Olight Marauder Mini 2 Review: It Changed the Way I Think About Flashlights

Compact, rugged, and blindingly bright, this palm-sized torch outperformed every other flashlight I’ve tested.
Not even dark but the Marauder Mini 2 creates bright light on shed-2
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila

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I’ve owned my share of flashlights, but the Olight Marauder Mini 2 is in another class entirely. During testing on my rural property, where seeing around a bend or across a pond can mean the difference between convenience and concern, this compact powerhouse cut through darkness like a searchlight. It’s small enough to be an EDC, yet powerful enough that I’d never aim it at a person or pet. At roughly $220, it’s not cheap, but after nights of testing in wide-open fields and wooded areas, I can say it earns its keep in both performance and build quality.

Compact & Bright

Olight Marauder Mini 2 Flashlight

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Testing the 10,000-Lumen Output and 750-Meter Throw

The first time I switched it to spotlight mode, the beam stretched hundreds of yards—bright enough to illuminate trees across a pond with daylight clarity. Olight rates the Marauder Mini 2’s output at 10,000 lumens in flood mode and a 750-meter throw in spotlight, and based on my testing, that feels accurate. Few flashlights this size can produce that kind of reach without overheating or fading quickly. I was able to scan fence lines, tree rows, and distant barns with no loss of intensity.

Yet the Mini 2 remains comfortable to hold: the textured silicone grip prevents slippage, even with gloves or damp hands, and its weight gives it a solid, professional feel. It’s hefty enough to inspire confidence, but not so heavy that it tires your wrist.

How to Use the Marauder Mini 2 Controls and Features

The rotary dial and toggle system took a few minutes to learn, but soon felt natural. Rotating the dial unlocks the flashlight and adjusts brightness, and the toggle lets you select between floodlight, spotlight, or a combined mode. There’s also a red-light setting that’s handy for preserving night vision or signaling in emergencies. Plus, there’s a new side light that acts like a miniature work light for close-up tasks.

I appreciated the built-in security lockout, which prevents accidental activation in a pack or glove box. Once I got used to unlocking it with a quick twist, it became second nature. The lanyard/charging combo cable is clever, too: the cord doubles as a wrist strap to prevent drops and connects magnetically for USB-C or MCC charging.

  • Marauder Mini 2 creates super bright streak on concrete
  • Marauder Mini 2 using broad light for underbrushes
  • Marauder Mini 2 shining from end of tunnels
  • Marauder Mini 2 spotlight bright even across a pond at night
  • Marauder Mini 2 in case for safe storage
  • Marauder Mini 2 with military-Grade Case
  • Rechargeable 7500mAh battery
  • USB c Charging plus magnetic charging

Durability and Battery Life: Real-World Testing Results

Over several nights of outdoor use, I cycled through every mode and couldn’t find a weak setting. The light maintains full power far longer than expected before stepping down to a manageable level to protect the LEDs. The heat management impressed me: the flashlight warms just slightly at full blast but never becomes uncomfortable to hold.

Being the clutz that I am, I dropped the Mini 2 twice during testing—once on gravel, once on concrete—and both times it came away without a scratch. The IPX8 water-resistance rating proved true during a brief rain shower, during which it got wet but not soaked. Performance was unaffected. Charging from near-empty to full took about 2.5 hours with the USB-C cable.

Is the Olight Marauder Mini 2 Worth $220?

At around $220, this isn’t a casual purchase, but in my view, it’s priced in line with professional-grade performance. It’s a tool for anyone who genuinely needs serious illumination: rural homeowners, first responders, campers, or anyone who works outdoors after dark. I’ve tested many flashlights that promise brightness but fall short after a few minutes, but the Marauder Mini 2 provides brilliant output, features superior build quality, and throws more direct light than I thought possible. For me, that’s worth paying for.

 
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Glenda Taylor Avatar

Glenda Taylor

Staff Writer

Glenda Taylor is a BobVila.com staff writer with a background in the residential remodeling, home building, and home improvement industries. She started writing for BobVila.com in 2016 and covers a range of topics, including construction methods, code compliance, tool use, and the latest news in the housing and real estate industries. 


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