10 Best Hunting Flashlights of 2021
Photo: listy.com.au
If you like hunting at night, you need the right gear for the job. In such a case, a hunting flashlight is a must-have because the target must be visible for you to shoot it accurately.
But these torches are more than just light sources. Some have laser lights for accurate pinpointing while others provide night-vision lighting. All these enhance your hunting performance but you must know which is the best flashlight to use.
For this reason, we have reviewed 10 of the best hunting flashlights in the market. Read through and pick your best.
-
10 Best Hunting Flashlights – Review
- 1. Best Overall Hunting Flashlight: Odepro OD-KL52
- 2. Best Budget Hunting Flashlight: Ulako UL146
- 3. Best Bright Hunting Flashlight: Feyachi FL11-MB
- 4. Best Rechargeable Hunting Flashlight: Olight PL-Mini 2
- 5. Best Low-Profile Hunting Flashlight: Streamlight 69424
- 6. Best Hunting Flashlight for M&P Railed Hand Guns: Streamlight 69272
- 7. Best Flashlight for Hog-Hunting: Vastfire VA-A100
- 8. Ambidextrous Hunting Flashlight: Olight PL-2
- 9. Durable Hunting Flashlight: Inforce W-06-1
- 10. Widely Compatible: Streamlight 69260
- How to Buy the Best Hunting Flashlights
- Conclusion
10 Best Hunting Flashlights – Review
|
IMAGE |
PRODUCT |
FEATURES |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1. Odepro OD-KL52 (Best Overall) |
|
|
|
|
2. Ulako UL146 (Best Budget) |
|
|
|
|
3. Feyachi FL11-MB (Best Bright) |
|
|
|
|
4. Olight PL-Mini 2 (Best Rechargeable) |
|
|
|
|
5. Streamlight 69424 (Best Low-Profile) |
|
|
|
|
6. Streamlight 69272 (Best for M&P Railed Hand Guns) |
|
|
|
|
7. Vastfire VA-A100 (Best for Hog Hunting) |
|
|
|
|
8. Olight PL-2 (Ambidextrous) |
|
|
|
|
9. Inforce W-06-1 (Durable) |
|
|
|
|
10. Streamlight 69260 (Widely Compatible) |
|
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
|
1. Odepro OD-KL52 (Best Overall) |
|
2. Ulako UL146 (Best Budget) |
|
3. Feyachi FL11-MB (Best Bright) |
|
4. Olight PL-Mini 2 (Best Rechargeable) |
|
5. Streamlight 69424 (Best Low-Profile) |
|
6. Streamlight 69272 (Best for M&P Railed Hand Guns) |
|
7. Vastfire VA-A100 (Best for Hog Hunting) |
|
8. Olight PL-2 (Ambidextrous) |
|
9. Inforce W-06-1 (Durable) |
|
10. Streamlight 69260 (Widely Compatible) |
1. Best Overall Hunting Flashlight: Odepro OD-KL52
Photo: Odepro
- Max Brightness: 800 lumens
- Beam Distance: 413 meters
- Battery: 2 x 18650
- Runtime: Up to 4.1 hours
- Materials: Aluminum
Starting us off is Odepro’s OD-KL52 and this is the best of the best because it is designed to be suitable for all hunting scenarios. It has 4 interchangeable LED modules that give you 4 different color lights for hunting different targets.
The first is a red light, which is ideal for hunting predators like coyotes. This outputs 100 lumens at a maximum beam distance of 343 meters and can run for up to 3.3 hours on a full battery.
Green lighting is the second module and this is ideal for hunting dark-colored animals like hogs and varmints. This outputs 110 lumens at 413 meters maximum distance and has a maximum battery run-time of 4.1 hours.
The third one is white light for general illumination at a maximum output of 800 lumens. This beam reaches a maximum distance of 365 meters and has a maximum run-time of 1.6 hours.
That said, white light has 5 modes: high (800 lumens), medium (240 lumens), low (36 lumens), strobe, and SOS (both at 800 lumens).
