A flashlight is a useful accessory to have to hand. Basic flashlights are designed to provide you with a source of light to illuminate dark environments. They are favoured by hikers and campers, but are also good to have around in the event of a blackout or emergency.
However, if you want something that goes above and beyond, you should think about upgrading to a tactical. Unlike conventional torches, tactical flashlights provide you with significantly improved levels of brightness.
They also generally provide you with multiple lighting modes and the option to tailor the coverage and distance of light beams. They are also more durable than standard torches, with durable waterproof exteriors that can protect against impacts and the elements. Keen to upgrade your basic torch to something more advanced? Our guide explains everything you need to know when selecting the best tactical flashlight.
Brightness Levels
When selecting a suitable tactical flashlight, you need to pay attention to lumens. Any good tactical flashlight will offer a minimum of around 1000 lumens, although the best models will provide you with more substantial lumens ratings. Anything lower than this is really not fit for purpose and is more typical of standard torches and camping lights.
You should also think about the functionality of tactical flashlights. You want to have some flexibility when it comes to using your tactical flashlight, so multiple lighting modes are a must. The majority of tactical flashlights will allow you to switch between several main lighting modes, ranging from low output to high output.
These not only allow you to tailor lighting levels to meet your changing requirements, but also allow you to manually manage battery usage. Many tactical flashlights will also include an energy-saving mode that allows you to get the most out of your remaining battery reserves. Strobe lighting modes are also useful to have. These can be used to signal your position if you run into an emergency.
You will also want to pay attention to throw when selecting a tactical flashlight, especially if you plan to use it outdoors. Throw is essentially the distance a light beam will carry for. Throw will be determined by the output mode you are using, so make sure all levels are satisfactory for your requirement.
Durability
As you will probably be using your tactical flashlight outdoors on a regular basis, you should not overlook the importance of durable casing. A robust exterior is a must. Look for flashlights with aluminium alloy housing as a minimum requirement. This material is very hard-wearing, but also fairly lightweight, making your flashlights easy to carry. The lens of your flashlight should also be made from a durable glass material to minimise the chance of breakage. Look for flashlights that include O-ring seals to ensure the best results in terms of water-resistance. Most flashlights will have an IP68 waterproof rating, which will cope with everyday exposure to rain and provide you with some submersion protection.
Battery Performance
This is another crucial point to think about when selecting a suitable tactical flashlight. For convenience, you should be looking for tactical flashlights that include rechargeable batteries. Look for models that include a high-quality lithium-ion battery that will make efficient use of battery reserves and allow for faster charging. A good tactical flashlight can be fully charged via USB in a few hours. Battery and charge indicators are also a useful feature to have. Not only will this show you how long your flashlight has left to complete a full charging cycle, it will also let you know when your flashlight is running low on reserves.
Best Tactical Flashlight Product | Reviews
Looking to upgrade a basic torch to a tactical alternative? Read on for our selection of some of the finest tactical flashlights currently on offer.
LETMY LED Tactical Flashlight, Ultra Bright 2000 Lumen XML T6 LED Flashlights With 5 Modes, Zoomable and Water Resistant for Camping Biking Hiking Home Emergency, 2 Pack
This tactical flashlight from LETMY is a budget-friendly and powerful choice. The general build quality of this flashlight is impressive, with aluminium alloy housing making it a heavy-duty accessory. This flashlight is also waterproof, with the housing providing effective protection against the elements. However, this flashlight has not been designed to survive submersion, so be careful when handling.
An XM-L T6 LED chip makes this flashlight one of the brightest around. Compared to conventional flashlights, this tactical tool is 70 percent brighter. You also have five different focus modes to choose from, including high, medium and low settings. You can also switch between strobe and SOS focus settings. A particularly neat feature of this flashlight is that you can power it with a choice of battery types. You can use a single 18650 battery, or instead opt to use more affordable AAA batteries. A detachable clip is also included, allowing you keep the flashlight tucked securely into a pocket for easy retrieval. This pack contains two tactical flashlights, along with two battery holders and two battery sleeves.
