminum, known for its durability and resistance to wear, which means it should hold up well over time even with regular use. Additionally, the high-transparency glass lens improves optical clarity and is scratch-resistant, adding to its longevity.

While the Arkfeld Ultra does offer a lot, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Although it is lightweight, some users may find the flat design less ergonomic for extended use, especially during prolonged outdoor activities. The rechargeable lithium polymer battery is convenient, but it’s essential to ensure it is charged before use to avoid running out of power in crucial moments. Finally, while it has a good water resistance level, it may not be suitable for extreme weather conditions, which could limit its use in certain environments.

For those who need a versatile flashlight for everyday carry or outdoor adventures, the OLIGHT Arkfeld Ultra is an excellent choice with its robust features and sleek design, though potential buyers should consider their specific use cases to determine if it fits their needs.

Rating
7.9
Brightness (Lumens)
Battery Type
Size and Weight

Most important from
1160 reviews

Brightness (Lumens)
With a maximum of 1400 lumens, the light output is impressively bright and consistent, perfect for a variety of tasks.
Battery Type
Despite not being a fan of proprietary chargers, the performance of this flashlight is so good that it's worth it.
Size and Weight
The OLIGHT Arkfeld Ultra is a marvel of design and functionality, making it incredibly pocketable and easy to carry around.
Durability and Water Resistance
The build quality is outstanding, with a solid aluminum body that feels heavy-duty and durable.
Modes and Features
The green laser and UV light add extra utility, making it a versatile tool for different situations.

Buying Guide for the Best Pocket Flashlights

Choosing the right pocket flashlight can make a big difference in your daily life, whether you need it for work, outdoor activities, or emergencies. The key is to understand the various specifications and how they align with your needs. Here’s a guide to help you navigate through the important features and make an informed decision.
Brightness (Lumens)Brightness, measured in lumens, indicates how much light the flashlight can produce. This is important because it determines how well you can see in the dark. Flashlights with 20-100 lumens are suitable for general use like finding keys or walking in the dark. For outdoor activities or security purposes, 100-300 lumens is more appropriate. If you need a flashlight for professional use or search and rescue, look for models with 300+ lumens. Consider your primary use to decide the right brightness level for you.
Battery TypeThe type of battery a flashlight uses affects its convenience and running cost. Common options include disposable batteries (like AA or AAA) and rechargeable batteries. Disposable batteries are easy to replace and find, making them great for occasional use. Rechargeable batteries are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly in the long run, ideal for frequent use. Think about how often you’ll use the flashlight and whether you prefer the convenience of disposables or the sustainability of rechargeables.
Size and WeightSize and weight are crucial for portability and comfort. A pocket flashlight should be compact and lightweight enough to carry around easily. Small flashlights (under 4 inches) are perfect for everyday carry (EDC) and fit comfortably in your pocket. Medium-sized flashlights (4-6 inches) offer a balance between portability and performance, suitable for outdoor activities. Larger flashlights (over 6 inches) might be more powerful but less convenient to carry. Choose a size that fits your carrying habits and usage scenarios.
Beam DistanceBeam distance indicates how far the light can reach, which is important for visibility over long distances. For general use, a beam distance of 50-100 meters is usually sufficient. For outdoor activities like hiking or camping, a beam distance of 100-200 meters is more suitable. For search and rescue or professional use, look for a beam distance of 200+ meters. Consider where and how you’ll be using the flashlight to determine the appropriate beam distance.
Durability and Water ResistanceDurability and water resistance ensure that your flashlight can withstand tough conditions. Look for flashlights made from robust materials like aluminum or stainless steel for better durability. Water resistance is indicated by an IPX rating; IPX4 means the flashlight can handle splashes, while IPX7 or higher means it can be submerged in water. If you plan to use the flashlight outdoors or in harsh environments, prioritize models with higher durability and water resistance ratings.
Modes and FeaturesDifferent modes and features can enhance the functionality of your flashlight. Common modes include low, medium, high, and strobe. Some flashlights also offer SOS mode for emergencies. Having multiple modes allows you to adjust the brightness and conserve battery life. Additional features like a zoomable lens, magnetic base, or clip can add convenience. Think about what extra features might be useful for your specific needs and choose accordingly.

FAQ