Imalent LD35 Review (2025): 4000 Lumens in Your Pocket?

You know the feeling. You’re snug in your tent, it’s pitch black outside, and you hear that *snap* of a twig that’s way too close for comfort. You fumble for your phone, turn on its pathetic little light, and try to peer out the mesh. You can’t see a thing. That exact frustration is why I started hunting for a serious flashlight, something that felt like holding a piece of the sun. That hunt led me to the Imalent LD35, and let me tell you, my nighttime worries are over.

So, What on Earth *Is* the Imalent LD35?

Alright, let’s get down to it. The Imalent LD35 is an EDC—Everyday Carry—flashlight. That means it’s designed to be small enough to live in your pocket or the brain of your backpack without you even noticing it. But where it separates itself from the pack is with its sheer, unadulterated power. Most EDC lights are happy to put out 500 or 1000 lumens. This little monster has a “Turbo Mode” that unleashes 4,000 lumens.

When I first read that number, I was skeptical. 4,000 lumens from something that fits in the palm of my hand? Seemed like a typo. But when it arrived, and I waited for nightfall to double-click that power button… wow. It’s not just bright; it’s startlingly bright. It turns a dark forest into what feels like a floodlit stadium. It’s the kind of power that gives you immediate confidence, whether you’re investigating a weird noise or just trying to find a good spot to pee in the middle of the night.

The Specs That Actually Matter Out on the Trail

Forget the marketing fluff. Here’s what I found actually makes a difference when you’re miles from civilization:

• The OLED Screen: I thought this was a gimmick at first, but I was wrong. Seeing the exact lumen level (it has 5 modes from 150 to 4000) and the precise battery voltage is a game-changer. No more guessing if your light will last the night.
• USB-C Charging: Hallelujah! It has a built-in USB-C port right on the 18650 battery itself. This means I don’t have to pack a separate, clunky battery charger. I can just top it up with the same power bank I use for my phone.
• Beam Distance: They claim 405 meters (that’s over 4 football fields), and while I didn’t have a tape measure that long, I can confirm it throws a beam an incredible distance. It’s perfect for scanning the far side of a lake or the top of a ridge line.
• The Lockout Function: A quick triple-click locks the power button. This is crucial for an EDC light. It means you can toss it in your pack and not worry about it accidentally turning on, draining the battery, and maybe melting a hole in your rain jacket.

How It Handled a Week of Real-World Abuse

I took the LD35 on a 5-day trip through the Mark Twain National Forest. It wasn’t just a casual test; I made it my primary light source to see where it excelled and where it failed.

1. Campsite Setup: Using the 800-lumen “High” mode was perfect for setting up the tent and getting the kitchen organized. It provided more than enough light without getting excessively hot or draining the battery too quickly.
2. Night Hiking: The 1800-lumen “Higher” mode was my go-to for moving on the trail after dark. It gives you a massive field of view and lets you see every root and rock. It feels incredibly safe.
3. The “What Was That?!” Test: One night, a deer crashed through the brush near our camp. A double-click to Turbo (4000 lumens) instantly lit up the entire area. The deer froze, I saw it wasn’t a bear, and my heart rate returned to normal. This is where the LD35 truly shines.

What ‘Jobs’ Can You Hire the Imalent LD35 For?

Think of gear as employees you ‘hire’ to do a job. Here’s what the LD35 is exceptionally good at:

• Lighting up the entire campsite when a raccoon tries to steal your marshmallows.
• Finding that tiny tent stake you dropped in the tall grass in complete darkness.
• Giving you total confidence and situational awareness when you have to leave the tent at 2 AM.
• Flagging down your buddy who took a wrong turn on the trail at dusk.
• Not adding bulk or weight to your pockets on a simple day hike.

My Night in the Woods With The LD35

The real ‘aha!’ moment came on night three. A storm rolled in, and I had to re-stake a corner of my tent in the pouring rain. My headlamp was getting soaked, and its beam just seemed to be swallowed by the rain. Frustrated, I grabbed the LD35. I cranked it up to turbo, and it was like the rain wasn’t even there. The beam punched right through the downpour, lit up the ground stake like it was daytime, and I got the job done in seconds. In that moment, it went from being a “cool, bright flashlight” to an essential piece of safety equipment. That’s the new reality for me—I won’t go on an overnight trip without this level of lighting power in my pack.

The Good, The Bad, and The Must-Know

No gear is perfect, man. You gotta know the trade-offs. Here’s my honest breakdown.

The Good Stuff

• That OLED screen is a legitimate game-changer. I wish every rechargeable piece of gear had one.
• The 4000-lumen turbo is not a gimmick. It is an immense amount of light that gives you real peace of mind.
• It’s incredibly compact for the power it packs. Disappears in a pocket.
• USB-C rechargeable battery means one less proprietary cable or charger to pack.
• The build quality feels fantastic. It’s solid aluminum and feels like it could take a serious beating.

What I’d Change

• Turbo mode gets HOT, and fast. This is just physics, but you need to know you can’t run it on max for more than a minute or so before it becomes uncomfortable to hold.
• The power button is flush with the body. This gives it a sleek look, but finding it by feel in the pitch-black takes a second. I’d love a slightly raised or textured button.

Is The Imalent LD35 Actually For You?