ARTISTORE P70.2 LED Flashlight, 90000 High Lumens Tactical Flashlights, Super Bright & Zoomable&Water Resistant, 3.7V Mono Battery&USB Rechargeable, 3 Modes Searchlight for Outdoor, Emergency (Black)
This ARTISTORE P70.2 flashlight is a good option for those looking for a reliable tactical torch. This versatile tool can be used when working, when camping, or in the event of an emergency. The outer housing of the torch is made from aluminium alloy, making this flashlight relatively lightweight, without compromising on durability or water-resistance. This is also a particularly bright choice, with a high lumens rating and impressive battery performance to ensure this flashlight is ready to use in any situation.
This torch is fully rechargeable and comes with a USB cable so you can recharge it from power sources such as cars, laptops and tablets. A full charge will take approximately four hours. A battery reminder is also included, meaning you never need to worry about being left without any power. You also have a choice of lighting modes to choose from, including low and high outputs. You can also select a strobe or spot light setting. This flashlight also feature a zoom light setting, making it ideal for use when carrying out repairs or delicate work. The spot light mode is perfect for when you want to observe something from a distance, while the zoomable light function provides you with flood light illumination across larger area.
Streamlight 88062 ProTac 2L-X 500 lm Professional Tactical Flashlight, Black – 500 Lumens
Although fairly small, the Streamlight ProTac 2L-X is a powerful choice of tactical flashlight. This EDC flashlight has been built to withstand heavy-duty applications, with the external housing made from aircraft-grade aluminium. The premium construction also means you do not have to worry about dust damaging the internal electronics, while the casing also provides a decent degree of protection against water. It will survive submersion at depths of up to two metres without suffering any long-lasting damage. It also offers good impact resistance and will survive drops of approximately two metres without suffering any damage. All openings are secured with O-ring seals to provide you with complete peace of mind.
This tactical flashlight is also a powerful choice, with a super-bright output of 500 lumens. When used at lower light levels, you can expect a long operational life of around 50,000 hours. You have a choice of three operating modes here, with low ad high outputs both on offer. You can also choose a strobe output to help signal your location in the event of an emergency. The power output of this flashlight is regulated, ensuring you can always expect consistent performance. This torch includes a rechargeable lithium battery. A full charge will take approximately five hours.
Streamlight 88061 ProTac 1L-1AA 350-Lumen Dual Fuel Professional Tactical Light, Black
The Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA is the compact and more affordable alternative to the ProTac 2L. Although this torch is fairly small, it boasts an impressive light source and substantial output. As with more advanced Streamlight models, this flashlight utilises C4 LED technology to provide you with exceptional brightness levels. The aluminium alloy build also makes this a very hardy choice of torch, with the flashlight designed to withstand impacts and occasional exposure to moisture. As long as you use this flashlight correctly, you can expect a service life of around 50,000 hours. The solid state power regulator also ensures consistent light output, no matter what light setting you select.
This flashlight provides you with three selectable programs. The standard is the high-strobe-low setting, which provides you with significant lumens output. This setting also offers considerable carry distance, although using your flashlight at this setting will drain battery reserves more quickly. When used on low settings, this flashlight will operate for approximately 14 hours before requiring a recharge. You can also make use of a strobe light setting should you need to signal for help or disorient an assailant.
Rechargeable Led Flashlight, 90000 Lumens Super Bright Flashlights High Lumens with 26650 Batteries Included, 3 Modes, Zoomable, Waterproof Best Tactical Flashlight for Emergencies, Camping
This premium flashlight more than delivers when it comes to brightness and versatility. With a 90,000 lumens rating, you can expect incredible illumination when used at high settings. This tactical flashlight also boasts the benefits of a rechargeable battery. After a full charge, this flashlight will provide you with around 10 hours of use when used at low or medium settings. You also have a choice of modes to choose from. High brightness can be selected when are you faced with particularly dark conditions, while low brightness settings are ideal for when you want to preserve batteries. Strobe lighting can also be activated when you need to signal your location in the event of an emergency. Light settings can be adjusted instantly.
The robust construction of this tactical flashlight makes it well suited to outdoor use. The waterproof housing means it will cope with regular exposure to rain and bad weather. This flashlight also features a zoom function, allowing you to switch between a small spotlight and larger floodlight to illuminate a wider area.
