Best Tactical Flashlight Reviews 2024 – Buyer’s Guide

With 520 hours of runtime, this is a great camping light, and it can be placed on the tail cap to serve as a lamp inside a tent. Its best overall sturdy construction and build quality will help you survive any emergency situation.

Coast HP7 LED Flashlights

If you’re looking for an everyday versatile flashlight, the Coast HP7-led flashlight will come to your rescue. This flashlight is sturdily built to withstand the day-to-day hardships that it faces during use. The HP7 is durable as it is made from Aluminum construction. It is also both water and impact-resistant. So, you can use it in different bad weather conditions. If you want to buy the best budget tactical flashlight, then this light is for you.

Features	Coast HP7
Max Output Brightness:	410 lumens
Run Time:	High: 2h Low: 12h
Beam Distance:	High: 751 FT / 229 M Low:288 FT / 88 M
Length:	5.58 IN / 14.17 CM
Battery:	4 AAA batteries are required. (included)
Type of Bulb:	LED
Material:	Aluminum
Weight:	204 G
Waterproof:	IPX4
Price:	Check Price

Key features:

• Aluminum construction
• It comes with three light modes
• Dual power system
• Maximum Lumen output is 360
• Maximum beam distance of 226 meters
• Impact and weather-resistant
• Anti roll tail cap
• Meets ANSI/FL1 standard
• Coast’s lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship

Moreover, the HP7 flashlight uses an indestructible Led bulb that produces 360 maximum Lumens. The flashlight combines a pure beam focusing system with a slide focus to provide an excellent outcome. Switch between low, medium, and high modes. In case you drop the flashlight accidentally, it won’t roll as it has an anti-roll tail cap.

Furthermore, the Coast HP7 is small in size and very easy to carry. When you buy this powerful tactical flashlight, you get the Coast lifetime warranty against defects in material and workmanship. This is a great light for outdoor as well as daily use.

Maglite XL50 LED With AAA Rechargeable Battery

The Maglite brand is one of the flashlight companies that flashlight lovers go to if they need a military-grade tactical flashlight. Made in America, Maglite is a brand that pays attention to creating robust and powerful lights. The Maglite XL50 led is an excellent flashlight with easy-to-use features. The simple and tactile knurl design is for easy handling when in a tense situation. Also, it has a colored lens set that allows the user to attain different colors apart from white.

Features	Maglite XL50
Maximum Brightness:	200 lumens
Run Time:	High: 6h45min Low: 25h
Beam:	224
Barrel Diameter:	1 in. 25.4 mm
Length:	4.8 in. 121.92 mm
Battery:	3 AAA batteries are required. (included)
Light Source:	LED
Material:	Aluminum
Weight:	0.64 ounces
Water Resistant:	Yes
Price:	Check Price

key features:

• Precision machined high strength aluminum alloy
• Focusing adjustable beam
• Tactile knurl design
• Colored lens set
• Selectable modes
• Tail cap switch
• High-grade rubber seals
• Anti-roll design
• Pocket clip
• Lifetime limited warranty

The flashlight has high-grade rubber seals that make the XL50 LED light to be waterproof.  It is impact-resistant and can withstand dropping. Choose from one of the low, medium, and high modes for different uses. If you are a hunter, the tail cap switch will allow you to switch on/off the flashlight quickly and swiftly as you chase your kill.

Maglite XL50 is powered by 3 AAA batteries that are housed in its precision machined high strength aluminum alloy body. Also, keeping this light after use is very easy as it has a pocket clip for attaching to your belt or pocket. With the excellent Maglite lifetime warranty, this is a wonderful flashlight to own.

Olight S1A Mini EDC LED Light

The Olight S1A mini EDC flashlight is definitely among the most reliable and sturdy EDC tactical flashlights. The flashlight is powered by a single AA battery. This flashlight is an upgrade to the popular s15 Baton. But it is more powerful than 600 Lumens. In addition, it has 5 light modes and a strobe for disorienting an attacker. If you are looking for the best small tactical flashlight, then go for this.

