LOOP GEAR SK05 Pro Flashlight Review – Perfect Travel Light But Charges Too Slow

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Been using the LOOP GEAR SK05 Pro flashlight for 5 months now. Bought it for SGD $170 on Shopee mainly for hotel room lighting when I travel.

This thing is built like a tank. Heavy but feels solid. RGB side light is perfect as night light. But wish it had dimmer moonlight mode for bedside reading.

Quick Review Summary

CategoryRating/Details
Overall Rating4.5/5
Price (Shopee SG)SGD $170
LED TypeSST25 6500K (cool white)
Max Output3060 lumens (flood) + 1300 lumens (spot)
Beam Distance405 meters (spotlight mode)
Weight235g (feels like iPhone 16 Pro Max)
Battery2x 18650 (included)
ChargingUSB-C 20W fast charging
Battery Life (Real Use)4-5 days per charge
Best FeatureRGB side light for hotel night light
Main IssueSlow charging, no ultra-dim moonlight mode
Tested OnJapan trip Dec 2025, hotel room use

Why I Bought This Flashlight

I travel alot. Singapore to Japan, China, Taiwan, HK – basically constantly on the move for work and content creation.

Hotel room lighting always sucks. Either too bright (can’t sleep) or too dim (can’t see anything). Recent trip to Japan in December, the hotel lights were either full blast or completely off. No in-between.

Needed a good flashlight that can:

  • Point at ceiling/wall as indirect room lighting
  • Use as bedside night light (RGB side light)
  • Bright enough for outdoor use if needed
  • USB-C charging (no more dealing with AA batteries)
  • Built tough for travel abuse

Saw the LOOP GEAR SK05 Pro on Shopee. Tactical-looking flashlight with RGB side light. 3060 lumens max output. Dual LED system. USB-C charging. Reviews looked good.

SGD $170 is steep for flashlight, but if it solves my hotel lighting problem, worth it.

What Is LOOP GEAR SK05 Pro?

The SK05 Pro is a compact tactical flashlight with dual LED system. Has both spotlight (throw) and floodlight (wide beam) in one device.

Plus it has RGB side light which is the killer feature for hotel use.

Key Specifications

SpecificationDetails
LED TypeFloodlight: 3x Luminus SST25
Spotlight: 1x Luminus SFT25R
Sidelight: RGB LEDs
Color Temperature6500K (cool white)
Max Output (Flood)3060 lumens (turbo), steps down to 950 lm
Max Output (Spot)1300 lumens (turbo), steps down to 600 lm
Combined Output~4360 lumens (both LEDs on)
Beam Distance405 meters (spotlight mode)
Brightness LevelsTurbo / High / Medium / Low
Lowest Output50 lumens (Low mode)
Battery2x 18650 Li-ion (included)
ChargingUSB-C, 20W fast charging
RuntimeLow: 52 hours
Medium: 11 hours
High: 3 hours
Turbo: 40 seconds then stepdown
Weight235g with batteries
Length125mm
WaterproofIP68 (submersible)
Impact Resistance1 meter drop
MaterialAluminum alloy with MAO finish

Source: LOOP GEAR official specs, 1Lumen measurements

What’s In The Box

  • LOOP GEAR SK05 Pro flashlight
  • 2x 18650 batteries (pre-installed)
  • USB-C charging cable
  • Pocket clip
  • Lanyard
  • O-rings (spare waterproof seals)
  • User manual

Build Quality – Feels Like a Weapon

First thing you notice when holding the SK05 Pro: this thing is heavy.

235g is about same weight as iPhone 16 Pro Max (227g). But it’s more compact and denser, so it feels heavier than a phone.

The build quality is insane tho. Solid aluminum body with MAO (Micro Arc Oxidation) finish. Feels like you could use it as self-defense tool if needed. No flex, no creaking, completely solid.

The finish has this matte gray tactical look. Not flashy. Looks professional. Doesn’t scratch easily even after 5 months in my backpack.

Weight Comparison

ItemWeight
SK05 Pro (with batteries)235g
iPhone 16 Pro Max227g
Standard powerbank 10,000mAh~200g
Water bottle (500ml full)500g
Typical EDC flashlight~80-120g

So yeah, it’s heavy for EDC flashlight. But the weight makes it feel premium and durable. You know this thing can survive drops and rough handling.

How I Use It – Hotel Room Lighting

My main use case: hotel room lighting when traveling.

Ceiling Bounce Lighting

When I get to hotel room at night, first thing I do is set up the SK05 Pro on the desk or nightstand. Point it straight up at ceiling on Medium mode (350 lumens flood).

The light bounces off ceiling and creates nice soft ambient lighting for the whole room. Way better than harsh overhead hotel lights.

Can read, work on laptop, pack bags – all with comfortable indirect lighting.

