Arbitrary List of Popular Lights - Fall Equinox 2024 Edition

Happy (belated) Equinox!

In honor of Fall Equinox, I've made an updated list of popular lights. Days are getting shorter in the northern hemisphere. It might be time for a new flashlight.

The best flashlight

There is no best flashlight, so this is an amalgamation of what enthusiasts have been buying and recommending to others lately along with the author's arbitrary preferences and biases. Please take note that prices and availability may change - feel free to leave a comment if you notice a mismatch. To search more lights by their attributes, try Parametrek Search.

Some people have asked if they can give me kickbacks or gratuities for maintaining the list. Some lights in the list offer affiliate links marked with 💵 and (aff) which will result in the dealer paying me a small commission if you buy a light through the link. There is always a non-affiliate option if you don't want to be tracked. I also have two affiliate coupon codes that apply to some of the dealers:

I also have a 💵 tip jar 💵 at Ko-Fi. Nobody should feel obligated to use either, but it's certainly appreciated.

About specs

Lumens are total output. Don't worry about small differences in output. You probably can't detect a 10% difference in lumens with your eyes, and 20% is barely noticeable. It takes 4 times the lumens to look twice as bright. Candela is intensity, which translates to throw distance. FL1 throw numbers are about right for detecting large objects; cut them in half for seeing clearly. Extreme throw distances also run in to limits imposed by human vision and by backscatter in the atmosphere. Warmer tints have less backscatter.

FL1 runtime numbers are to 10% output and can be misleading. Look for a review with a runtime graph.

Performance specs for AA and AAA powered lights are usually given with NiMH rechargeable batteries. Alkalines don't perform as well, and may leak corrosive electrolyte.

Considerations

Briefly, here are some characteristics that are usually considered desirable. Most of the recommended lights won't have all of them, but these are things to look for when shopping for lights:

  • Neutral white tint - the vast majority of people with an opinion prefer a color temperature that's within the range of direct sunlight, which is generally marketed as "neutral white", but sometimes as "warm white"
  • A lack of red, or especially green off-tints, beam artifacts and tint shift from the center of the beam to the edges
  • A user interface that does not require cycling through different modes to turn off, and does not change modes every time the light is turned off
  • A lack of blinking modes within the standard mode rotation, either because the light doesn't have any, or they're "hidden" by being accessed in a different manner than the usual modes
  • An IP waterproofing rating - most good lights are rated for IPX8 with the depth and duration of submersion specified by the manufacturer
  • A lack of timed stepdowns. Some lights only produce their maximum output for a few minutes at a time. While some powerful lights can get too hot to hold if run on high constantly, the hardware necessary to measure temperature and only reduce power if the light is actually too hot costs only a few cents, but many lights won't overheat badly anyway
  • Full-spectrum, or high-CRI for more accurate color rendering. Color rendering index, or CRI is the most common measurement of this; average LEDs are about 70. Over 80 is decent, and over 90 is excellent. The highest I've heard of from an LED is 99. This is more important for seeing detail than absolute output and can be the difference between a stick and a snake on the trail.
  • A sub-lumen moonlight mode (for general-use lights)
  • A user interface that allows access to the lowest and highest modes from off without having to cycle through other modes
  • A user interface where a single click turns the light on in a reasonable mode, and another single click turns it off.

The Quick List

If you're not interested in flashlights as a hobby, you should probably just get one of these

All of the lights in this section come with a rechargeable battery and have a charger built in to the light. The battery will be a standard size you can buy online from third parties, and the charger will use USB as its power source, though some options do use a special cable. Aside from the Catapult, all have very good color quality compared to the average LED flashlight, improving your ability to see details.

This section is strongly influenced by what is available for purchase within the US. Changes from last time reflect current availability and may be updated before the next list as that changes.

