7 Best Brightest Tactical Flashlights [2024 Updated Reviews] (2024)

Last Updated on February, 2024

The brightest tactical flashlight on the market will have a SUPER bright lumen output and some AMAZING tactical features, which will come to great tactical use.

After hand-testing dozens of flashlights for both brightness and tactical features, I came back with this list of the BEST 7 brightest tactical flashlights.

The brightest flashlights with AMAZING beam ranges can come of great tactical use. However, the best tactical flashlight will offer more than just range.

All features were considered in the formulation of this list, made to inform you, the reader, about the best, brightest tactical flashlights on the market.

7 of the Brightest Tactical Flashlights

The seven that made this list were selected for both brightness of the light and tactical applicability. They all work amazingly well as a tactical light.

1. Acebeam L35 (Editor’s Choice)

It is the intensity of this flashlight that makes it great for tactical use. The power of this flashlight works to further intensify the strobe feature, which shines with a maximum output of 1650 lumens.

The strobe mode has a runtime of 2 HOURS and 30 minutes, which is perfect for emergency scenarios—more than enough to blind an attacker or scare a raccoon. There are six modes in total.

With the Turbo running on full blast of 5000 lumens for 1 HOUR and 15 minutes, the strobe feature isn’t the only reason this flashlight made this list of the best and brightest tactical flashlights.

When looking for the brightest tactical flashlight, it is also essential you look at the maximum runtime, even if it is on a lower level of lighting. This feature can come of great tactical use in survival scenarios.

The Acebeam L35 has a maximum runtime of 12 DAYS! That is 12 days of lighting on a single 21700 lithium-ion battery. You can choose to use rechargeable batteries if you prefer.

The battery life of this flashlight is perfect for tactical use. Not only does it provide VERY bright and brilliant light, but it also provides you with days worth of lighting, which you may need if you are ever stranded in a cave.

Rated IP68 waterproof, the Acebeam L35 has been shock tested at 1 meter! Not only is this flashlight very POWERFUL, but it is also very DURABLE!

2. NITECORE TM20K (#2nd Best Choice)

Tactical lights need more than just raw power. Though the 20,000 lumens of light has a beam range of 290 meters, which is almost a KILOMETER of distance. The fact that this flashlight is so bright is one of the main reasons why it comes in great tactical use.

You could basically light up and signal anyone almost a KILOMETER away! (Not to mention the fact that this is a pocketable, everyday carry flashlight.)

The best tactical lights and the most powerful tactical flashlights will offer more than exceptional brightness and an AMAZING range.

The Nitecore TM20K has a flood light, a spotlight, and even a 20,000-lumen STROBE! The best flashlights are jam-packed with features, and the Nitecore TM20K is most certainly JAM-PACKED!

This is a rechargeable flashlight, charged with the included USB cable. Rechargeable flashlights have the advantage that you won’t have to replace batteries constantly. This everyday carry flashlight can be recharged, allowing you to use it daily without worry.

Bright flashlights such as this should have modes. The Nitecore TM20K has five modes, with the TURBO mode offering 20,000 lumens of light, and the high mode works for 45 minutes, providing 3100 lumens of brightness.

In ultra-low mode, the lowest mode, this flashlight will still shine with a brightness of 320 lumens for 13 HOURS! Tactical gear such as this flashlight needs to have good maximum brightness. Bright flashlights need the ability to work for HOURS at a stretch, which comes with great tactical use in survival scenarios.

This flashlight is rated IP68 waterproof and has been impact tested at 1 meter. This is a durable and reliable flashlight, pocketable size unlike other tactical flashlights, with a HIGH-INTENSITY turbo mode and excellent maximum brightness.

With a flood light, a spotlight, a strobe, and a beam range of almost a KILOMETER, this flashlight is BRIGHT and perfect for tactical situations.

3. FENIX TK35UE V2.0 (#3rd Best Choice)

This flashlight has a tactical mode, which can be quickly activated, which is perfect for a power outage. Activating the tactical mode at the touch of a button will illuminate with darkness with 3500 lumens of brightness!

In Turbo mode, this flashlight will burn with an extremely bright 5000-lumen light for 1 HOUR and 40 minutes.

The different modes allow you complete control. The best flashlight in the world will have more than two modes (high and low.)

The heavy duty mode (Turbo) has a sufficient maximum runtime to make it very useful in tactical scenarios and will reach a distance of 400 meters. That is quite the range when it comes to tactical applicability.

Apart from the various lighting modes, this flashlight is water resistant, with a waterproof rating of IP68. It survived a 2-meter immersion test, which means you won’t have to worry about getting it wet in the rain or dropping it in a puddle.

It has a strobe feature that will shine with a brightness of 3500 lumens. (Many flashlights don’t offer strobe mode, which has tremendous applicability in tactical scenarios.)

Unlike other flashlights, Fenix TK35UE V2.0 is easily pocketable. Not only is this flashlight very bright and an excellent light source, but it is also a great tactical flashlight and is very durable; a tough light.

4. Olight Warrior X3

It doesn’t run on standard AAA batteries but is powered by a POWERFUL 21700 battery that is rechargeable. This rechargeable flashlight uses a rechargeable battery, so you won’t have to keep replacing batteries, making this perfect for everyday use.

Rechargeable flashlights such as the Olight Warrior X3 have a distinct advantage over other flashlights in the market.

This virtually indestructible flashlight has been drop tested at 2 meters. Further to this, it is waterproof (IPX8).

The battery power of this flashlight is also impressive. On high mode, the battery power will allow for 2 HOURS and 30 minutes of runtime.

This LED flashlight will work on a fully charged battery pack for 8 HOURS in low mode! This pocketable LED flashlight has enough juice to make it through the night, so it can come of great tactical use, such as in case of a power failure.

