Last Updated on March 6, 2023 by Afsar
A Tactical Flashlight can be a very important tool in your day-to-day or outdoor life. No matter whether you are going to grab one for your city life or outdoor life, having a tactical flashlight will always keep you one step ahead. For that reason, you need the best tactical flashlights on the market. There are different types of tactical flashlights available on the market. Some may come in small sizes, while some may come in larger size. A small sized tactical flashlight will be beneficial if you want to keep that for everyday purpose. On the other hand, a small flashlight might not be used for a defensive purpose. So you need to make a balance between your choice and act accordingly.
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20 Best Tactical Flashlights 2023
Fenix PD35 Flashlight
Fenix PD35 is one of the best tactical flashlights on the market. A lot of people has used this excellent flashlight for its durability, performance and high lumens. Fenix PD35 comes with 1000 lumens to brighten up the trail you love to run every often. This 1000 Lumen with Cree XP-L V5 LED has a lifespan of around 50,000 hours. It uses one 18650 rechargeable Li-ion battery or two CR123A lithium batteries to power this up. The tactical tail switch makes it super easy to turn it on quickly and easily. It will even remind you when battery replacement is needed, thanks to the low-voltage reminder. Durable aircraft-grade aluminum is used to make this tactical flashlight. This makes the tactical flashlight strong and durable. It’s anti-slip design prevent it from slipping from hands. If you are a guy who loves water sports, then this flashlight will help you a lot. It’s waterproof to IPX-8 standard and can sustain up to 6 ½ feet for up to 30 minutes.
J5 Tactical Hyper V1-Pro 300 Lumen
Best Cheap Tactical Flashlight: If you need a tactical flashlight, but don’t want to break the bank, then this is the best flashlight for you. It may not be the brightest flashlight on the market, but the 300 lumens will suffice for your day-to-day need. The max output of this flashlight is 300 lumens. It is enough to light up to 600 feet. There are several strobe modes like intelligent, high, and low to catch up with different environments. It comes with several military camo-inspired color combos to make you cool. J5 tactical V1-PRO is strong, compact, and ready to use for day-to-day hunting, fishing, and other activities. The best part? It is super cheap.
Hausbell 7W Ultra Bright Mini LED Tactical Flashlight
Love to go tandem outdoor with your partner or want to hand flashlight to your little ones? Don’t worry. This hausbell 7W Ultra Bright Mini LED tactical flashlight comes with 2PCs, but the price is super low. This is great for everyday carry, thanks to the super mini size. Due to the small size, it’s super easy to carry every day. The max lumens of this tactical flashlight is 300 lumens. The adjustable focus ranges for different usage. If you are wandering in your neighborhood or cycling or commuting at night, this is a great EDC flashlight for you.
SureFire G2X LED flashlight with Nitrolon body
This SureFire G2X LED flashlight series flashlight is made of a Nitrolon body. This means that this flashlight is virtually indestructible. The maximum lumens provided by this flashlight are 320 lumens, and the low is 15 lumens. The lower lumens will provide an excellent battery life. The dual output tail cap click switch is easy to turn on the flashlight. It is available in several colors to match your favorite color.
Solaray Pro ZX-1 Tactical Flashlight
Yet another best tactical flashlight you can grab at a decent price. This tactical flashlight is very powerful with high durability. Solaray Pro ZX-1 uses a water-resistant aircraft grade aluminum body with high-quality lens for better durability. The premium tail switch is engineered to quickly turning it on. With 1200 Lumens, Solaray Pro ZX-1 is ready to lighten up the darkness. The compact design of this tactical flashlight makes it easy to carry and takes very low space to store. The premium rechargeable Solaray 18650 3.7v 3000mAh lithium-ion batteries are there to have a better life. There are 5 functional light modes which can be accessed from the click of the button. There are different strobes like high, medium and low and more. There is self-defense like SOS signal mode too. Solaray Pro ZX-1 provides almost everything you need on a tactical flashlight.
