If you carry a flashlight daily, you already know how important a reliable and well-built light is. Whether for self-defense, work, outdoor use, or general preparedness, your light needs to perform every time you hit that switch. With so many companies claiming to have the best gear, I put several top contenders through a real-world torture test to see if they lived up to their specs. Let’s see how each flashlight performed in our EDC shootout.

Three Contenders, One EDC Flashlight Shootout

Every light in this test went through a hands-on evaluation. This includes timed runtime tests, charge time verification, submersion testing where applicable, and an extreme cold-weather trial on a frozen winter backpacking trip.

I carried every light on the list for a minimum of 72 hours. Every light here met or exceeded the manufacturer’s specs. But some stood out more than others, depending on how and where you plan to use them.

Candella and Lumens: What’s the deal?

When shopping for a flashlight, you’ll often see two key measurements: lumens and candela. While they both describe light output, they serve very different purposes.

Lumens measure the total amount of light emitted in all directions. Think of it as the raw brightness of the flashlight. A high-lumen flashlight will flood an area with light, making it ideal for illuminating large spaces at close range.

Candela, on the other hand, measures the intensity of light in a specific direction—how focused and concentrated the beam is. A high-candela flashlight produces a tightly focused beam that can reach far distances, cutting through darkness with precision.

In simple terms, lumens tell you how bright a flashlight is overall, while candela tells you how far that brightness can reach. A floodlight might have high lumens but low candela, while a spotlight could have lower lumens but a powerful, long-reaching beam.

The best flashlight for you depends on your needs. Do you need wide, even illumination or a beam that cuts through the night?

SureFire – Stiletto and EDC 2

SureFire is renowned for some of the industry’s most rugged, duty-ready flashlights. They back up their products with legendary customer service—you break it, they replace it. Every SureFire light in this test matched its advertised run times, charge times, and submersion ratings.

The Stiletto II was the light I didn’t expect to like as much as I did. Its slim, flat profile disappeared in my pocket, yet I kept reaching for it over other lights. The beam pattern is perfectly balanced between tight focus for searching and wide spill for up-close work. It even worked well when held in my teeth during a technical task.

At 50 feet, the beam was about five feet across with a wide splash, for incredible versatility. It does get hot on high mode, though. It measured 110º with a laser thermometer. It’s not enough to hurt you, but it can surprise you if you’re not expecting it.

Output (lumens) 1,500 hi / 500 med / 25 low. Runtime, 1 hr. hi / 1.5 med / 23.5 low. MSRP: $339.

The Stiletto Pro had a wider beam and a smaller housing, but it lacked the tight hotspot of the Stiletto II. It excels at close-range illumination, making it a great choice for those working primarily within 10 – 20 feet.

Output (lumens) 1,000 hi / 300 med / 25 low. Runtime, 1 hr. hi / 1.5 med / 23.5 low. MSRP: $229.

The EDC2 DFT Turbo was built tough. Its beam pattern was noticeably different from the others. At 50 feet, the beam was 2.5 feet wide, with minimal spill. This made it great for those 30 – 100 foot illumination tasks, but less useful for closer EDC tasks.

Output (lumens) 700 hi / 25 low. Runtime, 2.75 hrs. hi / 46.5 low. MSRP: $239.

Streamlight – Wedge and Protac

Streamlight has long been a favorite among law enforcement and military personnel, and it’s easy to see why. Their lights are simple, effective, and widely trusted.

The Wedge Series lights were great for close-range illumination. They had a very wide beam pattern but lacked a focused center. This made them excellent for tight spaces or general utility work, but less ideal for long-range visibility.

One downside was that the USB-C charging ports were left uncovered. So, they will need occasional cleaning to remove lint and dust buildup.

Wedge – Output (lumens) 1,000 boost / 300 constant on. Runtime, 35sec boost / 3hr constant on. MSRP: $99.

Wedge XT – Output (lumens) 500 hi / 50 low. Runtime, 2hr hi / 11hr low. MSRP: $85.

The ProTac HL-X, recently adopted by the FBI, was one of the most well-rounded lights in the test. It features a focused center beam with a bright splash, making it effective for both near and far use. The multi-tap rear button allowed for quick switching between high, strobe, and low modes.

Paired with its interchangeable rechargeable batteries and separate charger, it was easy to see why professionals trust this light. These SL-B26 batteries also ran the Surefire EDC2 DFT (above). I’m not sure if it’s happy about it, but it worked. Both lights will run on CR123A’s too.

