EDC

Best EDC Flashlights Under $50 — r/Flashlight’s Top Picks

2 min read
EDC

Why Carry a Dedicated Flashlight?

Your phone flashlight is not a real flashlight. That is the first thing you will learn on r/flashlight, a surprisingly active community of over 200,000 enthusiasts who are deeply passionate about portable illumination. A proper EDC flashlight is brighter, more reliable, has better battery life, and fits comfortably in your pocket.

The r/flashlight and r/EDC communities have converged on a few standout models under $50 that offer remarkable performance for the price.

Top Picks

1. Wurkkos FC11

The Wurkkos FC11 is r/flashlight’s go-to budget recommendation. It packs a high-CRI Samsung LH351D emitter, USB-C charging, a magnetic tailcap, and a simple UI — all for around $25. For the price, it is genuinely hard to believe how good this light is.

  • Price: ~$25-$30
  • Max Output: 1,300 lumens
  • Battery: 18650 (included), USB-C rechargeable
  • Pros: High CRI, USB-C charging, magnetic tailcap, incredible value
  • Cons: Slightly large for pocket carry, ramp UI can be fiddly

2. Olight Baton 3

The Olight Baton 3 is the compact EDC option. It is smaller than your thumb, magnetically charges, and can throw 1,200 lumens when you need it. Redditors have mixed feelings about Olight’s proprietary charging — but they generally agree the Baton 3 is an excellent pocket light.

  • Price: ~$45-$50
  • Max Output: 1,200 lumens
  • Battery: Proprietary 18650, magnetic charging
  • Pros: Extremely compact, magnetic charging, great pocket clip
  • Cons: Proprietary battery, low CRI emitter, magnetic charge only

3. Emisar D4V2

The Emisar D4V2 is the enthusiast’s choice. It is a compact quad-emitter light with fully customizable firmware (Anduril 2), aux LEDs, and an absurd turbo mode that can hit over 4,000 lumens. It is the light that turns casual flashlight users into full-blown r/flashlight addicts.

  • Price: ~$35-$45
  • Max Output: 4,000+ lumens (turbo)
  • Battery: 18650 (not included)
  • Pros: Insane output, customizable emitter options, Anduril 2 UI, aux LEDs
  • Cons: Gets very hot on turbo, complex UI for beginners, no onboard charging

What Reddit Says

“The Wurkkos FC11 is the flashlight I recommend to everyone. My dad, my coworker, my neighbor — they all have one now. High CRI, USB-C, magnetic tail, 1300 lumens. For $25. It is genuinely absurd value.” — r/flashlight user

“I bought a D4V2 thinking it would be a fun toy. That was six months ago. I now own nine flashlights, browse r/flashlight daily, and my wife is concerned. You have been warned.” — r/EDC user

The Verdict

The Wurkkos FC11 is the best overall value — it does everything right for an unbelievable price. The Olight Baton 3 is the best ultracompact option for people who prioritize pocketability. And the Emisar D4V2 is for anyone ready to fall down the flashlight rabbit hole — powerful, customizable, and dangerously fun.

More in EDC