This powerful flashlight with a rechargeable battery, offers a really bright LED light. The max output of 2500 lumens is brighter than three 60-watt bulbs and is easily strong enough to blind a threat.

With a beam distance of 560 meters, this is one of the best tactical flashlights, not to mention VERY DURABLE!

5. Imalent DT70

The best tactical flashlights will allow you to quickly and swiftly turn the flashlight on in case of an emergency. The Imalent DT70’s tactical switch enables swift and prompt action, allowing for great tactical use (It has SOS, Strobe and Beacon).

With a maximum beam distance of 203 meters, this flashlight has a good range, sufficient to signal someone in the distance.

This is a very durable light, made with aerospace-grade aluminum, and is shock resistant at 1.5 meters. It is also waterproof, rated IPX8, and can be submerged in up to 2 meters of water.

The durability and reliability of this flashlight, coupled with the AMAZING beam intensity, is why this flashlight comes in great tactical use.

The Imalent DT70 is a powerful little flashlight, bright enough to work as a tactical flashlight.

6. Thrunite Catapult Pro

The Thrunite Catapult Pro offers 2713 lumens worth of maximum light, which is brighter than three 60-watt bulbs!

This powerful flashlight has a maximum beam intensity of 252500 candelas, which is so much brightness!

How much brightness? It has a maximum beam distance of 1005 meters.

That is a KILOMETER of range! This immense range makes this a perfect pick for tactical situations.

That’s not the only reason why this really bright flashlight comes of great tactical use.

In firefly mode (the lowest mode), this flashlight will work for 42 DAYS! That is more than a MONTH of lighting powered by a rechargeable battery.

This flashlight can work for over a month, so it can be of great use if you ever find yourself stranded in the woods or in a cave.

Furthermore, it has a 776-lumen strobe, which will work for 3 hours! This strobe feature will work well to scare away unwelcomed threats, such as a raccoon in the campsite.

With 4 modes of operation, in turbo mode, this flashlight will shine with a brightness of 2713 lumens and will work for 1 HOUR and 30 minutes! This is more than enough brightness and runtime to provide very useful in tactical settings, such as when signaling for help.

Rated IPX8 waterproof, this flashlight can be submerged in up to 2 meters of water. Hence, the fact that it can be used in the rain comes with even more tactical use.

It is shock-resistant at 1.5 meters, making this a very DURABLE and POWERFUL choice.

7. Wuben T70

On the lowest mode, this tactical flashlight will work for 35 HOURS! That is precisely what you need to look for when looking for the best tactical flashlight. In a survival scenario, you need something that will illuminate the night, even with low light.

It is made with aerospace-grade aluminum, making this not only POWERFUL but STRONG!

The battery power indicator will tell you when your flashlight is running out of charge. Yes, this is a rechargeable flashlight!

Rated IP68 waterproof, you won’t have to worry about the rain stopping you.

The Wuben T70 is a durable, reliable, exceptionally bright, and handy light that has excellent tactical applicability.

Importance of Brightness for Tactical Flashlights

You want your tactical flashlight to have a good amount of brightness—the brighter the light, the more powerful the flashlight.

High-brightness flashlights come of great tactical use. Not only can they be used for signaling great distances, but they can also work to blind threats in the streets.

The brightness of the flashlight will define its tactical uses. The lower the brightness, the less tactical uses you have for the light.

Read what a tactical flashlight is.

How to Spot a Good Tactical Flashlight?

When looking for a good tactical flashlight, there are certain things you need to consider. Firstly, consider brightness; how bright is the flashlight, and what is the beam range?

Then consider its added tactical features, such as strobe, flood light, spotlight, SOS, beacon, etc. The more features the flashlight has, the more powerful.

Of course, you will have to consider the battery life. You need something with a reliable runtime on high mode and preferably days worth of lighting on low mode.

Apart from these essential things, you also want to consider durability; hence look for strength and resistance.

Uses of a Bright Tactical Flashlight

A bright tactical flashlight can come in various uses. You could use a bright tactical flashlight to signal someone far away at night. It could work as a great mode to signal people in case of an emergency.

Not only that, but a really bright light will also allow you to shock and scare away incoming threats. This could be a mugger on the street, an attacker, or even a raccoon while camping.

A bright tactical flashlight can help you in various emergency scenarios. If you can find a bright tactical flashlight that you can carry everywhere in a pocket, it is advisable that you carry this flashlight in your pocket at all times for possible tactical application.

Checkout the World’s Brightest Flashlights herein.

Final Thoughts

A bright tactical flashlight would work to SAVE YOUR LIFE! When looking for a tactical flashlight, you should most certainly consider the brightness. The brighter the flashlight, the more power you have in your hands in case of an emergency.

This list has been formulated after careful research and hand testing of more than 100 flashlights. If you are on the hunt for a really bright tactical flashlight, you can simply pick one from this list.

TOP PICK: Acebeam L35 with 5000 lumens of brightness. There’s simply no better Tactical Flashlight than this.

Not only are these 7 flashlights incredibly bright, but they also offer features that make them perfect for tactical applications! Highly recommended!

FAQs

OUR #1 RECOMMENDATION

Acebeam L35

Brightness

Beam distance

Runtime

Durability

Price

5.0

★★★★★

5.0

★★★★★

5.0

★★★★★

5.0

★★★★★

5.0

★★★★★

Overall Score

5.0

★★★★★

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE

Pros

Durable and lightweight design

Powerful light and good degree of brightness

Strong build quality and impact resistant

Waterproof rated IP68

Great battery life and longevity of use

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Cons

Takes a little longer to charge completely