Lastly, there is IR850nm light, which can run for up to 2 hours on a full battery and is not visible to the naked eye. It requires a night vision device and the beam distance depends on the device’s performance.
Aside from that, the flashlight has an adjustable focus for all modes for spotlight or floodlight illumination. You also get an intelligent pressure switch for easy use and 2-type mounting systems for fitting different gun sizes.
Other features include an aircraft-grade aluminum body that is weather-resistant, water, and shock-proof, and a non-reflective matte black hard-anodized finish. On the downside, the unit is quite expensive but it is worth the price.
Pros:
Cons:
2. Best Budget Hunting Flashlight: Ulako UL146
Photo: Ulako
- Beam Distance: 137 meters
- Battery: AA or 1 x 14500
- Materials: Aluminum
You can still get a high-quality hunting flashlight at an affordable price and the best example of this is Ulako’s UL146 .
That said, the unit only has 1 mode (green light), which is ideal for night activity because it does not spook animals. Additionally, human eyes are more sensitive to green light, which makes the torch very effective.
This light is zoomable for spotlight or floodlight illumination and it reaches a maximum distance of 150 yards (137 meters).
More features include a tough aluminum alloy casing, a skid-proof design, a belt clip for convenient storage, and two battery options (1AA or 1 x 14500). However, neither of these batteries is included in the set and the torch doesn’t have any mounting system.
Pros:
Cons:
3. Best Bright Hunting Flashlight: Feyachi FL11-MB
Photo: Feyachi
- Max Brightness: 1300 lumens
- Beam Distance: 200 meters
- Battery: 2 x 18650
- Runtime: Up to 4 hours
- Materials: Aluminum
Feyachi’s FL11-MB is rated at a maximum output of 1200 lumens but it can provide up to 1300 lumens when fully charged. This makes it the brightest in this review.
That said, the flashlight can provide a 200-meter 1200-lumen beam for up to 4 hours on a full charge, which is quite enough time for night hunting. This power is provided by a 18650 battery that recharges in 3 hours and two are included in the set to ensure you are never in the dark.
The torch’s body is built using aircraft-grade aluminum alloy for maximum sturdiness with a matte black finish for blending in in the dark. This casing also has waterproof O-rings plus an anti-abrasive coating, which makes the torch usable in the rain.
Other features include 2 switch options (regular on/off and pressure switch) and an offset Picatinny mount. However, you don’t get other color lights as well as different lighting modes like strobe and SOS.
Pros:
Cons:
4. Best Rechargeable Hunting Flashlight: Olight PL-Mini 2
Photo: Olight
- Max Brightness: 600 lumens
- Beam Distance: 100 meters
- Battery: Lithium Polymer
- Runtime: Up to 1 hour
- Materials: Aluminum
While most hunting flashlights have removable rechargeable batteries, Olight’s PL-Mini 2 is equipped with an inbuilt battery with a convenient magnetic charging system.
This works by connecting the magnetic USB cable to the charging port, which means you don’t have to remove the battery. Additionally, you can charge it using all common USB power sources.
GL and 1913 rails are included in the set for wide compatibility because they enable you to mount the flashlight to GL or Picatinny gun rails.
These rails can slide back and forth so that you can fix the torch at the exact desired position. This also helps to improve compatibility with subcompacts.
You also get an IPX6 waterproof aluminum alloy body but the torch lacks a zoomable beam for spotlight or floodlight illumination. It also has a low runtime of up to an hour.
Pros:
Cons:
5. Best Low-Profile Hunting Flashlight: Streamlight 69424
Photo: Streamlight
- Max Brightness: 500 lumens
- Beam Distance: 140 meters
- Battery: 1 x CR123A
- Runtime: Up to 1.5 hours
- Materials: Aluminum
Streamlight’s 69424 is characterized by a low-profile design that prevents snagging and also does not take up too much space to block your view.
The flashlight is fitted with a rail grip clamp system that attaches/detaches tool-free, and this small size ensures it fits a wide range of small and full-sized rifles.
