The 10 Best Tactical Flashlights in 2021
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In your search for your next everyday carry flashlight, you’ve probably seen the word “tactical” used to describe certain flashlights on the market. But based on the results, it might not be immediately obvious what exactly makes a flashlight tactical, or why you might even want a good 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”?
True tactical flashlights are designed with critical situations and self-defense in mind. It’s more than just looks, or a badge carelessly put on every blacked-out flashlight with a strike bezel. 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.
The Best Tactical Flashlights
Olight Warrior X Pro Tactical Flashlight
PurchaseKey Features
IPX8 rating
MCC3 2A magnetic charging
Optional magnetic remote switch operation
Specifications
Max Output
2250 lumens
Battery
21700
Weight
8.43 oz
Olight is a company that’s well known in the community for shaking up the stagnant world of tactical flashlights by bringing innovative tech like high output and magnetic USB recharging into a package that’s sturdy and reliable enough for tactical use. Their Warrior X Pro is their flagship tactical light, upgraded from the robust original design. It features a massive magnetic tail cap USB-rechargeable 5000mAh 21700 lithium battery that powers its CREE XHP35 module to a max of 2,250 lumens. And it’ll throw that light out to 1,900 feet. Aside from the aggressive strike plate and the knurled precision-machined aluminium body, the Warrior X Pro features quality of life features like a vibrating function that indicates battery life, an optional magnetic remote switch for mounting this light on a firearm, and a tactical grip ring that helps prevent this light from falling out of your hands in the heat of the moment.
ThruNite BSS V4 Tactical Flashlight
PurchaseKey Features
Smooth reflector
Side switch for lock/unlock
IPX8 rating
Specifications
Max Output
2523 lumens
Battery
18650
Weight
8.9 oz
The ThruNite BSS V4 is an IPX8 water-resistant tactical flashlight with an aggressive strike bezel and a CREE SSY70 LED module that puts out a max 2523 lumens out the front powered by a 3100mah 18650 battery inside. Anti-slip knurling ensures a sure grip ont he aluminum body even twhen things get wet, and you can select the six different lighting modes easilt via the side switch operation.
Nitecore P10i Tactical Flashlight
PurchaseKey Features
USB-C rechargeable
Dual switch mode and strobe
38 hour runtime on low
Specifications
Max Output
1800 lumens
Battery
21700
Weight
2.96 oz empty
The Nitecore P10i features a max 1800 lumen output and convenient USB-C cable recharging. Unlike a lot of lights that have a lot of complicated output modes, the P10i makes it easy to access the three different light outputs and the tailswitch allows easy access for the disorienting strobe mode on the light. The 21700 battery build in adds a bit more running time compared to its competitors, and it will run for up to 90 minutes on high and up to 38 hours on low, which makes this flashlight great for long term use when you’re away from the grid.
Streamlight Stinger 2020 Tactical Flashlight
PurchaseKey Features
Mode switch for high, medium, and low
Ergonomic design for perfect grip and comfort
USB rechargeable
Specifications
Max Output
2000 lumens
Battery
SL-B26 lithium-ion battery
Weight
12.3 oz
The Streamlight Stinger 2020 is built at its core to provide intense 2000 lumen power in a shockproof aluminum alloy body that’s ergonomically shaped for easy long duration use. Controls are also highly intuitive, with a selector for output and a separate activation button. The shape also helps prevent it from rolling around on a table as well, and the USB rechargeability rounds out the immense practicality of this duty light’s design.
Fenix TK16 V2.0 Tactical Flashlight
PurchaseKey Features
IP68 rating
Luminus SST70 LED module
USB rechargeable
Specifications
Max Output
3100 lumens
Battery
21700
Weight
3.95 oz empty
The Fenix TK16 is built for throwing its 3100 lumen max output out over 415 yards in any weather with IP68 water resistance and the ability to tolerate extreme temperatures without fail. Its high capacity 5000mAH 21700 battery has enough juice to power the light a combined two hours in Turbo (as it reduces brightness over time so as not to overheat), something most EDC flashlights can only manage for a few minutes at most. The tactical tail switch allows for momentary-on and constant-on, and the strike bezel at the front helps with defensive application.
