Power outages. Roadside emergencies. Camping trips. Late-night hikes. There are countless situations where a flashlight goes from handy to essential. But who carries a big, bulky flashlight everywhere they go?
Sure, I keep a full-size one in my trunk. But do I remember it’s there when I need it? Rarely. And there’s no chance I’m tossing it in my bag every time I head out for the evening.
Still, I’ve found myself wishing I had a powerful flashlight more times than I can count. Like when a hike runs longer than expected and the sun starts to disappear, when walking through a dimly lit parking garage, or when making the trek back to a cabin after dark. And while an iPhone flashlight is convenient, it’s not exactly built to light up a trail.
That’s where the Olight ArkPro comes in. It delivers serious brightness without the bulk of a traditional flashlight. Its flat, slim design is smaller than a Roku remote, and the built-in clip lets you attach it to a pocket, belt or backpack strap without adding extra bulk.
Olight ArkPro Ultra
A compact EDC flashlight built for indoor and outdoor use.
Take It Anywhere
Measuring just 4.88 x 1.06 x 0.63 inches, the ArkPro Ultra is shorter than five inches and less than half the size of my iPhone. It slips into a front pocket or clips onto one without feeling bulky or digging into your leg every time you sit down.
It’s also a convenient, portable size for a small hiking pack, running vest or everyday sling where space is limited. You can throw it in and forget it until you need it. If you’re planning to use it for extended periods on a camping trip or overnight hike, I’d recommend packing a small portable power bank so you can charge it if needed.
Durability
The flashlight body is made from Olight’s proprietary O-aluminum alloy, which is designed to be tougher and more scratch-resistant than standard aluminum. That means you can toss it into your pocket with your keys or clip it onto your pack without worrying about it getting scratched up with daily use.
It also resists dents and impacts better than traditional aluminum, making it well-suited for camping, hiking and other outdoor activities.
Dual-Way Clip
The sturdy dual-way pocket clip makes carrying the ArkPro Ultra effortless. Clip it to your pocket, belt, backpack strap, running vest or another secure attachment point for hands-free lighting. It stays securely in place without getting in the way.
Rain Ready
With an IPX7 waterproof rating, the ArkPro Ultra is built to handle rain, snow and accidental drops into shallow water. And you can rinse it off after rugged use without a second thought.
Just don’t take it swimming or diving. It’s designed to survive temporary immersion, not deep, prolonged underwater exposure.
Magnetic Base and Dual Charging
The magnetic base does double duty. It lets you stick the flashlight to metal surfaces for hands-free lighting while also serving as the attachment point for the included magnetic USB charger. The charger snaps into place and keeps the flashlight upright while it charges.
Forgot the magnetic charger? No sweat. There’s also a USB-C charging port on the side, so you can recharge it with a car charger, a laptop, a portable battery or a public charging station.
Since it’s rechargeable, you’ll never have to keep spare batteries on hand or make a late-night run to the store when the flashlight dies.
More Than a Flashlight
The ArkPro Ultra lets you scroll easily between floodlight, spotlight, blacklight and green laser. The ring surrounding the main button cycles through the lighting functions, while a long press adjusts brightness levels. There are four brightness settings for the white light modes and two for the UV light and green laser.
Triple-press the center button to activate the strobe mode. The first time I tested it, I got a slight headache, but in an emergency, it seemed bright enough to attract attention or signal for help in an emergency.
The built-in UV light is a feature you won’t find on every high-output everyday carry (EDC) flashlight. It’s useful for spotting leaks, detecting pet stains, finding fluorescent fishing line or reflective trail markers after dark and more.
The Best EDC Flashlight I’ve Tested
The Olight ArkPro Ultra is one of the most powerful and well-designed EDC flashlights I’ve used, especially for its size.
Whether you’re building an emergency kit, trail running at dawn or dusk, hiking after sunset, fishing, working as a home inspector or simply looking to shrink the footprint of your everyday gear, the ArkPro Ultra delivers without adding bulk.
If you spend time outdoors, a quality flashlight is an essential addition to your basic safety gear. A phone flashlight is fine in a pinch, but it can’t match the brightness, beam distance or versatility of a light like this. (For reference, most smartphone flashlights max out at around 40-50 lumens.) Being able to clearly illuminate a trail, read a sign from a distance, or activate a powerful strobe to signal for help can make a real difference.
Clip it to a fishing vest to quickly locate fluorescent fishing line, toss it in your purse or everyday bag for added peace of mind after dark, or stash it in your glove box or center console so it’s always within reach when you need it.
The ArkPro Ultra is an impressive, versatile EDC flashlight, and I’d recommend it for a variety of situations, from outdoor adventures and minor emergencies to jobsites and beyond.
Olight ArkPro Ultra vs. Nitecore EDC37
If you’re shopping for a premium EDC flashlight, you’ve probably come across the Nitecore EDC37. It’s similar to the ArkPro Ultra, but the two are built with different priorities in mind.
The first thing you’ll notice is the size and weight. The ArkPro Ultra is slimmer and significantly lighter, weighing 4.23 ounces compared to the EDC37’s 7.02 ounces. It also has a flatter profile (4.88 x 1.06 x 0.63 inches versus 4.25 x 1.55 x 1.22 inches), making it easier to slip into a pocket or clip onto your gear without feeling bulky.
Both flashlights offer multiple brightness levels and emergency strobe modes, but the ArkPro Ultra adds a couple of features the EDC37 doesn’t: a built-in UV light and green laser. If you regularly hike, fish, inspect equipment or simply appreciate a more versatile tool, those extras may make the decision.
The ArkPro Ultra also has the edge in durability. Its IPX7 waterproof rating means it can survive heavy rain and temporary submersion in water. The Nitecore EDC37 carries an IP54 rating, making it dust resistant and able to handle splashes, but it isn’t designed for immersion.
Battery life is another area where the ArkPro Ultra pulls ahead. In lower brightness modes, it can run roughly twice as long as the EDC37 on a full charge.
However, when it comes to sheer output, the Nitecore produces a shocking 8,000 lumens with a beam that reaches up to 459 yards, compared with the ArkPro Ultra’s 1,700-lumen floodlight and 800-lumen spotlight with a maximum throw of 205 meters (672 feet).
8,000 lumens is searchlight-level brightness. It’s incredibly bright, generates considerably more heat and drains the battery much faster. For most everyday tasks—walking a trail after sunset, navigating a campsite, searching the backyard or dealing with a roadside emergency—I found the ArkPro Ultra’s 1,700 lumens to be more than enough. In fact, I rarely use its highest brightness setting.
Both are priced similarly, so your decision really comes down to whether you value versatility or raw lighting power.
Choose the Olight ArkPro Ultra if you want the lighter, more compact flashlight with longer battery life, waterproof construction and added versatility thanks to its UV light and laser. And go with the Nitecore EDC37 if your top priority is maximum brightness and beam distance, and you’re willing to trade some portability, battery life and extra features to get it.
Where to Buy
Olight ArkPro Ultra
A compact EDC flashlight built for indoor and outdoor use.
You can shop the Olight ArkPro Ultra directly from Olight or on Amazon for $130.
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