10 Best EDC Flashlights (Buying Guide) 2018

The best EDC flashlight comes with an attack head—if you’re at home, and the lights suddenly go out, but it’s not stormy, then you’re going to hop up and expect the worst. When you whip out the J5 tactical, you’ll be able to find the potential assailant and defend yourself at the same time. This model includes a strobe feature that disorients any attacker, giving you the upper hand to get in close and destabilize them.

300 Lumens allows you to see two football fields away. If you’re out in the yard late at night, and it’s a long walk from the end of the drive to the front door, don’t let the unknown get the advantage over you. This flashlight has also been hailed as one of the best EDC flashlights to carry with you on a camping trip. It’s a durable build, while staying small enough to properly clip on your belt without obstruction. Be sure to also check out our list of the best rechargeable flashlights for more great items like this.

If you’re keeping a pen-style EDC pocket flashlight handy, you’ll never be caught off guard. This full aluminum build fits comfortably in your pocket, but don’t worry—sitting on it isn’t going to break it. The size allows it to blend in with a couple of pens in your dress shirt pocket, leaving others in the dark about what it really is. Just don’t loan that pen to your colleague in the office.

The non-slip rubber grip means that you won’t drop it just because of it’s dainty size. Streamlight Stylus Pro’s been impact-tested, and provides you with a long range of light. If you’re just getting into the EDC field, and you don’t know what works for you yet, this is the perfect introductory product. For the lowest price of any flashlight on our list, you get immense power, and ultimate concealment. 

Much like it’s younger brother, the Streamlight Stylus Pro, you get that compact size and super durable build, all while keeping 250 lumens of power. One of the best benefits to a pen-style EDC flashlight is the portability. The point of EDC is to ensure a small carrying capacity, so you’re not the guy with a tinfoil hat and a backpack full of God-knows-what.

You get a strobe mode, which usually escapes small LED flashlight models. With maximum handling, thanks to the rubber grip, and the ability to use this lightweight EDC flashlight in a pinch, users of every degree will get something out of the ProTac. If you’re used to carrying beefier flashlights around, you’ll be surprised at the power behind the ProTac. It rivals bigger models, all in a smaller size (and a lower cost). Make sure you also check our list of the best penlights for more great products like this.

What’s better than reaching into your pack and showing yours mates your ThorFire? I mean, just introducing it alone has to make you feel pretty damn awesome. Apart from the rugged design and the name, you get over 1,000 lumens of power in this little package. This is what they call a flashlight torch, if you’ve ever heard the term.

The build is surprisingly durable for such a low entry cost. No, you’re not dreaming. This also comes with five different modes, including firefly and turbo. Double tapping the button kicks on the strobe mode, and the attack section along the front is perfect for disorienting assailants in a pinch. Whether it’s for a blackout or self-defense, ThorFire’s got you covered.

Don’t let the minimalist design fool you—it’s what’s under the hood that counts. Anodized aluminum for the chassis means that you won’t have to worry about accidentally sitting on this flashlight in the movie theater, and exiting to find broken parts in your pocket. Streamlight MicroStream’s tough as nails.

You get the necessities, like a pocket clip, and the promise of 30,000 hours of battery life. This entire model is waterproof, and the lens is next to indestructible. Even if you were stuck in a hairy situation, the assailant isn’t going to smash the lens, no matter what. The price point is the perfect introductory way to understand just how powerful these EDC flashlights are, without hurting your wallet. You only get 28 lumens, but it’s enough to get the job done. Our handy guide to the best self defence flashlights features more great products like this.

Don’t let the keychain ring fool you—there’s a great deal of power in this little package. You can see up to 120 feet, and Olight Keychain Flashlight comes in a bunch of funky colors. If you’re a parent, and you’re always worried about your child while they’re out and about—especially around Daylight Savings Time, when it’s easy to forget that the sun is setting an hour early—you want them to be the safest they can be. This low-cost pocket flashlight is the perfect way to keep them safe, and teach them the power of a proper EDC flashlight.

If you’re worried about it breaking, you’ll soon be relieved. Their first EDC flashlight is ultradurable and waterproof, so kids can be kids without destroying their new safety item. You get up to 60,000 hours of use, so even when it’s been hanging off of their backpack for ages, it’ll still work.

Fenix E12 pocket flashlight fits in the palm of your hand, allowing you to pack it up just about anywhere you go. It fits perfectly into the netting of a child’s backpack, or the miniature compartments of your suitcase. If you can’t find anywhere to pack up this model, you’re not trying hard enough.

With 130 lumens of power, you’ll be able to see for hundreds of feet. Built-in grips and a loop fits shoestrings, or a nylon strip to allow you to hang this on a key hook just inside the front door. The recessed switch means you won’t just flick this on by mistake (most likely) when it’s in your pocket. It’s powered on a single AA battery, which makes up 2/3 of its interior. Even if it’s just in your glovebox, you can’t afford not to have an inexpensive pocket flashlight like this. Love this product? Check out our review of the best tactical flashlights for our top picks.

When you’re on a low budget, but you want to bring a seriously powerful EDC flashlight, you find yourself at a crossroad: you don’t want to buy junk dollar store items. Coast gives you an option for under 15 that’s going to get the job done. This model comes with full impact and waterproof resistance, so if it’s next to the sink and the counter gets wet, you’re good to go.

The beam only goes up to about sixty feet. Use this pocket flashlight for small spaces or narrow passageways. The lightweight, durable build and pocket clip allows you to pack it up and take it anywhere with you; you never have to be without a proper flashlight when situations get rough, or the lights go out.

One of the biggest issues with pocket flashlight models is realizing that you accidentally hit the on switch. It gets rather frustrating. Olight did two things to prevent that from happening with this model: placing the on switch in a more inconspicuous space, as well as providing a proper exterior pouch for your belt or backpack. It hooks on easily, keeping your EDC flashlight safe from your clumsy fingers.

Your light beam reaches the length of a football (roughly) while being roughly longer than a household key, and half the width of your smartphone. Olight makes their models with EDC in mind. With a stainless steel bezel and durable build, you won’t have to worry about any major damage to your flashlight. This is a piece of survival gear you just have to own.

Coast makes a wide array of EDC products, and they never disappoint with their ultradurable flashlight models. This pocket flashlight allows for optimum travel—it fits in the palm of your hand. You get up to 190 lumens, allowing you to see nearly 600ft ahead of you. With an aluminum casing, you resist rust and keep a durable shell on your equipment. Impact and water resistant, you’ll be able to pack it up anywhere you go.

Coast HP1 flashlight utilizes AA alkaline batteries—it burns through them fast, giving you optimum light output. It’s always a good idea to have a few spare AAs anyway. This model also allows for lithium-ion batteries, and comes with grips that give you the perfect balance and control over your flashlight.