AllOutdoor Review – Olight Baton Ultra EDC Flashlight

By Wes Littlefield •

Not too long ago, I thought I could get by with my iPhone flashlight, then I discovered the world of EDC flashlights. I don’t want to haul around a bulky flashlight, but I still need a bright light for late-evening and nighttime yard work, to keep on the nightstand, or for when I forget my hunting headlamp. The Olight Baton Ultra quickly earned its place as one of my regular EDC flashlights because it’s compact, bright, and easy to operate. However, it has one strange issue I’m still struggling with; keep reading my Olight Baton Ultra review to learn what it is. 

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Specifications: Olight Baton Ultra

  • Lumens: 1,800 Lumens
  • Beam Distance: 984 Feet (300 Meters)
  • Weight: 4.06 oz (115 g)
  • Dimensions: 4.45”x0.9”
  • Waterproof Rating: IPX8 
  • Body Material: OAL (O-Aluminum)
  • Battery: 3,500 mAh 3.6V 18650 Rechargeable
  • Olight’s First Self-Developed LED EIP 1: With a non-uniform electrode LED design, EIP 1 delivers a real balance of brightness and reach. With an ultra-low Duv of < 0.006 across all modes, it produces a crystal-clear, pure white beam similar to natural light.
  • Olight’s Superalloy OAL: Crafted from Olight’s proprietary O-aluminum, the Baton Ultra offers superior strength and scratch resistance, built for daily wear and outdoor demands.
  • Bright Beyond Its Size: The Baton Ultra delivers a remarkable 1,800-lumen output and a 300-meter throw in a compact body measuring just 113mm and weighing 115g.
  • Dual Switches for Instant Control: The side switch offers five brightness levels, while the textured tail switch provides quick access to High and Turbo modes with momentary and constant-on control.
  • Dual Charging Convenience: MCC magnetic charging makes home charging effortless, while the USB-C port delivers fast, universal charging anywhere.
  • Made to Move: Perfectly sized for your hand and easy to pocket, it goes wherever you go.
  • Secure Anti-Slip Grip: The new knurling pattern, combining both shallow grooves and deep indentations, offers a secure grip and a premium tactile feel.
  • Hidden USB-C Charging Port: The finely textured tailcap ring rotates smoothly to reveal or conceal the USB-C port and settles neatly into place at either end.
  • Color: Olive Green
  • MSRP: $99.99

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Durable
  • Easy to operate
  • Fits in a pocket and in the hand well
  • Various brightness levels
  • Secure grip
  • Multiple ways to charge
  • Magnetic bottom

Cons

  • Difficult to differentiate from the cheaper Baton 4 Pro model
  • Light gets HOT on brightest setting
  • A bit bulky in my pocket
  • A tad pricey for my taste

First Impressions

When I first took the Baton Ultra out of the package, it was (and still is) challenging to tell the difference between it and the Baton 4 Pro, which I also recieved. On the website, the Baton Ultra is only available in Olive Green, and that’s how I initially told the two flashlights apart. They also have some other subtle differences that make the Baton 4 less expensive, but that’s for another article. 

The flashlight feels great in my hand or pocket, though I think I prefer a flatter profile over a round one. I love the simplicity and user-friendliness of the two on/off switches, plus the battery and brightness-level display. Lastly, the clip secures it to anything you can slide it over. 

Field Performance

It might be a little thing, but what stood out the most to me was the magnetic bottom. I love this feature because the magnet is strong enough to hold the flashlight. So, if you’re working under the hood or near metal, you can always keep the Baton Ultra handy. You might not even need a shaky-handed light holder if you angle it right. The clip can also hold it at certain angles, but I haven’t seen many other flashlights with a magnetic bottom like this one. It also doubles as one of the two charging ports. The other charging port is a USB-C port revealed by twisting the flashlight’s tailcap. Both charge the flashlight quickly, but I was a little frustrated that it didn’t include a USB-C cable, only the MCC3 cable (magnetic charger). 

The Baton Ultra has three brightness levels that are simple to switch between using the side button. I found the lowest setting great for walking through the woods or house at night, while the brightest is excellent for open fields or lighting up a room when needed. The middle level is a happy medium, so the battery lasts much longer than the brightest setting without sacrificing too much brightness. I’ve found the battery-runtime estimates pretty accurate, though I haven’t sat with a timer to confirm exactly how accurate they are. 

Another feature I like is the button on the bottom. It instantly switches between the brightest and off, no matter what it was on previously. Hold the side button to cycle through the other two levels. The front of the flashlight gets hot when on the highest setting. I can feel the heat from 4-6 inches away when I point it at my hand. 

Where the Olight Baton Ultra Can Improve

The Olight Baton Ultra is a solid EDC flashlight. It’s not heavy, but it definitely doesn’t feel cheap. One of my biggest frustrations is that it’s hard to distinguish between the Baton Ultra and the Baton 4 Pro. They also feel very similar, and if I’m going to pay extra for a flashlight, I want the reasons to be clear and obvious. Give me some more color options and clearly better features. 

I’m also not a fan of round EDC flashlights. They feel bulky in my pocket, whereas a flatter-profile EDC flashlight fits better. This is ultimately personal preference and by no means a deal breaker because it’s great to keep in a drawer or on my nightstand when something goes bump in the night. 

The last area for improvement is keeping the light cool on the brightest setting. It can get dangerously hot if you’re not careful. I definitely wouldn’t recommend using the flashlight on the brightest setting for more than 30 minutes, let alone the 3+ hours Olight claims it will run for on High. 

Final Thoughts: Olight Baton Ultra Review

While the Olight Baton Ultra is a great EDC flashlight, it didn’t beat the Olight ArkPro Ultra as my primary EDC light. For just a little more, the ArkPro offers several more features that make it a much better light. However, if you want a simple but powerful compact flashlight, the Baton Ultra might be for you. I still keep it on my nightstand because it’s so easy to use, even when I’m a bit foggy-headed from waking up in a rush to check out a late-night bump or the dogs barking.

The post AllOutdoor Review – Olight Baton Ultra EDC Flashlight appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.

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