Tactical flashlights are very different from a plastic flashlight someone might reach for during a blackout. There are several characteristics that make a flashlight tactical. They are normally made of sound, sturdy materials that are often weather and waterproof. They resist damage during hard impacts and are exceptionally bright. They are able to maintain a long battery life and often have military and law enforcement applications. With these properties in mind, we will help you navigate your options to find the best tactical flashlight for you.

Types of Tactical Flashlights

Before considering something as technical as which level of IPX waterproof protection you may need, one of the first choices is to decide on which style of tactical flashlight suits you. There are several to choose from, each with their own unique purpose and qualities.

• EDC Tactical Flashlights

  

  Everyday carry (or EDC) flashlights are compact, convenient sources of light you can take with you just about anywhere. Improvements in light and battery technologies mean that smaller lights are brighter and last longer than ever. These compact lights make good backups for a full-size tactical flashlight. Common types of EDC tactical flashlights include penlights and keychain lights.

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• Full-Size Tactical Flashlights

  

  Full-size tactical flashlights resemble classic, standard police flashlights. They are typically anywhere from eight to twelve inches or more in length, and weigh upwards of a couple pounds. They are very bright and their beams extend for very long distances. Their size and sturdy construction also make them an effective defense tool in case of an emergency.

Specialized Tactical Lights

While full-size and EDC tactical lights are usually for general use, many tactical lights are made for a very specific purpose. Some are designed for hands-free use while others are designed to provide widespread visibility in a large area.

• Spotlights
  Law enforcement officers often use portable spotlights if they are chasing down a suspect. Spotlights are also good for firefighters who require piercing illumination through thick smoke and dust. Use a spotlight to shine a very bright light on a specific point or person.

• Headlamps
  Headlamps provide a focused light source when your hands are not free. These lights attach to an elastic band that fits around your head. As your head turns, the light will shine wherever you face. Use a headlamp when you need light and your hands are occupied.

• Lanterns
  Like a classic flame-burning lantern, an electronic tactical lantern lights up a relatively large area by emitting light in all directions. They make a good temporary light source for reading maps or increasing general visibility. Use a lantern to fill a room with ambient light.

• Weapon lights
  For use on pistols, rifles and shotguns, weapon lights allow you to use your weapon in dark and potentially dangerous places. If police officers are pursuing an armed suspect at night or a SWAT team is making a raid, they will often have a weapon light.

Tactical Flashlight Performance

As tactical flashlights and the technology around them began to develop, manufacturers felt the need to create a set of performance standards for their lights for the sake of uniformity. As a result, they created ANSI/NEMA FL-1 in 2009. This document requires that manufacturers disclose important flashlight performance metrics so buyers can understand a certain light's capabilities. Recognizing these performance standards will help you decide on the right flashlight for your needs.

• Light Output

  

  The amount of light a flashlight emits is measured in lumens (lm). There are many misconceptions about what lumens actually are. Simply put, a lumen is the direct measure of how bright something is, or the total amount of visible light a flashlight produces. Generally speaking, the higher the lumens, the brighter the flashlight. While lumens do give a good indication of overall brightness, they do not tell the whole story; other factors like beam distance determine a light's effectiveness.

• Impact Resistance

  

  Impact resistance is defined as the distance (in meters) from which a light can be dropped and still function normally. With the development of the ANSI/NEMA FL-1 standard, flashlight impact resistance is more accurately tested than ever. Flashlights dropped from over a meter are test dropped six times to ensure they can still function in spite of heavy damage. Impact-resistant flashlights are a great choice for police officers, security guards, military members, or any other user whose light may face tough abuse. Shop Impact-Resistant Tactical Flashlights

Beam Distance

Beam distance is the distance at which a light can still product at least 0.25 lux. A lux is defined as the lumens per surface area of a light's beam. While the overall lumens of a tactical light give an idea of that light's brightness, beam distance indicates when (and by how much) the flashlight's beam begins to fade away.

Beam distance is affected by the lens and bezel of the light as well as how focused the light's beam is. If a flashlight has a wider beam, its light will not reach as far. If a light has a narrow beam, it can shine very far but can't light up many things around it. When choosing a tactical light, it is important to find one that shines both far and brightly.

