A tactical flashlight isn’t just like any other flashlight. They’re multipurpose tools that can do more than emit light, making them the perfect tool to carry in your survival backpack. There are certain factors to consider before choosing a tactical flashlight, however. As they’re so beneficial to survival and defense situations, you should think of them as an investment in your survival preparation, and therefore should take the time to make an informed decision. Finding the best tactical flashlight for you will come down to what you want from survival gear. Whether you need the brightest light possible, or a compact and affordable option, there will be a tactical flashlight that works for your needs. We’ve looked at five of the best choices on the market to help make your decision that much easier. We think our reviews will help you to find the best tactical flashlight to help enhance your survival experience.
Feyachi FL17 Tactical Flashlight
After a full charge, which takes about 3 hours, the Feyachi FL17 Tactical Flashlight emits up to 1200 lumen at its maximum brightness, so you can expect a powerful light from this budget-friendly product.
Not only is it bright, but it is far-reaching as well, casting light as far as 200 meters away. It has a specially designed 6.5-degree beam angle, which works well for long-distance illumination. It will be as bright as 300 lumens even at its furthest away point.
This is a great product to use when camping or if you’re out for extended periods, as it has a 4-hour run time for lasting illumination. It also works well in the wilderness as it has an IP65 rating, meaning it is water-resistant and therefore still performs against wet weather.
While the battery life is good, it is worth noting that it is correspondent with the temperature. In colder conditions, the battery life won’t last as long, and works best at room temperature. This could be an issue if you find yourself in a cold climate, and with the temperature dropping in the dark, you may need to preserve the light where you can.
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Pros
- Ultra-bright light at 1200 lumens
- Performs well against long distances, which is ideal for wilderness survival
- Water-resistant with an IP65 rating
- 4-hour run time for lasting illumination
- Batteries included
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Battery life decreases in colder temperatures
- The light is prone to overheating even after a short amount of use
Fyland Tactical Flashlight
Looking for a budget-friendly tactical flashlight that can emit ultra-bright light? You can’t go far wrong with the Fyland Tactical Flashlight.
It has a maximum lumen count of 1200, so you can depend on it to give you extremely bright light to help you in the wilderness. Not only is the light super bright, but it can also reach distances of up to 200 meters, which is perfect for when you’re stuck in what feels like the middle of nowhere, or if you need to be rescued.
The flashlight is built to withstand harsh conditions, as it’s made from military-grade aluminum to prevent any likely damage. It is also water-resistant, with a rating of IP65, so you can still get quality performance even in the rain.
In addition to its powerful light and reach, the flashlight has a 4-hour run time, which is excellent for camping or for when you need to find your way during the night.
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Pros
- 1200 lumen count gives off ultra-bright light
- 200-meter beam reach is ideal for wilderness survival and rescue situations
- Water-resistant and durable against most weather conditions
- 4-hour run time
- Tail cap switch improves accuracy when you need it
- Budget-friendly
- Lightweight and compact
Cons
- Some customers have found that the tail cap switch is difficult to attach which could be inconvenient
Streamlight 69264 TLR-1 Tactical Light
The Streamlight 69264 TLR-1 Tactical Light provides up to 800 lumens of brightness for when you need it the most.
It has an engineered optic that works to produce a concentrated beam for enhanced illumination. This means you can use it if you need to focus on specific areas and light them up clearly.
It is built from anodized aluminum, with an impact-resistant, Boro Float glass lens. It is also IPX7 waterproof for 1 meter up to 30 minutes, so you can even get the most out of this flashlight if there is a sudden downpour of heavy rain.
The battery is easy to replace, with a tethered battery door and latch mechanism for your convenience. The run time of this flashlight when used continuously is 1.75 hours, with an overall life span of 50,000 hours.
This flashlight is compatible with a range of handguns, and mounts directly to Glock-style rails and Picatinny rails. It fits securely to the rails and uses a snap-on and tighten interface that only requires one hand to use. This mechanism is ideal for survival, so you can multitask and keep your eye on your target without fumbling and focusing on attaching the light.
