The Best EDC Flashlights You Can Buy Right Now

Flashlights have long been an important part of the everyday carry pantheon due to their ability to — like any quality piece of EDC gear — provide ample utility and preparedness in a compact, rugged, and easily-carry-able package. With literally hundreds of different EDC torches on the market all ranging in price, size, and performance, it can be difficult even knowing where to start your search when shopping for one. Recognizing the sheer abundance of this space, we’ve opted to help streamline your shopping process by shining a light on what we consider to unquestionably be the best everyday carry flashlights currently on the market. 

Though it’s true that all flashlights serve the same function of offering light, these items can massively vary in terms of utility, performance, and overall user experience. In order to help simplify this process, we’ve broken down nine of the most crucial areas to consider when buying an everyday carry flashlight. 

Emitter & Lens: As the elements that actually generate and focus a flashlight’s beam, it’s hard to overstate the importance of a model’s emitter and lens. Additionally, you’ll also want to look into the number of emitters a flashlight has. 

Lumen Output: Lumens are a metric used to offer an objective sense of a flashlight’s brightness and power — as a point of reference, your iPhone’s flashlight is rated at between 40 and 50 lumens. For everyday carry use, we’d generally recommend a lumen output of at least 200 — though we use a different standard when evaluating keychain flashlights. On top of lumen output, it’s also worth reviewing a flashlight’s throw (i.e. the maximum distance a light can effectively reach).

Body Construction: With the actual flashlight itself being constructed around it, an everyday carry flashlight’s body — or housing — is also of extreme importance. From brass to copper to carbon fiber to aluminum to stainless steel to titanium, contemporary EDC flashlights can be made from a wide variety of materials. In addition to the construction type, you’ll also want to review the construction technique used to make it, and if the material has been further fortified via an anodized or powder-coated finish.

Durability: Because an EDC flashlight is typically carried on a daily basis, there’s a very decent likelihood that these pocketable torches will come into contact with foul weather or experience a few drops and bumps over the course of their lifetime. Fortunately, manufacturers are well aware of these realities and have engineered modern everyday carry flashlights to stand up to these types of abuse. 

Size: One of the biggest areas that regular torches from everyday carry flashlights is the latter’s size. EDC flashlights need to be small and lightweight enough to be practically carried on a daily basis. Advancements in battery and emitter tech have given way to some incredibly compact and potent everyday carry torches. 

Light Modes: Rather than merely boasting an on-and-off switch, the vast majority of EDC flashlights feature a myriad of different light modes and settings. This includes low, medium, and high brightness settings — as well as often super-low and turbo settings — and other features such as strobe or S.O.S. functions. Some lights even offer multiple colors or spectrums (such as UV). 

Activation: While full-size torches and tactical flashlights often come with multiple means of activating the light, everyday carry flashlights tend to be so small that the vast majority of them only feature a single button or switch to activate their light. Nonetheless, we’d recommend looking into this area, as this factor plays a major role in determining an EDC flashlight’s overall user experience, plus a torch’s buttons or switches will also be what the user utilizes to switch between different light modes and settings. 

Additional Features: As the daily-carry flashlight space has evolved over the years, some of the more reputable EDC manufacturers have started bestowing their respective everyday carry torches with a variety of unique and clever features such as magnetic-coupling charging systems, defensive tactical striking bezels), built-in laser pointers, lockout modes, and even digital displays — just to name a few. 

Battery: A flashlight’s battery is obviously of importance, as it ultimately determines the amount of burn time any given model can offer. On top of battery life, you’ll also want to look into areas such as a battery’s charging method, whether it’s removable, or if it can be run on store-bought batteries. 

The Best Flashlights On The Market

NITECORE TK4

Best Ultra-Bright Pick: Since first coming onto the scene in 2007, NITECORE has become an increasingly popular player in the world of high-performance flashlights with an ever-growing catalog of ever-more-impressive torches and everyday carry gear. And with products like the TK4 it really isn’t hard to see why. Spanning just 3.2” and measuring just 1.15” thick and 1.18” wide, this cutting-edge piece of EDC gear may be the least expensive item on this list, however, it’s also the most powerful —and by a substantial margin — with the highly-pocketable torch packing a whopping 4,000 lumens and an equally-impressive nearly 700’ throw. What’s more, alongside an IP54-rated HAIII aluminum body, up to 67 hours of burn time, and five brightness levels, the TK4 also features an OLED display that shows battery life, mode status, and a host of other info. Between its rugged body, high-tech OLED display, ultra-compact size, and monstrous lumen output, the NITECORE TK4 really is unlike anything else on the market.

