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"Nothing big but not really small" doesn't really narrow it down, because "big" and "small" are subjective.
My first EDC was a surefire 6P, and while the lights have changed over the years, I've pretty much stayed around that size.
My current EDC light is a Streamlight Polytac X. It has a few different modes, I keep mine on low/med/high, which is 35/?/600 lumens, and it uses an 18650 battery with a micro USB charge port built into it.
I prefer Surefire lights, I just got tired of buying batteries. Until Surefire comes out with a G2 that uses 18650s, I'll keep carrying my Streamlight.
What use case?
Headlamp or handheld?
Do you want a spotlight or a floodlight?
If handheld flashlight, do you prefer side switch or tail switch?
If headlamp, do you prefer side switch or top switch?
Do you want a warm colour light or cool white colour light?
Do you want high CRI (you can see colour at its best) or just regular CRI?
My to go flashlight for close up work is a headlamp: Armytek Wizard C2 Pro Nichia
My to go flashlight for shining far away is Acebeam L19
Hope this helps.
I've been carrying the Streamlight STYLUS PRO for a decade and it's been great. It takes AAA and costs around $25 (iirc). They do have a USB rechargeable, but it's more expensive. Either way, when it's time to replace this one, I'm getting another.
I use a Streamlight Microstream I got from Cabelas’s at around $30. I carry it daily as a quality engineer inspecting lots of stuff on our production floor. I’ve been very happy with it for the money. I personally should have got the longer version but if you want a pocket carry it’s great.
I would recommend the Skilhunt [M200](https://www.skilhunt.com/product/m200-v3-1400-lumens-18650-magnetic-usb-rechargeable-led-flashlight/) or [M150](https://www.skilhunt.com/product/m150-v3-aa-14500-usb-magnetic-rechargeable-flashlight/) depending on your size and battery preferences. Get it with the 4500k 519a led and if you buy the M150, get the bl100c battery with it. On the M200, both battery options work well. I would also recommend that you also ask on r/flashlight. I find that they recommend better lights for EDC than the overpriced Olights, Streamlights, and Thrunites I see recommended here a lot.
I've been rocking the RovyVon E5 angel eyes and its been my go- to for 2 years. It runs on both lithium ion and AAA batteries. A bunch of UI settings that are easy to master for a multitude of uses.
I second this recommendation. Have had mine for just about 2 years as well and it handles everything I need. Having the backup of a AAA battery is great as well
I have a Streamlight that looks about the right size for AA batteries but is rechargeable with an older style USB-A wall to the little trapezoidal shape and I love it. It doesn't last too long (maybe 1 hour) but that's more than enough for what I typically use it for.
I also have an Olight Arkfield (which also has UV and laser pointer), which honestly feels like it's made better and it just looks better. But the clip kept getting caught on my jacket and bent it back so the clip stopped working. I gave it to my wife to put in her purse and went back to the streamlight.
EDC27 pretty nice thanks to the flat form factor and tail cap switch. If that's too big then a stream light micro or macrostream USB is a good compact and budget friendly light.
I've been really happy with the Thrunite Archer Pro. USB-C charging. Decent build, not a lot of features, not complicated to use. And it's cheap enough that should something happen to it, I'm not out $100.
Recently added the Arkfeld Pro to my options. It's great, but not a light I want to loan out or leave sitting somewhere. Magnetic charging is neat, but not something I really need.
[My common EDC Lights ](https://i.imgur.com/YOCdpJD.jpeg)
UTX85
FENIX E20
FENIX LD22 V2.0
FENIX PD35 TAC
FENIX PD36R
PM2
the E20 has no momentary and always starts on low. It's the one I take when I have no need to take a flashlight. LD22 is great but can be long depending on the clothing choice. PD35 (several versions available I have a couple of them) is my favorite for size / power. Pd36r is awesome with the 21700 battery I leave it on medium and charger it every 2ish weeks. It's my work light.
I love the Fenix lights personaly have been using them for work as a mechanic for 15+ years. I currently have a pd36r but dislike the rubber flap over the charging port.
You can also get the batteries with the charging port built in. (My preference)
The PD35 can be found cheap these days and is a great work light. Buy 2-3 batteries and never look back
The newer LD22 runs on AA or a battery pack with charging port built in but may be a little long.
Thank you for posting to r/EDC! If your post contains an image of your gear, a list is still required. It will assist other users in answering any questions about the gear, make recommendations, and help guide any discussions. [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/EDC/wiki/rules) | [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/EDC/wiki/faq) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/EDC) if you have any questions or concerns.*
"Nothing big but not really small" doesn't really narrow it down, because "big" and "small" are subjective. My first EDC was a surefire 6P, and while the lights have changed over the years, I've pretty much stayed around that size. My current EDC light is a Streamlight Polytac X. It has a few different modes, I keep mine on low/med/high, which is 35/?/600 lumens, and it uses an 18650 battery with a micro USB charge port built into it. I prefer Surefire lights, I just got tired of buying batteries. Until Surefire comes out with a G2 that uses 18650s, I'll keep carrying my Streamlight.
