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If you are a police officer, fireman, survivalist, hunter, hiker, camper or adventure junkie, you know how important having a good tactical flashlight is. It is something you don’t know you need until it is too late. From self-defense to looking for lost keys, there are many situations where tactical flashlights prove an invaluable tool.
When it comes to choosing a tactical flashlight, the question is not the importance or value of a good model. It is how to know that a specific flashlight is right for you. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of the 10 best tactical flashlights and put together a comprehensive guide to aid your search.
Table could not be displayed.Best Tactical Flashlight: Our Top Picks
Below you can read our reviews of the best products on the market to help you make the right pick for your needs:
J5 Tactical – Hyper V Ultra Bright Tactical Flashlight
The J5 Tactical Hyper V Tactical Flashlight boasts durable construction, high light output, decent water resistance and multiple modes of operation. It has a maximum light output of 400 lumens and a long focused light beam range of 800 feet. There are three modes of operation i.e. low, high and strobe light for signaling and disorienting potential attackers or animals.
The flashlight is powered by three AAA batteries and allows for three hours of use at maximum beam. You can use the low-intensity mode, which is strong enough to light up the surroundings, to preserve the batteries. This flashlight is very compact with a 1” wide body and 1.25” wide head. The length varies depending on whether the head is pulled or not and at 3.7 ounces, this tool is incredibly lightweight. The aluminum body is strong and durable while the O-ring seal helps with waterproofing.
Pros:
- Great design and quality workmanship
- Compact flashlight with a waterproof O-ring seal
- Three modes of operation including a strobe light and
- Adjustable Zoom
Cons:
- No information on waterproof rating
NiteCore P20 Tactical Strobe
The NiteCore P20 is a compact tactical flashlight that is designed for law enforcement, military and home defense in mind. It uses a premium CREE XM-L2 (T6) LED light source and boasts a peak intensity of 11,00cd. It has a throw distance of 230 yards. There are three different modes to choose from including tactical mode, law enforcement mode and general mode. All of these modes are easily customizable with different output levels to suit the current circumstances.
The tail cap button strobe button allows for single hand operation. This means quicker access to the strobe function and different output levels. NiteCore combines Precision Digital Optics Technology with Crystal Coating Technology to ensure extreme reflector performance. The highly efficient circuit allows for up to 26 hours of continuous use on low setting.
Pros:
- Sturdy make with aero-grade aluminum alloy
- Anti-rolling design offers a firm grip
- Up to 26 hours of continuous use
- Three customizable operation modes
Cons:
- Poorly designed strobe switch
PeakPlus Super Bright LED Tactical Flashlight
The PeakPlus is one of the brightest and waterproof LED tactical flashlights on the market. It can withstand most environments thanks to a sturdy body made from anti-abrasive, water resistant and durable aluminum alloy. It comes with a CREE XML T6 LED lens and chip with the output capacity of 1000 lumens. There is a useful zoom function you can use to zoom to x1, x250, x500, x1000 and x2000. You benefit from multiple brightness settings to suit different visibility requirements.
This flashlight has an estimated lifespan of 100,000 hours, an output of 10w and a range of 200-500 meters. The soft touch tail cap switch makes it easy to switch between different lighting modes. The estimated charge time is around 6 hours and you get an AAA battery sleeve, lithium-ion battery charger, as well as a lithium-ion battery.
Pros:
- Durable construction and ability to withstand aggressive use
- Offers five dimming modes
- Long battery life and multiple charging options
Cons:
- Takes too long to recharge
Wsky S1800 LED Tactical Flashlight
The Wsky LED Tactical Flashlight comes in a set of two and is powerful, bright and waterproof. One of the flashlights in the pack is significantly larger, but both are still compact enough to fit in a glove compartment, purse etc. The zoom function comes handy when you need to adjust the focus range. The smaller flashlight is 5.62 inches long while the larger one is 6.22” when zoomed out.
Both flashlights are powered by three AAA batteries and offer five different lighting modes i.e. low, medium, high, strobe and SOS. Considering their compact size, the 1600 lumens output is pretty incredible. The flashlights have an IP65 waterproof rating and are sturdily made of aluminum and rubber. We love the front strike bezel as they can be used to break windows. Also included are hand straps.