Streamlight 75434 Stinger LED Flashlight
With a 50,000-hour lifetime, this LED flashlight is a great option for outdoor lovers. It uses rechargeable NiMH battery which can be recharged up to 1000 times. Besides that, it also accepts NiCd battery. The anodized aluminum construction with non-slip rubberized comfort grip makes sure you don’t drop the flashlight from your hands. There are 3 lighting modes and strobe. You can use different modes for different types of activities, while the strobe can be used for signaling your location. WHat’s more, it is IPX4 water resistant.
Smith & Wesson Tactical Flashlights MP12
This is a tactical flashlight from the Smith & Wesson tactical accessories. This tactical flashlight comes with a high, low with strobe modes. The maximum lumens is 875, and the lowest is 43 lumens. There are two CR123 batteries which will provide 2 hours of continuous runtime on high. If you prefer to have a longer battery lifetime, choose the low lumens. It will go up to 43 hours on the low mode. This flashlight uses anodized aerospace aluminum body which is waterproof and impact resistant. What’s more, the price of the flashlight is very reasonable for its quality.
Olight M21-X Warrior 600 Lumen Tactical Flashlight
Olight M21-X Warrior uses the new and powerful CREE XM-L2 LED. The maximum lumens of this tactical flashlight is 600. The body of this flashlight is made of aluminum with anti-scratching type III hard anodizing finish. This flashlight has the highest output of 750 lumens and can lighten up distances at 288m. You can easily turn on the flashlight and use for other light modes. There is three adjustable brightness level from low to high. This can be used for cycling too. See other best lights for bikes.
Nebo 5581 Redline Tactical Flashlight
Nebo 5581 is a cheap tactical flashlight for everyday purposes. Despite the low price, this tactical flashlight can do amazing things. The body of this flashlight is made of aluminum for being lightweight and strong. The maximum lumens of this flashlight is 220 lumens. With this lumen power, you can brighten up to 150 yards for four hours. You can use the emergency flashing strobe mode for the emergency. The bezel counter can be turned clockwise for spotlight which is perfect for focusing light over 20 yards. The anodized aircraft grade aluminum battery is waterproof and virtually indestructible. What’s more, the button will glow in the dark to easily recognize them in the dark. One more good reason to grab this cheap best tactical flashlight.
Fenix LD 41 XM-L2 U2 960 Lumens LED Flashlight
Fenix has already amazed us with their different LED flashlights, and Fenix LD 41 XM-L2 U2 is one of them. This LED flashlight has a maximum of 960 lumens power with Cree XM-L2 U2 LED. With this lumen, you can see up to 328 yards of distance. There are 4 brightness levels with strobe and SOS functions. These are easily reachable for quickly taking actions. The dual tail cap switches make easy to move between these four brightness levels. It uses convenient 4x AA batteries to power up this tactical flashlight. With the max 960 lumens, you can reach u to 50,000 hours. That’s quite a good lifetime for a tactical flashlight. The boy design of this device is flat to have a comfortable hold. The anti-roll and slip-resistant body design make it easy to keep in hand. For better protection to the flashlight, a toughened ultra-clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating is used.
Maglite Mag-Tac LED 2-Cell CR123 Flashlight
Maglite Mag-Tac 2 Cell CR123 is a premium flashlight with a crowned bezel. It comes with a matte black color for a cool outlook. It has been designed for law enforcement and military personnel for tackling emergency situations. The brilliant design with perfectly placed buttons makes this one of the best tactical flashlights on the market. It has been designed to combat all types of weather with water-resistance. The great thing about this light is it is made in America. Thus, you can understand the quality level of it. It’s drop-tested for special durability The quick-click mode selector can be very useful to choose from the momentary to full power or the strobe. Besides emergency purposes, you can use this for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
Iseason 900 Lumens LED Flashlight
Iseason 900 Lumens LED Flashlight is another great cheap tactical flashlight in the market. This tactical LED flashlight comes at a very low price with tons of features. There are 5 switch modes available in this flashlight. With the high, medium, low, strobe and SOS mode, this is a killer tactical flashlight at such price. It has an anti-abrasive coating with toughened ultra-clear glass lens for better durability. The maximum lumens of this flashlight is 500-900, thanks to the CREE XML-T6 LED bulb with adjustable focus. What’s more, it is skid-proof and water-resistant. So you can take this camping, hiking, cycling or other outdoor activities.
