best tactical flashlight for the money

The best tactical flashlight for the money – Buyer’s Guide

Looking to get the best tactical flashlight for the money? In this article, we’ll be exploring the best products on the market in this classification, and we’ll tell you exactly why we’ve made our choices. We’ll cover some products in every budget range, so that anyone can own an awesome tactical flashlight for their camping, hunting or even just everyday carry adventures. Let’s get started!

What are we looking for in a tactical flashlight?

Having a flashlight in your every day carry or emergency arsenal is a must. They are insanely useful for many different applications, but unfortunately some of them while powerful, are a little too big to be really useful. Ideally, we’re looking for something that fits neatly into a pocket or bag and doesn’t take up all of your space for other gear. The perfect EDC tactical flashlight doesn’t get in the way.

We’re also looking for something that’s durable. Flashlights are your emergency light. You don’t want one that’s going to give up on you just when things get tough. All of the flashlights on our list are ready to go just as hard as you, and they won’t just give up because things get a little wet or too hot to handle. Durability is our second must have.

We also want a flashlight with a long battery life. You don’t want to be worrying about changing batteries every 10 minutes when you need your torch, and a rechargeable battery option is even better. As a bonus, finding a torch which provides a strobe function can give you self-defense capabilities for when things get harry. A quick blinding is a sure way to give yourself an advantage, even if you’ve got nothing else to help you.

  • Compact and lightweight
  • Durable and reliable
  • Uses high power LEDs
  • Includes a strobe mode for self-defense
  • Long battery life

Alright, here’s our list of the best tactical flashlights for the money. We’ve tried our best to include some torches to fit every price range, and we’ve made sure to only include high-quality products that are durable and long lasting.

TC1200 PRO Tactical Flashlight (Best Indestructible Torch)

Our first entry is for the durable and versatile TC1200. This affordable and useful torch uses powerful CREE LEDs that bring you 1,200 lumens of light. This allows the beam to reach over two miles, but it still features a great battery life.

This little torch is durable too. In the below video you can see it being lit on fire, run over by a truck, and submerged in water. No matter the weather, this little flashlight will keep on going to provide you a source of super bright light that can get you through any situation.

It also has some nice bonus features such as several light modes like strobe and SOS. You can use the strobe as a self-defense weapon to blind an attacker if the need arises or to scare off animals. It also comes with a handy belt clip and a magnetic bottom, so you can stick it on to any metal surface, like your vehicle and still work hands free.

The company frequently offers deals that allow you to get extra flashlights and batteries for a reduced cost, and they even offer some other freebies as well. You can check out this great little tactical light here.

  • 1,200 lumens
  • 2 mile light distance
  • Self-defense mode
  • Handy magnetic base for hands free use
  • Waterproof and nearly indestructible

The Verdict? This is the best tactical flashlight for the money if you need something that can withstand the elements. Water, heat, cold and intense abuse are no match for this torch. Click here to get it.

SOG Dark Energy Tactical Torch (Best Battery Life)

This little beauty of a light will give you a solid 687 lumens, and while that’s not nearly as much as our first entry, it does have something else going for it. This flashlight has an incredibly long battery life, and if you need a tactical light that’s good for the long haul, then this could be it. This torch delivers a great value to cost ratio for higher end torches, and it can last as long as four days on its lower setting. However, if you burn it at the highest setting possible then you’ll get just a little under 2 hours of light.

If you’re interested in a rechargeable tactical light, then you’ll be glad to know that this one comes with a battery and a charger already so there’s nothing else to buy. The company also offers to repair or replace well maintained torches, because they believe in products that are built to last. Though with a durable product like this that is waterproof and near indestructible, it seems unlikely that you’ll need to take them up on it. You can see some more stellar reviews of this light here.

  • Up to 4 days of battery life on a charge
  • Durable and waterproof
  • 5 easy to use light modes
  • Rechargeable battery and charging dock included

The Verdict? This is the best tactical flashlight for the money if you’re seeking something with stellar battery life. This torch offers a super bright beam, but you can easily scale it down to make the battery last for up to four straight days, making it a great emergency flashlight.

Surefire E2D Defender Flashlight (Best Self-Defense Torch)

This is one of the highest quality torches on the market, and it comes with superior defense capabilities. While having a blinding strobe light is great for catching an assailant off guard, this torch also features some hefty strike bezels which can be used as a pretty effective weapon while your attacker is blinded.

