For those who like to rough it once in a while, you will know the valuable uses of a powerful flashlight compared to the regular ones. Regular flashlights are made just for general use and are powerless compared to tactical flashlights. Most people would be happy with just a general flashlight when you are in a situation when you need light, but since you are reading this, I can assume that you need a certain flashlight that can withstand a beating, and do its job successfully. So whether you need a pistol light or better yet, a shotgun light or maybe you need a long throw flashlight, you require the right flashlight that can do the job for your needs.
My chart of the best tactical flashlights below and my personal opinion that follows will help you pick out the right light for you and your needs.
We all have a different opinion on what makes a suitable flashlight, and we all have different uses for them. These flashlights are a compilation of some of my favorite flashlights. Lights that I think will be must haves to those in need of them. But always think of your needs to help you pick the tactical flashlight for you.
🔦 Comparison of the 10 Best Tactical Flashlights
| Tactical Flashlights | Lumens | Weight | Length | Bulb Type | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Streamlight 2L | 260 | 2.8 oz | 4.77 In. | C4 LED | CR123A |
Olight M20SX | 820 | 4.3 oz | 5.5 In. | CREE XM-L2 | 18650 |
Coast HP17Tac | 615 | 16 oz | 14.9 In. | LED | D Batteries |
S & W MP12 | 875 | 5.92 oz | 5.55 In. | LED | CR123 |
Streamlight 75434 | 640 | 12.5 oz | 8.41 In. | C4 LED | NiMH |
Lenser HP8407 | 175 | 8 oz | 6.3 In. | LED | AAA |
Maglite 4-Cell  | 98 | 14.1 oz | 14.719 In. | LED | D Batteries |
SureFire E2D | 500 | 3.7 oz | 5.4 In. | LED | CR123 |
Streamlight 74301 | 260 | 5.22 oz | 5.9 In. | C4 LED | Li-ion |
FourSevens QP2A | 280 | 2.2 oz | 5.8 In. | LED | AA |
* Could Not Find The Exact Amount of Lumens For This Model.
Included in the chart are the following labels:
- Title/Brand of Flashlight & A Picture
- Lumens – The maximum amount of lumens the flashlight can produce at its highest setting
- Weight – The weight of the light with batteries
- Length – The length of the light in Inches
- Bulb Type
- Battery Type
Obviously these are just 15 out of thousands of tactical flashlights on the market place. There are many variances of searchlights that can be used to suit different needs. Along with that, there is a huge range of prices for these tools. The price, uses, and other specifications of the lights should be used to determine which one is the best flashlight for you.
Top 5 Best Tactical Flashlights 2023 Reviews
I like all of the flashlights in my chart, and I would suggest them to any of my friends, but some of them I like just a little bit more than the others. Although I would love all of these and would definitely prefer them over any regular flashlight, but some of them are just extra special. Below you will find my top 5 picks for the best tactical flashlights with features and a detailed review of each. So lets jump into our my tactical flashlight reviews!
Streamlight HL Tactical Flashlight
The Streamlight HL Tactical Flashlight is one of those things that makes you question what you ever did without it. It is a pretty average sized, not too big that it’s annoying as a EDC flashlight, and not too small that you may misplace it.
With it being 5.6 ounces with batteries, and 5.40″ inches in length. It is big enough that it will fit comfortably in your hand or bag for that everyday carry. It also won’t weigh you down too much. This is a one of a kind light, it honestly can be used for any purpose. It can easily be programmable so when you need a little light to take your dog outside or find something you dropped you don’t have to fumble around with too many buttons.
The Streamlight HL Tactical Flashlight is non rechargeable and comes with 3 different modes, high, low, and strobe. While on the high setting the HL can produce maximum output of 750 lumens for an estimated 1.25 hours and on low it produces 35 lumens at an estimated 18 hours. This is probably one of the brightest tactical flashlight that I have ever used.
Streamlight has been around for over 40 years and is known for their excellent customer service and great range of products. I have used many of Streamlight’s products and I have never had a product that I wasn’t completely satisfied with.
SureFire E2D Tactical Flashlight
Another great option for those needing to add a survival light to their gear for extreme outdoor activities is SureFire’s E2D Tactical Flashlight. This flashlight is rather small with it being only 5.6 inches in length and 4.2 ounces. Although it is a small light it still gets the job done as edc. This light has a maximum output of 500 lumens with a great beam distance. E2D can be used for hiking or camping when you are in-need of a lighten up path or camp area. One of the best tactical flashlight for self defense as shining this light in a muggers eyes has been proven to temporary blind a suspect. It runs on CR123A batteries.
The biggest advantage this flashlight due to it being made of anodized aluminum is its durability. It can take a beating! This is why i say it would be great for someone who enjoys extreme outdoor activities. I myself have dropped my E2D hundreds of times on concrete and on rocky trails and it still works perfectly! I have heard of many of our own military forces buying these lights from their own pocket to use as a backup for their pistol lights because they know it will help them.
