Emisar DW4 vs Emisar D4K
Quick take: The Emisar D4K throws farther (173m vs 144m); the Emisar D4K runs longer on high (1.5 vs 1 hrs).
Which one to buy
At $40 each, with the same 4500K Nichia 519A quad at 95 CRI, the same 3,500-lumen rating, Anduril 2, aux LEDs and IP67, the shape of the body is what you are buying. The DW4 is the right-angle version for wearing; the D4K is the straight tube for holding and pocketing, with a clip and lockout.
Owners say much the same about both, which makes sense for siblings. DW4 owners in caving, mine exploration and search and rescue call it flawless and light enough for a helmet for hours, and they credit its driver with efficient, regulated runtime. D4K owners praise the configure-everything ordering and the look of the aux LEDs, and strongly recommend its optional boost driver. They also warn that its real-world ceiling sits nearer 2,000 lumens than the rating, and that it is not the light for hours of sustained high output. The same caution applies to any quad this size, the DW4 included, which is rated at 1 hour on turbo.
The shared complaints are the Emisar standards: no USB-C or reverse charging on either, so the cell comes out, plus long lead times from a small made-to-order supplier and Anduril menus that are steep at first. DW4 owners add that it takes unprotected flat-top cells only. On paper the D4K's 21700 gives it more runtime, 1.5 hours on turbo, and a bit more reach at 173 m against 144 m. If you work with your hands or wear a helmet, take the DW4; if the light lives in a pocket, the D4K.
Emisar DW4
For hands-free use on a headband or helmet, where owners in caving and rescue report it as flawless for hours.
Emisar D4K
If it rides in a pocket: the straight-tube version with a clip, a 21700 and the boost-driver option owners recommend.
| Spec | Emisar DW4 | Emisar D4K |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $40 | $40 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Headlamp | EDC |
| Lumens | 3,500 lm | 3,500 lm |
| Candela | 5,200 cd | 7,500 cd |
| Beam distance | 144m | 173m |
| Runtime | 1 hr (turbo) | 1.5 hrs (turbo) |
| Battery | 18650 | 21700 |
| LED | Nichia 519A 4500K | Nichia 519A 4500K |
| Beam type | Flood | Flood |
| Modes | Ramping + Stepped | Ramping + Stepped |
| UI | Anduril 2 | Anduril 2 |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| CRI | 95 | 95 |
| Weight | 3.0 oz (without battery) | 3.5 oz |
| Dimensions | 4.4 x 1.2 in | 4.3 x 1.2 in |
| Warranty | Manufacturer Limited | Manufacturer Limited |
What owners report
Emisar DW4
- ✓Owners in caving, mine exploration and search and rescue call it flawless
- ✓Light enough to wear on a helmet for hours
- ✓Boost driver gives good efficiency and regulated runtime
- ✓Choice of optics and emitters, as with every Emisar
- ✓CNC-machined aluminium with trapezoid threads and factory lubrication
- ✗No USB-C charging or reverse charging — the cell comes out
- ✗Takes unprotected flat-top 21700s only
- ✗Protected and button-top cells won't fit at all
- ✗Ordering goes through a small-batch supplier with long lead times
- ✗Anduril's configuration menus are steep for a first enthusiast light
Emisar D4K
- ✓Configure everything: materials, emitters, driver, switch and accessories
- ✓Optional boost driver gives higher and better-regulated output
- ✓Auxiliary LEDs that owners single out for how good they look
- ✓Geometry works well for hands-free and helmet-mounted use
- ✓Light enough to wear on a helmet for hours
- ✗No USB-C charging and no reverse charging — the cell comes out
- ✗Rated 3,800 lumens with a real-world ceiling nearer 2,000
- ✗Not the right light for hours of sustained high output
- ✗Specifying a configuration is daunting if you don't know what you want
- ✗Ordering goes through a small-batch supplier with long lead times
Emisar DW4 vs Emisar D4K: common questions
Does either light have USB-C charging?▾
Owners of both report no USB-C or reverse charging, so the cell comes out to charge. Budget for an external charger with either.
Will the 3,500-lumen rating hold on either light?▾
D4K owners say the real-world ceiling is nearer 2,000 lumens and it is not built for hours at high output. DW4 owners praise its regulated runtime, but it is rated at only 1 hour on turbo.
Which runs longer, the DW4 or the D4K?▾
The D4K is rated at 1.5 hours on turbo against 1 hour for the DW4. For long nights on one cell, the D4K has the edge.