Compact Size And Mid-Range Output Meet In Milwaukee Rechargeable Flashlight
When you’re choosing a new flashlight, what’s your highest priority? Size? Output? Battery type? The Milwaukee RedLithium USB 2000-lumen flashlight has a compelling resume` that may hit several of your needs. We got it in our hands to try out for ourselves.
Pros
- 2000-lumen max output
- Fast-charging USB-C interface
- IP66 ingress rating
- 13-foot drop tested
- Chemical-resistant
- Compact size
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
Milwaukee RedLithium USB 2000-Lumen Flashlight Performance
- 2000 max lumens
- 200-meter max throw
- 3 standard modes plus Boost (no strobe)
- RedLtihium USB 3.0Ah battery
- Rear button controls
- Slide focus
- USB-C charging
There are three standard modes and a Boost mode to work with. The standard modes are where we spend most of our time. Cycling through them is a little different than the click-through styles we normally see. First, turn the power on by clicking the button on the rear cap once. Then press and hold to automatically cycle, and release the button when you’re at the setting you want. Click the button again to turn the light off. The next time you click it on, it remembers the last setting you used.
To kick it into Boost mode for the maximum 2000-lumen setting, double-click the power button. It works whether the light is on or off. Milwaukee doesn’t give this mode a runtime rating. We tested it and it only holds that brightness setting for a couple of minutes. This is likely to help with heat management and overall battery life.
While the light is on, there’s a ring around the power button that changes from green to orange to red as the battery level drops.
There’s a slide focus on the front so you can choose between a tight spot beam, a broader flood beam, or something in between. One thing that stands out is how clean the light is. While there’s the corona and side spill we expect to see, there are no artifacts breaking up the solidity of the beam against your target.
Milwaukee uses a RedLithium USB 3.0 battery for power that gets up to 24 hours of runtime, depending on what output setting you’re using. When it’s time to charge, you need to rotate the collar in front of the rear cap to expose the USB-C charging port. For those of you coming from earlier Milwaukee RedLithium USB lights, you’ll notice a much faster charge.
| Output | Runtime | |
| Low | 100 lumens | 24 hours |
| Medium | 800 lumens | 8 hours |
| High | 1300 lumens | 4 hours |
| Boost | 2000 lumens | NA |
Milwaukee RedLithium USB 2000-Lumen Flashlight Design Notes
- IP66 ingress rating
- 13-foot drop tested
- Chemical-resistant
- Removable metal belt clip
- 6 5/8 inches long
- 9.4 ounces with battery
In addition to the Milwaukee 2162’s impressive performance, it’s also a durable little flashlight. It carries an IP66 rating against dust and water along with a 13-foot drop test rating and it’s a chemical-resistant build. Just remember to turn the collar to protect the USB-C port when you’re done charging.
Just over 6 1/2 inches and weighing a little more than half a pound, this isn’t quite a pocket-sized EDC flashlight, but it’s still compact. It’s a great size to fit in your glove box, or toolbox, or to clip to your belt, though.
Milwaukee RedLithium USB 2000-Lumen Flashlight Price
- $99.99
- 2-year warranty
Milwaukee packs the 2162 with everything you need to get started including the light, battery, and USB-C charging cable. It retails for $99.99 and has a 2-year warranty.
The Bottom Line
When we consider the overall performance and build of the Milwaukee RedLithium USB 2000-Lumen Flashlight, we have no complaints. With its mid-range output and compact size, the 2162 is a flashlight literally everyone can use for work, play, and home, and it gets two enthusiastic thumbs up from our crew.
