Best AA capable flashlights for 2024?

[slickrick]

What are the best options for AA flashlights in 2024? I have a Streamlight Protac 1L and want to get another AA battery capable flashlight. Is there anything with a better cost/benefit ratio than the Streamlight 1L? Or should I just go ahead and get a second Streamlight? Thank you sirs.

 

[scalpel_ninja]

What are the best options for AA flashlights in 2024? I have a Streamlight Protac 1L and want to get another AA battery capable flashlight. Is there anything with a better cost/benefit ratio than the Streamlight 1L? Or should I just go ahead and get a second Streamlight? Thank you sirs.

Consider Convoy T3 for many options in emitters and finish.

 

[Schokokeks]

That's a pretty broad question.

I really, really love AA lights, and the Malkoff MDC AA with the high CRI SST-20 is still the bee's knees. Kosen has these available still with a 4500K 519A if you're interested.

How do you calculate your cost/benefit? I strongly dislike cool white, low CRI lights, and I highly bias towards U.S. manufacture and extreme robustness.
You might look at the MDC AA lights and think that $100-200 is crazy, and out of line in the cost/benefit, but they're GREAT. Just depends on what you're looking for.

For cheap lights, I'd second the Convoy T3 lights. They come with a range of emitters and finishes, and they are CHEAP. They're a great VALUE because they are excellent when you consider their price. They're clearly Chinese made budget lights, so don't expect much, and you'll be blown away. Expect it to be amazing, and you'll be disappointed.

If you're looking for something fun/interesting, the Weltool T1 is kind of a neat AA light if you want a serious thrower. A MUCH cheaper, similarly fun throwy AA are the Acebeam Tac AA lights (which can be often found for under $20).

Killzone still has some Manker E05 II with the 4000k 519A, I think that's, overall, maybe one of the best balance of features, performance, and cost of any AA lights. It's relatively cheap, has a build quality that's near the top of the Chinese lights (much better than the Manker headlamps), and it's a lovely beam. It has a much bigger hotspot than most all other 519A lights I have. It's a bit of an aggressive orange peel reflector, and it works wonderfully. It's HIGHLY underrated. It's probably the best high CRI Chinese AA light I own.

The Skilhunt M150 is pretty compact, and nice. It's a bit pricey. I REALLY like the Skilhunt E2A with the high CRI emitter. It's cheap, well made (for a Chinese light), and has a nice beam. The pocket clip is great, too.

There are some neat headlamp options now, too.

Word on the street is that the next HDS rotary may have some kind of AA support, too (I really need this to be true).

I also picked up a Peak El Capitan. That's dead nuts simply, and well made. It's maybe one of the most affordable US made lights out there.

 

[RWT1405]

What are the best options for AA flashlights in 2024? I have a Streamlight Protac 1L and want to get another AA battery capable flashlight. Is there anything with a better cost/benefit ratio than the Streamlight 1L? Or should I just go ahead and get a second Streamlight? Thank you sirs.

Go ahead and purchase yourself another (or 2 or 3 more) SL ProTac 1L-1AA's

You can thank me later.......

 

[ghostguy6]

The choices are endless. You can try this link. http://flashlights.parametrek.com/index.html?battery=1xAA,2xAA,3xAA,4xAA,6+AA,1x14500,2x14500,3x14500,4x14500

I like the Lumintop Tool 2.0. I opted to remove the LED's from the switch because I run a 14500 cell in the light and prefer not to have the blue glow. If your running standard AA cells its not an issue. Can be found for around $20

The Acebeam Tac AA is another great light. It comes with a high capacity 14500 rechargeable cell and is around $25. It will also use standard alkaline or NiMh cells with a reduced output.

Personally I would avoid Olight because they tend to gravitate more towards proprietary cells. If you want the higher output in most lights you need to run lithium ion cells and if you get an Olight then you must buy their replacement cells.

 

[scalpel_ninja]

…
Personally I would avoid Olight because they tend to gravitate more towards proprietary cells. If you want the higher output in most lights you need to run lithium ion cells and if you get an Olight then you must buy their replacement cells.

I also dislike Olight for the same reasons. However, I recently came into possession of a few of their 14500 cells. They don't appear to be proprietary, but rather just protected cells with built in charging ports. Their output amp capacity is lacking though. I tried them on a direct drive Peak El Capitan and the head barely lit up. The head had full output when I used a Keeppower cell.

