Best Tactical Flashlights

How To Choose The Right Tactical Flashlight For Your Next Night Mission

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

Tactical flashlights have become extremely popular in recent years. Not only do they offer better performance than your conventional kitchen-drawer model, they are small and light as well. And if you look in the right places, they can be more affordable, too.

RELATED: The Best Flashlights You Can Buy In 2017

But why should you care? I'm going to try to make the case that tactical flashlights are better in practically every single way and that even if you're not actively looking to buy one, they can be an excellent all-around tool to make your life easier.

What Makes A Flashlight Tactical?

Many professionals, from policemen to hunters, need to be able to light their surroundings. When in the wild, a simple flashlight from the local Walmart isn't going to cut it. A tactical flashlight offers a lot more than a conventional one in the following key areas:

Performance: A tactical flashlight will be able to output a lot more light. It will be able to illuminate objects from a much longer distance. 
Weather Resistance: Out in the field, a tactical flashlight needs to be able to withstand anything from heavy rainfall, sand, or dust particles. 
Reliability: A tactical flashlight needs to be reliable in both battery life and sturdiness. It won't do you any good if you run out of battery mid-way through a drill or expedition or the chassis cracks open after a fall.
Sturdiness: The handle of a tactical flashlight is required to take minimum to no damage when in use. Even if it falls out of your pack or off the back of a pickup truck, it should hold up and still be useable. The metal used in its construction should also be scratch resistant, hold up to dents and other rough use.
Versatility: A flashlight cannot be considered "tactical" if it only is able to complete a single task. It should be able to signal SOS in case you are in trouble, and light your way without scaring away local wildlife. 

Who's It For?

The word "tactical" often implies that it takes advantage of modern technologies. While there have been numerous technological and scientific advancements in the military over the last century, the need for a tactical flashlight hasn't changed that much. Today, it is not just the military that uses them, they are being used by policemen, outdoor enthusiasts, the fire department and hunters as well.

RELATED: The Best Wilderness Survival Gear
RELATED: Best Pocket Knives For Every Guy

Military

The word "tactical" is mostly tied to the science and techniques used by the military. In the field, soldiers will use tactical flashlights during recon missions, assaults, active engagements and overcoming geographical and structural obstacles. It also comes in very useful for communication with allies and identifying potential threats. A tactical flashlight is also often mounted to the barrel of a gun for max visibility during a confrontation.

Self Defense

Tactical flashlights are made to withstand a lot of force. They are made out of very rigid materials that won't give under a lot of pressure. This makes them very useful in hand-to-hand combat. In case of an encounter with an enemy in the dark, the bright beam of the flashlight can blind your opponent as well.

Police & Fire Dept.

The police force will take advantage of the additional benefits of a tactical flashlight in many ways the military does. In the case of the fire department, finding missing persons is often aided by their use.

Outdoor Enthusiasts And Hunters

In the wild, there's often no other source of light at night other than your flashlight. Identifying or defending yourself from wildlife and navigation are often aided by a flashlight as well.

EDC Enthusiasts

Of course, you don't have to be a licensed hunter or deployed to a war zone to be able to benefit from a tactical flashlight. Their many advantages make them a very useful tool for the average consumer as well. They are often small, light and powerful, making them an excellent addition to your Every Day Carry (EDC) or toolbox at home. 

The Anatomy Of A Flashlight

Let's have a closer look at all of the individual components that make up a typical tactical flashlight, their importance and what purposes they serve.

The Bulb

The LED is the actual source of light. They are often able to be used for up to 100,000 hours of continuous use. Instead of generating light through the use of a filament, LED bulbs are able to generate light without any moving parts.

RELATED: Cree LED Flashlight Review

The Bezel

The bezel is what holds the front of the flashlight together -- bulb, lens and other electronics. 

The Lens

The lens isn't just there to protect the bulb from damage. It focuses the light and can color it, too, depending on its intended use. For instance, red is there to aid in night vision, while blue can help identifying blood.

The Reflector

The reflector is what concentrates the light of the bulb. It reflects the light of the bulb and allows the beam to be narrowed or widened as well.

The Button Mechanism

The button or "tail switch" is usually found on the end of a tactical flashlight. This placement makes it easier to use without having to move the source of light, and makes it easy to press with a thumb when held in an upright position.

Attachment Points (clip, lanyard, etc.)

The many attachment points of a tactical flashlight is an important part of what sets it apart from conventional household ones. The lanyard allows it to be attached to nearly any type of attachment point on your gear. The pocket clip lets you easily attach it to exterior pockets of your pack or the front of your pants' pocket. 