Acebeam L35 Tactical Flashlight
PurchaseKey Features
480 meter throw
Dual tail and side switch activation
Strike bezel
Specifications
Max Output
4300 lumens
Battery
21700
Weight
5.68 oz
While the Acebeam L35 is decidedly too big for a pants pocket, its extremely bright 4300 lumen max output and long 480 meter throw can make it a worthy companion in your bag for tactical or outdoors use. That intense output is powered by a singly high capacity 21700 battery and LatticePower P70 LED module with a constant current circuit design that assures consistent output over time. The aerospace grade aluminum body has a hard-anodized finished with tactical strike bezel at the front and an anti-slip knurling that helps you hold onto the light even when things get wet.
Surefire G2X Pro Tactical Flashlight
PurchaseKey Features
Virtually indestructible LED module
Nitrolon polymer body
Quick two-mode interface
Specifications
Max Output
600 lumens
Battery
2 x CR123A
Weight
4.4 oz
The Surefire G2X is built to withstand a lot of damage and keep on going, with a virtually-indestructible LED emitter and a tough Nitrolon polymer body that’s water and shock resistant. The bezel of the light is made of hard-anodized aluminum and it features a strike surface for tactical application. The rear tailswitch allows for momentary-on usage, and for long term use there’s a 15 lumen low output that can extend runtime.
EAGTAC GX30L2-R MKII Tactical Flashlight
PurchaseKey Features
IPX8 rating
Tailstand capability
User-replaceable glass lens
Specifications
Max Output
3100 lumens
Battery
6800 mAh lithium-ion battery
Weight
9.9 oz
EDC Rating
Just released
Price
$$$
The EAGTAC GK30LR-2 MKII is certainly a mouthful to say aloud, but it’s a professional duty rechargeable LED flashlight that’s more durable and powerful than the traditional D-cell battery deals that we re popular in the past. The light features a Luminus SST70 LED module that can put out 3100 lumens max out to a seriously impressive 531 meters for searchlight capability in the palm of your hands. The extended aluminum body helps with defensive application, and it contains a 3.7V 6800mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack protected in a HAIII hard-anodized aerospace-grade aluminum body that also features IPX8 waterproofing.
COAST XP18R Tactical Flashlight
PurchaseKey Features
IP54 rating
USB-C rechargeable
Multi-fuel
Specifications
Max Output
3650 lumens
Battery
ZITHION-X rechargeable battery
Weight
19.4 oz
EDC Rating
Just released
Price
$$
The COAST XP18R features a dual-power battery system, giving you the option to use the included ZITHION-X rechargeable battery or 6 regular AA batteries in a pinch. The rechargeable cell lets you avail of practical USB-C port charging, and it enables the high 3650 lumen output out to 1083 feet. The heavily knurled aluminum body helps you keep your grip when things get wet and the body itself is impact resistant and IP54 waterproof as well.
Elzetta Bravo B333 Tactical Flashlight
PurchaseKey Features
Modular customization options
High/Low tailcap actuation
Ultra-tough build quality
Specifications
Max Output
850 lumens
Battery
2 x CR123A
Weight
6.1 oz
EDC Rating
Just released
Price
$$$$
The Elzetta Bravo features a solid acrylic TIR optic for soft edge beam projection with a hot spot with plenty of spill for wide viewing in an emergency situation. The body features a 6061-T6 aluminum construction and it has room for 2 x CR123A batteries that run the LED module for a max 1.5 hours on 850 lumen high. And because it works with a wide array of Elizetta’s modular components, you can modify the light to fit your mission by swapping out available parts on the go.
What's your choice of tactical light and why? What features do you consider critical to a tactical light? Let's discuss in the comments below!
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