Sofirn IF22A vs Sofirn HS20
Quick take: The Sofirn HS20 costs $1 less; the Sofirn HS20 is brighter (2,700 vs 2,100 lm); the Sofirn IF22A throws farther (697m vs 161m); the Sofirn HS20 runs longer on high (2.5 vs 1.5 hrs).
| Spec | Sofirn IF22A | Sofirn HS20 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $34 | $33 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Thrower | Headlamp |
| Lumens | 2,100 lm | 2,700 lm |
| Candela | 72,000 cd | 6,500 cd |
| Beam distance | 697m | 161m |
| Runtime | 1.5 hrs (high) | 2.5 hrs (high) |
| Battery | 21700 | 18650 |
| LED | SFT-40 6500K | dual source: XHP50.2 or SFT40 6500K spot + TN-3535 flood |
| Beam type | Throw | Flood |
| Modes | Ramping + Stepped | 4 Stepped |
| UI | Sofirn stepped + stepless dimming UI | Simple |
| IP rating | IPX8 | IPX8 |
| CRI | 70 | 90 |
| Weight | 5.5 oz | 2.0 oz |
| Dimensions | 5.2 x 1.6 in | 4.0 x 1.0 in |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year |
What owners report
Sofirn IF22A
- ✓Around 300 m of usable identification range from a pocketable body
- ✓Excellent interface — moon and turbo shortcuts, lockout, momentary moon from lockout
- ✓SFT-40 behind a TIR gives a clean pencil beam with little wasted spill
- ✓Doubles as a power bank
- ✓Performance per pound is the best in the catalog at this reach
- ✗Runs hot — around 70°C — despite the stated thermal regulation
- ✗Output oscillates during turbo and high rather than settling cleanly
- ✗Some early units over-charged their cells; check voltage after the first charge
- ✗Fussy about cells: unprotected flat-top 21700 or protected button-top 18650
- ✗Cool, low-CRI SFT-40, which is the trade for the throw
Sofirn HS20
- ✓Independent flood and spot emitters, each with its own dedicated button
- ✓USB-C with PD support, and it runs while charging at reduced output
- ✓High CRI available on the flood channel
- ✓Around $40 for output and runtime well beyond that price
- ✓Long runtime from the 21700, extendable indefinitely from a power bank
- ✗Heavy — uncomfortable over long sessions and prone to causing headaches
- ✗Poorly balanced; reviewers advise against it for running
- ✗The headband mount is secure but frustrating to remove the light from
- ✗No magnet on either tailcap
- ✗Almost too many brightness levels, several of which feel redundant