The 10 Best Pocket Flashlights in 2023

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Flashlights are incredibly useful, but they’re not much good if they’re too bulky to have on hand when you need them.

The problem with flashlights is that you don't always know when you’re going to need one. Instead of carrying around a full-size flashlight or handheld work spotlight, a pocket flashlight would be a much more practical choice. The compact size of these handy little tools makes them comfortable to carry in your pocket, and keep readily available for when you lose your phone between car seats, need to search for a dropped screw underneath a work table, or have to inspect for inspect dark corners of your basement for leaks. It's also not a bad idea to have one on hand if you're living in a city that's prone to natural disasters or power outages. These little keychains often use a pocket clip to attach the light to the brim of a hat, leaving both hands free to work, and practically feel weightless.

Looking for a pocket flashlight to add to your everyday carry? Check out our picks for the best on the market down below.

Although all our picks are relatively compact, there is still a bit of variance in length, so make sure you have a good idea of what size you want your light to be. If you want your light to be attached to your keychain for maximum convenience, you’ll probably want to go as small as possible, even though you’ll likely be sacrificing some brightness in doing so. But if you want something a little easier to hold onto and maneuver around, a longer model is more convenient.

If you'll be using your flashlight around water, you’ll want to pay close attention to the water-resistance specs on any potential flashlights. Most will have an IPX rating that you can use to see how it holds up against certain water conditions. If a model does not have an IPX rating and still says it's waterproof, we recommend that you assume that it won't hold up especially well against moisture.

The overall light output of a flashlight is another thing to think about when choosing a flashlight. The brightness of the light is measured in lumens, and although there are some other factors that contribute to the overall brightness—like beam settings—you can use the lumen number as a rough comparison tool.

I've been using small pocket flashlights for years, and they have been invaluable when it comes to working in low-light areas. Depending on how you want to use them, and what you’re comfortable carrying around, some will work better than others. Because of this, I did my best to include a range of sizes, from tiny 2-inch keychain options to larger 6-inch versions. Since your specific application may affect the frequency with which you’re able to charge your flashlight, I added options that take old-fashioned lithium batteries as well as rechargeable options that can be charged using a USB cable.

Need more items to add to your everyday carry rotation? Check out our picks for the best multitools, pocket knives, and slim wallets.

This Streamlight flashlight is on the higher end in terms of pricing, but its durability and USB charging capabilities could be worth it to the right customer.

Its aluminum housing makes it nice and durable—with an impact rating of 1 meter—and also slides open to conveniently reveal a protected charging port. Its push-button activation makes it quick and easy to turn on, and also to switch between low and high power modes.

All the openings are protected with rubber o-rings, and thanks to an IPX4 rating, should be fine to use around moderate water splashes.

Don't let the tiny size of this flashlight fool you, its 1.73-inch length still packs a punch, delivering a 180-lumen light beam. We were most impressed by the recharging ability of a light this tiny, which can be easily charged via micro USB without having to disassemble the casing. Its simple operation doesn't require any buttons or switches to deal with either, you simply twist it to power it on, and choose between the low or high light setting.

Despite the low cost of this Hatori light, it will still cover the bases in terms of what you need a pocket flashlight for.

Its 3.55-inch length is perfect for sliding into your pants or coat, and the handy clip allows you to attach it to the bill of your hat, or in a front shirt pocket. It is powered by a single AAA battery—which is not included—so recharging isn't possible.

This light does not offer any IPX waterproof ratings, so you may want to consider another option if you plan on using it around moisture or in rainy weather.

Having a flashlight attached to your keychain is the best way to ensure you always have it with you, but the bulk and weight of most flashlights make this application uncomfortable.

These Uniclife lights weigh just 0.2 ounces, and their flat profile allows them to take up minimal room in your pocket.

This model is surprisingly durable. It's powered by a pair of CR2016 watch batteries, which provides up to 12 hours of continuous use.

I've been using Maglight products for years, and this pocket-sized mini light has become a staple in my tool belt.

Its 0.5-pound weight is heavier than our other options, and the 6-inch length is the longest, but if you prefer a light with a bit more bulk, this would be 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, which is always a nice perk.

This Coast model would be a great choice for those who want a compact flashlight with the power of a full-sized version. Its turbo mode produces 2100 lumens, but if you want to save some battery life, you can switch over to the low mode of 75 lumens.

This light also offers some flexibility when it comes to power supply, and can accept either traditional lithium batteries, or the included rechargeable battery that can be juiced up via USB charging cable. Its 6-inch length and textured handle also make it easy to maintain a secure grip while you use it.

Unlike the other picks that only use a front-facing beam, this Dorcy light is also designed to provide a long, wide beam–perfect for lighting up wide work areas. It's also nice and durable, with a rubber-coated handle that should absorb any damage from moderate drops and falls.

The magnetic base makes it even more versatile and allows you more opportunities to mount it to metal components and work with both hands free. Its pocket clip also allows you to attach it to a front shirt pocket and angle the wide beam directly into your work area.

The 0.05-pound weight and 1/2-inch width make this flashlight another great choice for those who prefer a slim profile as opposed to a cylindrical shape. The fact that this tiny light can produce a maximum 325-lumen output is what impressed me the most about this option, which is 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 could be too low for some users, though.

Will you ever need a keychain 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 Nitecore T4K is 77 grams of a seriously strong flashlight. It has five brightness levels and two user modes, plus an OLED display that shows battery level, voltage, and remaining runtime. It also comes with a keychain, keychain tag, and a USB-C charging cable, so no batteries are required.

Of course, power comes at a hefty cost, and in the case of this flashlight, it's $90. But if power is what you need, the Nitecore T4K can give you just that.

With a military-grade anodized surface and aircraft-grade aluminum body, this gadget is one reliable pocket flashlight. Its body is so rigid, it can handle the impact of a drop up to 5 feet high, and its waterproofing can survive 6.5 feet of underwater immersion, yet it's still made with a lightweight nickel.

You can activate its low, medium, and high light modes via a few twists of its head, plus it has a keychain attachment for easy carry. And in case anything goes wrong, this flashlight is covered by a 5-year repair warranty. Its only downside is that its AAA battery isn't included.

Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.

Kevin Cortez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, Bicycling, and Runner's World. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he's an expert in men's style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He was most recently the style editor for a leading product-recommendation site and previously covered music and podcasting at Mass Appeal, Genius, and The A.V. Club. His work can also be seen in WSJ, Leafly, Input, and Vulture. He enjoys reading graphic novels, birding, and taking long, meandering walks in his spare time.

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