RGB Side Light as Night Light

This is the killer feature. The SK05 Pro has RGB side light with multiple color options – red, green, blue, plus blinking modes.

At night when sleeping, I set it to red side light mode. Red light doesn’t mess up your sleep cycle like blue/white light does.

Place it on nightstand. If I need wake up middle of night to go bathroom, the red glow is enough to see where I’m going without fully waking up.

In Japan hotels where rooms are usually pitch black with blackout curtains, this RGB side light saved me from tripping over bags or furniture multiple times.

Wall Spotlight

Sometimes I point it at wall on Low mode (50 lumens) instead of ceiling. Creates focused pool of light for reading in bed.

50 lumens is still kinda bright tho. Wish it had moonlight mode at 1-5 lumens for super dim bedside lighting.

The Moonlight Mode Problem

Here’s my main complaint: the lowest setting is 50 lumens.

For outdoor use or hotel room lighting, 50 lumens is fine. But for bedside reading light or just navigating dark room, it’s too bright.

Most good EDC flashlights have “moonlight mode” – usually 0.1 to 1 lumen. Dim enough to see where you’re walking without blinding yourself or waking others.

The SK05 Pro jumps from OFF straight to 50 lumens. No ultra-dim option.

Real world impact: If I want read in bed without disturbing partner, 50 lumens pointed at ceiling is still too much light. Have to use the RGB side light instead, which gives reddish tint that’s not ideal for reading.

If LOOP GEAR adds 1-lumen moonlight mode in future firmware update, this would be perfect 5/5 flashlight.

Source: Personal 5-month usage, Budget Light Forum moonlight mode discussions

Brightness Modes & Performance

The SK05 Pro has 4 main brightness levels for both flood and spotlight modes.

Floodlight Modes (Wide Beam)

ModeLumensRuntimeWhat I Use It For
Turbo3060 → 950 lm40 sec + 2.5 hrsOutdoor hiking, finding stuff in dark parking lots
High950 lm3 hoursWalking at night, lighting up hotel room
Medium350 lm11 hoursCeiling bounce lighting in hotel (my go-to)
Low50 lm52 hoursBathroom trips, reading at night

Spotlight Modes (Long Throw)

ModeLumensBeam DistanceWhat I Use It For
Turbo1300 → 600 lm405 metersRarely use, but insane throw distance
High~600 lm~286 metersSpotting landmarks from distance
Medium~300 lm~165 metersGeneral outdoor use
Low~50 lm~80 metersClose range tasks

The turbo mode is crazy bright but only lasts 40 seconds before stepping down to prevent overheating. That’s normal for high-output flashlights. The sustained High mode at 950 lumens is still super bright for 3 hours.

Source: 1Lumen measurements, personal testing

Battery Life – 4-5 Days Per Charge

The SK05 Pro uses 2x 18650 batteries (included). Total capacity around 5000-6000mAh depending on battery brand.

My real-world usage pattern:

  • Hotel ceiling lighting: 1-2 hours per night on Medium (350 lm)
  • RGB side light: All night (8 hours) on Red
  • Occasional outdoor use: 15-30 mins on High/Turbo

With this usage, I get 4-5 days before needing recharge. That’s pretty good for travel. Means I charge it once or twice per week.

Battery Runtime (Official Specs)

  • Low (50 lm): 52 hours
  • Medium (350 lm): 11 hours
  • High (950 lm): 3 hours
  • Turbo (3060 lm): 40 seconds sustained turbo, then 2.5 hours at step-down
  • RGB side light: 100+ hours

These specs match my real-world experience. The RGB side light barely drains battery – can run all night for multiple nights before noticing drop.

The Charging Problem – Too Slow

Here’s the 0.5-point deduction: charging takes forever.

The flashlight has USB-C port with “20W fast charging” according to specs. But in reality, charging from empty to full takes about 3.5-4 hours.

That’s not really “fast charging” by modern standards. My phone charges 0-100% in 1.5 hours. Powerbanks charge in 2 hours.

Why It’s Slow

The SK05 Pro has 2x 18650 batteries in series. Total capacity is around 5000-6000mAh at 7.4V.

Even with 20W input (USB-C), the charging circuit limits current to ~2A to safely charge lithium batteries. So actual charge rate is more like 15W sustained.

Compare this to other flashlights with 21700 single battery that charge in 2 hours. Or modern powerbanks with 30W+ charging.

Real world impact: If I forget to charge overnight, can’t do quick 30-min top-up before leaving hotel. Need leave it charging for hours to get meaningful juice back.

Not deal-breaker, but annoying. Especially for travel where you’re always rushing.

