Olight imini 2 Review

The Olight imini 2 is about as simple as a flashlight gets: no buttons, no cable and no modes to cycle through. It is built from two parts joined by a magnet, and separating them switches the light on.

Design and build

The front half holds the LED, and the rear half is a magnetic charging cap with a hole for attaching it to keys.

The front half holds the LED, and the rear half is a magnetic charging cap with a hole for attaching it to keys. The aluminum body feels surprisingly sturdy and is rated to survive 1.5-meter drops; repeated falls during testing left hardly any marks, though scuffs will appear over time without affecting function. A range of colorways is offered. The front piece is magnetic too, so the lit flashlight can be stuck to a metal surface for hands-free work around the house, at a campsite or elsewhere.

Output and battery

It delivers 50 lumens, 115 candela and a 21-meter throw. That will not compete with bigger flashlights for demanding jobs, but it is a genuinely useful amount of light for something this small. Olight rates the rechargeable 10180 lithium cell for up to 60 minutes of runtime per charge.

Charging

The odd flat tab protruding from the rear cap is a USB-A plug, so the light charges by inserting it directly into a port with no cable required. It takes a little getting used to, and USB-A feels outdated next to USB-C, though plenty of USB-A ports remain in use, including on many laptops, just not Macs. The cable-free design is especially convenient when traveling, and a full charge before departure will likely last most trips. Two small plastic caps protect the plug while it rides in a pocket or bag; they have stayed in place, but they are easy to lose once removed for charging. A small included clip fits through the hole in the charging end for mounting on a keyring or gear.

Portability

At 2.17 inches long and 0.59 inches across (5.5 x 1.5 cm) and weighing 0.69 oz (19.6 g), it is about the size of a small spark plug and feels dense in the hand. It slips into a pocket, hangs from keys, or vanishes into a tech pouch, backpack or daypack, so there is little reason to leave it behind. The magnet adds storage and usage options. The one drawback of the two-piece format is how easy the small rear section is to misplace when set down; keeping it fixed to keys or a clip and letting it dangle avoids that. The glowing front piece is harder to lose.

Compared with the original imini

Both models share the same idea of a tiny keychain light activated by pulling off a magnetic cap. The first imini is smaller and less powerful and runs on a different, non-rechargeable battery, while the imini 2 adds the rechargeable 10180 cell, 50-lumen output and integrated USB-A charging, removing the need to carry spare watch batteries. That makes the newer version the more practical choice for most travelers.

Verdict

The imini 2 is not meant to stand in for a full-size flashlight; it is the light that lives on a keyring or in a bag so one is always available. Effortless magnetic activation, a tough aluminum body and built-in charging outweigh the minor drawbacks of USB-A and small parts that can go missing, making it an easy recommendation for anyone wanting a light small enough to carry everywhere. It is manufactured in China.