Best Police Flashlights
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Just in case you might be more interested in very bright lights, check out this detailed list of the current brightest flashlights in the world. And yes, they were all reviewed by our dedicated and competent team.
Police Security Flashlights Intro
1Lumen exists so people can make the best decision to buy a new flashlight. We extensively test flashlights to see how well they perform, as well as check whether the manufacturer’s specs are accurate. We do this with a team of dedicated reviewers from all around the world, including the US, UK, Netherlands, and Australia. This is unlike the fake reviews you find online at other websites. We can name many here, but you probably know those too, if you read carefully.
Note: the flashlights we recommend on this list have been tested by us, and performed very well in our testing. It doesn’t mean that these will fit everybody’s needs. It’s more of a: if you want to buy a police flashlight quickly, and don’t want to spend hours and hours of reading reviews.. get one of these. We also include links to the review we did, so you can learn all the details.
If you’re a police officer and think we need to update or remove a flashlight, let us know! We’re here to help you guys, with all the knowledge and testing data we have.
Police Flashlights with 18650 batteries
Fenix TK35UE v2
The Fenix TL35UE is a dual 18650 tactical flashlight
| Specification: | Specified: |
|---|---|
| Max. brightness: | 5000 lumens (We measured 5224 at turn on) |
| Battery type: | 2*18650 lithium-ion (proprietary) |
| Charging: | No built-in charging |
There are only a handful of dual 18650 tactical flashlights on the market, and the TK35UE v2 is one of them. This is the latest edition sporting 3 emitters with a total of 5,000 lumens.
And yes, our copy reached over 5,000 lumens albeit on turn-on. Read our in-depth review of the Fenix TK35UE v2 for all the juicy details.
The most self-explanatory benefit of this dual 18650 setup is a longer runtime. Having 2 batteries in parallel will double the capacity, and therefore extend the runtime. Oh, please don’t forget to buy 2 Fenix button-top batteries together with the light because flat tops don’t work, and unprotected button-tops can be too short!
This is why we would recommend the TK35 UE v2:
- You can replace the batteries when you run low (no built-in batteries)
- Great sustained output and good runtimes
- Instant access to Turbo mode and Strobe
Use 1Lumen20 to get 20% off your first order at Fenixlighting. For new customers only
Police Flashlights with 21700 batteries
Fenix TK20R v2
The Fenix TK20R v2 is a very useful dual switch tactical light.
Now we have that out of the way. The TK20R v2 is, as the name implies, the 2nd version of the TK20R, and with higher output and more throw (and almost double the battery capacity).
It’s RTR (ready-to-run) with everything needed (including Fenix’s excellent 5000 mAh protected battery) to open the box and get on with it.
The Fenix TK20R V2 is compact enough to fit in a jacket pocket, and thanks to the strong pocket clip and lanyard mounting points (clip, and two in the tailcap), along with the holster, there’s lots of retention options.
The light cannot be disassembled, and the only removable part is the tailcap, which has fully anodized (for mechanical lockout), large, and very precisely machined rectangular threads. This means maximum waterproofing.
The driver and tail spring are thick gold-plated units, and that’s important in a tactical or professional-use light, since they act like shock absorbers in the event the light is dropped (or smashed against a hard object).
It has an effective UI for professional-use and tactical use with instant Strobe available from both the Function switch and Tactical (clicky) switch.
Oh, and we also measured the light’s output at 2241 lumens, which is not bad, albeit not as bright as they claim. Want to know more? Head over to our Fenix TK20R v2 review.
This is why we would recommend this flashlight:
- Great UI with instant access to Strobe
- Maximum output of 2240 Lumens which is still a lot, even though it didn’t reach the claimed 3,000
- Package includes a high-quality Fenix 5000mAh 21700 lithium-ion cell, so you are ready to go
- The battery has a built-in charging feature (no need to buy a dedicated battery charger)
Use 1Lumen20 to get 20% off your first order at Fenixlighting. For new customers only
Olight Warrior X3
First tactical flashlight with vibration alert for low battery power?
| Specification: | Specified: |
|---|---|
| Max. brightness: | 2500 lumens (We measured 2545 ) |
| Battery type: | 21700 lithium-ion (proprietary) |
| Charging: | Magnetic charging |
The Olight Warrior X3 is quite a unique tactical flashlight as it comes with a Vibrating Low Voltage Warning system. When the battery level goes down to 30%, it starts vibrating once every 5 minutes. When the battery SOC(State of Charge) drops to 10%, it will vibrate every 60 seconds. When it drops to 5%, it does so every 10 seconds.
This is another flashlight that has lots to offer. It has a simple UI with only 2 modes, 1 Turbo and 1 Low. No hidden modes like strobe or anything else. Probably my favorite, or even the best tactical flashlight with 21700 batteries. We did an in-depth review of its, please check it out here: Warrior X3 review.
