Best Pistol Lights In 2025 According To A CCW Instructor
- Dave McGillivray
- Jun 30
- 12 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Speaking from experience, I can tell you that a dependable pistol light can help you identify targets in the dark, and make all the difference in life-or-death situations. Read my hands-on review.
FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
1. Streamlight TLR-1 HL - 1000-Lumen Weapon Light
Highlight: 283 meter beam with an hour and a half hour battery life.
Helpful review: This light is designed primarily for a long gun, not a long gun-specific light, but it's pretty large for a pistol. That being said, it's considered by most reviewers to be the best budget pistol light. I was trying to figure out why, and here's my testing result. If I need a light to fill an entire area with very bright white light, this is the one. Streamlight has been the leader in weapon mounted lights for a long time, and for good reason - they are that good. The products are well-built, potent, and last for a long time.
The light is big, so it will need tolive on a large frame pistol, if this actually fit on a subcompact pistol for concealed carry the light would hang over the end nearly two inches (that's a guess I did not measure one) so if anyone wants to use a highbeam light on a duty gun, this may be the best application. This light comes with spacers, allowing you to position the switches in the exact position needed to activate the light when you need it.
I can address some feedback issues I have read about, specifically the accidental activation that occurs when the recoil hits. Depending on where you rest your thumbs and the size of your thumbs, it may activate when recoiling. I have had issues with my index finger slipping along the frame at times with this style of one-button design. With some training and extensive dry-fire practice, I believe I can overcome this issue.
Turning the light on has received some reviews mentioning a hard time making it work, and I'm unable to figure out why that is. I can always make the switch work; it's easily activated. The only issue I ever had was keeping my index finger from turning on the light when I didn't want to. Still, my hands are different from everyone else's. Here is my straightforward answer to this issue: if the light is difficult to activate, return it and get a different one. Please don't waste a lot of time trying to get it to work. If the light can't be activated, take an alternative route.
This light, with its large lens area, will illuminate the entire wall of the bedroom from just ten feet away, making it ideal for target identification and recognition. It has the strobe effect that some people like; I never use it, or use it intentionally anyway. Someday, I will learn how and why to use the strobe. Right now, I want to identify the target and illuminate it with a ton of light through my fiber optic sights, so if I do need to shoot, I know what I'm shooting at and what's behind it.
Get it from Amazon now: $159.99 & FREE Returns
2. OLIGHT PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie - 600-Lumen Pistol Flashlight
Highlight: Recharges easily with the magnetic USB cable included.
Helpful review: Let me tell you about Olight for a minute. When they entered the gun scene, they heavily invested in influencers and ad spend. Some folks just got tired of them, and to be honest, I was suffering from some burnout myself due to the overexposure to the product push. Then I tried them to see if I could honestly prove they were junk, and I proved that they are my favorite. Olight pistol lights are compact and very powerful. The push buttons seem to sit exactly where I want them to, and if not, I can use a different model that will work just as well. The thing, or more accurately, the second thing that gets my vote for Olight is the price tag; the first thing is the build quality and light power. For the price of some weapon lights, I can buy two, maybe three of these, and have night fighting ability on more for the same price.
I have one of these on my 10mm Colt, and it has never given me an issue. I do not abuse the pistol, but I don't baby it either. It bounced off the table at the range. I knocked it off the ground while moving too much stuff and not paying attention, and it keeps working, both the gun and the light. I have performed the 'throw it in the sink' test and the 'dropped it off the upper deck' test, and it continues to work. The only damage this light has ever taken is paint chipping and some rub marks from the Kydex.
One of my favorite things about this compact weapon light is the magnetic charging port. I am going to call it a port because I don't know what else to call it. Snap the magnet to the charging port, and it goes away. If I pick up the gun without thinking to undo the wire, it pops off, and I don't even notice it's there. No damage is done to the charger or cable end. I suppose the only drawback is that it won't work on the same charger as my phone, so I have to use two wires. However, they all use the same block plugged into the wall.
Installation is simple and easy, and they fit with all the quality holster makers will have this option. Personally, I use custom-built holsters, but not everyone shares my preference for them. So, use a simple search and someone will have a one-on-the-shelf holster that will work for your gun and this light combo.
Get it from Amazon now: $89.95 & FREE Returns
3. Streamlight TLR-7A Flex - 500-Lumen Low-Profile Pistol Light
Highlight: Super compact and lightweight design.
Helpful review: This light is the little brother to the one made for long guns; it will need to be mounted on a medium- or large-frame pistol. The size of the lens is what I think keeps the bulk necessary. Streamlight can produce small lights the size of an AA battery, so I know they can make small ones. However, these are made to clear rooms and identify targets in the dark, not to see the keyhole on a door knob.
