Best Small Flashlights

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The smallest flashlights we personally reviewed

Unlike most of the “Top 10 best tiny LED flashlights” lists you have found in Google, we have owned and reviewed hundreds of flashlights on our team. Many of those Top X lists in Google are written by people who know nothing about flashlights! In fact, many of these people do not even own a flashlight. How we can tell? First, they show utterly ridiculous flashlights that should never be recommended. And secondly, just look at the info they give. They have not owned, nor reviewed the flashlights they ‘recommend’.

Brightest lightweight mini flashlight

Nitecore T4K : 4000 lumen

Brightest mini flashlight?

holding nitecore T4K in hand
nitecore T4K runtime
  • Two-mode settings: Constant and Press only.
  • Output: 4000 Lumens (momentary)
  • LED: 4*XPL-L2 LED
  • Battery type: built-in
  • Onboard charging: USB-C
  • Weight: 72g / 2.83 Oz
  • Length: 72mm / 2.83 inch

The Nitecore T4K is a large keychain light, but still small considering the 4,000-lumen ultra bright output. It looks a little unusual with the switches and the OLED display. But when you press that switch…. you will blind yourself with 4000 lumens turbo mode. We have reviewed the Nitecore T4K, and it reached almost 4000 lumens! Unlike many other brands on eBay or Aliexpress, this is the real thing. Super bright, and pretty impressive for this size and weight of light. 

If you are searching for something lightweight, but don’t mind it being chunky-sized, this is a great way to get ahead of the game. The OLED display tells you exactly how many more minutes the battery will last. The peak brightness can only be reached while pressing the button continuously. So the highest constant output mode is 200 lumens, while the momentary highest output is 4000 lumens. If you don’t really understand how that works, read our review. 

Get yourself the Nitecore T4K at one of the following stores:

Thinnest flashlight

Nitecore Tube

$10 keychain light with usb charging

nitecore tube in hand
nitecore tube runtime
  • Modes: 2
  • Battery: built-in
  • Onboard charging: Micro USB
  • Weight: 9.6 grams / 0.33oz
  • Length: 56.5mm / 2.22 inch
  • Thickness: 8.65mm / 0.337 inch
  • Available in many colors

If you’re looking for a very thin and lightweight rechargeable keychain light, this may be your best bet. Nitecore is a premium flashlight brand that produces great flashlights, headlamps, and even bike lights. This Nitecore Tube light is available in multiple colors, including pink (for the other half). This also makes it a great gift for your non-flashaholic friends, family, and your wife. Just order your favorite light and add this Tube to the shopping basket. If somebody complains about your flashlight obsession, gift this!

Don’t expect anything bright, since it uses a simple mini led (5mm white led), and not a high-power LED! The maximum output is about 45 lumens. I personally own a transparent one, but I would recommend a bright color instead. Read our review of the Nitecore Tube, and even though it should be able to handle a wet environment, its water resistance is questionable. The running time on low mode is exceptionally, and mine ran for about 60 hours.

Get the Nitecore Tube v2 at the following store(s)

Smallest flashlight with longest range

Lumintop GT Nano

Tini flashlight with many mode options, and extreme range

Lumintop GT Nano in hand
Lumintop GT Nano runtime graph
  • Max output: 450 lumens (we tested 525 lumens at turn on)
  • LED:  Osram CSLNM1.TG
  • Modes: multiple types, you can choose
  • Battery: 10180 (and optional 10440, which is recommended)
  • Onboard charging: With USB-C charging adapter (included)
  • Length: 53.3 mm / 2.097″ (with 10180 battery)
  • Weight with 10180 battery: 20.7 gr / .73 oz.

There is nothing in the world that can reach a beam as far as the Lumintop GT Nano does… with the same size. You can’t really go any smaller than this, and still produce so many lumens and such a far-reaching beam. At turn on, we measured 525 lumens and the output drops rather quickly because of the tiny 10180 battery.

This battery can’t sustain a high output and drops relatively quickly. But at this size, this output is really amazing. It almost looks like you are holding a little toy.

If you’re a flashlight enthusiast (or want to become one), you can program the UI to your liking. It uses the NarsilM firmware (read the review) which gives you access to 12 different mode sets, including a stepless ramping mode.

Note, that there is an optional battery tube for a 10440 battery. They have 3 times the capacity of the 10180 battery, can sustain the brightness better, and even increase the max output. So, I’d recommend getting the optional 10440 tube and battery.

Interested? Get this tiny powerful flashlight at one of the following stores:

Tiny rechargeable flashlight

Lumintop Frog

This is one of the smallest rechargeable flashlights in the world, that we have reviewed.

Lumintop Frog inhand 10180
Lumintop Frog runtime
  • Max output: 750 lumens (we tested 858 lumens at turn on)
  • LED: Luminus SST20 4000K with High CRI (better colors)
  • Modes: multiple types, you can choose
  • Battery: 10180 (and optional 10440, which is recommended)
  • Onboard charging: With USB-C charging adapter (included)
  • Length: 44.6 mm / 1.758″ (with 10180 battery)
  • Length: 70.3 mm / 2.77″ (with 10440 battery)
  • Weight with 10180 battery: 14.2 gr / .38 oz.
  • Weight with 10440 battery: 24.2 gr / .85 oz.

