As an instructor, one of the most frequent questions I receive is: “What kind of flashlight would you recommend?”
In my Low Light Fundamentals course, I train both civilians and law enforcement professionals in how to engage threats effectively in low-light conditions using a handheld flashlight and pistol. The reality is that most criminal activity occurs under the cover of darkness. Unfortunately, low-light training remains one of the most overlooked aspects of firearms instruction, largely due to range limitations. As a result, it’s also one of the most difficult skills to master.
For the purpose of this article, I’ve focused on three flashlight brands commonly used in law enforcement: Streamlight, SureFire, and Klarus. These manufacturers have earned their place in duty gear through rigorous selection processes conducted by police departments and agencies, which often involve meeting strict performance and durability standards. Starting with the tools trusted by professionals provides a solid foundation for identifying the best everyday carry (EDC) options for civilian use.
The days of law enforcement officers carrying bulky 3- or 4-D cell flashlights are long gone. Flashlight technology has advanced dramatically over the past decade. I remember when an 80-lumen LED tactical light felt like a game-changer. Today, compact handheld lights can produce up to 1,600 lumens, all while fitting comfortably in the palm of your hand—an incredible leap in performance and convenience.
Lumens
When LED technology first entered the tactical space, 80 lumens was considered enough to temporarily disorient or blind a threat. Since then, the tactical lighting industry has advanced at a pace comparable to the tech sector, every few months, a newer, more powerful model hits the market. It’s enough to make your head spin.
Today, manufacturers are producing compact lights with outputs of 500, 800, 1,200, and even 1,600 lumens. However, lumen count alone doesn’t tell the whole story. Two lights with the same output can perform very differently due to variations in design, beam pattern, and even inaccurate manufacturer claims. That’s why it’s always a good idea to test a flashlight, if possible, before making a purchase, to ensure it truly fits your specific needs.
Light as a Tool
High-output flashlights typically produce a brighter, broader beam at close distances, an essential feature for threat identification and effective searching. In low-light environments, having access to higher lumen output provides a clear tactical advantage. These powerful lights can cut through darkness, turning uncertain, shadowy areas into clearly visible spaces, reducing ambiguity and potential danger.
For law enforcement officers, high-lumen flashlights are invaluable tools. They can illuminate rooms during building searches or even pierce through heavily tinted windows during traffic stops. In the hands of either an officer or a prepared civilian, a high-output flashlight acts as a force multiplier in potentially threatening situations. It enables rapid threat recognition and can give the user a critical edge before any escalation of force.
These lights typically feature two key components in their beam pattern: the hot spot and the cornea. The hot spot, the bright central beam, is what you want focused on a potential threat’s face to disorient or clearly identify them. The cornea, the softer outer halo of light, assists in peripheral visibility, making it ideal for searching or illuminating surrounding areas. A well-designed flashlight will show a clear, defined transition between these two zones, offering both focus and situational awareness.
Things to Consider
Personally, I’m a strong advocate for all the lumens, but high-output flashlights do come with specific limitations that are important to understand.
While attending a training course in Indiana, I was on a static outdoor firing line at night, with zero wind and complete darkness. After drawing and engaging with my handheld light, I noticed I was missing the target after the first shot. The reason? The light was reflecting off the smoke generated from the initial round, creating a glare that momentarily blinded me.
This is a real concern—not just outdoors, but especially indoors, where light can reflect off walls, glass, or polished surfaces, and in conditions like heavy fog. In a dynamic scenario where movement is possible, this issue is often mitigated. Moving off the line of attack and not firing from the same position twice would have minimized the reflection problem in that training scenario. But if you’re forced into a static position, this can become a serious limitation, and it’s something every user should be aware of.
Another consideration is that the brighter the light, the darker the shadows. High-lumen flashlights can create intense contrast, making peripheral areas harder to see. This reinforces the need to practice proper light techniques and to be deliberate in your positioning. Ironically, the darkest areas are often where the real danger lies, and they’re also where you may need to move to, as those shadows often offer something you don’t currently have: cover or concealment.
The Tests
This article has been a long time in the making, and for good reason. High-quality tactical flashlights can get pricey, and like most gear, you get what you pay for. That’s especially true when it comes to handheld lights.
