Jetbeam E26-UV Kunai pocket torch review: Let there be light. Loads of it

Welcome to our review of the Jetbeam E26-UV Kunai, a perfectly formed aluminium-clad pocket torch with some exceptional design flourishes and a main beam that’s almost bright enough to illuminate a golf course.

Available in three anodised colours, the E26-UV Kunai doesn’t just shine a light; it also features a UV (ultraviolet) function for those who like to pretend they’re in an episode of CSI or Silent Witness and a green laser pointer that’s handier than you might think.

There is already a carefully curated medley of commendable EDC models in T3’s guide to the best torches to illuminate your way through the dark, so the big question is: does the Jetbeam E26-UV Kunai merit a top-three spot, or is it all style over substance? Bring on the night.

Jetbeam E26-UV Kunai review

Price and availability

The Jetbeam E26-UV Kunai isn’t easily sourced in the UK so perhaps head to AliExpress where it retails at £71.99. You should receive it within 10 days. If you live in the US try Amazon ($86.99) or Specialized Tool Sales ($84.99).

Jetbeam E26-UV Kunai at a glance

Material: Anodised aviation aluminium

Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium via USB-C

Light options: torchlight, UV light and green laser pointer

Brightness settings: Four (15lm to 2,000lm)

Weight: 115g

Dimensions: 13 x 3 x 1.5cm

Brightness: 2,000 lumens

Range: 165m

Colour temperature: 5,000K

Running time: 65hr in low mode

Waterproof rating: IPX-8 to 2m

Drop resistance: 1.5m

Other features: Rear button for torch beam and strobe, slim rectangular shape for ease of use, clip for belt or cap peak, four Zirconia ceramic beads for breaking glass in emergency and battery level indicator. Available in three colours

Design and features

I’m a sucker for a good EDC (everyday carry) flashlight and the E26-UV Kunai from Jetbeam looked like a winner from the moment I took it out of the box. For a start, it’s rectangular shaped and that means you can locate the on/off button in a thrice without having to roll it around in the hand fumbling for switch. It also feels fantastically solid and is almost impossible to drop given the heavily ribbed edges and the way it sits so perfectly in the hand, whether it’s used at waist or shoulder height.

Available in three colours (black, green and the orange model we have here) and measuring just 13cm in length, 3cm in width and a svelte 1.5cm in depth, the 115-gram E26-UV Kunai is a perfect size for even the tightest of pockets. Alternatively you can use the stiff rear-mounted clip to fix it to the outside of a pocket or a belt, or even turn it into a head torch by attaching the clip to the peak of a baseball cap.

The E26-UV Kunai is made almost entirely out of aviation aluminium with an anodised coating for extreme robustness. It’s also waterproof rated at IPX-8 for submersion in water to 2m in depth and drop resistant to 1.5m.

This torch provides two methods of activation. On the top there’s a knurled circular revolving dial that provides access to the torch’s main three lighting modes: main beam, UV and laser pointer. Position one is for the main beam which has four brightness settings: 15lm, 300lm, 700lm and 2,000lm. Each setting is activated using a long press of the centre button and, usefully, the torch always remembers the last setting when turning it off. In most instances you’ll be using the High 700lm beam which provides more than enough brightness for the majority of scenarios, including walking around during total darkness.

However, when you really need some oomph – and I mean oomph with a capital O – you can activate the Turbo 2,000lm mode which provides a phenomenally bright beam comprising a focussed spot in the middle with a distance of around 165m and loads of diffuse light around the edges. The Turbo setting is perfect for lighting up a huge area though it only stays activated for 30 seconds before gradually downshifting the intensity to prevent overheating. And you really can feel the heat this mode develops when you wrap your hand around the front of the torch.

Alternatively, the main torch beam can also be used at shoulder height – security guard-style – by pressing the large rear-mounted rubber button with your thumb. If you press this button lightly it’ll stay on for as long as your thumb is applying pressure. But if you want it on full time, press the same rear button firmly until you hear a click. You can also select a strobe for defence against an attack by double tapping the same button or, if in an emergency, create your own SOS signal by tapping the button intermittently according to the official Morse code.

Heading back to the main top-mounted mode dial, the second position activates this torch’s unique UV mode. The jury’s out on how useful an ultra violet option is on a torch but I can see it being used outdoors in the darkness of night to spot any animal with some white in its coat, at the campsite for a spot of disco fun or at home to highlight calcium deposits around sinks, baths and showers or, worse, evidence of mould.

The E26-UV Kunai’s third and final mode is a green laser dot. This could be used at a campsite to, say, point something out at night but, more practically, as a pointer for your next business presentation. It should not, it stands to reason, be used to harass anyone and, heaven forfend, pointed at aircraft flying overhead. But then you knew that already.

As an added bonus, the main dial can also be locked so there’s zero chance of the torch every being accidentally activated while stashed in a bag. I should add, however, that the dial does scratch against the body when rotated. It doesn’t affect its performance but it doesn’t feel especially tactile either.

Finally, for those trapped behind a pane of glass including, one presumes, vehicle glass, the front end of the E26-UV Kunai is also equipped with four small Zirconia ceramic beads for smashing glass in an emergency. And that’s well handy.

According to the specs, the E26-UV Kunai’s rechargeable 1,700mAh Lithium-Polymer battery is good for 65 hours in Low mode, 3.5 hours in Medium mode, 1.7 hours in High mode and 1.6 hours in Turbo mode. It will also provide up to 15 hours of green laser use and three hours of UV. Since this model comes with a battery indicator, you should never be in a situation where you run out of power when you need it most.

The Jetbeam E26-UV Kunai comes smartly packaged with a short USB-C cable, inspection certificate, five year warranty card and a soft hand lanyard to keep it attached to the wrist.

Performance

I thought my go-to 1,000lm Ledlenser MT10 was the bee’s knees when I reviewed it for another online publication some time ago but the E26-UV Kunai is from another planet. For my first test I naturally went full bore and selected Turbo mode in the garden. The E26-UV Kunai’s Luminous SST40 LED was so bright I could have held a table tennis tournament. But what really impressed me was the dual beam effect it produced. I could clearly see a wide 10m spot beam in the centre and yet everything else on the periphery was also bathed in bright white light. This makes it a perfect model for night trekking since it provides excellent side vision and a more focussed spot beam for highlighting obstacles ahead.

However, in most instances you’ll be using High mode rather than Turbo since, as explained above, Turbo mode reduces the brightness after 30 seconds of use. Besides, I think that High mode is easily sufficient enough to cover the majority of night-time scenarios.

I also rate the Low 15lm mode which is good for tent use without disturbing anyone. And because the torch remembers the last setting you used, you can set it so it comes on low instead of scaring the bejeezus out of other campers with the lighting equivalent of Wembley Stadium during a night match.

Aside from the laser pointer which simply places a clean green dot on anything you point it at (even a tree 100m away), I also gave the UV mode a test in my bathroom and was frankly horrified by what looked like the aftermath of a murder scene, replete with splatters galore. It turned out to be calcium deposits courtesy of Thames Water’s ultra hard water supply, so I used the UV setting in complete darkness to quickly wipe down the entire sink area using a descaling solution. I’m pleased to report that it’s never been cleaner and you can pop over for visit now.

Verdict

If you’re a camper, adventurous wilderness trekker or simply require a bloody good EDC torch to hand at all times, the Jetbeam E26-UV Kunai is top contender. It’s staggeringly bright, amazingly versatile and one of the most user-friendly models you’ll ever get your hands on.