7 Best Tactical Flashlights of 2021

If you have ever been in a situation when you needed a light source badly but did not have one, then you know the usefulness of a tactical flashlight. With the best tactical flashlight you have a reliable and bright enough light source.

Tactical flashlights are one of those things that you should have in your toolbox, glove box or backpack if you value self-reliance and protection as it can be very useful in different situations.

Whether you are in law enforcement or are an outdoor enthusiast, a tactical flashlight will always be very useful.

There are tons of nice tactical flashlights out there, and so if you know what to look for, it should be easy to get something that will serve you well. Here we provide review and a buying guide to help get you started.

• Lumens: 1000 lumens
• Dimensions: 1.57 x 6.1 x 1.57 inches
• Battery Type: Standard AAA or single 18650 rechargeable battery
• Material: Military-grade aluminum

The ultra-bright Gearlight S1000 is a small and compact pocket-size tactical flashlight that delivers up to 1,000 lumens and it can light up an entire room and also focus on objects that are up to 1000 feet away.

This highly durable tactical flashlight features military-grade housing and it can withstand drops from up to 10 feet high and still continue functioning well. And it is a shock, water, and weather resistant flashlight that you can even submerge in water temporarily.

Also, it is quite a versatile source of light that comes with adjustable focus and five different modes to make it useful for various applications.

And you also get great value for cash when you buy it as it comes as a set of 2 flashlights with 2 bonus cases.

The belt holders fro these flashlights seem a little flimsy but they are still quite durable and furthermore you can always get some better quality universal belt holders without spending much.

• Lumens: 300 lumens
• Dimensions: 1.02 x 3.7 x 1.02 inches
• Battery Type: Single AA or 14500 rechargeable battery
• Material:Aircraft-grade aluminum

Although the maximum 300 lumens output makes this one of the least bright products on our tactical flashlights review, it should still be enough for most applications around the house.

It is also a compact and tough aircraft-grade aluminum flashlight that only requires a single AA battery but it can also use a 14500 rechargeable battery.

This small tactical flashlight has an adjustable focus range that will make it possible to zoom in when you want an intense beam or zoom out for wide illumination.

Also, you get to choose 3 different modes of use which makes this flashlight quite versatile.

300 lumens is not very bright but for most tactical uses it should still be enough and many users will hardly even notice this drawback.

• Lumens: 300 lumens
• Dimensions: 1 x 4.25 x 1 inches
• Battery Type: Single AA battery
• Material: Aluminum

For a pack of 2 flashlights, this models will give you one of the best values for money. And besides being on of the best budget tactical flashlight on our list, these lights still have a lot to offer.

Its lightweight all-metal design makes it a tough enough tactical flashlight for outdoor use and it will be ideal for everything from camping and hunting to walking the dog. And it is also compact enough to make it the perfect EDC tactical flashlight.

One of its most impressive features is that it runs on a single AA battery that still delivers up to 3 hours of non-diminishing brightness.

This tactical flashlight also has an instantly adjustable zoom that lets you focus on objects that are 100 feet away or zoom out for a wide beam and three operating modes.

The weather resistant body is built to withstand the harsh outdoor conditions, and it can also survive the occasional accidental drops.

This long-lasting LED tactical flashlight will produce up to 300 lumens which might not be as bright as other flashlights on our list but is still bright enough for most uses.

• Lumens: 800 lumens
• Dimensions: 1.34 x 5.39 x 1.34 inches
• Battery Type: 3 AAA or single 18650 battery tube
• Material: High-quality metal

This pack of two tactical flashlights also offers you great value and convenience as it is always great to have more than one flashlight.

These tactical flashlights offer up to 1,600 feet long irradiation and it is also up to 50% brighter than typical LED flashlights.

Also, this is a multifunctional light that you can use when camping, biking, hiking or even for your night walks. And it is small enough to ensure it will be super easy to carry around.

The high-quality metal material and rainproof design help to make this a solid and highly durable flashlight that will serve you for many years as it can withstand up to 20-foot fall.

The batteries are not included but this should not be an issue as it is hard to find such affordable flashlights that come with batteries. Furthermore, the batteries are inexpensive and widely available.

• Lumens: 1000 lumens
• Dimensions: 1.3 x 5.51 x 1.3 inches
• Battery Type: 3 AAA or single 18650 battery tube
• Material: Heavy-duty aluminum

The compact, lightweight and travel-friendly design of these tactical flashlights make them very convenient to carry on your outdoor excursions.

They come in a pack of two to offer you great value, and they are ultra-bright lights with a maximum of 1,000 lumens that can focus on objects that area as far as 1,000 feet away.

The sturdy and durable aluminum body means that these lights will serve you well for many years and they also give you an option to uses either 3 AAA or single 18650 battery tube.

With the adjustable brightness and 5 lighting modes, these are quite versatile flashlights as they make it possible to adjust the lighting to suit your specific needs.

Adjusting the brightness to your desired setting can be a little hectic as you have to click through the different settings. However, this only takes some getting used to.

• Lumens: 1000 lumens
• Dimensions: 1.6 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Battery Type: 3 AAA or single 18650 battery tube
• Material: Aluminum alloy

Rechargeable batteries are always a great option for your flashlight as you will never have to keep buying the alkaline batteries. This PeakPlus flashlight runs on a single 18650 battery tube that takes just 6 hours to charge but it can also use 3 AAA batteries.