Some folks do mention the price as a little steep. Still, considering the high-quality build of this unit, it will be the only one you buy, unless you figure out a way to torture test it more than I can. That last statement is not a challenge, but rather an observation of quality manufacturing.
The pistol this compact weapon light seems to be designed to fit is the Glock 19. All the other guns made similarly. I do like the amount of light that it throws out, but I have seen better from different models and makers. I am not happening on Streamlight, just being honest. A trade-off for light power is a trade-off for longer battery life, so consider where this may be used. If a light pounds out a ton of light, way more impressive than this model, for example, but the battery is dead in ten minutes. I'm halfway through the warehouse, and now I'm in the dark. I'll take the one with the lower light and a longer battery life.
The installation papers appeared to have been translated into English, which made them a little confusing or more complicated than necessary. Assembling this setup was easier. However, it's still recommended to read the manual or instructions first, then use a screwdriver to attach it to the gun. Remember to remove the battery isolator from the compartment. Please don't ask why I mention this; try it within the area where you need the light.
Get it from Amazon now: $139.99 & FREE Returns
4. Streamlight TLR-1 - 300-Lumen Gun Light
Highlight: Deep dish reflector delivers a laser focus beam with awesome peripheral lighting.
Helpful review: This is another light build for a long gun that I was asked to inspect, as I had been requested to examine full size handguns. I did as they asked, and here is what I found. Like other long gun lights from Streamlight, it is bright and produces a substantial amount of light. The downside is that it sticks out past the end of a Glock 19 by about an inch and a half. Therefore, if this is the plan and you wish to use a holster, you will need a custom-built one.
For a full-size gun with a long barrel, such as a Beretta or a 1911, this will be a close, but better, fit; however, the holster will still need to be custom-made. The blast from the muzzle may damage the light, so be prepared to address that issue. I have a compensator on the end of my custom-built 1911 in .45 ACP, and that extends past the light. However, with the light, the gun is almost like carrying around an old subgun, and it's not CCW-friendly, but it looks very cool.
This light features a strobe, which is a feature I don't use or practice with. When I come across a light that has a strobe effect and I can disable it, I remove it from the mix. I understand the disorientation factor, and I see the value, but for a light on the end of my gun to use the strobe, the pistol is aiming at the bad guy's face.
The light is powerful enough to illuminate an area in near darkness, or at dusk, as the rest of us say. If a light does not have a lot of power, it will not illuminate anything until it is dark. The bell of the light is deep, and what that means is that the center bright spot works pretty well to focus my eyes right where the sights are lined up. This is not to say it's a replacement for a laser or actually using the sights; it's a nice feature and works well to keep focus. On the other hand, it does create tunnel vision. Hence, training to maintain situational awareness at all times is essential if the gun is not in a safe.
Streamlight sends this with all the mounts that I could see I would ever need, and two fully charged batteries. I was able to get out and test this in about ten minutes; that's the significant part about a light that doesn't come with a laser - it's honestly snap-on and go.
Get it from Amazon now: $247.75 & FREE Returns
5. OLIGHT Odin - 2000-Lumen Rechargeable Gun Flashlight with a Remote Pressure Switch
Highlight: Mount is engineered mainly for PICATINNY models.
Helpful review: This high lumen light will not work on a pistol unless it is an AR-15 or AK pistol. Think of this light like a belt carry flashlight, not small in any way. The light is held in place with a T-mount that hooks onto a Picatinny rail. The way this works, the light is a little sloppy; not a huge thing for a light. If it were a laser, that would be a different matter, but for a light, it's not a big deal.
The mount allows for quick mounting and dismounting, so I can take it out of my pack or off my belt and attach it to the AR pistol. If I needed that, this is the magic. For me, I would rather use a light this size in my hand, as we learned a long time ago. If I had an absolute need to put this on a pistol, to prove I could, I would have to mount a Picatinny rail on top of the slide and use the push-button on the bottom of the light.
The remote switch is excellent if you want to use that function. The end cap is held in place magnetically, making the switch-over simple and easy. The remote switch is at the end of a wire and attaches to the gun in the most convenient position for the shooter. The remote switch is big, about the size of a thumb, so the hunt for a tiny spot to push is not necessary. It's easy to use, even in a hurry.
The low battery "alarm" is a vibration like a cell phone, which is fantastic and silent in case some sneaking is needed. It is one of the few lights I have ever seen with a meter for the battery, and this one even has a tactile alert - how amazing is that? For a giant pistol or a long gun, this thing is impressive and extremely bright. Still, as I have overstated, it's substantial.
