WE DID THE WORK TO FIND THE BEST AND THESE ARE THE RESULTS:

Preview	Name	Awards	Purchase
	Streamlight 88040	Best Overall	Buy Now!
	EcoGear FX	Best for the Money	Buy Now!
	OxyLED	Best on a Budget	Buy Now!

Like most people, you’ve probably used a ton of different flashlights over the years. But have you ever heard of a tactical flashlight? They’re MUCH different than regular flashlights, and in this article you’re going to get to see what all the fuss is about. You’ll be surprised and amazed by what you can accomplish with these highly advanced flashlights!

Imagine being able to see 700 feet in front of you! Instead of having to “see what’s out there” at night on foot, you can use your tactical high beam to light up an entire area from a safe distance away. It’s just one more way high-tech is taking us to new heights!

In this article, we’re going to showcase the Top 3 Tactical Flashlights for sale online. We’ve ranked them according to:

1. Best Tactical Flashlight
2. Best Tactical Flashlight For The Money
3. Best Tactical Flashlight On A Budget

Streamlight 88040 ProTac HL

LED Solid State Power Regulation provides maximum light output throughout battery life

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Weighing in at just 5.6 ounces, the Streamlight 88040 ProTac HL High Lumen Professional Tactical Light provides an all-star lineup of features that thousands of people have already had great results with. In our opinion, Streamlight is turning out the very best tactical flashlights in our current market that money can buy.

There’s a total of 12 different Streamlight ProTac models available, ranging from 50 lumens to 1100 lumens. And you couldn’t choose a better company to do business with. Nearly every Streamlight ProTac model flashlight has achieved a great review score.

Streamlight backs up all their products with a lifetime warranty. Their customer service is also top notch, so if you have questions about your Streamlight 88040 ProTac HL that you can’t find answers to, they’re always there to help.

EcoGear FX Tactical LED Flashlight Kit (TK120)

Includes: Ultra Bright Professional Grade LED Flashlight + 2 Rechargeable Batteries + Charger + FREE Keychain Flashlight

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Made from aircraft grade aluminum alloy, people that need a fair priced tactical flashlight that’s strong enough for all day work will be overjoyed! While the EcoGear FX Tactical Flashlight Kit isn’t the very best out there, IT IS a quality option that people in the work force can depend on for all day usage.

It’s anti-abrasive, shock proof, and features the CREE T6 LED chip that delivers 1200 lumens of intense light wherever you need it. It’s even equipped with a zoom function and special reflectors to maximize light output.

The high quality features and all day dependability make this a surefire winner for anyone that demands quality at a fair price.

OxyLED Super Bright CREE XML T6 LED

TOP Amazon Best Seller for Handheld Flashlights (Li-on battery with built-in protection)

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This is one of the all-time best sellers as far as budget tactical flashlights go. With Li-Ion battery technology and a total of 5 lighting modes, you get full featured performance at a price that won’t break the bank.

And although it isn’t designed to provide non-stop performance in the most grueling scenarios known to man, it provides you with dependable emergency lighting in bad weather conditions.

Why You Need A Tactical Flashlight

Self Defense!

You might not think of it off hand, but a tactical flashlight works wonderfully as a self-defense tool. How? In low light areas, such as parking lots and allies, having to use a firearm for self defense would require that you be able to see the assailant clearly. A tactical flashlight is the perfect solution.

And if you DO need to fire a gun, there’s a special way to hold a tactical flashlight so you can see your surroundings clearly while holding the gun safely to fire at the same time.

FBI Technique – This method of holding your flashlight along with a gun is centered around keeping the flashlight away from your body so incoming bullets are misdirected. The flashlight is held above your body, thereby fooling shooters into thinking that’s where your body is.

Neck Index Technique – This method is useful for when you need to fire a large amount of ammunition at a threat and be more able to see the target clearly. Holding the tactical flashlight close to your neck allows you to direct the flashlight beam in the EXACT same area that your eyes can see, very stably, and without error. The only drawback is that it exposes the exact location of your physical body, making you an “easy target”.

Harries Technique – With the Harries Technique you lock your wrists together. One hand holds the gun on top, while your other hand supports the firing hand underneath with the flashlight.

