Wuben is known for making durable flashlights with some serious output, and the Wuben T1 Tactical Flashlight is no exception. The Wuben T1 Tactical Flashlight is a well-built flashlight with a serious output of 2000 Lumens giving you the tactical edge.
I was very excited to get my hands on the Wuben T1, as it’s listed on their site as the “Best Tactical Flashlight”. From what I’ve read online from others, it looked to be a very good flashlight.
But is it the “best tactical flashlight” as it’s called on Wuben Lights’ website?
As a full disclosure, Wuben Lights did provide the T1 Tactical Flashlight for this review. That being said, I’m still going to give my honest opinion on this flashlight and whether or not I believe it’s the best tactical flashlight.
Specs
- Max Runtime: 100 hrs
- Max Output: 2000 lumens
- Beam Throw: 498m (544yds)
- Candela: 62013 cd
- Charger: Built-in USB-C
- Length: 7.7 inches
- Weight: 15.8 oz (450g)
- Waterproof: IP68
- LED: LUMINUS SST40
- Tactical Strobe
- SOS Function
- Outdoor Mode: Eco/Low/Med/High
- Nylon Belt Holster not included
- USB C cable included
- Battery: 18650 lithium-ion 3100mAh (included)
Pros
- Very well-built
- Affordable price
- High lumens
- Decent throw
- Intense candela
- Strobe/SOS shortcut
- USB-C charger
Cons
- No AR-15 mount accessories
- Lanyard is no good
- Doesn’t include holster
Cost
At the time of this article, the Wuben T1 Best Tactical Flashlight costs around $99 USD.
Check WUBEN LIGHT for the latest pricing!
As far as tactical flashlights go, this is a reasonable price, especially with an output of 2000 Lumens.
Beam Shot Comparison
Performance
The Wuben T1 Tactical Flashlight performs incredibly well. When using a tactical flashlight, you want to be able to go in Turbo Mode immediately, while also being able to use Strobe right away if needed.
The Turbo Mode is very bright with an output of 2000 Lumens at 62013cd and a throw of 498 meters. With tactical flashlights, you don’t really need anything further than 500 meters of throw.
One of the most important things with tactical flashlights is the candela intensity. Candela is taking the lumen output and focusing it to an intense beam.
For example, a flashlight with 2000 Lumens but less than 10,000 candela would still be very bright, but the intensity wouldn’t be much. On the other hand, a flashlight with only 1000 Lumens but greater than 60,000 candela would be extremely intense and could easily disorientate whoever was looking into that light.
I tested this on myself (not recommended!) and even though it was on Turbo for a split-second, everywhere I looked for a minute was a blank dot. Even shortly after, there was a yellow hew to whatever I looked at. So yes, the Wuben T1 Tactical Flashlight is very effective.
Modes
The T1 Tactical Flashlight has 2 modes, Tactical Mode and Outdoor Mode, as well as a Strobe and SOS function which can be used regardless of what Mode you’re in.
In order to switch between modes, you have to press in the toggle switch 5 times and then click the toggle switch once. The flashlight will blink 3 times to indicate a change in modes.
Tactical Mode
The tactical mode only has 2 output levels which are Low and High.
Regardless of what level the T1 flashlight is set to when it’s turned off, it will always turn on at High in the Tactical Mode.
Strobe
Strobe is engaged by pushing and holding the toggle switch to either side.
If you hold the toggle switch over for a few seconds, it will lock in Strobe Mode. Simply press the toggle switch once to disengage the strobe.
Outdoor Mode
In Outdoor mode, the T1 has an output level of Eco, Low, Med, and High.
It also remembers what output you were on when you turned the T1 off, and will stay in that output level when it’s turned back on.
SOS
Instead of pushing and holding the toggle switch over for Strobe, quickly push the toggle switch over twice, and the T1 will immediately go into SOS Mode.
At this point you can let go of the T1 and it will continue in SOS Mode, until disengaged by pressing the toggle switch, or the batteries deplete.
The Functions and Modes with the Wuben T1 Tactical Flashlight are actually one of the best I’ve seen. In Tactical Mode, you want to be able to engage the Turbo Mode as soon as you turn the light on. But also have Low setting for when looking at a map or compass.
The Outdoor Mode is great as you have every light setting available, and it also has a memory for whichever light setting you were in last.
The other great thing is that Strobe and SOS Functions are accessible in both Tactical and Outdoor Mode.
Build Quality
The T1 Tactical Flashlight feels solid in my hands. When I saw that is was coming from China, I was a bit nervous as to how well it would be built and perform, but it’s been working great so far.
Apparently China is where mostly all high-end flashlights in the world are made. If Canada is where you go for the best maple syrup, then China is where to go for your high-end flashlights.
