How To Choose EDC Flashlight
EDC, or “Everyday Carry” flashlights are powerful, compact, and reliable flashlights you carry on your person daily. EDC lights are versatile tools for everything from power outages to camping trips.
We’ve got a ton of EDC options to choose from in our store. To help you decide on what type of torch you need and what features you’ll want it to have, we've put together some useful tips.
Types of EDC Flashlights
There are a few different types of EDC flashlights to consider.
Remember, this is going to be your reliable daily companion. Consider all the situations you might need a flashlight for as well as how you intend to carry it and pick one with all the features you’ll need.
Generally speaking, EDC flashlights come in three varieties: tactical, utility, and compact.
Tactical EDC flashlightshave features for critical situations like tail switches, self-defense-focused output modes, and crenelated bezels for use as a striking tool.
Utility EDC flashlightsare like scaled-down versions of your favorite kitchen drawer flashlight, but with more features and much higher build quality. Your typical utility light will have a useful variety of output modes and a long runtime for extended use.
Compact EDC flashlightsare utility flashlights packed into the smallest frame possible. These lights are either short and stumpy and fit into the palm of your hand, or are elongated “penlights” the size of your favorite ink pen. Don’t let their small size fool you though, modern compact EDC flashlights are well-built and capable of producing several hundred lumens.
Why Do You Need An EDC Flashlight?
If you’re shopping for an EDC flashlight, chances are you need one because you want to be prepared for every possible scenario.
Consider how often you find yourself pulling out your smartphone to use the flashlight feature.
We’ll wager you’re already using a flashlight several times a day without even thinking about it.
But the LEDs on your phone lack a quality reflector and don’t produce enough brightness to be truly practical, so how much brightness do you need?
How Bright Should Your Flashlight Be?
Most smartphones will produce somewhere between 10-30 lumens of light on their highest settings.
Generally speaking, a good EDC flashlight should produce no less than 100 lumens, and that’s just for bare minimum utility.
A truly capable EDC flashlight should deliver at least 200 lumens. If you’re shopping for a tactical version however, we recommend something with at least 800 lumens on tap.
What size should an EDC Flashlight Be?
The size of your light will depend on personal preference, but we recommend buying one that fits into your front pocket without being too bulky.
Our most popular EDC torches are under six inches in length, and around one inch wide so they’re convenient to carry and easily accessible.
Other Features To Look For
Anything that makes your EDC flashlight more convenient and more reliable is a feature worth paying for.
Sturdy pocket clips are popular and come standard on most full-sized EDC flashlights. USB charging is also incredibly useful. If you're going compact, consider a keychain attachment as well.