Flashlights are an instrument of light that you can be used in any situation; at work, on camping trips, and for when you find yourself in a survival setting.
This article aims to review the best mini flashlights that can light up your darkest hours.
Compact flashlights offer some of the brightest lights on the market, with some of the best reaching over 1000 lumens.
Their slim designs often allow for secure storage and can be clipped to belts, bags and other survival equipment.
We hope after reading through our top five picks and the included buyer’s guide, you find a mini flashlight that best suits you and your adventure.
Maglite Solitaire LED 1-Cell AAA Flashlight
Maglite is an established seller in the flashlight industry, and this miniature edition to their range is a strong representation of the brand.
Featuring an anodized metallic structure, the Maglite Solitaire is water-resistant, as well as waterproof if dropped up to a meter in water.
The Solitaire gives you the ability to focus the beam from a wide-angle floodlight toe narrow spot beam and has the power to light up objects on the far end of a parking lot.
Its small and compact design, measuring at just over three inches long, allows for the product to fit into even the tiniest of spaces in an overfilled camping bag.
It conveniently fits into pockets, purses, cases and bags – so whatever you gear you have with you, the size will compliment your equipment very well.
The added clip enables you to attach the light to your belt buckle or use it as a weight for your keys, which provides practicality for a fast-paced adventure.
With its two-meter drop-resistance, this product is well suited to both the outdoor professionals and those who are embarking on their first adventure.
At a price kind to a budget, this flashlight can be easily obtained and will be an excellent addition to your survival kit.
Read the full post_title; ?> review
Pros
- Small and Compact
- Includes useful clip
- Weather resistant and waterproof
- Sleek, black metal coated design
Cons
- Size is a choking hazard, must be kept away from young children
- Short run time of 1hr 45min
- Only available in one color
Maglite Mini 2-Cell AA Flashlight
The Maglite Mini is arguably the most iconic flashlights on this list.
It has gained experienced tremendous longevity on the market and with its Xenon incandescent bulb, diamond knurled grip, and two AA alkaline batteries, continues to be popular for various uses.
The Maglite Mini boasts a variety of features that are ideal for a handy little pocket torch. It is available in a range of colors, as well as having slightly larger options for those who want bigger flashlights.
The body of the flashlight is slim, with a grip material in the middle for easier handling, and is compact to work well with other equipment included in your survival kit.
Maglite is known for quality and durability. However, with its drop-resistance of one meter, it doesn’t allow for newcomer survivalists out there to shine bright.
A range of different light modes such as flood beam focusing and candle mode; as well as a spare bulb in the lower compartment, makes the flashlight a great tool in a variety of situations.
On a high setting, the battery life of this flashlight is five and a half hours, and for your convenience, a spare bulb is provided inside the tail-cap.
Read the full post_title; ?> review
Pros
- Includes spare light
- Weather resistant seals
- Variety of modes
- Available in a range of colors
Cons
- Not the strongest drop-resistance (1 meter)
Streamlight MicroStream Ultra-compact
The Streamlight Microstream is an excellent flashlight choice and is on the market at an affordable price, making it easily accessible to the masses.
The Microstream offers excellent brightness, with a compact design that is small in size and lightweight – this mini flashlight could be the one that elevates your experience.
This product is made from anodized aluminium and is suitable for daily use and the occasional bad weather and the falls that come with it.
It uses 1 AAA battery so that you can change it quickly and don’t have to pay a large amount of money; however, this may result in replacing the batteries frequently.
According to customer reviews, the product is one serious little piece of equipment that some view as a piece of ‘survival gear’ due to its 35 lumen and higher capacity.
This flashlight is available in a variety of colors such as blue and gold, making you spoilt for choice on which torch to pick from this selection.
Similar to the Maglite, the MicroStream comes with a clip for hands-free use, that can be attached to the front of a cap or even belt loops on trousers.
Read the full post_title; ?> review
Pros
- Scratch and drop resistant
- Available in a variety of colors
- Includes convenient pocket clip
- High and Low mode
Cons
- Battery powered, which means shorter lifespan
J5 V1-PRO LED Flashlight
J5Tactical has said that the V1-PRO flashlight represents the best value LED flashlight out of their range of products.
Impressive for its price, it offers a maximum lumen of 300, and its beam can sweep light over the length of two football fields on a clear night.
With its adjustable focus range, you can zoom in for an intense beam or out for full illumination.
It also includes three modes (high, low, and strobe) that cater for various uses and circumstances you’ll likely encounter on your expedition.
The V1-PRO can endure temporary water submergence and can perform well in the rain without the fear of a blackout.
For the clumsy outdoor enthusiasts, this flashlight can survive a 9-foot drop. However, it is designed for accidents only, so don’t go throwing it on purpose.
Its compact size makes it ideal to fit in your pocket or backpack and includes a belt clip that makes it easier for you to create light wherever you find yourself on the move.
Available in 6 colors, you will find a flashlight with the exterior for you!
It falls on the inexpensive side of the spectrum; this flashlight is compatible with a range of budgets and will be a great addition to your outdoor kit.
