Like with the Torrent, this is a review of an updated item, so I am again going to use the mid length format. This is a great light and a full review is unnecessary both because the light is so simple and good and because its basically a better version of the v2 light I reviewed a few years ago.

Here is the product page. Here is the original Mini Pineapple review. Here is my review sample paid for with my own cash:

Quick Review Summary: Currently King of the Hill in terms of production EDC flashlights.

For years I feel like the EDC flashlight market has been doing much of same thing with features. Invariably a light would come out with one or two dumb decisions, as if designers were putting features at the bottom of a Plinko board and dropping chips to see which they would include. A more cynical view of this design problem is that companies purposely leave out a few things to make sure you will buy a different model or a later update. Victorinox is especially good at this as there is no SAK with the following, seemingly obvious combination of implements: knife, 88/91MM combo tool, scissors, and saw without any duplicative implements. This meant that the ideal set of features never comes together in a single product. Recently, this problem in the flashlight world was solved by the Dawson Machine Craft Hoku Clicky. A well-made light with all the right features under $100 never happened. Until now. The Reylight Mini Pineapple v3 is the best EDC light on the market, full stop. If you want something better, get ready to drop hundreds of dollars. ts been a while since a light knocked off the critical enthusiast grade “best lights” (which, for the record, was the 47s Mini Turbo), so let’s go through all the reasons why.

The light, especially this version shorn of the titular texture, is super clean. It goes in and out of the pocket with ease. The clip is a wonderful washer-style clip. The clicky is easy to get to and very responsive with good feedback.

The beam pattern and tint are quite good. Compared to something like the Hoku or the Haiku its not the same, but for a $60 production light it is pretty impressive. Its a two, but not perfect, especially when you have access to some of the best lights in the world. It is the light equivalent of the Willie Mays Problem in baseball. Willie Mays is a no-doubter Hall of Famer, but he is not the standard for Hall of Famers. If he were, there would be three or four people in the Hall of Fame. So while the Hoku is better and the Haiku is DEFINITELY better, the Mini Pineapple is very, very good.

The UI, which is the same as the previous generation, is very simple. Here it is:

From Off

Click: last mode

While On

Half Press: advance one mode

There are three output levels, a moonlight low, a useful medium, and a screaming high at 600 lumens. I don’t doubt the claim here. This slim light is a flamethrower. What’s great is that despite the high end firepower, the low won’t steal your night vision. The light could have been better if it were dual fuel, but that is something of whiny complaint. Given the price and the performance throughout the light, I can overlook it. Lastly, there is the improvement from the previous generation. This version of the Mini Pineapple, in addition to having a better output and new emitter, has a shroud around the tailcap. That makes it an amazing light to do a ceiling bounce. It is a real and noticeable improvement.

Putting the Mini Pineapple v3 around other production 1xAAA lights shows you just how good it is. There is really nothing out there that hits all of the same notes. When you expand to small batch or custom 1xAAA you see how this light could have been a bit better, but those lights cost significantly more. For an EDC light for most people, the Mini Pineapple v3 is as good as it gets. The price is incredible for a light that can do it all, slip into any pocket, and carries like a dream. This unseats the 47s Mini Turbo Mk. 3 as my go to recommendation. Its the same price with a clicky and a thinner form factor.

Overall score: 20 out of 20

Competition

There are quite a few of these 1xAAA enthusiast flashlights out there and they are my FAVORTE class of lights. The 47s Preon, the Prometheus Lights Beta, and the Surefire Titan Plus all fit in this class. Stepping up from here will lead you to some of the best, price no object lights on the planet (the Ti Beta, the Mini Arcadian, and the Hoku). For this class of lights though, this is the best you will find. Unlike the Preon, this can tailstand. Unlike the Beta, it is very, very bright. The stock Titan is not particularly close as it is both dimmer and cannot tailstand. Its also a twisty and not a clicky. Nothing is really all that close to the Mini Pineapple in terms of features and performance.

I also like it better than most 1xCR123a and 1xAA lights. It is better than the Mini Turbo Mk. 3. The clicky puts it out ahead of the Mk. 3. Compared to some of the bulkier side switch 1xCR123as, like the Baton and the Skilhunt Mini EC200, this better because it is much more compact and lacks the hot pocket problem all non Zebralights side switches have. Stepping up to rear clickies, the size difference is so great that they really don’t compare.

One light that I think IS a fair comparison is the Muyshondt Aeon Mk. 3. This is a light that has basically the same volume, with a rear clicky, and a very good emitter. The Mini Pineapple is brighter, but the Aeon has a better runtime (of course).

One comp I can’t shake though is the aforementioned CWF Mini Arcadian. This is basically the same light, especially in the smooth body tube and it is better for less. This light can easily tailstand and the CWF can’t. It matches it on specs and it is a bit shorter than the Mini Arcadian. Then there is the irksome fact that when both lights are in Ti, this one costs 1/10th the price. That favorable of a comparison to a light loved in the EDC community should tell you just how special the Mini Pineapple v3 is.

Amazon Link