Best Keychain EDC Flashlights for Everyday Carry
Some of the best EDC flashlights have been updated, so it might finally be time to update your loadout. Month-long runtimes, long throws, and massive lumen output are all on the menu.
We tested a large number of flashlights from a variety of brands to find the best for everyday carry (EDC). There are seemingly an endless number of models of flashlights out there, but we were able to trim the field quickly with some research and some experience with EDC loadouts.
Profile (size and weight), output, runtime, and battery type were all huge factors that separated out the best EDC flashlights from the huge field of competition. If you want a small quality flashlight for any situation, one of our EDC flashlight recommendations will fit the bill.
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In this latest update of the best EDC flashlights, more pictures have been added, and new selections have been made. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Disclosure»
Best EDC Flashlight
Olight imini 2
Small, Powerful, and Versatile
The imini 2 from Olight innovates in several areas with built-in USB charging and a magnetic base.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Also available to buy at Olight.
Olight has been selling the best EDC flashlights for the better part of a decade, with their popular i3 models. The imini 2 pushes the envelope on top of their established success with features that are innovative and actually useful.
Specifications
- Lumens: 50
- Runtime: 60 minutes
- Throw: 21 meters
- Color Options: 5
- Material: Aluminum
- Battery: 10180 Lithium-ion rechargeable
- Capacity: 80mAh
- Weight: 0.7 ounces
It uses a built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery that charges through the magnet base that connects to the USB housing and keychain adapter. It’s a complicated construction, but simple to use- just pluck the end of the light off of the keychain attachment and it turns on.
Although it doesn’t last long on a charge, you can charge it virtually anywhere with the USB base. Unclip your keys and remove the rubber protective cover to reveal the USB that you can insert into any USB socket for charging.
My only complaint about this innovative flashlight is that I wish I could turn the flashlight on but leave it on the base. They could develop this in the future by having keyed offsets, where if you twist it into a certain spot, it turns on, but also stays close enough to hold the housing with the magnet.
Olight produces the i3T EOS in a variety of colors and runs flash sales frequently on its website for limited color runs. Our favorite is the tried-and-true matte black, but you can get whatever suits your fancy.
If you’re looking for a small, reliable light for everyday use, the Olight imini 2 keychain flashlight is your best option.
Smallest EDC Flashlight
Lightfe Mini01
Cheap, Tiny, and Effective
A small, sealed aluminum case key ring flashlight that gets the job done at a great value.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
If you’re looking for something cheap and with an even smaller profile, we recommend the Lightfe Mini01 for your keychain. The cheaper flat button-type keychain flashlights are plastic and nowhere near as durable, so the Mini01 easily outclasses them with its aluminum casing at a similar price.
Specifications
- Lumens: 80
- Runtime: 50 hours
- Throw: 21 meters
- Color Options: 5
- Material: Aluminum
- Battery: 3x LR41
- Weight: 0.7 ounces
The light itself is about 1 inch long and will give you 80 lumens for 50 hours. An entire tube of extra LR41 button batteries is included, and they are easy enough to find at stores when you eventually do run out.
You can get more power, runtime, and durability in an EDC flashlight- but not at this size and certainly not at this price. If you are on a budget or simply want a no-frills, durable solution for your keychain, Nitefox e3 is your pick.
High Power EDC Flashlight
Nitecore T4K
Compact, Powerful, and Durable
A 4000-lumen keychain flashlight used to be a pipe dream, but Nitecore made it a reality.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Also available to buy at Nitecore.
The T4K has made modes that are easy to navigate through with the dual buttons and the small OLED screen. The Turbo 4000-lumen mode is easy to access and highlights how this flashlight pairs power with smart design.
Specifications
- Lumens: 4000
- Runtime: 67 hours
- Throw: 209 meters
- Material: Aluminum
- Battery: Lithium-ion rechargeable
- Capacity: 1,000mAh
- Weight: 2.7 ounces
With stats like that, the others don’t really stand a chance. It runs on a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery in its small aluminum casing.
While the cost is considerably higher than our other picks, it’s easy to see why. It’s also much heavier than others, due to its durable construction and the larger rechargeable battery.
If you want the perfect EDC flashlight, grab a Nitecore T4K Flashlight.
Comparison Table
| EDC Flashlight | Recommendation | Price* | Lumens | Runtime | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olight imini 2 | Best Overall | $14 | 50 | 60 mins | 0.7 oz |
| Lightfe Mini01 | Smallest Profile Flashlight | $9 | 80 | 50 hrs | 0.2 oz |
| Nitecore T4K | Best High-Powered Flashlight | $90 | 4000 | 67 hrs | 2.7 oz |
The EDC Flashlights We Compared
Our research narrowed the field down to several contenders that we tested: Nitecore, Olight, GearLight, Maglite, Streamlight, Nite Ize, Slughaus, Nitefox, Gator Eyes, Surefire, 5.11, Fenix, and more. This helped us eliminate flashlights that just weren’t a good value.
Flashlights small enough for everyday carry have slowly and steadily improved over the years. We’ve come a long way from the original key light and have a lot more power, versatility, and runtime in our pockets now. Along with each innovation comes a crowded field of competition. With so many brands and models in the marketplace, you need to know how to cut through the marketing talk to get to the real value.
