Klarus G15 Version 2 Review: A Floody 4,200-Lumen EDC Flashlight with a Built-In Power Bank

Introduction

The Klarus G15 Version 2 is an everyday carry flashlight aimed at people who want maximum brightness in a pocketable body, plus a few practical extras you rarely see combined in one light. It pushes 4,200 lumens with a maximum throw of 200 m and an intensity of 10,000 candela, which are meaningful upgrades over the original G15’s 4,000 lumens and 188 m of throw.

At $89.95, it sits in an interesting spot: powerful enough to replace a larger light, small enough to carry daily, and versatile enough to charge your phone in a pinch.

What Comes in the Box

Klarus includes a generous accessory package. Alongside the flashlight you get a lanyard, an 18650 battery adapter, a spare O-ring, a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, a USB-C to USB-A adapter, and a USB-C to Lightning adapter. The adapters exist because the G15 Version 2 doubles as a power bank, and the Lightning adapter means iPhone owners can plug straight in without buying anything extra.

You also get the usual lumens and runtime card, a user manual, warranty information, and a fabric pouch. The pouch replaces the holster that came with earlier versions, and it is a substitution that will not suit everyone. A removable split-ring pocket clip with good tension is pre-installed.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Maximum output: 4,200 lumens
• Maximum throw: 200 m
• Peak intensity: 10,000 candela
• Emitter: Cree XHP70 Version 2, cool white 6500K
• Battery: Klarus-branded 5,000 mAh 3.6V 21700, dual springs at head and tail
• Charging: USB-C fast charging, external port, also functions as a power bank
• Modes: five main modes plus strobe, SOS, and beacon
• Body: aluminum, 1 m impact resistant, IPX8 waterproof
• Warranty: 5 years
• Dimensions: 4.75 in long, 1.08 in head diameter, 1.02 in body diameter
• Weight: 5.1 oz (144.5 g) with battery installed

Design and Build Quality

The G15 Version 2 feels like typical Klarus quality. The grooves around the body give a secure grip, and the light does not feel like it will slip out of your hand. At 4.75 inches long it sits right at the edge of being too large for EDC, but it remains a comfortable size and feels great in the hand.

The single side switch is large, recessed into the body, and framed by a chrome collar. It has a rubberized, clicky feel rather than a cheap plastic press. A four-level battery indicator sits in the center of the switch and displays on boot up, which is a genuinely useful detail.

The tail cap is flat with no knurling, which makes the light tail-stand perfectly for ceiling bounce lighting. It is not magnetic, though, which feels like a missed opportunity given how flat and stable the tail is. The head has no crenelated bezel, the lens sits slightly recessed, and inside is a textured reflector around that single XHP70 V2 emitter.

UI and Everyday Handling

The interface is simple and easy to remember, similar in spirit to Olight’s approach. A single short press toggles the light on and off. While on, press and hold to cycle through low, medium, and high. From off (or on), click and hold for moonlight. Double press from off or on for turbo. Triple click cycles through strobe, beacon, and SOS.

Mode memory returns you to your last used mode, and a press-and-hold lockout prevents accidental activation in a pocket; triple click unlocks it. Five main modes break down as turbo at 4,200 lumens, high at 2,000, medium at 500, low at 100, and moonlight. There is a discrepancy worth knowing about: the box states 1-lumen moonlight while the manual states 10 lumens, and the actual output looks closer to 10. Strobe runs at full 4,200 lumens, while SOS and beacon sit at 500 lumens, which is bright enough to be genuinely visible.

Heat and Turbo Management

Heat management is excellent for this output level. After two minutes on turbo, the head measured around 104 to 105°F with the body at 87 to 88°F. At 4,200 lumens that is remarkable, well below the 120 to 130°F many lights in this class reach, and it can be handled bare-handed without issue.

Turbo does step down fairly quickly, with visible output loss after the first minute or so, so treat turbo as a burst mode rather than a sustained setting. On a full 21700 battery the box claims a maximum turbo runtime of 3 hours, though that figure appears to represent total runtime through all modes rather than continuous turbo.

Beam Profile and Performance

This is a floody flashlight, and the beam profile shows it. The hotspot blends smoothly into a broad, even outer perimeter, which is exactly what most people want from an EDC light. On high at 2,000 lumens, a barn at roughly 109 m and a tree line at about 114 m are clearly lit, and turbo starts to reveal the tree line beyond that near the claimed 200 m maximum.

The 6500K cool white tint is the one compromise. It is the typical trade for maximum lumens, and while the beam looks even and pleasant, anyone who prefers a neutral white EDC beam may hesitate here. Moonlight mode offers a stated 150-hour maximum runtime, making this a light that can sip power for weeks of casual use.

Power Bank Feature

The USB-C port under the rubber flap on the opposite side of the switch is one of the standout features. It fast-charges the flashlight and also works as a power bank, and unlike some lights where the power bank function is unreliable, this one works out of the box.

Plug in the included cable and the Lightning adapter, and it charges an iPhone directly. For anyone who already carries a flashlight daily, having a genuine emergency phone charger built in removes the need to think about it separately.

Battery Options and the Cost of Flexibility

The included 5,000 mAh 21700 delivers the full performance figures above. Swap in an 18650 or two CR123A batteries using the included adapter and performance drops significantly: turbo falls to 1,200 lumens, high to 500, medium to 200, low to 50, and strobe, beacon, and SOS all drop to 200 lumens.

That flexibility is welcome, but treat the 21700 as the default. With it installed, the mode spacing feels well judged, from moonlight up through a punchy 4,200-lumen turbo.

Things to Consider Before Buying

A few trade-offs are worth weighing before you buy. The cool white 6500K emitter will bother anyone who prefers neutral white. The moonlight mode is brighter than ideal, closer to 10 lumens than the 1 lumen the box suggests. The included fabric pouch replaces what many users would rather have as a holster. And the flat tail cap is not magnetic, which limits mounting options.

None of these are dealbreakers, but together they are the short list of what a future version could improve.

Who Should Buy the Klarus G15 Version 2

This light suits anyone who wants a floody, high-output EDC flashlight and values the power bank function. It is ideal for people who tail-stand their light for room lighting, who want a simple UI with mode memory and lockout, and who like knowing their flashlight can top up a phone. Throw-focused buyers should look elsewhere; this is not a dedicated thrower, and it does not pretend to be.

Buying Advice

At $89.95, the G15 Version 2 delivers 4,200 lumens, 200 m of throw, USB-C charging, a 5,000 mah 21700, and a five-year warranty in one package. Under $90 for this output and feature set is strong value, and the listed trade-offs are minor enough that most buyers will not miss them day to day. If those trade-offs matter to you, waiting for a version 3 is reasonable, but there is no need to.

Conclusion

The Klarus G15 Version 2 is an excellent everyday carry flashlight. It is plenty bright, the flood-first beam is perfect for how most people actually use an EDC light, and the working power bank feature with iPhone support is a genuine differentiator. With a few small refinements, a dimmer moonlight, a neutral white option, and a magnetic tail cap, this would be a pocket fixture for even picky users. As it stands, it is still a very solid choice.