Often, people rely on their firearm only, and neglect to prepare for low light situations. Your tactical flashlight can also serve as an effective tool to blind an attacker. When a tactical LED gets shined in someone’s face, they experience a 3-4 second period of complete blindness.

Tactical flashlights often come with a specialized bezel (serrated or toothed), and can serve as an effective striking weapon.

Emergencies!

Tactical flashlights are one of the greatest tools we have to help in rescue situations and times when peoples lives are in danger. A regular flashlight works to provide light a few feet away, but a tactical flashlight lets you see objects as bright as day from a fair distance away.

Having a tactical flashlight in your vehicle in case of a breakdown is a great idea. The beam can light up the entire area around your car and provide you with all the sight you need to make repairs to the vehicle.

High Intensity Light For Lost Items, Pitch Dark, And More!

If you’ve ever found yourself lost at night in pitch black, then you already know that panic sets in nearly immediately. Some people have been lost for hours or more in the dark, stressed out, hungry, thirsty, and scared until rescue finds them. By carrying a tactical flashlight with you at all times, you can make sure it doesn’t happen to you!

Ever had an item go missing in an attic or basement where there’s not a source of light that can help? A tactical flashlight can provide all the light you need, and do so with way more power than a traditional flashlight. If you’re still using an ordinary flashlight, you’re taking your chances!

What Makes A Great Tactical Flashlight – Buyer’s Guide

The following features are commonly included in a quality tactical flashlight. Each flashlight model might come with all, or only a few of the features listed below. By reading the Most Wanted features list, you’ll know exactly how to pick out a tactical flashlight with everything you need.

Most Wanted Features List – Tactical Flashlight

Rechargeable Battery / Charger – Most all tactical flashlights in the marketplace come with rechargeable functionality.Battery technologies used include lithium,  Some might also come with rechargeable batteries such as AA, AAA, C, D, etc.

Metal Alloy Construction – A metal alloy construction design is much stronger than plain metal. Flashlights created with alloy aren’t anywhere near as prone to dents and damage as cheaper, plain metal ones.

Anodized Anti-Abrasive Coating – People who use tactical flashlights are involved in intense situations where anodized, anti-abrasive coatings improve the lifespan/quality of the flashlight.

C4 LED Technology – Tactical flashlights include the very latest in LED tech. They last for thousands of hours and provide beams that go far beyond what traditional flashlights can accomplish.

C4 actually stands for Controlled Collapse Chip Connection, and until recently, the technology used to fuel C4 was evaporative bump technology, now replaced with electroplated bump technology. Electroplated bump technology is more able to meet current demand for flashlights with stronger abilities.

Solid State Power Regulation – This helps to keep your flashlight functioning at 100% capacity until the battery runs out of power. The beam stays 100% strong until it simply “goes out” and needs recharged.

Multiple Brightness Levels – Conservation of battery life is a frequent issue in demanding jobs a regular flashlight can’t help with. High, Medium, and Low settings conserve power so flashlights can be used for days at a time before needing a recharge.

20-20,0000 Lumen Output – Tactical flashlights come in a wide variety of lumen outputs. You can find them starting at about 20 lumens (book reading flashlight), up to around 20,000 lumens (serious nighttime/outdoor light support). A targeted lumen output allows you to spend less through purchasing a cheaper flashlight with less lumens, while not affecting your ability to get the job done.

Candela Output – If you examine a picture taken at night of a tactical flashlight beam, you’ll see that there’s two light “paths”. One is the candela power, which is located in the center of the beam, (right in the middle, targetted,  and intense) that features the highest strength of the flashlight. Then, there’s the second path, the lumen power, which encompasses the entire scope of the beam (wide angle, and all encompassing).

Strobe Function – During times of an emergency, a strobe beacon can alert help that’s in your area. Planes flying overhead can see your strobe flash and relay your coordinates to a rescue team, etc.

SOS Function – The SOS light function is very similar to the strobe, only it flashes according to the recognized “SOS time frame”, which is slightly slower than a strobe.

Anti-Roll Facecap – Being able to set your flashlight down on a sloped surface so it doesn’t roll away reduces frustration levels so you can stay focused on the task at hand.

Removeable Pocket Clip – Being able to clip your tactical flashlight to your shirt, pants, and other surfaces increases the usefulness of the flashlight so you can work with it hands-free.

