Quick verdict
The Wuben X1Pro is new and exciting. It offers what is, on paper, a monster of a flashlight; two 21700s, 12,000+ lumens, active fan cooling. Impressively, the X1Pro delivers when it comes to real life use as well.
- Star rating: 4.5/5
- Most impressive: performance-to-size ratio
- Biggest downside: price
I recommend buying this flashlight if you want mind-blowing performance, especially for the size, and are comfortable with carrying a slightly larger and heavier flashlight.
Buy from Wuben’s official website: wubenlight.com
Table of contents
- Introduction and disclaimer
- Pricing, availability and options
- Packaging and what comes in the box
- Held in hand: build quality, size, weight and handling
- Carry
- User interface
- LED, light quality and beam
- Performance, battery, charging and runtime
- Competition and comparison
- Conclusion
Introduction and disclaimer
I want to start off with a quick disclaimer. This flashlight was sent to me by Wuben for review. All opinions are my own. Now we can start with the review.
When I first saw the Wuben X1Pro, I was intrigued. It was something new and exciting, and more importantly; it seemed like a useful tool - not just another bright flashlight used as a toy. When Wuben reached out asking if I wanted to test this flashlight, I simply could not refuse.
The design is unique and the battery capacity is large. It has 5 times as many LEDs as a traditional flashlight, but weighs only a little more. Impressively, they even managed to fit a fan (active cooling) into the X1Pro. On paper this flashlight seems like a monster, but is it really this good in use?
Pricing, availability and options
The Wuben X1Pro can be bought from wubenlight.com for $139.99. You have the option between a black or white flashlight. In addition, you can order the “AT2XP Metal Mount”, a mount for your bicycle ($19.99), a “14” Thread Port" (can be used for tripods, $9.99) and a replacement fan module ($9.99).
Packaging and what comes in the box
When I received the package containing the X1Pro in the mail, I was certainly surprised - in a good way. The box was large and heavy, conveying its high quality. Inside, the contents were neatly organized, and it looked like someone had put effort into the unboxing experience. The box itself is white with a picture of the Wuben X1Pro as well as its name. Simple, but elegant. On the back you get a lot of information, such as runtime and brightness of different modes, the package contents and manufacturer information.
Opening the box for the first time, the lid slid slowly off - just like opening a new phone. This was another positive surprise - a very satisfying one. Looking inside the box, you find multiple items. Wuben were kind and included the bicycle mount (extra accessory) in my package. Besides the mount, the package included the following:
- The Wuben X1Pro flashlight
- Two 21700 rechargeable batteries inside the flashlight
- A belt holster
- A lanyard (“holding” the USB-C to USB-C charging cable)
- The user manual
- Four replacement screws for the fan
The holster was not something I expected, but still a nice addition. I talk more about the ways to carry the flashlight (such as with this holster), later in the review.
Held in hand: build quality, size, weight and handling
I have to emphasize one thing: The Wuben X1Pro is the most well-built flashlight I have ever held in my hand. As I tested the flashlight more extensively, I realized how much thought and engineering had been put into it. I found no sharp edges and the switches were easy to use and felt nice to press. The mechanism to open the battery compartment is something I have never seen before - and it is very effective. The way you select the output for spot, flood or both was extremely intuitive and easy. Really, you get what you paid for in this segment!
When talking about the quality, I have to mention the durability as well. Wuben seems proud of what the flashlight can handle; the X1Pro has an IP65-rating and is 1 meter impact resistance. This means, in practice, that the flashlight is both waterproof and dustproof. Even if you drop it from a reasonable height, it should survive the fall.
In use the quality also shows. For instance, using the switches feels very natural. They are firm, but not by too much. The first time I saw the flashlight, I thought the switch for turning the flashlight on and off (as well as controlling the brightness), would be at the front. However, the button turns out to be placed on the left side of the flashlight. At first I thought this was a little quirky, but quickly got used to it. My hand wraps around the flashlight nicely, and the X1Pro is easy and comfortable to hold - even though it is slightly bigger and heavier than most flashlights.
Even though the X1Pro is easy to hold, I noticed one thing when holding the flashlight for the first few times; my index finger. I naturally wanted to place it on the polar opposite of my thumb, which is pressing the button. The problem is that my index finger is then covering some of the outlet for the fan. When the fan is activated, this could be a problem. After consciously placing my finger slightly lower down, I found the problem to be solved. Still, this is something to be aware of.
