Streamlight ProTac 2L-X gets our nod for best tactical flashlight mainly because it's slightly more versatile than other tactical flashlights on this list. Sure, other flashlights might have better beams, higher lumen output or higher grade materials, but the Streamlight ProTac 2L-X is the best combination of the above factors.

Don't kid yourself into thinking that the ProTac 2L-X doesn't have the power or durability you need in a flashlight. The light itself comes with a high IPX7 waterproof rating (1 meter depth for 30 minutes) durability rating with a strike bezel.

Read our full review of the Streamlight ProTac here.

The Anker AK-T1420011 Tactical Flashlight is easily one of the top flashlights on this list. It's very inexpensive, coming in at under $30. The amount of features that you get for the money is quite impressive, which is what gives this flashlight it's Honorable Mention distinction.

The light is equipped with a 900 lumens CREE LED that has 5 different modes: High, Medium, Low, SOS and Strobe, all with an adjustable focus. The light can illuminate over two football fields in length, making it one of the more powerful flashlights on this list. The 5 different modes are versatile, though, which is what makes this flashlight a steller choice for camping or other outdoor adventures.

The Cree LED XM-L2 chip used to power the light will provide 50,000 hours of intense brightness. The LC90's chip also ensures that the battery won't under charge, over charge, overheat, or suffer wear and tear.

The flashlight comes equipped with a 3350 mAh rechargeable battery, as well as a micro USB cable that allows you to recharge the battery by plugging straight into the flashlight.

The all-metal body is tough and tested, with an IP65 water resistant rating, and the aluminum body is shock-resistant. It's completed with an anti-slip finish that keeps the light in your hands. The flashlight is also built to withstand extreme cold, and will keep shining in temperatures up to 14 F.

Anker provides an 18-month "worry" warranty isn't as comprehensive as other brand's lifetime warranties, but it's still better than no warranty.

What's interesting about the Fenix PD35 TAC is that it is nearly twice as bright as the above ProTac 2L-X, boasting 1,000 lumens of light output. This is too much light output for most normal usage, but it is quite handy for outdoor enthusiasts who need light during the night or wee morning hours. Using that 1,000 lumens indoors is just too bright and won't help much. But you'll be hard-pressed to find a light that puts out this much light for the price.

The light has two modes: tactical and outdoor. The Tactical mode has three different settings: Turbo (1,000 lumens), Low (60 lumens), and Strobe (1,000) lumens. The Outdoor mode has six different settings; the three in the Tactical mode plus a High (500 lumens), Mid (200 lumens) and Eco (8 lumens). The variety of modes means that you can use the flashlight for something as intense as police work, or something as simple as camping.

The tactical flashlight comes with two rechargeable EdisonBright CR123A lithium batteries, which is very handy. You can also use one rechargeable 18650 Li-ion battery as well.

The Fenix offers reverse-polarity protection, which means the light won't fry if you put the batteries in backwards. This is a smart, behind-the-scenes feature that you don't know you need until you need it.

The beam on the SureFire G2X series comes in four different flavors, depending on your needs:

• Pro
• Tactical
• CombatLight
• Law Enforcement

Each flashlight has slight variations. For example, the CombatLight version only outputs 320 lumens on high mode, and the other three output 600 lumens on high. The Law Enforcement flavor starts on low beam when turned on, while the rest start on high. The CombatLight also has a different grip than the other three. Be sure to research each version to see the differences.

No matter which tactical flashlight you get in the G2X series, you're going to get great value. The beam on the SureFire is a thing of beauty, as it outputs light with a precision reflector to optimize the beam and give plenty of surrounding and focused light. The LED emitters are high-efficiency and essentially indestructible.

The body is made up of Nitrolon polymer and mil-spec hard anodized bezel that makes the flashlight incredibaly durable. The back features a tailcap switch that serves as the function for the flashlight, switching from low to high. The body is ergonomically shaped, fitting the hand nicely.

The flashlights come with two SureFire 123A lithium batteries, and they're also quite stout. The batteries feature a 10-year shelf life, wide temperature tolerance for nearly any condition, with built-in short circuit protection.

The J5 Tactical Hyper V is a very nice budget pick for a tactical flashlight. While other tactical flashlights might be multiples of the price of the J5, this little torch packs a pop.

For starters, the light has 400 lumens of LED light that on a low setting can run all night on 3 AAA batteries. Not needing special sizes of batteries makes this flashlight very convenient. The J5 can sweep an area the size of 600 feet on a clear night, and can provide a couple of hours of continous use on a set of batteries while used on high.

The case is made from compact aluminium alloy that can be dropped from up to 9 feet and briefly submerged in water. The flashlight is small and compact, weighing 2.4 ounces and measuring only 5 inches in length.

The J5 features 3 modes--High, Low and Strobe--and the light can also zoom from wide to narrow in the range of light.

Because the price point is pretty low (around $20), you can keep a couple of these wherever you need them: in the backpack, with the camping gear, in the glove compartment, etc. Perfect for everyday carry.

SOG is known for other gear like pocketknives, but did you know that they make a killer tactical flashlight as well? The DarkEnergy 750-lumen flashlight is a beast that can set the forrest ablaze while camping, hiking, or otherwise. The full 750 lumens is one of the highest you'll find for a flashlight that is only 6 inches in length and weighing only 6 ounces.

The body is made from the Class II anodized aluminium, and is rated IPX7 waterproof.

The small-but-mighty DarkEnergy has 5 different modes that can be accessed by half-tapping the on/off switch: 100%, 40%, reading, strobe or flash. The flashlight is rechargeable as well, and can last 4 days of straight usage on the low level.

SOG offers a warranty that will cover repairs or replacements for properly maintened gear.