Rechargeable LED Flashlight High Lumens, 90000 High Lumen Flashlights with 26650 Battery, 3 Modes Super Bright Tactical Flashlight Zoomable Water Resistant Flashlight for Camping Hiking Emergency
If you are looking for an affordable tactical flashlight with full functionality, this premium torch is a good option. You have three different lighting modes to choose from here, eliminating the need for you to carry different torches with you on your travels. High and medium settings can be selected to provide you with the right level of illumination for every situation, while a strobe lighting mode is also included. This strobe mode is ideal for when you need to signal for help. A power display is also features on the outer casing of this flashlight. This not only serves as a charging indicator to give you a guide of how much more charging time your flashlight requires, but also lets you know when the battery life of your torch is running low. Four individual LEDs are included as part of the power display array, with each diode representing 25 percent of battery capacity.
This flashlight also offers an adjustable focus and telescopic zoom functionality. You can quickly change the focus from spot to flood beams, with stable ranges of up to 500 metres. You can enjoy maximum brightness when the beam is tightly focused, while the zoom will provide you with an increased illumination area.. The integrated battery can be recharged via laptops, tablets and power banks. With an operational life of approximately 100,000 hours, this torch should last you for a lifetime if properly cared for.
4 Pcs Military Grade 5 Mode XML T6 S3000 Lumens Tactical Led Waterproof Flashlight
If you need to invest in multiple torches, this pack of four tactical flashlights is an affordable option. Each of these flashlights include five different lighting modes, including low, medium and high light outputs. You can also make use of zoom functions, allowing you to tailor brightness levels and illumination fields. Each torch is made from high-grade aluminium, making them hard-wearing enough to be used outdoors on a regular basis. Although small and affordable, these torches also provide you impressive lighting distances. Maximum lighting distances of around 500 metres can be easily achieved.
These torches are also fairly efficient. A power saving mode means you can preserve battery levels for longer, without having to sacrifice too much in terms of lighting output. You have multiple options when it comes to powering these torches. Each flashlight can be powered by disposable AAA batteries, but you can also use rechargeable 18650 batteries if you want a more cost-effective solution to keeping your hardware powered up.
WUBEN LED Flashlight 1200 Lumens Super Bright Rechargeable Tactical Flash Light Waterproof 5 Modes Handheld Pocket Flashlights for Outdoor Camping Hiking Emergency (with 18650 Battery)
This WUBEN tactical flashlight is a good choice for anyone looking for premium quality, exceptional illumination and long-lasting performance. This flashlight uses an intelligent circuit board that regulates temperature effectively, ensuring lighting output is always consistent. The battery performance of this tactical flashlight will also impress. This torch includes an 18650 battery that can be charged via USB with ease. A charging indicator is included for convenience. You can also power this flashlight with disposable batteries if you wish. This flashlight has five different light modes to choose from, including low, medium and high outputs. You can also use an eco-friendly output mode, as well as an SOS signalling mode.
If you are looking for a flashlight that can withstand the elements, this torch is a good option. With an IP68 waterproof rating, this flashlight will cope with regular exposure to rain and moisture. It can also survive submersion in shallow water for up to an hour. The solid body is built from aircraft-grade aluminium, providing you with incredible levels of durability and resistance to impacts. Despite being so hard-wearing, this compact flashlight is surprisingly lightweight, even when carrying a battery.
Things to Remember When Buying Tactical Flashlights
Although your choice of tactical flashlight will ultimately be decided by budget, there are a few features you should never overlook. Good functionality is important, to make sure you select a tactical flashlight with a high enough lumens rating that will provide you with powerful illumination when used at high settings. You also want a range of lighting modes, including strobe lighting modes. Ideally, you also want the option to focus the beam of light from your flashlight. A reliable battery is also a must. Look for flashlights that can be charged quickly via USB, with user-friendly battery and charging indicators to make your life easier. Durability and build quality is also important. High-grade aluminium alloy is a good choice of material for flashlight housing, offering you exceptional waterproofing and impact resistance performance.
