In this article
The Olight Warrior 3 is a powerful, compact "tactical" flashlight with dual switches. I used it for several weeks to get a clear idea of its performance: contents, specifications, handling, charging, and what you should know about its "strike" bezel.
At a glance
- Up to 2,300 lumens for 2.5 minutes, then lower steps; 15 lumens for 130 hours, useful during an outage.
- Magnetic charging in about 3 hours, proprietary 5,000 mAh 21700 battery.
- The crenellated bezel does not make the light a self-defence tool: in danger, move away and call 911.
Historical review and transparency: we received this product free of charge, with no other compensation; the opinions are our own. The observations concern the unit examined at the time. Check the manual, safety notices and terms of sale for the exact model before buying.
My take in brief
The Warrior 3 offers two controls and a powerful beam in an easy-to-carry format. Before choosing, consider heat build-up, runtime at the level you will actually use, prevention of accidental activation and the availability of the magnetic charger.
What's in the box
Unsurprisingly, the light comes with the necessary accessories:
- the Warrior 3 flashlight;
- a proprietary 5,000 mAh rechargeable 21700 lithium-ion battery;
- Olight's magnetic USB charging cable (MCC3);
- a holster;
- setup instructions and the user manual.
Specifications
Maximum output is 2,300 lumens, with steps at 800, 200 and 15 lumens, a 1-lumen "moon" mode and a strobe.
| Mode | Output | Advertised runtime |
|---|---|---|
| Turbo | 2,300 lumens, then 800, then 250 | 2.5 minutes, then 160 minutes, then 39 minutes (about 3 h 20 in total) |
| High | 800 lumens, then 250 | About 2 h 45, then 39 minutes |
| Medium | 200 lumens | 13 hours |
| Low | 15 lumens | 130 hours |
| Moon | 1 lumen | 55 days |
The 2,300-lumen maximum is not sustained over the whole discharge, and the longest runtime applies to the lowest mode. In regular use, the battery held up without weakening during my test.
Material: the body is aluminum, sturdy without being heavy. Size and weight: about 14 cm (5.5 in) and 170 g (6 oz); the weight is well balanced, making it easy to switch hands.
Throw: the beam reaches 300 m (984 ft); it is very focused and precise.
Key features
Light quality matters, but a flashlight also has to be practical: the last thing you want is to fumble with it when you need it most.
Indicator lights: two sets of indicators run alongside the side button. One shows the brightness level, the other the remaining charge. They are guides, not a substitute for checking the charge before heading out.
Removable clip: made of aluminum, it lets you carry the light head up or head down, and it comes off if needed.
Water resistance: the light is rated IPX8, meaning it can be submerged beyond 1 m under conditions defined by the manufacturer. Check the depth and duration in the manual.
Magnetic charging: a really nice feature. The magnetic connector attaches easily, with no fragile port to break.
Crenellated ("strike") bezel: see the next section.
Tail switch: for instant bright light, it is excellent. It presses easily and turns the light straight on at its highest level. The three ridges on the tail cap prevent accidental presses in a pocket and provide support when holding the light. Still check the lockout before carrying it.
Holster: it held up very well. Its snap fastener attaches easily to a belt, and the openings at the top and bottom let you see whether the light was left on.
The crenellated bezel: real use and the law
The crenellated bezel is marketed as a "tactical" feature. I have never used it. Day to day, its usefulness is limited, and it can damage clothing or the inside of a bag. It does not make this light a self-defence tool.
What you should know: in Canada, the Criminal Code allows self-defence only if the force used is reasonable in the circumstances, which only the courts assess after the fact. Carrying an object with the intent of using it as a weapon can be an offence, even if the object itself is legal. Striking someone risks serious injury, prosecution and escalating violence. Civil solutions are safer: light the area to see and be seen, move away, go to a busy place and call 911. Only the police are responsible for intervening; citizens do not take their place. For specific questions, consult a lawyer or your municipal police service.
The clip and grip
The clip is one of my favourite features. The holster is ideal for carrying the light for long periods between uses, but the clip lets you hook it to a belt or the outside of a pocket and quickly free both hands. And it is removable.
The light also looks good: a perfectly balanced matte black, serious and elegant, with blue accents that set it apart.
The ribbed body provides a firm, non-slip grip, and there are practically no crevices where dust collects.
Materials and durability
I have not really dropped it yet. After active use, though, it shows no marks on the body or the lens. It feels solid, like light steel, but no drop test was performed.
Operation and charging
The light is easy to use once you understand it: it took me a few minutes to get used to holding the side button to change modes and pressing twice for maximum brightness. Charging is very simple: just attach the magnetic connector. A full charge takes about 3 hours, and the battery never failed me during use.
Recommended uses
It works indoors and outdoors. It lights a whole room, which is valuable during an unexpected power outage; in an outage, low and medium modes last for hours and are usually enough. Security guards, police officers, soldiers, hunters and campers will also find it useful.
An often-overlooked use: running. The clip holds well and the light weight makes it easy to carry. Since it is already dark when I get home from work, I like taking it on evening runs.
Strengths and limitations
Strengths
- New LED and improved output
- Long runtime at low levels
- Visual level and charge indicators
- Improved, multifunction tail switch
To check
- Heat and output drop in turbo mode
- Proprietary battery and charger
- Lockout to avoid activation in a pocket
The verdict
The Warrior 3 is a straight, dual-switch flashlight, well built and powerful. The product sheet at the time listed a cool white LED and a TIR optic. This historical review is not a test of versions sold later. The older Olight M2R Pro, also sold under the Warrior name, was recalled in 2022: do not confuse the two.
Frequently asked questions
Is a "tactical" flashlight useful during a power outage?
Yes, especially for its power and throw outdoors. To light a room for hours, a lantern or headlamp is often more practical: see our emergency lighting options.
Can I use another 21700 battery?
Use the battery specified by the manufacturer. Olight's proprietary batteries often have special contacts; another cell of the same size may not work or may be a hazard. Follow the manual.
Can it be used for self-defence?
That is not a use we recommend. A bright light can help you see and get away; in danger, call 911. See the section on the crenellated bezel for the legal framework.
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