Battery Life

The life of a flashlight's battery is measured by how long it takes a fully-charged light to drop to 10% of its original value. Flashlight battery life is directly affected by the light's output — the brighter a flashlight shines, the more quickly its battery drains. There are two ways a flashlight uses energy: regulated or unregulated. Each system has its pros and cons.

Regulated
In a regulated flashlight, the beam brightness remains the same throughout the life of the battery. When the battery dies, the light suddenly shuts off. While the light does maintain its brightness consistently throughout the life of the battery, there isn't a good way to know how much life the battery has left before it dies. The abrupt shutoff may come at a critical moment so it's important to have a backup.

Unregulated
In an unregulated flashlight, the beam starts at its brightest point and consistently gets dimmer and dimmer until it dies. While less light becomes available over time, the steady loss of light gives an idea as to how much battery life is left, helping to avoid a complete and unexpected loss of light. Unregulated flashlights allow you to budget your battery life better for when you need it most.

Water Resistance

In the course of duty, a flashlight may encounter water in a number of scenarios. Most commonly, water damage to flashlights occurs in heavy rainfall. A light becoming completely submerged is not unheard of, however, especially when navigating complex terrain. It’s a good idea to choose a flashlight with water protection.

The IPX scale (developed through ANSI/NEMA FL-1) indicates a flashlight's level of water resistance. The higher its IPX rating, the more water a tactical light can withstand over a longer period of time.

At IPX4, a tactical flashlight is considered water-resistant. Water can be splashed on it from all sides without any getting inside and the light will function normally. Shop Water-Resistant Tactical Flashlights

At IPX7, a tactical flashlight is considered waterproof. It can be submerged in up to one meter of water for thirty minutes or less and still operate properly. Shop Waterproof Tactical Flashlights

At IPX8, a tactical flashlight is considered submersible. It can last up to four hours in depths greater than one meter and still work when it is taken out. Shop Submersible Tactical Flashlights

Functions and Features of a Tactical Flashlight

There are thousands of tactical flashlights, each with a myriad of functions and features. A soldier may need a large, durable flashlight with high lumens and different light modes while a detective may require a smaller, more low-profile light that doesn't draw much attention. Different options exist to cover any and all needs you may have to do your job well.

Light Modes

A useful and practical feature, the beams of some tactical flashlights can be dimmed or brightened by cycling through different light modes. Police officers scouring the woods for a suspect, for example, would brighten their beam to increase visibility. On the other hand, lowering the brightness of your light can help avoid detection. This lowered output is also very effective at preserving battery life.

Many tactical flashlights also come equipped with a strobe mode which causes the light to flicker on and off very quickly. On particularly bright lights, the strobe setting can be used to disorient anyone downrange. It can also be used to signal for help if you become stranded.

Materials

Because they are expected to face tough blows and take a lot of abuse, tactical flashlights are made of strong, durable materials that won't bend, break or crack easily. A variety of different materials are available depending on your budget and the kind of use you expect to get out of your flashlight. Each carries its own advantages and disadvantages.

• Plastic / Composite / Polymer
  These materials are not nearly as rugged or heavy-duty as their metal counterparts. Most flashlights made of plastic won't be very technically advanced, either. They do have the advantage of being lightweight and cost-effective.

• Stainless Steel
  Stainless steel is found in hundreds of household products and appliances. It is hard, resistant to corrosion and it lasts a long time. As a result, flashlights made of stainless steel are relatively inexpensive and built to endure (though they are a bit on the heavier side).

• Titanium
  Titanium flashlights are both strong and lightweight. These qualities make them ideal for police officers, fire and EMS workers and military members alike. Titanium's versatility and convenience comes at a price, though — its price. It's very expensive compared to other alloys.

• Aluminum
  Like titanium, aluminum flashlights are lightweight. They are not quite as tough as titanium but they will still function after multiple impacts. Aluminum is an inexpensive material out of which to build a flashlight, making aluminum flashlights a very cost-effective option.