Pros:
- The anti-slip design ensures a firm grip
- Made from aluminum alloy and rubber
- An exceptional value you get two flashlights
- Super bright with 5 lighting modes
Cons:
- Sizes are slightly different, hence a slight difference in beams
Anker Ultra-Bright Tactical Flashlight
The Anker Ultra-Bright LC130 Tactical Flashlight boasts 1300 lumens of output from three CREE LEDs. These LEDs have an extended lifespan of 50,000 hours, which is longer than what you get with other flashlights. It can sweep light beyond the length of two football fields and reach more than 1200 feet. There are five adjustable light settings including Strobe and SOS for signaling during emergencies. The battery offers up to 6 hours of powerful and non-diminishing brightness.
This flashlight is tough and reliable with a waterproof rating of IP67 and durable aluminum body. It can withstand water ingress when submerged in 1m of water for up to thirty minutes. Its smart design includes an anti-slip coating that holds fast in extreme conditions. In addition to the flashlight, you get a micro USB cable, rechargeable battery, and wrist strap.
Pros:
- Has three LEDs with 1300 lumens output
- Produces bright light that reaches up to 1200 feet
- Can withstand water ingress for 30 minutes when submerged in 1m of water
- The anti-slip coating provides a firm grip
Cons:
- Takes too long to recharge
Streamlight 88052 ProTac HL USB 850
Available in three colors, the Streamline 88052 ProTac HL is a USB rechargeable flashlight that boasts an output of 850 lumens. It uses dual LED solid state bulbs with a lifetime of 100,000 hours. At 3.25 inches long, this flashlight is pretty compact and easy to carry around. It is quite versatile and can be charged from multiple sources. Additionally, you can use disposable cells if you don’t have access to a charging source. The tail switch allows for momentary-on operation while the pocket clip provides added convenience. There are three modes to choose from depending on the visibility requirements. The 6000 series machined aircraft aluminum body ensures longevity.
Pros:
- Programmable light via multi-function tactical tail switch
- Three different modes to choose from
- Up to 850 lumens output
- The battery can run for 7.5 hours before requiring another charge
Cons:
- Takes up to 8 hours to recharge
What to Consider When Choosing a Tactical Flashlight
Output
The performance of a tactical flashlight is often determined by overall light output, brightness and battery life. That said, the light output is a critical factor to consider when purchasing your flashlight. While the ultimate goal is to produce light, you should also look for the additional benefit of being able to disorient any threats that may come along. Aim for a model with a minim output of 200 lumens. Keep in mind that some flashlights offer multiple output modes.
Water Resistance
Whether you operate in wet or desert environments, we always recommend getting a flashlight that incorporates some degree of water resistance. It will offer peace of mind for continued operation regardless of the conditions you may find yourself in.
Size
When it comes to tactical flashlights, smaller is always best. A compact frame provides maximum portability, ease of use and concealment. You want something that is small enough to fit in a grab bag, pockets or glove compartment and this means aiming for 4-7 inch long models.
Hardware
Many flashlights are built entirely around an LED, which emits powerful and reliable light. Incandescent flashlights are also available, but LED is your best bet if you unbeatable reliability and longevity. It delivers great performance and efficiency while maintaining the integrity of the flashlight.
Lighting Modes
The ability to change the mode of operation is one of the factors that set tactical flashlights apart from ordinary ones. This is usually provided as an ability to change the intensity of light output by choosing from a number of pre-programmed output levels, which may range from economical and low-level setting to brighter more powerful output. Some flashlights also include intermittent light programs like strobe and SOS for signaling during emergencies. More advanced models offer modes that utilize RGB LEDs to provide colored lights for blood tracing, tracking and night reading.
Tactical Switch
High-performance flashlights feature a tactical switch that allows you to turn the light on and off with one hand. It is located at the base of the flashlight itself as a switch or button on the tail cap. This configuration makes it easy to keep the light pointed down range. When cycling through different modes.