I believe you should not put too much trust into numbers to evaluate if a flashlight feels good in hand or not. Still, it can be a good indication and is important for some. Therefore, I have listed the weight and size of the Wuben X1Pro below:
- Weight: 383 grams with batteries
- Width: 59.6 millimeters
- Length: 138 millimeters
- Height: 29.5 millimeters
Something I have found with heavy flashlights is that you get used to the weight quickly. For instance, my HaikeLite HK08 felt very heavy at first (weighing approximately 1,300 grams). It has a carry-handle, and with some time carrying it around, it felt a lot more bearable to bring around than at first. The Wuben X1Pro is not necessarily a heavy flashlight, but does not win any competition for its low weight either. I anyway noticed its heft the first time picking it up, but also this time got used to it quickly. If you plan to carry this with you every day, I think most people will have no problems with the weight or size.
Carry
Since it is too bright outside for beamshots, I have used the flashlight inside primarily. I am changing this section temporarily to show other practical uses. I will talk about the carrying opportunities here, with less focus on hand-held carry since it is already covered above.
You can “carry” this flashlight with you in primarily four different ways:
- By holding it in hand
- Putting it in your pocket
- In the belt holster
- Mounting it on your bicycle
Carrying it in your pocket is surprisingly easy. It is no small flashlight, but is still small enough for pockets. This is very important for me. I consider my pockets to be an average size, and I have no problems fitting the X1Pro at all. Similarly, the flashlight will fit in a backpack without taking up too much space, or can be stored easily other places as well. There are many other high-powered flashlights (some even without active cooling) you would not be able to bring around with you this easily. For instance the Sofirn Q8 Plus, the Imalent MS12 C or the HaikeLite HK08.
The belt holster carries the flashlight very well, and is a smart addition. I do not think I will be carrying it this way too much myself, but the option is appreciated. The holster is of high quality, and is not a cheap and random accessory that some companies add. I want to add that I found the holster to make the flashlight more clunky to carry around, since it does add some size. Still, it may work well for attaching the flashlight to the outside of your backpack for instance, where size might not matter as much.
Lastly, the X1Pro can also be used with the bicycle mount. With the large battery capacity, high sustainable output and suitable beam-profile, this flashlight is well suited. In fact, I cannot think of any other flashlights beating the X1Pro for bike-riding. I have not exactly used the flashlight for any rough bike rides myself, but have read and heard multiple positive experiences from other users.
The bicycle mount has to be purchased as an accessory in addition to the flashlight. It costs $19.99, but is well worth it in my opinion if you seek a flashlight for bike-riding. In the package you get the mount itself, screws, an attachment between the flashlight and the mount, and spare parts. I thought it was very easy to install the flashlight onto the mount.
I also want to mention the 1/4" thread port. It seems to be the same that is used to attach the flashlight to the bicycle mount judging based on pictures, but I could be wrong. Still, you can apparently use this to attach the Wuben X1Pro to tripod-mounts or similar. I have not tested this myself, but wanted to mention it.
User interface
The user interface is another place where the X1Pro excels and defends its price tag. I really am impressed by the engineering and design here. The interface is very intuitive, and most people will be able to figure it out without a manual.
The user interface is controlled by two electronic switches:
| Switch | Purpose | How to use |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Side switch | Turn on/off, adjust brightness, “lock” (safety feature) | Press once to turn on/off, hold to adjust brightness, hold from off to access dimmest mode, 2 fast presses to enter the brightest mode (turbo), 3 fast presses to activate strobe, 4 fast presses to “lock” (safety) |
| 2. Front switch | Select between: spot, combined (spot + flood), flood | Simply move back and forth to select modes |
You also have a small “switch” below the side switch. This is a “lock” for the opening-mechanism of the battery compartment. To switch out batteries, simply unlock it, and then press down. This is very easy, but also very secure. As mentioned earlier, I have never seen this mechanism before. Still, Wuben seem to be using it for multiple models. Once you first figure it out, it is easy to use.
A small detail I noticed when using the flashlight was a “whistle noise” using the dimmest mode. This seems very strange, and the sound is so low it is not even audible at times. Still, it is something you might notice and is good to be aware of. This could have something to do with the regulation of the brightness or similar, but I would like to see Wuben solving this problem - maybe an easy software fix?
LED, light quality and beam
The Wuben X1Pro uses 5 LEDs in total. One CREE XHP50.3 HI for throw (high intensity), and four CREE XHP50.3 HDs for flood (low intensity). These are regarded as expensive and high quality LEDs.
