We’ve all been in a situation where a good flashlight would have come in handy whether it was trying to work on your car to trying to spot that that little something that shot under the fridge forever out of reach (curses!).
A great pocket flashlight should be much like a great pocket knife; carrying it shouldn’t be a hassle, and it should be incredibly useful and powerful for its size.
Picking the best pocket flashlight for you can be a daunting task considering how many options are available nowadays (and not all of them are great).
In this guide, we will arm you with the right information to pick the best product for you the right time round.
Top 6 Pocket Flashlights Comparison
| Picture | Name | Lumens | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. J5 Tactical V1-PRO 300 Lumen Ultra Bright Flashlight | 300 | $$ | 4.6 |
 | 2. Streamlight 66118 Stylus Pro LED Pen Light | 90 | $$ | 4.6 |
 | 3. Streamlight 88031 ProTac 2L High Performance Lithium Flashlight | 260 | $$$ | 4.5 |
 | 4. Coast G19 LED Inspection Flashlight | 54 | $$ | 4.5 |
 | 5. ThruNite Ti3 EDC Cree XP-G2 R5 AAA Torch Max120 Lumens LED Flashlight | 120 | $$ | 4.4 |
 | 6. Docooler 13.3cm Mini AAA LED Flashlight | 120 | $ | 4.3 |
Information to Help You Choose
Here are some tips to buy the best pocket flashlight for you;
- Size and Weight. Make sure it’s appropriate for you: pocket, key chain or bag pocket – the lighter, the better!
- Durability and Material. Ensure it’s made of rugged materials for long lasting use such as anodized aluminum or using high-quality metals and rubber.
- Shock/Water Resistance. Accidents happen so why not make sure your flashlight survives them.
- Lumens and Beam Features. Flashlight brightness (lumens) and the ability to manipulate the beam (spot or flood) can be useful pick a product that matches your specific needs.
- Battery Type. Disposables can be irritating, but rechargeable flashlights are great!
- Bulb Type. LED technology has allowed for much longer lasting light sources than traditional bulbs.
Top 3 Best Pocket Flashlight Reviews
1. J5 Tactical V1-Pro Flashlight
First on our list for the best pocket flashlight is the Tactical V1-Pro Flashlight, the bestselling flashlight from the J5 Tactical range and the official flashlight of Joe Gibbs Racing.
The compact body is made of high-quality aircraft aluminum which is both impact and water resistant making this a tough piece of equipment. The powerful supercharged LED emits a beam of light 300 lumens strong which is easily powerful enough for even the pickiest user.
The J5 can produce constant brilliant light for approximately 1 hour or last for up to several weeks of normal use – an amazing period considering it runs off a single AA battery. The J5 has three modes of use, activated via the tail switch; high, low and strobe
The adjustable focus range allows for easy spots for distances of up to 2 football fields as well wider settings for illumination of a larger area.
Its small size and handy clip mean that it can be easily carried where ever you go. It has been service tested by both the Army as well as emergency workers who were thrilled with this powerful little flashlight.
Why not give it a go?
2. Streamlight 66118 Stylus Pro LED Pen Light
Next on our list is the Stylus Pro LED Pen Light from Streamlight – a compact and durable flashlight perfect for the user who requires a flashlight for daily use.
The Stylus Pro may seem small, but it shouldn’t be underestimated. The body is made of Type II MIL-SPEC abrasion, and corrosion-resistant anodized aircraft aluminum which provides unsurpassed durability and the whole unit is waterproof.
The white C4 LED which provides 90 lumens of illumination (which is more than adequate for small – mediocre tasks) is encased behind an unbreakable, highly scratch resistant polycarbonate lens and is powered by two AAA batteries.
The flashlight, which is activated via the handy tail switch, can constantly run for up to 6.5 hours and can last several weeks to a month depending on normal daily use. It has two modes: momentary mode and constant illumination mode. The LED has a lifetime of up to 30 000 hours (3.5 years of “constant” use) which means that you will be using this flashlight for MANY years to come.
The slim design (about the size of a marker) means that it can be taken anywhere and the clip ensures that it stays safely in place. The Stylus Pro also comes with a tear-resistant nylon holster for users who prefer to carry the flashlight this way.
All in all, a great little flashlight.
3. Streamlight 88031 ProTac 2L Flashlight
Last on our list is the Streamlight 88031 ProTac 2L High-Performance Lithium Flashlight. The ProTac range of products was specifically designed for both trade professionals and police officers.
Built from high quality anodized aluminum and incorporating impact-resistant tempered glass lens that is O-ring sealed the flashlight is both shock resistant (for up to 2 meters) and waterproof to up to a meter for 30 minutes. The anti-roll head and unbreakable pocket clip mean that safely storing this product is an ease.
The ProTac 2L sports powerful C4 LED technology which emits a beam of an impressive 13 lumens (on low) and 260 lumens (one high). Plus, with a bulb life of 50 000 hours, you can be sure this flashlight will last long into the future. Solid state power regulating technology ensures maximum performance throughout charges. Its tail switch allows for easy one-handed manipulation of the momentary, variable strength and strobe illumination options.
The ProTac 2L is powered by two 3V CR123A lithium batteries which both have a lifetime of about ten years! Even if it is constantly used, the flashlight will last three hours on high mode, 50 hours on low mode and 6 hours on strobe.
The 2.8 ounce ProTac 2L also comes standard with a nifty nylon pouch for easy carrying.
All in all the ProTac 2L is one of the best tactical flashlights for its size.
