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Nitecore EDC23

Nitecore/EDC

Nitecore EDC23

A flat-bodied 2,500-lumen EDC with an OLED readout and dual rear switches. The slab shape carries far better in a pocket than a tube light, and the display takes the guesswork out of remaining charge. Two caveats: the cell is sealed in, and IP54 means splash resistance rather than real weatherproofing.

Beam profile

Balanced, about 22° wide. A usable hotspot with enough spill to see around it.

Estimated from 2,500 lm ÷ 20,720 cd — how this works

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Specifications

Output
2500lm
Peak intensity
20720cd
Beam distance
280m
Emitter
NiteLab UHi 25
Colour rendering
65 CRI
Beam type
Balanced
Cell
Built-in
Runtime
1.5 hrs (high)
Modes
5 Stepped
Interface
Dual Switch
Water/dust
IP54
Dimensions
4.0 x 1.2 in
Weight
3.6 oz
Warranty
2 Year

Manufacturer figures, measured to ANSI FL1 where the brand states it.

Features

What owners report

Nitecore EDC23/4 sources reviewed

A flat-bodied 2,500-lumen EDC with dual rear e-switches and an OLED readout, running Nitecore's in-house UHi 25 emitter. Measured output landed at 2,371 lumens at switch-on with peak intensity actually exceeding the claim — 24,464 candela against a stated 20,720, giving 313 m of measured throw against 280 claimed. The slab shape carries far better in a pocket than a tube, and the display removes the guesswork about remaining charge. Instant turbo and strobe are both directly accessible.

Three things to weigh. The cell is an internal 1,500mAh lithium polymer, so it can't be swapped and the light is finite. Turbo is time-limited to ten seconds. And the IP54 rating means splash resistance only — this is not a light to take out in real weather. Colour rendering is poor at about 64 CRI.

Consistently praised

  • Measured peak intensity above the claim — 24,464 cd and 313 m of real throw
  • OLED readout showing output and remaining charge
  • Flat slab shape carries far better than a tube light
  • Dual rear e-switches with instant turbo and strobe access
  • Around 1 hour 37 minutes on high from a small internal cell

Common complaints

  • Internal 1,500mAh cell can't be swapped — the light is finite
  • Turbo is limited to ten seconds
  • IP54 is splash resistance only, not weatherproofing
  • About 64 CRI — poor colour rendering
  • Two years of warranty, reflecting the built-in battery

Questions people ask

How long does turbo last?
Ten seconds, by design. In a body this thin there's nowhere for the heat to go, so the 2,500-lumen figure describes a burst rather than a usable level.
Is IP54 enough?
For splashes and light rain, yes. It isn't rated for immersion or sustained wet, so it's an indoor and fair-weather light rather than an outdoor one.
Is the display useful?
Genuinely — it shows current output and remaining charge, which removes the guessing every other light leaves you with. It's the main reason to buy this series.
Can the battery be replaced?
No, it's internal. Expect a few hundred charge cycles, after which the light can't be revived — reflected in the two-year warranty.
Sources (4)

Head to head

Nitecore EDC27

Nitecore

$80

Nitecore EDC27

Flood/~32°/220 m

Lumens
3000
Candela
12200
Cell
Built-in
Weight
4.3 oz

Dual Luminus SST-40

Nitecore i4000R

Nitecore

$85

Nitecore i4000R

Balanced/~25°/346 m

Lumens
4400
Candela
30000
Cell
21700
Weight
3.8 oz

CREE XP-L2 V6

Nitecore MT2A Pro

Nitecore

$44

Nitecore MT2A Pro

Thrower/~16°/255 m

Lumens
1000
Candela
16500
Cell
AA/14500
Weight
2.1 oz

UHi 20 6500K

Fenix E35R

Fenix

$75

Fenix E35R

Balanced/~29°/253 m

Lumens
3100
Candela
16000
Cell
21700
Weight
3.5 oz

Luminus SFT-70

Thrunite TC15 V3

Thrunite

$50

Thrunite TC15 V3

Balanced/~29°/223 m

Lumens
2403
Candela
12400
Cell
18650
Weight
2.6 oz

CREE XHP35.2

Convoy S21D

Convoy

$25

Convoy S21D

Balanced/~28°/228 m

Lumens
2500
Candela
13000
Cell
21700
Weight
3.4 oz

SST-40 5000K