Let’s begin.
This is a no-brainer: Wuben X4, hands down the best compact sidelight flashlight, with the option to put a 4000 mAh 18650 battery. You can get so many hours of runtime on the 100-lumen side light, more than 14 hours before shutoff or longer, and a front light that’s easy to use and water resistant.
Wuben X4 is a great work light in tight spaces, magnetic, and with a 4000 mAh battery can last a VERY long time at 100 lumens. Remember, it has a dial for the front light and side light.
It’s compact, has a nice turbo, and good runtimes even with the included battery.
The Fenix PD26R ACE with a 1600 mAh 18350 is a compact light. 100 lumens for 8.5 hours is insane for such a tiny light. IP68 water resistant and a good little USB-C flashlight with twist USB charging. It’s compact as heck and easy to use, also with a moonlight option.
Another crazy light is the Fenix LD35R with a 4000 mAh battery in the head of the flashlight. It has a built-in COB light, can last up to 7 hours of runtime, is in a decent compact size, and even the main light is decent.
Best flashlight for self-defense? Shoot, you got options, and they’re right here in this picture. Been using these lights for a long time.
Right away, the Fenix PD45R ACE: 6000 mAh, 1300 feet, instant strobe. Reliable, great throw considering how small the reflector is. Better than the Fenix TK21R.
Runner up: Fenix PD36R Pro. Amazing flashlight, instant strobe, never breaks.
Need some throw while being tactical? You’re going for Fenix TK20R V2.0. 1500 feet of throw. A perfect flashlight in my opinion. IP68.
Best flashlight in the flat light category for brightness options of throw, flood, UV, laser?
Olight ArkPro, 2000 mAh built in, with a lifetime warranty.
Magnetic tail, two ways to charge: USB and magnetic. They last a long time, as I’ve had my ArkPro every day, the orange one, used all the time. Throw and flood is perfect for a flat body light.
My favorite flashlight of 2026? Fenix TK28R.
8000 mAh, two 4000 mAh 18650 batteries. Extreme.
Runtimes on low and medium of 800 lumens last until turn off after 14 hours, and on low mode can last over 150 lumens for 31 hours. A monster runtime. Flat, feels good in hand. Not as bright as Wuben’s 12,000 lumen turbo, but 6,500 lumens is great. Build quality and red light is insane, 260 lumens of red light.
The Wuben X1 Falcon is a serious lumen monster. It’s not water resistant, but it can throw 12,000 lumens violently if you need it to. Also replaceable 21700s and a 20-lumen mode for over 200 hours.
ArkPro or Ultra for flat comfort lights with some throw.
These lights are NOT high CRI. These lights are for everyday use and not intended to replace high CRI lights for color rendering. These are just the most reliable lights I’ve messed with, never breaking on me.
One more.
Light like the Sofirn ST1 is another great flat light. Easy to use, carry, simple flashlight, with a medium runtime over 3 hours 30 minutes.
Compact flat light? ArkPro light is the most reliable and has red LEDs that get very bright. Easy recharging.
by planetearthofficial