Wurkkos FC11C 🔦
🔋 $34 (with battery)
A budget general-use light with USB-C charging. There's a strong magnet in the tailcap, and a pocket clip for carry. A 25mm (1 inch) diameter and 120mm (4.7 inches) long is suitable for larger pants pockets. This is significantly upgraded from the previous FC11 with better efficiency and output that does not decrease as the battery drains in medium modes. 18650 battery.
Skilhunt M150 v3 🔦
🔋 $49 (with battery)
A smaller everyday carry light with many characteristics similar to the FC11, but a smaller (14500 size) battery and magnetic charging connector. This light can also use AA batteries, both rechargeable and disposable, but the built-in charger only works with a 14500. 21mm (0.82") at its widest point and 84mm (3.3") long. The Nichia 519A option is strongly recommended
Skilhunt M200 v3 🔦
$54
🔋 $64 (with battery)
Were you considering the Olight S2R or Baton Pro? Consider this instead. Magnetic charging, but with a standard 18650. Optional high-CRI neutral white Nichia 519A (recommended) or Samsung LH351D. Magnetic tailcap. You can decide whether to pay extra to get it with a battery, or use an 18650 of your choice.
Acebeam EC35 II 🔦
$67
🔋 $77 (with battery)
Killzone special edition with SST-20. I swear I'm not trying to favor Killzone here, but this one is a dealer exclusive. The T-word is overused in marketing, but many would describe this as a handheld tactical light or duty light. This is a great option for situations where the user might need light quickly in a stressful situation because the tailswitch is high-only with other functions on the sideswitch. If you think you want a single-mode light, you probably want this instead. USB-C charging (A-to-C again), and it's a USB powerbank (C-to-C works for this).
Skilhunt H150 🔦
🔋 $54 (with battery)
A headlamp version of the M150, also usable handheld, and as magnetic work light. 14500 Li-ion battery (included) with USB/magnetic charging, but it can use AA as a backup. Nichia 519A version strongly recommended.
Sofirn SP36 (BLF) 🔦
$67
A large high-output light with three 18650 batteries It has USB-C charging, a USB powerbank function, and a more complex user interface, but basic operation is similar to most of the others in this section. If you need to light up a room for a long time, or light up a field, this is up to the task. I think most people will like 4000K or 5000K, which look like afternoon and midday sunlight, respectively. 2700K is sometimes available for those who miss the look of incandescents.
Wurkkos TD01C 🔦
🔋 $53 (with battery)
A 21700 light with over 1km FL1 throw and good regulation. There's a high-first "tactical" mode that could be helpful for use under stress.

Mainstream lights

Everyday Carry Lights

These are selected for pocketability first and performance second, but most of the larger options are perfectly adequate for house/car/camping/etc... uses. This section excludes right-angle designs that double as headlamps, but many people do use those for pocket carry, so see that section as well.

Small keychain lights

Nitecore Tube 2.0
$11
A brighter, variable output, USB-charging replacement for button-cell keychain lights with shortcuts to high and low modes from off.
Rovyvon Aurora A1 USB-C (219C)
$28
Neutral tint, 90 CRI, 450 lumens (briefly), USB-C charging, 16g weight. Non-removable battery, so this will eventually wear out. Other Nichia Rovyvons are similar, offering different body materials, sizes, and sometimes colored LEDs on the sides. Nichia 219C option recommended.
Skilhunt EK1
$20
Two mode twist-switch light with USB-C charging. There used to be many lights this size with removable 10180 batteries, but they have mostly disappeared in favor of non-removable. At least this one offers a larger battery and high CRI option.

AAA Battery

Reylight Pineapple Mini
🔋 $37.5 (with battery)
Nice build quality, Nichia 519A LED with high CRI, and the ability to run on AAA or Li-ion 10440 batteries. There are versions in fancy metals like titanium for those so inclined.
Skilhunt E3A
$14
A simple 1xAAA light with a twist switch and a high CRI option (recommended).
Fenix E01 V2.0
$15
A basic twisty light that gives up the E3A's color quality for three modes instead of one.
Nitecore MT06MD
$30
2xAAA, 90+ CRI, neutral white, and still shipping with the Nichia 219B as far as I know. It's here because the light from the 219B is very clean even compared to other high-CRI options.

