NEXTORCH – Military quality for the civilian market
By Rod Hoare
I’ve been a user of Nextorch torches for a number of years now in my offroad, camping and outdoor pursuits, and I thought it was time you all became acquainted with, from my personal experience, one of the best torch brands on the market, and possibly one of the best kept secrets in the EDC torch world.
During the past two decades, Nextorch has built a solid reputation as a maker of professional grade flashlights. Originally focused on supplying military and law enforcement agencies, including some Australian Police Forces being issued with the TA30CMAX torch, the company has expanded into the consumer market while maintaining that same duty driven design philosophy. Their products are now used in more than 100 countries, and the emphasis has always remained consistent: reliability, durability and straight-forward operation in real world conditions.
Unlike many consumer brands that chase features for the sake of it, Nextorch designs gear that prioritises performance when it matters. That approach is immediately evident in both the E52D and the compact K40, reviewed below, both of which, like all Nextorch products, carry a 10-year warranty, handled right here in Australia by the Australian Distributor Aussie Outback Supplies.
Why Nextorch stands out in a crowded lighting world:
- 10-year warranty – all products backed locally in Australia.
- Australian stock – fast, reliable dispatch Australia wide.
- Used in more than 100 countries worldwide.
- Full warranty support handled locally; no need to ship overseas.
- Compliant with Australian safety and performance standards.
- Access to the latest tactical and professional lighting technology.
Nextorch E52D
The Nextorch E52D strikes a fantastic balance between everyday carry practicality and serious lighting output. From the moment you pick it up, it feels like a purpose-built tool rather than a gadget: solid in the hand, well weighted, fantastic tactile feel, and clearly designed to handle rough use. It’s compact enough to carry regularly, yet delivers performance that rivals much larger torches.
In the field, the E52D really comes into its own. With a maximum output of 3700 lumens, it produces a broad, intense beam from a single LED that comfortably lights up paddocks, sheds and tree lines. The beam profile is particularly well executed, being wide enough for situational awareness while still maintaining enough throw to reach out to about 280 metres. When camping, hunting or around the house, this combination gives you that feeling of safety, being able to pick up movement quickly with its bright and broad beam or show the way when walking at night with one of its lower strength beams.
Build quality is exactly what you’d expect from a brand with military roots. The hard anodised aluminium body feels durable, comfortable, well weighted and everything is where it should be. With an IPX8 waterproof rating (two metre submersion) and a two-metre drop resistance, it’s a torch you won’t hesitate to throw into the ute or your pack. The grip is secure even with wet or gloved hands, and the overall construction gives confidence.
The user interface is deliberately simple. You have access to high, medium, low and strobe modes all through the one single button that is protected from any accidental pushes, with quick access to maximum output when needed. There’s no unnecessary complexity or multiple buttons, just reliable, repeatable operation. For shooters and outdoorsmen, that simplicity is a real advantage, particularly in situations where you don’t want to be cycling through modes in the dark.
Power comes from a rechargeable 21700 li-ion rechargeable battery, charged via a protected USB-C port; this makes life easy when you’re away from home with charging from a power bank made simple. Runtime is strong, especially on the lower settings, meaning it will comfortably handle extended trips without constantly needing attention, while the battery level indicator keeps you informed.
The E52D comes with a removable pocket clip and lanyard strap, while other accessories are available including a ‘quick draw’ 360 rotatable holster, and a nylon holster, both with Molle and wide belt compatibility, making this a true ‘carry anywhere’ item.
What stands out most about the E52D is how well it fits into real world use. It’s powerful enough to rely on as your primary light, yet compact enough that you’ll actually carry it. That’s a combination many torches promise but few truly deliver.
Nextorch E52D Technical Specifications:
- Light output: High 3700 lm | Medium 550 lm | Low 40 lm | Strobe 3700 lm
- Runtime: Up to 60 hours on low
- Beam distance: 280 metres on high
- Beam intensity: 19,600 candela
- Water resistance: IPX8 (2m submersion)
- Drop rating: 2m validated
- Battery: 1 x 21700 rechargeable (4800mAh)
- Dimensions: 153mm x 30mm (head) x 27mm (body)
- Weight: 130g (without battery)
- Carry options: Optional V55L / V10 holsters, Optional FR-2 tactical ring
- Price: $199
Nextorch K40
At the other end of the spectrum, the Nextorch K40 is all about convenience and accessibility. Small enough to live on your keys, or clip onto a cap for handsfree use, weighing only 17g, it’s the kind of light you always have with you, something that becomes surprisingly valuable over time.
Despite its size, the K40 delivers a respectable 300 lumens and maximum beam distance of 78m, which is more than enough for close up tasks like finding gear, unlocking sheds, navigating around camp, or doing that nighttime repair under the bonnet of your 4×4. Where it really sets itself apart, however, is in its versatility. In addition to the three-level main white beam, it also includes a strobe, red, blue, red/blue flashing and UV light modes. The red light is particularly useful for preserving night vision, while the UV function can come in handy for inspection tasks. The red/blue flashing mode is bright and is perfect for attracting attention.
With its impact-resistant, see-through body, pocket clip and large lanyard/keyring hole, this torch is not only functional, it looks cool and has multiple ways to be carried and used. It’s not designed to replace a full-size torch, and it doesn’t try to. Runtime on high is limited, but the charging is quick, and the beam won’t reach out over long distance like the E52D, that’s not its role. The K40 is a backup, an everyday utility tool, and a ‘just in case’ light that proves its worth time and time again. My K40 lives in the console of the 4×4, even though I also have a couple of larger Nextorch torches in the car. The K40 has been super useful and is more often than not the one I reach for first.
Nextorch K40 technical specifications:
- Max output: 300 lumens on high
- Max beam distance: 78 metres on high
- Light sources: White, Strobe, Red, Blue, Red/Blue flashing, UV
- Max runtime: 9 hours 15 minutes on low
- Water resistance: IPX4
- Impact resistance: 1 metre
- Battery: Built-in 180 mAh rechargeable battery
- Dimensions: 73mm x 16.5mm x 16.5mm
- Weight: 17g
- Pocket clip doubles as a hat clip
- Price: $55
Final thoughts
The pairing of the Nextorch E52D and Nextorch K40 highlights exactly what Nextorch does well: building practical, reliable lighting tools for real users.
The E52D stands out as a serious working torch, offering excellent output, durability and ease of use in a compact package. It’s ideally suited to shooters, campers, outdoorsman, and of course home use – basically, anyone who needs dependable illumination. The K40, on the other hand, complements it perfectly as a lightweight, always available backup.
If you were to carry just one, the E52D would be the clear choice for field use. But together, they cover nearly every lighting scenario you’re likely to encounter, whether you’re out in the paddock, at camp, heading out to the shed after dark or checking around the house after hearing a noise.
The E52D sells for a very reasonable $199, while the K40 is $55. If you purchase both the E52D and K40 torches together in June 2026, you will get them for a combined price of $215!
Nextorch products are available from all good hunting/fishing/outdoors dealers. To view a full range of more than 130 products and find your local dealer, please visit nextorchaustralia.com.au
For a more in-depth review on these torches, please check out the Aussie Knife and Gear Reviews’ YouTube channel @AussieKnifeGearReviews
