When we think of self-defense tools, the name tactical flashlight always acquires top priority on our list. We believe what we saw through our eyes. A statistic shows, about 50% of violent crimes happen at night time when our vision is limited. So carrying a tactical flashlight will help you identify the danger, temporarily blind an attacker’s vision, and buy you extra time to take suitable actions.
Usually, people use a tactical flashlight in conjunction with a firearm to make accurate target identification. Apart from firearm use, you can get a lot more from the flashlight. You can use a tactical flashlight while hunting, camping, hiking, or doing other outdoor activities.
There are so many tactical flashlights available in the market, so you may find it very difficult to choose the best tactical flashlight. Moreover, the use and performance of flashlight depend on different situations that you are thinking of using it. So it is impossible to ascertain any single tactical flashlight as the finest for all situations. Therefore, we bring to you a few of the best tactical flashlight options to help you pick the perfect one.
Top 7 Tactical Flashlights in 2021 (Best Picks)
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What is a Tactical Flashlight?
A tactical flashlight refers to a flashlight that is mainly used with a firearm to help the marksman, law enforcement officer, or soldier identify low-light target and aim a weapon and illuminate the target. Usually, tactical flashlight has a tail-activated switch, which helps the users to turn it on quickly. They are very bright and have excellent built quality to sustain tough environmental abuse. Here are some of the uses of a tactical flashlight –
- Obstacle Avoidance
- Identify Threats
- Disorient Attackers
- A Melee Weapon
- The Signalling Device
7 Best Tactical Flashlights of 2021
- J5 Tactical V1-PRO Flashlight
- Streamlight 88040 ProTac Tactical Flashlight
- Outlite High Lumens Led Flashlights
- SureFire G2X Series LED Flashlights
- EASTSHINE Tactical Flashlight
- Solaray Super Bright Handheld LED Emergency Flashlights
- Helotex G2 CREE LED Tactical EDC Flashlight
My Top Picks of the Tactical Flashlights of 2021
1.J5 Tactical V1-PRO Flashlight
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J5 Tactical V1-PRO Flashlight is best for providing great battery backup. This flashlight support both L-i battery and AA battery. The light has a compact form, which makes it one of the easiest to disguise and easiest to carry around. The flashlight comes with a wrist band, so it is impossible to lose. It has a high intensity LED bulb that will provide plentiful light to do all kinds of work.
The J5 V1-Pro is perfect for law enforcement officers or roadside patrol officers. Special ops use this flashlight in different countries around the world like Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, etc. This flashlight is water-resistant and can survive a 9-foot drop or being temporary sunken in water. The J5 Tactical V1-PRO Flashlight comes with a one-year replacement warranty, so you don’t have to worry about the performance of this tactical flashlight.
Main Features
- 300-lumen extreme light output
- 600-foot maximum beam distance
- Fully adjustable zoom focus
- 3 user-selectable light modes
- Tail switch mechanism
- Dual power source
2. Streamlight 88040 ProTac Tactical Flashlight
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If you are looking for a solid piece of survival and tactical flashlight, then the Streamlight 88040 ProTac Tactical Flashlight is the right choice for you. This flashlight can produce 750 lumens of night-defeating LED light and has 3 output levels. It is a weather resistance flashlight, so you don’t have to worry about using it in the rain or snow. It has excellent built quality, and high impact-resistant makes it durable enough to use in extreme conditions. The battery backup of this flashlight is very impressive. With the low light setup, it can run for a commendable 18 hours.
This tactical flashlight uses C4 LED technology for extreme brightness, makes it better for rescue situations. Because of its rock-solid bezel and a disorienting strobe feature, you can use Streamlight 88040 ProTac Tactical Flashlight as a self-defense weapon. It is a water resistance flashlight and can hold up to half an hour sunken without any problems. This flashlight has a limited lifetime warranty.
Main Features
- 10-tap programming technology
- 3 user-selectable light modes
- 50000-hour C4 LED lifetime
- 295-yeards maximum beam distance
- Shock-proof LED technology
3.Outlite High Lumens Led Flashlights
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Outlite High Lumens Led Flashlight is considered as one of the top 3 best tactical flashlights available in the market. It has a compact design that makes this flashlight best for navigating wooded hiking trails or darkened parking garages. The light is made of scratch-proof aircraft-grade aluminum, and it is water resistance. This flashlight support both L-i battery and AAA battery. It has a wrist band included, so it is impossible to lose the flashlight.
