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10 Best Compact 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 IMINI 2 EDC Rechargeable Keychain Flashlight, 50 Lumens Compact and Portable Mini LED Keyring Lights with Built-in Battery Ideal for Everyday Carry and Emergencies (Black)

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,247
Brightness (Lumens)
Size and Weight
Durability and Water Resistance

Most important from
3877 reviews

Brightness (Lumens)
The flashlight is brighter than the flashlight on a phone and incredibly tiny with everything built in.
Size and Weight
The flashlight is brighter than the flashlight on a phone and incredibly tiny with everything built in.
Durability and Water Resistance
The flashlight is super solid, versatile, and the clever charging method makes it a home run of a product.
Modes and Features
It’s fun and easy to use with no on/off button, activating with just a tug.

The OLIGHT IMINI 2 EDC Rechargeable Keychain Flashlight is a compact and portable solution ideal for everyday carry and emergencies. With a brightness of 50 lumens, it provides a wide and balanced output suitable for close-range activities. Its key strength lies in its convenience; the flashlight features instant activation by detaching the body from the magnetic cap, and it includes a built-in USB plug for easy recharging, achieving a full charge in just 60 minutes. This makes it incredibly user-friendly as there is no need for carrying extra batteries or chargers.

Additionally, its magnetic base allows for hands-free use by attaching to any iron surface, which is highly practical in various situations. At only 55 mm long and weighing just 19.5 grams, it is extremely lightweight and barely noticeable when carried around, making it an excellent option for those who prioritize portability. The aluminum body offers 1.5 meters drop resistance, ensuring durability for everyday use.

However, one of the primary limitations is its relatively low brightness of 50 lumens, which may not be sufficient for users needing more intense illumination over longer distances. While the flashlight is waterproof with an IPX6 rating, signifying it can withstand heavy rain, it may not be suitable for submersion in water. The lack of multiple brightness modes or features like strobe or SOS might be a downside for users looking for more versatility in their flashlight. In summary, the OLIGHT IMINI 2 excels in portability, ease of use, and practical design, making it suitable for everyday carry and general use, though it may not meet the needs of those requiring higher brightness and advanced features.

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,247
Brightness (Lumens)
Size and Weight
Durability and Water Resistance

Most important from
3877 reviews

Brightness (Lumens)
The flashlight is brighter than the flashlight on a phone and incredibly tiny with everything built in.
Size and Weight
The flashlight is brighter than the flashlight on a phone and incredibly tiny with everything built in.
Durability and Water Resistance
The flashlight is super solid, versatile, and the clever charging method makes it a home run of a product.
Modes and Features
It’s fun and easy to use with no on/off button, activating with just a tug.
#2

Streamlight 66608 MicroStream 250-Lumen EDC Ultra-Compact Flashlight with USB Rechargeable Battery, Clear Retail Packaging, Coyote

Rating
9.4
Brightness (Lumens)
Battery Type
Size and Weight

Most important from
33225 reviews

Brightness (Lumens)
Despite its small size, this flashlight delivers an impressive 250 lumens of light output, providing sufficient brightness for a wide range of tasks.
Battery Type
The USB rechargeable battery is a major highlight, allowing for convenient recharging from various power sources and eliminating the need for disposable batteries.
Size and Weight
Its ultra-compact design, measuring just over 3 inches in length and weighing only 2.08 ounces, makes it perfect for everyday carry without adding bulk or weight.
Durability and Water Resistance
Durably constructed with an anodized aluminum housing, this flashlight is impact-resistant and water-resistant, providing reliable performance in any situation.
Modes and Features
The flashlight's versatility is enhanced by its ability to clip to a ball cap, shirt, car visor, or pocket, making it incredibly easy to use in diverse scenarios.

The Streamlight 66608 MicroStream is an ultra-compact flashlight, ideal for everyday carry due to its small size and lightweight design, weighing just 2.08 ounces. It offers a bright 250-lumen output with a beam distance of 68 meters, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The flashlight features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is convenient as it eliminates the need for frequent battery replacements.

It has two brightness levels: high (250 lumens) with a runtime of 1.5 hours and low (50 lumens) with a runtime of 3.5 hours, providing flexibility based on your lighting needs. One of its standout features is the multi-function push-button tail switch that includes a charge indicator, making it easy to know when the battery is fully charged or needs charging.

The flashlight also includes a removable pocket clip, a 5-inch USB cable, and a high-strength lanyard, enhancing its portability and ease of use. The metal sleeve protecting the charge port ensures durability, and the IPX4 water resistance rating means it can withstand splashes of water, though it is not fully waterproof.