The Olight S1R Baton has some very interesting features that make it perfect for everyday carry. For starters it's tiny, clocking in at 2.6 inches in length and 1.27 ounces in weight, it's essentially the size of a lighter in your pocket. But this little guy can pack a punch. It can blast up to 900 lumens of light for 30 seconds at a time,

The body of the Olight S1R is made with 6061-T6 aluminum and has a anti-scratch type III hard anodized finish to ensure that the hard usage on the light won't show up on the outside of the flashlight. The beam is balanced, and features 5 brightness levels from 0.5 to 900 lumens, making this a very versatile flashlight.

Another great feature of this tactical flashlight is that is can be recharged internally through a magnetic contact charging port if you use the batteries that come with the flashlight. (You can use other batteries, but you won't be able to use this recharging feature.)

The flashlight has a flat tailcap, with the on/off switch on the side of the flashlight. This means that you can lie it flat on it's back for hands-free use.

The MagLite brand is an iconic tactical flashlight brand, and for good reason: they pay attention to the details. The MagLite Mag-Tac is no exception to this rule, designed with features geared specifically towards military, emergency responders and police force.

For starters, the flashlight is built "tough enough to last a lifetime", and built in the USA. The body has an aggressive knurled design, stealth matte finish, with weather-resistant seals. The Mag-Tac is water resistant (IPX4) and drop-resistant up to one meter.

Turning on the flashlight happens with the Quick-Click selector found on the tail cap of the baton, and has three different light modes. The light comes with two CR123 lithium batteries that last up to 4 hours of continuous use on full strength. The light can cast a beam of up to 193 meters.

The iconic gun manufacturers Smith & Wesson have tried their hand at making a tactical flashlight, and the result is a solid flashlight that can be used in nearly any situation.

For starters, the flashlight outputs a very high 875 lumens in three different modes (High, Low and Strobe). The body is constructed from aerospace grade aluminium, and can be dropped a meter from the ground. The body is double-O ring sealed for waterproofing. The glass used in the lens is shatterproof tempered with a anti-reflective coating.

The flashlight does have the on/off button located on the tail cap, but a nice feature Smith & Wesson have added is recessed anti-roll compontent to the tail cap.

The flashlight can be mounted, and includes a pocket clip, holster, lanyard, and two CR123 batteries.

Pelican may not be as popular as some of the other choices in this list, but their rechargeable tactical flashlight is definitely worthy to be included on this list.

The light features a 695 lumen light with three different modes: High, Medium and Low. The battery time is solid with each mode, and able to last over 9 hours of continous use on low. The run time doesn't matter so much because the flashlight comes with a rechargeable lithium ion battery that can connect to a the base of the battery with a standard USB cord. The flashlight features a battery level indicator light.

The Pelican 7100 is has a waterproof rating of IPX7, and the body is constructed from anodized aluminum.

Maybe the best thing about the Pelican brand is their lifetime guarantee: you break it, they'll replace it forever.

The PeakPlus Super Bright Tactical Flashlight is a nice budget option for those wanting to get the most lumens for your buck. This flashlight has great value for what you get, clocking in at under $20.

The light itself is high-quality LED that can cast a beam of 600 feet, with an adjustable focus that can zoom or widen the viewing area. It has 5 different light modes of full, medium and and low brightness, as well as a strobe and SOS function.

The flashlight is powered by either 3 AAA batteries or a single 18650 rechargeable lithium ion battery. The body is water resistant, anti-abrasive and heavy duty, making this a nice addition to your camping or hiking gear.

The Eastshine T25 is a sturdy, solid flashlight that ticks all the boxes for an everyday carry tactical flashlight. The body is constructed from aero grade aluminum alloy with a HAIII military grade hard-anodized finished that protects from drops and strikes. The flashlight has an advanced temperature regulation technology that keeps the flashlight from overheating, and is impact resistant of up to 1.5 meters.

The beam features a toughened ultra-clear mineral glass with anti-reflective coating that keeps the light bright. The maxiumum output for the flashlight is a high 1,000 lumens, and the light can run for almost 22 days straight on low level.

The best thing about the GearLight S1000 flashlight is how inexpensive it is. You can get a pair of these flashlights for under $20, which makes them a perfect option for tossing into your glovebox or camping bag without worrying about breaking an expensive flashlight.

The GearLight Tactical Flashlight has a great mix of features for the price. They don’t advertise the lumen rating for the flashlight, but it is very powerful, and has five different modes of operation (High, Medium, Low, Stobe, SOS). The beam has an adjustable focus as well.

The body of the flashlight is small and weighs only 5 ounces, and is constructed of military-grade aluminum. The flashlight can be powered by 3 AAA batteries or a single 18650 rechargeable battery. The flashlight doesn’t have an IPx rating, but it does claim to be water-resistant and drop resistant. I would never submerge this flashlight under water, but getting the exterior wet with rain or some dampness shouldn’t be an issue.

If I were someone who needed to rely on my flashlight for life-or-death situations, I don’t think I would buy the GearLight. But for someone using the flashlight around the house, walking the dog, or some other outdoor activity, the GearLight Tactical Flashlight S1000 is a fine option for the price.

The ThruNite Ti3 is much, much smaller than the rest of the flashlights on this list. At just 2.8 inches long and a half an inch wide, this microlight is a little light powerhouse.

The body is made from type III hard anodized aluminum. The light puts out 120 lumens, and has 4 different modes of operation: High, Low, Strobe, and Firefly. The beam is powered by a single AAA battery, and uses a CREE XP-G2 R5 LED. The flashlight has different memory modes that allow you to switch the flashlight back on in the previous setting as opposed to the default low light.

The microlight has a clip attachment that can be reversed to attach to a hat brim. The ThruNite can be attached to a key ring, and it all comes with a nice 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.