Brightest Tactical Flashlights
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Stop relying on Amazon reviews, top 10 websites, or manufacturer’s specs.
We test flashlights to separate the wheat from the chaff.
We currently reviewed 699 flashlights!
The list will be updated once we review brighter tactical flashlights during the year. In case you are interested in the best tactical or military flashlights, check out our best tactical flashlights guide here. Or check out our most powerful flashlights list, if you just want to brightest, non-tactical flashlights.
Brightest 18650 Tactical Flashlights
Some of the best Tactical Flashlights we reviewed: These numbers are NOT from the specifications but are measured by our team. I removed the LEP flashlights that could fall into this category but aren’t comparable.
| Flashlight | Max. Output (lm) | @30sec (lm) | Candela (cd) | Distance (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acebeam T35 | 1555 | 1427 | 25,250 | 318 |
| Armytek Dobermann Pro | 1071 | 1068 | 31,606 | 356 |
| Armytek Predator Pro | 1206 | 1193 | 40,850 | 404 |
| Armytek Viking Pro | 1999 | 1958 | 29,069 | 341 |
| Brinyte PT18 pro | 1981 | 1925 | 45,675 | 427 |
| Brinyte PT28 | 1705 | 1636 | 17,800 | 267 |
| Cyansky P20 | 1740 | 1665 | 14,405 | 295 |
| Fenix TK11 Tac | 1556 | 1488 | 27,600 | 332 |
| Malkoff MDC Bodyguard | 872 | 211 | 2,650 | 113 |
| Nitecore P20 v2 | 893 | 893 | 13,900 | 236 |
| Olight S2R Baton 2 | 1318 | 1289 | 7,500 | 173 |
| Olight Warrior Mini 2 | 1721 | 1658 | 12,250 | 221 |
| Olight Warrior Mini 3 | 1724 | 1643 | 14,075 | 237 |
| Powertac E5R-G4 | 1718 | 1602 | 21,700 | 295 |
| Speras EST MAX | 2400 | 555 | 17,250 | 263 |
| Streamlight Stinger 2020 | 2183 | 2141 | 25,450 | 319 |
| Thrunite BSS v4 | 2336 | 2190 | 14,775 | 243 |
| Weltool T12 | 2000 | 1846 | 126,500 | 711 |
| Weltool T2R | 1589 | 1486 | 41,750 | 409 |
| Wuben E12R | 1426 | 1200 | 10,575 | 206 |
Interactive graphs (hover your mouse over the lines for more info
Here’s an interactive comparison graph with some of the best 18650 tactical flashlights I reviewed.
Mobile phone? Hold your phone horizontally for a full graph. If still not clear, click this link to open the interactive graph in a new window.
And here is the same comparison, but then focused on the first 10 minutes. (Max. output only). Or open this link for a closer look at the graph.
Thrunite BSS v4
| Specification: | Highlights: |
|---|---|
| Max output | 2,523 lumens (we measured 2,336 at turn on, and 2,190 at 30 seconds) |
| Max beam intensity | 15,750cd, but we measured 14,775 (243 meters / 265 yards) |
| Battery | Thrunite IMR18650 with 3100mAh included (but any 18650 battery will work) |
This is a great all-around 18650 light. It’s compact, easily makes 2300+ Lumens, doesn’t get too hot during extended high output runs, and the beam is lovely and versatile, with more output than any SST40 or even XP-L2 light in this class.
The small details elevate an okay light to a truly great one, and the Thrunite BSS V4 has that. It has great handling, a nice fit, and a finish for a decent price. As far as 18650 lights go, there aren’t many that do more, better than this one. However, if I could change one thing, I’d put in some kind of visual LVP notification (a blink, blip, something) to supplement the indicator light because the abrupt shut down at the end of the runtime tests was annoying.
Get the BBS V4 here:
Fenix TK35UE v2.0
| Specification: | Highlights: |
|---|---|
| Max output | 5,000 lumens (measured 5,224 at turn on, 4822 at 30 sec) |
| Beam intensity | 40,000 cd (measured 40,500 = 402 meters / 440 yards) |
| Battery configuration | 2*18650 (long batteries only) |
| Charging | Not built-in |
The Fenix TK35UE v2 stands in a long tradition. And the TK35UE v2 is currently the latest and brightest tactical flashlight with 2*18650 batteries from Fenix. And it’s a pretty unique flashlight in a way because it runs on 2*18650 batteries in parallel.
There aren’t many, if not any, tactical lights with this battery setup. So in this category, it easily wins :–)
During our testing, we saw that Turbo mode could easily reach the claimed 5,000-lumen output, and after 15 minutes, its output was still above 2,000 lumens. It could even sustain a 2,000+ lumen output for the first 1.5 hours, which is an amazing achievement, especially compared to other flashlights.
Don’t be fooled by the maximum output; instead, look at the runtime charts to see what they can do. The TK35UE v2 is an excellent example of a high-performing tactical flashlight with instant strobe and Turbo mode access.
When you buy one, make sure you get the right version! TK35UE v2, and not the 2018 model or the older UE v1.