AA/14500 battery

Sofirn SP10 Pro
$22
🔋 $24 (with battery)
A sophisticated AA/14500 sideswitch light running Toykeeper's excellent Anduril 2 firmware. By default, it's a simple ramping UI with mode memory, but a great deal of customization is available. 900lm max on a 14500, and a high-CRI Samsung LH351D is the only LED option. Available by itself, or with a battery and charger bundle. Priced higher at Amazon, but no waiting for shipping from China.
Skilhunt M150
🔋 $49 (with battery)
A favorite AA/14500 light now with the latest community-favorite LED: the high-CRI Nichia 519A in both neutral and warm. The M150 has a sideswitch with shortcuts, magnetic charging, and a magnetic tailcap. The onboard charging works with any 14500, but won't charge NiMH AA inside the light. There's low-voltage protection for both battery types, so unprotected 14500s are OK.
Skilhunt E2A
$22
🔋 $27 (with battery)
A basic light with an optional high-CRI 4000K SST-20 LED. This is a basic, inexpensive 3-mode mechanical tailswitch light running on AA or 14500. It has nice mode spacing, low-voltage protection for the 14500, and impressive maximum output for the size and price.
Acebeam Pokelit AA
$30
AA/14500 with high CRI, three modes, a tailswitch, and USB-charging 14500 battery included. Just avoid the grey, low-CRI version.

CR123A/16340 battery

Sofirn SC21
🔋 $33 (with battery)
A very small 16340-only e-switch light with USB-C and a magnet. The LH351D LED is a sunlight-like 5000K and 90 CRI for good color quality. 4000K (afternoon sunlight) and 2700K (incandescent-like) are also offered.
Sofirn SC21 Pro
🔋 $33 (with battery)
The above with ToyKeeper's sophisticated Anduril firmware, but worse efficiency and output that drops as the battery drains.

18350 battery

Sofirn SC13 (519A)
$19
🔋 $20 (with battery)
It's hard to ask for more than high CRI, magnetic tailcap, and USB-C at the $20 price point, and the SC13 delivers.
Thrunite T1
🔋 $20 (with battery)
MicroUSB charging, magnetic tailcap, 1500 lumen max mode with a ramping UI for medium levels. $20 at publication time, which helps this older model stay on the list.
Eagletac DX3B Mk II
🔋 $80 (with battery)
For those who might need to use a lot of light under stress, but want a more compact package than the average 18650 light. Mash the proud tailswitch and get 2500 lumens and 257m of throw; it always starts on high unless the sideswitch is also held, in which case it starts on low. An 18350 battery is included and the light has onboard micro-USB charging.
Skilhunt EC200S Mini
🔋 $64 (with battery)
A compact 18350 flashlight with two neutral white high-CRI Nichia 519A LEDs and one warm, for those who like a choice of color temperature. There are also versions where the secondary LED is red or ultraviolet.