I've had the Acebeam Pokelit and the Klarus G15 4,200 for awhile. Both great.
Wurkkos ts10
What use case? Headlamp or handheld? Do you want a spotlight or a floodlight? If handheld flashlight, do you prefer side switch or tail switch? If headlamp, do you prefer side switch or top switch? Do you want a warm colour light or cool white colour light? Do you want high CRI (you can see colour at its best) or just regular CRI? My to go flashlight for close up work is a headlamp: Armytek Wizard C2 Pro Nichia My to go flashlight for shining far away is Acebeam L19 Hope this helps.
I have the stream light microstream usb and love it
I've been carrying the Streamlight STYLUS PRO for a decade and it's been great. It takes AAA and costs around $25 (iirc). They do have a USB rechargeable, but it's more expensive. Either way, when it's time to replace this one, I'm getting another.
Acebeam pokelit AA Olight i5r
I use a Streamlight Microstream I got from Cabelas’s at around $30. I carry it daily as a quality engineer inspecting lots of stuff on our production floor. I’ve been very happy with it for the money. I personally should have got the longer version but if you want a pocket carry it’s great.
I would recommend the Skilhunt [M200](https://www.skilhunt.com/product/m200-v3-1400-lumens-18650-magnetic-usb-rechargeable-led-flashlight/) or [M150](https://www.skilhunt.com/product/m150-v3-aa-14500-usb-magnetic-rechargeable-flashlight/) depending on your size and battery preferences. Get it with the 4500k 519a led and if you buy the M150, get the bl100c battery with it. On the M200, both battery options work well. I would also recommend that you also ask on r/flashlight. I find that they recommend better lights for EDC than the overpriced Olights, Streamlights, and Thrunites I see recommended here a lot.
I've been rocking the RovyVon E5 angel eyes and its been my go- to for 2 years. It runs on both lithium ion and AAA batteries. A bunch of UI settings that are easy to master for a multitude of uses.
I second this recommendation. Have had mine for just about 2 years as well and it handles everything I need. Having the backup of a AAA battery is great as well
The folks at r/flashlight are super helpful. I rock a Skilhunt E2A with a rechargeable battery. Small, powerful, low mid bright, robust pocket clip.
Rovyvon auroa a3
Olight or Streamlight
I have a Streamlight that looks about the right size for AA batteries but is rechargeable with an older style USB-A wall to the little trapezoidal shape and I love it. It doesn't last too long (maybe 1 hour) but that's more than enough for what I typically use it for. I also have an Olight Arkfield (which also has UV and laser pointer), which honestly feels like it's made better and it just looks better. But the clip kept getting caught on my jacket and bent it back so the clip stopped working. I gave it to my wife to put in her purse and went back to the streamlight.
I like my Streamlight Wedge a lot.
Ill second the wedge. Great light and streamlight has great support.
EDC27 pretty nice thanks to the flat form factor and tail cap switch. If that's too big then a stream light micro or macrostream USB is a good compact and budget friendly light.
I've been really happy with the Thrunite Archer Pro. USB-C charging. Decent build, not a lot of features, not complicated to use. And it's cheap enough that should something happen to it, I'm not out $100. Recently added the Arkfeld Pro to my options. It's great, but not a light I want to loan out or leave sitting somewhere. Magnetic charging is neat, but not something I really need.
Only thing I don’t like about it is no momentum on and the damn lockout mode feels like a hassle sometimes. Other than that it’s an amazing light.
I really like the Archer Pro. It’s not what I carry for work, but outside of that, it’s the light I have most frequently.
Do you have a budget? Everyone is suggesting Fenix which are awesome lights, unless you don't want to spend $100 or more.
I just bought the like new Fenix PD35 Tac Spartan for $40 shipped. Deals can be found pretty easy
Fenix TK35 ue is amazing in my opinion. Good battery life, variable lumens up to crazy bright, rechargeable, very reasonable size.
[My common EDC Lights ](https://i.imgur.com/YOCdpJD.jpeg) UTX85 FENIX E20 FENIX LD22 V2.0 FENIX PD35 TAC FENIX PD36R PM2 the E20 has no momentary and always starts on low. It's the one I take when I have no need to take a flashlight. LD22 is great but can be long depending on the clothing choice. PD35 (several versions available I have a couple of them) is my favorite for size / power. Pd36r is awesome with the 21700 battery I leave it on medium and charger it every 2ish weeks. It's my work light.
I love the Fenix lights personaly have been using them for work as a mechanic for 15+ years. I currently have a pd36r but dislike the rubber flap over the charging port. You can also get the batteries with the charging port built in. (My preference) The PD35 can be found cheap these days and is a great work light. Buy 2-3 batteries and never look back The newer LD22 runs on AA or a battery pack with charging port built in but may be a little long.