Best EDC Flashlights and What to Consider

The four fundamental rules of firearm safety dictate that you must know your target and what’s beyond it, which is why today we will be discussing the best EDC flashlights, and what to consider when selecting the right one for you, so no matter the situation, you’re safe. We’ll also discuss the differences between handheld EDC flashlights and weapon mounted lights, and why both are important for your daily carry set up.

 

Things to look for in the Best EDC Flashlight

Size:

Since it is an EDC Flashlight, you want it to be something that is easy to carry. If it’s too big for you to comfortably keep with you daily, it’s not doing you any good. Finding a flashlight that comfortably fits in your pocket, without sacrificing good illumination for your particular needs and environment is key!

Lumens and Candela:

What is a lumen? A lumen is the unit of measurement for the amount of light being put out by a source. Generally speaking, a lumen is about equal to the amount of light given off by a candle. As a rule of thumb, you want your flashlight to be at least 100 lumens. This is the bare minimum for an EDC Flashlight. The brighter the light the better. If the situation arises, your flashlight can be used to defend yourself by impairing your attacker’s sight with the light but the light has to be bright enough. Anymore, even the smallest flashlights we would consider for daily carry can put out at least 250 lumens.

What is Candela? A Candela is a unit used to measure the luminous intensity in a given direction of a source of light. In other words, lumens are how much light is produced overall and candela is how much light is produced in a certain direction. Candela is used to measure the “throw” of light or how far the light reaches.

Battery:

 

There are two options when it comes to batteries. You have rechargeable batteries and you have non-rechargeable. Each has pros and cons which we will go over. One of the most common flashlight batteries is the CR123. This is a good battery that is used in many EDC Flashlights but it is starting to get replaced with the 18650 battery. Typically 2 CR123 batteries are needed in a flashlight but they can be replaced with just a single 18650 battery. These batteries can be expensive, but have a strong lifespan.

If that dissuades you, plenty of EDC flashlights do utilize a rechargeable battery instead. Just be cognizant of the fact that like your phone, it’s useless unless you keep it charged.

Now that we have discussed some of the key features to consider in an Everyday Carry Flashlight, let’s see what lights made our list! The lights on this list vary in brightness, size, and cost to accommodate all needs and wants.

 

Best EDC Flashlights – Handheld

 

Streamlight Wedge USB

• High: 1000 Lumens Medium: 300 Lumens    Low: 25
• Rechargeable
• Battery Level Indicator
• $109.99

The Streamlight Wedge USB -1,000 Lumens is a compact, high-performance EDC light designed for clean pocket carry. The Streamlight flashlight is outfitted with an intuitive rotating thumb switch that provides tactile control over the constant-on and THRO (Temporarily Heightened Regulated Output) modes. Made of rugged anodized aluminum with a waterproof USB-C port, the Wedge balances durability with performance.

Thin, ergonomic design fits comfortably in your hand and provides clean and easily concealable pocket carry. Rotatable switch with battery level indicator and a deep carry pocket clip attaches on either side of light. It is USB-C rechargeable Lithium polymer battery charges in 3 hours.

Overall, this is a simple and efficient flashlight meant to drop into the pocket without any trouble everyday. With its thin profile and large clip, it’s also perfect to drop into a backpack to be clipped off and forgotten until you need it! Learn more and get your Streamlight Wedge USB today.

 

Streamlight Microstream USB

• High output: 250 Lumens Low: 50 Lumens
• Rechargeable
• IPX4 Water-Resistant
• $39.99

This is perhaps one of the smallest and yet most functional EDC flashlights on the market. The Microstream USB combines a compact package with a reasonable output and battery life.

The Streamlight Microstream USB is a small yet powerful Everyday Carry Flashlight. For the minimalist daily carry – this is a light that provides you with the tool you need, without the additional bulk that comes with many flashlights. Year round, this is a light that can be clipped off to the pocket and can disappear, a great feature for a daily carry light. One consideration that should be made when putting together your total EDC kit is just how much of it is exposed. For example, if you have bulging pockets and a dozen items clipped off to them, the average person is likely to assume you have a firearm or similar tool on your body. Tools like this EDC flashlight provide you with the necessary functionality while allowing you to comfortably conceal.

Get your Streamlight Microstream USB today!

Streamlight Protac 1L-1AA

• High output: 350 Lumens Low: 35 Lumens   Strobe Option
• Removable clip
• IPX7 waterproof
• Dual Fuel
• $109.00

The Streamlight Protac 1L-1AA is another quality and budget friendly option for an EDC flashlight. This EDC Light is slightly on the bigger side but not too big. Additionally, it’s a great option for someone on a budget, looking for a light with a slightly higher output. The dual fuel option allows you to run the CR123A battery of a AA, meaning you’ll never worry about keeping your light fed and live.

This light also features a strobe fuction, which is a great feature for an EDC flashlight, as it can be an effective tool to disorientate a threat.

Additionally, this light is waterproof for up to 30 minutes in 1 meter of water. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty. At $60, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better daily use flashlight. Get Streamlight Protac 1L-1AA today!

 

Streamlight Microstream Pocket Light

 

• High Output: 45 lumens
• Removable Pocket/Hat Clip
• Ultra-Compact (3.6″)
• Runs on a single AAA battery

 

If this one looks familiar, it should! This is the most budget friendly option we offer, and is the single fuel, non-rechargable version of the Streamlight Microstream we shared above. Instead, this light runs on a single AAA battery, and has a reduced output of 45 lumens. That said, for $25, it is an incredibly reliable and efficient daily carry flashlight, that’s perfect for any basic task requiring illumination. It’s water-resistant, and can run for 2.25 hours. If you’re looking for a basic, no-nonsense light that’s reliable and inexpensive to keep running – this is the one for you! We find it to be one of the best EDC flashlights for college students as well! Inexpensive and durable, it’s perfect for those late walks home from the library, and won’t put you or your student back anything serious when they accidentally put it in the wash for the fifth time and kill it. Get your Streamlight Microstream today!

Finding the Right EDC Flashlight

These are just some of our favorite handheld EDC lights, and the ones that we believe could be the best EDC flashlight for you. But that entirely depends upon your needs and preferences as well. The great news is, each one of these lights is a different size and style, meaning no matter your needs, we’ve got the best EDC flashlight for you.

 

Next – we’ll discuss weapon mounted lights, and why they’re critical for self defense and daily carry as well.