Features	Olight S1A Mini
Maximum Brightness:	600 lumens
Run Time:	600 lumens: 1h (1m) – Olight 14500 3.7V 750mAh rechargeable; only using 14500 rechargeable Lithium 3.7V battery type. 220 lumens: 1h50m (10m) – Olight 14500 3.7V 750mAh rechargeable; 1h32m (12m) –  alkaline battery  1.5V; 2h20m (30m) – Olight Lithium AA battery 1.5V50 lumens: 6h30m – Olight 14500 3.7V 750mAh rechargeable; 4h30m (12m) – alkaline battery 1.5V; 10h30m (30m) – Olight Lithium AA battery 1.5V 5 lumens: 60h – Olight 14500 3.7V 750mAh rechargeable; 75h – alkaline battery 1.5V; 80h – Olight Lithium 2A battery 1.5V 0.5 lumens: 15 days – Olight 14500 3.7V 750mAh rechargeable; 20 days – alkaline battery 1.5V; 25 days – Olight Lithium AA battery 1.5V
Beam Distance:	118 m
LED:	Cree XM-L2
Length:	79.5mm / 3.12in
Battery:	Single AA batteries are required. (included)
Light Source:	LED
Material:	Aluminum
Weight:	0.8 ounces
Waterproof:	IPX8
Price:	Check Today’s Price On Amazon

Key features:

• AL6061-T6 aluminum alloy body with anti-scratch Milspec type-III hard-anodized finish
• Powered by one AA battery or rechargeable lithium battery
• High light transmission rate TIR lens
• Thermal protection program
• Built-in timer
• Blue PVD stainless steel ring
• Maximum of 600 Lumens
• Five brightness levels and a strobe mode

With the thermal protection program, the S1A mini EDC flashlight will not overheat and damage the internal parts as it adjusts light modes after 1 minute. Also, it has a special feature which is the built-in timer, with a 3-minute short-timer and 9 minutes long timer. Due to its compactness, using this flashlight is easy, and so is keeping it.

ThruNite T10 CREE LED Flashlight

When you talk about the best tactical flashlights, it is an insult, not to mention ThruNite. On our list, ThruNite has been represented by the ThruNite T10 flashlight. The T10 light is made of an aircraft-grade aluminum body with a hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish. In addition, it has a toughened ultra-clear glass lens with an anti-reflective coating for producing an excellent beam. The beam reaches up to 65 ft on a maximum of 252 Lumens.

Features	ThruNite T10
Maximum Brightness:	200 lumens
Run Time:	Firefly:0.2 lumens /240 hours High: 252 lumens /1.5 hours Low: 13 lumens /40 hours
LED:	Cree XP-L V6
Max beam distance:	65 meters
Output Modes:	3
Battery:	One 1.2V AA battery (not included)
Light Source:	LED
Material:	Aircraft-grade aluminum
Weight:	2.24 ounces
Waterproof:	IPX-8 (2M)
Price:	Check Today’s Price On Amazon

Key features:

• Aircraft-grade aluminum body with premium type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
• Toughened ultra-clear glass lens
• Removable pocket clip
• Impact resistance up to 1 meter
• Reverse polarity protection
• IPX8 waterproof rating
• Maximum Lumens of 252
• Max beam distance of 65 meters
• 3 light output modes with long battery life
• Uses CREE XP-L LED
• Tail cap switch and twisting head design
• It weighs 32 grams without a battery

Outdoor enthusiasts, law enforcers, hunters, and emergency responders are some of the people that utilize this flashlight. This is because it can survive outdoor hardships like impact and wet conditions. It is also lightweight and can be stored with much ease. Use the three light modes for reading the map, lighting your path, or blinding an attacker.

Outlite A100 Handheld LED Tactical Light

Outlite is one of the most overlooked brands when it comes to powerful tactical lights. But they have some bright and durable flashlights like the Outlite A100 flashlight. This is a complete tactical light with amazing features. It is not only sturdily constructed but can as well resist impact, and it’s waterproof. Hence, you can use it outdoor. The holster is for easy carrying of the flashlight.
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Key features:

• 5 light modes
• Adjustable focus
• Powered by rechargeable 18650 lithium-ion battery or 3pcs AAA battery
• An LED bulb with a 100000 hours lifespan
• Skid-proof design and water-resistant design
• High quality 6061T aluminum alloy body
• Holster
• Maximum beam distance of 200m
• 30 days money-back guarantee and lifetime breakage replacement policy

The Outlite A100 flashlight is powered by one 18650 lithium-ion battery or three AAA batteries. These are not included in the purchase, and you will have to buy them.

