The $50 flashlight I now pack, and the $20 one I tested against it

Reading Time: 4 min

When packing for a trip, I’m always looking for items that serve more than one purpose. Luggage space is limited, and I’d rather not pack several gadgets when one can do the job of two or three. That’s one reason I’ve come to appreciate the OLIGHT Oclip 2 series of rechargeable clip-on flashlights.

I’ll admit that I’ve never really thought much about traveling with a flashlight for my normal run-of-the-mill beach or city vacation. I always have my phone, which has a perfectly good flashlight built in. But after using the OLIGHT Oclip 2 Pro Rechargeable Flashlight on a recent trip, I realized just how convenient it can be to have a small, dedicated light that you can clip onto an item or carry around without having to hold it.

Thus far, I’ve used the flashlight as a reading light and while taking nighttime walks through small European alleys. It’s been surprisingly useful in both situations.

But at close to $50, is the OLIGHT Oclip 2 Pro Rechargeable Flashlight worth it? I found a similar-looking Amazon alternative for less than $20, which I also tested. Here’s my verdict on both.

Get the OLIGHT Oclip 2 Pro Rechargeable Flashlight at Amazon

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The OLIGHT Oclip 2 Pro features a compact aluminum body, rechargeable battery, built-in clip, and magnetic attachments. It also offers an adjustable head that tilts up to 115 degrees and a clip that rotates 360 degrees, making it incredibly easy to direct the light exactly where you need it.

With three different lighting options — pure flood, spotlight, and red light — and multiple brightness levels for each option, the flashlight offers many uses for my family’s needs while traveling.

My family typically all stays in one bedroom when we travel, and there are times when my daughter likes to stay up reading after we turn off the lights. On our recent trip, she was able to clip the light right onto her book and read without disturbing the rest of the family. We’ve also used the light to maneuver around the room in the middle of the night.

And while I’ve yet to use the flashlight for a camping trip, I can see it being a big hit.

There are actually two versions of the OLIGHT Oclip 2: the Pro and the Ultra. While I tested the Pro on our recent trip to Europe, I’ve also used the Ultra around town to be able to compare the two.

The OLIGHT Oclip 2 Ultra Rechargeable Flashlight is very similar to the Pro, with the main difference being that the Ultra version adds UV lighting and is also slightly brighter based on its specifications. Truthfully, though, when comparing the two with the naked eye, I didn’t really notice a big difference.

But with the Ultra costing $69.99, I’m not sure it’s worth it. For most travelers, the Pro has everything you need.

Get the OLIGHT Oclip 2 Pro Rechargeable Flashlight at Amazon

Get the OLIGHT Oclip 2 Ultra Rechargeable Flashlight at Amazon

I initially thought $49.99 was quite expensive for a flashlight. But, it’s compact, clips on, is rechargeable, and offers many use cases. So I decided to go with it, and instantly became a fan.

But I also wanted to see if a cheaper, rechargeable clip-on option was just as good. On Amazon I came across the LVFAN Magnetic Clip-on Flashlight for less than $20 and decided to test it alongside the OLIGHT.

Spoiler alert: The OLIGHT offers many noticeable differences.

First, the OLIGHT feels more durable and substantial. The LVFAN is lightweight and gets the job done, but its construction doesn’t feel quite as sturdy.

The magnetic attachment is another difference. The LVFAN has a magnetic strip on the bottom of the flashlight, while the OLIGHT has magnets on both the bottom and the back of the clip. That gives the OLIGHT more flexibility when attaching it to metal surfaces.

The LVFAN also doesn’t offer one of my favorite features of the OLIGHT: the rotating head and clip.

Battery life is another consideration. OLIGHT advertises up to 144 hours of runtime on its lowest setting, compared to up to 30 hours for the LVFAN.

And the OLIGHT also offers considerably more brightness settings and lighting modes. The Ultra adds UV lighting. The LVFAN is much more basic in comparison.

Get the OLIGHT Oclip 2 Pro Rechargeable Flashlight at Amazon

Get the OLIGHT Oclip 2 Ultra Rechargeable Flashlight at Amazon

Get the LVFAN Magnetic Clip-on Flashlight at Amazon

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Personally, my pick is the Oclip 2 Pro. The extra cost is worth it if you’ll use it regularly and appreciate the extra features. The Oclip 2 Ultra is harder to justify for most travelers unless you specifically want the UV light. And the LVFAN Magnetic Clip-on is perfectly adequate if you just want an inexpensive flashlight for occasional use.

The Oclip 2 Pro is one of those items I never thought I needed, but after using it as a reading light in a hotel room and having it available when walking around at night, I can see why it’s worth bringing along.

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