New Wuben X1Pro flashlight doubles as power bank and features replaceable batteries

Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, Wuben has officially launched the X1Pro. It is an upgraded successor to the original X1, which has since been delisted from Wuben’s website, but used units are still available on the company’s Amazon store for around $141. At this price, however, the predecessor is difficult to recommend since the new X1Pro currently retails for roughly $140.

Featuring spot- and floodlight functionality, the Wuben X1Pro is a compelling flashlight that can also serve as a power bank. Although it only delivers 15 watts via standard USB-C for wide compatibility, this is more than sufficient for charging smartphones on the go.

One of its standout features is its replaceable internal batteries. Wuben includes two 21700 cylindrical cells, each with a capacity of 17.8 Wh, for a combined total of 35.6 Wh (or 9,600 mAh in typical power-bank terms). Sold separately for about $27 in the US, these ADB4800 batteries offer a rather modest capacity for this cell type. By contrast, other manufacturers have managed to cram over 22 Wh (or 6,000 mAh at 3.7 V) into batteries of the same form factor.

When considered as a power bank alone, the Wuben X1Pro is certainly compact but also quite heavy at around 380 g (13.4 oz). Flashlights with power-bank functionality always involve compromises. For instance, when the Pelican 5050R first launched, its battery was far too small to make its power-bank feature practical. The Wuben X1Pro, by contrast, comes with enough capacity to recharge a phone without fully draining its own batteries. However, things are gradually changing: Silicon-carbon batteries for smartphones are reaching capacities in excess of 25 Wh. That said, anyone using such a smartphone is unlikely to need a power bank in the first place.

Thanks to USB Power Delivery, the Wuben X1Pro’s internal batteries can recharge at up to 30 watts, faster than the device’s own output when used as a power bank.

Several changes have been made to the X1Pro’s specifications since its Kickstarter campaign. For example, Wuben originally advertised a peak brightness of 13,000 lumens, but the final product will deliver 12,300 lumens instead. Although this difference is unlikely to be noticeable, it appears to be a last-minute change, as the product video still mentions 13,000 lumens, while the title states 12,300 lumens.

It’s worth noting that the lumen values are derived by combining the outputs of the spotlight (8,650 lumens) and the floodlight (3,650 lumens), with the latter offering a 125-degree beam spread. Both light sources can be used simultaneously, but the device can sustain this mode for only one minute. The chart below provides an overview of the expected battery life in various modes.

The X1Pro naturally offers some upgrades over the regular X1. For instance, the beam distance has increased from 303 m (331 yd) to 410 m (448 yd). Even so, you can still switch modes to illuminate your immediate surroundings when needed. Another improvement is the bike mount, now made of zinc alloy rather than plastic. The Wuben X1Pro also includes a standard 1/4-inch thread for mounting flexibility.

The built-in fan is now replaceable as well. Despite this change, the device is still rated IP65 for dust and splash-water resistance.

Wuben says the X1Pro has started shipping, though its accessories have yet to be listed on the official website.