SureFire flashlights: pick by output, runtime and size
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Quick answer
SureFire's everyday handheld lights run on 123A batteries and are rated IPX7. The EDCL2-T is the bright one, listing 1,200 lumens for 1 hour on two 123A cells, or 5 lumens for 60 hours. The smaller EDCL1-T lists 500 lumens on one cell. The G2X Pro lists 600 lumens for 1.5 hours and a 15 lumen low for 52 hours, with a click switch for constant on. SureFire says its products are designed and built in the USA.
Three SureFire handhelds compared
| Spec | EDCL2-T | EDCL1-T | G2X Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| High output / runtime | 1,200 lm / 1 h | 500 lm / 1 h | 600 lm / 1.5 h |
| Low output / runtime | 5 lm / 60 h | 5 lm / 45 h | 15 lm / 52 h |
| Peak beam | 11,300 cd, 210 m | 7,600 cd, 175 m | 8,700 cd, 187 m |
| Batteries | Two 123A (included) | One 123A (included) | Two 123A (included) |
| Switch | Dual-stage tailcap | Dual-stage tailcap | Click tailcap |
| Length / weight | 5.84 in / 4.1 oz | 4.5 in / 3.3 oz | 5.2 in / 4.4 oz |
| Body | Anodized aluminum | Anodized aluminum | Polymer, aluminum bezel |
| Water rating | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 |
All figures are SureFire's own specifications.
How the switches work
- EDCL2-T and EDCL1-T: SureFire says a full press of the tailcap gives high, a slight press gives low, and a twist locks it on.
- G2X Pro: a momentary press or a full click starts the low-to-high sequence, so it stays on without holding the button.
- Which suits whom: a click switch keeps the light on without holding the button; the press switch gives light only while pressed unless you twist the tailcap.
Runtime: the low mode matters in an outage
- High is short: each light lists about an hour or 1.5 hours on high.
- Low is long: the EDCL2-T lists 60 hours at 5 lumens and the G2X Pro 52 hours at 15 lumens, so the low setting is the one to use through a long outage.
- Brightness vs size: the EDCL2-T's 1,200 lumens is 2.4 times the EDCL1-T's 500, at the cost of a second battery and 1.34 inches of length.
- For lighting a room, a lantern spreads light better; see our camping lantern guide.
Battery math for a three-night outage
A worked example using SureFire's runtimes, assuming 4 hours of use a night:
- All on low: 3 nights x 4 hours = 12 hours, well inside the EDCL2-T's 60 hour and the G2X Pro's 52 hour low ratings on one set of batteries.
- All on high: the same 12 hours would take about 12 battery sets in the EDCL2-T at 1 hour per set, or 24 cells.
- Mixed use: a few minutes of high for searching and the rest on low can stretch one set across the outage.
- Spares: SureFire sells 123A cells in packs of 12, enough for six refills of a two-cell light.
These are plain arithmetic from rated runtimes; cold weather and battery age shorten real runtimes.
Reach: candela and distance
- Candela measures how intense the center of the beam is; SureFire lists 11,300 for the EDCL2-T, 8,700 for the G2X Pro and 7,600 for the EDCL1-T.
- Distance follows: 210, 187 and 175 meters respectively.
- Lumens vs reach: the G2X Pro has fewer lumens than the EDCL2-T but its 1.25 inch bezel is wider than the EDC lights' 1.125 inch.
123A batteries and rechargeable options
- Long shelf life: SureFire includes 123A batteries and lists a 10-year shelf life for them, useful for a kit that sits unused.
- Spares: two-cell lights need pairs; keep a sealed pack with the light. See our CR123A batteries guide.
- Rechargeable: SureFire sells SFLFP123 lithium iron phosphate rechargeable 123A cells and a charger separately.
- Built-in battery option: SureFire's Stiletto Pro II uses an integrated USB-C lithium polymer battery and lists 1,500 lumens, but we did not find it on Amazon in October 2026.
Build and care
- Bodies: the EDC lights use Mil-Spec hard anodized aluminum with knurling and a two-way pocket clip; the G2X Pro pairs a polymer body with an anodized aluminum bezel and O-ring seals.
- Water: all three list IPX7.
- Heads: SureFire warns that its illumination tool heads are non-removable, so do not try to unscrew them.
- Storage: keep batteries out of lights stored for long periods if your manual recommends it, and check them every few months.
For other brands, see our tactical flashlight and flashlights guides.
What to look for when you buy
Brightest: SureFire EDCL2-T
Best for: A bright everyday light with a long low mode
SureFire lists 1,200 lumens for 1 hour, 5 lumens for 60 hours, 11,300 candela, two included 123A batteries, a dual-stage tailcap, IPX7, 5.84 in and 4.1 oz.
Watch out: Uses two 123A cells; high mode lasts about an hour.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Smallest: SureFire EDCL1-T
Best for: Pocket carry and small kits
SureFire lists 500 lumens for 1 hour, 5 lumens for 45 hours, one 123A battery, 4.5 in, 3.3 oz and IPX7.
Watch out: Less reach than the EDCL2-T: 175 m vs 210 m.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Click switch for chores: SureFire G2X Pro
Best for: Outages and household tasks where the light stays on
SureFire lists 600 lumens for 1.5 hours, 15 lumens for 52 hours, a click tailcap, a polymer body with an aluminum bezel, IPX7 and 4.4 oz.
Watch out: Polymer body; available in several colors, so check the listing.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- Are SureFire flashlights made in the USA?
- SureFire says its products are designed and built in the USA.
- Are SureFire flashlights waterproof?
- The EDCL2-T, EDCL1-T and G2X Pro are all rated IPX7.
- How many lumens is a SureFire flashlight?
- It varies: 500 for the EDCL1-T, 600 for the G2X Pro and 1,200 for the EDCL2-T.
- What batteries do SureFire flashlights use?
- These three use 123A cells; SureFire also sells rechargeable SFLFP123 cells.
Sources
- EDCL2-T, SureFire
- EDCL1-T, SureFire
- G2X Pro, SureFire
- Stiletto Pro II, SureFire