Streamlight Microstream USB vs Olight i3t

Read Time: 5 Min.

Two very popular AAA Style Flashlights within the EDC and Outdoor Community are the Streamlight Microstream USB and the Olight i3T. I’ve carried both of these for a while now and I’m ready to give my opinion on the pros and cons of each. As well as which one I would keep if I could only have one.

Streamlight Microstream USB

Let’s start by talking about the Streamlight Microstream USB. This is a very popular light, with a track record as old as I can personally remember. It’s powered by a proprietary AAA battery that is charged via USB. I have the Coyote model, which goes from high to low…And to be honest, I liked the color a lot, which is why I chose this model (I’m neutral on which mode comes first).

Pro’s:

Fit & Finish: The build quality of the Streamlight Microstream is top notch. And the anodized aluminum body has a very tactile grip, which helps with its smaller size.
Tail Switch: The Microstream does not accidentally engage in your pocket, which is rare with a tail switch that sticks out this far.
Comfort: The Streamlight Microstream is a very comfortable light that takes up very little room in your pocket.
Performance: The Microstream packs a huge punch at 250 Lumens on High and 50 Lumens on Low.
Battery: I actually enjoy the rechargeable aspect for everyday carry, since I always dock my gear on my nightstand at night. I’ve yet to drain the battery in this type of usage.

Con’s:

Price: At $30, the Streamlight Microstream USB is $10 more expensive on Amazon than the i3T. However, the fit & finish warrant the extra price, in my opinion.
Switching between high & low modes: Switching between the two brightness modes on the Microstream is always a bit tricky. You have to momentarily push the tail switch and then immediately push again to go to ‘low’. This is common among these types of lights…But the timing is pretty hard to get right and it doesn’t offer much of a buffer (often times leaving you pressing “high” 2 times in a row).

Olight i3T

Now, let’s get into the Olight i3T. This is another very popular light within the everyday carry community and it is a traditional AAA (triple-a) Flashlight. It can often be found for a very affordable price as well.

Pro’s:

Price: The price is good on the Olight i3T at around $20, give or take.
Common Battery: The i3T uses one (x1) common AAA Battery. So, this is a good option if you’re not going to be around a wall charger or battery bank for an extended period of time.
Pocket Clip: The pocket clip on the Olight i3T is very similar to the Streamlight Microstream USB…However, it’s a hair longer, which is nice when it goes into your pocket.
Switching between low and high modes: Switching between the two modes is very forgiving on the i3T.
Low Mode: The Olight i3T has a ‘low’ mode of 5 Lumens. This warrants a longer run time and differentiates itself significantly from its ‘high’ mode. I also like this mode a lot for shuffling around in the dark when I’m wanting to be as discreet as possible (ie: putting my kids to sleep, etc).

Con’s:

Lumens: The Olight i3T is 70 Lumens lower than the Streamlight Microstream USB on “High” Mode (180 lumens versus 250 lumens).
Tail Switch: The i3T’s tail switch is easier to actuate in my pocket than the Microstream. I’ll be walking around, feel my leg getting warm and notice the light is on the “low” mode.

See the i3T at OlightStore.com

Streamlight or Olight?

This answer is two-fold because I do like using both lights…

The Streamlight Microstream USB is the one I enjoy carrying more and enjoy the functionality/feel of the most. But, it does require you to be near a USB charger or battery bank. And for that reason, I never carry this on overnight or multi-day trips. This light is reserved for EDC use only.

When I need unlimited power options, I opt for the Olight i3T. The i3T is the one I would recommend for go-bags, get-home kits, hiking kits, etc. You can easily stash a half dozen batteries in your bag and be good to go for months (especially if you use the “low” power mode). And replenishing these readily available batteries is very easy at any store.

Questions and Comments!

Which would you pick: Let’s hear it in the comments below…Would you pick the Streamlight Microstream USB or the Olight i3T?
Questions: Have questions about either light? Ask away in the comments below.

Ready to Buy: Streamlight Microstream USB • Olight i3T
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Ethics Statement: I personally purchased the Streamlight Microstream USB, with no connection to Streamlight. Olight sent the i3T for the purpose of me creating content on my site and social media. Neither company has previously proof-read or influenced this article in any way. All opinions, statements, and content are my own.