EagleTac G25C2 MK II XM-L2 LED 1180Lumen Tactical Flashlight
EagleTac is one of my most favorite tactical flashlights for its outlook. The maximum lumens of this flashlight is 1180. So it can lighten the darkness of the trail. It can reach up to 284 meters with a maximum runtime of 90 hours. It uses a CREE XM-L2 U2 cool white. There is a tail cap switch to power it on or off. The price of the tactical flashlight is quite reasonable.
Pelican Flashlights 7060
Pelican 7060 is a flashlight with a compact design. This tactical flashlight comes with dual switch technology to easily turn on the light. There is a body-mounted patrol switch, and another one is a tail-mounted tactical switch. This momentary switch becomes very helpful to turn on the lights quickly. Thus, you get to hold the flashlight in different positions with easy controlling. The maximum lumens you can get is 160. You can reach up to 254 meters with the beam and the lifetime is only two hours. It may not be the best tactical flashlights on the market, but a lot of people found this performing well for day-to-day activities.
ONSON Outdoor Tactical Flashlight
If the price is the primary factor for you, this is the best tactical flashlight for you. ONSON Outdoor Tactical Flashlight comes with an adjustable focus to spot closer or longer distances. CREE XM-L T6 LED chip is used in this flashlight. The maximum lumens of this tactical flashlight is 900 Lumens. For better durability, is has a skid-proof design with water-resistance. 1PC 19650 Lithium-ion battery is used to power this device. You need to buy them separately as they don’t come with this flashlight. You will get five light modes with this with strobe and SOS function. In a nutshell, if you want to spend less, but want good service, this tactical flashlight is the best option for you.
Captink T6 Outdoor Waterproof Tactical Flashlight
Just because Captink T6 is cheap doesn’t mean the quality is poor. Captink T6 Outdoor Waterproof Tactical Flashlight has been loved by many people for its useful features at such a low price. If you think what a cheap tactical flashlight can offer, then this flashlight will amaze you. This cheap yet sturdy tactical flashlight is waterproof at some level. There are five modes available from high to low with Strobe and SOS. It is perfect for fishing, camping, hunting, riding, boating, and other outdoor activities. The adjustable brightness zoom makes it easy for outdoor exploring. The body of this tactical flashlight is made of aluminum alloy material. The best part? It comes with max 800 lumens. Anybody who loves cheap stuff will include this light into their “best tactical flashlights” list.
Gerber Blades Cortex Flashlight
Gerber is a famous manufacturer of different types of tools. This is a flashlight from Gerber with a beautiful finish. Gerber has designed this flashlight to easily adapt to your life. The maximum output of this flashlight is 675 lumens if you are using three CR123 batteries. Besides three brightness level, you will also get a strobe mode. You can use the high brightness mode for a tactical purpose, and the low mode for day-to-day purpose. Like other good tactical flashlights, this one is also waterproof to IPX level. To turn on you can take advantage of the pocket-clip-tail cap switch. It uses a black anodized aluminum body for better durability and longevity. If you use the low brightness level, it will go up to 40 hours.
SureFire Defender Series LED Flashlights
SureFire Defender Series LED Flashlights come in two different lumens. Lower is 300 lumens and the higher is 500 lumens. It comes with a strong, rigid body to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, thanks to the high-strength aerospace aluminum body with hard anodization. The dual output tail cap click switch can be used for momentary turn on high, click for constant on light, and return to off then click to select the low mode. The low mode will survive more than the high mode. The tempered coated window can resist impact while maximizing the light. The bezel of this flashlight is strong, and can be used for personal defense. Unlike other big tactical flashlights, this one is pretty easy to carry to make it a great EDC flashlight.