The Battery Compartment

The battery life of a tactical flashlight should be at the top of the list of priorities, when shopping for one. The battery compartment makes up most of the handle. Conventionally, the battery packs used in tactical flashlights are rechargeable lithium ion. Other kinds of charging mechanisms include cranking mechanisms, shake-to-charge, USB, and regular AA or AAA (nickel or lithium) batteries. 

Measuring The Power Of A Flashlight

The numbers that are often thrown around by the marketing teams will seem fairly nonsensical at first, but are crucial to understanding the particular flashlight's value proposition. Too little performance and you will have a bad time in the field. Too much power, and you will scare away wildlife, wake up the whole neighborhood or suffer the consequences of a limited battery lifespan.

Certifications In The US (ANSI FL1)

There are standardized specifications for flashlight performance in the US. Established in 2009 by the American National Standards Institute, they outline standards for the following categories. 

Light Output: This is measured in luminous flux (measure of energy) in lumens
Water Resistance: The IP rating system is in effect (IPX4 is splash proof, IPX7 is resistant up to 3 feet for 30 seconds, and IPX8 is submersion proof up to four hours)
Impact Resistance: Measured in resistance of drops of certain heights onto a concrete surface.
Run Time: This has to be measured up to the nearest quarter hour of output before it drops below 10%
Beam Distance: At what distance the flashlight is able to illuminate an object

How much lumen do I need?

Lumen is a standard unit measuring luminous flux and is a measure of the total quantity of light emitted by a source. ANSI lumens are a standardized measure, where the average light output of nine points around the source of light are measured when tested.

To find out the number of lumens you actually need, you first have to consider the task you are undertaking. 

Up to 100 lumens: These tend to be low output flashlights for general use.
100 to 1000 lumens: This is the range many tactical flashlights fall within -- they can blind attackers. Sufficient for professional use
1000 and above: This power range is usually appropriate for emergency services, security and other professionals. These are able to damage your eyes, so be warned. They also tend to be much larger in size due to their increased power needs.

How much battery power do I need?

While standard alkaline battery sizes like AA and AAA are convenient and very easy to find at the store, they don't offer as much versatility and performance as rechargeable lithium ion packs. Rechargeable packs come in various capacities measured in milliamp hours (mAh) -- the higher the number, the more power on a single charge. Conventional alkaline batteries will tend to be cheaper than rechargeable ones. 

Tactical flashlights will often be sold alongside multiple rechargeable packs in a bundle,in addition to a charger.

Materials

The large majority of tactical flashlights will use tough, military-grade metal in their construction. But there are some alternatives to consider.

Plastic And Composite

These tend to be flimsier and less sturdy than their metal counterparts. It is a good choice if weight is very important to you.

Aluminum

Aluminum is the most popular type of material used in tactical flashlights. There are different kinds of anodizing processes used in crafting aluminum. Look out for type II and III anodizing, when shopping for a tactical flashlight. They both refer to the sulfuric acid anodizing process that thinly coats the metal with a layer of anodized aluminum for better wear and corrosion resistance. 

Stainless Steel

While it provides a stronger, more durable shell than aluminum, stainless steel tends to be heavier and is not as suitable for use in tactical flashlights.

Kinds Of Light

There are many types of light to consider when picking out the perfect flashlight.

Colors

The tint and temperature are the biggest proponents to consider. Color temperature is measured in Kelvins and is cooler (blue) in the 2,600K to 3,500K range, while neutral between 3,500K and 5,000K. Beyond 5,000K, the light will produce a much warmer color (yellow-red). Look out for light in the 2,500K to 2,600K range for the most neutral light.

LEDs can produce a wide range of light temperatures. This, in addition to their low energy usage, make them perfect for use in tactical flashlights.

Different Spreads (flood vs. throw)

There are two kinds of light patterns you can generally chose from: flood and throw. Throw is more a more concentrated beam of light compared to flood. Of course, the choice here will depend on its intended use. Flood is great for lighting up a wide open outdoor space, while throw can be used to identify victims in an accident or blind enemies. Zoom rings around the bezel will often allow the user to switch from one to the other, depending on the design.

Sizes

There are a couple of different sizes to consider when shopping for a tactical flashlight. Generally speaking, it's the battery size that determines the overall size.

Mini And Small: These usually feature conventional batteries ranging from AA to AAA. Expect this size to feature bulbs capable of outputting up to 250 lumens.
Medium: Four to six inches and usually feature double the battery life thanks to being able to fit two cells rather than one. Cree LEDs in this range are able to  put out up to and beyond 1,000 lumens.
Large: If you are looking for a serious professional tool for recon and rescue missions, consider picking up a flashlight in this range. The bulbs will be able to put out serious amounts of light and can light up an entire field at night. Typical d-cell flashlights usually carried by policemen fall in this category.