As for the actual lighting, the unit produces 500 lumens of white light, which passes through engineered optics to produce a very concentrated beam. This also provides optimal peripheral illumination so that you get a bright wide-area view ahead.
More features include a safe-off feature that saves the battery by preventing accidental activation and a tough machined-aluminum body with an anodized finish. This body is also waterproof with an IPX7 rating.
On the downside, the unit only produces a white light and it is quite costly.
Pros:
Cons:
6. Best Hunting Flashlight for M&P Railed Hand Guns: Streamlight 69272
Photo: Streamlight
- Max Brightness: 100 lumens
- Beam Distance: 89 meters
- Battery: 2 x CR1/3N
- Runtime: Up to 11 hours
- Materials: Polymer
This hunting flashlight is designed to securely attach to M&P railed handguns and to be more specific, the Smith & Wesson pistols. The unit runs on two CR1/3N batteries and these can be replaced while it is still mounted on your gun.
That said, the product has three light modes, which include a 100-lumen white light that is projected 89 meters away and runs for up to an hour on a full battery.
The second mode is a red laser, which runs for up to 11 hours on a full charge and is designed for long-range targeting. This laser does not require re-sighting after every battery change, which makes it easy to use.
An LED/laser combo forms the third mode and switching between these is done via an ambidextrous mechanism that includes push-buttons on both sides.
Other features include a compact, ultra-lightweight design that weighs only 0.07 lbs. and durable brass-bushing-mounted adjustment screws for windage/elevation. However, the torch’s beam is not zoomable.
Pros:
Cons:
7. Best Flashlight for Hog-Hunting: Vastfire VA-A100
Photo: Vastfire
- Max Brightness: 1000 lumens
- Beam Distance: 137 meters
- Battery: 3AAA or 2 x 18650
- Runtime: Up to 5 hours
- Materials: Aluminum
Dark-colored targets like hogs are best hunted using green light and Vastfire’s VA-A100 is designed to give you just that. The torch has a zoomable green beam that can be set to a 137-meter spot-light or a 91-meter floodlight.
CREE LEDs are used to provide the green light and these are placed in a special circuit design that lengthens the battery life to around 5 hours on a full charge.
You also get a dual-control pressure/tactical switch for constant or momentary on, a 20mm Picatinny/Weaver rail with 1-inch rings for AR-style rifles, and a quick-release plastic mount for 30mm to 1-inch scope barrel telescopes.
The only problem is that the flashlight does not produce any other light colors or laser light.
Pros:
Cons:
8. Ambidextrous Hunting Flashlight: Olight PL-2
Photo: Olight
- Max Brightness: 1200 lumens
- Beam Distance: 235 meters
- Battery: 2 x CR123A
- Runtime: Up to 2.6 hours
- Materials: Aluminum
Olight’s PL-2 is fitted with an ambidextrous switch that allows you to use either hand to power it on or off, leaving you to use your natural grip when holding your rifle. This switch is also designed to operate very quietly to avoid spooking off your target.
Apart from that, the unit has high-performance 1200-lumen LEDs that give you a clear picture of the path ahead for about 235 meters. A TIR optic lens is used to focus the beam ahead to this long-distance while also making it a bit wide so that you can see all around you.
A heavy-duty quick attach/release system (1913 & GL adaptors) is included for use on any gun with a rail. You also get 2 lighting modes: white light (1200 lumens for 1.5 hours, 600 lumens for 2.6 hours) and strobe (1200 lumens for 70 minutes).
On the downside, the two CR123A batteries included with the torch are not rechargeable.
Pros:
Cons:
9. Durable Hunting Flashlight: Inforce W-06-1
Photo: Inforce
- Max Brightness: 400 lumens
- Runtime: Up to 1.5 hours
- Materials: Polymer
Though it has a polymer body, Inforce’s W-06-1 is glass-reinforced for impact and water resistance. This makes it very durable because it can handle heavy recoil and still be used in the rain.