When buying from Fenixlighting, make sure to use our exclusive discount coupon to get a whopping 10% off your first purchase. Use the following code: 1lumen10
Brightest 21700 Tactical Flashlights
21700 tactical flashlight comparison
Single 21700 tactical flashlights measured: These numbers are NOT from the specifications but measured by our team.
| Flashlight | Max Output (lm) | @30sec (lm) | Candela (cd) | Distance (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acebeam L18 | 1249 | 1051 | 215,500 | 928 |
| Acebeam L19 | 1378 | 1242 | 430,300 | 1312 |
| Acebeam L35 | 6189 | 5609 | 57,000 | 477 |
| Cyanksy P25 | 4236 | 3300 | 11,275 | 212 |
| Fenix PD36 Tac | 2590 | 2079 | 18,675 | 273 |
| Fenix TK16 v2 | 2657 | 2222 | 40,900 | 404 |
| Fenix TK20R UE | 2571 | 2078 | 45,700 | 428 |
| Fenix TK22 TAC | 2742 | 2234 | 72,250 | 538 |
| Fenix TK22 v2 | 1622 | 1592 | 53,000 | 460 |
| NEXTORCH TA30C Max | 2822 | 2810 | 41,750 | 409 |
| Nitecore MH25S | 1979 | 1850 | 68,400 | 523 |
| Nitecore P10iX | 4223 | 566 | 8,700 | 187 |
| Nitecore P20iX | 4119 | 1342 | 16,000 | 253 |
| Nitecore P23i | 2795 | 2345 | 50,760 | 451 |
| Nitecore SRT6i | 1744 | 1691 | 99,617 | 631 |
| Olight Warrior 3 | 2598 | 2428 | 25,500 | 319 |
| Olight Odin | 1999 | 1884 | 25,750 | 321 |
| Olight Warrior X4 | 2817 | 2664 | 92,125 | 607 |
Interactive runtime graphs
Below are interactive comparison graphs for a selection of these tactical lights. Hover your mouse to see more details.
If you use a mobile device, rotate your phone horizontally or open this link for a closer look.
The following graph focuses on the first 10 minutes after activation. If the details are unclear, access the interactive graph through this link for a closer look.
And the last comparison, we zoomed in to show the differences even better. For the first 60 minutes after activation. Not clear? Use this link for the interactive graph.
Acebeam L35
| Specification: | Highlights: |
|---|---|
| Max output | 5,000 lumens (we measured 6,189 at turn on, and 5,609 at 30 seconds) |
| Beam intensity | 57,000cd (477 meters 521 yards) |
| Battery configuration | Acebeam 5100mAh with USB-C port included |
It’s a definite powerhouse with its 5000-lumen rating, yet despite using a Cree XHP70.2 LED which is normally floody, it maintains a respectable 480 meters while maintaining a fairly svelte figure for such a powerful tactical light.
The L35 kit has an Acebeam-branded 5100 mAh 21700 battery and a built-in USB-C charging port. But you are good to go if you have some spare unprotected, flat-top 21700 batteries. Flat tops work as well.
If you’re in the market for a fairly compact high-output flashlight, do yourself a favor and check out the Acebeam L35 – this thing is awesome!
Get a whopping 15% off your next order at Acebeam.com with the following discount coupon: AE15. Simply add the coupon code at your checkout.
Nitecore TM9K Tac
| Specification: | Highlights: |
|---|---|
| Max output | 9,800 lumens (we measured 11,508 at turn on, and 3,471 at 30 seconds) |
| Max beam intensity | 18,000cd (268 meters 293.45 yards) |
| Battery | Built-in 5000mAh 21700 High Amp battery |
| Charging | Onboard USB-C |
Like any other high-power flashlight, the Nitecore TM9K Tac produces heat like no other. Turbo mode is only available with Momentary On, which means that Turbo is only available when pressing the switch. Keep this in mind when you look for your next high-power tactical flashlight. Within 10 seconds, it drops from 11,500 lumens to below 4,000 lumens. A USB-C cable is included in the package, but no USB charger. Also, the built-in battery is not user-replaceable.
Nitecore is a big brand and has lots of experience with high-power flashlights, so if you want to have a little more confidence in quality control and warranty, consider this one!
Nitecore TM20K
| Specification: | Highlights: |
|---|---|
| Max output | 20,000 lumens (we measured 18,167 at turn on, and 3,105 at 30 seconds) |
| Max beam intensity measured | 34,811 cd (373 meters 408 yards) |
| Battery | Built-in 2*5000mAh 21700 High Amp batteries |
| Charging | Onboard USB-C |
This is a pretty exciting light. Nitecore have been known for making high-quality flashlights for over a decade and their “TM” range has been around for almost as long.
The TM20K is extra special. Not just because of the astounding lumen rating but also because of its size and form factor. It follows in the footsteps of their EC4, which used 2 cells next to each other, which fills the gap between more pocketable single-cell lights and much bigger soda can or soup can-style lights.
The light is clearly designed for tactical use. It uses one of the main modes most of the time, then occasionally jumps to the blinding 20,000 lumens for a few seconds at a time. Although it’s designed for military, law enforcement, security, etc., there’s nothing stopping you from taking it on a gentle walk with your dog at night or leaving it on ultralow for a few hours whilst camping.
The TM20K has a built-in battery pack, which unfortunately means that Nitecore’s warranty only covers it for two years.
FAQ:
What is the brightest military flashlight in 2024?
The brightest military flashlight is the Nitecore TM20K, with a claimed output of 20,000 lumens. It is powered by 2*21700 batteries (built-in), and maintains the output only momentarily.
Please don’t trust what other websites say! They show flashlights that aren’t even ‘Tactical’.
How many lumens should a tactical light have?
A tactical flashlight only needs a few hundred lumens in most cases. If you need the most powerful tactical light possible, have a look at the list above and check out the extensive reviews. The sustained output is probably even more important.
What’s the best tactical flashlight in the world?
The best tactical we reviewed can be seen in our list of the best tactical flashlights. If you want a great all-around tactical flashlight, check out the Acebeam L35.