Always in your pocket: TOP-5 compact flashlights for universal use

The Xiaomi Portable Electric Torch Universal LED Flashlight for all occasions is an addition to the line of Xiaomi pocket gadgets that you can take with you on the road. The device has a portable size of 12x2.55 cm and a simple shape in the form of a smooth cylinder. The body of the flashlight, made of aluminium, is distinguished by a white color, and the head with optics has a silver color of unpainted metal. The model does not even have a hint of fins, since the maximum luminous flux is 240 lm, which does not cause strong heat generation. At the minimum brightness of lighting, the device can work up to 216 hours. The light source is a bright Lumileds diode with a 3W reflector, and the Jie SY6918 printed circuit board allows for smooth, stepless adjustment of the brightness of the light beam. To do this, just turn the head relative to the body, setting the required brightness of the lighting.

The model is powered by a built-in Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 3250 mAh, which can be charged without removing it from the case via a microUSB port located at the end of the case. The USB output connector is also located here, which adds Power Bank capabilities to the flashlight, with which you can recharge any gadget. The battery capacity will not be enough to fully charge the battery of a modern smartphone, but it will be enough for full-fledged work for several hours. The small control button, which can also activate an additional SOS mode, has a built-in LED indicator that displays the battery level and the status of the charging process. The approximate battery level can be estimated by the color of the indicator: red - less than 20%, orange - from 20 to 50%, green - from 50 to 100%. The device comes with a strap and a charging cable. In general, the model leaves a positive impression, especially considering the rather low price.

Powerful and multifunctional lighting device Olight Perun, thanks to the universal L-shaped shape, can be used as a headlamp or a flashlight. The body of the model is made according to the US Army standard MIL-STD-810F from aluminium alloy with a blue or black hard anodized finish. The outer surface of the housing is provided with a profile anti-skid knurling. A powerful neodymium magnet is installed at the end of the flashlight, which allows you to mount the device on metal surfaces. The device has an IP68 dust and water protection class, thanks to which it is not afraid of falling from a height of 1.5 m and immersion in water to a depth of 2 m. The device is convenient to transport and use. The device is equipped with a built-in magnetic charger and a complete lithium-ion battery 18650 with a capacity of 3500 mAh. The flashlight comes with a branded 3rd generation MCC3 cable that charges with a current of 1.5A, which is twice as fast as with the cable of the previous version.

The model uses a bright cold spectrum Cree XHP50.2 LED, complemented by TIR wide-angle optics, providing a maximum illumination range of 120 m. The flashlight has a 5-step brightness adjustment and an additional SOS mode (up to 5 hours of continuous operation). The most popular lighting modes and the duration of the device: 500 lm - 4 hours, 120 lm - 15 hours and 30 lm - 47.5 hours. In moonlight mode (minimum brightness 5 lm), the flashlight can work continuously for up to 10 days, and in turbo mode at a maximum brightness of 2000 lm for only 2.5 minutes. The built-in infrared sensor monitors obstacles in real time, automatically dimming the beam when it detects them, to avoid dazzling oncoming travelers. The device is equipped with a battery charge indicator, memory of the last brightness setting, protection against overheating and short circuit, as well as blocking the control button from accidental activation. Like all flashlights of the manufacturer, the device has a 5-year warranty.

The Fenix PD36R is a compact and practical flashlight with high brightness, perfect for camping and fishing trips. The device is a logical development of the once popular lighting device Fenix PD35 Tactical Edition. The model has a universal design and wide functionality. Profiled grooves on the surface of the HAIII premium anodized aluminium alloy body are designed to provide a comfortable, non-slip grip. The traditional IP68 rating completely protects the device from dust and moisture, allowing it to be submerged in water up to 2 m, and each time it is turned on, the battery charge status indicator lights up. The flashlight has a length of 13.6 cm and weighs only 85 g without a battery, and its curb weight with a standard battery is 157.5 g.

Instead of a standard 18650 battery, it uses a Li-Ion 21700 Fenix AR-L21 high capacity Li-Ion battery that comes with the package. It is designed specifically to work with branded lighting devices and contains many built-in protection against: reverse polarity, critical discharge and overcharge, overheating (3 levels) and short circuit. Since the safety features are not in the flashlight itself, but in the battery, it is not recommended to use third-party 21700 batteries with the device. As a significant plus, it is worth noting the function of high-speed direct charging of the power source via the USB Type-C port (5 V / 3 A), restoring the full capacity of the 5000 mAh battery in just 4 hours.

