In your search for your next everyday carry flashlight, you’ve probably seen the word “tactical” used to describe them. But based on the results, it might not be immediately apparent what exactly makes a flashlight tactical or why you might even want a tactical flashlight in your own EDC.
The best tactical flashlights do more than shine a light for you in the dark: they come with a feature set and construction that lets you get to your mission-critical work, especially when lives might be on the line.
In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between general-purpose EDC lights and tactical ones and introduce you to some of the best tactical flashlights for EDC you can buy right now.
What makes a flashlight “tactical?”
Tactical flashlights are designed with critical situations and self-defense in mind. Unlike regular EDC flashlights, which tend to sport lower output and moonlight modes for longer runtimes, tactical flashlights usually feature high-output brightness, a strobe mode, a forward-throw switch for momentary-on activation, aggressive knurling, and sometimes a strike bezel. There’s also a focus on simplicity in the interface, with lights in the class often featuring fewer modes and quick access to high outputs, sometimes with specialized, easy-to-activate switches.
Our Top Picks
The Best Overall Tactical Flashlight: Cloud Defensive MCH Dual Fuel [Buy] / [Full Review]
The Best Tactical Flashlight on a Budget: RovyVon Hybrid H3 Pro [Buy] / [Full Review]
The Brightest Tactical Flashlight: AceBeam Defender P17 [Buy]
The Heaviest Duty Tactical Flashlight: SureFire P1RZ-IB-DF [Buy]
The Most Compact Tactical Flashlight: Nitecore EDC27 [Buy] / [Full Review]
Cloud Defensive MCH Dual Fuel | RovyVon Hybrid H3 Pro | AceBeam Defender P17 | SureFire P1RZ-IB-DF | Nitecore EDC27 |
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| $$$$ | $ | $$ | $$$$ | $$ |
| Max Output: 1,700 lumens | Max Output: 12 cards | Max Output: 4,900 lumens | Max Output: 1,500 lumens | Max Output: 3,000 lumens |
| Battery: 1×18650 or 2xCR123A | Battery: Built-in 330mAh LiPo / 14500 / AA | Battery: 21700 | Battery: 18650 | Battery: Built-in lithium ion |
| Key Features: EDC and High Candela versions | Key Features: USB-C charging port | Key Features: Battery with charging port | Key Features: Single button operation | Key Features: OLED digital display |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
The Best Overall Tactical Flashlight: Cloud Defensive MCH Dual Fuel
Purchase
The Best Tactical Flashlight on a Budget: RovyVon Hybrid H3 Pro
Purchase
The Brightest Tactical Flashlight: AceBeam Defender P17
Purchase
The Heaviest Duty Tactical Flashlight: SureFire P1RZ-IB-DF
Purchase
The Most Compact Tactical Flashlight: Nitecore EDC27
Purchase
Fenix PD36R Pro Tactical Flashlight
Purchase
Streamlight ProTac 2.0 Tactical Flashlight
PurchaseTactical Flashlights: Buying Guide
Like other everyday carry flashlights, tactical flashlights share some essential features when choosing a particular light for your EDC. We will focus on a few of the best flashlights and the most critical aspects and discuss why they are necessary for tactical use cases and everyday carry.
Beam and Brightness
Brightness is the key thing with any flashlight, but especially with tactical flashlights. Maximum brightness, lighting modes, output, and beam distance are essential for tactical lights like the Fenix PD35, allowing you to see objects in the dark and at a distance. That brightness is measured in terms of lumens: the higher the number, the brighter a light can get. Some tactical lights use multiple LED modules to accomplish this feat. Others rely on shaping the beam with reflectors for maximum performance in the distance thrown and area covered.
Battery Type
Traditional alkaline batteries, such as AA batteries, AAA batteries, and D cells, and even lithium cells like CR123, have largely gone by the wayside in the EDC tactical flashlight design world. You can still find lights that use or accept these battery cells, but for the most part, they have been replaced with designs that utilize lithium-ion rechargeable batteries like the 18650 and 21700. These batteries can be charged in a cradle, but the trend nowadays is to accept USB cables directly into the aluminum body of light for convenience. The high performance of these batteries allows for high maximum outputs and Turbo modes like on the PD35 Tac.
Most of the best tactical EDC flashlights are compatible with the ubiquity and speed of USB-C cables and chargers. Some even feature important features like magnetic charging, especially lights like the Olight Warrior X. Others still use micro USB charging but can be on the slower side of USB rechargeable tactical lights.
Durability
Tactical flashlights are intended to withstand a beating during extensive law enforcement or military use. An excellent tactical EDC flashlight will often be made from hard-anodized aluminum, with a top-tier IPX8 rating for waterproofing, allowing it to run immersed for some time. That also makes them resistant to dust ingress. And their LED modules, reflectors, and emitter designs have been made to be virtually indestructible.
Higher-end lights even include additional internal protections like potted electronics, where its more sensitive components are coated with hardened epoxy or resin to prevent damage.
Size and Weight
While pocketability is the most important for everyday carry use, this imperative is less critical in the tactical realm. While there are high-quality compact tactical everyday carry lights, operators of tactical flashlights tend to bring them in holsters or attached to a weapon. This allows them to be bigger than one a civilian would manage to keep on hand daily while providing more brightness, runtime, and performance.
Features
Aside from the flashlight’s output, some particular features are more critical in a tactical light. For example, tactical lights tend to come with a strike bezel, allowing the user to strike with the light in a defensive situation and break through glass and other material in an emergency. Belt clips and MOLLE/PALS compatible holsters for gear and webbing attachment options are essential. Dual tail cap switches and output modes come in handy. Strobe is good for the momentary disorientation of a target. And the ability to attach the flashlight to a weapon and actuate the buttons remotely and hands-free is essential too.
Best Tactical Flashlights FAQs
What flashlights do Navy SEALs use?
Like other military branches, Navy SEALs have broad access to currently-issued mil-spec high-lumen tactical LED flashlights on their missions. Many bright lights can be used as long as they are in the official NSN system, including SureFire and Streamlight weapon lights, USGI impact-resistant right-angle flashlights, and infrared emitters on a headlamp for low-profile night vision usage.
What is the best military tactical flashlight?
The best military tactical flashlight can withstand the shock and strain of abuse on the battlefield. Old-style flashlights with incandescent bulbs don’t work, even the heavy-duty Maglites that used to be favored by tactical personnel in the past.
How many lumens is good for a tactical flashlight?
An excellent tactical flashlight has over 1,000 lumens in its full brightness mode. It’s essential to have that lumen count be ANSI verified, as it means the manufacturer has gone through the time to certify that their testing system is compliant. This includes lights made from brands like Fenix, ThruNite, and SureFire. This means you can trust their stated specs and not discount them as pure marketing.
What flashlights do law enforcement use?
Individual law enforcement officers have broad discretion about the lights they carry (because they buy them for themselves), which is why we hope this guide is helpful to them and you. Law enforcement tends to take lights that excel in multiple ranges. They also can use high-output and throw lights for searchlight purposes.
How We Picked
Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what’s new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for EDCers of every trade, industry, and budget.
What is Everyday Carry?
Everyday Carry is both the concept of what people carry in their pockets and the process of picking out gear that thoughtfully considers what one wants or needs in their daily lives. It encompasses everything from style to preparedness to utility, meaning an entire industry full of valuable tools and essentials to choose from.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our team has decades of combined experience in all aspects of everyday men’s essentials, from wallets to pens to bags and everything in between, and we know where to find great gear ideas that you may not come across at your local stores or when shopping online. Our expertise with the industry and familiarity in design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.