It uses an LED bulb that is indestructible and has a long lifespan of 100 000 hours. This flashlight will light your path clearly and even see distant objects as it reaches over 200m. Focus on one area or the whole camp by use of the adjustable focus feature.

J5 Tactical V1-Pro Mini Tactical Tool

If you’re looking for a quality tactical flashlight at a favorable price, then the J5 tactical V1-Pro flashlight will suit your needs. Many users have confirmed that this flashlight can be relied on to perform even in wet conditions or rain. It is made of an indestructible LED light that produces very bright light on a maximum of 300 Lumens. If you ask me, “What is the best tactical flashlight for the money?” then my answer will be J5. The beam can cover up to 600 ft, which is huge. The light modes available for use include low, high, and strobe modes. Do you want to get the best affordable tactical flashlight, then buy J5 V1.
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Key features:

• Durable construction
• Adjustable focus
• Max 300 Lumens
• 3 light modes
• LED bulb
• Powered by a single AA battery
• One year warranty

This is a wonderful bright tactical light for hunting, cycling, hiking, camping, fishing, security, and day-to-day home use. Even though it is powered by one AA battery, it is still bright and will give you long hours of use. One of the features that sets it apart from other tactical flashlights is that it is very sturdy and can defy dropping from 9-foot. Also, its compact design makes keeping it be easy. When you purchase the device, the manufacturer offers 100% satisfaction and a one-year warranty.

ThruNite TN12 LED with 1100 Lumens

With a maximum of 1100 Lumens, the TN12 LED flashlight is a very powerful light and can cover a huge area. It is also powered by one 18650 battery. Simply switch on the tactical tail cap switch and cycle through the 6 light levels using the side switch. The flashlight has a thick head design to make it be more drop-resistant. Additionally, the flashlight is rated as IPX-8, which means that it can function underwater for up to 2 meters for 30 minutes. Use this flashlight as you go hunting, hiking, camping, or for any other outdoor activity.
Features of ThruNite TN12 tactical flashlight

• Uses Cree XP-L V6 LED
• Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
• Toughened ultra-clear glass lens
• Premium type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
• Reverse polarity protection
• Smooth reflector
• 6 light modes

Benefits of the TN12 LED flashlight

• This is a compact and sleek flashlight for everyday use
• The TN12 is made of sturdy aircraft-grade aluminum material
• It utilizes the indestructible Cree XP-L V6 LED bulb that provides the user with the option of choosing cool white or neutral light.
• The reverse polarity protection prevents bad battery placement
• It is very versatile in use as the user has 6 light modes to select from
• It is very easy to operate with just one hand

Surefire G2X Series

This is a great flashlight for those looking for small everyday carry lights. It offers users different colors to choose from. The G2X series light is sturdily made with a tough nitrolon polymer that can resist corrosion, dust, and scratches. Moreover, it comes with an indestructible LED emitter that produces a very bright light at a maximum of 600 Lumens and a low light at a maximum of 15 Lumens. This is a great tactical mini-tool for your everyday use with its anti-roll body design and dual tail cap switch.
Features of the Surefire G2X series flashlight

• Tough nitrolon body
• Dual-output tail cap switch
• Anodized aluminum bezel
• Parabolic reflector
• Maximum of 600 Lumens
• Anti-roll body
• A virtually indestructible LED emitter
• Built-in heat and fault protection
• Two light modes

Benefits of the G2X series LED light

• The G2X series flashlight is lightweight and compactly built for easy use
• It has a tough nitrogen body that is strong and can defy tough surroundings
• It produces a very bright light with a maximum of 600 lumens and a parabolic reflector
• The Surefire G2X has a strike bezel for breaking the glass and hitting an attacker
• It comes with two light modes for different uses
• It is durably made to defy dust, corrosion, and abrasion

So, why do you need a good tactical flashlight?

