Wuben X1 Pro Review: 12,300-Lumens Make the Dark Feel Optional

If there’s one thing we love at Gear Diary, it’s a gadget that punches way above its weight class, and maybe occasionally makes us feel like we’re carrying a piece of a fallen star in our pockets. Enter the Wuben X1 Pro, the beefed-up successor to the fan-favorite X1 Falcon. Wuben has a reputation for making flashlights that look less like something your grandpa used to find a fuse box and more like something a cyberpunk bounty hunter would use to clear a room.

First off, can we talk about the shape? Most high-powered lights are basically tactical soda cans. They’re round, they roll off tables, and they’re awkward in a pocket. The X1 Pro sticks with Wuben’s signature flat, rectangular design. At about 5.4 inches long and just over an inch thick, it feels incredibly ergonomic in the hand. It stays where you put it, and it fits into a jacket pocket without making you look like you’re carrying a baton. It is hefty and high quality.

The headline here is a staggering 12,300 lumens. To put that in perspective, that’s enough light to make your neighbors think a UFO is landing in your backyard. But what makes the Wuben X1 Pro a “Pro” is the dual-beam versatility. Unlike the original X1, which was mostly a wall of floodlight, the Pro uses five Cree XHP50.3 emitters:

• Spot Mode (3,650 Lumens): A precision beam that throws light up to 410 meters (about 4.5 football fields).

• Flood Mode (8,650 Lumens): A 125-degree ultra-wide beam for when you need to see everything at once.

• Combo Mode (12,300 Lumens): Both channels firing at once for that glorious 12,300-lumen peak.

High lumens usually mean high heat. Most lights this bright will dim to a glow within 60 seconds to prevent melting. Wuben’s solution? Active cooling. There’s a tiny, quiet, waterproof fan inside that kicks on to pull heat away from the LEDs. It allows the X1 Pro to sustain a solid 3,000 lumens for nearly two hours, which is unheard of for a light this size.

The X1 Pro is powered by two 9600mAh (total) replaceable 21700 batteries. I love that Wuben made the battery compartment easy to access with a quick-release latch—no tools required. Even better? It doubles as a power bank. With 30W USB-C PD fast charging, you can top off the light in about 75 minutes, or use the 15W reverse charging to juice up your iPhone or Android in a pinch. It’s the ultimate “just-in-case” tool for a camping trip or a blackout. The wrist strap is also a USB-C charging cable, so you don’t have to carry one.

It comes with a redesigned zinc alloy bike mount. It’s sturdy, easy to use, and turns your bike into a literal lighthouse. There is also a belt clip, and there’s a 1/4-inch tripod thread, so you can use it as a fill light for photography or video work.

The Wuben X1 Pro makes you look for excuses to go outside after dark. It’s powerful, smartly designed, and the addition of the spot beam makes it way more practical than the original Falcon. If you want a light that’s as much a conversation starter as it is a utility tool, this is it.

The Wuben X1 Pro retails for $139.99; it is available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon.

Source: Manufacturer-supplied review sample

What I Like: Blindingly bright; Flat design for EDC; Replacable batteries; Power bank functionality; Built-in fan

What Needs Improvement: Might be heavy for some