What to Look For
The best EDC keychain flashlights have several important features to look for:
- Value
- Lumens & Throw
- Runtime
- Battery Type
- Profile
Below, we break down what each of these means for a great portable flashlight. When you get the right blend of these, you can find the perfect addition to your loadout without breaking the bank.
Everyday Value
You could drop hundreds of dollars on a tiny flashlight if you didn’t have a budget, but you would be getting a good value. The best value lies in the place where a good price and good quality intersect. You can find cheap EDC flashlights on endcaps in any store, but they aren’t going to last with their lower quality.
When you are carrying something every day, it often makes sense to spend a little more than you would if you use it occasionally. Besides the better functionality, the better quality will be put to the test with the higher use rate. That is why EDC items are often considered for upgrading- the more you use something, the better investment an upgrade would be.
Lumens & Throw
Flashlight performance is the main thing that separates the garbage from the useful gear.
Lumens are a measurement of the light output. Flashlights range from 20 lumens all the way up to a blinding 3500 (HID car headlights are 3000L). Flashlights have really gotten brighter over the last several years, but most of the time, this kind of output can drain a battery quickly.
The throw of a flashlight is a factor of the Lumens produced, the reflector cone shape, and the lens type that affects how far the flashlight beam travels. Some flashlights have a throw of up to 500 yards. Versatile flashlights have a ‘zoom’ bevel which allows you to change the beam width and throw distance.
Runtime
Runtime is a fancy flashlight word for how long it lasts when it is turned on. This is usually directly related to its battery capacity and the lumen output. A good runtime is a few days, and some flashlights can even be on for weeks. Our upgrade pick has enough charge to run for months.
Battery Type
There are plenty of battery options for your typical flashlights, but EDC flashlights usually offer a more limited selection due to their size. AA, AAA, and button batteries are the main replaceable batteries, but higher-quality models can still have lithium-ion batteries, even in a smaller casing.
Profile
The size and weight of a flashlight an even more important consideration for EDC. The ounces and the inches add up when you choose to lug it around everywhere you go. Holders, sheaths, pouches, and bags can all let you add larger EDC flashlights to your loadout- but even then, you still have to consider whether the functionality is worth the additional size and weight.
Why EDC Flashlights are Important
Have you ever been without a light when you needed one? That’s the entire point of an EDC flashlight. It is mostly for what it’s named for: everyday use.
The real importance lies in the ability it provides for your preparedness. Preppers develop emergency kits, but we aren’t always at home. The only thing that constantly stays with you is your EDC loadout- what you choose to bring with you. If you work, run errands, or just live your life not bunkered down in your home, you could face an emergency without your preparedness gear. This is the basis of why everyday carry is important for survival.
A flashlight provides a unique function for an EDC loadout, making it an essential part of most people’s loadouts.
Who Needs an EDC Flashlight?
Literally, anyone can benefit from an EDC flashlight. They may not call it an ‘EDC flashlight’, but most people have some method to generate light- especially if they own a cell phone. Cell phone flashlights are great, but the principle ‘two is one and one is none’ applies not just to preparedness, but to EDC as well.
An EDC flashlight is part of a person’s EDC loadout:
Although it is not specifically part of a survival kit, a small portable flashlight on your person does help your general preparedness. It can also be a redundancy for flashlights in your kits.
Our ancestors struggled with candles and torches- or just hoped that the moon was bright at night. We’re lucky to have light so easily available to us, and there’s no real reason not to have it readily available.
How We Review Products: We research thoroughly before selecting the best products to review. We have vast prepping and survival experience and bring in outside experts when needed. Hours on end are spent testing gear in stressful conditions and using specialized testing gear to verify claims. We assign performance criteria and impartially rate each tested item. Learn more about how we test.
Sources & References
An objective look at the best EDC flashlight is useless without sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our practical military experience and prepping acumen.
Hunter, K., et al. (2014). Visible light communication using a digital camera and an LED flashlight. IEEE SOUTHEASTCON, Lexington, KY. Pages 1 – 5. (Source)
Lenk, R. et al. (2016). Practical Design of An LED Flashlight. Practical Lighting Design with LEDs, IEEE. Pages 135 – 160. (Source)
Brooks, M. (2003). The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead. Three Rivers Press. (Paperback, Source)
Conclusion
An EDC flashlight may seem like a simple tool, but having a reliable and effective light for any situation is a luxury everyone can afford. Keeping a flashlight close by will let you
Besides flashlights, there are many other tools that you should consider for EDC, including:
- The Best Survival Multitool for Everyday and Emergencies
- The Best Folding Survival Knife for EDC
- Everyday Carry List | 25 EDC Essentials
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
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So far the USB rechargeable flashlights have been good. The larger ones use 18650 battery.
Extra 18650 batteries are inexpensive and found in everything – laptop power supplies, vapes, battery backups for modems and medical equipment, etc. They are available as surplus as well. Hence why its my edc as it can be charged from laptop, cigarette lighter, wall charger.