AceBeam UC3A
I’ve had my eye on some AceBeam lights for a while now, and what better way to sample their products than starting small? The UC3A is just that, an extremely pocketable EDC light. With dual front SST-36F emitters pushing out 900 lumens and a side light providing 270 degrees of white or RGB light, it offers a lot of versatility. Add a strong tail magnet, dual-fuel capability (it takes an off-the-shelf AAA battery), and a straightforward UI, and it punches above its weight class. It packs a large amount of functionality into a fun-sized candy bar package.
I like that it’s a useful tool I’m not afraid will light my pocket on fire (whomnst among us‽). It fills a niche in my collection of safer, smaller lights. I’ve been using this one as a secondary pocket light, or as one I’ll gladly hand to one of my kids or my wife without worrying. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got a soft spot for my retina fryers, but this smaller useful little light earns its place too.
What’s in the box?
- •The AceBeam UC3A
- •400 mAh 10440 battery cell with built-in USB-C port (already inside the light)
- •USB-C charging cord
- •Keychain ring/clip
- •Spare O-rings
- •Warranty card
- •User manual
- •Certification card
Build quality and design
This is my first AceBeam, so I’m coming in fresh. It feels solidly made, complete with screws holding the head and tail onto the body. The finish has a nice satin texture that feels uniform and tough. The two buttons compress with a haptic click for feedback. The battery compartment tail threads on and off smoothly and feels secure.
The design doesn’t overthink itself. The dual emitters up front are a smart call for doubling the brightness. The two button interface keeps things straightforward and removes ambiguity. The side light is unique, I’m not sure I’ve seen a rectangular EDC light boasting 270 degrees of from a side light before. An interesting quirk. The RGB lights are a welcome extra, though I find the available options and how you cycle through them leave something to be desired (more on that below). The strong tail magnet on the battery compartment, plus the ability to take any AAA, is a standout feature. The pocket clip isn’t in my preferred orientation, but it functions well and lets the light sit low in my pocket. The versatility here would make this a great gift for a non-enthusiast, or a solid backup light, which is how I’ve been carrying it lately as I mentioned above.
UI and usability
The UI is straightforward and controlled by two buttons. The one closest to the front emitters controls those front emitters, of course, the other controls the side light. The buttons are even marked with a little diagram of a front light and “RGB” respectively. I’ve linked a diagram pulled from AceBeam’s website below. It has many of the key features I look for in an EDC light. It can be locked, moonlight from off, turbo from off, quick brightness control, and it automatically starts on medium from off.
https://www.acebeam.com/Images/uploaded/UC3A-1/08.jpg
I have a few small gripes, and they are as follows. Locking takes a decent amount of time, I’d prefer 4 clicks (4C) over the long press it currently requires. Cycling modes on the side light could also be easier if 2C changed colors and 3C cycled flashing modes, rather than stepping through all of them in sequence. My biggest complaint of all is the lack of battery level indication. Given that the RGB lights are already there, incorporating a battery-level color indicator seems like an easy win.
The usability here sits in the space between the small clip lights I own and the larger EDC ones. This isn’t what you’re reaching for if you’re trying to spot deer across a field, and that’s fine. But for illuminating your tent at the end of the night, or checking under the sink for a leak, the UC3A earns its spot in my collection.
Performance
The 900 lumen front emitters work great. The side light is useful, though not as bright as I expected. The RGB side light is dimmer still, and there’s only one option for any kind of dynamic color effect. I’m left wanting more here, something like a simplified version of the RGB effects on my SK05s. That said, it’s still useful. Packing all of this into a genuinely small package is where the UC3A makes its mark.
TLDR
This isn’t a powerhouse retina destroyer, but for the tasks it was built for, it excels. Solid performance in a compact and well-built EDC light. With an interesting side light design, a strong tail magnet, and a no-frills UI, it’s a worthwhile addition to my collection. The kicker is the ability to take any AAA battery, which adds real versatility.
Please check it out via my affiliate link below if you’re interested!
https://www.acebeam.com/uc3a-compact-multi-color-edc-light/avg/esskue
