An emergency light source is a valuable and essential item to have in your backpack and emergency kit. You never know when you’ll need to search for something in the dark. Let us help you find the best EDC flashlight under 30 bucks!
A flashlight can come in handy when you’re looking for a key at the bottom of your bag or a loose wire beneath an appliance. Although some people feel that using the flashlight option on their smartphones is sufficient, using a separate light source is also helpful. This way, you will have light while still saving your phone’s battery charge in an emergency.
The EDC flashlight is a gadget that is becoming increasingly common these days. EDC is an acronym for “Everyday Carry”. An EDC flashlight is just as the name suggests. It is a light source you can use at any time and in any place.
What Qualities Should You Look for in an EDC Flashlight?
When choosing the best EDC flashlight, you need to consider a few factors. The top three features are portability, reliability, and durability.
● Portability
Having a flashlight in the glove compartment of your car is not going to be helpful if you are hunting for your missing car key or setting up your tent in the dark. That is why one of the main features to look for in an EDC flashlight is portability. You want to be able to put this flashlight in your bag or pockets so you can whip it out whenever you need to look for something under your car seat or in a dark closet.
A good EDC flashlight must be small and light enough to fit in the palm of your hand comfortably. If the flashlight size isn’t suitable, you’ll probably leave it in your car or drawer, which would defeat the purpose of buying an Everyday Carry device.
● Reliability
A good EDC flashlight must be reliable. It should switch on when you need it. If the flashlight doesn’t produce light when required, it is not worth buying. You’ll be able to find several small and affordable flashlights at convenience stores, but most of them don’t produce enough light for you to see in the dark. A good EDC flashlight should have a clean and uniform beam of light to illuminate a large area.
● Durability
Since you will be bringing the light source with you every day, you need a flashlight that doesn’t break when dropped. One of the parts that break easily in any flashlight is the switch. Since you will often use this device, look for one with a switch that doesn’t easily break. A bonus feature to consider is whether the flashlight can survive getting dropped in water. A waterproof EDC flashlight will be helpful if you ever need it in the rain.
Different Types of EDC Flashlights
EDC flashlights come in an assortment of sizes. The biggest of all EDCs is the pocket flashlight. As the name suggests, the manufacturer intends for the flashlight to fit in your pocket. That’s why most of the pocket flashlights come with a clip that enables you to attach the device to your belt loop or jacket.
Another size category in the EDC Flashlights is the Penlight. These are typically much smaller than pocket flashlights. They have a slim design and are easy to operate. Manufacturers design this type of EDC flashlights so you can carry it around like a pen. Penlights can help you in any up-close work, such as looking inside an electrical appliance or checking your car’s engine.
Finally, there is the keychain light, which is the smallest of the three EDC Flashlights. These devices are meant to be attached to your keyring and can illuminate pretty big areas in an instant despite their small size.
When choosing the perfect EDC flashlight, you need to consider where you will keep it so you can decide which size you need to buy. If you plan to keep it in your purse, then a pocket flashlight should do fine. However, if you plan on keeping it on hand at all times, it is best to buy a keychain flashlight and hang it from your belt loop or pockets.
Best EDC Flashlight Under $30
We have compiled a good combination of pocket flashlights, penlights, and keychain lights, so you can choose the one that fits you best.
1. Wuben C3 Rechargeable Flashlight
The manufacturers of the WUBEN C3 used OSRAM P9 LED in this rechargeable flashlight. This technology emits light of 1200 lumens that can reach an astounding distance of 588 feet. For a small device, this sure packs a lot of brightness.
It features six light modes: SOS, Strobe, Eco, Low, Medium, and High. You can use this light source for a total of 143 hours on its Eco mode.
The Type-C cable that comes with the Wuben C3 helps you easily recharge the flashlight. It also has a 2600mAh battery, so you won’t have to purchase any extras. Two CR123A batteries are compatible with the torch, which means you can use them as a backup power source. So that you don’t get caught off guard, the flashlight has an indicator that tells you when it’s time to recharge the battery.
The manufacturer used aircraft-grade aluminum alloy for the body of this flashlight. This means it is highly resistant to water and can withstand a drop from a height of 1.5 meters. This is astounding for such a small device.
And by small, we mean less than 5 inches long. This makes the Wuben C3 the perfect size to fit in your pocket or bag. The flashlight is also noticeably light, weighing only 4.34 oz, including the batteries. This EDC flashlight comes with a lanyard and pocket clip so that you can attach it to any article of clothing.
The device even comes with a two-year warranty. If it starts to malfunction before the period is up, you can simply call their customer service hotline to get it replaced.
Pros
- Six different light modes
- 2600mAh battery provides an excellent timing
- Extra batteries included
- Manufactured with aircraft-grade aluminum for durable build quality
- Two year manufacturer’s warranty
Cons
- USB-C charging is faulty
2. Lumintop Tool AA 2.0 EDC Flashlight
Equipped with an XPL-HD LED, the Lumintop Tool AA 2.0 can produce 650 lumens of brightness on its High mode. It runs on a single 14500 cell but can also work with an AA battery. The flashlight can run for about 60 hours at its low setting on a single battery.
