5 Best Tactical Flashlights (2018)

After 12 hours of research evaluating 150 products, we picked Streamlight 88060 Pro Tac HL 4 as our top choice.

The best tactical flashlight is more than just your everyday light beam—it is designed for “tactical” use by the military or law enforcements.

What does that mean?

Some can be mounted to a weapon for use when shooting in low-light environments, while others are designed to exclusively be used as a handheld.

When you're talking about a tactical flashlight or a military grade flashlight, unique characteristics are being considered.

They tend to be smaller than regular flashlights, and are more durable—often made of weapons-grade or aircraft-grade aluminum. They also tend to emit more light and have more light settings than regular flashlights. Many are even designed for use in self-defense.

So we also included the brightest tactical flashlight on our list, which has both characteristics.

Sounds very handy!

Tactical flashlights are incredibly versatile, durable, and reliable—it’s what makes them so handy in tactical situations.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of the very best tactical flashlights for your use no matter where you are or what you do.

Best Tactical Flashlight Overall

1. Streamlight 88060 Pro Tac HL 4

User Score

94 User Score

51 Bought

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4.77 Faveable Rating

Why People Love it

Super bright, excellent beam power
Durable and resistant to wear and damage
Added weight and size make it a useful weapon

ProsCons

Brightest tactical flashlight on the market, solid design, ambidextrous, water and dustproof, C4 LED technology, 2200 lumen output, 1100 foot beam, good weight and size, limited lifetime warranty, anti-roll top, and compatible with multiple battery types.

Burns through batteries quickly, and this flashlight is heavier than average.

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Details

Design: At 9 inches long and weighing just over a pound, this is a flashlight to use if you want a light source that can serve as a weapon. Thanks to its aircraft-grade machined aluminum body, this thing can take a beating and never show the damage. The tight-sealed case makes it not only resistant to dust and dirt, but even water (up to 3 feet for 30 minutes).

The shell has an anti-roll top that will keep it securely in place if you set it down, and it’s designed for both right and left-handed use. The on/off switch is in an easy-to-reach location, making it highly convenient to use, even if the lanyard is looped around your wrist.

Performance: This is where the Streamlight shines! Not only does it produce a 2,200 lumen light, but the beam is 1,100 feet long—more than bright enough for use outdoors and in large indoor spaces, and the brightest on the market. The C4 LED technology produces that beautifully bright beam, though some users find the beam can “wash out” nearby objects.

The settings include low, medium, high, and strobe, with a special “momentary on” feature that allows you to turn on the light for just a second. Battery life is average at best—43 hours on the lowest setting, and 90 minutes on the highest. Though it can use both 3-volt lithium CR123A batteries or 18650 Li-Ion batteries, be warned that it will burn through them quickly.

Price: At nearly $100, this is the priciest of the flashlights on our list, but absolutely worth the cost if you want something super bright and reliable. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty, so you know you’ll always get high quality for your money.

Learn more:Streamlight 88060 Pro Tac HL 4 »

5 Best Tactical Flashlights