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They may look similar, but a tactical flashlight is different than just a regular flashlight. It’s designed to meet certain standards that other common flashlights just can’t live up to, and be able to handle way more damage and rough treatment. It’ll also cost more than a normal flashlight, but it’s often a worthwhile investment to have one on hand, either at home, in your car, or walking alone at night. Here’s what to look for before purchasing one.
Buying Guide: What Are the Best Tactical Flashlights?
Looks for the flashlight’s brightness, durability, and these other must-have features.
Features:Tactical flashlights were originally designed for use by law enforcement, and still have attributes that show it – things like a “strike bezel” around the top to break glass in an emergency situation. Charging it up is usually simple too, with most nowadays relying on a microUSB connection. A built-in belt clip is also a nice addition to make sure you always have it within reach, and grooves on the body ensure you have a tight grip even when sweating in stressful moments.
Beam: These have a blindingly strong beam of light, and that’s exactly what you want. Tactical flashlight beams should shine bright, and any single bulb around 3000 lumens will get the job done. There’s also higher amounts of lumens available, but they’re often split up between multiple bulbs, which can affect the distance that the light is thrown, but typically 200 meters is mid-range. LED bulbs are built for the long-haul too – 50,000 hours of usage, or more.
Durability: These need to be extremely tough, not just against drops and falls, but things like being fully submerged in water, earning a rating of IP68 or above. Look for a high-quality aluminum exterior and anodized finish on the body, with materials like steel and tungsten around the bulb bezel with thick glass across the top.
Design: With button placement, simplicity is best. A good tactical flashlight will be designed to be used one-handed, and an on/off switch at the base where your thumb rests is a natural and practical option. While multiple modes may seem like you’re getting more for your money, keep in mind that you won’t want to be fumbling around cycling through various settings, so stick to the important stuff, like an automatic memory that recalls the last mode you used.