 

[ghostguy6]

The 14500's I have from Olight are listed as 2.4V. This is the only one I cold find listed on their website. https://www.olightstore.ca/olight-i5r-rechargeable-lithium-ion-battery

Besides for the price of the Olight you can get a better light.

 

[GMT2330]

Hard to argue against another Streamlight. They're so versatile (even takes aaa's).
An alternative could be Fenix E12 v2.0
It's a very small AA light, smaller than most cr123 lights. You should find it on sale as it has just been discontinued.
Or the Fenix E12 v3.0 that replaces the one above. It's a bit bigger (but still compact) and a bit brighter.

 

[scalpel_ninja]

The 14500's I have from Olight are listed as 2.4V. This is the only one I cold find listed on their website. https://www.olightstore.ca/olight-i5r-rechargeable-lithium-ion-battery

Besides for the price of the Olight you can get a better light.

Ah yes, I missed that voltage part. No wonder the direct drive wasn't working properly.

 

[slickrick]

Thank you gents this is a lot to digest. I really appreciate all your information and suggestions. Almost everything here is new to me as I have not heard of most of these brands before. I really appreciate the comment on the USA made Peak LED light, I am going keep that in mind for the future. It looks like I missed the sale on the old model Fenix light and the new one looks good for the price. But for right now I think I'm going to pick up a couple of the Acebeam Tac AA lights because they are on sale for $20 on amazon right now which seems too good to pass up. My primary use for them will be dog walking at night and general around the house use so they should be adequate for that, and I can always keep them around as a backup if I upgrade later. I might store one in the car as well for emergencies.

 

[Monocrom]

Still on the list, even in 2024....

Streamlight Protac 1L-1AA model.

Yes it's optimized for a single CR123 lithium primary. But works very well with a single-AA alkaline, or rechargeable; such as an Eneloop.

 

[slickrick]

Still on the list, even in 2024....

Streamlight Protac 1L-1AA model.

Yes it's optimized for a single CR123 lithium primary. But works very well with a single-AA alkaline, or rechargeable; such as an Eneloop.

Yes that's how I use mine exclusively. I don't use 123 batteries in it primarily due to their cost but I keep a few on hand for other lights so it's nice to know I have the option. I just like to cycle through cheap alkaline AA batteries for it since it is a daily user. I have a larger rechargeable lithium Nitecore which I really like but it's much too big and heavy for daily casual dog walks. I'd rather just use a cheap AA light for that task.

 

[aznsx]

Yes that's how I use mine exclusively. I don't use 123 batteries in it primarily due to their cost but I keep a few on hand for other lights so it's nice to know I have the option. I just like to cycle through cheap alkaline AA batteries for it since it is a daily user. I have a larger rechargeable lithium Nitecore which I really like but it's much too big and heavy for daily casual dog walks. I'd rather just use a cheap AA light for that task.

I use LFP123A (LiFePO4 16340/123) routinely. Great output performance (like CR123A in that light), rechargeable, reduced (but quite adequate for me) run time, and always knowing what capacity / runtime I have on tap when I head out, without a bunch of expensive, half-used CR123As sitting around, and w/ more than twice the output as using AAs. I use K2 Energy, but there are others from Surefire, etc. Good safety, high performance, and high cycle life w/ low operating cost (practically nothing). These will get you 350L output vs 150L w/ AA on 'Hi' setting. Note that I am NOT referring to 3.6/3.7 - 4.2V standard lithium ion chemistry 16340 cells. Those cannot be used in the 1L-1AA.

 

[Random Dan]

I quite like my Reylight LANapple and Emisar D3AA. Both will accept li-ion as well as 1.5v and have very nice 519a emitters. The Reylight is simple to operate while the Emisar has ALL the options.

 

[Schokokeks]

Thank you gents this is a lot to digest. I really appreciate all your information and suggestions. Almost everything here is new to me as I have not heard of most of these brands before. I really appreciate the comment on the USA made Peak LED light, I am going keep that in mind for the future. It looks like I missed the sale on the old model Fenix light and the new one looks good for the price. But for right now I think I'm going to pick up a couple of the Acebeam Tac AA lights because they are on sale for $20 on amazon right now which seems too good to pass up. My primary use for them will be dog walking at night and general around the house use so they should be adequate for that, and I can always keep them around as a backup if I upgrade later. I might store one in the car as well for emergencies.

I hope you get one of each emitter. The 519A is going to blow your mind if you're used to cool white, low CRI Streamlight emitter choices.

