Mini torches
Looking for a mini torch you always carry? A small torch of five to ten centimetres fits in your trouser pocket or on your keyring, and gives enough light to find a lock or look into a dark crawl space. They are no longer weak, the strongest models in this overview go well beyond 1000 lumen. Below are all the small torches we have tested ourselves.
53 Products
HDS systems body met rotary- en flush-switch for 18650 Li-Ion batteriesNot available
£282.78
Nitecore TIP3 Alloy Orange, rechargeable keychain flashlight, 720 lumensNot available
£30.00
Small torch: what can you expect?
With this size, you give up a bit in runtime and in the distance the beam reaches. There is less room for a rechargeable cell and the head is smaller, so that is simple physics. In return, you actually carry it, and a lamp in your pocket does more work than a stronger lamp in a drawer.
How many lumen does a small torch deliver?
More than you expect. The lightest models are around 50 lumen, enough for a keyhole or a label. If you want a small powerful torch, compact EDC torches with a rechargeable cell can easily go well beyond 1000 lumen. Also look at the runtime on the highest mode, because it is short on a small lamp. In practice, you will most often use a lower mode of around 50 lumen. You can read how to interpret those specifications in how to recognise a good torch.
Where do you carry it?
On your keyring, in your trouser pocket with a pocket clip, or in the side pocket of your coat. A lamp of five to seven centimetres hangs on your keys without you noticing it. From eight centimetres, you will want a clip, and almost every compact EDC lamp has one. If you use it outdoors, also check the IP rating. Many of these lamps are dustproof and waterproof to IP68, and that helps if it hangs on your keyring in the rain.
How do you choose the best small torch?
Start with where it needs to sit, then pick the lightest model that fits there. A lamp you leave at home because it is just too thick for your pocket is the wrong choice, however powerful it is. If you are unsure about the rest of the specifications, use our torch buying guide.
Small torch, rechargeable or battery-powered?
At this size, most lamps are now rechargeable, almost always via USB-C. You charge it with the same cable as your phone and do not need to keep spare batteries at home. A small torch with a built-in rechargeable cell is also often lighter and more powerful than a comparable AAA model, because no space is taken up by a battery holder.
A battery-powered lamp still has its place. If the lamp lies unused in a drawer or glove compartment for months, then a fresh AAA battery that you can buy anywhere is more reliable than a rechargeable cell that slowly runs flat. Far from a socket too, on a multi-day trip, replaceable power is useful.
If you want to filter further, then view rechargeable torches, USB-C torches or AAA battery torches. And if you want to see the full range, view all our torches.
Information about small torches
