Here is how we tested the flashlights
Tactical flashlights are sold with brightness claims ranging from 300lm up to 50,000lm and some brands don’t even publish any lumens information to create the illusion that they have 1000+ lumens.
So, the main issue we wanted to test was what are their real lumens?
We tested 8 top selling brands on Amazon and here are the results…
The results we received were Amazing…except for one brand the new Brightex module the XR-1100 which Acceded 1000lm all the other flashlights had Only ~300lm!!
We also wanted to see if the flashlights had the minimum water-resistant requirements for an outdoor tactical flashlight and also here, we were amazed to see that 2 flashlights did not comply.
Other features we checked were the size & weight. The best flashlight would be the one that is small and lightweight making it easy to carry and operate, while maintaining a high light output.
While most flashlights can operate with the 18650 lithium battery, only two flashlights the Brightex XR-1100 and the Gearlight S1200 can operate with the powerful 26650 lithium battery, giving them twice the operating time than the other flashlights.
BRIGHTNESS
Since we do not have a sphere, we could not directly test the lumens (total admitted light), so we tested the LUX which is the amount of light at reaching the LUX meeter.
We placed the flashlight in close proximity to the LUX meeter, so that most of the light emitted would reach it and be recorded.
The Brightex XR-1100 which was tested by UL at 1043lm, gave us a good reference point for converting the LUX values measured into lumens
WATER RESISTANCE
It is not possible to rely on the IPX rating of the flashlights since, flashlight manufacturers are not bound to send the flashlight for water resistant lab tests prior to placing the IPX rating on the box.
We therefore checked to see if the flashlight had an O ring gasket (which is used to seal the flashlight) on both ends. The battery side and the LED side, we found that some brands had only an O ring on the battery side making them only partially water resistant.
EASE OF USE
It is much easier to carry around and operate a small and light weight flashlight, so this is one important parameter, other than that a holster or/and a belt clip are an important additional feature
BATTERY OPTIONS
There are three main types of batteries: AAA, 18650 & 26650 Rechargeable lithium batteries, most flashlights can be operated with the first two but won’t have the 26650 battery option.
The 26650 has double the capacity of the 18650 battery giving the user twice the run time, so it is an important feature.
summary test results
Brightness Test Results
| Flashlight Brand | Price | LUX | Equivalent lm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brightex XR-1100 | $27.95* | 1940 lux | 1043 lm |
| Oxyled | $18.19 | 740 lux | 398 lm |
| Urpower | $12.99** | 600 lux | 322 lm |
| Gearlight S1200 | $13.99 | 600 lux | 322 lm |
| Outlite A100 | $14.99 | 560 lux | 301 lm |
| PeakPlus | $17.99** | 550 lux | 295 lm |
| Gearlight S1000 | $15.99*** | 530 lux | 284 lm |
| J5 Tactical V1-PRO | $13.95 | 170 lux | 92 lm |
* Use the Coupon to get this price. The Brightex XR-1100 is also sold as a 2 Pack flashlight kit selling at $53.15
** They include with the flashlight a 18650 battery and a simple charger (Not UL Certified)
*** The Gearlight S1000 is sold as a 2 pack - So the price is for two flashlights
UL Certified - It is Very Important it Means that the Charger is Compliant with the American Safety Standards!!
Click to See More Detailed Results
Water Resistance & Ease of Use
| Flashlight Brand | LED Gasket | Battery Gasket | Weight/Length | Belt Clip/Holster |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightex XR-1100 |  |
|
3.7oz/4.6" | |
| Oxyled | |
4.6oz/5.3" | ||
| Urpower | |
5.1oz/5.3" | ||
| Gearlight S1200 | |
|
9.8oz/5.9" | |
| Outlite A100 | |
|
5.0oz/5.3" | |
| PeakPlus | |
|
5.1oz/5.3" | |
| Gearlight S1000 | |
|
5.1oz/5.3" | |
| J5 Tactical V1-PRO | |
|
2.6oz/4.1" | |
Battery Options
| Flashlight Brand | AAA/AA | 18650 | 26650 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brightex XR-1100 | |
|
|
| Oxyled | |
|
|
| Urpower | |
|
|
| Gearlight S1200 | |
|
|
| Outlite A100 | |
|
|
| PeakPlus | |
|
|
| Gearlight S1000 | |
|
|
| J5 Tactical V1-PRO | |
US Free Shipping
All flashlight sold on Amazon can be shipped throughout the US
Only on purchases above $25 you get free shipping on Amazon, so the only one that qualifies is the Brightex XR-1100
If you are not a Prime Amazon Member you will need to add shipping cost to your purchase, except for the Brightex XR-1100
Global Free Shipping
Only Brightex and only through their website offer Free Global Shipping, Amazon US will either not give you the option to ship outside the US or will charge you an extra fee for it
Conclusion
The Overall Best Tactical Flashlight
The Brightex XR-1100 is significantly better in every aspect than the other flashlights tested.