JetBeam BC25SE Cree XM-L2 LED Flashlight
Made of premium Cree XM-L2 T6 LED, this is a great balanced tactical flashlight. The maximum output of this flashlight is 960 lumens. Lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum is used to provide better durability, There is a battery status indicator at the head of the light to detect the battery level easily. The bezel of the head is rugged to face harsh conditions. It can beam up up-to 300 meters. With a full battery, it will survive up to 7 hours. JetBeam BC25SE is also waterproof with IPX8 level. It also meets some other standards like impact-resistant. In a nutshell, this is a good tactical flashlight with a good balance.
Bundle Nitecore EC4S 2150 Lumens CREE XHP50 LED Flashlight
If you don’t mind to spend a little bit more than the usual budget, then this is a fantastic tactical flashlight for your day to day journey. This is the best brightest tactical flashlight boasting a 2150 lumens power. The Die-cast Unibody construction makes it very strong and durable for the outdoor’s harsh environment. The aero grade aluminum alloy construction makes it lightweight and strong. Unlike most regular tactical flashlights, this one has the ability to live longer than usual. The Nitecore EC4S utilizes a CREE XHP50 LED with a precious digital optics technology to boast 2150 lumens. It can lighten up to 280 meters’ distance for better viewing. If you love to explore the wild or love to run or fish at night, then this is a great flashlight for you. It’s very easy and quick to turn on the flashlight by the EC4S dual switch design. There are five different brightness levels from Turb to ultra-low. What’s more, for survival purposes, there are three special modes: strobes, SOS, and location beacon. Though it generates higher lumens, the tactical flashlight won’t heat up much, thanks to the cooling fins, which will cool the gadget quickly.
How to Choose the Best Tactical Flashlight?
When choosing the best tactical flashlight, there are several factors that you should consider to ensure that it meets your needs and performs well in a variety of situations. Here are some of the key factors to keep in mind:
Brightness: The brightness of a tactical flashlight is an important factor to consider when selecting the right one for your needs. Generally, a brightness level of at least 500 lumens is recommended for a tactical flashlight, but this can vary depending on your intended use.
If you plan to use your flashlight in low-light conditions, such as during camping or hiking, a brightness level of 500-1000 lumens should be sufficient to provide a clear view of your surroundings. For law enforcement or military applications, a higher brightness level of 1000 lumens or more may be necessary to disorient potential threats and provide maximum visibility in dark environments. It’s important to note that the brightness level of a flashlight is not the only factor that determines its performance. Other factors, such as beam distance, battery life, and durability, should also be taken into consideration when selecting the right tactical flashlight for your needs.
FAQs
What is a tactical flashlight?
A tactical flashlight is a high-powered flashlight designed for use in situations that require reliable and durable illumination. These flashlights are typically used by law enforcement, military personnel, hunters, campers, and hikers. The design of tactical flashlights emphasizes functionality and performance over aesthetics. Here are some of the features that make a flashlight tactical:
- High Brightness: Tactical flashlights are designed to emit a bright and intense beam of light that can illuminate a large area or target. The brightness of the flashlight is usually measured in lumens, with most tactical flashlights ranging from 500 to 1000 lumens or more.
- Durable and Rugged: Tactical flashlights are built to withstand harsh environments, shocks, and impacts. They are often constructed from high-strength materials like aircraft-grade aluminum or rugged polymer composites. The flashlight may also feature a reinforced glass lens, O-ring seals, and a waterproof or water-resistant design.
- Versatile: Tactical flashlights often come with a range of different features and settings that allow them to be used in various situations. Some models may have different modes, including a strobe, SOS signal, or a low-light mode for stealth or battery-saving purposes.