Rating
9.4
Brightness (Lumens)
Battery Type
Size and Weight

Most important from
33225 reviews

Brightness (Lumens)
Despite its small size, this flashlight delivers an impressive 250 lumens of light output, providing sufficient brightness for a wide range of tasks.
Battery Type
The USB rechargeable battery is a major highlight, allowing for convenient recharging from various power sources and eliminating the need for disposable batteries.
Size and Weight
Its ultra-compact design, measuring just over 3 inches in length and weighing only 2.08 ounces, makes it perfect for everyday carry without adding bulk or weight.
Durability and Water Resistance
Durably constructed with an anodized aluminum housing, this flashlight is impact-resistant and water-resistant, providing reliable performance in any situation.
Modes and Features
The flashlight's versatility is enhanced by its ability to clip to a ball cap, shirt, car visor, or pocket, making it incredibly easy to use in diverse scenarios.
#3

Streamlight 88061 ProTac 1L-1AA 350-Lumen Dual Fuel Professional Tactical Light, Black

Rating
9.2
Brightness (Lumens)
Battery Type
Size and Weight

Most important from
4702 reviews

Brightness (Lumens)
350 lumens provide impressive brightness for its size, offering a focused yet wide beam perfect for work and everyday carry.
Battery Type
One of the most versatile and dependable tactical lights, with dual fuel capability ensuring a power source is always available.
Size and Weight
A sturdy pocket clip and compact size make it easy to carry without adding bulk.
Durability and Water Resistance
Constructed with anodized aluminum, it's lightweight yet tough, standing up to drops and rough handling without an issue.
Modes and Features
The TEN-TAP programming allows easy customization of lighting modes, making it adaptable to different needs.

The Streamlight 88061 ProTac 1L-1AA is a versatile, compact flashlight ideal for various uses such as tactical, DIY projects, and outdoor activities. It offers a brightness of 350 lumens, which is quite powerful for a flashlight of its size. One of its standout features is the dual-fuel capability, meaning it can operate on either a single CR123A lithium battery or an AA battery, providing flexibility depending on availability and user preference.

The flashlight offers multiple modes, including high, low, and strobe, which can be useful in different situations. The ultra-bright white LED is highly durable with a 50,000-hour lifetime, making it a reliable choice for long-term use. In terms of size and weight, the flashlight is compact (4.25 inches in length) and lightweight (2.72 ounces), making it easy to carry daily. The beam distance reaches up to 160 meters, which is adequate for most personal use cases.

Durability is another strong point, thanks to its aluminum construction and waterproof design, ensuring it can withstand tough conditions. However, the run time varies significantly depending on the battery type and mode used, with the CR123A battery providing longer life compared to an AA alkaline battery. The Streamlight 88061 ProTac 1L-1AA is a robust, versatile, and user-friendly option for those needing a reliable compact flashlight.

Rating
9.2
Brightness (Lumens)
Battery Type
Size and Weight

Most important from
4702 reviews

Brightness (Lumens)
350 lumens provide impressive brightness for its size, offering a focused yet wide beam perfect for work and everyday carry.
Battery Type
One of the most versatile and dependable tactical lights, with dual fuel capability ensuring a power source is always available.
Size and Weight
A sturdy pocket clip and compact size make it easy to carry without adding bulk.
Durability and Water Resistance
Constructed with anodized aluminum, it's lightweight yet tough, standing up to drops and rough handling without an issue.
Modes and Features
The TEN-TAP programming allows easy customization of lighting modes, making it adaptable to different needs.

Buying Guide for the Best Compact Flashlights

Choosing the right compact flashlight can make a big difference in your daily activities, whether you need it for outdoor adventures, emergency situations, or just everyday use. When selecting a compact flashlight, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best fit for your needs. Here are the main specs to look at and how to navigate them.
Brightness (Lumens)Brightness, measured in lumens, indicates how much light the flashlight emits. This is important because it determines how well you can see in the dark. Flashlights with lower lumens (10-100) are suitable for close-up tasks and indoor use. Medium lumens (100-500) are good for general outdoor use and walking at night. High lumens (500+) are ideal for activities like hiking, camping, or search and rescue. Choose the brightness level based on how far and wide you need to see.
Battery TypeThe type of battery a flashlight uses affects its runtime, weight, and convenience. Common battery types include AA, AAA, CR123A, and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. AA and AAA batteries are widely available and easy to replace, making them convenient for everyday use. CR123A batteries offer higher power and longer shelf life but can be more expensive. Rechargeable batteries are eco-friendly and cost-effective in the long run, ideal for frequent use. Consider how often you will use the flashlight and your preference for convenience versus performance.
Size and WeightThe size and weight of a compact flashlight determine its portability and ease of use. Smaller, lighter flashlights are easier to carry in a pocket or bag and are ideal for everyday carry (EDC). Larger, heavier flashlights may offer more features and longer battery life but can be cumbersome to carry. Think about how you plan to carry and use the flashlight to find the right balance between size, weight, and functionality.
Beam DistanceBeam distance measures how far the light can reach, which is crucial for outdoor activities and search tasks. A longer beam distance (100 meters or more) is useful for spotting objects at a distance, while a shorter beam distance (less than 100 meters) is sufficient for close-up work and general use. Consider the typical environments where you will use the flashlight to determine the necessary beam distance.
Durability and Water ResistanceDurability and water resistance are important for ensuring the flashlight can withstand rough conditions and weather. Look for flashlights with robust construction materials like aluminum or stainless steel and an IPX rating for water resistance. An IPX4 rating means the flashlight can handle splashes, while an IPX7 or IPX8 rating indicates it can be submerged in water. Choose a flashlight with the appropriate level of durability and water resistance based on your intended use, especially if you plan to use it outdoors or in harsh environments.
Modes and FeaturesMany compact flashlights come with multiple modes and features, such as different brightness levels, strobe, SOS, and zoomable beams. These features can enhance the flashlight's versatility and usefulness in various situations. For example, a strobe mode can be used for self-defense, while an SOS mode is helpful in emergencies. Consider which additional modes and features are important to you based on your specific needs and scenarios.

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