The 7 Best Pocket Flashlights for On-Hand Illumination

This Streamlight flashlight is on the higher end in terms of pricing, but its durability and USB charging capabilities are worth it. Its aluminum housing makes it nice and durable—able to withstand falls of up to 1 meter—and it slides open to reveal a protected charging port for easy access. Its push-button activation makes it quick and easy to turn on and switch between low and high power modes.

All the openings are protected with rubber o-rings, and thanks to an IPX4 rating, should hold up fine to some moderate splashing. The only downside is one many reviewers commented on: This flashlight is so small, it’s also easy to lose. Use its pocket clip to make sure it’s always nearby.

Despite the low cost of this Hatori light, it still covers the bases in terms of what you need in a pocket flashlight. Its 3.6-inch length is perfect for sliding into a pants or coat pocket, and the clip allows you to attach it to the bill of your hat or secure it in a shirt pocket. The Mini runs on a single AAA battery—which is not included, bummer—so you’ll need to keep a stash of those around.

This light is water-resistant but isn’t IPX rated, so use caution if you bust it out around moisture or in the rain.

This Coast flashlight is an excellent choice if you want a balance of compactness and power, without committing to quite the price of the Nitecore T4K. Its turbo mode produces 2,100 lumens, but if you want to save some battery life, you can switch over to the low mode of 75.

The XP11R also offers some flexibility regarding power supply and can accept either traditional lithium batteries or the included rechargeable battery that you juice up via a USB cable. Its 6-inch length and textured handle also make it easy to maintain a secure grip while you use it.

Will you ever need a keychain light that emits up to 4,000 lumens? If you’re in a major city, probably not. But those living in smaller towns may enjoy the comfort that this powerful flashlight can bring.

The T4K is 77 grams of powerful flashlight. It has five brightness levels and an OLED display showing battery level, voltage, and remaining runtime. It also has a keychain, keychain tag, and a USB-C charging cable, so no batteries are required.

Of course, power comes at a hefty cost. In terms of this flashlight, it’s the price: $90. But if power is what you need, the T4K can give you just that.

Don’t let the tiny size of this flashlight fool you; its 1.7-inch length still packs a punch, delivering a 180-lumen light beam. What makes the I1R so impressive is its simple operation doesn’t require any buttons or switches to deal with. You simply twist it to power it on and choose between the low and high beam settings. And the rechargeable port is a nice convenience at this size, which means you can easily charge it via micro USB without disassembling the casing.

We’ve been using Maglight products for years, and this pocket-sized mini light has become a staple in our tool belt.

Its half-pound weight is heavier than our other options, and the 6-inch length ties it for the longest. But if you prefer a light with a bit more bulk, this is a great choice. It’s constructed of durable aluminum and impact-resistant up to 1 meter, so it’s rugged enough for frequent use.

It also comes in a hard carrying case with room for spare batteries—a nice perk.

The light weight and half-inch width make this flashlight a contender if you prefer a slim profile instead of a cylindrical shape. The fact that this diminutive 73301 can produce a maximum 325-lumen output impressed us, given that’s higher than most other lights on this list.

It also features both a carabiner-style hook for attaching to a keychain and a pocket clip for use on your pants or ball cap. Its 20-minute runtime on the highest power setting is pretty short, though.