This tactical flashlight has a Cree XM-L T6 LED bulb that creates a maximum of 900 lumens of clear, powerful light. The LED bulb has a life expectancy of 100,000 hours. It has an excellent zoom feature that will illuminate the path a maximum of 600 feet. Outlite Flashlights are very user-friendly. They have a single button; press the button to cycle through different modes.
Main Features
- Fully adjustable focal length
- 900-lumen extreme light output
- 650-foot range intense spotlight
- Floodlight large-area illumination
- Dual power source
- 5 different light modes
4.SureFire G2X Series LED Flashlights
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SureFire G2X is a very tough, reliable, compact LED tactical flashlight. The flashlight has excellent built quality with rust and scratch-resistant body. The grip of the G2X is firm, comfortable, and the overall size is compact enough to fit the pocket of a tactical hiking pant. It has two output levels; 600 lumens for maximum light and 15 lumens is the lowest.
This tactical flashlight has a tail cap on/off button. However, SureFire G2X is very popular for “always-on” mode. So you can be able to keep the flashlight open for various emergencies. It has anodized aluminum bezel, and the body is sealed against water, dust, and debris. The compact design of SureFire G2X makes it fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. Whether you are a camper, mountaineer, angler, or a soldier, this SureFire G2X tactical flashlight will be a perfect companion on nights or dark alleys.
Main Features
- An indestructible precision-engineered LED bulb
- Two-level light output
- Impact-resistant polycarbonate window
- Dual power source
- Always on mode
5. EASTSHINE Tactical Flashlight
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Eastshine is a very renowned flashlight company, and they have some of the best tactical flashlights available in the market; T25 Cree XP-L tactical flashlight is one of them. It has a very strong LED light that produces 1000 lumens of clear powerful light. The build quality of this flashlight is excellent; it is scratch resistant and will emerge unscathed from 1.5 meters drop.
The flashlight includes a holster, tactical ring, clip, lanyard, O ring, and has a 2-year warranty. It has a side power switch that supports momentary/constant Illumination. It is durable, water-resistance, and built of stainless steel clip so you can carry it anywhere you want. The flashlight is best for Law Enforcement, Military or Policeman uses.
Main Features
- 1000-lumen maximum light output
- 350-yard beam distance
- One-handed operation
- 1.5-meter impact-resistance
- 24 months warranty
6.Solaray Super Bright Handheld LED Emergency Flashlights
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If you are looking for the best tactical flashlight for money, then the Solaray Pro ZX-2 will be the right choice for you. The light has an ultra-bright genuine U.S. made CREE XML-T6 powered LED that ensures bright and powerful light. This flashlight has an excellent built quality, and it is also water resistance. You can use this flashlight for camping, hiking, hunting, home security, tactical applications, search & rescue operations, and many more.
Solaray Pro ZX-2 is made of rugged aircraft-grade aluminum with an attached high-quality lanyard. It has 5 light modes: low, medium, high, as well as anti-intruder strobe and SOS mode. The flashlight has a tail cap switch for easy on/off and one-handed operation. It includes a Lithium-ion battery and will take 500 charges. This flashlight has a changeable zoom focus lens for close up and long-distance lighting.
Main Features
- Memory light mode circuit technology
- 1200-lumen maximum light output
- Premium quality lens and tail switch
- 5 different light modes
- Excellent built quality & durability
7.Helotex G2 CREE LED Tactical EDC Flashlight
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Helotex G2 CREE LED Tactical EDC Flashlight is a low-level flashlight, and it is perfect for daily and household activities. In this price range, it is an excellent tactical flashlight with premium built quality. The light is made of aircraft-grade aluminum that ensures excellent durability. This flashlight has a sealed detachable clip that provides countless carry options and comfortable grip.
With all the amazing features, Helotex G2 will fulfill all your simple tactical flashlight needs as long as you don’t require supplying blinding light 100 meters down the roadway or open area. This flashlight runs on AA or cr123 battery and ensures maximum battery life. It has 3 light modes: low, medium, and high. Helotex G2 has a tail cap switch for easy on/off options.
Main Features
- Dual power source
- 50000-hour LED life
- Tail switch mechanism
- 3 different light modes
- Glass lens with O-ring gasket seal
Things to Consider Before Buying a Tactical Flashlight
All the tactical flashlights on our list are worth the value, but you have to remember that there are considerable variations among flashlights, and they work differently in different situations. So not every tactical flashlight will fulfill your requirements and worth the money. There are a few very important factors that you have to consider before buying the best tactical flashlight.
