Olight ION Review: A Small EDC Accessory With A Big Throw Of Light

2026 Update: The original Olight ION reviewed below has been discontinued. Olight’s current keychain flashlight lineup is built around the Olight i1R 2 EOS (~$17.95, 150 max lumens, built-in rechargeable battery), which fills the same “tiny rechargeable keychain light” role. Our original hands-on review of the ION is preserved below for reference, followed by a look at where the category stands today.

Last updated: August 16, 2026 · Originally published September 25, 2017

As the technology has advanced, the quality of EDC accessories has increased and the size has decreased. Here, we are particularly talking about flashlights.

Bulky flashlights have reduced greatly in size and are now available as keychain flashlights. Among notable brands, Olight ranks among top manufacturers of flashlights. And Olight ION is a prominent model among keychain flashlights, and we will throw ‘illuminating light’ on it in detail here. Olight celebrated its one decade in the industry and shared the joy with its consumers. On its 10^th anniversary, Olight released this special edition namely Olight ION.

Size

One of the core factors, that users focus on when buying EDC accessories, is the size of the product and Olight ION comes up to users’ expectations precisely. With dimensions of 2.3 x 1.1 x 0.4 inches, it is an ideal keychain flashlight. Since it is compact, it is easy to keep in your pocket, purse, hold in your hand, or keep on your car’s dashboard.

Weight

It weighs in at just 6.2 ounces, which will not bother its user.

Appearance

It is designed in a rectangular shape, made of titanium alloy frame, covered with gorilla glass on its front and back. There are 2 LED CREE XP-G3 lenses, which emit even more output when on.

Charging

It has a Micro-USB charging port, located on the side. Now most of the cars have USB port for charging, so if you are traveling in your car, it won’t be an issue when the flashlight runs out of charge. One and a half hour is enough to recharge it fully.

• Red indicates charging mode.
• Green indicates ‘completed’.

Lumens

It has the limit of 320 lumens, which means that it can throw enough light to illuminate the area. The user can clearly view and recognize the object or person with such a powerful light. The sudden throw of light into the eyes can distract anyone for a few seconds. It means it can potentially work as tactical flashlight, but do not expect much in this regard.

Brightness Levels

Olight ION has 4 levels of brightness to choose from. Evidently, the highest level will consume battery faster. If you aren’t satisfied with preset levels, you have the option to customize the level. To activate the option, press and hold custom output.

Battery Life

It comes with a built-in LiPo battery. If you use it at its extreme limit of lumens, the battery will last for more or less 27 minutes. If you keep the lumens’ range lower, battery life will keep increasing accordingly. It can last up to 90 hours if lit at 1 lumen. It boils down to the fact that you can control battery life in accordance with your required use. Lumens can be adjusted with a dial on Olight ION.

Power Indicator

Another good thing with Olight ION is its power indicator which lets the user stay aware of the remaining charge, highlighted in different colors;

• Green shows 75%
• Yellow shows 15% to 75%
• Red shows below 15%

Additional Information

• Its operation is very simple.
• For its size, it illuminates a wide area.
• It has a thin glass touch-control panel, which makes it one-of-its-kind on the market.
• Its metal ring on the tail makes it easy to attach to a keychain.
• It neither gets hot nor causes sweat with longer use.
• It has scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass, so it can endure bumps and drops, and Gorilla Glass surely extends its lifespan. If you are a rough user, you will find Olight ION hard to damage.
• Its look-n-feel is very stylish. If you consider giving it as a gift to someone, it will surely delight your gift recipient.

Users’ Response

Among EDC accessories, Olight ION Keychain Flashlight has received positive feedback by its users, especially about its compact size and design. On Amazon, it has already got 4.2 stars on a 5-star scale. In short, Olight ION lives up to what a user with quality in mind can expect from Olight.

Verdict

The main features users consider in EDC accessories are compactness to carry the accessory with ease, and durability to keep it protected against the rough use. Having reviewed Olight ION Keychain Flashlight, we can safely say that it is up to the mark in the light of these features, among many others mentioned above. Olight’s approach to manufacture keychain flashlights with minimalist design and quality material is visible in this special edition. We do recommend it if you intend to buy a keychain flashlight at an affordable price.

Current Alternatives (2026)

The tiny-keychain-light category has moved fast since the original Olight ION launched. Here’s how today’s top options compare:

Light	Price	Max Lumens	Battery	Notes
Olight i1R 2 EOS	$17.95	150	Built-in, Micro-USB	Direct successor to the ION in Olight’s current lineup
Olight i1R 2 Pro	$21.99	180	Built-in, USB-C	Step-up version with USB-C and slightly more output
Nitecore TIP2	$44.95	720	Built-in, USB rechargeable	Dual-core magnetic-base light with far higher output and a 55-hour low mode
Fenix E03R V2.0	$29.95	500	Built-in, USB-C rechargeable	Bigger battery for much longer runtime, still under 1.1 oz
Streamlight Pocket Mate USB	~$25–$44	325	Built-in, USB rechargeable	Lightest of the group (14g) with a hands-free stand/clip design

Worth noting: even Olight’s own current replacement (150 lumens) is outpaced by competitors like the Nitecore TIP2 and Fenix E03R V2 in this size class — the “tiny keychain light” segment has seen serious lumens inflation since the ION’s 320-lumen debut.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Olight ION still available to buy?

No, the original Olight ION has been discontinued. Olight’s current keychain-light lineup is built around the i1R 2 EOS and i1R 2 Pro, which serve the same role.

What is the closest current replacement for the Olight ION?

The Olight i1R 2 EOS ($17.95, 150 lumens) is the closest direct successor by size, price, and role in Olight’s lineup, though it outputs fewer lumens than the original ION’s 320-lumen turbo mode.

Are there brighter alternatives in the same tiny keychain form factor?

Yes — the Nitecore TIP2 (720 lumens) and Fenix E03R V2.0 (500 lumens) both significantly outpace Olight’s current keychain lights in output while remaining similarly pocket-sized.