Waterproof Design  – There’s lots of situations where a tactical flashlight could involve water, so waterproof functionality helps a lot. Note the waterproof rating is never 100%, and there’s a limited amount of time the flashlight can be submerged, as well as approved depth level rating.

Streamlight 88040 ProTac HL High Lumen Professional Tactical Light With White LED – Features

Streamlight 88040 ProTac HL

LED Solid State Power Regulation provides maximum light output throughout battery life

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C4 LED Technology – We explain exactly what C4 LED flashlight technology is within this article, and the Streamlight 88040 ProTac HL features this state-of-the-art technology. C4 provides you with an extreme amount of brightness that doesn’t cost a lot to produce, and Streamlight passes these savings onto their customers. You can expect an average of 50,000 hours of use per C4 LED bulb.

3 Operating Modes – High, Low, Strobe – The Streamlight 88040 ProTac HL High Lumen Professional Tactical Light lasts for 1 hr 15 min at 600 lumens on High, 18 hours at 33 lumens on Low, and can Strobe for 2 1/2 hours at 600 Lumens. The High and Low operating modes let you use full power when you need a lot of light, and conserve battery consumption during periods of extended usage.

Solid State Power Regulation – Just like solid state hard drives operating at 100% no matter how full the drive is, solid state power regulators keep your flashlight operating at 100% brightness throughout the battery life. When the battery is officially “spent”, the LED simply goes out instead of going dim.

Shock Resistant – The body of the Streamlight 88040 ProTac is shock resistant and able to withstand all-day usage.

Waterproof – The IPX 7 rating for waterproof functionality is a step above the IPX 6 rating, and is able to withstand submersion down to 1 meter for 30 minutes. IPX 6 is only approved to withstand heavy splashes and rainfall.

Anti-Roll Face Cap – Being able to keep the flashlight you’re using stationary can play a large roll in whether or not you get the job done. That’s why anti-roll caps are provided as part of every tactical flashlight Streamlink offers.

Uses CR123A Batteries – The CR123A model battery is universally accepted in not just the ProTac HL series of flashlights, but many other makes and models of tactical flashlight too. The usage of the CR123A universally compatible battery design allows you to use the batteries in a backup flashlight of a different make and model, for example.

Removable Pocket Clip And Holster – The pocket clip for the Streamlink is removeable, which allows you to “clip” it to various objects and surfaces. The holster keeps the flashlight secure and lightly padded against shock.

Limited Lifetime Warranty – As we mentioned earlier, Streamlight is one of the most respected companies in the industry when it comes to tactical flashlights. Lifetime warranties on their products, rock-solid dependability, and a customer service team available between 8am-5pm Eastern time all year round!

These are some of the reasons why we chose the Streamlight 88040 ProTac HL High Lumen Professional Tactical Light as our #1 choice for the best tactical flashlight out there.

Streamlight – The Official Tactical Flashlight Of The U.S. Army, EMT’s, Police, And More!

When people mention Streamlink in circles of professional trust, it’s recognized as a name that’s legally accepted as certified equipment.

How Can Choosing Streamlink Flashlights Keep You Safe?

As an example, someone being pulled in from a river after falling was able to call the Coast Authority to be rescued. Upon arriving, the Coast Authority identified the person who had fallen in the river and pulled the victim to safety within an officially approved time frame to prevent additional injury (hypothermia, loss of consciousness, etc.).

During the rescue, the panicked river victim attempted to dislodge himself from the log he was clinging onto so he could reach the SOS flotation device faster. The log caught the victims thumb and resulted in finger breakage.

This victim later attempted to sue the Coast Authority for negligence and improper rescue protocol because of the broken finger. In a court of law, when the case came to trial, the Coast Authorities usage of the Streamlight ProTac, and it’s officially accepted certification played a part in the exoneration of any wrongdoing by the Coast Authority. No financial compensation was awarded to the plaintiff (river victim).

Questions from attorneys were presented to the Coast Authority regarding their equipment certification, and whether or not they were using officially certified equipment while adhering to legally recognized safety and performance standards.

Had some of the Coast Authority equipment used NOT been officially certified, a financial sum MAY have been awarded to the plaintiff resulting in negative mark on the reputation of the Coast Authority.