And then, whatever cool white option they use for the Tac AA, it throws further, and doesn't look half bad - and that's from someone that HATES cool whites.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

Nitecore MT1A Pro

 

[slickrick]

I hope you get one of each emitter. The 519A is going to blow your mind if you're used to cool white, low CRI Streamlight emitter choices.

And then, whatever cool white option they use for the Tac AA, it throws further, and doesn't look half bad - and that's from someone that HATES cool whites.

I ended up getting one of each, a cool white and a neutral white version because I wasn't sure which I would prefer and the price was right. I normally also prefer warmer colors because I feel like cold whites don't always give a good contrast at night regardless of how bright they are. When the light is too blue or purple looking I feel like it actually makes it harder to see contrast in the dark.

 

[Schokokeks]

I ended up getting one of each, a cool white and a neutral white version because I wasn't sure which I would prefer and the price was right. I normally also prefer warmer colors because I feel like cold whites don't always give a good contrast at night regardless of how bright they are. When the light is too blue or purple looking I feel like it actually makes it harder to see contrast in the dark.

Good call.

These one are interesting because, IIRC, the Cool White isn't high CRI, but it's NOT BAD, either (I think it was ~85CRI), so it looks WAY better than most cool white lights. Plus, almost 20,000 Candela on turbo with a 14500.

It's a funny flashlight, because it was marketed as "Tactical," and it's UI is HORRIBLE for tactical use, but as an EDC or just "around the house," AA light, it's REALLY good. Four modes, and easy enough to cycle through. It's regulated on AA, so they have really good run times, but it seems to just run direct on the 14500, so it peaks, and drops pretty fast (and gets quite warm).

Honestly, after you pointed out they were on sale, I picked up another 6500K from Acebeam's Ali store, haha.

They're "way too big" for an AA/14500 light by most people's standards, but I think they are a GREAT size, and feel wonderful in the hand. The size is also because they have a pretty deep reflector.
I gave away my first pair of them to some young relatives that were going on a night hike with the scouts. It's a really excellent all-around light with an eneloop.

Ironically, while these were a bit of a flop for Acebeam, they are - by far - the best Acebeam light I've gotten (I really haven't been impressed with Acebeam...their lights seem to always be okay, but not my cup of tea).

 

[slickrick]

Good call.

These one are interesting because, IIRC, the Cool White isn't high CRI, but it's NOT BAD, either (I think it was ~85CRI), so it looks WAY better than most cool white lights. Plus, almost 20,000 Candela on turbo with a 14500.

It's a funny flashlight, because it was marketed as "Tactical," and it's UI is HORRIBLE for tactical use, but as an EDC or just "around the house," AA light, it's REALLY good. Four modes, and easy enough to cycle through. It's regulated on AA, so they have really good run times, but it seems to just run direct on the 14500, so it peaks, and drops pretty fast (and gets quite warm).

Honestly, after you pointed out they were on sale, I picked up another 6500K from Acebeam's Ali store, haha.

They're "way too big" for an AA/14500 light by most people's standards, but I think they are a GREAT size, and feel wonderful in the hand. The size is also because they have a pretty deep reflector.
I gave away my first pair of them to some young relatives that were going on a night hike with the scouts. It's a really excellent all-around light with an eneloop.

Ironically, while these were a bit of a flop for Acebeam, they are - by far - the best Acebeam light I've gotten (I really haven't been impressed with Acebeam...their lights seem to always be okay, but not my cup of tea).

I just received them today and after playing around with them for a few minutes I must say I am happily satisfied and impressed for the price I paid. I do see how for "tactical purposes" it would be limiting because the brightness would keep changing as you turn the light off and on frequently but for casual use this is exactly what I wanted. I don't know how people could complain about the size being too big, I guess I'm not picky enough but I think it's a very nice size. Time will tell if the rechargeable lithium it came with is any good but it arrived charged and does provide much brighter light than a new AA alkaline after comparing both. For the price I am actually surprised it comes with a rechargeable battery. I am very happy with the purchase, I might look to pick up a few more as spares even cheaper after your suggestion of aliexpress now that I actually have them in the hand or store in the car or emergency kits. I'm sure it's not the best light out there but for under $20 it's better than any of the crappy ebay lights I've tried.

 

[slickrick]

Also for anyone else wondering, I just figured out that the tail cap is reverse threaded. At first I thought it was non-removeable and machined into the body but the package came with a spare rubber button so I knew it had to come apart somehow. Finally accidentally found out that turning clockwise looses the bottom piece.