To give each model a fair evaluation, I carried every flashlight featured here for six months as part of my everyday carry (EDC) setup. When assessing lights for practical use, key features to consider include:
Weight
Ease of carry
Usability as a striking tool
Immediate high-output activation
Respectable runtime
Among the models tested, the Streamlight ProTac HL and Klarus XT2CR stood out as the heaviest, each weighing in at over 5 ounces. While both include a strike bezel, only the SureFire E2D Defender and the Klarus XT2CR had bezels aggressive enough to potentially serve as a viable striking tool. However, the Klarus uses a screw-on strike ring, which presented issues. During daily carry, the ring often caught on my pocket lining and unscrewed itself—leaving me to find it later among my loose change.
Additionally, I found the Streamlight ProTac HL’s bezel to be too bulky and uncomfortable for regular pocket carry. Despite solid output, its form factor didn’t lend itself well to EDC.
In the comparison table below, you’ll find a breakdown of runtime, weight, and beam throw distance. These factors are essential: you want a high-performance light, but not at the cost of burning through batteries constantly. Interestingly, the two heaviest models had the shortest runtimes. On the other end of the spectrum, the lightest model, the SureFire EDCL2-T, also had limited battery life.
Another drawback of the EDCL2-T was its tail cap design. The button isn’t fully recessed, and I noticed a faint buzzing noise when the light was activated. Additionally, it offers only momentary activation, you must hold the button down to keep the light on. For me, that was a deal-breaker.
The biggest disappointment, however, came from the Klarus XT2CR. Its exposed dual-switch tail cap led to two accidental activations while in my pocket,both resulting in a 1,600-lumen light burning through the fabric and onto my thigh. These high-output lights heat up fast, and by the time you feel it, the damage is done.
After just one week of carry, I knew the Klarus wasn’t a viable EDC option for me. The loose strike bezel, the lack of a protected switch, and eventually, a charging failure sealed the deal. While I appreciated the rechargeable battery feature, it ultimately failed to hold a charge.
In short, there are some serious design flaws with this Klarus model. I do not recommend it for pocket carry. I even reached out directly to Klarus with feedback and safety concerns, including the burn hazard. Unfortunately, the response was minimal, they simply expressed regret that I didn’t enjoy the product.
| Price/Stats/Test | Streamlight ProTac HL (750 Lumen) | Streamlight ProTac 2L-X (500 Lumen) | Surefire EDCL2-T (1,200 Lumen) | Surefire E2D Defender (1,000 Lumen) | Klarus XT2C-A (1,600 Lumen) |
| Price | $99 USD | $69 USD | $179 USD | $199 USD | $65 USD |
| Weight (incl. bat.) | 5.6 oz. | 4.4 oz. | 4.1 oz. | 4.2 oz. | 4.9 oz. |
| Runtime | 1.25 hrs. | 3.25 hrs. | 1 hr. | 2.75 hrs. | 1.20 hrs. |
| Distance Thrown | 270 m | 165 m | 210 m | 200 m | 240 m |
| Rechargeable USB | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Slim Bezel | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bezel As A Striker | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Protected Tail Cap | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Dedicated on/off | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Momentary on/off | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2m Drop Test | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| 10m Slide Test | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| 1 Hr Submersion | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| 8 Hr Freeze Test | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| Ease Of Carry | Decent | Excellent | Great | Excellent | Poor |
When comparing the specs and performance of each light, it ultimately comes down to finding the right balance of features, reliability, and practicality. After extensive testing, the two models that stood out by meeting both solid criteria and my personal standards were the SureFire E2D Defender and the Streamlight ProTac 2L-X, both excellent options.
If budget is not a concern, the SureFire E2D Defender is my top choice for its performance, build quality, and tactical design. However, if you’re looking for a more cost-effective yet reliable option, the Streamlight ProTac 2L-X delivers outstanding value without compromising on essential features.
Powering Down
Many violent attacks, against both law enforcement officers and civilians, occur in low-light conditions. This reality hits close to home for me. In the early 1990s, a family member’s partner was ambushed during a traffic stop and subsequent foot pursuit in the wilderness of Northern Ontario. He was overpowered, disarmed, and tragically murdered with his own service pistol. The suspects were later apprehended and are now serving life sentences.
I often reflect on how that situation might have unfolded differently with today’s advancements in gear. Back then, officers relied on six-shooters and incandescent flashlights. There’s no doubt that modern, high-output LED lights offer a significant tactical advantage, they can save lives. In my view, a good flashlight is just as critical a tool as a firearm.
I understand that everyone has a budget, and that’s okay. The key is to buy the best light you can afford. A quality flashlight, properly chosen and maintained, can last a lifetime.
If you’re limited by range access or training resources, don’t let that become an excuse for complacency. Run dry-fire drills at home at night using your firearm, a blue gun, or a SIRT pistol. Make your training realistic. Turn night time into bright time.