Most bad flashlight buys start the same way. Someone chases a screenshot-level lumen number, then realizes a week later the light is too bulky for pocket carry and too awkward to use one-handed.
I think format and controls matter first. If a light disappears in your pocket and stays easy to charge, you will actually carry it. That is worth more than a mode you touch for ten seconds.
If you want practical options that are live right now, start in our EDC collection. The Nitecore EDC31 stays one of the best carry-to-output balances, and the Nitecore TINI 3 is still hard to beat when small size matters most.
Opinionated bottom line: buy for repeat carry, not first-impression brightness. If you want help choosing between two models, email contact@gadgetconnections.com.