Hands-On in Shenzhen: Acebeam’s UC3A Is a 65-Gram EDC Powerhouse With a Replaceable Battery and Rainbow Sidelight

Acebeam's UC3A in three different colors.

Following an intense week at Computex in Taipei, we hopped over to Shenzhen for a closer look at what Acebeam has been cooking up. After spending time with the new Acebeam K1 and several other models, one tiny flashlight kept finding its way back into our pocket: the Acebeam UC3A. At just 65 grams, it’s barely noticeable as an everyday carry (EDC) device – yet it packs a surprising list of features, including a replaceable battery.

Small Size, Smart Battery Choice

The UC3A runs on a AAA-sized lithium-ion cell – specifically a 10440 cylindrical battery. What makes this little battery stand out is its integrated USB-C port, cleverly built right into the cell itself. We’ve seen similar designs in larger AA-format batteries, but squeezing a USB-C port into a 10440 is a neat trick.

There’s a trade-off, though. To charge the battery, you have to remove it from the flashlight. That’s mildly inconvenient if you’re used to plugging in the whole light. On the flip side, carrying a spare 10440 cell gives you instant power without waiting. The only catch? Spare cells aren’t yet available for purchase separately. Acebeam also claims the flashlight works with standard AAA primary batteries – we couldn’t test that ourselves, but if true, it’s a nice fallback option.

With only 1.5 watt-hours of capacity, the UC3A isn’t built for marathon sessions. During our hands-on test, one unit that wasn’t fully charged was visibly dimmer than a freshly topped-up model. There’s no battery indicator, so you’ll have to gauge remaining power by brightness – not ideal, but workable for such a tiny light.

Two Buttons, Surprisingly Intuitive Control

Operating the UC3A is refreshingly straightforward thanks to two physical buttons. The first button controls the main forward-facing light:

Hold while switching on → moonlight mode (barely any light, great for preserving night vision)
Single press → both front lights turn on in medium mode
Hold down (after on) → cycles through three brightness modes (moonlight is not in this cycle)

We liked that moonlight mode has a dedicated shortcut – it’s one of those small details that EDC enthusiasts appreciate.

The second button handles the sidelight, and this took a few minutes to get used to. White sidelight works similarly to the main light but only has two brightness levels. However, the real fun begins when you start exploring colors.

Sidelight: White, Red, Green, Blue, Police, and Rainbow

After switching on the sidelight, a double-click of the second button cycles through:

Red (plus a flashing mode)
Green (plus flashing)
Blue (plus flashing)
Police-style alternating red/blue flash
A playful rainbow animation

The police mode is exactly what it sounds like – a strobe that alternates between red and blue. It’s a bit gimmicky, but we can see it appealing to cyclists or anyone wanting high-visibility attention.

👉 Check the latest price on Amazon – Acebeam UC3A available in orange, black, or green for $40 before promo code

The sidelight serves two practical purposes. First, it works as a warning or attention light – clip it to a backpack strap, belt, or cap, and you become visible from the side. Second, the white sidelight doubles as a small area lantern. The strong magnetic back panel is a standout feature here. We’ve previously used Nitecore’s LA10 or Fenix’s CL09 for this kind of task, but those are pure lanterns. The UC3A gives you both a flashlight and a sidelight in one tiny package, with better usability than either of those older models.

One area where the UC3A falls short: blue light reproduction. The blue sidelight looks muddy and leans toward purple – definitely not a color we’d use intentionally. Red and green met expectations, though. The rainbow effect is actually quite pleasant, with enough LEDs to make the animation smooth. We do wish Acebeam included a standalone yellow warning light – you can approximate it using the rainbow, but it’s not selectable as a single color.

Real-World Use: Great for DIY and PC Builds

Because of the magnetic back and sidelight, we found the UC3A surprisingly useful for hands-on work. Inside a PC case, for example, sticking this light to a metal panel illuminates dark corners without needing a headlamp. It’s bright enough for everyday tasks – not a powerhouse, but perfectly adequate for rummaging through a bag, walking a dog, or fixing something under a desk.

The two white sidelight levels are well chosen: one for dim environments, a brighter one for when there’s some ambient light.

Verdict and Pricing

All in all, the Acebeam UC3A offers a decent range of features in a remarkably compact package. It’s not going to replace a dedicated high-lumen searchlight, but as an EDC companion that you’ll actually carry everywhere? Absolutely. The replaceable battery (once spares become available), the magnetic back, and the dual-button interface make it a winner for everyday carry.

Acebeam is currently selling the UC3A on Amazon for $40, available in orange, black, or green. The company also gave us a promo code: 4TBZINQJ – apply it at checkout for an additional discount. We don’t know how long the code will be valid or if it works for every Amazon customer, so grab it while you can.

Disclosure: We visited Acebeam’s Shenzhen facility after Computex. The UC3A was provided for testing, but all opinions are our own. The Amazon link is an affiliate link that helps support our reporting.

Source: Acebeam

*Images: Andreas Sebayang / Notebookcheck.com (size comparison with X35, rainbow effect via Z50, three models side-by-side)*