- Weapon Compatibility: Many tactical flashlights are designed to be mounted on firearms, either as a primary or secondary light source. These flashlights often feature a pressure switch, which allows the user to turn the light on and off with the touch of a button.
- Long-lasting Battery Life: Tactical flashlights typically use high-capacity lithium-ion batteries that can last for several hours of continuous use. Some models may also include a rechargeable battery and a charging dock for added convenience.
Overall, a tactical flashlight is an essential tool for anyone who needs reliable and durable illumination in challenging situations. Whether you’re a law enforcement officer, military personnel, or an outdoor enthusiast, a high-quality tactical flashlight can provide you with the lighting you need to stay safe and aware of your surroundings.
Can You Bring a Tactical Flashlight on Plane?
Tactical flashlights can generally be brought on a plane in either checked baggage or carry-on baggage. However, there are some restrictions and guidelines that you should be aware of before packing your tactical flashlight:
- Batteries: Lithium-ion batteries used in tactical flashlights are subject to restrictions on the amount of lithium content they can contain, which may impact whether they can be carried on a plane or placed in checked baggage. It is generally recommended that you carry your batteries with you in your carry-on luggage, as they are not allowed in checked luggage.
- Size and Shape: Some tactical flashlights may be too large or have a shape that does not comply with the size and shape guidelines for carry-on luggage. Check with your airline to determine the maximum dimensions allowed for your carry-on bag.
- Restrictions: There may be additional restrictions on the type of flashlight you can bring on a plane, such as those that contain stun gun components or other prohibited items. Be sure to check with the TSA website or your airline for more information.
It is important to remember that the regulations regarding what items can be brought on a plane are subject to change and may vary depending on your departure and arrival location. It is always a good idea to check with your airline and the TSA before traveling with any item that could be considered a potential security risk or prohibited item.
What is the difference between a flashlight and a tactical flashlight?
A tactical flashlight differs from a regular flashlight in several ways. Tactical flashlights are designed to be brighter, more durable, and more versatile than regular flashlights. They often come with additional features like strobe and SOS modes, weapon mounting options, and rechargeable batteries. They are also generally larger and heavier than regular flashlights. Tactical flashlights are intended for use in challenging environments, such as military operations, law enforcement, hunting, camping, and hiking. Regular flashlights, on the other hand, are designed for everyday use and may not have the same level of durability or brightness as a tactical flashlight.
How many lumens is good for a tactical light?
The number of lumens that is considered “good” for a tactical light depends on the intended use and personal preference of the user. However, a range of 500-1000 lumens is generally considered adequate for most tactical situations. A flashlight with 500 lumens is usually bright enough for most outdoor activities, such as camping or hiking, as it can illuminate a large area and provide a clear view of your surroundings. A flashlight with 1000 lumens or more is often used in law enforcement and military operations, as it provides a high-intensity beam of light that can disorient potential threats and light up dark areas.
It’s important to note that while high lumens are desirable for a tactical flashlight, other factors such as battery life, durability, and ease of use should also be taken into consideration when selecting a tactical light for your specific needs. Ultimately, the best lumen level for a tactical flashlight will depend on your individual requirements and the environment in which you plan to use it.
We will continue to add more products to this Best Tactical Flashlights list. If you don’t have a money factor, you should grab one with better material and lumens power.
What is Lumen?
A lumen (symbol: lm) is a unit of measurement for the total amount of visible light emitted by a light source. It is defined as the amount of light that is emitted in a unit solid angle by a point source of one candela (cd) intensity. In simpler terms, a lumen measures the brightness of light that a bulb or light source emits in all directions.
For example, a standard 100-watt incandescent light bulb emits approximately 1600 lumens of light, while a 60-watt equivalent LED bulb may emit around 800 lumens of light. Lumens are commonly used to compare the brightness of different light sources, such as bulbs, lamps, and light fixtures, and can help consumers make informed decisions when purchasing lighting products.
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