Additionally, it has heat-dissipating vents that keep the LEDs cooled inside so that they perform optimally and have a long lifespan.
The torch is equipped with non-slip switch controls that are convenient to use in wet weather. You also get a built-in clamp that is compatible with rifles having MIL-STD-1913 rails and this requires no tools when mounting.
However, the tool has relatively low-output 400-lumen LEDs, which are ideal for spotting close to mid-range targets. Also, the flashlight only has a single white-light mode.
Pros:
Cons:
10. Widely Compatible: Streamlight 69260
Photo: Streamlight
- Max Brightness: 1000 lumens
- Beam Distance: 283 meters
- Battery: 2 x CR123A
- Runtime: Up to 1.5 hours
- Materials: Aluminum
Last on the list is Streamlight 69260 and this a widely compatible rail clamp system that mounts directly to all Picatinny rails plus Glock-style rails on handguns. The clamp is designed to quickly attach/detach to the weapon for easy exchanging between your different riles.
An ambidextrous switch is built-in to allow you to use your dominant hand for a good rifle grip. This is used to switch between strobe and white light for different hunting conditions.
C4 LEDs are used to provide a maximum output of 1000 lumens while a tar optic projects a concentrated beam 283 meters out with optimal peripheral lighting.
Other features include a tough aircraft-grade machined-aluminum body, a durable anodized black finish, and a high-temperature shock-proof glass lens. The only problem is that no laser is included for long-range targeting and the piece is quite costly.
Pros:
Cons:
How to Buy the Best Hunting Flashlights
Photo: Streamlight
1. Lumen Output
Brightness is measured in terms of lumens, which is the total amount of visible light to the human eye. The higher the value, the brighter the torch is and this usually means it can illuminate much farther.
Of course, brighter ones are better because they can be used for short-and-long distance hunting. That said, we recommend getting a bright torch with a zoomable beam so that you switch between a spotlight for long-distance illumination and a floodlight for wide-area illumination.
2. Light Modes
A constant beam of light is enough for hunting but you might need to lower the beam’s intensity to save the battery or use SOS to signal for help. You should also look for a strobe mode, which flashes very quickly to disorient your target. The more the modes are, the better.
3. Light Colors
White light is the most common light mode in flashlights but this is ideal for general illumination. Other modes are more suited to different hunting applications.
For instance, laser light is ideal for long-range targeting while red lighting is ideal for singling out predators like coyotes in the dark.
There is also green light, which is ideal for hunting dark-colored varmints like hogs, while IR850nm gives you a better sight when using a night vision device. Most of these can be found in Odepro’s OD-KL52 and we highly recommend it.
4. Battery and Runtime
For effective, uninterrupted hunting, we recommend getting a flashlight with a long runtime, which is determined by the size of its battery, its circuitry, and the light color.
That said, a white light color usually consumes the most power, resulting in low battery runtime. The other colors consume less battery power but are usually not as bright; they are more suited towards lighting up specific targets in the woods.
As such, you should switch the torch to the specific light mode that works best for what you are hunting to conserve as much battery power as possible.
For instance, Streamlight’s 69272 can run for up to 11 hours on red laser mode for long-range hunting but this reduces to only an hour in white light mode.
5. Durability
While metal bodies crafted from materials like aluminum are very sturdy, there are a few plastic-made models that are quite as strong. Using Inforce’s W-06-1 as an example, it has a sturdy glass-reinforced polymer body that is impact and water-resistant.
Ultimately, you should look for one that is water-resistant because it can rain as you hunt, impact-resistant for shock proofing (absorbing recoil), and weather-resistant to withstand all other elements.
Conclusion
To summarize, we recommend Odepro’s OD-KL52 as the overall best hunting flashlight because it has 4 interchangeable LED modules for hunting different targets. It also has a zoomable focus and two types of mounting systems for compatibility with different rifles.
However, if you want a bright, blinding white light, be sure to check out Feyachi’s FL11-MB because it has 1300-lumen maximum output. You can also go for the Ulako UL146 if you are a bit short on cash because it is very affordable.