18650 battery

Zebralight SC65c HI
$89
The SC6x series has long been an EDC favorite for their compact size, high efficiency, great low modes, and a user interface that was well ahead of the competition when it came out. Now, many would prefer ToyKeeper's Anduril firmware as used on the FW3A and D4v2, but Zebralight has added some configuration options that should keep most users happy. This version is more throwy than previous offerings.
Skilhunt M200 v3
$54
🔋 $64 (with battery)
Were you considering the Olight S2R or Baton Pro? Consider this instead. Magnetic charging, but with a standard 18650. Optional high-CRI neutral white Nichia 519A (recommended) or Samsung LH351D. Magnetic tailcap. You can decide whether to pay extra to get it with a battery, or use an 18650 of your choice.
Wurkkos FC11C
🔋 $34 (with battery)
18650 EDC light, high-CRI Nichia 519A LED, battery included, magnetic tailcap, USB-C charging, e-switch with the option of fixed modes or ramping. The FC11C upgrades the driver of the original FC11 for improved efficiency and stable output as the battery drains
Fenix PD32 v2
$60
🔋 $85 (with battery)
For those who want a lot of throw without a flared head, the PD32 v2 manages almost 400m FL1 throw with a straight 25mm tube shape. It doesn't have good color rendering, sub-lumen modes, onboard charging, or useful shortcuts in its user interface, but it sure is throwy.
Acebeam EC35 II
$67
🔋 $77 (with battery)
This has a bit different UI than the others here. The tailswitch is alawys high, with half-press for momentary. The side switch is an electronic switch with shortcuts from off to low, last-used, and high. This offers versatility in combination with dead-simple reliability under stress. USB-C charging (note: requires A-to-C cable; does not charge from C-to-C), optional battery, and it's a USB powerbank (powerbank function does work with C-to-C).
Skilhunt EC200
$61
🔋 $73 (with battery)
Very compact floody 18650 light with USB-C charging, excellent color rendering when the Nichia 519A LED option is selected, and a magnetic tailcap.
Skilhunt EC200S
$64
🔋 $74 (with battery)
The EC200, but with two neutral white LEDs and one warm, for those who like a choice of color temperature. There are also versions where the secondary LED is red or ultraviolet.

Right-angle lights and headlamps

If I could have only one portable light, it would be a right-angle light that functions as both an everyday carry light and a headlamp. Some lights in this form factor also offer a magnetic tailcap, allowing them to act as mountable area lights.

Small

Skilhunt H150
🔋 $54 (with battery)
Despite a rough launch involving a recall, this is my favorite small headlamp. 14500 battery and magnetic charging, but also compatible with AA. Optional Nichia 519A LED with excellent color rendering and a choice of 4500K (afternoon sunlight) or 3000K (incandescent-like). Stable output as the battery drains, which is unusual in this class. Also works as a pocket light and magnetic work light.
Sofirn HS10
🔋 $27 (with battery)
A small and inexpensive, but power-inefficient 1x16340 right-angle light with high CRI and USB-C charging. Amazon price is a bit higher.
Skilhunt H04 Mini RC
🔋 $54 (with battery)
Skilhunt H200 Mini
🔋 $64 (with battery)
The H200 Mini has similar features to the H04 Mini RC, but offers higher peak output (but not higher sustained output) from two white LEDS and a secondary red light. Most people will prefer the Nichia 519A 4500K for sunlight-like color rendering; fans of incandescent lights will like 3000K.
Nitecore HA11
$20
Lightweight, single-AA, and very inexpensive. It doesn't compare favorably to all-metal headlamps with a higher price, but it sure is cheap and lightweight.
Nitecore NU25 UL
$37
When weight counts above nearly all else, the 45g NU25 UL, which has a non-removable battery and USB-C charging could be the winner. I don't like recommending lights with non-removable batteries, but the ultralight crowd should like this one.

Medium

Skilhunt H04 RC
🔋 $54 (with battery)
A solid all-around right-angle light with magnetic charging and my favorite headband on the market. The popular version has a honeycomb TIR optic for a diffuse beam pattern. A reflector for more throw and a version with a reflector and a flip-out diffuser are available. Uses a timed stepdown and has a magnetic tailcap. These offer a high-CRI Nichia 519A, which is recommended.
Skilhunt H200
$64
🔋 $64 (with battery)
The H200 has similar features to the H04 RC, but offers higher peak output (but not higher sustained output) from two white LEDS and a secondary red light. Most people will prefer the Nichia 519A 4500K for sunlight-like color rendering; fans of incandescent lights will like 3000K.
Zebralight H600Fd IV
$89
A very compact, neutral white, great efficiency, well-regarded user interface, boost driver. What's not to love? The pocket clip isn't so good. 90+ CRI, a frosted lens for a more diffuse beam and a slightly cooler neutral tint that's a close match for the midday sun. H600d for non-frosted and a little more throw.
Zebralight H600Fc IV
$89
The H600Fd, but with warmer tint, like the late afternoon sun.
Armytek Wizard C2 Pro Nichia 144A
🔋 $95 (with battery)
A right-angle light with a beautiful high-CRI neutral white emitter, boost driver for stable output, magnetic tailcap, magnetic charging, and excellent low mode. I pushed for this light's creation, so I'm biased, but I do think it's excellent. The manufacturer, however is not, and I recommend ordering from Killzone in the US to avoid customer service and shipping problems.
Skilhunt H300
$70
🔋 $80 (with battery)
A similar design to the Wizard C2 Pro with a lower price and better headband. The moonlight mode isn't as low as the Wizard. Now that a high-CRI option is offered, I have reason to add it to the list.

