One of the most versatile pieces of every day carry you should have on your person – or close at hand – on a regular basis, a tactical flashlight is not just something that you will only be able to use at night or in low light situations.
Sure, it can be used in conjunction with a firearm to help you when it comes to more accurate target identification, but there’s also a lot more that you will be able to get out of a good one. It is often used while hunting, camping, hiking, and even taking the dogs for a walk around the neighborhood after the sun has gone down. The question now is, what is the best tactical flashlight for you? Read our guide and let us recommend the best models on the market right now.
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Things To Consider Before Buying
• Light Bulb – Today, LED bulbs offer incredible illumination with next to no power drain and also have life cycles that can last for up to 100,000 hours of use.
• Brightness – Between 500 and 1000 lumens is the way to go, as that offers you the highest brightness level to battery power ratio and is more than enough to blind and disorient an attacker while providing you with accurate target acquisition.
• Price – Any flashlight that isn’t at least $50 probably doesn’t have the best construction materials or engineering going on behind the scenes. Sure, a cheaper flashlight can work in a pinch and may be okay for household tasks, but expect to spend at least $100 on a real quality piece of technology.
Best Tactical Flashlight – Our Top Picks
There are lots of models available on the market, so you can choose the one you like. On the other side, some are better than the others. Today, we’re going to talk about five options which really hit the target with consumers. Each one is affordable and comes from a trusted manufacturer.
1. Streamlight 69260 TLR-1 HL
This is the best tactical flashlight on our list. It provides a 800 lumens blast of light, via C4 LED. This is a bit less than some of the other models on our list. However, it still produces a lot of clear and directional light. It is designed to snugly fit a variety of weapons.
When you choose the Streamlight TLR-1 HL, which is a best-seller and features a mid-range price tag, you’ll have a flashlight which may be snapped on and tightened with one hand. This keeps hands away from the muzzle whenever you are attaching or detaching. You also get to enjoy an ambidextrous steady on/off switch.
This model has a body which is made from aircraft-grade aluminum. It has a finish that is anodized. Also, it is equipped with a glass lens which is shock-mounted (TIR optic glass lens) and it will produce a beam which is concentrated, that produces optimum peripheral light.
The flashlight takes the most challenging outdoor conditions (from -40 to +120 F degree) and it’s waterproof. Its IPX7 waterproof degree means you may submerse it up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. It runs on two 3V CR123A Li batteries, for 1.25 hours. A tethered battery door and latch mechanism prevents battery door loss while providing easy battery replacement.
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2. SureFire Fury Dual Fuel
This impressive tactical flashlight from SureFire has a mid-range price tag and it’s designed to offer plenty of durability and features. This particular model features one high output level which offers 1500 lumens in order to provide the most light possible. As well, it is equipped with an LED emitter which is built to stand the test of time. The LED emitter is regulated, so it will maximize run-time and light output.
In addition, it comes with a click switch of the “tail-cap” type. Press it part way in order to access the “on” setting for a short period of time, or push it down more, to the point where it clicks, in order to access a continual “on” setting.
You will find that the P2X Fury has a length of 5.6 inches. This is the typical length of most compact flashlights on the market. The model is also truly lightweight. Its body is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. It’s “hard anodized” to Mil-Spec (United States military standard) in order to provide the ultimate in durability.
When you choose this model, which comes from a trusted brand name, you’ll access a reflector which is micro-textured with precision. The reflector will create a beam which is optimal and very smooth. SureFire has been around since 1979 and it’s an American company which specializes in manufacturing weapon-mounted lights and other forms of portable lighting (as well as laser sights).
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3. Fenix PD35 TAC
One of the best tactical flashlights on the market today, this model from Fenix produces a maximum 1000 lumens of clear intense light, via LED (Cree XP-L V5). The LED light will run for 50,000 hours. You may power it with a li-ion battery which is rechargeable (18650 battery), or utilize a couple of lithium batteries (3V CR123A).
One key selling point is that it’s sized to fit into a pocket, while still delivering high performance. It is less than 5.5 inch in length, but offers the same lumen output as bigger, longer flashlights. Its beam distance is up to 650 feet.
The PD35 TAC features a tail switch which offers a “momentarily on” setting. When it is set to its “outdoor mode”, there will be a group of six subcategories of output modes. In the “tactical mode” setting, flashlight performance will be stronger, simpler and faster.
Built by durable aircraft-grade aluminum, stainless steel switch and toughened ultra-clear glass lens, this tactical flashlight is rated as waterproof IPX-8 standard, underwater up to 6.5 feet for 30 minutes. Perfect for law enforcement personnel or outdoor usage, it offers power in a compact format, for a lower-than-average price. Batteries will be included with your order.
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4. Anker LC130
If you want ultra-bright performance from a tactical flashlight, without needing to spend a bundle, you’ll probably love this model from Anker. It’s a budget-priced option and offers 1300 lumens of lighting output via a trio of Cree-brand LED lights. You’ll have the power to sweep the brightest light beyond 850 feet, which is the length of a couple of football fields. It’s actually possible to illuminate up to 1200 feet with it.
When you choose the Anker LC130, you’ll access five settings which are adaptable. Choose SOS, strobe, low, medium or high. It offers a maximum of six hours of steady brightness which is non-diminishing. It utilizes 5000 mAh batteries which are of superb quality and rechargeable. As well, the lifespan of the LED lights is 50,000 hours. It takes eight hours to charge it fully. You’ll need to buy a 1A adapter. The flashlight does come with a USB-style cable.
This model is rated at IP67 for water resistance. It is crafted with an aluminum body and it’s shock-resistant. As you can see, this flashlight offers tons of features for a low price. Moreover, it also comes with a worry-free 18-month warranty.
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5. Klarus XT11GT
Our fifth choice on our list of the best tactical flashlights. This model is rechargeable and very compact. It’s also light in weight and provides super-bright performance. Its LED light comes from Cree (XHP35 HD E4) and it delivers a maximum output of 2000 lumens. Equipped with a tail switch which is a dual style, it’s designed to be simple to use with one hand. As well, it features a switch on the side which assists with advanced operation.
The Klarus XT11GT has a range of practical functions. For example, it is rechargeable via USB, it has an indicator for battery capacity, it comes with a side-switch lock function, it has a smart temp control system (ITS), it is equipped with memorized function ability, straight to strobe capability and so much more!
This model features a trio of operating settings: outdoor, tactical and advanced tactical. You can choose between the three unique modes depending on whatever situation you’re preparing for. It’s also extremely easy to charge up.
When you order this tactical flashlight, you’ll receive a super bundle which includes a charging cable (USB type), an extra o-ring, a lanyard, a battery (18650 rechargeable), a car charger, a holster, a pocket clip, a mini USB light and a wall adapter.
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Best Tactical Flashlight – Our Ratings
Product | Rating |
---|---|
Streamlight | 5.0 / 5 |
SureFire | 4.5 / 5 |
Fenix | 4.5 / 5 |
Anker | 4.0 / 5 |
Klarus | 4.0 / 5 |