The throw mode has a relatively balanced beam with focus on throw. In other words, you will see far, but it is no pure-thrower with an extreme range. The flood mode works very well as intended. It is low intensity light with a huge spread, a pure flooder. The two combined work very well to form a multi-use beam. As mentioned, it will be no fantastic thrower, but with brute force you will still see far due to the sheer amount of lumens being outputted.
Something interesting I noticed were the reflectors. Half of both the reflectors are smooth, while the other halves are wobbly or almost jagged. I do not know what effect this causes. The flood mode has a very smooth beam, unusual for four LEDs where you usually see the “square” pattern easily. Perhaps the reflector blends the light together better? It works well anyway, producing a nice and even beam as mentioned.
The quality of the light is surprisingly good. I assume it uses LEDs with a CCT of about 6,000 kelvin (cool white). Still, it is not awfully blue or purple. It has essentially no green color in or around the hotspot of the beam. I am not able to notice any major tint-shift either. The XHP50.3s are as mentioned high-quality LEDs, and the samples installed in my flashlight are especially nice compared to in a different flashlight I own with the same LED. Still, the LEDs are low CRI. Good for efficiency, bad for color rendering and the light’s quality. This is detrimental for some, while others do not mind.
To sum up, the Wuben X1Pro has what I think is a fantastic beam. The quality of the light is more than good enough, though some “tint-snobs” might dislike the CCT and CRI. Still, for 99% of people, this flashlight will be very satisfactory in terms of light quality - and brightness!
Above you see the beams from the spot, combined and flood mode. These are taken by a phone camera, and are not of too high quality. The exact color and beam profile is difficult to capture accurately, and I want to emphasize that this is only for reference. In person I think the beam looks better. In real life, I see essentially no green with my own eyes, and the color is a somewhat different; cooler than in the photos. The pictures are taken with the flashlight’s second dimmest mode, on a white surface (paper) and a white wall.
Performance, battery, charging and runtime
The X1Pro uses two 21700 li-ion rechargeable batteries. These are also replaceable (not built-in), good news for the flashlight’s longevity. A new 21700 battery from Wuben’s website costs $27.99, a little too expensive in my opinion. The X1Pro has built-in charging, and states 30 watt-charging through power delivery (PD). In addition, it claims reverse charging (working as a power bank) up to 15 watts. These are impressive, but realistic claims. A full charge takes about 75 minutes according to Wuben.
Looking at the performance figures, this flashlight really shines bright! I have below made a table showing brightness and runtime; both what Wuben says and my own guess. I want to specify that this is solely me guessing based on my experience with other flashlights, as well as some direct comparisons. The numbers under “my guess” and information under “comment” are in other words not measured with any equipment. This table is for the combined mode (flood and spot), as it is what I use the most frequently myself.
Performance table
| Mode and specified brightness | Specified runtime | My guess - brightness | My guess - runtime | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eco: 20 lumens | 220 hours | 20 - 25 lumens | 220 hours | Realistic and impressive! |
| Low: 400 lumens | 14 hours | 400 - 500 lumens | 10 - 11 hours | 14 hours is a little too long, up to 11 hours is still very impressive. |
| Medium: 1,000 lumens | 5.5 hours | 1,000+ lumens | 4 - 4.5 hours | 5.5 hours is a little too long at 1000 lumens, up to 4.5 hours is again very impressive still. |
| High: 3,000 lumens | 1.8 hours | 3000+ lumens | 1.25 - 1.5 hours | With a fan for active cooling, 3,000 lumens might be possible for such a small flashlight to sustain. Almost 2 hours runtime is not, however. |
| Turbo: 12,300-5,000-3,000 lumens | 1 min + 1 min + 1.7 hours | 12,300+ lumens @ turn-on | 30 seconds before (gradually) reducing the output | Wow, that is one bright flashlight! But really, the output is impressive and holds without reducing for a little while. |
As you notice, my guesses for output (lumens) all match or exceed the manufacturer’s claims. The runtime is in my opinion a bit optimistic. Two powerful and high-capacity batteries will light your way for a long time, but not that long. Still, the LEDs are efficient, and the same likely applies to the driver. Therefore, the flashlight will serve you well as a dependable tool on long shifts or camping trips.
The fan seems to be controlled by temperature, and switches on or off depending on how warm the flashlight is. If you turn the X1Pro off however, the fan does so as well - even if the flashlight is still warm. This can be solved by a press and hold from off, to turn on the dimmest mode. This way you allow the fan to keep spinning and cooling the flashlight, without wasting too much power.
