Herbert Miller
Many situations might arise when you are in the dark and need an emergency source of light. Having a handy keychain flashlight is the best way to meet his need. Keychain flashlights are lightweight, compact, and much brighter than a smartphone’s flashlight. They are the perfect companions for midnight outdoor activities.
Most people do not know how powerful keychain flashlights can be. Hence, they face trouble navigating through a wide range of powerful products. Through our research, we have come up with the best keychain flashlights that you can find in the market. For your convenience, we have also come up with a buying guide that will help you buy the right flashlight for your needs.
While browsing through options before buying any commodity, getting absorbed in too many options can be intimidating. This is why we have narrowed the three best products across three categories for your buying convenience. Remember, there are many great products in the market, but the ones listed here are the best in their category, and according to our research.
Disclaimer – This article may contain affiliate links, this means that at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission for qualifying purchases.
Best Overall Pick
Nitecore TUP Keychain Flashlight
- OLED display
- Impact-resistant
- Incredible brightness
- Insane durability
Best Premium Pick
SureFire Sidekick Keychain Light
- Lightweight
- Premium build feel
- Multiple brightness control
- Compact
Best Budget Pick
Hatori Mini LED Flashlight
- Short-circuit protection
- Water-resistant
- Compact
- Durable
Buying a keychain flashlight seems to be an easy thing to do. However, when you delve into the different options that you have in the market, it is easy to get confused. The products listed above are the best in their respective categories. However, we have also listed seven added products that can help you make up your mind.
You can choose the right keychain flashlight for yourself from this list., or you can look for a product similar to something that you like here. Either way, get the keychain flashlight that harmonizes with your requirements seamlessly.
1. Nitecore TUP 1000 Lumen Rechargeable Keychain Flashlight
There is no doubt that this is one of the best keychain flashlights available in the market. It weighs about 1.88 ounces and matches all the necessities that are associated with superior quality flashlights.
The brightness produced by this light is equivalent to a car beam since it produces about 1000 lumens of light output. The flashlight also features five modes that can be alternated through the OLED display on the front.
This is a robust keychain flashlight. It is made of an incredibly durable aluminum alloy that can resist impacts of up to 3 feet. The durability of the product is enhanced by the rubber covering that protects the flashlight from shock and accumulating debris and moisture.
It also has a mind-blowing battery life of about 70 hours. The battery can be recharged through the in-built micro USB jack. The beam of this flashlight is about 60 feet. There is absolutely very little that cannot be liked about this product.
Pros
- Durable
- Very high brightness
- Brightness controls through an OLED display
- Rechargeable battery
- Impact-resistant
Cons
- Heavy
2. SureFire Sidekick Ultra-Compact Triple-Output Keychain Light
This is one of those keychain flashlights that you will see and will want to buy immediately. This beautifully designed flashlight is ultra-compact and is definitely one of the lighter and smaller keychain flashlights you will find in the market.
This flashlight weighs only 2 grams and has many output levels ranging from 5 lumens to 60 lumen and 300 lumens. To improve the quality of light output, this product has a special reflector installed that increases light intensity.
Since this flashlight is weather-resistant, it helps in mitigating poor visibility in any given weather condition or time. This tiny flashlight is great for increasing visibility anywhere. Regardless of its compact design, this flashlight is extremely powerful and efficient.
This flashlight comes with a standard USB cable that helps in quick recharging whenever the flashlight seems to be running out of juice. The premium feel of the exterior is an added advantage of the product.
Pros
- Rechargeable with a micro USB cable
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Multiple brightness controls
- Special faceted reflector
Cons
- Not too durable
- Fails to hold a charge after a few months’ usages
3. Hatori Super Small Mini LED Flashlight
This is a great choice for you if you are looking for a powerful budget, keychain flashlight. This very budget-friendly light is a simple LED keychain flashlight that is powered by a single AAA battery. Resultingly, as long as the external body and the battery receptor is in good shape, this light can last for a very long time.
This is a compact flashlight that is capable of producing up to 150 lumens of light that are good enough for most situations. This flashlight has a durable and robust shell that is made of anodized aluminum to expand durability. It is one of the best budget-friendly flashlights that you can use for emergencies.
