Outdoors & Fitness · Head-to-head
Fenix PD36R Pro vs ThruNite Archer 2A Pro
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Flashlights: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Fenix PD36R Pro is the one light most people should buy: a removable, USB-C-rechargeable battery, honest sustained output, and a beam that works up close and at distance. The ThruNite Archer 2A Pro is the smart cheap companion that never leaves you battery-less because it also runs on ordinary AAs.
Fenix PD36R Pro
Buy itOne rechargeable light that genuinely does everything, with a real removable battery and honest sustained output.
- Removable 21700 Li-ion with built-in USB-C charging, so a spare cell means no downtime
- Holds a strong, usable output well after turbo steps down, with long runtime on lower modes
- Balanced beam that floods a workbench and still reaches down the driveway; waterproof to 2 meters with an impact-resistant aluminum body
- Two tail switches (one for on/off, one for modes) are fast and hard to fumble
- Like every light, its top turbo number drops within seconds; the sustained figure is what you actually get
- Premium price, and larger than a keychain light
ThruNite Archer 2A Pro
Buy itA cheap, simple light that ships with a USB-C rechargeable cell and also runs on AA batteries you already own.
- Also runs on two common AA cells, so a flat rechargeable never leaves you without light
- Deep smooth reflector rated to 365 m, so it reaches the far fence or a dog across the yard (ThruNite's copy says 1,020 lumens; its spec table lists 600-700)
- Tactical tail switch with momentary on, a side switch for six modes, and a green standby pulse that helps you find it in the dark
- Two-way deep-carry pocket clip and an easy price to keep one in every drawer and glovebox
- ThruNite's own spec table lists 600-700 lumens max against 1,020 in its copy; either figure is the lowest of the three named lights, well under the PD40R's 3000
- The included 1900mAh cell is smaller than the 5000mAh 21700 in each Fenix
Side by side
The 7 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Fenix PD36R Pro Our pick | ThruNite Archer 2A Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Anyone who wants a single, reliable light for the house, garage, car, and outages. | People who want a no-fuss backup light that can always fall back on AA batteries. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $ · budget |
| Sustained output & runtime | Strong sustained output after turbo step-down; long runtime on mid modes | 1,020 lumen max in copy, 600-700 in spec table; Firefly mode runs up to 23.5 days |
| Beam type | Balanced, 380 m rated throw | Focused throw, 365 m rated |
| Battery & charging | Removable 21700 Li-ion, built-in USB-C | Included 1900mAh Li-ion with USB-C, or 2x AA |
| Waterproof & impact | Waterproof to 2 m, impact resistant | Not published |
| User interface | Two tail switches: on/off + modes | Tactical tail switch + side mode button |
| Size & carry | Mid-size EDC/duty, pocketable | Slim, light, pocket clip |
| Warranty & support | Established brand warranty and parts support | Established brand warranty and parts support |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Fenix PD36R Pro if
anyone who wants a single, reliable light for the house, garage, car, and outages.
Know before buying: like every light, its top turbo number drops within seconds; the sustained figure is what you actually get.
Pick the ThruNite Archer 2A Pro if
people who want a no-fuss backup light that can always fall back on AA batteries.
Know before buying: thruNite's own spec table lists 600-700 lumens max against 1,020 in its copy; either figure is the lowest of the three named lights, well under the PD40R's 3000.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Fenix PD36R Pro - One rechargeable light that genuinely does everything, with a real removable battery and honest sustained output. Choose the ThruNite Archer 2A Pro instead if people who want a no-fuss backup light that can always fall back on AA batteries.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Flashlights: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).