The high powered LED bulb shines at an impressive 1,000 lumens, making it one of the brightest models on our list, and it offers superior battery life. At full power this device will get you nearly 3 hours of time, which is impressive enough, but on the lowest setting this torch’s battery will keep shining for a formidable 63 hours. It also comes with high energy rechargeable batteries that boast a 10 year shelf life.

It’s durable, corrosion resistant and near indestructible. While this device is weather resistant, it does not claim to be waterproof. Some consumers have stated that leaks can occur if it is submerged. Try our first result for a waterproof torch, or click here to see more about this highly rated and excellent tactical flashlight option.

  • 1,000 lumens
  • Strike bezel for self-defense
  • Durable aluminum frame
  • TIR lense for focused light beam

The Verdict? This is the best tactical flashlight for the money if you’re interested in a torch that can double as a self-defense weapon. It features a blindingly bright 1,000 lumen LED that can momentarily stun an attacker, and the strike bezel can also turn it into a formidable weapon if you need it. Click here to get it.

Protac 2L-X Tactical Flashlight (Best Budget Torch)

Looking for something reliable, yet still affordable? Then this little every day carry tactical flashlight may fit the bill. It comes at a great price point, it’s easy to carry, it’s durable, and it still shines at a super bright 500 lumens.

This great little torch also has the advantage of using multiple easy to acquire battery types. You can run it using normal CR123A batteries, or you can also opt for the optional USB charging 18650 batteries. The latter will get you a little bit more run time at 3.25 hours rather than 2.75 with the CR123A batteries.

These high-quality little lights are nearly indestructible, the included lithium batteries are good for 10 years, and it comes with three different operating modes – high, low and strobe. It’s easy to see why this is one of the best reviewed torches on Amazon. You check those out and more about this light here.

  • 500 lumens
  • Great EDC flashlight
  • Affordable option
  • Optional USB rechargeable batteries

The Verdict? Need an affordable option? This is the best budget tactical flashlight. It offers a strong 500 lumens, superior battery life and durability at a great price point. Click here to get it.

Surefire UDR Dominator (Most Powerful Torch)

Looking for the most bad ass tactical flashlight that money can buy? Then this might be your best bet. It’s one of the most powerful flashlights on the market, but be warned, it’s by no means a budget option. However, what this unique beast does deliver is an unbelievable 2,400 lumens of blinding power. Get lost in caves often? Looking for a reliable light source for living in the middle of nowhere in your cabin in the woods? The dominator has you covered.

While this torch does offer a huge light output, it also offers lower settings for saving battery power in emergency situations. It features eight light level outputs, allowing you to choose the right balance between energy efficiency and brightness to fit your situation.

This torch comes with a rechargeable lithium battery that you can use, but it’s also duel battery capable. So, you can also power it using backups of 123A disposables. It also has a handy “fuel gauge” that lets you keep track of your power levels easily, so you’ll know if you need to knock it down a notch to preserve your battery life.

It’s not exactly an every day carry friendly light, coming in at 12 inches in length, but it is a serious torch for people who need maximum power. Interested in seeing more about the king of tactical flashlights? You can check out this torch here.

  • 2,400 lumens
  • 8 light modes
  • Battery saving features
  • Use included rechargeable battery or use 123As
  • Handy “fuel gauge” to easily see battery life

The Verdict? This is one of the most powerful tactical flashlights on the market, and it provides a stunning amount of light. While it’s certainly not compact, it’s the best choice for those that need the most light possible. However, it also has a lot of great power management features too. Click here to get the king of tactical flashlights.

Best Tactical Flashlight For The Money: Survival

If you’re looking for a great flashlight for survival or emergency situations, then you need to strike a great balance between battery life and performance. You don’t want a light that’s going to just eat batteries, no matter how good it is, and even if it’s a rechargeable there’s no guarantee that you’ll actually have the opportunity to do that.

Our pick for consumers with survival in mind is the SOG Dark Energy. It provides an excellent light rating, but it also has energy efficiency in mind. This torch will allow you to use it for 4 days without a charge, and that’s a great thing to have. It uses rechargeable batteries, but it’s easy and cost effective to purchase extras to have at the ready. Click here to get it.