# Nitecore EDC33 Review: Small Flashlight with Powerful Beam and Lumen Shield
When I initially perused the specifications of the Nitecore EDC33, I had to take a moment to check myself. Did I need to get my eyes checked? I read them again: 4,000 lumens, an impressive 31-hour runtime at 70 lumens, a length of 4.55 inches, and a weight of just 4.48 ounces. “Wow, I need to get my hands on this thing,” I thought.
Now, a week later, this compact powerhouse still impresses me. Its small size, combined with its outstanding power and user-friendly interface, makes it appear to be one of the best flashlights on the market.
But how does it fare in performance? I set out to find the answer. After a few days of testing, I believe there’s a lot to love about this flashlight. Its position among its rivals is a bit ambiguous, and its bold claims are challenging to verify. Nevertheless, it’s definitely an excellent little flashlight.
In summary, the [Nitecore EDC33](https://go.skimresources.com?id=66154X1501138&xs=1&xcust=gjpr&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nitecorestore.com%2FEDC33-Rechargeable-Flashlight-p%2Ffl-nite-edc33.htm) is a very bright and compact flashlight. It features a straightforward user interface, with five power levels and a blinding “Lumen Shield” mode that combines a spotlight with a broad floodlight. Designed for self-defense, the Lumen Shield also enables users to illuminate a large area distinctly, which could be useful in situations beyond self-defense. The EDC33 stands out as an exceptional flashlight at a very reasonable price of approximately $70.
## Nitecore EDC33 Review
I’ve only had the EDC33 for a week, but in my brief testing, this small light has greatly impressed me, especially given its price range.
The Nitecore EDC33 is a small flashlight, measuring just 4.55 inches long. This makes it small enough to clip into your front pocket with the included deep-carry pocket clip. In this configuration, it’s only slightly bulkier than a typical everyday carry (EDC) pocket knife. It easily fits in the knife pocket of my LIVSN pants that I wear almost every day.
Being an EDC flashlight, the EDC33 has several advantages. However, its small size comes with a significant compromise: the battery is built-in and not replaceable or interchangeable. While this may be a deal-breaker for some flashlight enthusiasts, I find it to be a compromise worth accepting for a few reasons. Primarily, the built-in battery provides excellent waterproofing, durability, and heat dispersion.
Besides this potential downside, the EDC33 is simply outstanding. I used it during cold nights in the wintery mountains around Breckenridge, Colo. On some brisk evenings, I ventured outside to stargaze and play with a few flashlights. The EDC33 impressed me with its straightforward user interface.
## Rapid Lock, Lumen Shield
First, it features a “Rapid Lock” system, which is essentially a small switch that locks the flashlight off. If you flip the switch to “lock,” the light won’t turn on in your pocket or pack, preventing battery waste.
It’s a clever locking system that also allows you to configure the light to use momentary-on, even with the light “locked” off. This could be useful for security guards or others who need instant access to light while still ensuring that the light doesn’t turn on fully.
Once unlocked, you can fully press the tail switch to turn the light on or off. A half-press will cycle through the power settings.
At any time, even with the lock function on if enabled, half-pressing and holding the tail switch will activate the spotlight, with a remarkable 450m range at 1,700 lumens. Holding the full press will activate the “Lumen Shield” mode. This mode delivers an intense 4,000-lumen floodlight that is particularly useful for self-defense and lighting up a large area. The Lumen Shield setting is essentially a floodlight with a lower range than the spotlight mode but is still stunning.
The flashlight is not meant for long runtimes in the Lumen Shield and spotlight modes, and it heats up rapidly. However, this is acceptable as the lighting modes should serve their purpose within a few seconds, after which the standard high beam with 1,200 lumens and a runtime of 2 hours and 31 minutes should suffice.
Using the flashlight outdoors at night, I found that even the high setting was brighter than I would typically want for proximity lighting. The 70-lumen “low” setting with a 31-hour runtime is how I would use this light most of the time for outdoor lighting around campsites or while hiking through the woods.
## Nitecore EDC33 Versus the Competition
The flashlight that I trust more than any other is the [Fenix PD36R Pro](https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&mi=19961&pw=7185&ctc=gjbgtechgeneralflashlights|xid:fr1696018635063hjf|xid:fr1703017157346gjd&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fenixlighting.com%2Fproducts%2Ffenix-pd36r-pro-rechargeable-flashlight). Having used this light for over a year in various circumstances, it has proven to be the ideal flashlight for most outdoor uses. However, the PD36R Pro has one major drawback: it costs about $120. Could the Nitecore EDC33, at just $70, offer similar performance in a much smaller package?
I compared the two lights during a walk around my neighborhood park to test them side by side. In identical circumstances, the Nitecore EDC33 seemed to slightly outshine the Fenix PD36R in terms of absolute brightness, but only just. Nitecore claims much higher lumens and range than Fenix, so I believe the Nitecore numbers could be slightly inflated.
I couldn’t corroborate Nitecore’s claim of a 490m throw. It certainly provides bright illumination at around 250 yards, and I observed illumination on trees that I estimated at 325 yards. However, I didn’t have a large dark space to verify during my short test. I’ll update this review once I do.
Comparing these two lights was interesting, as they both boast excellent, albeit different, user interfaces. Although slightly larger, I believe I slightly prefer the Fenix PD36R over the Nitecore EDC33. However, given the price difference of at least $50, Nitecore presents a very strong case!
The main point is that the Nitecore EDC33 performs exceptionally well compared to the best EDC flashlights available. It does so at a very reasonable price.
## Is the Nitecore EDC33 Really That Good?
The Nitecore EDC33 reminds me of the “Noisy Cricket” from *Men In Black*. It’s small and light, but when you press the button, you’re dazzled by a beam of light. Whether you need that much light is a different question, but for me, it’s a resounding yes!
The ability to light up a large space at night is something few flashlights of this size can achieve. By swapping the often-annoying strobe feature for an incredibly bright floodlight, Nitecore has provided a self-defense tool and a searchlight. To me, that’s a great trade.
Additionally, the Nitecore EDC33 features a good user interface, is waterproof to a depth of 2 meters with an IP68 rating, and is impact-rated to 2 meters. It also ticks numerous must-haves for me: long runtime on lower settings, USB-C rechargeable battery, and the ability to tail stand.
In conclusion, while this review is concise, I’ll return to expand on it with more testing once I’ve had the light for longer. In the short term, I’d say this is one of the most compelling new flashlights to emerge in 2023. For those in the market for a good EDC light, the $70 price tag makes this one a no-brainer. Purchase one and be dazzled! Alternatively, check out our guide to the Best Flashlights for more thoroughly vetted options.