You can’t really go smaller than this and the output it reaches. At turn on it reached almost 600 lumens with a 10180 battery, and almost 860 lumens with a 10440 battery.

Of course, this size of flashlight can’t sustain that output, and it drops relatively quick. But at this size, this output is amazing.

If you’re just looking for a simple on/off flashlight, look further. But if you’re a flashlight enthusiast, you can program the UI to your liking. It uses the NarsilM firmware (read the review) which gives you access to 12 different mode sets, including a stepless ramping mode.

The default battery type is the 10180 which has a very small capacity. I would recommend getting the 10440 battery, and battery tube, if you want to increase the battery life considerably. The package includes a charging adapter with a USB-C charging port and charging cable.

Interested in learning more, read our Lumintop Frog review, or buy it here:

Links to the 2nd version.

Olight i1r 2 PRO

Tiny flashlight with lots of power and USB-C charging

Olight i1R 2 PRO in my hand
Olight i1R 2 PRO runtime first 1 hour
  • Max output: 180 lumens (I tested 226 lm at turn on)
  • Modes: 2 (Low and High)
  • Battery: built-in
  • Onboard charging: USB-C port
  • Length: 52.3mm / 2.06″ (turned off)
  • Length: 62mm / 2.44″(turned on)
  • Weight: 22.4 gr / .79 oz.

We reviewed the Olight i1R 2 PRO as being the successor of the (yet smaller) i1R 2 EOS. Although a bit bigger, the battery capacity went from 70mAh on the EOS to 120mAh on the PRO. And besides this, the charging port changed from Micro USB to USB-C, a much more desirable charging port.

Just like the i1R 2 EOS, the PRO only has 2 modes, low mode, and high mode. With high mode reaching over 200 lumens at turn on, and low mode at ‘just’ 8 lumens. The runtime on High mode is pretty short, and within 30 minutes it’s down to about 10 lumens. However, the light remains running till it turns off at 2 hours. We don’t recommend doing this, because it will damage the battery if you do this multiple times.

Low mode runs for more than 12 hours before it starts dropping. I stopped the test after 15 hours and 30 minutes, while the light was still running at a sub-lumen level. Very impressive.

Unfortunately, the stars and stripes edition we reviewed was only available for a limited time. But you can still get the same flashlight in other colors, like black, blue and red. Check them out here:

Compact AAA flashlights

Lumintop EDC01

Small AAA flashlight with 120 lumens.

Lumintop EDC01 holding in hand
Lumintop EDC01 runtime
  • Max lumen: 120 lumens
  • LED: Osram
  • Modes: 3
  • Battery type: AAA (not included)
  • Waterproof led flashlight
  • Length: 66 mm / 2.59 in
  • Weight empty: 12g / .42 oz

AAA flashlights are probably one of the most popular keychain flashlights since AAA batteries are widely available. However, we do not recommend using Alkaline batteries in flashlights. They often ruin flashlights and electronics because they can leak. Often people refer to Alkaline batteries as Alkaleaks. We recommend using rechargeable AAA batteries like the Panasonic Eneloop AAA. These types of batteries can be recharged hundreds of times and save you money in the long run.

This is a ‘twisty flashlight’, so you need to turn the head to power it on. These twisty lights are the shortest AAA flashlights available. And because there are only 2 parts, without a tail switch. This also makes them more waterproof.

Lumintop decided to make it easy to understand the use case and called it the EDC01 (EDC stands for EveryDay Carry, or simply put: flashlights for everyday use).

This tiny light is also pretty affordable. Great for gifting.

Small AA flashlight

Lumintop TOOL AA 2.0

AA flashlight with 250 lumen

The best Lumintop Tool AA 2.0 in different colors
Lumintop Tool AA 2.0 runtime High
  • Max output on Eneloop AA: 140 lumens 
  • Max output on 14500 lithium: 650 lumens
  • No battery included: 14500 lithium battery optional at some stores
  • Onboard charging: no
  • Length: 89.5 mm / 3.52 in
  • Weight empty: 23.5gr / .79oz 

If you’re looking for a reliable AA flashlight have a look at the Lumintop Tool AA 2.0. It’s extremely popular amongst outdoor enthusiasts. The Tool AA 2.0 is available in 3 different colors, including titanium an copper. We reviewed the Titanium Tool 2.0 AA light here. Although the Tool AA works with 14500 Li-Ion batteries, we wouldn’t recommend using it on High for any longer than 10 seconds at a time because of its powerful led. The head may overheat and break the light. You can continuously run Turbo on AA batteries without any problem.

The Lumintop Tool AA 2.0 has 3 modes. Simply press the tail switch quickly to run through these modes. The great thing about AA flashlights is the extended battery life compared to AAA flashlights. (They tend to run roughly 3 times as long). But at the cost of a larger flashlight. We do not recommend using Alkaline batteries for this light. Actually, we don’t recommend Alkaline batteries in general. You are much better off buying rechargeable batteries. Especially ones that are made in Japan.