Olight Baton3 Premium Edition

Best Overall EDC Pick: With its insanely pocketable size, remarkable power levels, and immense durability, it isn’t hard to see why the Olight Baton3 is arguably the best everyday carry flashlight that money can buy, period. Constructed around an IPX8-rated aluminum alloy body with a machined grip pattern, the Baton3 spans less than 2.50” in length, measures 0.83” in diameter, and weighs in at under 2oz — all while packing a very respectable 1,200 lumens and a 544’ throw. Offered in a wide variety of finishes, the Baton3 also features five brightness modes, a pocket clip, a magnetic-coupling charging system integrated into the tail, and a CW Led emitter focused through a hardwearing TIR optic lens. While the Baton3’s battery affords 95 minutes of burn time on its “high” setting, the Premium version of this light comes with a true wireless earbuds-style mobile charging case that can fully replenish the torch’s battery several times over.

Acebeam E70 Mini Ti

Best All-Around Use Pick: The Acebeam E70 Mini Ti is a tactically-inspired EDC flashlight that sports a titanium-construction body that was inspired by custom rifle barrels. Rounding out this model is six brightness modes, a protected stainless steel tactical-style tail switch, a blue-anodized stainless steel pocket clip, and a 3,100-mAh battery offers up to 100 hours of burn time. Protected beneath this torch’s custom TIR lens is a triple Nichia CRI90 LED emitter setup that puts out a very healthy 1,500 lumens and a 460’ throw. Able to offer some light self-defense capabilities thanks to its striking bezel, this torch can also be dropped from over 3’ and submerged in over 6’ of water without suffering any issues. This flashlight’s high lumen output and immense durability also make it great for a wide variety of other applications and uses. 

Reylight Ti Dawn Triple

Best Super Rugged Pick: Earning our spot for the best super-rugged pick, the Reylight Ti Dawn Triple is a boutique-made torch that sports a titanium body with a unique machined frag pattern that affords both grip and some definite style points. On top of its rugged titanium body — and matching titanium hardware and pocket clip — the Ti Dawn Triple also packs a sapphire lens, a glow-in-the-dark gasket, a custom-made rubber cap molding, and both reverse-polarity and battery low-voltage protection — features that collectively make this one of the most hardwearing EDC flashlights on the market, with a G-SHOCK-like impact-absorbing system. Offered in the buyer’s choice of a raw or stonewashed finish, this titanium everyday carry torch also comes outfitted with a dozen slots for housing tritium vials around the head of the light plus two more in the tail — though tritium isn’t included with the flashlight itself. 

SureFire Titan Plus

Best Mini Pick: Measuring less than 4” in length, the SureFire Titan Plus is a solid little EDC light that’s as hardwearing as it is pocketable. Weighing in at exactly 2oz, the Titan Plus boasts a 300-lumen output and a throw of almost 220’. And, while it’s 300 lumens might not make it the most powerful model on our list, the output is undoubtedly more than sufficient for handling the vast majority of EDC torch duties. More importantly, the use of Surefire’s proprietary faceted reflector and MaxVision beam pattern allow the flashlight to amplify and make the most of its 300 lumens. Activated via a rotating bezel switch, this flashlight — despite its size — manages to deliver a full hour of burn time on its highest setting. IPX7-rated, this torch is also sold with both a removable pocket clip and a stainless steel split keyring. 

MecArmy PS16 Titanium

Best EDC Nerd Pick: Like a lot of great piece of EDC gear, the MecArmy PS16 flashlight draws inspiration from tactical items while being delivered in a more compact and pocketable package. Under 3.25” in length and measuring just 1.14” in diameter, this version of the PS16 is constructed around a body that’s been machined from titanium before being fitted with a rechargeable 16340 Li-ion battery and four CREE XP-G3 S5 LEDs — an arrangement that’s good for putting out a cool 2,000 lumens. Sold in an included Pelican-style crushproof case, the PS16 Ti can get incredibly hot, especially after prolonged use — a fact that’s not only worth noting, but is also one that MecArmy itself even points out via a marking on the head of the flashlight. And, like a tactical flashlight, the MecArmy PS16 Titanium is activated via a tail switch. 

