Best AA Flashlight Between $30-$50

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for a new light. :slight_smile:
What is the brightest AA flashlight around $30-$50 or so ?!

Will get few budget lights too, as gifts - Sipik SK68 style or better quality - what are the latest new flashlights that work without any problems ?!

What rechargeable AA batteries with largest capacity should I buy? is Panasonic Eneloop Pro still the best one to have ?!

Thanks a lot.

Single AA light? I think the brightest (at around 500 lumens) is the Zebralight SC5w Mk2. But, that’s $69, so a bit of a stretch past your budget. Still, I believe it’s the brightest 1xAA light on the market. They claim 550 lumens, but I believe it’s closer to 500.

You definitely need a good battery for it. Eneloop Pro is indeed the best power battery. Though, the regular Eneloop will still work well in it. It sucks about 5 amps from the AA battery, so run time is only about 25 minutes on max.

I wanted to make a powerful AA light. Not only powerful when powered by 14500 battery, but use AA battery.

But I have to use at least 2x AA or more to make it about 500 lumens. It will be a longer light, not good for edc.

You didn’t specify if single AA or multiples.

For multiples, TK4A/TN4A/SF11 will get you 1000lm out of 4 hateful little AA alkaleaks.

Best, don’t think you can beat the ruggedness of a Xeno E03 for single 14500/AA, or ES1 for AA only.

I really like my NW TN4a! Just might be my favorite light. Just has one inherent shortcoming. It is heavier and larger diameter than a single 18650 light. Runtimes and output are similar to any 18650 that I have. (I know there are things like the BLF 6A and FW3A but I don’t have one of those yet.) For using around the house it is the best light I have. Great tint and beam profile. Excellent moonlight. 2.5 Hours at over 500 lumens and it manages the heat just fine. (Goes over 1100 lumen for about an hour and I think it actually could do that without thermal problems like a 18650 tube light would experience.) 14 hours or so at over 100 lumen. Just a very functional light.

I keep it stocked with LADA 2450s from Ikea. Very good batteries for cheap.

Am hoping to say that the best single AA will be either my Tiara A1 or my Thrunite TH20 because they are both on order :wink: and either could be the best AA for me. Agree on the Xeno as well.

I really like the Wuben E05 and it fits the budget. One complaint, hold to turn off! The clip works great on a pocket and on a hat brim. Many of the clips on the market seem to strain to go on a hat brim and sooner or later refuse to snap back to tight. Seems they got the metal and thickness right!

Aren’t the LuminTop EDC05 & Tool AA both popular choices for the single AA value light? I’m not sure how they rank vs others

Somewhat on topic… is there a 2xAA flashlight with cells in parallel? Similar concept to a SPY007?

The Sofirn SF10 is about 600lm with a 14500

Whatever the best AA light may be there are some must haves for me:

Reliability
Direct access to a decent moonlight.
Direct access to max.
Mode memory.
Tint that does not annoy me.
Good thermal management.
Good mode spread runtime choices.

The TN4A is a nice light, but the narrow beam and long throw makes it a very different light than most single 18650 lights. As a decent outdoor thrower to hand-carry, it fits that purpose well. Great light for walking a dog off-leash (which is something you shouldn’t do).

Looking for the same exact thig. As the OP.
So far I can add to the consideration list those two: Acebeam M10, Jetbeam E10R.
Will follow.

Following. 47 has it so close with their QK2A mkiii but then missed entirely.

The Pelican 2360 I just picked up is pretty solid for a working light. Still lacks tailcap lockout but the switch is a good balance between low profile and easy to use. Just wish I could swap a SST-20 in place of the XPG2 without voiding its lifetime warranty. Some of these “professional” type brands really need to jump on the CRI band wagon! (Although its definitely CW it is a very pleasant beam, throwy with good spill and cool white but not angry blue)

I’m trying to come up with the smallest tail-clicky 14500/AA light I can (and AAA too for that matter) … Besides my DQG Slim. I want to hot-rod it, but if it’s not small enough it just feels pointless compared to 18650.

But, for stock, I love the DQG Slim 1/2AA plus extension tube. Throw a 1000 mAh 14500 in there for unmatched capacity, or use eneloops, or Alkaleaks in a pinch.

Benjamin at Frelux is nearing completion of his Synergy2 which is AA side-by-side.
No release date yet.

Parametrek has some suggestions.

Looks like Soda Can lights run 1100-1500 lumens. Manker T02 (2xAA side by side) claims 1500.

The Acebeam H40 claims 1050 lumens, and is $30 at Illumn. There’s probably a discount code, now that it is back to full price. It’s a right angle light though.

I’d like to see some independent tests of that Manker. IMO, they over-state their lumens. My T01 (1xAA) has nowhere near the output they claim, and it’s not regulated on max either.

Yeah, I would get a small budget powerfull single AA Light Nichia or lh351d 4000K with Led battery indicator. Not in black color!

Yes, single AA light…
Great lights, thank you all.

I’m looking for a design similar to maybe the Manker T01 but less bulkier one :slight_smile: … I like the Wuben E05 too.

As for the batteries, after all these years and they’re still stuck at 2500mAh? for God’s sake, why?!.. LOL :slight_smile:
are there any higher mAhs available with low self discharge ?

Pricey