LED lamps on this tactical flashlight will last up to 100,000 hours and are capable of generating a maximum of 1,000 lumens which makes this a super bright flashlight.

The flashlight is also designed to offer long-lasting service as it has a heavy-duty aluminum allow housing which is also water-resistant, skid proof and anti-abrasive.

Also, it has 5 light modes and with a soft-touch tails switch that makes it easy to move between the different modes.

This PeakPlus flashlight has a zoom function that makes it possible to adjust the focus and a beam range of up to 500 meters.

There is no flash function on this light which for some users and certain situation can be a significant drawback but it is still not enough to be a deal breaker.

• Lumens: 400 lumens
• Dimensions: 4.0 x 1.05 x 0.88 inches
• Battery Type: 1 AAA or 14500 rechargeable battery
• Material: Aluminum alloy

400 lumens might not sound very bright but you will be amazed at just how bright the Boxuan LED tactical flashlight is, and it should be ideal for most of your needs.

This compact and tough flashlight is the smallest tactical flashlight on our list, and the military-grade aluminum alloy makes it highly long-lasting.

The flashlight can withstand up to 9-foot drops and temporary submerging in water. It can run on either 1 AA or a single 14500 rechargeable battery.

For the light modes, you will get three options which are high, low and strobe and it also has a wide to narrow beam zoom.

You have to buy the batteries separately which is an extra cost given the already higher price tag of this flashlights but batteries are inexpensive and easy to get and hence should not be a big concern.

Here are the important points to consider to ensure you get a  good tactical flashlight.

1. Brightness

Brightness is always one of the first factors to consider when choosing a tactical flashlight as you will want something that is bright enough to suit your needs.

When it comes to the brightness, you will need to check the number of lumens that the flashlight can produce as this is the measure of how bright the light that it produces will be.

A typical tactical flashlight will have anywhere between 300 and 1600 lumens. If you are looking for something bright go for 1,000 lumens like the AYL Super Bright Tactical Flashlight while a 300-lumens model like J5 Tactical V1-Pro Black should be enough if you want standard lighting.

And besides, from going for the brightest tactical flashlight, it is also important to consider the brightness levels that the flashlight offers.

A basic tactical flashlight will only have an on/off option while some will have two brightness levels (high and low) and the more advanced ones can have up to 10 different brightness levels.

The more the brightness levels the better but in most cases something with low and high brightness and a couple of other options is often enough.

2. Size

The size of the tactical flashlight will determine how convenient it will be to carry and also the ease of handling it.

While the right size for you will depend on your personal preferences, there is a common misconception that small tactical flashlights do not perform well. However, the fact is that size is almost never an indication of the performance.

The number of lumens is what matters and not the physical size of the tactical flashlight.

If you want something to use around the house the size might not be important but if you want something to carry on your camping or hunting trips something compact will be the best.

3. Beam Distance

Beam distance is how far from the flashlight the light will shine before its brightness diminishes to the equivalent of a full moonlight. And it is measured in meters.

The beam distance will go hand in hand with other features like lumen output and beam shape. And the longer the beam distance the better the tactical flashlight will be for use in the expansive outdoor spaces.

4. Battery

The power source is an important factor that determines the performance and convenience of using a tactical flashlight. And since most use batteries, you need to consider the battery type before choosing one.

While some tactical flashlights will run on disposable batteries, many others use the rechargeable lithium-Ion or Li-ion batteries.

Lithium batteries will offer more power and longer run times than the disposable alkaline ones and they also last longer.

Some models like Boxuan LED Tactical Flashlight will allow you to choose whether to use disposable or rechargeable batteries which is quite convenient.

5. Other Features

Other factors like the material, water resistance, and impact rating also affect the performance and durability of the tactical night vision flashlight.

Material

For the material, the most common options are plastic, stainless steel an anodized aluminum.

Plastic is often the lightest material but it is also lower quality while anodized aluminum is the most common and stainless steel the strongest and most durable but also the heaviest.

Water Resistance

The water resistance rating is vital if you intend to use the tactical flashlight outdoors. And I most cases these flashlights will have IPX4, IPX7 or IPX8.

IPX8 rated flashlights are the most reliable when it comes to water resistance but the others are also good enough to withstand moisture and light drizzles.

Impact Rating

Impact rating or resistance is designed to ensure that the tactical flashlight will remain functional in case of accidental drops.

It is often measured in meters and you should always consider it as it is a good indication of the tactical flashlight’s toughness.

Tactical flashlights are more versatile than most people tend to assume and so they can be very handy to carry around with you.

And if you are still not sure how to use them, here are three ways you can use your tactical flashlight.

1. Illumination

Just like with most other types of flashlights, illumination is the main use of tactical flashlights.

Tactical flashlights come in small, convenient sizes that are easy to carry around and are also bright enough which makes them handy for illuminating your path when walking in the dark.

2. Self Defense

Tactical flashlights are high lumen lights and so they can get quite bright. Most are so bright that they can blind someone temporarily if you flash them straight into the eyes.

The super bright light is good for self-defense as it gives you some precious time to flee from the dangerous situation.

3. Starting a fire

If you are a seasoned survivalist then you should know that almost any type of flashlight can help you start a fire.

With a tactical flashlight, you can use the inner filament, glass lens or the battery to start a fire provided you have some basic survival skills.

You can even start a fire by shining the flashlight on flammable material if it has highly concentrated lumens.