Fenix PD36R V2.0 Tactical Torch review
By Tom Calder
A genuinely well-made, rugged torch that recharges over USB-C and runs for hours on its large 21700 cell. It is more torch than most households strictly need, but it is the sort you buy once and rely on for years.
- Best for
- One dependable rechargeable torch that keeps working through a long power cut.
- Skip it if
- You just want a cheap light in a kitchen drawer for the occasional blackout, or you specifically…
as of 2 Nov 2026, 16:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.We earn a commission if you buy through the retailer links on this page. It doesn't change our verdict. How we make money →
Researched, not used. We haven't used this product. This review is built from the maker's specifications, owner reports and our own sizing.
What we like
- Bright 1700-lumen output with a 396m throw, plus a 5-lumen Eco mode Fenix rates at around 20 days for everyday household use
- USB-C recharging at 18W (about 2.5 hours from empty) and a 5000mAh 21700 cell mean long runtimes and no proprietary charger to lose
- IP68-rated and drop-rated by Fenix, with an aluminium body; a serious, long-lasting build rather than a drawer torch
Worth knowing
- Noticeably pricier than a basic emergency torch, and the tactical strobe and top brightness are overkill for simple power-cut use
- Relies on its single rechargeable cell, so keep it topped up and ideally hold a spare Fenix ARB-L21-5000 V2.0 cell for a prolonged outage
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Our review
Fenix's PD36R V2.0 is a 167g aluminium torch with a 1,700-lumen turbo, a 396m throw, a 5,000mAh 21700 cell and USB-C charging in about 2.5 hours, rated IP68. Fenix quotes up to 482 hours on its lowest setting. It is more torch than most homes need, built to last decades.
What it is
Fenix's page lists 1,700 lumens maximum, a 396m beam distance, a maximum runtime of 482 hours, a 21700 lithium cell of 5,000mAh included, USB-C charging in about 2.5 hours, IP68 water and dust protection, 140.7mm long and 167g with the cell. There is a tail switch for on and off and a side switch for the five levels, plus a strobe. UK stockists reproduce Fenix's mode table as 5 lumens for about 20 days, 50 lumens for 50 hours, 350 lumens for 7 hours 45 minutes, 800 lumens for 4 hours 15 minutes and 1,700 lumens for 3 hours 30 minutes, the last with step-down as it warms.
What that means in a power cut
The 50-lumen setting is the one you will use: enough to light a room or walk the garden, and 50 hours covers a week of evenings on one charge. The 5-lumen eco mode is a night light that runs for weeks. The cell is a standard 21700 you can replace or carry spare, which no sealed torch allows, and the USB-C socket means a power bank recharges it. Charge a spare cell only in a charger made for it, and keep lithium cells away from keys and coins, as our lithium battery guide sets out.
Fenix's low-voltage warning flashes when the cell is nearly spent, and the side switch shows the charge level at a press, so you are not caught out. A spare cell in its plastic case turns a 50-hour torch into a 100-hour one for little weight.
Warranty and limits
Fenix's warranty is 15 days' replacement for faults, five years of free repair, with one year on the cell and accessories, and limited lifetime repair after that with parts charged. It is honoured through the UK distributor, so keep the receipt. The limits are weight and heat: at 167g it is a jacket-pocket torch rather than a keyring one, turbo gets hot and steps down, and the tail switch takes a firm press. The 1,700 lumens is for finding things at the end of the garden, not for reading.
How it compares
On our torch comparison the Ledlenser P6R Core is the lighter everyday rechargeable with a focusable beam, and the better buy for a kitchen drawer. A head torch frees both hands for cooking or a fuse box. The Fenix earns its place as the one torch for a long, dark cut: the biggest cell, the longest runtimes and a replaceable battery.
Our verdict
Buy it if you want a single torch you can rely on for years, with a swappable cell and runtimes measured in days. Skip it if you want something small for a pocket or a child, or if you mainly need light to move about the house, where a lantern or head torch serves better and costs less. The government's Be Ready checklist asks for a torch and spare batteries; a spare 21700 cell is this one's spare battery.
A researched review, built from the maker's specs, manual and UK listings; facts checked 2 Nov 2026. Sources: Fenix: PD36R V2.0 product page and specifications; Fenix Lighting: PD36R V2.0 with warranty terms; Hill and Dale Outdoors (UK Fenix stockist): PD36R V2.0 mode table; UK Government Be Ready: emergency kit checklist.
Who shouldn't buy this
You just want a cheap light in a kitchen drawer for the occasional blackout, or you specifically want something that also runs on standard AA batteries or winds up when there is no power to recharge from. A £15-25 torch or head-torch will cover that.
Key specs
| Type | Rechargeable tactical LED torch (handheld) |
| Brightness | 1,700 lm |
| Power | USB-C 18W fast charge (~2.5h from empty); 1x 21700 Li-ion (5000mAh ARB-L21-5000 V2.0 cell included) |
This is a Researched review: we haven't used this product. We check every specification against at least two independent sources, re-check the UK price on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and say plainly who it isn't for. Commissions never change a rating.
If this isn’t the one
Best for A buy-once torch for the kitchen drawer or grab bag that will still work in a decade.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 16:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best for A bright rechargeable room light for power cuts that can also top up a phone.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 16:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best for A very bright, rugged lantern and power bank for a whole room or a workshop.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 16:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Questions
How long does the Fenix PD36R V2.0 run?
Fenix quotes up to 482 hours on its 5-lumen setting. Its mode table gives about 50 hours at 50 lumens, 7 hours 45 minutes at 350 and 3 hours 30 minutes at the 1,700-lumen turbo.
Is the Fenix PD36R V2.0 waterproof?
Yes. Fenix rates it IP68, which covers dust and submersion, so rain and a dropped puddle are no problem.
How is the Fenix PD36R V2.0 charged?
Through a USB-C socket under a rubber cover, in about 2.5 hours by Fenix's figure. The 21700 cell can also be removed and charged in a separate charger.
What warranty does Fenix give on the PD36R V2.0?
Fifteen days' replacement, five years of free repair with one year on the battery and accessories, then limited lifetime repair with parts charged.
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