• You, The Weekend Warrior: Absolutely. This is the perfect light to throw in your pack for car camping or short backpacking trips. It covers every possible lighting need you’d have.
• You, The Everyday Carry Pro: Yes. If you’re serious about your EDC kit, this offers a level of power that few other lights of its size can match. The lockout function and pocket clip make it a perfect companion.

While it’s an absolute game-changer for having instant, powerful light in your pocket, it’s not a replacement for every light. For setting up your tent or cooking for 20 minutes, you’ll still want a headlamp to keep your hands free. And for lighting up a whole campsite for hours, a dedicated lantern is better to save the LD35’s battery for when you really need its power. Think of this as your portable searchlight, not your table lamp.

• But, You’ll Probably Hate It If…: You need a light that can sustain high brightness for very long periods. The heat management system will automatically step down the brightness to protect the light (and your hand). If you need 30 minutes of continuous high-beam, this isn’t your tool.

The Questions I Keep Getting Asked

When I show this to my buddies, they all ask the same things. Here are the quick and dirty answers.

Is Imalent a good brand?

They are! They’re known for pushing the limits of brightness, making some of the most powerful production flashlights in the world. They’re a top-tier enthusiast brand.

Is 4000 lumens too much for EDC?

It’s not about using 4000 lumens all the time. It’s about having it when you need it. The lower modes (150, 400) are perfect for 99% of tasks. The 4000 is for emergencies or when you absolutely have to see everything.

Does it get really hot?

On Turbo, yes. It gets hot enough that you won’t want to hold it for more than a minute. The light has thermal regulation to automatically reduce power before it gets dangerous. On all other modes, the heat is totally manageable.

What’s the battery life like in the real world?

It’s great if you’re responsible. I used it for a 5-day trip, mostly on the 150 and 800-lumen modes with short bursts of turbo, and I didn’t have to recharge it. If you try to run it on 1800 lumens constantly, you’ll kill it in a couple of hours.

Is the Imalent LD35 waterproof?

Yes, it’s rated IPX-8, which means it can be submerged in 2 meters of water. I used it in a downpour with zero issues.

How do you turn on the 4000-lumen turbo mode?

Just double-click the power button from any mode (even from ‘off’). It’s super fast and intuitive.

Is it better than a Fenix or Olight?

It’s different! Fenix is known for bombproof reliability, Olight for great design and tactical features. Imalent’s specialty is packing in the most power. The LD35 is brighter than most direct competitors from those brands.

Can I use a different 18650 battery in it?

You need to use a high-drain 18650 battery to hit the turbo mode. The included battery is rated for this, but if you swap it, make sure your replacement can handle the high power draw.

What’s the OLED screen like in bright daylight?

It can be a little tough to read in direct, bright sunlight, but it’s perfectly clear in any other condition, especially when you’d actually be using a flashlight.

Is it worth the money?

For the peace of mind and capability it gives you, 100% yes. It’s a premium light with premium performance.

The Final Word: Is It Worth a Spot in Your Pack?

Remember that feeling of being powerless with a weak phone light? The Imalent LD35 is the antidote. It’s not just a tool; it’s a massive confidence boost in a tiny package. The ability to instantly light up an entire area with the press of a button changes how you feel about being out in the wild at night. It replaces anxiety with control. For its combination of insane power, compact size, and genuinely useful features like the OLED screen, it has earned a permanent spot in my pack. If you’re ready to stop being afraid of the dark, grab one. You won’t regret it.

Top Alternatives to the Imalent LD35

Look, I love the LD35, but maybe it’s not the perfect fit for you. Here are a few other incredible lights my buddies and I have used that might be more your speed.

Alternative	Rank	Rating	Best For	Key Differentiator	MSRP / Price Point
Fenix PD36R V2.0	#1 – This is the Toyota Hilux of flashlights. Just plain reliable.	4.9/5 – Built to survive just about anything you can throw at it.	If you prioritize bombproof reliability over the absolute highest lumen count.	Its legendary durability. Fenix lights are known to be practically indestructible.	$99.95, and worth every penny for the peace of mind.
Olight Warrior Mini 3	#2 – My top pick if you need tactical features.	4.8/5 – Incredibly well-designed with a premium feel.	Folks who want both EDC and a fast-access tactical light.	The two-stage tail switch for instant turbo or strobe access is unmatched.	$89.99, which is a great price for the features you get.
Nitecore MH12S	#3 – For the gear nerd who loves options.	4.7/5 – Super versatile and the battery life is fantastic.	Tech lovers who want incredible runtime and programmable modes.	It uses a larger 21700 battery, giving it a big runtime advantage over 18650 lights.	$89.95, a steal for a light with this much endurance.
ThruNite BSS V4	#4 – The budget-friendly tactical choice.	4.6/5 – Tough, bright, and has a mean look.	Users who want a self-defense tool first and a flashlight second.	That aggressive strike bezel is no joke. It’s designed for impact.	$69.95, making it a great value option.
Acebeam E70 Mini	#5 – For the true flashlight nerds.	4.5/5 – The beam quality is just beautiful.	Photography lovers or anyone who values color accuracy.	Its High-CRI emitters make colors pop and look natural, unlike the harsh blue of some LEDs.	$69.90, which is fantastic for a high-CRI light.