The New Boss of Budget Flashlights: Acebeam TAC 2AA Review

Powerful, useful lighting need not be costly. The TAC 2AA, launched in late 2024 by Acebeam, is a perfect example. Strong, solid, versatile, and priced at just $30, it’s the new flashlight to beat in the budget realm.

I have been testing the Aceabeam TAC 2AA for a couple of weeks and am incredibly impressed with its capabilities, especially for its price. I put it head to head against the THRUNITE Archer 2A V3, a longstanding top budget choice, and the Acebeam proved itself head and shoulders a better product.

After regular use around the house, outdoor use, and a tough physical test, I’m convinced the Acebeam TAC 2AA is the best budget flashlight on the market.

In short: At just 5.9 inches long and 3.37 ounces, the Acebeam TAC 2AA easily fits in a pocket. But it packs a powerful 1,600-lumen max output with a range of up to 181 m. It comes with a USB-C rechargeable battery, but is also compatible with AA batteries in case of emergency. It has an easy-to-learn interface and a deep-carry pocket clip. Commonly available at $30 (with a $50 retail price), it’s a fantastic flashlight for a very reasonable price.

Compare the TAC 2AA with the best flashlights in our buying guide.

Acebeam TAC 2AA Review

It was a Tuesday night during a busy workweek, and I was finally getting over a bad cold. I needed to get to bed when, just as I was about to turn off the TV, my lights flickered and died. I looked out the window and saw the entire block was dark. I’d be getting ready for bed by flashlight.

This scenario falls exactly in the Acebeam TAC 2AA’s wheelhouse. Small, affordable, and easy enough to use, the TAC 2AA is an ideal home emergency flashlight, work light, or light flashlight for outdoor use or to carry in a car or truck.

With a turbo mode punching out an impressive 1,600 lumens for 1 minute (followed by a very respectable 600 lumens for 119 minutes), this flashlight has both the power and reach (181 ms) to handle most outdoor tasks.

The user interface is a little more complex than some flashlights, but still plenty easy for anyone to learn in a couple of uses. First, press the rear tail switch to turn the light on. Then, control the power level by press-holding the side switch.

You can turn the light off by pressing the tail switch again, or turn it off in standby mode by short pressing the side switch.

As an added bit of versatility, the user can define whether the light functions in EDC or Tactical mode. The only difference is in how the light initially turns on with a press of the tail switch. In Tactical mode, the light turns on at full Turbo. In EDC mode, the light remembers the last-used power setting for turn-on.

It’s a subtle difference, but a very nice capability for personalization. Just press and hold both switches for 3 seconds to switch between modes.

As a bonus, the TAC 2AA comes with a lanyard and two end cap diffusers: one orange (which functions great as a signal light for roadside emergencies) and one white (which turns the light into an impromptu lantern). They’re a thoughtful inclusion that add versatility to an already great flashlight.

Acebeam TAC 2AA: Who Should Buy It?

This one’s for everyone. Every home needs a small, affordable, rechargeable, and multi-fuel flashlight. The TAC 2AA is indeed perfect for a broad swath of applications and a major step up from our previous favorite budget flashlight. At about $30 at most retailers, it’s an excellent value.

To ensure durability, I both dunked the TAC 2AA in water for an hour and drop-tested it from 6 feet. It passed both tests with no problems other than a few minor scuffs from dropping on concrete. But this is a well-designed, durable flashlight that should give you no problems with appropriate use.

Its deep-pocket carry makes it a breeze for EDC. Its light weight makes it a great backup or secondary light for hikers or backpackers. And it even comes in orange and green, options that are much easier to find in the dark than standard black (which is also available).

If you need a small flashlight, this one is a great choice. Grab one (or a couple) to toss in your backpack, truck, junk drawer, or wherever you hope to find one the next time the lights go out.