Large

Acebeam H30
🔋 $120 (with battery)
21700 battery (also compatible with 18650), USB-C charging, powerbank function, 4000 lumen main output with optional neutral white, red secondary, choice between a green secondary, UV secondary, or a high-CRI Nichia 219C secondary. Boost driver for stable output when the battery is low or cold. Many people would consider this too heavy for a headlamp, but it weighs a lot less than a motorcycle helmet. Noncompliant USB-C behavior requires charging with an A-to-C cable.
Wurkkos HD20
$40
21700 battery, two LEDs (one throwy, the other high-CRI), and USB-C in a right-angle form factor.
Fenix HP30R v2
🔋 $220 (with battery)
2x21700 batteries (included) in a remote box that can be attached to the headband on worn on a belt, an efficient driver, and both spot and flood options make for a headlamp that can run all night at 1000 lumens with a peak output of 3000. No ultra-low modes here; that's not what this is for. The battery box can serve as a USB powerbank and charges via USB-C. Wearing the batteries under clothing makes it effectively immune to cold. Expensive, though there's usually a 20% off code available for Fenix products.

Duty lights

These are suitable for first responders and possibly members of the military in combat roles. The focus is on simple operation, reliability and a good way to make sure the light starts on high.

Acebeam L35 2.0
🔋 $115 (with battery)
Very high output of 5000 lumens from a single 21700 battery with 650m FL1 throw, though expect it to thermal throttle quickly to about 1300. Tailswitch is max-only, with other modes on the sideswitch.
Eagletac GX30L2-R
🔋 $120 (with battery)
For those who want a better Streamlight Stinger. 2x18650. Onboard charging. The included battery pack is just two 18650s in series. It says not to charge standard 18650s, but there's no technical reason for that, and it is reported to work. Protected 18650s recommended.
Acebeam L18
$85
🔋 $105 (with battery)
This is the L35, but optimized for throw with 1000m FL1 throw and 1500lm output. This is probably a secondary light for most people for when something is too far for the primary light.
Acebeam L16 v2
🔋 $110 (with battery)
A more compact model than the other two Acebeams here with a beam profile between the two and the addition of USB-C charging. The L16 v2 can be an all-purpose light, but it's at its best at longer distances.

High-performance lights

Most lights on the list are easy to carry, with performance constrained by size and thermal mass as a result. After all, the best light is the one you have. Here are lights to bring when you know you'll be using them.

Flooders

Turn night into day, but not necessarily very far away

Acebeam E75
🔋 $100 (with battery)
An outstanding quad-emitter flooder with a 21700 battery, USB-C charging and an impressive ability to maintain high output with the excellent color quality of the optional Nichia 519A LEDs.
Zebralight SC700d HI
$129
Zebralight's (current) largest flashlight is still quite compact for the performance it delivers. It's smaller, more throwy, and a little more efficient than the E75, doesn't have onboard charging, and doesn't render reds quite as well.
Sofirn SP36 BLF edition
🔋 $67 (with battery)
3x18650, 4xLH351D, Anduril firmware, USB-C charging, USB powerbank. Be careful, there are versions of this light with Cree XP-L2 and Luminus SST-40 emitters, which are ugly. Several options for color temperature exist, and batteries are usually bundled now, but not always. 90+ CRI, 5500+ lumens, 350m FL1 throw.
Skilhunt EC300
$68
🔋 $81 (with battery)
A quad-emitter flooder with a 21700 battery and a choice of low or high CRI Luminus SST-20s and RGB secondary emitters. Lights fitting that description aren't rare lately, but this one has standards-compliant USB-C charging and a powerbank feature with output around 5V/3A. That makes it one of the most effective powerbank/flashlight combinations that might fit in a pants pocket.

