What are the best AAA keychain lights in 2021

I ask the question because I'm looking for a new one to replace my good old Fenix E99 Ti. (Cree XP-E2 - 100 lumen - 420 cd - 45m - it was the top at the time lol)

I got it since ... I can't remember how many years. Although she never failed, I think it's time to change ! And finally, my keychain flashlight is one of the ones I use most often.

Since all this time I'm sure there are probably better LEDs with better drivers, better runtime, brighter etc. Or maybe not ?

I am a little aware of what's being done for 18650/21700/26650 flashlights, but for AAA I am completely dumped.

I prefer an AAA keychain because I can replace the battery. But if there are serious alternatives I am listening. (I already have the GT Nano but I'm looking for better runtime lol)

The size suits me well (6,6 cm x 1cm) but it can be littler :)
I'm really open for UI etc.
The price can go up to +/- $ 55

So, if you have a few candidates to propose... Thanks for your help with all the nuggets that only you here know :)

the best keychain light is the one you have.
another would require new and different
skill sets and even more money.
enjoy your steadfast friend.

The last remaining AAA I have is the little Ultratac K18 and it's a decent light really. XP-G3 I think (maybe 2), simple UI, side e-switch with lockout, glass lens. I filed off the key ring loop to make it a tail stander but what's there is beefy enough that you'd never have to worry about it wearing through with actual key ring use. If it's still available they had a stainless steel version, too, which would be much more durable. Went through two Lumintop Tool AAA and really never liked it much but that one has a tail clicky, bit larger size than the K18. It's very easy to swap emitters in both of these as well. There are several AA lights now that aren't too much larger and definitely give more punch and/or run time...not sure how many have key ring ends on them, though.

Skilhunt E3A.

Thank you @turkeydance and @Correllux for your answers.

So in fact if I understood well the AAA keychain flashlights are a bit obsolete ?

These are now FLs built like Rovyvon Aurora A series, Astrolux K2 etc. who took the lead in keychain flashlights ?

@Lightbringer thank you ! Skilhunt E3A looks really good with nice Samsung LH351B LED, accept all types of batteries, like this one !

In fact, it is difficult to find AAA flashlights that have more than 100 Lumens. It's quite surprising

To have more lumens, I only see keychain flashlights like Jetbeam mini one, Aurora etc. (a generic name probably exists for this type of FL)

You might get an extra 50 lumens. Not worth it especially since your light is titanium.

I wouldn't say they're obsolete at all. AA sure has the market, though. There are some AAA models that will also take the 10440 lithium cells. My K18 will but I don't run it with those...just not enough run time with those tiny cells but they do give you an impressive boost in output (I think on that light the lithium is supposed to be 350 lumens or so...briefly). That little Skilhunt looks like a winner. The old Thrunite Ti2 and Ti3 are still around and decent twisties. Seems like Lumintop had another nice AAA that had grooves on the body like the Worm but I don't recall what it was named.

+1 for this. People gripe about it being only single mode, but after EDC-ing it on my keys for a while now, I honestly don’t miss having a low mode. It’s so light and small you forget it’s there. The throw/flood ratio of the beam is also respectable, considering the cell it uses.

why suprising? brighter lights require bigger batteries and higher voltage LiIon cells… AAA is weak

but here are a couple of lights that claim high lumens from AAA:
Maratac claims 265 lumens

Surefire titan plus claims 300 lumens
here is a runtime curve

click pic for a review with lots more info

Olight i3E along the same lines…

This is the one i got, works fine, nothing special but convenient since i always have keys when leaving the house.

I got more i3Es than I know what to do with, also the Thrunites, and Glarees, and Tool AAAs, and…

I like ’em all, but I keep coming back to the E3A. Perfect beam with the pebbled TIR lens, HA3 ano, loooooove the slate gray, etc.

When I got it (reviewed here… I think), I was floored how nice it was.

(Hell, my review on Amazon is top of the list. :laughing: )

One AAA light to consider as EDC or keychain light is Sofirn C01S BLF.

It costs only about US$9. Its light output is about 100 lumens. It is only 71.6 mm in length. And it comes with a tiny (black iron) clip.

I have one Green and am considering buying a few more in different colours (there are six colours to choose from).

100% agree. I love that little light. I have a handful of those Thrunite Ti3’s or whatever they are called. The ones they were giving away for five bucks or something like that. Little three mode twisty. I’ll give ya one if you want it. I think the E3A is a better light though. Just my opinion. If the Reylight Mini Pineapples are still in stock somewhere, those are really nice. Pricey but worth it. Not exactly a keychain light though. The titanium one rides in the pocket very well and I don’t even notice it’s there most of the time. I am test driving a Nitecore Tini 2 on my keyring right now. It’s okay, I’m getting use to it. I like the screen with all the info and the two different lock out modes. I like the Tip 2 as well, easy to take off the keyring and has a magnetic base. Lots of choices. Hope you find the perfect one for you. Drop me a PM with your address if you want one of those Thrunites.

Me? Naw, thanks, but I grabbed a few for gifts and the like, so I’m set. :laughing:

(Flashlights as gifts to “normals” is like giving someone a can-opener. Always get that “wutdahell is this?” look. :neutral_face: )

LOL, I was going to give the OP one if he wanted one. I knew you probably had a box full of them. :smiley:

That’s what I thought was so strange, like, “Hey Bezos, need a few bux for lunch?”.

Figured I’d be polite anyway. :laughing:

I’d like to add to the list Jaxman i2. And the classic, DQG Tiny.