Overview & First Impressions
Klarus builds two flat, palm-sized lights that superficially look like the same product, and plenty of buyers end up choosing between them by accident. The X1 K-V3 is the newer, brighter model at 4200 lumens, while the X2 is the original 3000 lumen ultra-thin design. Both are designed to disappear into a pocket and both run on internal rechargeable cells, so the real question is whether the extra output of the newer light is worth the difference in size and price.
Materials & Construction
Both lights use a machined aluminium body with a hard anodised finish and a sealed lens assembly, so neither will suffer from being carried against keys or dropped on concrete. The flat profile is the shared engineering achievement here: cylindrical lights roll, catch on pocket seams and bulge uncomfortably, while a flat body with rounded edges disappears in a front pocket. Klarus flashlights in this range use internal lithium cells charged over USB-C with a covered port.
Design & Details
Output and switch design separate them. The X1 K-V3 pushes 4200 lumens from a flat reflector assembly and adds a mode structure designed for rapid access to a full-power burst, making it the more aggressive light of the two. The X2 delivers 3000 lumens with a slightly simpler interface and a marginally slimmer body. Both use a side-mounted switch that is easy to find by feel, and both include a lockout to prevent accidental activation in a pocket.
Real-World Use
For most pocket carry the X2 is already more light than anyone needs, and its slightly smaller footprint makes it easier to forget you are carrying it. The X1 wins when the light is used as a genuine tool: inspecting an engine bay, walking an unlit path or illuminating a large area for a group. Nitecore flashlights and Fenix flashlights make comparable flat models, and Nextorch flashlights cover the duty end of the market, but neither offers quite the same combination of price and raw output.
Ownership Notes
Flat lights deserve a specific care habit: keep them out of a pocket containing keys with sharp edges, because the lens sits directly behind the bezel and a deep scratch will soften the beam. Charge over USB-C and never leave a flat light in direct summer sun on a car dashboard. Clean the switch with a dry cloth rather than solvent, which can degrade the sealing gasket over time, and store at partial charge for long periods. Either way, keep a compact EDC flashlight in your bag for the jobs a flat pocket light was never designed to handle.
Who Is This For?
Buy the X2 if you want the most pocketable option and you mostly need light for close work and short walks. Buy the X1 K-V3 if you want maximum output in a flat package and you regularly use a light as a working tool rather than an emergency accessory. Buyers who carry a light every day but never need more than a few hundred lumens should honestly consider a smaller AAA or keychain model first.
Final Verdict
Both lights are excellent and both are built around the same smart idea. The X2 is the better everyday companion, lighter and easier to forget about. The X1 K-V3 is the better tool, brighter and more capable when the situation demands it. If you carry a light but rarely use one, take the X2. If you reach for a light several times a week, the X1 is worth the extra size.
