Wuben X2 Pro vs Wuben X2: A Compact EDC Flashlight That Pushes Innovation

Introduction

Wuben has been experimenting across a range of flashlight designs, and the new X2 Pro is the clearest example yet of that willingness to take risks. It builds on the original Wuben X2, a compact light many people have carried daily for years, and rethinks almost every control while keeping the same small-body format. If you already own an X2, or you are simply shopping for a pocket-sized rechargeable flashlight, this comparison should help you decide which one fits.

Wuben X2: The Trusted Original

The Wuben X2 has earned a loyal following for good reason. It is a solid, well-built light that does everything a flashlight this size needs to do, from a favorite moonlight mode up to roughly 1,500 lumens. Charging is handled over USB-C, and the single-switch operation keeps things simple.

Practicality is where the X2 quietly shines. The body does not roll away when set down, which matters more than it sounds if you use a light around a camper, a workshop, or a campsite. The switch has good memory, so it tends to come back on in a useful mode. Long-term users report using these lights hard without issues, and the traditional X2 remains on sale as a proven, affordable option.

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Wuben X2 Pro: A Redesigned Compact Flashlight

The X2 Pro is a little longer than the X2, with redesigned internal components to support a much richer control scheme. Where the X2 uses one switch that does everything, the Pro splits the job: a mechanical selector chooses the mode, a rotary push button handles operation, and an optional removable tail cap adds a tail switch.

That removable tail cap is one of the cleverest touches. Slide it off and the light loses the tail switch; slide it back on and you have a tail switch again, supporting both momentary activation and a click for constant output. The rotary button also supports double-tap for full output and quick on-off cycling, and the selector includes a lock position so nothing happens when buttons are pressed.

Four LEDs From Spot to Flood

The front end houses four individual LEDs behind a single lens. Once the light is on, rotating the dial lights up the LEDs progressively, effectively letting you move from a tight spot toward a wider flood. Turning on and off and rotating through the stages feels quick and intuitive.

Side Flood Light and Colored Modes

Rotating the selector to the second position activates the side flood light. The flood panel sits in a small bracket that rotates roughly 20 degrees, enough to angle the light upward at something more useful while still sitting flush in the body. A rotary wheel adjusts brightness continuously up to the top of the range.

Holding the button in switches to a colored LED with no brightness settings, but double-clicking toggles through several modes: a strobe, a police-style blue and red flash, red and green, red and yellow, and plain red. These are niche modes, but having them in a light this small adds flexibility for signaling or low-light preservation.

Mounting Options: Rail System and Pocket Clip

Beyond the standard pocket clip, the X2 Pro includes a rail system with a compatible slide and a lock mechanism on the back end, letting you set it up as a headlamp on top of a helmet. Removing it takes a sideways slide and it pops right off, so switching between headlamp and handheld use is quick.

Batteries and Charging

Inside the battery compartment are two rechargeable 14500 3.7V cells, which is a lot of voltage for a light this size. Charging is USB-C as expected. The surprising part: the X2 Pro can apparently run off a single AA battery, and it works on either side of the compartment. That flexibility is genuinely useful, because an alkaline AA is the one battery type you can find almost anywhere.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you want a simple, proven, no-nonsense pocket light and value a lower price, the original Wuben X2 is still a great solid choice. If you want more control, spot-to-flood flexibility, colored modes, headlamp mounting, and the ability to fall back on a AA battery, the X2 Pro justifies the extra length and complexity. Wuben is funding the X2 Pro through a Kickstarter to gauge buyer interest before bringing it to market, with pricing not yet announced, so early supporters may be the first to get one.

Conclusion

Wuben has taken one of its most reliable small lights and pushed it in as many directions as possible without losing the compact format. The X2 remains the dependable pick, while the X2 Pro rewards users who want a small flashlight that can adapt to more situations. Either way, it is good to see a maker innovating this boldly in the small-light space.