Lumintop includes a pocket clip, but you can also buy a magnetic tailcap, so you’ll have a magnetic base to attach it to metal objects. Get it here:

Small 18350 flashlight

EMISAR D4V2

Very bright 18350 flashlight

Sand colored d4v2 in hand
emisar d4v2 runtime
  • Max output: 4300 lm
  • Available in multiple colors
  • Large choice of emitters and accessories
  • Battery: 18350 / 18650
  • Onboard charging: no
  • Output: ~2800 lm
  • Length: 63.5 mm / 2.5 in

Emisar flashlights are a special breed. Hank, the owner of Emisar is a real flashlight enthusiast. The Emisar D4v2 is actually a 18650 flashlight but has an optional 18350 extender. With the power of 4 LEDs you can achieve extremely high output, over 3000lm, depending on the emitters you choose.

This is a special flashlight that not many people outside the flashlight community know about. If you are into something special, with special firmware, have a look at our in-depth Emisar D4v2 review before you purchase one. Lithium-ion powered flashlights need special care, and therefore these are not recommended for children or careless people :–)

You still think you can handle this? Check it out here:

Smallest 18650 flashlights

Lumintop FW3A

One of the shortest 18650 flashlights we reviewed at 1Lumen.com

lumintop BLF TLF Fw3a in hand
  • Extremely popular in the flashlight community
  • Output: ~2800 lm
  • Battery: 18350 / 18650
  • Onboard charging: no
  • Length: 92.5 mm / 3.56 in
  • Weight empty: 53gr / 1.8oz 
  • Weight with battery: 100 gr / 3.53 oz

The size of an average 18350 type flashlight but with the capacity of a 18650 battery. That is what the Lumintop FW3A is capable of. Small flashlights with high lumens are hard to find. The FW3A is a real pocket rocket, and one of the brightest pocket flashlights you can get. It is also not very expensive, at roughly $40 a piece. This is the flashlight I have in my winter coat all the time. The Lumintop FW3A needs a little more attention because of its design. It has tons of features including a lightning storm mode, candle mode, bike flash mode, amongst others. If you want to learn more, don’t forget to check out our extremely in-depth Lumintop FW3A review.

This is highly recommended for flashaholics, but not for the average Joe. There are multiple brightness settings, and customizable modes, so it’s not noob-friendly Lumintop produces many of the most popular EDC flashlights used by flashoholics.

You think you can handle it? Get one of them here:

What is the best mini flashlight for you?

That depends

When it comes to choosing the right tiny flashlight for your needs, you need to answer a few questions.

  1. Do you know how to charge lithium batteries?
  2. Do you have a lithium-ion battery charger?
  3. Do you have a NiMH battery charger?
  4. Do you want to charge your lights with a USB charger?
  5. Do you want to be able to replace the battery?
  6. Why do you need a small flashlight torch, and why can’t it be bigger?
  7. How do you want to carry it? In your pocket or on your keychain?

The best flashlight for you depends on the answers to all these questions. But to help you a little further, have a look at the pros and cons.

Don’t buy lithium-ion powered flashlights like the 18350 and 18650 flashlights listed above if: 

  • You don’t have a trustable lithium-ion battery charger
  • You don’t have trustable lithium-ion batteries
  • A child is going to use the flashlight
  • You don’t know how to treat Lithium-Ion batteries

Don’t buy a flashlight with built-in (lithium-ion) batteries if: 

  • You want to use spare batteries
  • You don’t have the ability to charge the flashlight when it’s empty

The benefits of small AA and AAA flashlights:

  • AAA batteries are widely available, which is great in case of an emergency
  • AAA and AA batteries are cheap to get
  • You can take spare batteries with you and replace the battery when empty
  • You can get rechargeable NiMH batteries like Panasonic Eneloops and charge them hundreds of times

The benefits of 18350 and 18650 flashlights: 

  • You can take spare batteries with you
  • They are the most powerful batteries for small flashlights and therefore the brightest
  • You have much more power available compared to AA or AAA flashlights
  • The runtime of these flashlights in the lowest modes can be extremely long, even up to a month

What’s the brightest pocket flashlight?

  • The Emisar D4v2 and Lumintop FW3A are extremely bright and fit in your pocket. Anything larger than these lights get a little too big IMHO.

What’s the smallest, pocketable Tactical flashlight?

  • There are so many, but the Olight Warrior Mini 2 is probably one of the most popular small tactical flashlights.

Looking for any other handheld flashlights?

We are different from other websites that make recommendations. We published hundreds of flashlight reviews on this site, with runtime charts, lumen output measurements, maximum beam distance measurements, and many, many more.

Each review takes us many hours of testing, so this separates us from other websites you see in Google.

So far, we’ve reviewed EDC flashlights, pen lights, powerful high lumen flashlights, tactical flashlights, mini flashlights, keychain flashlights, flood lights, headlamps, and bike lights. I probably forgot a few categories.

If you’re looking for the best mini led flashlight, EDC flashlight, pen light, or the farthest throwing LED flashlight.. we have you covered. Please surf around the website to find your next flashlight.