LOOP GEAR SK05 Pro MAO Review: A Flat EDC Flashlight That Does Almost Everything
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Most flashlights are tubes. The LOOP GEAR SK05 Pro MAO is a flat, sci-fi-looking slab with a spotlight, a floodlight, a multicolor side light, two swappable batteries and a USB-C port that lets it charge your phone. It’s LOOP GEAR’s best-selling flashlight, and the MAO version adds a textured micro-arc oxidation (MAO) finish. The light on its own is $107.99 (listed regular price $159.99), with bundles running up to $175.98.
For this LOOP GEAR SK05 Pro MAO review, we went through the product listing and spec images, the bundle and LED options, all 134 customer reviews on the store, and LOOP GEAR’s shipping and return policies. The goal is to show what this EDC light does well, what owners complain about, and what to know before you order.
Quick Specs
- Price: $107.99 for the light alone (listed regular price $159.99)
- Max output: 4,360 lumens
- Max beam distance: 405 m
- Lights: spotlight, floodlight (6500K SST25 or 5700K Nichia 519A), side light with 7 modes and 8 colors
- Batteries: 2 × 4,000mAh swappable 18650 cells (8,000mAh total)
- Charging: 20W fast charging; also works as a power bank
- Carry: magnetic tail, pocket clip
- Durability: IP68 waterproof and dustproof, 1 m drop resistance, -40 °C to 80 °C
- Finish: MAO (micro-arc oxidation) textured coating
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 134 reviews
LOOP GEAR SK05 Pro MAO Review: Design
The SK05 Pro is shaped like a flat block rather than a tube, and LOOP GEAR says it fits in half your palm. It has two lenses at the front and a long light strip down the side. The MAO coating gives it a matte, slightly ceramic-like texture in a light gray. Reviewers consistently love the look; one long-time SureFire and Nitecore owner compared its feel to the first time he held a SureFire Centurion, and said it looks like something out of a sci-fi film.
The flat shape has practical benefits too. It sits flat on a table or tail-stands without rolling, the clip holds it on a pocket, belt or strap, and the magnetic tail lets you stick it to a car hood or metal shelf. There’s also a glow-in-the-dark element at the floodlight that glows after use.
Three Lights in One
The SK05 Pro combines three kinds of light:
- Spotlight: for long throw, up to 405 m according to LOOP GEAR.
- Floodlight: for close-range, wide light. You choose either a cooler 6500K SST25 LED or a warmer, higher-CRI 5700K Nichia 519A LED. One reviewer who chose the 519A said the color is nicer and easier on the eyes, though perhaps not as bright.
- Side light: a strip with 7 modes and 8 colors, useful as a tent or hammock light, for signaling, or for ambient light.
On turbo, using both front lights together, LOOP GEAR rates it at 4,360 lumens. That’s a lot of light from a pocket-sized body, but like any small, powerful flashlight it will get warm and step down on the highest modes. One reviewer flagged overheating as an issue.
Batteries, Charging and Power Bank
Inside are two 4,000mAh 18650 cells, 8,000mAh in total, and they’re swappable, so you can carry spares instead of waiting to recharge. The light charges via USB-C at up to 20W, and the same port can charge your phone in an emergency. For a flashlight this size, two removable 18650s is unusual and a big plus for long trips; several reviewers called it out specifically.
Bundles and Options
| Option | Price (6500K SST25) | Stock when we checked |
|---|---|---|
| SK05 Pro MAO only | $107.99 | In stock |
| + A03 K-Sheath holster | $125.93 | Sold out |
| + SK03 SS Sandblast light | $175.98 | Sold out |
| + LOOPDOT Grey | $146.99 | In stock |
Note that every 5700K Nichia 519A option was sold out when we checked, so the warmer, higher-CRI floodlight may not be available. The product page also offers the K-Sheath holster as a $10 add-on, but one reviewer said the holster fit too tightly and blocked part of the light, so try it before relying on it.
What Customers Say
The SK05 Pro MAO shows a 4.90-star average from 134 reviews: 121 five-star and 13 four-star, with none lower. Owners praise the build quality, MAO finish, unique design, brightness, side light and dual swappable batteries. Several are repeat buyers who own multiple SK05 models.