The best thing is that it is one of the very limited budget keychain flashlights that have water-resistance. It can be used in heavy rain but cannot be submerged in water.
Pros
- Compact body
- Budget-friendly
- Water-resistant
- Short-circuit protection
Cons
- Cheap body
- Not durable
4. Meco Mini Keychain Flashlights
The Meco Mini Keychain flashlight is a great pick if you are looking for a set of budget-friendly flashlights. This is an extremely convenient buy since you get ten identical flashlights in a single pack. You can use them all together at a party or could store them for future use.
The weight of each flashlight is only 0.49 ounces. With that lightweight design, the flashlight has the ability to produce 45 lumens of light. This figure does not sound like much, but it is at least four times brighter than a smartphone flashlight. This flashlight employs an orange peel reflector that has a beam length of about 25 feet.
These flashlights are made of plastic and employ disposable batteries that are changeable easily if you can use a precision screwdriver. The LED flashlights featured on this are extremely versatile.
Pros
- Very small
- Budget-friendly
- Pack of 10
- Changeable batteries
Cons
- Cheap quality
- Users tend to grab another right after one is spent instead of changing batteries.
- The cost of the pack is higher than the cost of 10 individual flashlights.
5. ThruNite Ti3 LED Flashlight
Here is another budget pick that is a good choice for anyone who does not want anything other than a flashlight. This is a standard keychain flashlight that serves its purpose perfectly. It has a lightweight, compact design that allows for easy usage and comfortable storage along with usability.
If you use this flashlight on the lowest 0.08-lumen setting, it can give up to 120 hours of battery life. In case you are using a premium quality flashlight, this is a great backup option for emergencies. As a backup, rest assured that you will not be disappointed because it has a sturdy build that will not give out.
It is a great addition to a keychain. The anodized aluminum shell allows for the durability of the product.
Pros
- 50-meter beam range
- Lightweight construction
- About 120 hours of battery life
Cons
- Nothing special to offer
- Should be used as a backup option
- Isn’t too bright
6. Fenix E12 Pocket Flashlight
If you are looking for a hassle-free to-the-point keychain flashlight, this is the right choice for you. With this flashlight, you get exactly what you signed up for – a keychain flashlight. You do not have to deal with any bells or whistles. It is great for everyday use.
This keychain flashlight is durable since it is made of aircraft-grade machined aluminum alloy on the exterior. This flashlight can tolerate any kind of routine abuse and slips into pockets very well. You can almost forget that you have it with you unless you need it.
This flashlight features an easy to use tail cap switch that turns on the device and gives you brightness control. Through a single AA battery, this flashlight gives an output of 130 lumens that can reach up to 88 meters. It also has a run time of above 22 hours, which helps is emergency use even if you forget to charge the battery. It is even waterproof and can function up to 2 meters of depth for 30 minutes at length.
Pros
- Aircraft-grade aluminum body
- Great battery life
- A beam range of 88-meters
- Brightness controls
Cons
- The switch is a little fragile
- Battery life reduces to a drastic degree.
7. Maglite Solitaire LED Flashlight
Maglite is one of the most popular brands that sell flashlights. Their full-sized flashlights are iconic for their durability and can be in any 80s and 90s film in the hands of tough men. This pocket-sized version offers the same durability but has the capability to do so at a much smaller size.
The best thing about this light is that it is not only durable but also has a better beam than its most popular product. Just like the larger flashlight, this one is remarkable for its water and shock resistance. Its aluminum structure is also just as powerful and rugged.
If you are looking to buy a keychain flashlight for the long-haul, this might be the product for you. You will hardly ever need to replace or get rid of this flashlight due to the stability of the construction.
Pros
- Very well-known brand
- Great build quality
- Drop-resistant
- Water-resistant
- Long-time investment
- Comes with a spare lamp
Cons
- Costs too much for the product delivery
- The technology used is not up to the mark.
8. RoxyVon EDC Mini Keychain Flashlight
If you are looking for a product that is brighter and more powerful than usual, this is the right choice for you. This high-powered flashlight is too bright to not be able to light up any dark surroundings.
This keychain flashlight is so powerful that it is capable of producing an astounding amount of 550 lumens. Most keychain flashlights come at the capability of producing 100 lumens; therefore, 550 lumens is surreal power output.
