Why You Should EDC a Flashlight

5 Reasons to Include a Flashlight in Your Everyday Carry

#1 A Flashlight is Purpose-Built for Illumination

Unlike your cell phone which was primarily designed as a communication device, an EDC flashlight is built expressly for the purpose of providing light. Yes, your cell phone will work in a pinch, but it will never be able to do the job as well as a true flashlight. Why?

First and foremost, the vast majority of EDC flashlights will be much brighter than anything your cell phone can produce. The other thing you’ll notice is that while your cell phone flashlight does okay with reading and anything up close, the floody output isn’t very useful for anything more than a few feet in front of you. EDC flashlights on the other hand use a reflector to throw light over longer distances and add focus to the output. The result is a much more useful beam of light that your eyes will appreciate.

#2 A Flashlight is Easy to Deploy

If you have a smartphone with a flashlight app, go ahead and turn on the app right now. Notice how long this took you. Did you have to unlock your phone? How many swipes to find the app? Not very convenient when you compare it to the ease of turning on a flashlight with 1 single press.

Now imagine you’re walking late at night and hear something behind you. Do you want to be fumbling with your unlock screen in a panic or confidently shining your EDC torch in the direction of the threat?

#3 A Flashlight has a Dedicated Battery

If you’re relying on your cell phone as a flashlight, inevitably you’re going to run into a situation where your phone is low on charge. An EDC flashlight prevents this problem by putting your light source on its own dedicated battery.

And if you frequently use your flashlight throughout the day or are a buy-it-for-lifer, the ability to swap out and charge your batteries is invaluable.

#4 Flashlights Prepare You for Emergencies

If you weren’t already a flashlight EDC enthusiast, this is probably one of the first reasons you think of for even owning a flashlight. From power outages to flat tires, you just never know when you’re going to be caught in the dark, and a flashlight prepares you for it all.

Adopting an “always ready” mindset towards life lends itself naturally to carry a flashlight (or two, or three!) on you at all times. As Reddit user Helion said in this thread about carrying a flashlight, “If there is a 30% chance of rain it makes sense to carry an umbrella. Every day there is a 100% chance of darkness, so I carry a flashlight.”

#5 Some Jobs Require a Flashlight

If you work in the dark, you already know the value of a good flashlight. Law enforcement, construction workers, electricians, first responders, mechanics, security guards — we’re looking at you.

And even if you aren’t what we’d consider a flashlight power user like the mentioned professions above, having a flashlight handy at work is never a bad thing. Think about all the times you’ve had to search for something that fell in a dark crack, or walked to your car in the dark, or just needed a little more light to see better. Remember, it’s about staying prepared and ready.