- Solid body with no unfinished edges
- Well-machined all around
- Etching is high-def
- Threading is smooth
- Very nice in the hands
- Heavy-gauge clip
Lens & Optics
The Wuben T1 uses a LUMINUS SST40 LED with a smooth reflector.
A smooth reflector allows for a tighter beam, which is what you want with a tactical flashlight.
The LUMINUS SST40 LED gives an output of 2000 Lumens on High, with a throw of up to 498 meters! The light spill isn’t very much either, at maybe 35 degrees of either side of the center beam without being precise.
Head
The head has a nice bevel around the edge for self defense purposes. It could probably be used to smash a window in an emergency as well.
Body
The body of the T1 feels solid in the hands. No cheap materials here.
The cooling fins near the head of the T1 has a nice look it. And all the edging and small lines allow for added grip, oppose to just having a smooth surface.
The rubberized shoulder is a nice addition too.
When I hold the T1 in my hand, I’ll have that rubber piece between my middle and index finger. This prevents the T1 from slipping or falling from the hand quite well. And my thumb is positioned properly on the tail switch.
Tail Cap
The tail cap on the T1 Tactical Flashlight is unique as it can both be pressed in and pushed to either side. I’m personally not the biggest fan of this design. The switch is very large and metallic, where I prefer a rubberized texture. This is just preference though.
The main problem I have with the tail cap, and Wuben in general, is that they don’t have the option to replace the tail cap with a Pressure Switch.
If you wanted to mount the T1 Tactical Flashlight on your firearm, not only would you have to buy a mount from another source (because Wuben doesn’t sell Picatinny or M-LOK flashlight mounts) but you would also have to press the tail switch itself to activate the light because there is no way to affix a Pressure Switch to the T1 Tactical Flashlight.
I even tried taking my NiteCore Remote Switch and plug the USB-C connector to the side of the Wuben T1, but it didn’t work.
For this reason alone, the Wuben T1 Tactical Flashlight is not the best tactical flashlight. Although it may have incredible performance and is well-built, to be deemed the best tactical flashlight, you need to have the ability to mount it on a firearm and activate it with a Pressure Switch of some kind.
If Wuben released a flashlight mount for both Picatinny Rails and M-LOK, as well as a Pressure Switch to swap out with the tail cap, then yes, the Wuben T1 could be arguably the best tactical flashlight.
Battery
The Wuben T1 includes a 3100mAh 18650 3.7V rechargeable Li-ion battery with protection circuit board. I have no complaints with the duration of the battery life.
I’ve gone weeks without using the T1 and when I turn it on again, there is plenty of battery life remaining.
Type-C Fast Charging
The T1 uses a USB-C charging cable, which is excellent for durability. This is really the standard now for high-end flashlights.
The charging port is hidden and protected by a twist cap. This is meant to protect the charging port when not in use from dust and water. When tightening, it threads very smoothly and then snugs up when it contacts the gasket.
This twist cap isn’t able to be removed completely from the flashlight though. So if anything happens to that gasket, you wont be able to replace it.
Charge Level Indicator
As soon as you turn on the T1, the battery life indicator will illuminate to tell you approximately how much battery power is remaining.
- Solid Blue: 90-100%
- Dim Blue: 40-90%
- Solid Red: 15-40%
- Dim Red: 0-15%
Accessories
The T1 Tactical Flashlight comes with a lanyard, but unfortunately it doesn’t fit through the hole on the tail cap. There is a tiny ring on the lanyard to attach, but this is just a cheap fix.
As mentioned early, Wuben should come out with a way to attach the T1 Tactical Flashlight to a firearm, and also have the ability to install a Pressure Switch.
Since the T1 is not compatible to be mounted on a rifle, I’m surprised the T1 Tactical Flashlight doesn’t come with a holster of some sort. I’ve received flashlights from NiteCore and Fenix, and both included a holster.
There is a holster on their website for sale separately, but it’s not made for the T1.
Wuben T1 Review Conclusion
The Good
The Wuben T1 Tactical Flashlight is an overall good quality and reliable tactical flashlight, but it’s not the best as described on Wuben’s website.
The Tactical Mode and Outdoor Mode are excellent, and having the ability to use Strobe and SOS is a must. I’m impressed with the quality of the T1, and the output of 2000 Lumens is very powerful.
What To Improve
In my opinion, the Wuben T1 Tactical Flashlight cannot be regarded as the best tactical flashlight until Wuben releases a rifle mount accessory for Picatinny and/or M-LOK rails as well as a Pressure Switch to swap with the tail cap.
Also, include a holster of some kind with the flashlight with MOLLE webbing attachments. This would be a great addition and make it more appealing to purchase. Especially if you’re spending around the $100 – $150 range.
Thanks for reading this review of the Wuben T1 “Self-Acclaimed” Best Tactical Flashlight. I hope it’s been helpful and informative for you before making a purchase on a good-quality tactical flashlight.