Throwers

What's that over there? WAY over there? The hotspots of these lights tend to be too focused for comfortable use up close, though using a diffuser is an option. These tend to be most useful for search and rescue, boating, and the like. FL1 throw is the distance at which large objects can be detected in clear air. At half that distance, there's usually enough illumination to see clearly, though with more extreme throwers, the distances may be so great as to require binoculars to see clearly even during the day. Throwers have visible backscatter from the atmosphere even in clear air, which may obstruct the user's view of the target. Warmer color temperatures tend to have less.
Thrunite Catapult Pro
🔋 $90 (with battery)
A 26650 battery thrower with high output, 1km FL1 throw, and USB-C charging.
Acebeam K75
$322
2.5km and 6500lm, but large with 4x18650 batteries and a 13cm wide head.

Hybrids

Some throw, some flood... probably a lot

Convoy 4x18A SBT90
$72
budget light in this category with 4x18650, USB-C charging, 5400lm and 1.1km throw. It's prone to overheating, so it's probably best held in a bare hand during operation - if it isn't painful to hold, it's safe for the batteries.
Acebeam X75
🔋 $400 (with battery)
One of the highest output lights on the market at 80,000 lumens, a figure I believe to be more honest than the Imalent MS18's claimed 100,000. There's also a throwy version with 67,000 claimed lumens and throw increased to 1306m from 1150. Waterproof/submersible in spite of a cooling fan and USB-PD powerbank function (up to 20V 3A output, able to power many laptop computers). The battery pack is, unfortunately proprietary.

Toys

Most of the list focuses on lights that are *practical*. Here are a few people love where practical utility isn't the primary concern.

Acebeam Terminator M1
$290
Nobody reasonable would stick a zoomable LEP on the side of a triple 519A flooder, would they? Acebeam did and people seem to love it.
Skilhunt MiX 7 Plus
$76
🔋 $86 (with battery)
Seven LEDs in five colors (white, red, green, blue, UV), now with color mixing and an 18650 battery. The second generation, larger version of the MiX-7 is a welcome upgrade to a fun light. The UV is 1W @ 365nm so it's useful for those who have a practical case for UV, and the white LEDs can be Nichia 519As with the expected outstanding tinit and color rendering.

Other lights

Stuff that doesn't fit somewhere else goes here.

Pelican 3315 CC
$55
3xAA, 130 lumens, intrinsically safe. The only reason to get this is because an intrinsically safe or explosion proof light is required. This is the least bad option with a warm color temperature and high CRI.
Fenix WF30RE
🔋 $100 (with battery)
The closest thing to an enthusiast-grade flashlight with an intrinsically-safe rating. This is a low-powered, but relatively normal e-switch tube light running on a field-replaceable proprietary battery. The battery has 18650 performance, but 21700 size, and requires a hex key to change, which should only be done in a safe atmosphere. In most cases, a proprietary battery results in automatic exclusion from this list, but I'm sure it's the only way they could achieve the hazardous environment ratings.
Sofirn BLF LT1
🔋 $84 (with battery)
4x18650 lantern with Anduril and variable color temperature at 90 CRI. USB-C charging and powerbank functionality.

Enthusiast Lights

Enthusiast lights can be subject to a bit of a flavor of the month phenomenon, and this section isn't necessarily going to try to include them all. What you'll find here are enthusiast lights with some staying power. There will probably be an Emisar D4 of some description this time next year, but not necessarily the latest new FW variant or whatever's currently trendy from Nightwatch.