This EDC flashlight received the highest IP68 certification in terms of waterproofing. This means it can withstand a submersion of 6.5 feet. Even if you drop this device in a puddle, it will still work perfectly. Speaking of falling, the anti-slip design of this EDC flashlight makes it easy to grip. The Lumintop Tool flashlight can survive a fall from a height of up to 5 feet. This is because the device is constructed using a military-grade anodized surface with an aircraft-grade aluminum body. These qualities make the EDC flashlight an ideal companion for harsh conditions.
The Lumintop Tool AA 2.0 is small and light. It measures 3.5 inches long and weighs 0.83 oz without the battery. You can attach it to your keyring or belt loop for easy access.
The device has four lighting modes you can access by clicking the switch—the base of the device twists to turn it on and off. The device remembers the last mode you used, so even if you switch the light off, it will be in the exact mode you last selected when you turn it back on. No more cycling through the other modes to get back to your brightness preference.
Even with all the features, the flashlight still comes with a 30-day money return guarantee. It also comes with a free repair warranty that you can use for up to 5 years after purchase.
Pros
- Amazing brightness of 650 lumens
- 60-hours of battery timing on low setting
- IP68 certification in waterproofing
- Anti-slip design
- Made from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy
- Small, discreet size
- Four lighting modes
- 30-day moneyback guarantee with a five year warranty
Cons
- Blue light from the tail cap drains battery
3. Blazin USB Rechargeable Flashlight
The Blazin flashlight is different from other devices because you can charge it using any USB port. It comes with a micro-USB cable that you can attach to your car, laptop, or even a power bank. This means the flashlight will never run out of charge in the most unfortunate time as long as you have a power source nearby.
This EDC device uses aircraft-grade aluminum to make the flashlight lightweight, shockproof, and waterproof. It is the perfect companion during an emergency because it can operate even under harsh conditions. You can use it in the rain or drop it from significant heights, and it will still work perfectly. Since it is affordable and provides good illumination, it seems to be a popular choice among hikers and campers.
The flashlight has the following modes: High, Mid, and Low. You can cycle through the different illumination levels using a push button. The device will deliver 1000 lumens with a range of 325 yards for up to two hours with only one charging period. The light will emit 550 lumens for up to three hours in medium mode, covering about 250 yards. The Blazin flashlight will create 70 lumens and last up to 12 hours on its lowest level.
The brightness and range of the light this device produces are impressive, considering how small the light source is compared to regular flashlights. Despite being only 6.5 inches long and weighing 12 ounces, the Blazin flashlight is the biggest and heaviest option on this list.
Pros
- Can be charged with practically anything
- Same aircraft-grade aluminum as other products on this list
- Affordable price tag
- 1000 lumen brightness
Cons
- Heavier than the other options on this list
4. Wurkkos FC11 Pocket LED Flashlight
The makers of Wurkkos FC11 designed this EDC flashlight not just for home use but also for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing. The flashlight runs on one 18650 Li-ion battery that can be recharged using an A-C cable.
The device only weighs about 4 ounces with the battery and is 4.7 inches in length. The Wurkkos FC11 can easily fit your pocket, and you can also attach it to your bag using its clip or lanyard.
There are two grouped modes on this EDC flashlight. The first has six levels, while the second is called ramping mode. Eco, Low, Medium, High, Turbo, and Strobe are the stepped levels. The brightest setting emits up to 1300 lumens and has a beam range of 157 yards. The bulb has a working life of up to 100,000 hours in total.
Similar to the previous models, this flashlight’s housing is made from aircraft-grade aluminum. It has a slip-resistant design that allows you to have a stable grip even when wet. However, if it does fall, you don’t have to worry because the manufacturer built it 200% stronger than any regular flashlight.
What’s unique about the Wurkkos FC11 is that it has an electronic lockout function. This keeps the device from turning on by mistake while it’s in your pocket or bag. This function makes it ideal because you don’t want to give away your location by accidentally flashing a light when you are in a dangerous situation.
Another excellent feature of this flashlight is its magnetic tail cap. It is the best light source during activities that require both hands. All you have to do is attach it onto the hood of your car or any steel or iron surface, and you can work without any interruptions.
Pros
- Comes with a 18650 Li-ion battery
- Discreet design
- Six light modes
- Extremely bright with a 1300 lumens beam
- Anti-slip build
- Electronic lockout function to prevent accidental turn on
Cons
- The button is a bit finnicky
Conclusion
An EDC flashlight is an important device you should keep with yourself whenever possible. It is useful when looking for things in dark places or underneath objects and can also keep you safe and illuminated when the streetlights are not working. This style of the flashlight is easy to have in your backpack or pockets at all times because of the lightweight and compact size. All the EDC flashlight models featured here are small, lightweight, durable, reliable, and cost less than $30. They only vary in lumens output, type of battery used, and size. Any of these will work great as your Everyday Carry light source.