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Pros
- Gives off a powerful light at maximum brightness
- Durable construction
- Impact-resistant glass lens
- Waterproof for 1 meter up to 30 minutes makes it great for all weather conditions
- Long lifespan of 50,000 hours
- One-handed snap-on and tighten attachment is easy to use
Cons
- Some customers have noted that the battery door breaks off even without vigorous use
- Not budget-friendly
Streamlight 69260 Tactical Flashlight
The Streamlight 69260 Tactical Flashlight works as an ideal addition to a handgun for use in a survival situation.
The flashlight emits an 800-lumen light, which can illuminate the darkest areas and help you to identify an enemy. It fits the bill as a ‘tactical’ flashlight, giving you the ability to light large spaces without being seen. It stays at maximum brightness even when the battery is low so that you can get the most of your flashlight during crucial times.
Not only is the flashlight bright, but it is also built to last. It gives you 1.75 hours of continuous use, with the C4 LED technology providing a 50,000-hour use over its lifetime.
It is constructed with aircraft-grade anodized aluminum, making it super durable against wear and corrosion. Yet despite being a powerful flashlight, it is lightweight and compact, weighing only 4.18oz.
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Pros
- High lumen count gives a powerful light
- Long lifespan of 50,000 hours using a lithium battery
- Lightweight and easy to store in a survival backpack
- Durable construction prevents corrosion and rust
Cons
- Not the most suitable with rifles or larger guns
Olight PL-MINI 2 Valkyrie Weaponlight
The Olight PL-MINI 2 Valkyrie Weaponlight is a small but powerful choice to add to your weapon. It emits 600 lumens over 100 meters of distance, which is ideal for those difficult situations when you need to see far away areas.
It also works great for wilderness survival, as it has a rechargeable battery. It comes with a magnetic USB cable that allows you to charge it up, and saves you from having to replace the battery when it runs out.
In terms of compatibility, this flashlight can attach to either Glock or Picatinny sized rails, and is easy to attach. It comes with a quick-detach lever, and takes about five seconds to mount onto your weapon, with a secure lock. This is convenient for survival situations when you need to use your weapon unexpectedly. You can also adjust the sliding rail back and forth, to help position the light in the best spot for you.
The light will blast at full brightness of 600 lumens for up to 3 minutes, and will then slowly reduce in brightness to prevent overheating. While this amount of time for maximum intensity may be sufficient in some cases, it means the light isn’t the most reliable for use in longer instances that require self-defense.
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Pros
- High power output despite its small size
- Can reach up to 100 meters of distance which is ideal for wilderness survival
- Lightweight and compact
- Rechargeable battery means it won't need replacing
- Adjustable rail
- Quick-detach lever system for convenience
- Magnetic
Cons
- Doesn't stay on full brightness for more than 3 minutes, so it can't be relied on if you need the brightness for longer
- Must be fully charged, does not come charged.
What is a Tactical Flashlight?
Tactical flashlights are used by the military and armed forces to help shine a light on targets and enemies, and to help them maneuver easily around dark and secluded areas. As you’re prepping for survival, you probably already know the importance of weapons and which ones are best to have on hand. A tactical flashlight can work as a great addition to many survival weapons, such as guns and rifles, and can work as an excellent way to enhance your self-defense.
Lumens and Brightness Level
When choosing a tactical flashlight, it’s vital that you consider the number of lumens it has. Lumens represent how much energy a light can emit. This means the higher the lumens count is, the brighter and more intense your light will be. With this in mind, it may seem logical to go for the brightest light you can find, to give you the best chance of surviving in the dark or being rescued. However, not every survival situation requires an intensely bright light, and it could, in fact, hinder your survival in certain scenarios. It is also worth bearing in mind that more lumens mean your flashlight is likely to lose power at a quicker rate than a dimmer light. However, some tactical flashlights are designed to cater for this, offering power-saving modes and different brightness levels to help regulate how much energy your light is giving off. So how many lumens is the right amount for survival? Generally, between 500-1000 lumens should work well in a survival scenario. At the higher end of the spectrum, this intensity should be enough to momentarily blind an attacker, and will be more than bright enough to alert attention should you need it.