In similar professional situations, usage of official Streamlink flashlights can play a part in keeping you safe from being falsely accused too!

This EcoGear FX Tactical LED Flashlight Kit makes a great choice for professionals that have a bit more to spend. It’s not a bargain-bin model, has a nice feature set, and is designed to represent your average 9-5 worker with an average salary.

EcoGear FX Tactical LED Flashlight Kit (TK120)

Includes: Ultra Bright Professional Grade LED Flashlight + 2 Rechargeable Batteries + Charger + FREE Keychain Flashlight

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It provides much better performance than a budget flashlight, and doesn’t cost nearly as much as the super-supreme tactical flashlights designed to represent the operations of medical/authority staff. Keep in mind that those professions have to meet strict regulatory standards to pass certification.

So as long as you’re not the Coast Guard, the Fire Department, or an EMT, this flashlight will provide you with the all-day work performance you need without regulatory standard features 99.9% of us DON’T have a use for.

EcoGear FX Tactical LED Flashlight Kit (TK120): Bright LED Flashlight with 1200 Lumens, Zoom Function and 5 Light Modes – Features

CREE XML T6 LED Chip – 1200 Lumens  – This is the same CREE XML T6 chip that the OxyLED Super Bright uses in our budget friendly choice below. However, you’ll notice that the EcoGear FX is much more rugged and structurally sound, as well as larger in size. The EcoGear FX also comes with special reflectors to enhance the quality and distance of the beam.

5 Light Modes –  High, Medium, Low, SOS, and Strobe give you the ability to be conservative when you need to and liberal when you need to be. Multiple light modes go a long way to help conserve battery life for all day functionality.

5 Zoom Modes – Flashlight zoom is fairly new, and being able to direct the strength of the beam into a focused area can help you accomplish a lot. An object you see in the distance might be there, or it might be your eyes playing tricks on you. The zoom function can tell you for sure. Choose from 5 intensity levels : 1x, 250x, 500x, 1000x, 2000x

Aircraft Grade Aluminum Alloy Housing – In order to be confident with your tactical flashlight, you have to know it’s not going to break when the going gets tough. Aircraft grade aluminum alloy is as strong as it gets, and you’re getting it at a good price.

Hard Anodized Finish – The hard anodized coating teams up with the aircraft quality aluminum for a 1-2 punch of durability. You can smash, drop, and batter this flashlight in dangerous environments and it still retains its functionality. It’s also scratch resistant.

3.7v 18650 Or 3x AAA Battery Compatible – You’ve got two choices for the EcoGear FX. You can use standalone AAA batteries (rechargeable or single-use), or use one of the 2 included 3.7v 300mAH 18650 rechargeable battery packs that come in the box.

Cordless Dual Channel Battery Charger – The dual channels charge your batteries fast with wireless functionality.

Stock Up On Replacement Parts And Extend The Life Of Your Flashlight!

Don’t forget, you can purchase replacement LED bulbs, battery packs / stand-alone batteries, chargers, add-ons/upgrades, and more at various stores on the Internet, including the manufacturers website.

It’s always a good idea to have replacement parts handy for repairs, add-ons and upgrades to increase functionality, and additional battery packs for swapping.

People on a budget shouldn’t be deprived of basic functional abilities. That’s part of what makes mainstream companies so great. Even if you’re at a loss with your finances, there’s ALMOST ALWAYS the ability to recoup yourself through a little perseverance and hard work.

OxyLED Super Bright CREE XML T6 LED

TOP Amazon Best Seller for Handheld Flashlights (Li-on battery with built-in protection)

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The OxyLED company makes the CREE XML T6 LED Flashlight Bundle, and it’s a great choice for :

1. Beginners Looking To Test Out Tactical LED’s
2. Budget Minded People That Don’t Need Extra Functionality
3. People That Need A Great Household Flashlight

OxyLED Super Bright CREE XML T6 LED Flashlight Bundle with Rechargeable Batteries, AC Charger + Charging Base and White Tube- Features

CREE XML T6 LED – The CREE rating on this budget-friendly LED flashlight stands for the CREE company that makes them. Also, CREE LED is much more efficient in terms of lumens per watt delivery than many other LED technologies.

