10 Best Lights for AR-15 in 2021

The light for AR-15 is a handy illumination tool that sticks right on top or offset 45-degrees to the side of your AR-15 rifle. This tool provides you with excellent visibility since it is equipped with a powerful LED driver that is efficient, durable, and long-lasting.

Additionally, it is compact, lightweight and very easy to use. Indeed, this tool is particularly suited for tactical use, especially when paired with a highly maneuverable weapon like an AR-15 rifle.

To help you in your search, we have gathered below some of the best weapon lights for AR-15 that money can buy. Let's see how well each model performs and which one is better suited for your need.

Let's get to it!

• Lumens: 275 lumens
• Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Dimensions: 5.2 x 1 x 1.2 inches
• Material: PolyTac

The Streamlight 88850 is the only AR-15 light in this review that is made from a PolyTac material. PolyTac is a nylon-based polymer that is waterproof, durable, and lightweight.

Therefore, there are no durability issues with this light and it will last a long time.

It does not output the brightest light as it is only capped at 275 lumens on its highest mode. However, this value is more than enough for tactical purposes as it is still quite bright.

Furthermore, the Streamlight 88850 is a top rated light for AR-15 because of its ease of use and waterproof capabilities.

What is even more impressive is that the C4 LED driver in this light is very efficient and delivers 3 hours of runtime with a power efficiency of 90%, which is excellent.

All in all, if you are looking for an efficient light for your AR-15 rifle, the Streamlight 88850 is an excellent model to consider because it is waterproof, highly durable, and very easy to use.

• Lumens: 500 lumens
• Weight: 3.4 ounces
• Dimensions: 5.2 x 1 inches
• Material: Aluminum

At 500 lm brightness, the Orion H40-W is a decent AR-15 light. This is bright enough for any tactical purposes, and can even be used for casual and general purpose situations.

Further, it has an excellent build construction from lightweight aluminum that gives it durability. In fact, it weighs only 3.4 ounces, which is extremely lightweight. So when mounted it will not affect the maneuverability of your AR-15 rifle in any way.

What we like about this unit is that it has a pressure switch which allows you to switch the light on or off without reaching for the tail switch.

This can prove to be handy especially when mounted on an AR-15 rifle where the tail switch of the light can sometimes be far from the handle.

Additionally, this unit is recoil-free which means that it can still provide a stable light during firing.

One of the best things is that this light is equally easy when used on weapons other than that AR-15 rifle. Quite handy!

• Lumens: 600 lumens
• Weight: 7 ounces
• Dimensions: 8 x 1.5 x 4.8 inches
• Material: Aluminum

The SureFire X300 is a highly popular model and consistently rated by beginners and experts alike as being one of the best light for AR-15 rifles on the market.

This is not a cheap model as it is quite expensive, but it is a premium light that offers exceptional features for the price.

For one, it has a brightness of 600 lumens which is very bright and when paired with the precision TIR lens in this model, it outputs a smooth and tight beam that can illuminate both short and great distances alike.

In fact, the light has been optimized for human vision and it is difficult to find a model that outputs a better light quality than the SureFire X300, even if that model is brighter in terms of lumens.

As expected from an AR-15 light of this price, it has an excellent aluminum build construction which is very durable. Furthermore, the T-slot mounting system is easy-to-use and once mounted on a AR 15 rifle, it is extremely solid and recoil-free.

If you wish to have other types of mounting systems, this model can be purchased with a rail-lock mount system. You also have the choice between a regular light or an IR light depending on your preference.

The only caveat we have is that this model is extremely expensive. However, if you can afford it, it is a brilliant AR-15 rifle light that is performing and will serve you for years to come.

• Lumens: 500 lumens
• Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Dimensions: 4.1 x 1.1 x 1.1 inches
• Material: Aluminum

Despite its very high price, the Surefire M Series is definitely one of our favorite light for AR-15 . Similar to the Surefire model reviewed above, it has an excellent aluminum build construction that is a premium in quality.

However, where this unit demarks itself from the rest of the competitive and is in its versatility. You have the choice of buying this model under different sizes and with different mounting systems.

Some models of the Surefire M series even comes with a pressure switch that makes it incredibly easy-to-use when paired with a AR 15 rifle.

