My Best Buy This Year: A Tiny Rechargeable Flashlight
▼ Summary
– The author, a tech reporter, has long sought the perfect flashlight and now owns many, but finds the $25 Wuben G5 a strong contender to end that search.
– The G5’s key improvement over a previous flashlight is a reliable sliding switch that locks the light and covers the USB-C port, preventing accidental activation and battery drain.
– Its primary feature is a dial for precise brightness adjustment from 2 to 400 lumens, offering both low-light utility and extended battery life up to 65 hours.
– The flashlight includes a secondary multicolor LED for adjustable colored light and flashing patterns, which can be used for signaling in emergencies.
– Additional thoughtful design elements include an adjustable clip, a 180-degree rotating head, and a built-in magnet for hands-free use.
The Wuben G5 rechargeable flashlight has become an indispensable part of my daily carry, proving that the best tools are often the smallest and most thoughtfully designed. As someone who values being prepared, I’ve tested countless flashlights over the years, but this compact $25 device stands out for its clever features, reliable performance, and exceptional versatility. It has effectively ended my long search for the perfect everyday light.
My journey to the G5 began with frustration over my previous choice, the Nitecore TINI 2. While impressively bright for its size, its locking mechanism was unreliable. It would frequently switch on by itself inside my bag, leaving me with a dead battery precisely when I needed light most. This defeat of the entire “be prepared” philosophy sent me looking for a more dependable alternative.
The G5’s ingenious sliding switch was the immediate solution. This component not only covers the USB-C charging port but also acts as a physical lock, preventing any accidental activation. After months of carrying it in pockets and bags, it has never once turned on unintentionally. It’s slightly larger than the TINI 2, about the height of a Zippo lighter, but remains incredibly pocket-friendly.
Where the G5 truly shines is in its intuitive operation. Instead of cycling through frustrating preset modes, it features a tactile brightness dial. This allows you to smoothly adjust the primary white LED from a mere 2 lumens, perfect for navigating a dark room without waking others, all the way up to a powerful 400 lumens. The low setting is ideal for finding items under furniture or in a car, and it dramatically extends battery life to an impressive 65 hours.
Its functionality extends beyond simple white light. A secondary multicolor LED, also controlled by the dial, cycles through the color spectrum. With combinations of button presses, the G5 can flash specific colors or patterns, which could serve as a potentially vital emergency signaling tool. This multi-purpose design transforms it from a simple flashlight into a more capable piece of gear.
Thoughtful details elevate the experience further. The rotating LED head swivels a full 180 degrees for directing light at any angle, and the adjustable clip can be positioned on the front, side, or back for versatile carrying. A strong built-in magnet in the base allows for hands-free use, letting you stick the light to any metal surface while working. It’s evident that considerable design effort went into maximizing the G5’s utility in a tiny package.
While a flashlight might not top every holiday wish list, it makes for a genuinely useful and appreciated gift for the practical person in your life. For anyone who values preparedness, clever design, and reliable performance in their everyday carry, the Wuben G5 is an outstanding choice that delivers far beyond its modest size and price.
(Source: The Verge)