This is why we would recommend the Warrior X3 flashlight:
- The flashlight comes with a rechargeable 21700 (proprietary) battery
- Magnetic USB charging system
- Very simple but effective UI, with only 2 modes, but with dual stage switch
- Vibrates when battery runs low!
Use our special code: 1LUMEN for an extra 10% off at Olightstore
Fenix HT30R
The Fenix HT30R is an LEP flashlight with the most intense beam
LED flashlights have come a long way. But there has been a new type of flashlight on the market, and that’s LEP. LEP stands for Laser Excited Phosphor and it’s basically a flashlight with a laser built into it. This laser is then pointed at a layer of phosphor to turn the blue light into a yellow or white beam.
The HT30R is such a light, with only 500 lumens. Even though it doesn’t sound like a lot, 500 lumens is actually pertty normal for LEP flashlights. Their superpower is an immense tight beam that can reach over 1 mile! Yes, even with 500 lumens!
Fenix really knows how to make a great light. The HT30R has such a nice build quality, you can tell it was made to be an actual tool – not just a run-of-the-mill flashlight.
The HT30R is a special one on this list of great flashlights for police, because of its unique light source. If you’re not sure whether this LEP flashlight fits your needs, read our in-depth review of the Fenix HT30R.
This is why we would recommend this flashlight:
- Great LEP police flashlight
- Easy UI with instant access to Strobe
- Package includes a high-quality rechargeable Fenix 5000mAh 21700 battery
- The battery has a built-in charging feature (no need to buy a dedicated battery charger)
Use 1Lumen20 to get 20% off your first order at Fenixlighting. For new customers only
Affordable Tactical flashlight for police
ThruNite TN12 PRO
Best budget tactical flashlight
| Specification: | Specified: |
|---|---|
| Max. brightness: | 1900 lumens |
| Battery type: | 18650 lithium-ion (included) |
| Charging: | USB-C charging |
If somebody asks: what is the best affordable tactical flashlight you recommend: the answer is Thrunite TN12 PRO. For less than $50 you get an affordable tactical light with lots of accessories and plenty of power.
The user interface is easy to understand, so everyone knows how to use it within a minute. It also includes a strobe mode, that can be accessed easily with 3 clicks of the side switch (while on or off).
The accessories include a holster, lanyard (if you don’t like pocket clips), extra o-rings (for water resistance), and a spare side switch membrane, and a pocket clip. Just add a high-capacity 18650 battery and you’re ready to go. If you are looking for a budget tactical flashlight, you can’t go wrong with the TN12 PRO.
Oh, and of course we reviewed this flashlight as well. So please check out our in-depth review of the Thrunite TN12 PRO here.
This is why we would recommend the TN12 PRO flashlight:
- The flashlight comes with a rechargeable 18650 battery
- USB-C onboard charging
- Lots of accessories included
Best long range police flashlight thrower with most lumens
Acebeam L35
Brightest tactical thrower, with 5,000 lumens
| Specification: | Specified: |
|---|---|
| Max. brightness: | 5,000 lumens (We measured 6189 lumens at turn on) |
| Battery type: | 21700 lithium-ion (included) |
| Charging: | No onboard charging, but the battery has USB-C charging port |
The L35 kit came with an Acebeam-branded 5100 mAh 21700 battery. It has a built-in USB-C charging port. The charge rate was observed to be only 0.75 amps, which seems a bit low for such a large-capacity battery. So either be prepared for a long charge cycle or pop it into your favorite charger assuming it can handle such a long cell. It was able to fit in my Vapcell S4+, though it was wedged in at an angle.vs non protected fit?
Check out the best 21700 battery chargers to see which one will fit these cells best.
If you have some spare unprotected, flat top 21700 batteries around, you are good to go. Flat tops work as well.
This is why we would recommend the Acebeam L35:
- The brightest Tactical thrower
- Non proprietary battery so you can replace it easily with one from another brand
- Rechargeable 21700 battery with USB-C port included
- Throws plenty far with lots of lumens
- Good sustainable high output
FAQ Police Flashlights
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How many lumens is a police light?
Most flashlights currently used by police range between 1000 and 2500 lumens. While most of them are closer to 1000 lumens.
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How much does a police flashlight cost?
There are so many kinds of flashlights, in so many categories. But generally speaking, most of the flashlights on this list are between $70-$150.
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Are the LumiTact G700, J5 good police lights?
Lights like the LumiTact G700 or J5 Tacticals are actual scams and aren’t really made for duty or police work. You’d better stay away from them.
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Are these the only great police flashlights you reviewed?
No, of course not. There are many more, but we tested these, alongside hundreds of others. So if you don’t know which one to get, get one from this list.