Everyday Carry

Emisar D4v2
$45
Every flashlight geek's favorite way to burn a hole in their pocket has been upgraded. It now comes with colored aux LEDs that can serve as a decoration, locator, and battery status indicator. Some versions of this light can exceed 4000 output at power-on, though efficiency is not one of its goals, even at lower levels. There are many LED options, from which I'd suggest the 4500K, 90+ CRI Nichia 519A to most people. Optional extras include a tailcap magnet, steel bezel, pocket clip, 18350 and 18500 battery tubes, different optics, and high-efficiency boost driver. There are exposed programming headers on the battery side of the driver for those who want to modify the firmware, or just keep it up to date with ToyKeeper's latest revisions. Price increases with options.
Emisar D4v2 channel switching
$55
The above with the option to ramp or switch between two pairs of different LEDs. There are many possibilities to choose from, including different color temperatures, or a flood set and a throw set.
Noctigon KR4
$55
This a tail-e-switch D4.
Emisar DW4
$50
This is a D4, but the light comes out the side, making it suitable as a magnetic work light or headlamp.
Emisar D4K
$50
D4 with a 21700 battery. It's exactly what you'd expect.
Convoy S3/B35AM
$15
The Convoy S-series has always been a popular light for DIY and modification. Many parts are available from the manufacturer. It now offers a boost driver with better efficiency than provious models and two of Nichia's 6-volt LEDs. The B35A and 719A are both compelling, with the former having better color and the latter having more throw. 18650 battery.
Wurkkos TS10 v2
$18
🔋 $20 (with battery)
A 14500 (not AA) light with a tail E-switch, Anduril 2, and three high-CRI CSP emitters for a floody 1400 lumens.
Convoy S21E B35AM/719A
$21
For those who don't want to pay Zebralight $90 to try out Nichia's new stacked LED, how about $21? For a more general-use LED, the B35AM has the tint and color rendering of the 519A with higher efficiency. I think this is a record low price for a boost driver light with USB-C charging. 21700 battery sold separately.
Emisar D3AA
$36
Emisar's first AA flashlight, though I imagine most enthusiasts will choose to run it on a 14500. I believe this to be unique among AA/14500 flashlights in that it uses a boost driver for both battery types by running its three LEDs in series. Otherwise, it has a selection of ordering options similar to the D4.

Jacket pocket, maybe

Emisar D1K
$29
This is a jacket pocket 1x21700 light can reach nearly 700m FL1 throw with certain emitter options. Several colored and high-CRI otpions are offered as well. A boost driver option is now offered with a Cree XHP70.3 HI, high-CRI Getian FC40, Nichia B35A, or Nichia 719A. Price increases with options.
Noctigon KR1
$55
This is a tailswitch, 18650 version of the D1K.
Convoy C8+
$22
1x18650 and lots of LEDs and drivers to pick from. For good color rendering and stable output, the 719A provides an interesting option. The SFT40 or KW CULPM1.TG (Osram Boost HX) and 8A buck driver have more output and throw. There are colored and infrared options too.
Convoy M21F
$28
1x21700, XHP70.3, GT-FC40, or several other LEDs with varying performance characteristics.
Convoy L21B SFT40
$32
1x21700, 1258m throw, Remember when 1km LED throwers started at 5x this price? It wasn't long ago.
Convoy L21B 719A
$31
1x21700, 775m throw, Remember when serious throwers had terrible color? Not anymore!
Noctigon Meteor M44
$89
3x18650 and 16 LEDs with two channels and an efficient driver with the usual large selection of customization optios we expect from Noctigon.

Pending

These lights are newly introduced or recently announced and expected to become popular, but aren't popular or even necessarily even available yet.

Wurkkos TS10 Max
$26
An 18650 version of the TS10 with Nichia 519As and (maybe) an efficient driver sounds a whole lot like what we were all hoping the Lumintop FW3A would be.


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