I like my Lumintop tool AAA.

I’ll second the Lumintop Tool. The BLF-348 is pretty good too.

I still like the Smiling Shark SS-5039, in spite of its under-driven generic LED and plastic works, because it isn’t cylindrical. It is one of the best shaped and finished flashlights of any size and price. Brighter lights with the same shape that I have found aren’t as well made and finished. It has a very unusual roughened surface.
Second, I like my new copper BLF Special Edition.

Eagletac D25AAA
Astrolux Manker A01

Another lumintop tool vote, specifically the reylight copper version.

Well, I lost(or was stolen) my LD01SS which I ran exclusively on 10440 and kept on my keychain until I got the Preon Evo (AAA) which lasted many years until recently replaced by the ReyTool Ti 219B (AAA)

Now this new Ultratac K18 brass is my goto, and is in the pocket of all 3 of my hoodies and I will present my wife with hers tonight. It is sanctioned for 10440 use with a top 360 lumens. The 3+strobe side clicky is sweet and has a lockout by double-clicking. I was told it uses PWM for low, med ( butt it must be rapid, as I can’t detect it) It is cool white, butt not green/blue/purple at all. I’d probably buy a few more iffn they offered a neutral white model. Can’t think of a better AAA for ~$30.

You are going to get plenty of opinions here.

I love the AAA format and have more of them than is good for me.
Here are my nominations:

Best all-time AAA light: ReyLight Tool Titanium. Rey may still have these. Nothing comes close for tint, the excellent switch, perfect UI, and huge value for money spent. IMHO it’s the equal of customs costing twice as much or more.

The copper one is nice but it is heavy and has a protruding tail switch.

The much less expensive Black Anodized Tool is great also, especially if you get the twisty tailcap, which can tail-stand and acts as a momentary when loosened slightly.

Others:
Best vintage AAA: Fenix LD01
Best bombproof AAA: Peak Eiger
Best bombproof AAA 5mm led cult light: Nitecore T0 or Fenix E01
Best small twisty: Maratac or Thrunite Ti
Best Monster-Bright AAA: MBI HF-R
Best flashlight bargain ever: The legendary BLF -348

Just cut to the chase and get the Lumintop Tool.

The Olight i3E in silver (120 lumen single mode) It’s been my edc for a couple of months now. Can’t say enough good things about it.

I EDC a Tank007 E09 using a 10440. Some visible PWM but as reliable as it gets. Wouldn’t want to be without my tiny powerhouse

Phil

I second the Olight i3e in silver

BLF-348

For EDC purpose, I like my Lumintop Tool AAA aluminium.
For “fun” light, my BLF 348.

Lumintop Tool with a 10440 in it. Haven’t found a better AAA for the money.

Does the BLF348 count as “plenty bright”

Thorfire PF03
BLF 348

Maratac AAA, take your pick on MOC (I like the copper the best myself).

KD V6 buckle
thrunite ti
Dqg
BLF 348
Lumi- tool
o’light ti

1. The best with aaa now with big difference is the Ultratac K18

2. Very good also Olight I3S (I love the I3s-Cu versión)

3. Maratac aaa is impressive, but overpriced. (Maratac aaa rev 3 in copper, wow, nice!!)

1st place… Ultratac K18 brass or SS …electronic switch AAA or 10440

2… Astrolux A01

3… ReyTool AAA Ti

4… Lumintop Tool AAA

Astrolux A01
47 Preon II
DQG mini AAA

Lumintop Tool AAA.

Superb fit and finish. Tough as nail as well – check out the torture test: Tool AAA Torture Test

The guy dropped it, put it in boiling water, and even set it on fire. When it stopped working, it’s only because the battery inside broke, not the light!

Hugsby is great for only four or five bucks, lots of light and a clicky switch. Lumintop Tool but fifty bucks for a AAA, crazy. Have a lot of twisties but have vowed to never buy another, get a clicky switch.

Since I dislike twisties as EDC, Lumintop Tool Ti.

Blf-348

Fenix E05

southland wrote:

Hugsby is great for only four or five bucks, lots of light and a clicky switch. Lumintop Tool but fifty bucks for a AAA, crazy. Have a lot of twisties but have vowed to never buy another, get a clicky switch.

Tool AAA aluminum is only $12 with discount code on BLF.

Personally, I like my Tank007 E09.  

Astrolux A01 hands down
Multiple modes
And in copper a real beauty for only $20

Flooder? Thrunite Ti
Thrower? Tank007 E09

Allrounder? Maratac AAA
Runner-up Astrolux A01 (Cu)

BLF348? Nah, slippery when wet.

Best buy for the buck from above: Tank007 E09.

Hugsby X1? Could have been, if it weren’t for those @!%&* shoddy O-rings. They break the first time you swap batteries.
Surprise of the month? The Ultrafire AAA micro-version of the C8. It is like that girl from your high-school days: would never win any points in any competition (like playing the violin or cooking ), but was nice to be and have around.

from left to right:
Olight S1 raw copper
AIRAYLAND AAA brass:
pro> rear clicky switch, compatible 10440(250+ ㏐), tailstand
con> no clip, CW only
AIRAYLAND AAA Phosphor bronze:
pro> rear clicky switch, compatible 10440(250+ ㏐), tailstand
con> no clip, CW only , pricy
Ultratac K18 brass:
pro>side Electronic switch, compatible 10440(250+ ㏐)
con>can’t tailstand, CW only
Olight i3s-cu raw brass:
pro> tailstand, Cree XP-L 180 lm
con>twisty,
Lumintop Tool Ti:
pro> rear Electronic switch, tailstand, available both Cree & Nichia LCD
con> pricy, low output 80~110 lM
Blf-348 SS:
pro> rear clicky switch, cheap, nice tint, compatible 10440
con> only so so F&F no compare to all lights above, one mode only(hi) the light heat up very fast if you use 10440 cell
Zebralight Sc63w