I own both of these lights. The Wuben C3 (Amazon affiliate link) lives in my EDC pouch and the Wuben L50 (Amazon affiliate link) stays in my truck’s center console. I’ve been carrying Wuben flashlights for a while now and these two get asked about a lot, probably because they look nearly identical and share most of the same specs. So let’s sort it out.
About those affiliate links. I participate (albeit not very actively) in the Amazon Affiliate Program. If you purchase an item on Amazon from my link, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. If you are truly against affiliate links, scroll to the bottom where clean links are provided to Wuben’s online store.
The short answer is the C3. If you’re buying one Wuben flashlight today, that’s the one. But the why matters, and it’s not just about specs.
What They Share
These are fundamentally the same flashlight in two different packages. Both run the OSRAM P9 LED, both push 1,200 lumens on high (for about a minute before stepping down to a sustained 500), and both use the same 2,600mAh 18650 battery. The beam throws roughly 180-200 meters depending on mode, which is more than enough to light up the far end of a parking lot or scan a campsite.
Both lights give you six modes on the C3 (high, medium at 400 lumens, low at 80, eco at 5, strobe, and SOS) and five on the L50 (same minus strobe). The eco mode is genuinely useful. Five lumens doesn’t sound like much but it’s perfect for reading in a tent or finding something in a dark room without blowing out your night vision. And at that output the battery lasts 143 hours, which is nearly six days of continuous use.
The tail switch UI is identical on both. Click to turn on, light press to cycle modes, and it remembers your last setting. Double click for strobe on the C3, triple click for SOS on both. Simple enough that you don’t need the manual after five minutes.
Both are IP68 rated, meaning dustproof and waterproof to about two meters for an hour. I’ve used mine in rain and snow without thinking twice about it. The aircraft-grade aluminum construction feels solid without being heavy, and both will survive a drop from about five feet without issue.
Where They Differ
Here’s where the C3 pulls ahead, and it comes down to three things.
Size. The C3 measures 4.78 inches long and weighs 123 grams with the battery. The L50 comes in at 5.45 inches and 142 grams (about 5 ounces). That doesn’t sound like much on paper, but when you’re clipping a flashlight to your pocket or stashing it in an EDC pouch, that extra three-quarters of an inch is noticeable. The C3 just disappears better.
Charging. Both use USB-C and charge in about three hours, with a red/green LED indicator to show battery status. Earlier versions of the L50 shipped with Micro USB, so if you see conflicting info online, that’s why. Any current production L50 should have USB-C.
Optics. This is the less obvious difference. The C3 uses a TIR (total internal reflection) lens while the L50 uses a traditional reflector. In practice, the C3 produces a smoother, more even beam that’s better for close to mid-range work. The L50 throws a tighter hotspot with more defined rings, which gives it slightly more reach. For everyday carry use, the C3’s beam pattern is more versatile. If you specifically need maximum throw for outdoor use, the L50 has a slight edge there.
The Verdict
Both lights retail around $25-35 on Amazon and from Wuben’s site directly but can often be found at $20-30 with Prime Day sales and the like. At that price either one is a ridiculous value. You’re getting a light that outperforms flashlights twice its price with build quality that holds up to actual daily use.
But the Wuben C3 is the better buy. It’s smaller, has a beam pattern that works better for the way most people actually use a flashlight, and the compact size makes it a more natural pocket carry. The L50 isn’t a bad light by any means. It’s just bigger without giving you anything meaningful in return. The extra three-quarters of an inch and 20 grams don’t translate into more output, more battery life, or more features.
I keep the Wuben L50 in my truck because it’s a perfectly good flashlight that I don’t mind leaving in a hot console. There’s also a 3D printable diffuser cap on MakerWorld that fits the L50’s 26mm head and turns it into a decent ambient light source. Pop it on, stand the light on its tail, and you’ve got an emergency lantern. That alone makes it worth keeping in a vehicle kit. But if I’m grabbing one light on my way out the door, it’s the C3 every time.
Wuben C3 – Buy on Amazon | Buy from Wuben (clean, non-affiliate link)
Wuben L50 – Buy on Amazon | Buy from Wuben (clean, non-affiliate link)