Since the Wuben X1Pro outputs more than 12,000 lumens, it heats quickly - it is a small flashlight for this kind of power. Still, when you turn off the brightest modes with the fan still running, the flashlight cools very quickly - impressive!
Competition and comparison
The X1Pro replaces the old X1 Falcon. The X1 Falcon no longer seems to be available for purchase. I still choose to include it in the comparison to show the improvements Wuben have made. In addition, I also compare the HaikeLite HK08, the Loop Gear SK05 Pro 2 and the Sofirn ST1. I have put them all side-by-side in the table below for you to compare them easily.
Comparison table
| Wuben X1Pro | Wuben X1 Falcon | HaikeLite HK08 | Sofirn ST1 | Loop Gear SK05 Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Do I own the flashlight? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Approximate price | $139.99 | Not for sale anymore | $200 | $15 - $20 | $120 - $130 |
| LEDs | Dual mode (spot + flood) | Single mode, 3 flood LEDs | Single mode, 8 high-power LEDs | Spot and flood at the same time (multiple LEDs) | Dual mode (spot + flood) |
| Claimed lumens, throw | 12 300 lumens, 410 meters | 12 000 lumens, 303 meters | 60 000, 1 340 meters | 1 500 lumens, 226 meters | 5 000 lumens, 410 meters |
| Batteries | 2x21700: 9,600 mAh (replaceable) | 2x21700 (built-in) | 4x21700: 16,000 mAh (replaceable) | Built-in: 2100 mAh | 2x18650: 8,000 mAh (replaceable) |
| Form Factor | Flat | Flat | Round/traditional | Flat | Flat |
So, which should you buy?
Most powerful: HaikeLite HK08
If you simply want a very powerful flashlight, the HK08 is the one I recommend for you. The flashlight is both huge and heavy. It has more LEDs and batteries, but is not nearly as refined as the Wuben X1Pro, costs more and is more difficult to control. This is not a flashlight I would ever carry around for work, or use as an EDC (every day carry).
The minimalist: Sofirn ST1
If you cannot afford the other flashlights, or just want something simpler - the ST1 will serve you well! The price cannot be beaten, it is small, light and (very) easy to carry - but still does the job. It is not as powerful as the other flashlights, and also has the smallest battery by quite a margin. When I reviewed this little flashlight, I was impressed. It cannot compare to the other flashlights in a lot of metrics, but is still worth looking at if you can do with a “less exciting” flashlight.
Best all-in-one: Wuben X1Pro
This is the flashlight that will fit most people needing a very powerful flashlight. It is improved compared to the old X1 Falcon, but also manages to beat the Loop Gear SK05 Pro 2. The SK05 Pro 2 is the closest competitor to the X1Pro in my opinion. It has a similar design, but also with (in my opinion) cooler visuals such as its light-bar at the front. Still, I prefer the Wuben X1Pro since it has a larger battery capacity, is brighter (both at its peak and sustainably), has active cooling and costs almost nothing more. It is more of a no-frill flashlight compared to the Loop Gear, a tool rather than a toy.
The SK05 Pro 2 is in many ways simply a smaller version. It is lighter and physically smaller, but offers lower performance as well. The Loop Gear does offer more LED choices (for instance the 519a, a highly regarded enthusiast LED). Some might also find the light-bar at the front to be useful. Still, this does not justify the price for me. If the price was lower, I might have considered it. With the current price tag though, the Wuben X1Pro gives you more in almost every way, but with only a small increase in price. Especially the fan cooling impressed me for this price. You rarely see a sub-150 dollar fan-cooled flashlight.
Conclusion
After having reviewed the Wuben X1Pro, I am thoroughly impressed. I think the Wuben X1Pro is not simply another cool flashlight to collect, but a useful tool. It actually solves a problem and fulfills a purpose, unlike most other flashlights being released today. The price is steep, but the value and performance the X1Pro delivers makes it easy to justify.
Pros:
- Very bright at peak output
- Very high sustainable output
- Fan-cooled
- Replaceable fan
- Large battery capacity
- Replaceable batteries (not built-in)
- Simple user interface
- Relatively compact and light (for what it is)
- Useful options such as the bicycle mount and belt holster
- Well engineered with smart solutions
- High-quality feeling
- Cool-looking and unique design
Cons:
- Expensive
- Overkill for some users (power, weight, size)
- Low “whistle noise”
All in all, I give this flashlight a very high rating of 4.5/5 stars.
You can buy this flashlight from Wuben’s official website: wubenlight.com