If you are looking for a powerful, long-lasting, and reliable flashlight for use indoors or outdoors, the tactical flashlight is the way to go. Since their creation, tactical flashlights have become a favorite of many. These flashlights are durably constructed and can withstand harsh conditions. They are very bright and run for long hours. Despite their robust construction, these flashlights perform better than normal LED flashlights.

What is the use of a tactical flashlight?

In the beginning, tactical flashlights were specifically built for military personnel and law enforcers. But today, tactical flashlights are widely used by mountain climbers, bicycle riders, shooters, campers, hunters, anglers, security guards, and for general use.

Tactical flashlights are more powerful than regular flashlights. They are built with military-grade materials, are waterproof, have an anti-slip body, are compact, brighter, and provide light for longer. These features have made people prefer them over normal lights. But, we have selected a list of the best tactical flashlight for the money. Although, the Tac flashlights are more costly than the normal lights.

Factors to consider when looking for the best tactical flashlights

But with so many brands and models on the market, choosing a tactical flashlight can be a problem. We’ve created this article to help you know how to choose a quality tactical flashlight that will meet your needs. To select a quality and reliable tactical light, you have to know its features and how they benefit you. Read on to learn what to look for in a quality tactical LED light.

Construction of the flashlight

A great tactical flashlight is made with military-grade materials. The most common material you will likely find on almost all tactical lights is military-grade aluminum alloy. This is a strong material, and it is also lightweight. Make sure that the flashlight’s body is made of a hard-anodized finish to defy rust and corrosion.

Brightness level

Tactical flashlights have different brightness levels. It depends on the brand and the number of Lumens the flashlight has. If you want a bright light, you should consider picking a Tac flashlight with more Lumens. For instance, at least 1000 Lumens.
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Also, tactical lights usually have a higher runtime and better battery life when compared to normal lights. The higher the brightness, the farther the beam will reach.

Weight of the light

Even though tactical flashlights come packed with lots of features, they are still lightweight and easy to carry or use. Tactical lights are mostly made of aluminum, which is a lightweight material. If you are going on a long trip, you want to keep your weight down, and having such a lightweight device helps a lot.

Size

Tactical flashlights are usually small in size. With regard to the nature of their use, tactical lights should be compact and easy to store. That’s why most of them are considered to be EDC flashlights. Their size makes keeping them while out camping or hunting to be easy. You can keep the flashlight in the pocket, wrap it around your wrist or belt or keep it in the backpack. Normally, AAA batteries are smaller than AA batteries. Thus, flashlights size lots depend on the battery too.

Features

This is a very crucial factor when looking for the best tactical flashlight. The flashlight’s features will determine how long it serves you and its performance. Quality features will lead to great performance.  Some of the features to look for include reverse polarity protection, battery level indicator, digitally regulated output, an intelligent memory circuit, and much more. These make the flashlight to be more effective and safe to use.

Light Modes

Another amazing feature that differentiates between normal and tactical flashlights is that a good number of tactical lights come with at least 5 light modes.
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These include low, medium, high, strobe, and SOS modes. Every light mode has its own purpose. For instance, strobe mode is for blinding an assailant, and SOS mode is for requesting help when in danger. High mode is utilized when you want a very bright light. But if you want the flashlight to run for a long time, you should turn on low mode.

Grip and comfort

One of the distinctive features of tactical LED flashlights is that they normally come with a nice grip for holding the flashlight tight. Also, the design of these flashlights makes them be easy to store and hold. Most of the Tact LED flashlights tend to have a rough grip and non-slip and anti-roll bodies. This helps the user to have an easy time using the flashlight, even in wet conditions.

Types of Tactical Flashlights

A tactical flashlight can be classified in multiple ways. They can be classified based on their size, like large, medium, small, mini, micro, etc. Also, flashlights can be classified into various categories based on their usage—for example, keychain flashlights, headlamps, handheld flashlights, weapon-mounted flashlights, and hybrid flashlights.

Type of battery or Flashlight Power Source

Battery Life is another important consideration you need to check before getting a flashlight. Check if it has its own rechargeable battery or if it runs on disposable batteries. The type of battery a flashlight uses determines its runtime and brightness. The more powerful the battery is, the more powerful and higher the runtime the flashlight will provide. Tactical lights use a wide range of batteries, with a good number of them utilizing both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries. These include lithium-ion and alkaline batteries. The most popular battery base flashlights are rechargeable flashlights, AA flashlights, AAA flashlights, and 18650 flashlights.