5 Lighting Modes – High, Medium, Low, SOS, And Strobe – The 5 lighting modes give you full control over conserving battery life and having your choice of  beam strength.

Shock Resistant Glass Lens – The shock resistant, toughened glass lens features an anti-reflective coating that keeps the quality of your beam clear, unadulterated, and true.

Aircraft Grade Aluminum Alloy Housing – The aircraft grade aluminum ensures that you can drop, pinch, or bash the housing against hard surfaces and it won’t break. Tactical flashlights earn part of their keep in the industry by being able to “take a beating”.

Type III Anodized Coating – An anodized coating which is rated as Type 3 is hardened at a lower temperature, and thusly stronger than Type I and II. It’s also more expensive to produce a Type III coating than it is Type I and II.

IPX-6 Water Resistance – IPX-6 water resistance is approved for splashing and heavy rainfall only. It’s not approved to withstand submersion in water. But for ordinary household purposes, as a work flashlight, and even working in heavy rain, it works well.

Uses 18650 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery Or 3 AAA Batteries – You have two choices of battery design to choose from. One is the 18650 model Li-Ion rechargeable battery, or 3 AAA stand-alone batteries. You can also buy additional 18650 Li-Ion batteries as backups or for quick swaps.

Charger And Base Station – The charger and base station makes it easy to charge just one battery, or multiple batteries (one at a time) to keep on hand for swapping.

30 Day Money Back Guarantee – 12 Month Replacement Warranty – Having two forms of buyer protection lets you recoup the cost of your purchase if it breaks within 12 months or you’re unsatisfied within 30 days for any reason.

The OxyLED Super Bright CREE XML T6 LED Flashlight Bundle Makes A Great Gift!

Look at the price! Now ask yourself who you know that’s got some old, piece-of-junk household flashlight that needs replacing. The OxyLED Super Bright is a low cost, highly useful gift idea! It’s super useful, cheap, and EVERYONE out there needs a good flashlight!

Other Considerations

Extreme Heat Is Almost Always An Issue With Tactical Flashlights

Tactical flashlights are known to get very hot! And the heat emitted from even a small, 3,000 lumen LED bulb is enough to ignite a piece of paper in front of it. So DEFINITELY keep safety in mind when using a tactical flashlight. They’re not toys, and only someone with  experience should be using them in a non-stop fashion.

Tactical LED’s Come In All Shapes, Sizes, And Designs! What You Can Accomplish Is Amazing!

Tactical LED technology allows you to do some pretty amazing things. It provides full illumination of areas that a few years ago, couldn’t be accomplished with normal flashlights. And it’s always possible to create a “daisy-chain” of tactical LED’s to monitor an area or provide more large-scale illumination. Some tactical LED’s can even be programmed to light up through motion-detection for security purposes.

The point is, tactical LED technology offers a source of light that’s MUCH more powerful than flashlights of the past, and opens up the possibility to do lots of things we could never do before!

There’s also tactical LED headlamps, and even custom body suits decorated with tactical LED’s used with special protective gear!

Choose Your Tactical Flashlight Carefully For The Following Reasons

1. Tactical Flashlights Vary Greatly Depending On The Make And Model You Choose

Tactical flashlight designs vary greatly across different manufacturers. For example, some tactical flashlights take longer to charge the battery pack / standalone batteries than others. Some take only a few hours, while others require 6-7 hours or more.

Also, the LED beam shape, size, and quality can vary, along with how well it performs. It helps a lot to check out video reviews of tactical flashlights to see how they react in different scenarios. Tactical flashlight behave very differently with their characteristics/traits a lot depending on which one you choose.

2. You Can Easily Spend More Than You Need To

An inexperienced shopper can easily spend way more than they need to on a tactical flashlight. If you’re simply needing one that can illuminate a garage 25 feet away from your front door, you won’t be needing 5,000 lumens of power to do it. Instead, a simple 300 lumen model would work just fine, and you’d save yourself some money in the process.

3. Just Buying A Tactical Flashlight Isn’t Enough – Learn To Use It CORRECTLY!

Making it your mission to learn how to use your tactical flashlight correctly, as well as skillfully, pays off in a variety of ways. As you learn, you’ll become more valuable to people who might need your help. Also, through training yourself, you’ll never be at a loss for skill or become frustrated when you’ve got a job to do.