X Zero Flashlight Review: Retro Sci-Fi Style Meets Real Everyday Performance

Introduction

Some flashlights try to disappear into your pocket. The X Zero does the opposite. It leans hard into a distinctive retro sci-fi look, with an off-white beige finish and squared-off body that would not look out of place as a prop in a classic space opera film. If that aesthetic speaks to you, this is one of the more charming compact lights you can carry. Underneath the styling, it is a genuinely capable 18350-powered flashlight with strong output, a high CRI option, and waterproofing. This review covers what works, what does not, and who this light is really for.

Design and Aesthetic

The design is the whole story here. The off-white finish is not really white at all; it is a warm beige with a matte texture that feels distinctive in hand and looks unlike almost anything else in the compact flashlight market. A black version is also available, and there is a whole variety of different finishes across the lineup, so matching a particular look or vibe is very achievable.

The two switches at the top double as fidget surfaces, which is a fun touch. They press down to activate all of the light’s functions, and pressing them also exposes the USB-C charging port. Despite that exposed port, the light carries an IPX7 or higher waterproof rating, which suggests some form of waterproof port design. It is an unusual combination, but it works.

Output and Light Modes

Output is impressive for the size, reaching upwards of 900 lumens at turbo. You can choose a high CRI version, which is the configuration reviewed here, or a cool white variant depending on your preference for beam character.

The mode structure will feel familiar if you use modern EDC lights. A long press from off gives you a separate moonlight mode down at half a lumen. Once the light is on, you ramp up through low, medium, and high in the middle of the range, and a double press from the on position jumps you straight to turbo. Everything spans from half a lumen up to roughly 900 to nearly 1,000 lumens, so there is plenty of usable range for daily tasks and more.

There is one control quirk worth knowing before you buy. When the light is off, a double press does not give you turbo; it activates strobe instead. The intent is understandable, but if you are used to double-press-to-turbo from off, this takes some adjusting and it is the one thing about the interface that feels off.

Battery and Build

The X Zero runs on a built-in 18350 battery, and you can unscrew the bottom to access it, though in practice you will likely just charge through the USB-C port. The body is a similar size to the ThruNite T1S, but it is a bit heavier, coming in at around three ounces versus roughly 2.4 ounces. That extra weight comes from the more squared-off body and the additional material it carries.

That extra material is not wasted. The larger metal mass acts as a good heat sink when the light is running on turbo, so it should not ramp down as quickly as smaller, thinner lights. There is a trade-off between pocket weight and thermal headroom, and this light leans toward thermal comfort.

Everyday Carry Considerations

The milled pocket clip has a distinct flavor, but a lot of it sticks out from the body, which may bother anyone who wants a low-profile carry. There is also a small flippy tab on the light that some people will find charming and others will find genuinely annoying. Neither detail ruins the experience, but both are worth thinking about if you are particular about how a light rides in your pocket.

Buying Advice

Functionally, the X Zero sits slightly behind more utilitarian competitors on weight, and the strobe-from-off shortcut is an acquired taste. But this was never a light designed to be neutral. It is for the buyer who wants a functional tool that also expresses a personality, and on that front it delivers. If you love the retro look, the high CRI output, the solid turbo performance, and the IPX7-rated waterproofing make it more than just a pretty object. If you prefer something minimal and utilitarian, look elsewhere.

Conclusion

The X Zero is a stylish, capable compact flashlight that puts aesthetics first without abandoning performance. With up to around 900 lumens, a high CRI option, separate moonlight and turbo modes, USB-C charging, and waterproofing, it covers the practical bases well. Its quirks, a heavier body, an outward-facing pocket clip, and the strobe-from-off control, are minor if the design wins you over. For anyone drawn to its retro sci-fi character, it is an easy recommendation.