• Lumens: 1000 lumens
• Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Dimensions: 6.8 x 1.7 x 1.7 inches
• Material: Aluminum

For those looking for purely a hunting light for their AR-15 rifle, the Vastfire Zoomable outputs a green light that is invisible to wild animals.

This model will universally fit any weapons and not simply AR rifles as it uses the traditional Picatinny rail mount. Furthermore, the green light is quite bright at 1000 lumens, which is one of the brightest we have seen in a hunting light that emits green light.

Even better, there is a zoom functionality in this device that allows you to zoom in or out of your target quickly and easily.

It is quite versatile, indeed. Best, the beam distance can reach a target of up to 228 meters, which is very good especially if you are tracking pray at long distances in the dark.

But definitely, what we like the most about the Vastfire Zoomable is its price to performance ratio. It is one of the most affordable units and offers incredible value to the user, especially if you're looking for a green hunting light to fit your AR 15 rifle.

• Lumens: 90 lumens
• Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Material: Aluminum

If you are on a very strict budget, there is nothing in this review that can beat the Monstrum Tactical LED Light. Indeed, it is the most affordable solution. But despite its small price, it is still a good light that is worth considering.

In its favor, it is built from an aluminum body that is very durable and long-lasting. The Cree LED driver in this model is also efficient so it can be used for heavy-duty purposes. Furthermore, mounting this light on your AR 15 rifle is very easy and can be done in a matter of seconds.

However, the only problem is that this light only emits 90 lumens of light which is not very bright. Even if it comes with a pressure switch which is a huge bonus, we do not think that this model is quite worth it because of the low light intensity.

But as we have said before, if you are on a strict budget and needs a good quality light, the Monstrum Tactical is unbeatable when it comes to price. It is indeed the best budget light for AR-15 in this entire review.

• Lumens: 550 lumens
• Weight: 7.41 ounces
• Dimensions: 1.73 x 6.38 inches
• Material: Aluminum

What it comes to versatility, the LiteXpress SET-KOMBI89 is quite unbeatable. This model can be used both mounted on your AR 15 as a tactical rifle light or as an EDC flashlight . To make it even easier to use as a rifle light, it comes with a pressure switch.

Moreover, It handles well in the hand as it has an anti-skid surface which makes it comfortable to hold, even with wet hands. Furthermore, the light intensity is very good at 550 lumens. It is not the brightest model we have in this review but is still decent enough especially considering the fairly affordable price.

What we also like is that this model comes with 3 detachable color lenses that make this unit particularly suited for hunting. It comes with a green, red, and blue light that allows you to track your prey in the dark easily.

Furthermore, it has an impressive 6 light modes for even more versatility when used both as an EDC flashlight or as an AR-15 rifle light. Neat!

• Lumens: 1000 lumens
• Weight: 6.7 ounces
• Material: Aluminum

The Cisno Light is another model that has a good price to performance ratio. It's a versatile 1000 lumens light that despite its small price is one of the best tactical light for an AR-15 rifle that money can buy.

For the price, you get a very durable aluminum build construction as well as a mounting system that allows you to mounted on universally any weapon, not simply AR 15 rifles.

Furthermore, the light is shockproof which means that it can be used under heavy-duty applications like tactical operations, no problem.

What we really like is that you also get a pressure switch with this model, which is quite a considering this is a feature normally seen in pricier models.

But there are caveats at this price. The 1000 lumens beam is not very focused. And it is very difficult to use it for precision work.

However, for general purpose applications, this model is very good for the money. We can safely recommend the Cisno Light even if you are planning to use it for outdoors operations like hunting as it is waterproof.

• Lumens: 300 lumens
• Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Dimensions: 3.1 x 1.4 x 1.3 inches
• Material: Aluminum

If you are looking for a very compact tactical light to equip your AR-15, the Aim-Force is unbeatable as it measures only 3.1 inches. Indeed, this is the smallest and most compact unit we have in this AR-15 review.

Despite its small size, it still outputs a comfortable 300 lumens of light which is bright enough for most users and applications. The build construction of aluminum makes it durable and long-lasting.

Furthermore, it uses a regular Picatinny rail to mount on universally any type of gun on the market. But along with its small size also comes its small weight. Indeed, at 2.4 ounces the Aim-Force is also the lightest light we have reviewed so far.