The light source in the flashlight is a Luminus SST-40 LED, which provides a bright uniform glow thanks to a digital circuit with output parameters stabilization. The diode with a reflector is covered with an anti-reflective tempered glass lens that provides a maximum illumination range of 283 m. The user has 5-level adjustment of brightness modes: eco - 30 lm, minimum - 150 lm, medium - 350 lm, maximum - 800 lm and turbo - 1600 lm . The high battery capacity and discharge current up to 7.5 A allow the flashlight to operate in turbo mode for 2 hours 50 minutes, and in eco mode it maintains autonomy for 115 hours. In addition, the device has an additional strobe mode with quick activation. The change of modes is carried out by any of the 2 control buttons to choose from - side or tail (tactical). In addition to the branded battery, the device is equipped with an additional sealing gasket, charging cable, strap, clip and a simple fabric case. The lighting fixture is covered by a 5-year warranty.

The ArmyTek Dobermann Pro XHP35 HI tactical flashlight from the Canadian manufacturer of wearable lighting products is an improved version of the well-established ArmyTek Dobermann XP-L model. The device has increased strength and performance characteristics and is addressed primarily to the owners of firearms (hunters, security officers, police, military). The model can be used as a regular flashlight or for underbarrel target illumination (weapon mount not included). The body of the device is made of aircraft-grade aluminium with 400 HV hard anodizing, thanks to which the device withstands recoil when fired from a 12-gauge barrel and a fall from a height of 30 m. depth of 50 meters. And the flat sectors of the cylindrical surface of the body and the head part, in combination with a faceted rubber ring, exclude the possibility of the flashlight rolling even on an inclined plane. The bezel of the device protrudes high enough above the lens, which reliably protects the optics when glass is broken or impacted.

The bright and durable Cree XHP35 HI LED with a smooth reflector provides a narrow focus of the light beam, which better meets the task of clearly illuminating the target at a distance of up to 395 m. The flashlight supports 7-level brightness adjustment in the range from 0.15 lm to 1700 lm, which allows you to choose the optimal lighting conditions. And at the lowest “duty” brightness of the light, the flashlight can work autonomously for up to 200 days. An additional strobe mode with two brightness settings will serve as a good protection against the attack of a wild animal or an enemy, and blocking the tactical button from accidental activation will be useful when transporting. The flashlight also has a memory function for the last brightness setting and a low battery indication. The ability to use various power supplies, which should be purchased independently, also deserves a positive assessment: 1x18650, 2x18350, 2xR123, 2xCR123A. The model comes with a grip stop, a spare button cap, 2 o-rings, a hand strap and a clip, as well as a convenient hard case for wearing on a belt.

The versatile Nitecore P22R handheld flashlight from the Precise tactical series is a good choice for people whose activities involve extreme survival conditions. The model costs about $115, but you can judge for yourself how this price is justified. The lightweight, dual-layer, durable aerospace-grade aluminium alloy body features a military-grade HAIII hard anodized finish that resists impact and abrasion. The improved steel bezel, equipped with silicon nitride inserts, provides effective glass breaking and gives real trump cards during self-defense retaliation. The built-in ATR overheating protection automatically reduces brightness at critical temperatures, prolonging the life of the flashlight, and the power indicator shows the remaining battery power. The flashlight is designed to work in 3 user modes, combining a different layout of lighting brightness and Strobo mode: casual, law enforcement and tactical.

Cree XHP 35 HD long range focused beam LED with reflector, protected by tempered mineral glass with anti-reflective coating, is best suited for hunting and search operations. Non-PWM flicker elimination technology has significantly reduced eye strain, especially during prolonged use of the device. The flashlight is controlled by 2 tactical buttons in the tail section. The protruding button allows you to adjust the setting of 4 brightness modes: low - 1 lm, medium - 75 lm, high - 380 lm and turbo 1800 lm. And a flat end switch with direct access to strobe mode provides instant dazzle when defending or attacking. Strobe Ready mode uses a random change in pulse frequency, which increases the opponent's dizziness.

The flashlight is powered by 18650 batteries (1 pc.) or CR123/RCR123 (2 pcs.). The model is equipped with an intelligent charging board with a built-in Type-C USB port, which allows you to quickly recharge the battery without removing it from the case. A swivel aluminium ring closes the port after charging, protecting it from damage, dirt and moisture. The flashlight comes with a NTH20K tactical waist case made of composite material, a lanyard, a clip, a USB Type-C charging cable, a CR123 battery adapter, an o-ring and a branded NL1835HP (18650) 3500 mAh Li-Ion battery. The following accessories are available as options: NTR10 combined tactical ring, 4 types of underbarrel mounts and a remote button.