There are few good budget things that you can by at Aliexpress.
Wurkkos WK03 is one of them. Good brightness, built-in charging, convenient UI - this flashlight can become “that one” for an ordinary user who does not hunt for colossal lumens, a kilometer of range and a thoroughbred design.
You can buy (sofirn) Wurkkos TS21 at:
➤ AMAZON
Specification
model name Wurkkos WK03
maximum brightness and range 1500lum and 217m (11750cd)
battery 18650
built-in type-c charging
waterproof protection ip68
dimensions 101.5×24.7mm, 55g
Packaging and appearance
The flashlight came to me in the same orange and white box that we know very well. But! Recall the situation with the ultra-compact flashlight Wurkkos TS10. The first sample came into my hands in the same box, and the second already had a really decent box. It is quite possible that the WK03 already has a decent gift box at the time when you read this review.
Kit includes everything you need is besides holster (well, that’s how it is, for the sake of the lowest price): flashlight itself, 3000mah 18650 battery, type-c charging cable, lanyard, o-rings, manual.
The flashlight itself is very, very compact. Super-compact Sofirn SC32 is only one and a half millimeters shorter! It’s amazing that Wurkkos could make such a compact side button flashlight. By and large, for an ordinary user, the whole serious difference between these two models just comes down to choosing a button that is convenient for themselves: side or at the tail cap. Although … stop! I just checked the price of the SC32 and this flashlight is almost twice as expensive. I don’t have the latter on hand, but there are other well-known models for clarity.
These are Sofirn SP35 (inexpensive and long-lasting medium shot), Convoy S2 + (antique standard for budget 18650 models) and Wurkkos TS21 (budget bright flashlight with Anduril).
The difference is definitely obvious, isn’t it?
This is actually a compact flashlight.
And if the size of the Wurkkos WK03 stands out from the general mass of flashlights, then its appearance is completely ordinary, it’s just a shortened Sofirn SP35.
1st batch, as far as I understand, had a magnetic tail cap. It is usual non magnetic now.But it is quite possible that it can be bought separately. And it’s easier to buy a magnet and put it under the spring, there is a notch.
Despite the compactness, there are springs at both sides.
The clip is simple, one-sided
The knurling is classic, with rhombuses. Despite the compactness, the clip + knurling give quite a reliable and comfortable grip.
The head stands out only symbolically. Similarly, the cooling fins are only a tribute to tradition and simply improve the overall appearance.
The button is small, but the finger finds it without problems. Of course, there is a backlight charge indicator. It will be honest to note that a couple of people complained about button. I found no reasons to complain, though, besides that, well, Wurkkos could make it wider, perhaps.
There is a Type-C charging connector covered with a tight thick plug at the opposite side. Charging current about 1.5A
It is not surprising that instead of a reflector there is a TIR lens. What else can you expect from a flashlight that short?
The budget price is obvious, but this is not manifested in the clearly visible jambs of manufacturing.
UI
Familiar and uniquely comfortable control.
OFF-ON by clicking.
Switch modes on hold
Firefly hold out from off
Turbo - 2 clicks
Strobe - 3 clicks
(time) blocking - 4 clicks
I can only find fault with the fact that during the hold from the lock you can not turn on the firefly. You get used to the good…
How the Wurkkos WK03 illuminates
There is no stabilization. The more the battery is discharged, the lower the brightness will be. In general, this is quite expected for such a price. There are pluses here too - if the flashlight works for a long time, then the eyes adapt to the plain decrease in brightness and up to some point it looks the same as at the very beginning.
Cooling, by the way, does not affect in any way, the flashlight has too much brightness for its size.
The light is cold white, quite bright (especially in relation to the size of the case), freely covers distance of 50-70m in turbo mode. I would not count on any significant useful brightness at a larger distance. In general, quite a normal medium-range potential. But, of course, it`s working range is within 50m radius.
For comparison, I chose other popular budget models that I mentioned above, illustrating the sizes.
Due to the weather, I can’t offer you photos in some other familiar places like summer cottages. I don’t think that solid snow flares will be interesting. Winter, alas, always seriously limits the ability to take good photos outdoors.
Overall impressions
Wurkkos WK03 is, perhaps, entrance ticket to the world of decent flashlights for an ordinary user. And then, as the user gains experience, the manufacturer also has something to offer. And it’s definitely not Wurkkos WK03. The latter, however, is a good, good flashlight. But it doesn’t have much of what more advanced models have.
Wurkkos WK03 is the flashlight has familiar and convenient user interface. But this is not Anduril. The last one is not the only UI you should consider, but for me personally Wurkkos WK03 lacks the same very pleasant and convenient instant access to firefly from the blocking that Sofirn\Wurkkos has in many models. I admit that this may mean nothing for other people.
The flashlight has a bright light, but this is a clear advantage of quantity over quality. Albeit bright enough, but still cold light is clearly not something that can be used to bribe a discerning user.
On this, perhaps, the cons end. And, I’m sure, a simple user will not give a damn about Anduril’s morse code (Wurkkos WK03 UI is good as is) and cold light, if it’s bright and quite comfortable at the most popular distances in everyday life.
The flashlight has a built-in moderately fast charging.
Is the flashlight compact? Yes, it will fit in any pocket. And, most importantly, it will be affordable for anyone. Cheaper will be only some rubbish with a zoom or Convoy S2 +.
Although … is it cheaper? S2 + with the same SST40 LED, the battery and normal external charger together will cost way more. At the same time, S2+ will be radically longer and more primitive in control.
In general, I think that if you want to choose the most inexpensive, most affordable pocket flashlight. Extremely compact and bright flashlight with built-in charger. Then the Wurkkos WK03 is the one.
For its small price, Wurkkos WK03 will give absolutely everything that an ordinary user wants to get (except “but I want kilometer throw”). Well, except that there is no magnet at the end, but not everyone needs it. In the glove compartment, at home in reserve, as an inexpensive flashlight as a gift - all this is about the Wurkkos WK03.
