Having a quality flashlight for everyday carry or general use is important. There’s a plethora of different flashlights on the market and many of them really go above and beyond. And, some of them just maybe hit the mark. I’ve previously reviewed the non-rechargeable version of this light, the Streamlight Stylus Pro AAA. When I saw a colleague using the Streamlight Stylus Pro USB, I got real interested real fast.

Getting used to the Stylus Pro USB was not a big transition. I was using the Streamlight Stylus Pro AAA for years as a dedicated EDC. The dimensions were relatively close to the same and the controls were the same. The two big differences were that the AAA version threw 100 lumen of light, while the Pro USB cast 350 lumens.

In a world with 1000 + lumen lights being commonplace, that might not seem like a big deal, but consider the size of this unit. The light is 5.95” long and the diameter of the body is no bigger than my tactical pen, at .63” diameter.

What about that 350-lumen power? When you click on the Stylus Pro USB using the tail switch, the light will turn on low power, at 90 lumens. To get the full 350, it’s required that you “double click” the switch to put the light into that mode. You do have to be quick though, and a momentary push, not clicking the power button all the way down is sufficient to tell the circuitry what to do.

The tail switch on the Stylus Pro USB seems fairly hardy. I’ve been using the Pro USB for about eight months now as my EDC and have had no issues with the switch. I bring this up because the tail switch on many of these style flashlights tend to be the weak point, the first point of failure. 

I’ve had several Pro AAA’s and did wear out the tail switch on one of them. While I have yet to send it in for a warranty claim, Streamlight does offer a limited lifetime warranty. That limited lifetime warranty does explain that it “excludes rechargeable batteries, chargers, switches and electronics which have a 2-year warranty with proof of purchase.”

Should you find yourself in a situation where you’ve had a Pro USB for beyond two years and your tail switch craps out on you, Streamlight does have a parts store where you can purchase parts for your lights.

The light comes equipped with a spring steel pocket clip. The clip comes fairly well affixed to the light’s body. This is meaningful, as you don’t want it to be prone to falling off. It can pop off and be moved on the body of the light, as well as its orientation can be changed to suit your needs. It works well when in my front pants pocket, clipped next to my tactical pen.

About that tactical pen…The Streamlight Stylus Pro USB is said to have an “aluminum housing with Type II Military Spec anodizing.” It’s said that the anodizing “helps make the light extremely durable and abrasion resistant.” 

The finish on the Pro USB is robust, however there are signs of wear on the body where it rubs against my tactical pen. I will note though that the Pro USB’s finish has been holding up way better than the blue Stylus Pro AAA I used to carry as my primary EDC (note the wear on my Pro AAA).

Not into keeping the light in your pants pocket? No biggie. The Stylus Pro USB comes with a nylon belt holster. For your jacket and tie types, this light would fit well in a breast pocket without an issue - a Montblanc Meisterstück LeGrand is thicker than this bad boy.

The light is rechargeable, which is a big selling point for me. To charge the light, you must expose the charging port. At the front end of the bezel, there’s a shroud that comes past the lens to protect it, it will slide forward if pulled, revealing a micro USB port. There’s an o-ring that protects the port from dirt, dust, and water ingress.

The micro USB port is not a “bad” thing, but it’s the only thing that gets in my craw with this light. From all indications, the Pro USB came out probably around 2013 – at least that’s based on the documentation I could find. The micro USB was the standard back then. But now, in 2024, the USB C is the standard. 

Much like every other electronics company, Steramlight will eventually have to change to, at least a minimum, keep up with the European regulatory standards. It takes a lot to reinvent a mousetrap, but after over a decade, changing the design to be more contemporary would not kill Streamlight. Don’t have a micro USB cable? No big deal, one is included with the light.

Why carry one of these? There’s a simple answer to that and it’s because its usefulness outweighs its burden. If you’re having a SHTF moment, or just need to look under a table at a restaurant to pick up a crayon, you’re better off having a quality dependable bright light than trying to use your cellphone light like some sort of a rube. Having the right tool for the job is what carrying the Stylus Pro is all about.

Carrying the Stylus Pro USB is not your only option. Since it’s compact, the Pro USB fits easily in a purse, backpack, attache case, tool box, tackle box…you name it. I’ve taken mine as a primary EDC on many trips, with it playing backup to some of the other lights I might use as a primary when camping or engaged in other outdoor activities.

My overall experience with the Streamlight Stylus Pro USB has been excellent. I’ve seen the price of the Stylus Pro USB to vary, but you can pick one up for around 50 bucks. If you’re not wanting to go all in with the 50, you can snag the Streamlight Stylus Pro AAA for 20 bucks, and see if this is a good platform for you. Regardless, I recommend them both, and won’t be hanging up my Stylus Pro USB anytime soon. It really fills a niche in my EDC routine, and you’re going to have to convince me hard to try something else in the foreseeable future.

For more information on the Stylus Pro USB, check out their information page. Also visit the Streamlight page to find a dealer near you.