FocusWorks F3 Flashlight

Best Color-Finish Pick: Founded in 2011 by a husband and wife team, FocusWorks is a boutique EDC brand that produces a variety of different products including the F3 Flashlight. Measuring 4.09” in length and 0.86” in diameter, this model features an anodized aluminum body that houses a Samsung LH351d 5000k emitter and is fitted with a pocket clip composed of solid grade 5 titanium. Running on a Qlite driver, the FocusWorks F3 is offered in several different matte anodized finishes that simply look fantastic. The flashlight is no slouch on specs either, with the F3 packing a respectable output of just under 900 lumens. Based in British Columbia, FocusWorks also produces additional pieces of premium EDC gear — some of which are offered in matching finishes to the F3 light.  

Mechforce Mechtorch Gen2 Titanium Torch 

Best Tactical Pick: With its high-performance output, myriad of modes, striking bezel, ample grip patterns, and rugged construction, the Mechtorch Gen2 Titanium Torch has long been one of our favorite tactical flashlights, however, with a length of just 3.38”, a weight of only 4oz, and an output of up to 1,300 lumens, this tac-light also lends itself particularly well to everyday carry use. Designed and made in America, this flashlight also sports a trio of strobe modes, configurable memory settings, mode locking, automatic battery voltage checking, a temperature sensor with full thermal control and protection, 16 tritium vial slots, a machined billet titanium pocket clip, a hardened dual-AR coated Japanese Nikon lens, a glow-in-the-dark gasket, and a whopping 22 different brightness settings —a laundry list of features that make this second-generation torch a dream-come-true for any everyday carry enthusiast.  

Laulima Metal Craft Ion Flashlight 

Best American-Made Pick: Headed up by Laulima Todai, Laulima Metal Craft is a boutique brand that sees its top-shelf torches’ bodies machined in Missouri before the entire thing is assembled and built out in Oregon. Spanning just 3.5”, the company’s Ion Flashlight is a meticulously-made EDC torch that’s produced in small batches, allowing for ultra-high standards for craftsmanship and quality control, while also adding an air of exclusivity — an area no doubt furthered by this flashlight’s price. Offered in satin, tumbled, or a variety of different colored Cerakote finishes, this flashlight is crafted from a myriad of different body materials such as aluminum, copper, brass, bronze, or titanium, plus is offered in super top-shelf constructions like Timascus and Mokume. Loosely inspired by custom rifle barrels and muzzle devices, LMC’s Ion torch also boasts a custom “McClicky” tail switch, a triple Nichia 219C emitter setup, a flat watch-style sapphire window paired with a Carclo Narrow Spot optic lens, and an output of 1,300 lumens. 

Muyshondt Flieger Titanium

Best Top-Shelf Pick: We’d argue that what Rolex is to watches, Muyshondt is to flashlights, with the brand being renowned in everyday carry circles for its top-shelf torches that are largely characterized by their high-performance, premium materials, and minimalistic design language. With a rigid, titanium construction monocoque case with a shrouded bezel and tail cap, an AR-coated scratch-resistant sapphire crystal lens, a titanium domed pushbutton, and golden electrical circuits, the Muyshondt Flieger Titanium in undoubtedly one of the most calculated flashlight designs we’ve ever seen — as well as one of the most beautifully-designed pieces of minimalist EDC gear we’ve ever laid eyes on. Boasting a maximum output of 720 lumens, this flashlight obviously doesn’t come cheap, however, if money is no object, you really can’t go wrong with a Muyshondt. 

Lightok X0 Easy Carry Light Titanium

Honorable Mention: Equipped with both a magnetic tail cap and a pocket clip, the Lightok X0 Easy Carry Light Titanium (or ECT) is a pocketable EDC-specific flashlight that’s designed to be worn rather than carried by hand. Because it weighs less than 3oz, you seldom notice the weight form when it’s clipped to your shirt or backpack strap — however what would be impossible not to notice is the ECT Ti’s objectively very health 1,100-lumen output and more than 400’ throw. Sold in a variety of different finishes, this wearable light also features an IP68 waterproof rating, half-a-dozen slots for tritium vials (not included), a protected charging port and control buttons, and a battery that can receive a complete recharge in just 1.5 hours. With its ability to be worn and used hands-free, this flashlight provides a unique level of utility, plus it can always be carried by hand like a regular EDC torch. 

The Best Tactical Flashlights

Interested in checking out a selection of slightly larger high-performance torches? Then be sure to head over to our guide to the best tactical flashlights where we shine a light on the latest and greatest tac-lights that money can currently buy.