Camping Panda
Tactical flashlights are important assets to have in your backpacking kit. Not only are they more powerful than the regular flashlights; the tactical kind can also be mounted on a helmet or gun, serving a variety of purposes.Â
Perfect for backpackers, survivalists, as well as hunters and anglers, they bring more advantages than regular torches and are more durable. With this in mind, check out the rundown below to find the best tactical flashlight for you.
Beam Distance
Is it adjustable?
Lumens
Is it bright enough?
Battery Life
Is it long lasting?
Waterproof
Is it well protected?
Impact-Resistant
Is it shock-absorbent?
Portability
Is it easy to carry?
Lifespan
Is it build for years to come?
Durability
Is it sturdy enough?
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Hours Researched
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Products Evaluated
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Reviews Considered
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Designed with military professionals in mind, the Feyachi FL11-MB could be the best tactical flashlight you can get your hands on. Ideal for adventurers, hikers, and hunters, it boasts a full metal construction, outstanding brightness, and unrivaled durability.
The flashlight can be used either handheld or mounted on a gun rail. It comes with a Picatinny offset mount and a tactical, military pressure switch that allows you to choose between constant and momentarily on, for different operations. The flashlight is also water- and shock-resistant; it’s durable and dependable. No doubt, the best bet for most outdoor activities.
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The GearLight S1000 is a tactical flashlight designed for low energy consumption. It’s powered by either three AAA batteries or one, rechargeable, lithium battery – you can pick the variant that best suits your needs.Â
Regardless of your choice, you’ll be able to enjoy up to 72 hours of runtime. Five modes allow you to switch from low to medium to high, SOS, or strobe. Heavier than other tactical torches, but it comes in a set of two and is truly affordable. An excellent choice for adventurers on a budget.
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Equipped with 9 CREE LEDs, the NITECORE TM9K is the best tactical flashlight for those looking for ultimate quality. Four brightness modes reach up to 9,500 lumens, illuminating at a distance of 270 meters.
Powered by a built-in, lithium-ion battery, the flashlight also impresses with a robust, heavy-duty construction. It is fully waterproof and submersible, small enough to mount on a gun, and also easy to use. Built to last, it truly deserves its higher price tag.
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Backpackers might like the J5 V1-PRO flashlight. This compact tactical torch boasts best-in-class features, but is small enough to fit in a pocket. It even comes with a clip that allows you to secure it to your backpack or garments.
A fully metal construction ensures durability. Like most tactical flashlights, it resists impacts and water. Brightness is also satisfactory for most outdoor activities, while various brightness modes make it easy to adjust light intensity to the situation.Â
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Designed with firefighters in mind, but equally suitable for caving and climbing, the Streamlight Vantage is a helmet tactical flashlight that comes as an alternative to the classical headlamps.
The flashlight works with both traditional and modern style helmets. The clamp is easy to tighten with your fingers, while a 5-degree angle adjuster allows you to optimize the beam location. This flashlight comes in two colors, and it’s a great choice if you have to wear a helmet for your activities and want to keep your hands free.
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Another entry from GearLight, this pocket pen flashlight it’s not the most tactical out there, but it’s a great alternative to the S1000 if you need a compact model to fit in your pocket. The brand doesn’t disclose the max lumens or beam distance, but the torch is bright enough to illuminate at least 50 meters.
Powered by two AAA batteries, it’s also light and easy to operate. Don’t expect excessive bells and whistles, though. It only has an on/off mode, but it’s a great choice if you need a small flashlight for your outdoor adventures.
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The PHIXTON tactical flashlight is similar to the GearLight S1000, delivering high lumen output and optimal beam distance. An all-metal construction and water resistance makes it suitable to use for a variety of applications.
This rechargeable flashlight comes with a removable, lithium-ion battery, and it also works with AAA batteries, should you run out of power while you’re out in the wild.Â
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The Streamlight TLR-1 is an alternative to the Vantage, designed for military use, but also perfect for hunters. It is specifically made for weapons, and it’s compatible with both pistols and rifles.
A variety of keys make it perfect to use with Beretta, Glock, and Picatinny rails. The brightness is also satisfactory, while the unit withstands heavy-duty use. While all these features will cost you, the torch is a great choice if you’re looking for the best hunting flashlight.
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The LETMY tactical flashlight is a great alternative to the GearLight S1000 and other similar torches. Not only it boasts a solid construction, but it’s fully waterproof and suitable to use underwater for brief periods.
