So many 1 x 14500 formatted flashlights will usually also work with AA alkaline, NIMH, LIFE, and lithium primaries if they have the proper driver. Most do. So to me, 14500 is advantageous in that regard.
That said, most all of my 16340, rcr123, and even cr123 (3volts) see very little action as compared to AA/14500 formatted lights.
If overall length of torch matters, I’d opt for the higher capacity 18350 format vs the aforementioned. You can still use the other “shortys” in the 18350 torch to boot.