Controls

A tactical flashlight's controls are designed to make it easy to operate and intuitive to use. A light with a rotating bezel for brightness adjustment as opposed to a clicky on and off button can mean the difference between stealth and unwanted attention. You should put some thought into your light's controls before you buy.

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  Push Button
  There's nothing simpler than pushing a button: press for "on," press again for "off." On a tactical light, however, the on/off button is often used to cycle through different levels of brightness. Some buttons produce a clicking sound when pressed that isn't very covert. A button might also require the use of two hands which may be a hindrance in the field.

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  Switch
  Many old-school non-tactical flashlights utilized an on/off switch that the operator pushes up or down to turn on or off. Like a button, the switch may make a noise during use that could lead to undesired attention. A switch can also be turned on by accident, leading to unexpected loss of battery life if it goes unnoticed in a bag.

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  Rotating bezel
  A rotating bezel that turns a tactical flashlight on or off is perhaps the best, most useful control function on a light. The bezel, when rotated, can also be used as a dimmer to adjust the light's brightness level. A bezel allows the operator to turn the light on and off silently, avoiding any undue attention. Like a switch, though, a rotating bezel could cause the light to turn on accidentally, potentially wasting battery life.

Beam Type

Sometimes it's helpful for your flashlight's beam to have a wide radius. Other times, you may need a more narrow beam that reaches a bit further. When choosing a tactical light, it is wise to consider a flashlight's beam type and how that beam type will affect how you use the light.

Flood (or fixed) beam
A flood beam is a wide swath of light that covers broader but shorter distances. This type of beam is helpful when surveying a large, open area.

Spot (or focused) beam
A spot beam is a narrow light beam that reaches far but doesn't shine on a lot of things. This type of beam is helpful when you're looking for something smaller and further away.

Adjustable beam
A tactical flashlight with an adjustable beam is perhaps the most useful. These lights allow you to manually change the width and distance of the light beam based on your most immediate needs. It offers the best of both a flood and a spot beam.

Bulb Type

For a long time, incandescent and xenon light bulbs came standard in flashlights. There were virtually no alternatives, so it made sense to use them. They did have caveats, though. They were expensive and they got very hot very quickly. They drained the battery life of a light and they didn't produce a lot of light.

As technology progressed, LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs came along and offered a better solution. They have much longer battery lives than incandescent and xenon bulbs. They don't get nearly as hot, they are brighter and much more cost-effective. LED bulbs are now standard in tactical flashlights and are the absolute best option to use.

Battery Type

The type of battery your flashlight can accept will have a direct impact on the light's runtime and performance. There are a few options to consider. Some work better in certain situations than others, so choose carefully and decide based on the kind of use you expect to get out of your tactical flashlight.

Disposable Batteries
Disposable batteries like AA, AAA and CR123A batteries are very common. They are a great option if you plan on using your light for a long, continuous period because if they die, they can be swapped out (as long as you have fresh ones on hand). One caveat, however, is that it can be expensive to buy and replace batteries, especially if you use your light often.

Rechargeable Batteries
Rechargeable batteries (like 18650s and 20700s) are a great, cost-effective alternative to disposable batteries. Because you can charge them over and over, you won't be spending nearly as much to fuel your torch. Always bring a fresh set with you though — if they die and you don't have spares with you, your light will be out of commission.

Built-in Batteries
Built-in flashlight batteries are convenient and budget-friendly. They are usually lithium-ion and, because they come built-in, you won't have to worry about buying extras and carrying them around. One major drawback of built-in batteries, though, is that once they die, the battery is dead until you can take the time to recharge with a micro USB cord.

Renewable Batteries
These batteries are often powered via built-in solar panels or a hand crank. It is recommended to reserve flashlights with these kinds of batteries for emergency use only; they do not offer the power or level of brightness of a typical tactical flashlight. If you're looking for a duty light, it would be wise to pass up these kinds of lights and batteries for something a bit stronger.

There is no such thing as a "perfect" tactical flashlight — the best one for you depends on your specific needs. Before you decide on the light you want, you need to understand what you need it to do. That decision takes a lot of research, a lot of considerations and a little expertise. Once you finally find the right one though, you'll have a tool in your arsenal that will perform the way you need it to, keep you safe and offer invaluable aid in any situation.