This flashlight is quick to charge as the lithium-ion battery charges in under 45 minutes. Consider charging an insanely bright power source in such a small amount of time! This flashlight is also durable and tough and offers an impact resistance of about 1.5 meters. This is possible because of the anodized aluminum alloy shell.
Pros
- Fast charging
- Durable performance
- Insanely bright power output
- Rechargeable
- Four power modes
- Waterproof
Cons
- The battery doesn’t last
- Below average quality of controls
9. MecArmy FL02 Irregular USB Keychain Flashlight
This flashlight not only works as a flashlight but also give an aesthetic appeal to your keychain. It is an incredibly beautiful keychain flashlight that is perfect for people who like to use everything in style. The length of this keychain is about 2.6,” and it weighs less than an ounce. The light output of this product is remarkable, and it is made with a CNC-machined design.
The XP-G2 S4 LED is powered by a rechargeable Li-Po battery. This leads to the production of about 350 lumens over five control modes, including a strobe mode that helps in emergency signaling.
If you put this keychain flashlight into the turbo mode, you will obtain maximum power for about 2minutes. However, the power will drop to 60 lumens for about 50 minutes. The low-mode offers a battery life of about 8 hours.
Pros
- Rechargeable Li-Po battery
- CNC-machined design
- Lightweight
- Water-resistant
- 360 lumens max
- Five power modes
Cons
- Not too durable
10. Imalent LD10 Tiny Keychain Flashlight
If you want a tiny flashlight that has massive power, this is the product for you. This is an extremely compact flashlight that can fit in your palm. It produces a massive amount of 1,200 lumens max produced from Cree XP-L HI LED.
With a USB chargeable battery, this flashlight can function for about 18 hours. The USB jack is magnetic to ensure maximum support to the flashlight when charging in a vertical position. The minimalist design of this flashlight is great if you do not like too much attention being paid to it.
The durability of this product is off-the-charts. This is because it is made from a military-grade anodized aluminum body that can be dropped from a height of 5 feet without causing significant harm. This flashlight also has an IPX8 rating, which allows it to be submerged 6.5 feet into the water.
Pros
- Extremely bright
- Durable
- Magnetic USB rechargeability
- IPX8 water resistance certification
Cons
- Button design is too small
- Some prices do not charge properly.
Keychain Flashlight Buying Guide
Before you make any purchase, you would want to be sure that it suits your requirements. While some people might want better durability, others might want more light input. When you set forth buying a keychain flashlight, you must consider the following things.
Lumens
The very first thing that is crucial to consider while flashlight shopping is to know the brightness you will get. Brightness is measured through lumens, and the amount of brightness you get is crucial to see what kind of purpose the flashlight can serve.
While most keychain flashlights range to a brightness output of about 150, some can go up to 1000 lumens, which is insanely bright for a small product.
Reflectors
Reflectors influence the beam style of a flashlight, which is one of the defining features of how good a flashlight is. A reflector is a metallic, shiny cone that surrounds the bulb to reflect the light produced through the flashlight.
If the reflector is smooth, the flashlight’s beam is generally focused and clean. Orange peel reflectors produce a smooth beam that is more spread out than usual.
Battery Rechargeability
Recharging a battery costs much less than buying a new one every time the battery in the flashlight drains out. Recharging is also more accessible than replacing batteries.
Some people, however, prefer to change batteries since rechargeable batteries tend to weaken over time. Recharging a battery is also more time consuming than simply replacing one, especially if you keep a reserve battery in your house.
Most people prefer smooth reflectors since they are great for long-distance spot beam. However, orange peel reflectors are preferable in keychain flashlights since most users of these flashlights are concerned with wider area illumination.
The choice that you make depends on personal preference. If you like to replace batteries, but a flashlight that runs on AA or AAA batteries. Otherwise, opt for lithium-ion or li-po battery-powered flashlights.
Summing Up
Buying a keychain flashlight seems to be one of the easiest things to do. However, there is a lot of thought that can go into this purchase a well. This is because you would want to own a keychain flashlight that is not only powerful but also sticks with you for a long time. Through the buying guide in this article and the product list, you should be able to choose the product that will help you in need.