These are the most common flashlight power sources used:

Rechargeable Li-Ion Batteries: This type of battery is my personal preference. It is because you can charge your flashlight battery, and it has a longer lifespan than the one-time battery. Most modern tactical flashlights come with these types of rechargeable flashlight cells for free.

Rechargeable Integrated Battery Packs:

Disposable alkaline batteries:

Disposable Li-Ion batteries:

Reliability in tough weather conditions

Ensure that you choose the best tactical flashlight with a high water rating, such as IPX8. This will keep the flashlight functioning even if it falls in water or if it is used in rainfall.
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Also, divers can use the flashlight up to 2 meters for 30 seconds underwater. Also, many flashlights can survive at least an impact of up to 2 meters. Check such ratings before buying a tactical light. Even some flashlights are tested by the National Tactical Officers Association(NTOA) to check the light toughness and brightness. If you find a recommendation from this organization, then you should consider buying that.

Purpose of use

What do you intend to do with the flashlight? Are you searching for the best tactical flashlight for self-defense? Is it for hunting, hiking, camping, defense, fishing, or diving into the water?  Whatever the reason, ensure that the flashlight that you choose has features that will help you carry out your duty smoothly.

Ease of storage

Tactical flashlights are normally compact in design, making storage easy. Also, they usually have lanyards, holsters, and some come with carrying cases for proper storage. Ensure that yours is easy to keep.

Additional accessories

Look for a flashlight with extra accessories so you can have ample time to use it. Some features to look for include lanyards, a bezel for striking enemies, a pocket clip, a dual switch for easy operation, and a carrying case.

Brand

It is not easy to find the best tactical flashlight brands. With so many tactical flashlight brands on the market, it is important that you choose from a reliable brand. Not all brands that advertise themselves as quality brands deliver quality flashlights. But there are some reliable and trusted brands with a great history, such as SureFire, Klarus, Fenix, Streamlight, Nitecore, J5 tactical, etc…

Warranty

Not only is it a good idea to purchase from a reliable brand, but you should as well consider buying a tactical flashlight with a warranty. Look for a brand that offers a warranty or money-back guarantee so that you don’t end up paying for a defective product.

FAQ

Q. What is tactical?
Ans. Tactical means “aiming at an end beyond the immediate action.” It could be planning or any type of gear that we can take action immediately.

Q. What is a tactical flashlight?
Ans. If we relate tactical with a flashlight, then it means “A flashlight that can work immediately and can survive tough rough conditions.”

Q. Is it legal to use a tactical flashlight?
Ans. Yes, it is. A tactical flashlight is just like any other flashlight. The difference is that it is sturdily built and comes with extra features. Most of the bright tactical flashlights are constructed with military-grade aluminum alloy and have a higher number of lumens. So, they are good for defending yourself when you’re in danger and can be used to hit the assailant after you’ve disoriented them.

Q. How do I choose the best tactical flashlight for outdoor use?
Ans. First and foremost, a good tactical flashlight should be able to withstand outdoor hardships. It should be made of a durable casing, be waterproof, and be very bright. Also, it should offer different brightness levels and have easy-to-use switches such as a tail cap and side switch. A zoomable feature is also a plus for a tactical flashlight. And of course, it should use an LED bulb to provide light.

Q. How do I fully utilize a tactical flashlight?
Ans. Unlike the normal flashlight, a tactical flashlight can be used even in extreme weather conditions like rainfall, cold, or snow. Also, you can use it for normal flashlight needs, such as providing light, or for tactical purposes, such as blinding an attacker. In addition, you can use the hard front bezel to break glass with it.

Conclusion

Depending on what you use the tactical light for, you may be forced to choose a small or large tactical flashlight. Ensure that you select from the best brand and at a great price. You don’t want to be duped lighting and regretting later. After all, a flashlight can save you from the jaws of death. So, choose wisely.

With our guide above on the best tactical flashlight, we hope that you can now choose a powerful, durable, and reliable tactical flashlight for your work or situation.