We also like the outstanding lumen output. A long beam range and adjustable zoom makes it perfect for camping, hiking, and a range of alternative applications. The flashlight comes in a set of two and is truly affordable. No doubt, outstanding value for money.
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Last on our list of best tactical flashlights, the UltraFire WF-502B is a mini torch that impresses with its high brightness and long beam distance. Sure, it doesn’t have the range of a full-size torch, but you’ll still be able to illuminate at a distance of around 60 meters.
Four hours of battery runtime gives you plenty of time to explore the surroundings during the night. The torch only has one mode, but it does what it’s supposed to do and is light enough for backpacking or hiking.
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How do you differentiate a tactical flashlight from a regular flashlight? Most everyday flashlights are made from cheap aluminum, low-grade steel, or just plain old plastic. Tactical flashlights are usually armor coated and made with aircraft grade aluminum for super durability. They are lightweight and typically weather resistant, shock resistant, and corrosion resistant.
Now that we have them differentiated what should you consider in buying your tactical flashlight. Lumen rating, built and durability are the top considerations when buying your best tactical flashlight. The buying guide will discuss those to give you the right information before you purchase.
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Lumens are a measurement of the amount of light an object emits per second. The higher lumen output your tactical flashlight has, the brighter it’ll be. But it will consume battery power as compared to those that have a lower lumen rating.
The best tactical flashlights have lumen output settings you can choose from. For general use we recommend the J5 Tactical V1-PRO Flashlight that has 300 lumen rating, acceptable for general use around the house or during camping. For activities requiring a higher lumen output, you cannot go wrong with the NITECORE TM9K LED Flashlight boasting of 9,500 lumen output. This tactical flashlight can be used for activities involving caves or rummaging through your backyard storage.
Tactical flashlights are built differently from your regular flashlights. That is because they are meant to be used not just for lighting purposes but more of emergency ready purposes more importantly. They usually have serrated edge design and can withstand strong impact. The Feyachi FL11-MB Tactical Flashlight can be handheld or mounted on a gun. It is water and shock resistant making it ready for either outdoor demands or emergency purposes.
The jagged or serrated design of tactical flashlights are not for aesthetic purposes. They are made to be used as a self-defense tool. The edge is of course extremely useful to puncture the skin, rip or tear the skin, or even eye gouge when the need arises. The rugged look of the J5 Tactical V1-PRO Flashlight serves this purpose.
Tactical flashlights are also used in uncommon outdoor activities like fishing, hunting or caving. The Streamlight 69140 Vantage for example is built to be attached to a helmet. This tactical flashlight has a five degree angle adjuster to optimize beam location in consideration of the needs of firefighters during missions. Similarly the Streamlight 69110 TLR-1 Tactical Flashlight is specifically made for weapons. It can be attached to a wide range of guns making it compatible for hunting and military use. It has an ambidextrous switch for easy on and off and versatility as well.
One great accessory to have for a tactical flashlight used for hunting is a filter, or even several filters. There are various colors, each serving a different purpose.
Remote pressure switch acts dual switches, has a momentary-on function, and will cycle through the different brightness levels of the flashlight used. This will give you ease of use by operating your flashlight and its different modes using a remote switch. This accessory is advantageous to scenarios where movement may be limited like during hunting, fishing or even emergency scenarios. Check out CISNO Remote Pressure Switch.
Gun mounts are recommended if you plan to use your tactical flashlight on hunting trips. Gun mounts are relatively easy to install and are easily detachable as well. This is to give flexibility to the user to adapt to the situation on when to use a gun mount. You can choose between an offset gun mount and an onset gun mount.
The Feyachi FL11-MB Tactical is the best tactical flashlight on the market. This torch can be used on its own or mounted on a rifle, it has decent runtime, as well as wide range and high brightness – not to mention that it comes at a price that won’t break the bank.
Flashlights with an output of 300 lumens or more can suit most tactical applications.
The NITECORE TM9K is one of the most reliable flashlights you can use for tactical purposes. It delivers outstanding brightness and range, a battery life of up to 60 hours, and is rechargeable. It also features various modes, is lightweight, and practically indestructible.
Models such as the GearLight or PHIXTON are some of the best rechargeable flashlights for the money. These torches are reliable and affordable – just perfect for all your purposes.
The GearLight S1000 is one of the best rated tactical flashlights. Models such as the NITECORE TM9K and the Feyachi FL11-MB also enjoy a positive reputation among users.