Get it from Amazon now: $159.95 & FREE Returns
6. OLIGHT Baldr Mini - 600-Lumen Handgun Light Laser Combo
Highlight: Product offers the ability to switch between white light only, green beam for greater accuracy, one or the other, or combined.
Helpful review: This is the exact light and laser combo I have on my Glock 20, the 10mm big thumper. I love everything about it, and I am going to put one on my 1911 soon as well, unless it doesn't look as great as the light I have on it now; I have a reputation to uphold, after all. This light/laser can have a white flashlight only, a green laser only, or a combination of both, in case the target is a ways away. The one issue with using the combo lights in this manner is that once they are on the gun and sighted in, they must remain there to keep the laser on target.
The flashlight throw does not have any hotspots; I'm not sure how they achieve that, but it produces a nice, even light broadcast from the lens. The laser is fully adjustable and can be dialed in better than I can shoot, that is for sure. An excellent place for this light combo would be on a subgun that is difficult to shoot like a pistol, but not a pretty shoulder-fired gun; this one would be the best.
This light is so popular that many holster makers will have a holster for your gun that fits the Baldr. Unless you want to go custom, please get in touch with me, and I can recommend a great holster maker. The push buttons are in the perfect place to hit with the finger along the slide. The momentary on button will probably get switched off from recoil as your finger pulls away from the button. If that's the case, use the full-on button and let the light shine.
Get it from Amazon now: $124.95 & FREE Returns
7. Feyachi FL11-MB - 1200-Lumen LED Weapon Light
Highlight: Four hour run time with a beam that reaches two hundred meters.
Helpful review: This light is absolutely made for a long gun, so another one for the AR or AK pistols. The battery life is very long, and the mount is rigid but bulky. After all of that, the price tag is very affordable, so unless I needed a super sleek-looking AK pistol, this one worked fine and puts out a ton of light.
The remote switch does not come with a way to attach it to the gun, so a small amount of two-sided tape may be needed. I like the push button on the end, and I turn it on and leave it on. I have had a mount like this before for a light on my shotgun, and that never held in place for more than 4 rounds. This one lasted until I ran out of ammo, and I didn't wiggle or lose its grip, so I am confident that once this goes on, it will be worry-free for as long as I feel the need for this light.
The box comes with an extra battery and a charger. With two batteries, this light will last for two hours each, providing a good and powerful light, and then an hour and a half of dimming light. So, if I need to use this light to hike a trail and see what I'm walking on, this one is a great choice.
Get it from Amazon now: $39.99 & FREE Returns
8. DefendTek 300 - 300-Lumen Rechargeable LED Light
Highlight: Rail mounted pistol light helps protect against the elements.
Helpful review: A budget-friendly light that far outshines the price tag. It has 300 lumen output, making a room bright enough to identify targets. The mount is an easy underlug rail fit. For this price tag, I honestly expected a plastic light to show up in the mail; that is not the case, and I am happy with that fact.
The body is made from aluminum and is well-made. For this price, if I look hard enough, I will find some machining flaws; they will not keep this lightweight form working, and it looks great to boot.
With this being a lesser-known maker, off-the-shelf holsters will not be available. However, a nylon holster would probably work, but I haven't tried it yet. These are issues that the shooter will need to think about and research before buying, or keep it on the gun and on the nightstand.
Get it from Amazon now: $31.99 & FREE Returns
9. Feyachi LF-58 - 200-Lumen Green Laser Weapon Light Combo
Highlight: Three unique targeting modes.
Helpful review: This affordable pistol light is made by a reputable manufacturer. There are a few issues that I need to point out to provide an honest review: the mount and the light power require a slight improvement or understanding.
The mount is large, standing proud of the pistol frame, and looks more like a rifle mount than a sleek pistol light mount. The light throws out 200 lumens, and for a full size handgun that may need to be used in the dark, that to me is not enough. 200 lumen output is way more than zero or trying to use the flashlight on a cell phone, but just barely better. This light features a laser combo, and it works as a laser should. With the mount being as wonky (technical term), the laser can be depended on to be close every time, unless the gun is dropped. Not a huge issue, but it's something to consider.
I have read an article review that discussed using them on an airsoft pistol for that world. I think this is the perfect use for this combo light, and the mount issue will be zero. The combo has a battery for each light, one for the flashlight, and one for the laser. Many folks seem to like this option; personally, I think that's a way to cut corners on engineering.
Get it from Amazon now: $42.99 & FREE Returns