Read the full post_title; ?> review
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Offers 3 modes (high, low & strobe)
- Water-resistant
- Compact
Cons
- Not rugged enough for heavy use
Streamlight Nano Flashlight
The Streamlight Nano is a top seller in the EDC flashlight market for its small, succinct size.
It measures in at just under two inches, making it easy to handle with one hand while fitting perfectly in a backpack or small travel bag.
As well as this, it can be easily attached to just about anything with its convenient clip or key ring, which increases practicality and makes the fast-paced moments of your adventure easier to perform.
The Nano comes in a variety of colors such as pink and red, which will leave you stuck for choice, with each color boasting a waterproof protected finish.
Its LED light is shockproof and comes with a 100,000-hour lifetime span, meaning you won’t have to change the bulb very often, with a usage span of eight hours.
The Nano, built to last with its waterproof case material, is made from machined aircraft-grade aluminium with an anodized finish.
This mini flashlight can withstand a multitude of weather conditions, and makes for an excellent flashlight choice.
Read the full post_title; ?> review
Pros
- One hand operation
- Carabiner clip for easy attachment
- Long lightbulb lifespan
Cons
- Short battery life if continuously used
- Size makes it easy to lose
What to Consider with Mini Flashlights
Like any product you invest in, there are many factors to consider before finalizing your purchase. It’s even more important to be thorough with your search when it comes to survival items, including a mini flashlight.
Choosing the wrong, or a low-quality mini flashlight could cause unnecessary problems along the way, or worse, lead to fatality.
There are many names on the flashlight market these days, which makes it more challenging to make the best choice when you need to acquire one of them.
Brightness
The brightness the flashlight expels is the primary purpose of the product. Therefore you want a flashlight that has a high-quality level of light.
It’s fundamental to choose one which has advanced bulbs, circuity, and battery to emit the more powerful light.
The level of brightness is not necessarily linked to the price of the product. There are many flashlights on the market that are both low in cost and soaring with brightness.
Performance
Flashlight makers will always check and inspect their flashlights before stocking shelves, so it is still wise to challenge the manufacturers about the overall performance of the flashlight before adding to your basket.
It’s known that newer model lights are more powerful and dependable than older models, and because of this, you should do your research on the various editions of each product out there.
On/Off Switch
The on and off switch of a flashlight sounds straightforward. But survivalists can sometimes miss the mark by not understanding the button before payment.
You should know how the light switches on and off, and how efficient it is to use. Most flashlights can be turned on and off while inside your bag, and others enable control when wearing gloves.
If the on or off switch is poorly designed, then it could potentially cause something as minor as a headache to the extreme of a hazardous occurrence.
Lumens
The lumens, or the light intensity measurement, of a flashlight, is an essential factor to assess.
You can ultimately decide if one flashlight is what you are looking for or not by assessing the intensity of light on its highest brightness level with full and new batteries.
Beam Distance and Type
When facing the unknown of the outdoors, you will want (and need) to acquire a flashlight with an impressive beam distance.
The beam distance is how far the light beam can reach, and the range the light can keep shining before a complete decline.
You should note that the lens reflector surrounding the bulb can affect how the light diffuses. That said, it is essential to have a good understanding of the beam type used on the chosen product.
Shock-resistance
The shock-resistance of a product will tell us how durable the product is altogether. It ensures the light will still work even after accidental falls or droppings.
It is vital to know the shock-resistance of light before purchase. However, it is worth pointing out that a good shock-resistance doesn’t mean the light will remain functional.
Bulb Type
LED lighting technology is, by far, the best bulb type you can opt for when it comes to choosing a flashlight for your adventure.
They are energy efficient and shock-resistant, all while emitting an impressive brightness. To promote these bulb types further, they have a long-lasting run time.
Running Time
When you’re in a survival setting, you will never know the time in which you’ll be attempting to survive. Therefore, the running time of a flashlight must be a considerable amount of time.
The running time means the length of time before the batteries dropped to 10%. The longer the running time is, the more likely the light makes your endeavor convenient.
Many survivalists recommended, however, to use the light at the low level to save as much battery as possible because you never know how much or how little you’ll end up using the flash.
Recap
We hope our reviews and buyer’s guide have highlighted the importance of mini flashlights and how useful they are when faced with a survival situation.
All five of the products featured on our list each hold their own, but my pick for the best mini flashlight goes to the Maglite Mini flashlight.
This light doesn’t just shine the brightest, it emits overall star quality in all areas.
It has stood the test of time and with its Xenon incandescent bulb, diamond knurled grip, and two AA alkaline batteries, has proven to be an iconic choice for survivalists.
Thank you for reading! We hope our reviews have helped you add a mini flashlight to your survival kit – the best mini flashlight that meets all your survival needs.
We’d love to hear from you, and if you have any feedback or suggestions for future reviews and topics, please echo our way!
Happy Survival Prepping, from all of us at Survival Front!
Share the Love
If you found this post useful, please let others know about it by sharing it.