- Brightness – It is X3 time brighter than the other flashlights and it is truly a 1000+ lm flashlight
- Water Resistant – It is fully protected for outdoor use
- Ease of Use – It is 25% less in weight and 15% less in length than the other flashlights plus it has a belt clip making it very easy to handle and carry around.
- Battery Options – Except for one flashlight it is the only one that gives you the option to use a 26650 battery, giving you twice the run time than the flashlights using the standard 18650 battery.
- Price – You will need to pay more to purchase this flashlight but, if you are looking for an all-around excellent flashlight this is your best choice.
- Shipping – Free US shipping and Free Global Shipping for purchases done directly through Brightex website
Use the Coupon to Get this Price
The Brightex XR-1100 is sold on Brightex website at $27.95 and the Brightex 2 Pack XR-1100 is sold at $53.15
NOTE: Amazon buying option is slightly more expensive, $29.95 for the Brightex XR-1100 and $57.35 for the 2 Pack XR-1100
Order On Brightex Website
From the "Wirecutter" A New York Times Company
Before we go over the Cheap Flashlights, here's what the "Wirecutter" A New York Times Company, which tested 23 flashlight brands, wrote about them.
"Why we can’t recommend a cheaper flashlight: We tested 12 inexpensive flashlights in the under-$20 range, all easily found at Amazon, and all with a high number of positive reviews. For the most part they’re a generic bunch, and we found many identical models sold under a variety of names...But even worse is that the quality is completely unreliable."
They also tested Brightex's previous module the XR-700 (has 700lm) and they wrote:"The XR-700 was the brightest flashlight we looked at" - The Brightex XR-1100 is 50% Brighter than the Brightex XR-700.
Summary of Cheap Tactical Flashlight
For those of you who are not looking for a quality bright flashlight, here are your best options:
Urpower, Gearlight S1000, Outlite A100, PeakPlus are essentially the same flashlights with different brands name printed on them. The Oxyled flashlight is slightly different but almost identical to them.
The Gearlight S1200 is a relatively big and heavy flashlight and since its output is only 322lm with a price tag of $13.99 so, we do not think it is worth the money.
Both the Oxyled and the URPOWER flashlights are lacking an O ring gasket on the LED side as such they don’t comply with the minimum water-resistant requirements you would expect from a tactical flashlight. Therefore, you should think twice before purchasing them for outdoor use.
The Cheapest Flashlight
Between the generic flashlights, the Outlite A100 is sold at $14.99 and is the cheapest flashlight
Order On Amazon
Single Cheap Flashlight Kit
The PeakPlus is sold at $17.99 and comes with a battery & charger (not UL Certified) and therefore is the cheapest single flashlight kit
Order On Amazon
Cheapest - 2 Pack Cheap Flashlight
The Gearlight S1000 is sold as a 2 pack at $15.99, so if you need two flashlights this would be your cheapest choice out of the generic flashlights.
Order On Amazon
The Smallest Flashlight
The J5 Tactical flashlight is the smallest flashlight but with a price tag of $13.95 and with only 90lm (far from the promised 300lm) it is not much stronger than a cell phones light. We threfore do not think it is worth the money.
Remember
All these flashlights came with raving 5 star reviews stating how bright they are, some state their lumens like Oxyled that states its flashlight has 900lm or J5 Tactical that it has 300lm, others will not state anything hoping you will think they are close to 1000lm. But when you come and check their actual lumens you find out that the majority of them have only ~300lm.
So when you buy a flashlight or any product for that matter, trust in real facts (like actual 3rd party test results) and don’t base your buying decision only on what the seller is declaring or on what is written in the reviews.
