The 7 Best LEP Flashlights in 2024
The list contains the farthest-reaching LEP flashlights currently available in online stores across the globe for below $650. I own and tested 50+ LEP flashlights so far.
Here are my runtime graphs that show their performance. The left is for the smaller ones, and the right is for the most powerful (and larger/longer) ones. The measurements I added here are done 30 seconds after turning the flashlight on. This is according the ANSI FL1 standards.
#7
Weltool W4
More info on the Weltool W4
Specified | Measured beam intensity | Measured beam distance |
---|---|---|
1,782,000cd / 2670 meters | 2,184,000 cd | 2956 meters |
Weltool is a small Chinese flashlight manufacturer who focuses on the latest and greatest technology in the LED- and LEP flashlight industry. Besides their large UV flashlight lineup (which they are specialized in), they also have a lineup of several LEP flashlights. Danny, the owner of Weltool has tried, and succeeded, to get the farthest throwing LEP light in the world, at least in specs.
Weltool’s first LEP flashlight back in 2018 was the W3 “The featherless Arrow” and started this whole hype around LEP Flashlights. The W4 is called a “dragon in cloud” which sounds a little strange though.
The W4 can reach up to 2.67 km with a beam intensity of up to 1782000 cd / 1.78Mcd. Weltool includes a high-drain UB21-50 21700 rechargeable lithium-ion battery. So no need for a dedicated charger!
Like many other LEP flashlights, the actual performance of your copy may vary. Mine is actually doing 2.2 Mcd, which equals over 2900 meters of range.
#6
Maxtoch Xsword LA60
More info on the Maxtoch LA60
Specified | Measured beam intensity | Measured beam distance |
---|---|---|
1,562,000cd / 2500 meters | 2,272,000 cd | 3015 meters |
Some people like to have an adjustable beam. But until now, there were no LEP flashlights available with an adjustable beam.
But, Maxtoch has changed the game and introduced the first focusable LEP flashlight for consumers. It runs on 2*21700 batteries, and you can choose to include them in your order. If you don’t mind the beam when it’s zoomed out, this is still #2 in terms of farthest-reaching LEP flashlights.
Don’t forget to use the following discount code to get $30 off: 1L60M3
#5
Astrolux WP3 / Mateminco FW1
More info on the Astrolux WP3
Specified | Measured beam intensity | Measured beam distance |
---|---|---|
2,180,000cd / 2952meters | 2,412,000 cd | 3106 meters |
Astrolux released the WP3 almost 1 year after the WP1 and WP2. And the first thing you’ll notice is the difference between the earlier 2 designs and the WP3. The machining looks different as well as the anodization. And in terms of LEP technology, the WP3 is using the mirror-type LEP module instead of the shine-through LEP modules from the WP1 and WP2.
In terms of performance, that was a wise choice. The WP3 outperforms the WP1 and WP2 by a large difference. They are not comparable in anything. The throw capabilities of the WP3 are outstanding. I measured over 3 kilometers of reach with a professional luxmeter. That’s far enough to be at the top 3 of the longest-throw LEPs.
However, being one of the best LEPs doesn’t mean it’s without flaws. The WP3 has visible PWM in Low and High, but not in Turbo mode. Also, the light gets shipped with a 21700 battery, while the battery tube is able to hold a 26650.
The WP3 is also sold as the Mateminco FW1.. The same exact flashlight.
#4
Maxtoch Xsword L2K
More info on the Maxtoch L2K
Specified | Measured beam intensity | Measured beam distance |
---|---|---|
1,823,000cd / 2700 meters | 2,508,000 cd | 3167 meters |
This was such a surprise, and one of the LEP flashlights that made people really get really interested in LEPs. It was ‘only’ specced at 2700 meters, but my measurements were much better.
This is yet another example of why you shouldn’t trust manufacturers’ specs.
It reaches over 3,000 meters and runs of 2*21700 batteries. And the most interesting thing about this light is probably the way it maintains its extremely high intensity all throughout its runtime (except for the 10 minutes when it slightly drops down.
Like many other LEP flashlights, the actual performance of your copy may vary. Mine is actually doing 2.5 Mcd, which equals over 3160 meters of range.
Don’t forget to use the following discount code to get $30 off: 1L60M3
#3
Weltool W4 PRO
More info on the Weltool W4 PRO
Specified | Measured beam intensity | Measured beam distance |
---|---|---|
2,882,000cd / 3395 meters | 2,808,000 cd | 3351 meters |
Weltool makes some good-looking, high-quality flashlights, and that’s exactly what the Weltool W4 PRO stands for. A beautifully machined piece, with a dazzling beam intensity.
They upgraded the already very popular Weltool W4, and raised the bar even higher. The W4 was advertised at 1.78Mcd, and the new W4 PRO at 2.88Mcd, which is a million candela more. But is that even possible?
The answer is: Yes, the W4 PRO can really reach 2.8Mcd, but my own W4 performed better than advertised. It was advertised at 1.78, but mine did 2.1 Mcd… The only little problem with this light is the UI. It has low and high, with next-mode memory. So next time you turn the light on, it’s in the other mode you used last time.
If you’re looking at the best LEP, and want a single-cell flashlight, get the Weltool! It’s currently the farthest reaching single cell LEP on the planet.
Use 1LumenLEP at Nealsgadgets for a nice discount
#2
Maxtoch Xsword L2Kd
More info on the Maxtoch L2Kd
Specified | My measured beam intensity | Measured beam distance |
---|---|---|
2,560,000cd / 3200 meters | 3,051,000 cd | 3493 meters |
After I share my measurements of the original L2K, they released the L3K, which was rated at 3,000 meters.. But in reality couldn’t reach it. Then they added the L2Kd….
The Maxtoch L2kd is an upgraded version of the very popular and powerful L2K.. The only, and main difference is the LEP module. The newest module has a diamond phosphor, and therefore produces a higher intensity.
This time, they specced it higher than the L2K, and the L3K, at 3200 meters.. But still, that was lower than I measured! Again, the Maxtoch outperformed it… very very impressive.
I tested the L2Kd and measured 3,051,000 cd which equals to 3493 meters of throw, 3820 yards/2.17 miles.
#1
Maxtoch Owleyes W PRO v2
More info on the Maxtoch double-head LEP Owleyes W PRO v1
Specified | My measured beam intensity | Measured beam distance |
---|---|---|
4,000,000cd / 4000 meters | 4,000,000 cd | 4000 meters |
If you can’t make a single flashlight perform better.. what do you do? Right, make a dual-head flashlight!
That’s probably what the engineers at Maxtoch thought when they built the Owleyes W PRO. Although the other lights in this lineup make use of single LEPs, the W PRO makes use of 2 LEP light sources. This means it can throw really really really really far. Yes, really far. Pop in 3* 21700 batteries, and you can signal people at the ISS station… pun intended.
Edit: after I noticed some problems with the battery carrier, I reached out to Maxtoch, and they upgraded it. The latest W Pro v2 does not use battery carriers anymore, but instead use a batterypack, with USB-C charging port. You are not supposed to open up the batterypack, but there are 3*21700 batteries inside.
It’s able to reach 4 million candelas (4Mcd), which equals 4 kilometers or 2.48 miles. Not only is its output phenomenal, but the runtime graph is also staggering. It can do over 3,000 meters of throw for a couple of hours long. Want to run longer? Step down to medium mode, which is still good for over 3 hours at over 2,000,000 candelas.
The only real downside is the price. But get $50 off with the following coupon code: WP50V21L