Size
If you’re planning on buying a tactical flashlight that you can take anywhere with you at all times, then you’ll need to think about choosing something compact and short in length. For an everyday carry, you should aim to choose a flashlight that measures around 5” or below. This is a suitable length to fit comfortably in a pocket, and is also lightweight and easy to transport. However, if you’re planning on being out for a more extended period, and will need a more heavy-duty tactical flashlight, then a larger flashlight is likely to have more capabilities and can lighten up a wider surface area. For camping or disaster scenarios such as power cuts, a larger flashlight might be the best option.
Durability
Many high-quality tactical flashlights are constructed from durable materials, such as anodized aluminum. By using materials such as this to build the flashlight, the product becomes more durable. This is because, through anodizing the aluminum, the aluminum becomes harder, depending on how high-quality it is. This procedure enhances the flashlight’s resistance to corrosion and rust, and it will be tolerant against bumps and scratches if it does get dropped. As durability is an important feature for all survival gear to have, consider purchasing a flashlight built from materials such as anodized aluminum, to give it the best chance of lasting you a long time. In addition to being durable against corrosion and rust, the best tactical flashlight will also be water-resistant. This means it should be able to work in even heavy rain, without any of the features failing or getting water damage. However, it is worth bearing in mind that most tactical flashlight models aren’t designed to be submerged in water or dropped in puddles without any problems. There are some fully waterproof products available, and these can be left for at least a few minutes in water. Look out for an International Protection Rating System (sometimes shortened to an IP rating), as this will let you know if a tactical flashlight is truly waterproof or not.
Battery Life
Many tactical flashlights are powered by Lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries have a higher voltage and current rates than standard batteries, which is perfect for a tactical flashlight. As you’re looking for a flashlight that can be used for survival, it’s advised to find one with a rechargeable battery. While this isn’t always possible, rechargeable batteries are a safer option for survival, as there’s less chance of it dying on you unexpectedly. Some models will also include a battery life indicator, which will show you have long is left before the battery dies. However, if you do forget to charge it up before you leave then it won’t be worth having, so a rechargeable flashlight will require you to be as prepared as possible. As there is such a variety of models available, the battery life on tactical flashlights can differ greatly between products. It’s important to take a look at the specifications before you purchase. A useful feature of many tactical survival flashlights is their brightness adjustment. Flashlights with this feature will allow you to dim the brightness of the light in order to save power.
Mode Functions
Part of what makes a tactical flashlight different from a standard flashlight is its multifunctional capabilities. This makes them better at adapting to a variety of situations, as well as being more suited to survival than a conventional flashlight. With a tactical flashlight, you can expect different modes, such as a strobe light, intense brightness, zoom, beam, along with other kinds of light adjustment. While these additional modes can be incredibly useful in a survival scenario, it is worth considering whether all of the extra features will be worthwhile for you. If you find that it will be overwhelming to have lots of features, or that these modes will be unnecessary, then I would recommend opting for a more simple design that will still get the job done.
Affordability
Tactical flashlights can greatly vary in price, so it’s essential to think about your budget beforehand. As your survival is so important, you should think about how much you’re willing to spend on a flashlight and how often you think you’ll need to depend on it. While you can’t anticipate every disaster, having a tactical flashlight that will work well and last you for years will help you to feel more prepared. With this in mind, you may feel that paying more for the highest-quality flashlight is worthwhile. You can still find excellent products that are more budget-friendly, though, so you shouldn’t discount these as being potential options.
Our Pick
Recap
We hope these reviews have highlighted how useful a tactical flashlight can be for survival. While all of the products on our list have something to offer and could work well in the wilderness, my pick for the best tactical flashlight would be the Fyland Tactical Flashlight. This won me over as being the best tactical flashlight, as not only is it a powerful and bright light, but it is also durable and water-resistant. This combination makes it perfect for a survival situation where you will likely be in high-pressure, high-impact environments. Thanks for reading! We hope our reviews have equipped you with the knowledge to choose the best tactical flashlight for your survival needs. Please leave any feedback in the comments section below, and if you have any suggestions for future topics, please get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you! Good Luck and Happy Survival Prepping!
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