If you are looking for a quality, lightweight, and compact light for your AR 15 then the Aim-Force is a serious model to consider.

• Lumens: 1000 lumens
• Dimensions: 5.2 x 1.14 x 1.14 inches
• Material: Aluminum

In closing, the Ulako L2 is an AR-15 rifle light that can output 1000 lumens of brightness. This is quite bright especially considering its affordable price.

Despite its very low price, it is still built from a quality and tough aluminum alloy that makes this light long-lasting and durable. It comes with a clip-on mounting system that allows you to install it on universally any type of weapon with a 45-degrees offset. This may not be the best rifle light position, but it is what it is.

Best, the unit comes included with a pressure switch which makes it even easier to use and you do not have to wait for the tail every time you want to switch the device on. The only caveat is that this model has only 1 light mode which is not the most versatile.

If you're looking for a basic but powerful weapon light for AR-15 rifles, then the Ulako L2 is a safe bet. It lacks versatility but for the price, it is still a decent and performing light.

Before purchasing a light for AR-15, here are some important factors to consider.

1. Purpose

Where exactly do you plan to use your AR-15 light? This is an important question to answer. Some weapon lights are better suited for specific conditions and situations.

As an example, if you plan to use your AR-15 at night for hunting purposes, then it needs to be lightweight, fully waterproof and has the ability to adjust the beam distance. Outputting colored lights (or coming with colored lenses) is a big bonus in this case as well.

Indeed, the features that are important in your tactical light is directly related to your purpose and usage of the device.

2. Brightness

Brightness is very important in an AR-15 tactical light. It is measured in lumens and technically, the brighter the light the more visible you should be able to see ahead of you.

However, when it comes to a weapon light, you should be ready to sacrifice brightness for size. There is no point in having the brightest AR-15 light if it means that it takes a lot of space on your gun rail. It will get in the way and makes maneuvering your weapon difficult.

3. Light Modes

In addition to brightness, the light modes are also a very important aspect to consider. The light mode essentially allows you to switch between different light settings on the fly, making this tool more versatile and able to adapt to different tactical situations.

One of the most important light mode is switching between high to low brightness as close by objects are easier to see under a low light than under a high luminosity.

4. TIR Lens

The TIR lens is a special type of lens in a tactical weapon light.

Basically, this lens is made from an anti-scratch glass that is very durable. Additionally, it scatters the light in such a way that promotes visibility both at close and long range.

5. Beam Distance

One of the most useful features of a light for AR-15 is its ability to adjust the beam distance. This makes it very versatile, especially in situations like hunting where the target is always on the move.

In our experience, any weapon light with a beam distance of at least 50 meters is good. However, for the best bang for your buck, we recommend you aim for models that have an adjustable beam distance of 100 meters or more.

6. Battery

There are 3 factors when it comes to the battery of the AR-15 light.

7. Runtime

The runtime is directly linked to the LED driver efficiency and the battery in the unit. Go with models that offer a longer runtime, even if that means sacrificing a little bit of brightness.

Additionally, your chosen model should have a way to change light mode as a low light mode will almost always guarantee you a longer runtime.

8. Types of Batteries

If your chosen model is not rechargeable, check the battery type and see if it is easily available in your local shop. Some battery types are rare and difficult to find.

If you are unsure, you should be safe with CR123A, AA, AAA and 18650 as they are popular and for sale almost everywhere at affordable prices.

9. Number of Batteries

The more batteries the light uses, the heavier it will be as its weight adds up. However, more batteries mean that it has more power to shine a brighter light.

In addition, the runtime is also enhanced the more battery the light has.

10. Weight

Since the AR-15 light is a tactical light, it needs to be lightweight and not add anything extra to the AR-15 rifle which is already a little bit on the heavy side. The lighter the better in this case.

However, for best effectiveness try to find a good balance between brightness, runtime, and weight.

There are many factors that distinguish the light for AR-15 from a regular flashlight. It needs to be highly durable, lightweight and above all, be able to shine a beam of light from a distance.

Those are highly tactical illumination tools that can literally save your life, especially when used in settings like paramilitary, police tactical assault, or even hunting.

The models we have reviewed above are some of the best light for AR-15 that money can buy. However, your choice for a particular model will depend on your purpose and budget. Choose an AR-15 light that suits your needs. With that said, stay safe!