SureFire has been around for a fair amount of time, and they are some of the best. They make products directed at both military/law enforcer and for extreme civilians alike. Their business has been aimed at both great applicable products and durable products, which I feel they have accomplished.
Coast HP8407
One of my top favorite and affordable tactical flashlight. This in my opinion is one of the best most memorable flashlights I have owned. Specs wise this isn’t the greatest light, but still very good at 175 lumen at maximum output and a beam distance of 689 feet. Moderately sized at 8 ounces with batteries and 6.3 inches in length. This flashlight runs on four AAA batteries which are included.
The reason I included this on my list and why I considered it one of my most memorable flashlights is really based around the price. This was my first tact. flashlight and it is a great beginner and expert light. The battery life can be a little weak as it averages at about 3.5 hours and near full lumens. If you are a beginner or just need a cheap all purpose light, I would suggest this one. If you already own a higher end tact. flashlight I would suggest this as a cheap backup or you could keep it in your car. Not the brightest tactical flashlight but it is very cheap so go pick it up!
LED Lenser is a tactical light company that was formed in 1993. They now have hundreds of patents and are a great provider of LED flashlights.
FourSevens QP2A
I have been trying to spread out the uses of each flashlight in my top 5. FourSevens QP2A flashlight brings something thing new to the table. This tactical flashlight is one of the smallest but still the most powerful light that I have ever seen. The weight of this light is only 2.2 ounces and it is only 5.8 inches long! That weight is crazy! But don’t worry, the weight doesn’t cause a sacrifice in specs. This flashlight runs on two aa batteries.
This light has a maximum output of 280 lumens, and a low of 0.3 in a special “Moonlight” setting. The Foursevens QP2A has 8 different special settings including an “SOS” medal, and “Beacon”. This would be perfect for anyone that wants to carry a pocket flashlight or even keep one in a backpack. This flashlight is great for anyone that needs a powerful enough light. Instead of wanting to everyday carry around something that is extremely bulking and heavy.
FourSeven is a relatively new lighting company, founded in 2008. They are trying to rejuvenate the flashlight industry by creating new products that will revolutionize the industry.
Streamlight Stinger
For my last of the five lights I have chosen the Streamlight Stinger. One of the top five tactical flashlights on the market. The stinger is one of the bigger models that I have ever used before. It is not for those who need a smaller ergonomic searchlight. This monster weighs in at 13.6 ounces and is 10.9 inches in length. This flashlight has a great maximum lumen output of 350. Perfect tool for law enforcement officers. This thing is bright! Made from aircraft grade aluminum hence very durable in case it needs to be used to defend yourself.
Because this tactical flashlight is rechargeable you don’t have to worry about finding double or triple A batteries. I have gone five years with this bad boy without having to replace a battery, and it is still working great!
What is a Tactical Flashlight?
A tactical flashlight is an essential piece of equipment for any outdoor enthusiast. These aren’t just any regular flashlights, these are made specifically for outdoors use. And for tactical lights made specifically for firearms. Each flashlight is designed to produce a certain level or amount of which lumens.
Lumens are units that are used to measure how much total light is produced. Obviously the higher the level of lumens, the brighter the light will be. So for these flashlights a higher lumen level is great because the light is brighter and you will be able to see more. So if you are in a remote or wooded area you would definitely want to note the lumen level. Along with lumens, you want to note the flashlight’s beam distance. Beam distance, as it sounds is the length of the beam of light from the flashlight. So, be sure to take both of these into account before buying the tactical flashlight for you.
Finding the Best Tactical Flashlight for Your Needs
As I mentioned in the previous section, there are quite a few of things you should be aware of before buying a higher end tactical flashlight. Obviously the lumens and beam distance matter a ton, but what are some other factors? Weight and length are big factors also. Weight and length can be classified as mainly comfort factors but if you are in-need of a searchlight that can take a beating and can be used as a makeshift hammer such as the Maglite S4D016 than weight and length of the flashlight can play a huge role. So really think about your needs for the flashlight, if your light is just going to be kept in your house in case of a power outage, than length and weight don’t matter as much as if you needed to keep it in your backpack.
At the beginning of this article you will see a list of 15 of my favorite tactical flashlights. Which I have tried to spread out the uses of each torch to give everyone some good tips. If you are serious about buying an advanced flashlight you should look at my chart above to get some ideas for lights!
Are tactical flashlights useful for self defense or is that just a marketing term?
Video | Tactical Tip: Using Flashlight for Self Defense
Time For You To Choose
I have listed my picks for the tactical flashlights, and now it is your turn. It’s up to you to pick out a flashlight that has the right lumen rate and beam distance. According to your requirements, along with a reasonable price. Be sure to check what type of batteries your new flashlight will run on as some flashlights run on a few AAA batteries, others on a AA battery or two, and the higher end flashlights on 18650 rechargeable batteries and then there’s the medical penlights / penlights.
James here, I hope you liked my comparison chart & buying guide for the top tactical flashlights for 2023! New lights are being created all the time, so I will regularly be updating my chart and my top 5. If you think I have missed an excellent one, then feel free to contact me!