The Best Brands To Consider

Here are some of the best brands to consider, if you're in the market for a tactical flashlight. They will provide the best reliability, build quality, battery life and performance without breaking the bank.

RELATED: LumiTact Tactical G700 Flashlight Review

Streamlight 88061 ProTac

The Streamlight 88061 ProTac offers the best balance of performance (350 lumens for 90 minutes, 150 lumens for over four hours) and battery life. It can take AA alkaline or lithium batteries and features a strong anodized aluminum construction. It only weighs 2.8 ounces and is IPX7 rated, meaning that it is waterproof up to 3 feet for 30 minutes.

It ticks almost all the boxes in the case you are looking for a general use tactical flashlight. Be sure to pick up some additional batteries, so you don't run out of juice when out on the hunt. 
$43.80 at Amazon.com

Solaray PRO ZX-1

If you're not looking to spend as much and are looking to light up the night sky, look no further than the Solaray PRO ZX-1. It features an ultra bright Cree XM-L T6 bulb that can output up to 1200 lumens (but don't expect the AAA batteries to hold this for long). It can also strobe, signal SOS and its small size means it can be stowed practically anywhere.
$24.95 at Amazon.com

J5 Tactical Flashlight

This 250 lumen tactical flashlight has a small form factor, uses a single AA battery and has a rugged metal shell. It will cost you less than ten bucks, making it an excellent option for someone looking for an entry-level tactical flashlight.
$9.95 at Amazon.com

Fenix FX-PD35TAC Flashlight

This extremely well thought out tactical flashlight allows the user to take advantage of the ultra bright 1000 lumen bulb temporarily by operating a special side switch.
$69.00 at Amazon.com

The Best Tactical Flashlights For Every Budget

If you have a specific budget set aside for a tactical flashlight, consider the following tactical flashlights.

Below $20: QIANXIANG 900 Lumen XML-T6

This low-cost alternative (and very familiar design) from Chinese manufacturer Qianxang offers 900 lumens of maximum output, water resistance and a Cree XML T6 LED that is rated at 100,000 hours. You can cycle through five modes and zoom for short and long range light. 
$11.99 at Amazon.com

$20-$40: J5 Tactical V1-PRO

Another great option is the V1-Pro. It has a 300 lumen maximum output and also runs off a single AA battery. It currently holds an impressive 4.6 star rating (out of 11,503 reviews) on Amazon.com. It has three modes: bright, dim, and strobe. 
$29.95 at Amazon.com

$40-$80: SOLARAY PRO ZX-2

This kit comes with two flashlights: the ZX-2 and the Mini Pro-1. The latter is small enough to fit in your pocket. They feature the same impressive Cree XML T6 LED with a maximum output of 1000 lumens. Both shells are made of aircraft grade aluminum, and the charger and two battery packs are included, making this a great deal.
$64.95 at Amazon.com

Above $80: Klarus XT11GT

This high-grade tactical flashlight from Klarus is USB rechargeable and features the next generation of Cree LEDs -- the Cree XHP35 HD E4 LED, offering up to 2000 lumens of light output (that's over 1,000 feet of illumination!). The Lithium ion batteries are rated at 3100 mAh and the patented Triple-Switch makes switching between lighting modes a breeze.
$89.95 at Amazon.com

Tactical Flashlight Accessories

A tactical flashlight is only useful if you have the gear to take full advantage of one. Here are the mounts, clips and switches to get the most out of your newest gadget.

CISNO Flashlight With Mount Pressure Switch

This kit comes with its own Cree L2 LED flashlight and a mount for a 20mm picatinny (a standardized firearm bracket). It can be switched off and on remotely thanks to the mount pressure switch. The assembly is fully waterproof, allowing it to be used in bad weather.
$22.99 at Amazon.com

UltraFire 402# Elastic Nylon Flashlight Holster

This heavy-duty nylon holster includes a belt clip and can be rotated 360 degrees. It can be locked into eight different positions and the molded foam inside will keep the flashlight secured.
$25.99 at Amazon.com

Uncle Mike's Nylon Web D-Cell Flashlight Ring

This nylon web belt loop will keep your flashlight secure at your waist. This will fit most d-cell flashlights (usually a bit larger and bigger circumference than a regular tactical flashlight).
$8.66 at Amazon.com

Fenix Tactical Filter for PD35

In case you are a new owner of the popular Fenix PD35 Tactical Flashlight (linked above), you should consider picking up this red filter for your next stealth mission.
$9.50 at Amazon.com