The Olight i1R 2 Pro is a keychain torch with two brightness levels and USB-C charging, in a body just 52 mm long. I paid $40 for it. Like all our Olight torches, it came with us on a trip up north to Bouddi National Park, and it lives on our car keys.
What’s in the box
A small black aluminium torch, 52 mm long, with a key ring at the tail and a short USB-A to USB-C cable. The battery is built in and charges through a USB-C port under the head. There are no buttons: you twist the head to switch between off, Low and High, and the tail is marked to show which way.
What we like
- Two modes: 5 and 180 lumens
- 12 hours on Low
- USB-C charging
- Waterproof to IPX8
- Tiny: 21 g on our scale
What we don’t
- 23 minutes on High
- Battery can't be replaced
- Can't stand on its tail
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Olight |
| Colour | Black |
| Weight | 21 g |
| Length | 5.2 cm |
| Brightness | 5 lm Low180 lm High |
| Throw | Up to 48 m |
| Battery | Built-in 130 mAhUSB-C |
| Charging | About 1 h 40 min |
| Water rating | IPX8 |
Two modes, one twist
The two modes are what set it apart from simpler keychain lights. Twist the head halfway and you get Low; keep twisting and it jumps to High; twist back and it’s off. The tail is marked OFF, LOW and HIGH with arrows, so you learn it quickly.
| Mode | Brightness | Runtime | Throw |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | 180 lm | 23 minutes | 48 m |
| Low | 5 lm | 12 hours | – |
Low is the mode you’ll use most. Five lumens is enough to find a keyhole, read a label or walk to the car without blinding anyone, and it lasts about 12 hours. High is bright for a light this size, but the small battery only keeps it going for about 23 minutes, and the body gets warm.
Charging
Unscrew the head and a USB-C port appears; plug in the short cable and a full charge takes about an hour and 40 minutes. The head stays on its thread while it charges. The battery is sealed in, though: when it wears out after years of use, you replace the whole light.
On the keys
At 21 g on our scale it’s barely noticeable on a set of car keys, and it’s waterproof to IPX8, so rain doesn’t matter. The rounded tail means it can’t stand up on its own to light a room, so for that you’ll want a camp light.
Olight keychain lights comparedKeychain lights compared
We’ve tested three Olight keychain lights. The i3E EOS is the cheapest and runs on a AAA battery; the iMini 2 turns on as you pull it off its cap and charges from a USB plug on its end. The i1R 2 Pro is the only one with two modes, so it’s the most useful of the three.
This review Olight i1R 2 Pro |  Olight i3E EOS |  Olight iMini 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modes | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Battery | Built-in, USB-C | 1 × AAA | Built-in, USB-A |
| Switch | Twist | Twist | Pull off the cap |
| Water rating | IPX8 | IPX8 | IPX6 |
| Max brightness | 180 lm | 90 lm | 50 lm |
| Weight on our scale | 21 g | 19 g | 23 g |
| Price paid | $40 | $19 | $30 |
| Our score | 9.2 | 9.1 | 8.9 |
Conclusion: Olight i1R 2 ProConclusion
The Olight i1R 2 Pro is a small keychain torch that does more than its size suggests: a 5 lumen Low that lasts about 12 hours, 180 lumens when you need it, USB-C charging and IPX8, all in 21 g. High only lasts about 23 minutes, the battery is sealed in and it can’t stand on its tail. I paid $40, and of our three Olight keychain lights, it’s the one we’d pick.
A 21 g, waterproof keychain torch with two modes: 5 lumens for about 12 hours or 180 lumens, and USB-C charging.
High lasts about 23 minutes and the battery is sealed in.
- Everyday carry
- Campers
- Emergency kits
Yes. I paid $40, more than the i3E or iMini 2, but the low mode and USB-C charging make it the most useful of the three.