Output (lumens) 1,000 hi / 300 low. Runtime 1.5 hrs. hi. MSRP: $99 (charger $34, batts $30).

Nextorch – TA22 and TA30C

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Nextorch, but they surprised me. Unlike other brands that stick to traditional designs, Nextorch is constantly pushing boundaries.

The TA22 was a compact yet feature-rich EDC light with a ring selector that allowed for quick mode changes. It had hardened glass breakers integrated into the design without being overly pronounced. Finally, it features a solid beam pattern with a bright spill and a comfortable form factor for pocket carry.

Output (lumens) 850 hi / 15 low. Runtime 1hr hi / 15 hr. low. MSRP: $69.

The TA30C was one of the most impressive lights I tested. The selector ring allowed users to decide how the light behaved. Ready to go out of the box, the kit includes a locking holster, lanyard, and finger loop. These are accessories that other companies typically sell separately. The battery was a massive 21700, offering exceptional runtime.

Output (lumens) 3000 hi / 70 low. Runtime 2hr 45 mins hi, 35 hrs. on low. MSRP: $154.99.

Performance & Testing

To separate marketing hype from reality, I ran these lights through a series of controlled tests.

For runtime verification, I clamped each light in a soft-jaw vise and recorded its operation at various power levels. Every light matched or exceeded its manufacturer’s stated runtime. Some performed slightly better than expected. This is a relief, as sometimes what is listed on the package doesn’t translate in practice.

For charge time assessment, I timed each light’s recharge cycle using standard USB power sources. All lights charged within expected windows for battery size. However, SureFire’s models had a slight edge in speed vs their runtime, reaching full charge in two hours. But the Wedge / XT models, along with the TA22, were very fast to recharge—1.5 hrs for the Wedge and only 45 minutes for the XT and TA22.

For cold-weather testing, I took SureFire, Nextorch, and Streamlight products on a frozen winter backpacking trip. Temperatures dropped into the mid-teens, and I relied on these lights for camp setup, navigation, and camp illumination.

I also passed them out to other members of the group so they could provide their feedback and impressions. Every light tested functioned without issue despite exposure to extreme cold.

Submersion: Waterproof Flashlight Ratings

For lights rated for water resistance, I performed submersion tests. Each light handled brief immersion without failure, proving that the seals and build quality were up to standard.

The SureFire Stiletto Pro II (IPX7) withstood submersion (rated up to 1 meter for 30 minutes), while the Streamlight Wedge XT (IPX7) and ProTac HL-X (IP68) also held up without issue. The ProTac HL-X, with its higher IP68 rating, is designed for continuous immersion beyond 1 meter, reinforcing its durability in wet conditions.

I didn’t intend to dunk every light. However, the Nextorch TA22 and TA30C went for a swim when I dropped them in a creek crossing. They have a 2-meter rating and handled it just fine. Writing this now, the only light that wasn’t waterboarded was the Surefire EDC2––Standby––it works! The Surefire is rated for IPX7.

Which Flashlight Is on Top?

Every light in this test met its advertised specifications and performed reliably in real-world conditions as I carried them all. If you’re in the market for an EDC flashlight, there’s no wrong choice here. It all depends on what you need.

For those looking for a do-it-all flashlight, the Streamlight Pro-Tac HL-X stood out as the most well-rounded performer. It worked in all scenarios, had a great balance between throw and splash, and is trusted by law enforcement agencies for a reason.

The SureFire Stiletto II became the light I reached for the most. Its thin profile, excellent beam pattern, and USB-C charging made it a practical EDC choice. If I could only carry one light that could get used for almost everything, this would be a good pick.

For those who love innovation, the Nextorch TA30C was a standout. With its intelligent mode selector, included accessories, and massive battery, it felt like the most feature-packed option in the test.

All of that said, I have to mention the Streamlight Stylus Pro. I’ve carried one for over a decade, and it remains one of my most-used lights. It’s simple, takes AAA batteries, and just works. If Streamlight ever makes a single USB battery for it, I might never carry another EDC light again. It’s a 500-lumen, no-frills light with an MSRP of $20.

In the end, every light in this test delivered on its promises. Whether you need maximum performance, everyday practicality, or cutting-edge features, there’s a light here that will meet your needs.