Wurkkos FC11 vs Sofirn SC21
Quick take: The Sofirn SC21 costs $2 less; the Wurkkos FC11 is brighter (1,300 vs 1,000 lm); the Wurkkos FC11 throws farther (202m vs 143m); the Wurkkos FC11 runs longer on high (2 vs 1.5 hrs).
| Spec | Wurkkos FC11 | Sofirn SC21 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $22 | $20 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | EDC | EDC |
| Lumens | 1,300 lm | 1,000 lm |
| Candela | 10,200 cd | 5,100 cd |
| Beam distance | 202m | 143m |
| Runtime | 2 hrs (high) | 1.5 hrs (high) |
| Battery | 18650 | 18650 |
| LED | LH351D 5000K | LH351D 5000K |
| Beam type | Balanced | Flood |
| Modes | Ramping + Stepped | Ramping + Stepped |
| UI | Anduril-like | Anduril 2 |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| CRI | 90 | 90 |
| Weight | 2.3 oz | 1.6 oz |
| Dimensions | 4.7 x 1.0 in | 3.3 x 1.0 in |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year |
What owners report
Wurkkos FC11
- ✓90 CRI LH351D at a price where high CRI is usually the first thing cut
- ✓USB-C charging built in, with an 18650 cell included in the box
- ✓Magnetic tailcap that turns it into a hands-free work light on anything steel
- ✓Neutral tint that most owners find genuinely pleasant rather than merely acceptable
- ✓Compact for an 18650 light — reviewers describe it as easy to carry every day
- ✓Still one of the most-recommended budget lights years after release
- ✗Unregulated driver: after step-down, output falls with cell voltage instead of holding a level
- ✗Tint varies between units — some owners report a greener sample than others
- ✗At least one owner found it stopped working in the cold until warmed up, and drained the cell doing so
- ✗High and turbo heat up quickly in a body this size and can't be held for long
- ✗Easy to confuse with the newer FC11C, which is a different emitter and driver
Sofirn SC21
- ✓High-CRI emitter at a price where colour rendering is usually the first thing cut
- ✓Magnetic tailcap and a genuinely deep-carry pocket clip
- ✓USB-C charging with the 16340 cell included
- ✓Floody beam with a defined hotspot — a sensible general-purpose EDC profile
- ✓16340 size makes it small enough to actually carry every day
- ✓Complete package for around $21
- ✗Low-voltage protection only engages on turbo, so lower modes can over-discharge the cell
- ✗One reviewer's first sample had a mushy switch; a second unit didn't
- ✗Runtime is short, as any 16340 light's is
- ✗USB port placement draws criticism
- ✗Easy to confuse with the newer SC21 Pro, which is a different light