Fenix E35R vs Fenix HM50R V2.0
Quick take: The Fenix HM50R V2.0 costs $20 less; the Fenix E35R is brighter (3,100 vs 700 lm); the Fenix E35R throws farther (253m vs 115m); the Fenix HM50R V2.0 runs longer on high (3 vs 2 hrs).
Which one to buy
A handheld you point and a headlamp you wear rarely compete for the same job, so the first question is whether your hands need to be free. The HM50R V2.0 is $20 cheaper, weighs 1.5 oz, and runs a 16340 that a CR123A can replace in an emergency. The E35R is a 21700 pocket light rated at 3,100 lumens and 253 m, more than four times the headlamp's 700 lumens and twice its 115 m reach. Both are Fenix, both IP68, both charge over USB-C and both carry a lifetime warranty.
HM50R owners recommend it for walks and jogging because it is light and stays put through sudden movement. The single button works through medium to heavy gloves, there is a lockout for storage, and the reflective strap is easy to find in a dark tent. Their complaints are about comfort and heat: the rubber strip inside the strap gets sweaty on hard efforts, the body gets hot on higher settings, the tilt is stiff to adjust on the move, and the small cell limits runtime on high. Owners also describe a minimal feature set with no red mode or secondary emitter, which matters if you want red light around camp.
E35R owners praise its fit and finish and its precise, uniform TIR beam, and call it a sleek EDC rather than a tactical light. They dislike the lack of shortcuts to eco or turbo, a magnet strong enough to collect keys, and a slippery body without the clip. If you run, hike or work with your hands after dark, the HM50R V2.0 is the right tool. For a light in your pocket that reaches across a field, the E35R is the one.
Fenix E35R
For a pocketable handheld with 3,100 lumens and 253 m of reach on a 21700, if a strong magnet and mode cycling are fine.
Fenix HM50R V2.0
Best for running, walking and hands-free camp chores, with a glove-friendly button and a cell that takes a CR123A in a pinch.
| Spec | Fenix E35R | Fenix HM50R V2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 | $60 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | EDC | Headlamp |
| Lumens | 3,100 lm | 700 lm |
| Candela | 16,000 cd | 3,300 cd |
| Beam distance | 253m | 115m |
| Runtime | 2 hrs (high) | 3 hrs (high) |
| Battery | 21700 | CR123A |
| LED | Luminus SST70 | XP-G3 S4 6500K |
| Beam type | Balanced | Flood |
| Modes | 5 Stepped | 4 Stepped |
| UI | Simple | Simple |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| CRI | 70 | 70 |
| Weight | 3.5 oz | 1.5 oz |
| Dimensions | 4.8 x 1.1 in | 1.8 x 1.0 in |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime |
What owners report
Fenix E35R
- ✓3,100 lumens and 246 m of throw from a genuinely pocketable body
- ✓TIR lens gives a precise, uniform beam
- ✓Top-notch fit and finish with even weight distribution
- ✓Built-in USB-C charging on the current version
- ✓Strobe available for self-defence use
- ✗No shortcuts to eco or turbo — you have to cycle through modes
- ✗The magnet is strong enough to collect keys and other metal
- ✗Slippery in the hand without the pocket clip
- ✗No holster included
- ✗Not a tactical light despite the output
Fenix HM50R V2.0
- ✓Very light and stable — stays put through sudden movement
- ✓Single-button interface that works through medium to heavy gloves
- ✓Reflective strap makes it findable in a dark tent
- ✓Lockout prevents battery drain in storage
- ✓Spare cells available from Fenix, useful for backcountry trips
- ✗The rubber grip strip inside the strap gets sweaty during hard effort
- ✗The body gets hot on higher settings
- ✗The tilt mechanism needs more force than most and isn't easy to adjust on the move
- ✗16340 capacity limits runtime at high output
- ✗Minimal feature set — no red mode or secondary emitter
Fenix E35R vs Fenix HM50R V2.0: common questions
Does the HM50R V2.0 have a red light?▾
Owners say no: it has a minimal feature set with no red mode or secondary emitter. If red light for camp matters, look elsewhere, since the E35R has no red mode either.
Is the HM50R V2.0 good for running?▾
Owners recommend it for jogging and short walks because it is light and stays in place through sudden movement. On harder efforts, they say the inner rubber strip gets sweaty and the body warms up on high.
Can the E35R be used hands-free?▾
Its magnetic tail lets it stick to metal and shine at your work. Owners warn the magnet is strong enough to pick up keys in a pocket, and it is not a substitute for a headlamp on the move.