XTorch is a reliable flashlight that can be charged by USB or even by the sun. It even doubles as a phone charger. The product is made with the most remote and harsh environments in mind, and it is tested in the field to ensure that it works when it is needed. The best part is that this torch can stay lit for almost 2 days if fully charged.
It only takes an hour to charge and is handy for both power failures and for when you want to go camping or hiking. The material is durable because it can handle a lot of wear and tear. And it’s a lightweight torch. It was invented by Gene and Keidy Palusky.
They invented it when they struggled with electricity during missionary work, and frequently needed a light source and an electrical outlet. They initially invested in the business themselves since Gene had some money saved up from real estate. They managed to sell 1500 units in 2018 and their sales increased dramatically by 2020.
Although they were designed with people in impoverished countries or severe environments in mind, you may use them anywhere: at the campsite, in the event of an emergency (such a power outage), or even in your own home. By partnering with other non-governmental organizations, they hope to provide access to electricity and light for those who lack it. To help those in need around the world, they donate twenty-five percent of their after-tax retail sales net profit to its International Relief Partners.
They came to Shark Tank seeking to expand their business so they could make donations to developing countries as part of their philanthropic efforts.
Are They Still an Active Company?
Yes, the company is active and still in business.
How Did the Shark Tank Pitch Go?
They came to Shark Tank seeking an investment of $150,000 for a 10% stake in the company. They started their pitch by sharing the concept behind the product. They demonstrated how strong the flashlight was by smashing it against the ground while the torch was inside a block of ice. They also handed out samples to the Sharks so they could see the product for themselves.
Then the couple shared the numbers involved in the manufacturing process. Each torch costs $18.50 to produce and is sold for $55.95. The manufacturing cost was predicted to drop. Then it was time for them to respond. The Sharks seemed mostly unimpressed since it just looked like any other flashlight to them.
The couple added that any earnings from their flashlights went into charity, but Kevin caught them on this and asked if they were planning on running a charity or a business. In 2019, they’d managed to make $53,000 through sales but they also didn’t have any patents. This made the Sharks even more uneasy.
Mark stepped out first because he thought the couple hadn’t made enough sales just yet. Kevin pointed out that direct customer sales would make it much easier for them then he stepped out too. Daniel was next to go because he didn’t like the price point either. Robert was the only one who was actually interested. He offered $400,000 to buy out the entire company. The couple countered with $1 million but Robert wasn’t convinced even after they lowered it to $75,000.
Overall, the XTorch Shark Tank review was negative and they left without a deal.
Our Review of XTorch
We decided to try out this torch for ourselves to see how it would fare in practice.
The good news is that it’s a great camping flashlight because it can last up to two days and the LED system that it uses means that the light is quite powerful over long distances. It’s also both USB and solar chargeable. And the fact that it doubles as a phone charger gives it an even bigger advantage. A fully charged light can even last you up to a year because of its solar panel. It’s resistant to the sun and extreme temperatures. And the external layer is hard enough to keep it protected from falls. Plus the light can float on water and is incredibly lightweight.
The bad news is that it’s quite expensive and there are many other cheaper alternatives on the market. The solar-powered recharging selling point falls flat when you consider that it takes so long for it to charge fully through the panels. On top of that, it’s not 100% waterproof.
Pros and Cons of XTorch
Pros of XTorch
- Solar powered
- Charges phone
- Good longevity
- Strong exterior
- UV-resistant
- Can float on water
Cons of XTorch
- Expensive
- Not waterproof
- Takes too long to charge through sunlight
Who Is XTorch for?
This torch mainly aims at people who frequently hike/trek or go camping. It’s designed to withstand rough conditions and can handle being dropped a lot.
Are There Any Alternatives?
There are many different solar-powered flashlights on the market designed for outdoor camping.
The Otdair LED Flashlight is one good alternative to XTorch because it’s an incredibly bright flashlight that increases up to 500 Lumens. It can also light up a greater distance, which makes it perfect for outdoor camping purposes. The intensity’s adjustable in different modes from high-low and there are different colored light options available depending on your preference or requirement.
On top of that, this flashlight also comes with an alarm at the bottom in case you’re stuck in an emergency and need help. It can also be charged with a USB cord but if you don’t have a power source available, solar energy alone should be good enough too. The biggest advantage it has over XTorch is that it’s waterproof with an aluminum alloy exterior, which makes it perfect for rainy days outdoors.
Our Final Thoughts
XTorch is a durable torch with a long life, which means that it’s a great investment for people who go hiking or camping often. Plus it also doubles as a charger which is a huge advantage.
