Most impressive = Noctigon KR1. But also the most frustrating as it turns on in my pocket when trying to EDC it! Hoping the new deep carry pocket clip incoming will solve this.
Most astonishing = Astrolux A02. Bought on a whim. It has flaws. But my word is it a handy little thing with a wonderful beam and tint. And all on a AAA/10440.
Sofirn SC31pro - great all-around light, legos with lots of lights with the same DNA, including mag caps and shorty tubes, configurable out the wazoo as long as you can deal with the UI minefield.
Skilhunt M200 - great UI, beam, awesome regulation, magnetic charging, very nicely put together, a really nice top-shelf light.
Skilhunt E3A - for an AAA light, this takes top-notch to a whole new level, from the pebbled TIR lens to the not-done-as-an-afterthought milled lanyard hole but an actual protruding tab, with HA3 ano, and a ridiculously high bang for the buk.
Wuben TO46R/219C - awesome light with amazing warmth and high-CRI from the 219Cs, and a great dual-switch UI.
My choice: Sofirn SC31 Pro - I got this on a whim when it was first released and it turned out to be my best purchase of 2020. It has all the hallmarks of a great budget EDC in a slim package. I only wish the bezel was not glued and the heat fins were chamfered to reduce their sharpness and the wear on the anodizing.
Other notable mentions:
Skilhunt E3A: Smallest AAA light in my collection and the prettiest with its unique knurling and slate blue anodizing.
Olight i1R 2 EOS: What can I say…it fits on a keychain, very bright for its size, and while the built-in rechargeable battery is non-replaceable, it’s still darn convenient and for the $5 that I paid, practically disposable. This and i3E are the only Olight I’ve owned and would recommend.
For work: Thrunite TT10, I love the dual tail switches for instant access to Turbo & Strobe. and the 5000mah 21700, plenty of juice to last all day.
For EDC: Lumintop FW1A, perfect size for my pocket, love that it squeezes an 18650 in such a small sized light, fun UI, all the customization I'll ever need.
For my backpack: The Sofirn SC31 Pro, another great budget 18650 light with Anduril UI.
Unbranded LEP from neal for best bang for buck LEP
Astrolux EC03 best all rounder for the price
KR1 with deep carry pocket clip best pocket thrower
Nitecore Tiki best bang for buck keychain light
For Outdoor use:
IF25a in 6.5k (which is closer to 6k)- LOVE the tint and doesn’t lose it’s amazing THROW for such a small (cheap) light (like it’s twin in the 4k tint which is very nice, but worthless past 80 yards without a lot of fast heat in the hand!) My older Lumentop EDC18 is a better light (and the little green rabbit looks great up on the “Queens’ Shelf”), but the USB C charging keeps the IF25a by the back door where it’s used almost nightly
For indoor use:
The little $9.95 Sofirn S11c (Boruit resell) with the LH351D emitter invaded our stash of older Sofirn SP10s and finally took over. Again… USB C charging is starting to win us over and the UI in this little el cheapo’ light works superbly around the house with the “zoom” set about 1/2 way. Perfect! (and did I mention… CHEAP!) That said, I would not give or sell this light to many since it’s NOT waterproof (at all) and outdoor it’s pretty useless. It is what it is
For Camping:
The LT1 is the bomb- technically a late 2019 light, like Covid it really took off in 2020 (ok, bad joke, sorry) AND… this “camping” light is used every night by my wife and I on our night stands (next to the S11c’s). We’ve had them there by our bed for 6-7 months and I can’t remember ever charging them yet!
I guess my favorite lights this year came mostly from Sofirn and had a LOT to do with Anduril and USB charging. The wife does love her SC312 Pro too. I like the folks at Sofirn and I’ve never got a bum light from them- lucky I guess!
)
)
AND… this “camping” light is used every night by my wife and I on our night stands (next to the S11c’s). We’ve had them there by our bed for 6-7 months and I can’t remember ever charging them yet!