At the risk of pissing off a lot of people here , considering your requirements and mindset, I’d recommend just going to your local Work Bench and getting a set of LED Maglites. 2×AA for carrying, 2×D for the nightstand.
They’re slick lights, simple to use, take conventional alkies, and will last pretty much forever. Lifetime guarantee.
Never used any of their newer lights with the crazy UIs, but the simple on/off twisties are a classic.
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Me personally? My EDC is a ’502 host, 5000K XP-L emitter, 1-mode on/off, Panny-B protected 18650 cell. Simple, bright, great runtime, works flawlessly.
In my bag, I carry a Convoy S2+ with ~4000K emitter and 3/5-mode driver, 30Q unprotected 18650 cell. Goes low/med/high if I want less light than the ’501. Lots floodier than the ’501, more for close-in work than “reaching out”.
Other recs?
Jetbeam Jet-1 for small concealed-carry, 1×AA, twistie.
XTAR WK50, ditto, except rear tailswitch.
Convoy C8, 18650 cell, nice thrower for longer distances.
Used to EDC my Quark 2AA-X or whatever, but I got too tint-snobby to deal with the greenish-tint it put out, even though I love the light itself and the UI.