Best AA Flashlight Between $30-$50

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

You could try the Zebralight SC53w (330 lumens, $57), or the Zebralight SC52 (300 lumens, $49). You won’t find a more pocket-friendly AA light unless you go to a twist-on switch. The advantage of the SC52 is that it can also use a 14500 for 500 lumen output. I don’t usually run mine that way, but it’s fun when I do.

No. There’s not much demand for newer NiMH tech nowadays, so I don’t think they’re doing much to improve it. There’s small incremental improvements with Eneloop over the past several years, but nothing significant. Just like you don’t see much improvement with alkaline batteries… they’re good-enough for their intended purpose (which is ruining electronics by leaking).

Oh, they’re quite excellent for that.

There was a version of the TN4A with an XP-L HI. Perhaps that is what you are referring to. With the XP-L and the OP reflector my TN4A has more flood and more throw than my SC31B with the SST20. My C8 silver with the XP-L HI SMO out throws both of them. The hot spot on that is so bright that I can understand your comment about it not being a good leash walking light although I did that for quite some time and didn’t realize how bad it was.

OTOH, I think that these two examples of single 18650 lights and the TN4A AA are fairly similar with the TN4A having the widest beam and the C8 having the farthest throw. Size and weight are biggest things that make it different. Of course what I like are the UI and the tint and something similar can be found in many different lights.

Wade

For a clicky I haven’t seen any smaller than the Sofirn sf14v2.0. I have a few twisties which are smaller, but not clickies.

Yes, I have the XP-L HI version. I don’t use it anymore, since lights of similar size (like the Astrolux C8) out-throw it and are lighter. But for a AA light, it does throw very well.