If you want a light that runs on store-bought batteries, the 4.25-inch Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA (88061) takes one AA or CR123A and has a 40-lumen low mode that doesn’t glare off chrome under a sink. If you would rather charge it, the flat Streamlight Wedge (88810) gives 300 lumens steady with USB-C charging. Both are IPX7 water rated and sold by Amazon.com.
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Both are handheld pocket-light choices. Compare the setting you will actually use at the fitting, rather than pairing maximum output with an unrelated runtime.
Compare the useful mode, not just maximum lumens
| Light | Power choice | Useful rating distinction | Best reason to consider it |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProTac 1L-1AA, 88061 | One specified AA or CR123A cell | 350-lumen high with CR123A; 150-lumen high with AA; separate 40-lumen low | Replaceable-cell flexibility and a low setting |
| Wedge, 88810 | Internal rechargeable battery, USB-C | 300-lumen constant mode; 1,000-lumen THRO for up to 35 seconds | Flat pocket format and charging in the light |
These are manufacturer ratings, not our field measurements. Maximum output and the longest runtime do not describe one simultaneous operating mode.
Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA 88061: replaceable-cell flexibility
Choose 88061 if you want a compact light that uses one of the specified AA or CR123A batteries. Streamlight’s current product page (streamlight.com) rates high at 350 lumens for about 1.5 hours on a CR123A, or 150 lumens for 4.25 hours on an AA lithium, and low at 40 lumens for 14 hours on either lithium cell. It is 4.25 inches long and IPX7 rated to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
Skip it if you require charging through a port in the flashlight, a magnetic base or a broad stationary work light. Its replaceable-cell format does not turn it into a USB-rechargeable model.
The maker’s part-number sheet (streamlight.com) maps black 88061 to a package with a holster and specified batteries. The checked standard new Amazon.com offer showed stock with 88061 in both the model and manufacturer-part fields.
The separate low mode is worth comparing for nearby reflective fittings. That is a feature-based reason to consider it, not a claim that we measured its performance under a sink.
Check Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA 88061 on Amazon →
Streamlight Wedge 88810: a flat USB-C pocket light
Choose 88810 if a flat carry shape and charging in the flashlight suit your routine. The maker identifies the black Wedge package (streamlight.com) separately from other colors and Wedge-family models.
Skip it if you need an interchangeable AA battery, a magnetic mounting base or the featured ProTac’s lower-output setting. The selected Wedge has constant-on and temporary THRO operation.
The checked standard new Amazon.com offer showed stock with 88810 in both the model and manufacturer-part fields. Do not substitute a Wedge XT or another similarly named version without comparing its actual controls and battery arrangement.
The Wedge’s 1,000-lumen figure is a short boost rating. It is not the output to pair with the separately listed three-hour constant-mode runtime.
Check Streamlight Wedge 88810 on Amazon →
Choose beam shape for the distance you actually work
The maker’s flashlight selection guide (streamlight.com) distinguishes total light output in lumens from peak beam intensity in candela. A larger lumen number alone does not tell you how concentrated the center of the beam will be.
For nearby work, consider how much of the fitting, surrounding cabinet and tool path you need to see. A distant inspection calls for a different balance of illumination and reach.
Beam-distance ratings describe a specified measurement condition, not a promise that you will identify a defect at that distance. Compare the actual task and the available mode.
For hidden areas, a camera may be the more useful next tool. Our inspection-camera guide covers a different way to look behind or inside an accessible opening.
Low output can be useful near reflective plumbing
Check the available steady settings before buying a light for chrome traps, stainless sinks or close cabinet work. Reflected light can make a bright center spot less useful than the headline output suggests.
The ProTac offers a separate low setting. The selected Wedge’s two advertised modes are constant output and a brief higher-output boost, so it is a different control choice.
Do not assume every light with two modes has a dim mode. Read the actual mode table and how the controls reach each setting.
Test the selected light in a safe work area before relying on it for a job. Confirm that the controls and illumination suit the viewing distance without shining the beam into anyone’s eyes.
A pocket clip is not a universal mounting solution
Identify how you will hold or position the light while both hands are working. A handheld beam can be useful for inspection but awkward during an extended repair.
