Wuben
Wuben G5 Review: The 400-Lumen Light I've Carried for 6+ Months
The Wuben G5 is a 52-gram, 400-lumen rechargeable EDC light that rides in my cross-body bag every day. Its best feature is control: a wheel dials brightness from super low to full blast, and the swivel head points the light where I need it. It's a daily tool, not a dedicated hunting or search light. Buy it if you want a tiny, cheap, rechargeable light you'll actually carry. Skip it if you need long-range throw, a replaceable battery, or a light for hard use in heavy rain.
// By Craig Stirland · Published · Updated
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// Quick verdict
Is the Wuben G5 worth it?
- Price
- Under $25
- Brand
- Wuben
The Wuben G5 is a 52-gram, 400-lumen rechargeable EDC light that rides in my cross-body bag every day. Its best feature is control: a wheel dials brightness from super low to full blast, and the swivel head points the light where I need it. It's a daily tool, not a dedicated hunting or search light. Buy it if you want a tiny, cheap, rechargeable light you'll actually carry. Skip it if you need long-range throw, a replaceable battery, or a light for hard use in heavy rain.
Who it's for: Dads who want a tiny, cheap, rechargeable light they'll actually carry. Skip it if you need long-range throw, a replaceable battery, or a light for hard use in heavy rain.
Check Price on AmazonI bought the Wuben G5 with my own money. Wuben didn't pay me or send me anything for this review. I earn a commission if you buy through my Amazon link, at no extra cost to you.
Tested for 6+ months of daily carry in my cross-body bag. Last updated October 28, 2026.
Why I Carry the Wuben G5
The Wuben G5 is small enough that I never leave it behind. It lives in my cross-body bag every day. Tiny. Mighty. But it is great.
I've carried it for more than six months. This isn't a gadget that ended up in a drawer.
The Walk Home From the Park
My family and I go to the park a lot, and we usually stay late. That means a 20-minute walk home in the dark.
Phone flashlights don't cut it. The G5 lights the path so everyone can see where they're stepping, and my phone stays free with a full battery.
How Bright Is the Wuben G5?
Wuben rates the G5 at 400 lumens with an 82 m beam. Independent tester ZeroAir measured about 278 lumens at 30 seconds (zeroair.org/2025/04/08/wuben-g5-edc-flashlight-review). Either way, it's plenty for walking home or digging through a dark garage.
Can You Turn the Brightness Down?
Yes. Instead of fixed modes, the G5 uses a wheel, so you can dial from full output down to super low. Running it low saves battery, with up to 65 hours of runtime.
What Is the Swivel Head Good For?
The head rotates 180 degrees. Set the light down, aim the head, and keep your hands free. The clip is adjustable too.
What Is Party Mode?
The G5 has a separate RGB LED, and the same wheel switches between colors like green and purple, plus a beacon mode.
Is it necessary? No. Is it fun? Absolutely. At home, the RGB colors turn into instant dance parties with my kids. The RGB LED is about 10 lumens, so it's for fun and signaling, not for seeing.
Is the Wuben G5 Worth the Price?
At about $25, it works out to roughly $4 a month over six months, and it's still going, with a 5-year warranty behind it.
You can spend $100 or more on a premium EDC light. For a light that rides in my bag every day, I think the G5 is the better deal for most dads.
If you're building out a minimal keyring kit, I also carry the Lever Gear CLiP KT carabiner keychain tool. See my Lever Gear CLiP KT review.
Pros and cons at a glance
Pros
- Tiny at 52 g
- 400 lumens from a lighter-sized body
- Brightness wheel instead of fixed modes
- 180-degree swivel head
- Party mode comes standard
- USB-C charging, no batteries to buy
- About $25 with a 5-year warranty
Cons
- Built-in battery can't be swapped
- Short runtime at full 400 lumens
- Wuben's own pages disagree on the water rating (IP65 vs IP68)
- Independent test measured under the 400-lumen claim
- RGB is only about 10 lumens
FAQ
How bright is the Wuben G5?
Wuben rates it at 400 lumens with an 82 m beam, and the wheel dials it down very low when you don't need full output.
How much does the Wuben G5 weigh?
It weighs 52 g and measures 3.7 x 1.5 x 6.2 cm, about the size of a lighter.
Does the Wuben G5 have party mode?
Yes. It has a separate RGB LED plus a beacon mode, both controlled with the same wheel.
How do you charge the Wuben G5?
It charges over USB-C and runs while plugged in. The battery is built in, so there are no batteries to buy.
Is the Wuben G5 waterproof?
Wuben's product page lists IP65, which covers rain and splashes. Don't swim with it.
How long have you used the Wuben G5?
I've carried it daily in my cross-body bag for more than six months.
The bottom line
Six months in, the Wuben G5 is still in my cross-body bag every day. It's tiny and bright, the wheel dials in exactly the light I need, and the swivel head puts it where I need it. It lights the walk home from the park and runs the kids' dance parties. For about $25, it gets the Daily Dad Carry stamp of approval.
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