Everyday Carry

Have You Carried the Fenix E05?

Authored by:
Mikey Bautista
Have You Carried the Fenix E05?

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Editor's Note: In this series, we revisit tried-and-true EDC classics from over the years to see if they hold up alongside today's latest and greatest, and recommend the best gear to carry instead if they don't.

It wasn't so long ago that the best compromise for an EDC keychain flashlight was one that used an AAA battery. They were a good size to live on a keychain, inexpensive, and gave off enough light for everyday tasks. Plenty of lights fit this description (you could probably walk into any hardware store right now and still see them at the checkout counter), but one stood head and shoulders above the rest in EDC circles…

What Is It? Why Was It Popular?

That light was the Fenix E05. An update to the Fenix's original E01 AAA flashlight, the E05 featured the same familiar bombproof build and design. It was compact, yet rugged — full-body knurling felt good in the hand and worked well with its twisty interface. Its latest iteration in 2014 featured improved output, with an updated lens, three modes, and a maximum of 85 lumens from its XP-E2 LED providing a floody beam pattern useful for general tasks. No frills, no complicated UI. Just a solid light you wouldn't think twice about carrying.

Should You Still Carry It Today?

85 lumens is still plenty useful and its form factor remains barely larger than the AAA that powers it. But in terms of output and materials, there may be better choices.

Our Recommendation

Olight's popular keychain lights get better with every generation, and their latest i3E-CU EOS copper AAA flashlight improves on compact performance in every way. Like the E05, it uses a single AAA battery, a simple twist mechanism, and a lens optimized for a floody beam pattern. But for the same price, it’s even smaller than the E05 with double the output (to the tune of 120 lumens) thanks to its Philips LUXEON emitter. If you highly value the tailstand capability and multiple modes on the E05 but can get by without the floody beam, the ThruNite Ti3 is a popular upgrade option.

Buy on Amazon:

Have you ever carried the Fenix E05? If so, is it still a part of your EDC? What have you replaced it with if it isn't? Let us know in the comments below!


Mikey Bautista

Director of Everyday Carry Operations


About the Author
Mikey Bautista is an everyday carry (EDC) expert who has been working with the EverydayCarry.com team for nearly a decade, starting with an interest in EDC as a hobby and ending up as a writer for the site in 2014. Through the years, he’s led the site in editorial content and writing about products across every category, from knives to bags to flashlights and everything in between, as well as discovering, bringing exposure, and building bridges with many brands in the industry. Today, he is the site's Director of Everyday Carry Operations, leading the editorial team and managing day-to-day operations.

He has lived through many personal and professional lives, spending nearly a decade in the workforce management industry, a minor career in gaming, and has lent a hand with entrepreneurial efforts back home in the Philippines. He has also been an active participant and helped build a number of significant social communities online, both for EDC and his other hobbies.

Mikey has been at the cusp of gaming, technology, and the internet since the ‘90s and continues to lend his experience, expertise, and authority to all his pursuits. When not online, in a game, or watching movies, you'll find him in the gym, speedrunning his next hobby, or talking at length about EDC with anyone willing to listen.

Discussion (7 total)

Chuck ·
I carried this light for probably a year before upgrading. I still keep it in my edc drawer as a backup. Great light!
Brandon ·
I have the original version of this light, and it still is a daily useable item. A great small flashlight.
Bernard Capulong ·
I picked up the first iteration of the E05 for its easily replaceable battery, keychain-compatible size, and floody beam pattern. I ended up gifting it to someone who needed a light, and my modern day replacement is the Nitecore T360: it's got the floody beam, 3 modes, similar output, and a USB rechargeable battery. It's not for keychain duty (which the Nitecore Tube can pull off), so I keep it on my bag strap as a hands free worklight.
Thomas Jones Jr ·
First EDC flashlight I bought and still carry on my keychain setup. When I first started carrying it, I would have it loose in pocket...so, of course, it was washed and dried a few times. Popped in a new battery and never missed a beat!
Fahamy Nordin ·
I have this on my keychain. Very basic, yet very handy and reliable.
saint_shinobi ·
This light has stayed with my keys since day one of purchasing. Awesome value and functionality.
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