The selected models have pocket-carry arrangements; neither is presented here as a magnetic-base work light. A removable or reversible clip does not establish secure attachment to any pipe or cabinet surface.
If the task needs continuous hands-free illumination, choose an appropriate headlamp or supported work light separately. Check its attachment, working angle and power plan.
Do not balance a hot operating light against material that can trap heat. Keep the light and its beam clear of the surfaces and components that its instructions exclude.
Match batteries and charging to the exact model
The ProTac 1L-1AA instructions (streamlight.com) expressly say this product is not designed for a rechargeable CR123 cell. “Dual fuel” should not be read as permission to install any rechargeable battery of a similar size.
Use the exact permitted battery types and handling instructions. Label spares clearly and keep incompatible cells separate from the flashlight kit.
The Wedge instructions (streamlight.com) describe charging with the light off and note that charging time depends on the power source. Its built-in rechargeable format requires planning access to suitable power.
For longer jobs, plan a second charged or battery-ready light. A manufacturer’s best-case runtime should not be your only allowance for a delayed repair, cold conditions or a depleted battery.
Water resistance is not every other protection rating
Read the complete rating and its test conditions. The two maker sheets list IPX7 water testing, but the X is not a stated dust rating.
Do not turn a water-resistance rating into approval for pressure washing, prolonged immersion, chemical decontamination or electrical contact. Follow the exact cleaning, charging and maintenance instructions.
A wet-location claim also does not establish hazardous-atmosphere certification. Where such equipment is required, identify the actual certification and task requirements rather than choosing by brightness or housing material.
Inspect the light after damage and remove a compromised battery or housing from use according to the maker’s instructions. Do not keep relying on a rating after seals or parts are damaged.
Keep a simple lighting plan with the tool kit
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Record the light model, battery type, normal working mode and backup. Charge or replace the battery before the next job rather than waiting until the light fails inside a cabinet.
The Wedge manual warns about heat buildup and accidental activation during storage. Keep its operating face away from surfaces and store it in a way that reduces unintended switch operation.
Use suitable eye protection for the work itself. Our safety-glasses guide covers that separate choice; more illumination does not replace protection against debris.
Choose between these lights by power routine, controls and carry format. Neither is a measured all-purpose winner, and a stationary work light may still belong beside the handheld flashlight in the kit.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ProTac 1L-1AA produce 350 lumens with an AA battery?
The maker rates high at 350 lumens with CR123A and 150 lumens with the specified AA batteries. Compare battery-specific ratings.
Does the Wedge run at 1,000 lumens for three hours?
No. The maker separates 300-lumen constant operation from 1,000-lumen THRO operation for up to 35 seconds.
Can the ProTac 1L-1AA use a rechargeable CR123 cell?
The linked maker instructions expressly say it is not designed for a rechargeable CR123 cell. Use only permitted batteries.
Does IPX7 establish a dust rating or hazardous-area approval?
No. Read the exact water test and separate certifications. The X does not state a dust rating.
Are these flashlights magnetic-base work lights?
No magnetic-base claim is made for either selected model. Choose an appropriate supported work light or headlamp when hands-free illumination is required.
How we chose
This document-based comparison makes no hands-on testing claim. We checked current Streamlight product pages, exact part-number sheets and operating instructions. The output tables were visually checked; ratings remain the manufacturer’s, not our field measurements. On October 14, 2026, both linked standard new Amazon.com offers showed stock with matching model and manufacturer-part fields. We did not measure beam spread, runtime, durability or under-sink performance. Read our selection method and about Plumbing Picks.
Primary sources
- Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA current page (streamlight.com): battery-specific ratings and model family.
- ProTac info sheet, revision September 2024 (streamlight.com): 88061 black package and output table; visually checked.
- ProTac operating instructions (streamlight.com): permitted battery handling and rechargeable-CR123 exclusion.
- Streamlight Wedge product page (streamlight.com): separate Wedge family identity.
- Wedge part-number sheet (streamlight.com): 88810 package, 300-lumen constant mode and 35-second THRO table; visually checked.
- Wedge operating instructions (streamlight.com): charging, boost duration and heat/storage requirements.
- Streamlight flashlight selection guide (streamlight.com): lumens versus candela and task-based beam selection.