The four-star reviews are where the useful criticism is:
- Weak magnets: two reviewers said the tail magnet doesn’t hold well on vertical surfaces.
- Selector switch: some found the rotary selector flimsy or wished it clicked more firmly into place.
- Complex interface: several said there are a lot of modes, and the less-used ones (like red night light) are hard to remember.
- Heat: one reviewer noted overheating.
- USB cover: one wished the rubber port cover were better.
About a third of all reviews (49) were posted in August 2025, around launch. Ratings since then have stayed high.
Listing Details Worth Knowing
- Newer model available: LOOP GEAR now sells the SK05 Pro 2 (from $182.99). One reviewer said they received an email about the new version the day their SK05 Pro arrived. Compare the two before buying.
- Prices on the collection page: the store’s product grid shows $175.98, the price of the most expensive bundle, while the light alone is $107.99.
- Sale items and returns: the light is shown at “Save 33%”, and the refund policy says sale items can’t be returned. Confirm with support whether that applies before ordering.
- Return address: returns go to Shenzhen, China.
- Currency display: the store may show prices in your local currency (we saw Vietnamese dong); check the final amount at checkout.
Who It’s For
- EDC and flashlight enthusiasts who want something different from a tube light.
- Campers and hikers who’d use the side light, magnet and power bank.
- Mechanics and DIYers who want a light that sits flat or sticks to metal.
- Anyone who wants swappable batteries for longer trips.
Who It’s Not For
- Buyers who want a simple one-button light: there are many modes to learn.
- Anyone relying on the magnet to hold it on vertical surfaces.
- Those wanting the warmer Nichia 519A floodlight, which was sold out.
- Bargain hunters: $107.99 is a lot for a flashlight.
LOOP GEAR SK05 Pro MAO Review: Shipping and Returns
LOOP GEAR offers free shipping on most orders, except to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, U.S. territories and military addresses. Orders to the EU carry a flat $10 shipping and import fee. Delivery normally takes 5–8 working days from shipment, with tracking. P.O. boxes aren’t supported. Check current options on the LOOP GEAR store.
The refund policy allows return requests within 30 days of receiving your item, unused and in original packaging, via support@loopgear.com. If accepted, LOOP GEAR provides a return label to its Shenzhen address. Refunds are issued within 10 business days of approval. EU buyers have a 14-day right to cancel. Sale items and gift cards are excluded, as noted above.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Up to 4,360 lumens and 405 m throw from a pocket-size body
- Spotlight, floodlight and multicolor side light in one
- Two swappable 18650 batteries
- 20W USB-C charging and power bank function
- IP68, drop-resistant, wide temperature range
- Distinctive MAO finish and flat design
- 4.90-star average from 134 reviews
Cons
- Expensive for a flashlight
- Magnet may be too weak for vertical surfaces
- Complex interface with many modes
- Some owners find the selector switch flimsy
- Nichia 519A version sold out
- Returns go to China; sale items may be excluded
- Newer SK05 Pro 2 already available
FAQ
How bright is the LOOP GEAR SK05 Pro MAO?
LOOP GEAR rates it at up to 4,360 lumens with a 405 m maximum beam distance.
What batteries does it use?
Two swappable 4,000mAh 18650 cells, 8,000mAh in total.
Can it charge my phone?
Yes. It works as a power bank through its USB-C port.
Is it waterproof?
It’s rated IP68 for water and dust resistance.
What’s the difference between the 6500K and 5700K versions?
The floodlight LED. The 6500K SST25 is cooler; the 5700K Nichia 519A is warmer with better color rendering. The 519A was sold out when we checked.
LOOP GEAR SK05 Pro MAO Review: Bottom Line
The LOOP GEAR SK05 Pro MAO is a genuinely unique EDC flashlight: a flat, rugged body with a spotlight, floodlight, colorful side light, two swappable 18650s and a power bank function, wrapped in a striking MAO finish. Owners love it, and its 4.90-star average is well earned. The weak points are the magnet, a busy interface and a selector some find flimsy, and buyers should compare it with the newer SK05 Pro 2 and check the return terms on sale-priced items. If you want an EDC light that does far more than a standard tube flashlight, it’s an easy one to recommend.
That wraps up our LOOP GEAR SK05 Pro MAO review. See current bundles and LED options on the official LOOP GEAR store.
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