Source: Personal charging tests, Nitecore P20iX charging comparison

User Interface – Button Controls

The SK05 Pro has 2 buttons:

  • Side button: Mode switching
  • Tail button: On/Off, momentary activation

Basic Operation

  • Turn on: Press tail button
  • Turn off: Press tail button again
  • Change mode: Click side button (cycles through Flood, Spot, Both)
  • Adjust brightness: Hold side button (cycles through Turbo/High/Med/Low)
  • RGB side light: Triple-click side button
  • Momentary: Half-press tail button (light comes on, release to turn off)

The UI is straightforward. Took me about 10 mins to memorize all the controls. Not complicated like some tactical flashlights with 15 different modes.

The buttons have good tactile feel. Side button clicks nicely. Tail button is stiffer (good for tactical use, prevents accidental activation).

Travel Features

Pocket Clip

Comes with removable pocket clip. I don’t use it cause the flashlight is too heavy for pocket carry. But if you wear cargo pants or have sturdy belt loop, the clip works well.

Magnetic Tail Cap

The tail has built-in magnet. Can stick to metal surfaces – useful for hands-free lighting when working on something.

In hotel, I sometimes stick it to bathroom mirror frame or metal desk lamp pole.

IP68 Waterproof

Fully waterproof to IP68 rating. Can submerge in water. I haven’t tested underwater but I used it in heavy rain in Japan – no issues.

Lockout Mode

Has lockout function to prevent accidental activation in backpack. Useful for travel so the flashlight doesn’t turn on and drain battery.

Who Should Buy This Flashlight?

Get it if:

  • You travel frequently and hate hotel room lighting
  • You want tactical flashlight with hotel-friendly features (RGB night light)
  • You need bright outdoor flashlight that doubles as travel light
  • You want USB-C charging (no more AA batteries)
  • You’re okay with 235g weight
  • You value build quality and durability
  • You use Medium/High modes most (50+ lumens)

Skip it if:

  • You need ultra-dim moonlight mode (0.1-5 lumens)
  • You want fastest charging possible
  • You need pocket-sized EDC flashlight (this is too heavy)
  • You’re on tight budget (SGD $170 is expensive)
  • You prefer warm color temperature (this is cool 6500K)
  • You need absolute maximum brightness (there are brighter options)

Alternatives to Consider

ModelPriceMax LumensPros/Cons
SK05 Pro (This One)$1703060 lmRGB side light, dual LED / No moonlight, slow charging
Wurkkos TS10$30-401400 lm0.01 lumen moonlight, cheap / Lower output, no side light
Sofirn SC21 Pro$40-50~1000 lm2700K warm light, moonlight mode / No RGB, lower output
Olight Warrior 3S$120-1502300 lmProximity sensor, faster charging / No RGB side light
Nitecore P20iX$100-1304000 lmHigher output, 4 LEDs / Heavier, no RGB

My take: If you specifically need RGB side light for hotel use like me, SK05 Pro is unique option. If you just need general travel flashlight with moonlight mode, Wurkkos TS10 or Sofirn SC21 Pro are better value.

Source: Shopee Singapore pricing, r/flashlight recommendations

Final Verdict – 4.5/5

After 5 months of daily travel use including recent Japan trip, the LOOP GEAR SK05 Pro is one of my essential travel gadgets.

What I love:

  • RGB side light perfect for hotel night light
  • Ceiling bounce lighting on Medium mode creates ideal hotel ambiance
  • Build quality is tank-level – survived multiple drops and rough handling
  • 4-5 days battery life with my usage pattern
  • USB-C charging (no more AA batteries)
  • Dual LED system (flood + spot) covers all use cases
  • IP68 waterproof – used in rain no problem
  • Simple button UI, easy to use

What could be better:

  • No moonlight mode – lowest is 50 lumens (too bright for bedside)
  • Charging takes 3.5-4 hours (not really “fast”)
  • Heavy at 235g (fine for travel, too much for EDC pocket carry)
  • Cool 6500K color temp (warm 3000-4000K would be better for hotel rooms)

Rating: 4.5/5

The missing 0.5 points: moonlight mode and faster charging. If LOOP GEAR adds sub-1-lumen moonlight mode in firmware update, this becomes perfect 5/5 travel flashlight.

But even without those features, it’s solved my hotel lighting problem completely. No more struggling with terrible hotel room lights in Japan or anywhere else.

Worth SGD $170? For frequent travelers who care about hotel room lighting quality – yes, absolutely. For casual users who just need occasional flashlight – probably overkill, get cheaper alternative.

For me, this has become as essential as my phone and powerbank when traveling. Packs into backpack, provides perfect lighting for 4-5 days, doubles as emergency high-output flashlight if needed.

Just remember to charge it the night before you leave, cause that 4-hour charging time means no last-minute top-ups.

Source: Personal 5-month usage experience (July 2025 – Dec 2025), Japan travel testing Dec 2025

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