Wurkkos/EDC

Wurkkos FC11

Name: Wurkkos FC11
Brand: Wurkkos
Price: 22 USD
Availability: InStock

The FC11 is the default budget recommendation among enthusiasts. High-CRI LH351D, USB-C charging, and a pocket clip — all for under $25. Hard to beat as a first real flashlight.

Beam profile

Balanced, about 23° wide. A usable hotspot with enough spill to see around it.

Estimated from 1,300 lm ÷ 10,200 cd — how this works

$22

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Specifications

Output: 1300lm
Peak intensity: 10200cd
Beam distance: 202m
Emitter: LH351D 5000K
Colour rendering: 90 CRI
Beam type: Balanced
Cell: 18650
Runtime: 2 hrs (high)
Modes: Ramping + Stepped
Interface: Anduril-like
Water/dust: IP67
Dimensions: 4.7 x 1.0 in
Weight: 2.3 oz
Warranty: 1 Year

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

Features

High CRI (90+)USB-C Charging Pocket Clip Waterproof (IP67+)

What owners report

Wurkkos FC11/5 sources reviewed

The FC11 is the light that gets recommended when somebody asks what their first proper flashlight should be, and it has held that position for years. For around $25 you get a 90 CRI Samsung LH351D, USB-C charging, a magnetic tailcap and an 18650 in the box — a combination that cost three times as much when the FC11 launched.

What owners consistently say is that the feature list is the story: onboard charging, a neutral high-CRI tint and a genuinely pocketable 18650 body, at a price where you would normally get one of those. The usual caveats are the ones you would expect at this price. The driver is unregulated, so after the initial step-down output tracks cell voltage downward rather than holding a level, and there is some tint variation between units. Wurkkos has since shipped the FC11C with a Nichia 519A and a buck driver, which addresses both — worth knowing before you buy, because listings for the two overlap.

Consistently praised

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

Common complaints

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

Questions people ask

Is the FC11 still worth buying, or should I get the FC11C?: The FC11C is the newer design with a Nichia 519A and a buck driver, which fixes the FC11's unregulated output and generally has a nicer tint. If the price difference is small, the FC11C is the better light. The FC11 remains a fine buy when it is significantly cheaper.
Does it come with a battery?: Yes — an 18650 cell is included, which is a large part of why the value looks so good. Wurkkos ships a button-top cell that fits properly; some flat-top cells from other brands may not make reliable contact.
How good is the magnetic tailcap?: Strong enough to hold the light on a car bonnet or a steel beam while you work, which is what owners use it for most. It also means the light will pick up steel filings in a workshop, and it can wipe a magnetic stripe, so keep it away from cards.
What does 'unregulated driver' mean in practice?: The light gets gradually dimmer as the battery drains, rather than holding a set brightness and then dropping off. For casual use it's barely noticeable; if you need consistent output across a long task, a regulated light is the better choice.

Sources (5)