Lumens
Lumen measures the light/energy emitted by your tactical flashlight. It means the higher the lumens, the more powerful the light will be. However, high lumen generates high heats from the tactical flashlight. So choose the lumens of your flashlight carefully. If you don’t require strong and powerful light then pick a flashlight that has low lumen.
Size
The portability of a flashlight depends on its size. There are various sizes of’ tactical flashlights available in the market. So if you are looking for a portable flashlight, then pick something 5” long or less. You can easily carry this type of tactical flashlight on your pocket, purse and they will provide comfortable grip. Therefore, pick your flashlight according your requirements.
Power Source
The power source of a tactical flashlight is a very important factor that you have to look for while buying a flashlight. Generally, most of the tactical flashlights are powered by Lithium-ion batteries; there are some tactical flashlights available in the market that support duel power source. Energy consumption rates vary from flashlight to flashlight. The high the lumens the more the battery consumption will be.
Water-resistant/Waterproof
There are differences between water-resistant and waterproof. A water-resistant tactical flashlight means that you can use your flashlight in the rain/water for short periods, and it will not cause any damage to your flashlight. However, if the flashlight drops on water and it takes quite a little time to find the flashlight then it may damage the light. On the other hand you can keep a waterproof flashlight on the water for hours, and it will be still working fine. So which type of tactical flashlight will suit you best depends on your projected use.
Zoom
Zoom is a very popular feature of the tactical flashlight that gives you the ability to zoom in and out of the light. While you zoom in, the beam becomes wide-angle, and when zooming out, it becomes more focused for distances. Not every tactical flashlight has this feature so if the ability to zoom in and out is required then pick a tactical flashlight that has the feature in it.
Budget & Requirements
Your budget and requirements have influence over tactical flashlight models that you may pick. If you love hunting, fishing, camping, and other outdoor activities during the rainy season, then you should buy a waterproof tactical flashlight for durability and better performance. Otherwise you can buy a water-resistant flashlight and save some money. Tactical flashlights are available in different price ranges. Usually the price varies on what kind of features it has. So while buying a tactical flashlight you have to identify your uses, requirements and then adjust your budget accordingly.
FAQs about Tactical Flashlight
What makes a flashlight tactical?
Tactical flashlights are made for tactical use; they are small in size, more powerful than a normal flashlight, and built of weapon-grade aluminum for maximum durability.
Why do tactical flashlights have strobe?
Generally, tactical flashlights with strobe are used by law enforcement for self-defense against potential suspects who are not lethally armed. The strobe light averts the eyes of suspects from the strobing effect.
How many lumens will temporarily blind someone?
Normally, 300 lumens are enough to temporarily blind a person or attacker. The more the lumen is, the quicker you can blind a person temporarily and get away from him/her.
How many lumens are good for a tactical flashlight?
It depends on what purpose you want to use your flashlight. A minimum of 500 lumens is good for a tactical flashlight. There are tactical flashlights in the market that delivers 2,000 lumens. So pick the lumen range according your requirements.
Why do cops use red flashlights?
A red flashlight preserves the night vision of a person. So cops who work at night use a red flashlight. It gives them light to see by and same time keeps their eyes adjusted for the dark.
How long does flash blindness last?
During the daylight, flash blindness lasts less compared to night. Flash blindness may stay < 2 minutes but is generally seconds in daylight but last long in night.
What is the most powerful LED flashlight?
The Nitecore EA81 is the most powerful LED flashlight available in 2020. This flashlight can produce 2150 lumens of night-defeating LED light, and it is powered by 8 AA batteries.
How many lumens do you need to start a fire?
2300 lumens are powerful enough to start a fire.
Are more lumens means better flashlight?
Usually, more lumen means the light will be brighter and travel a further distance. However, more lumens also means it will shorten its battery life.
Are LED flashlights better?
In general, LED lights are brighter, superior, and consume less energy compared to other traditional bulbs. So the battery life and bulb life are much better for LED lights. So there is no doubt that LED flashlights are better.
Using a Tactical Flashlight for Self Protection
Final Thoughts
A great tactical flashlight is a very useful and must-have tool for campers, hunters, first responders, homeowners, soldiers, mountain rescue teams, and they can be greatly benefited by its various uses. However, it’s not easy to identify the best tactical flashlight. The tactical flashlights that we have talked about in this post will help you pick the best flashlight. Just make sure you consider all your requirements and circumstance so that you end up buying the best tactical flashlight.
Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
