Best Pistol Lights In 2025 According To A CCW Instructor
- Dave McGillivray
- Aug 16, 2024
- 19 min read
Updated: Mar 12
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 freaking awesome light arrived at my townhouse with the Glock Spacer already on it, nice and snug. The activation tabs fit just right—practically seamless with the inside of the trigger guard, which was awesome cause I didn’t have any problem reaching it and nothing got in the way with my trigger finger.
The light's end aligns almost perfectly with the five inch barrel, sitting just slightly behind it. The package came with a few spacer inserts which is cool if you like to adjust the light's mounting position. I do have to say the color isn't an exact match—it's more of a blander gold—but it fits really well and it works, which definitely makes it worth it and makes the color difference not that big of a deal.
Even those some people in reviews complained about this, I had no issue turning on the light. Accidental activation isn’t gonna happen unless your thumb runs along the slide, which could maybe turn on any mounted light.
All I do to stop this is put my left thumb over my right for added support and it keeps my fingers clear.
The hotspot and spill from this light outperforms my older models from different brands. It illuminates a fifteen foot wall from ten feet away which is awesome. I did disable the strobe feature because I mainly use the on function for self defense, and I didn’t wanna accidentally trigger the strobe. Overall, I love it. This light is worth it and def five stars because you’re getting what you paid for.
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: I'm so freaking impressed by this baby! When it comes to my guns, I go for the high end lights because safety is everything to me. I live in Alaska, where darkness dominates half the year (the night country!) and yeah, dangers (and polar bears) are pretty much everywhere haha. (Watch the newest True Detective and you’ll know what I’m talking about!).
So obviously, having a reliable light on your EDC is non negotiable.
I've tried a lot of different brands, but honestly this Olight has killed it compared to all the other ones.
PROS:
– Affordability: I can purchase three to four of these Olights for the cost of one of the other brands.
– Brightness: Solid lumens and super bright!
– Material: This awesome light is so durable and tough and it can handle a lot of ruggedness.
– Compactness: It’s half the size of my other brand, making it easier to carry around.
– Lightweight: The compact design means it’s much lighter than other ones I’ve tried.
– Battery Efficiency: Essentially this means that I have fewer batteries to carry around and that I need to keep track of.
– Easy Installation: Had zero problem with the installation.
– Rechargeable: The rechargeable design is convenient, and the charger doesn’t overdo it.
– Visible Charger Light: The charging indicator is easy to see without being too bright.
– Holster Compatibility: Despite limited options in Alaska, (depending where you live, Amazon doesn’t always come out to you) I found a great selection of holsters that work with this light.
– Discreet: It doesn’t stick out past the barrel like other models, making it easier to conceal, which is what I wanted.
– Cold Resistance: Does great in the below degrees in Alaska!
– Doesn’t strobe.
– The switch could be a bit longer for easier access.
This pistol light does so well in all of Alaska’s super extreme conditions. It’s now my go to light and my go to gift for Xmas for my family and friends. I'm not kidding... The quality is really good and the light is dependable. I genuinely recommend it.
Get it from Amazon now: $89.95 & FREE Returns
3. Fenix GL19R - 1200 Lumen Rail Mount Handgun Light
Highlight: Two hundred and twenty nine yard beam.
Helpful review: Folks and friends, I’m gonna introduce you to my new bestie, a new lifelong friendo. This mounted light is everything I wanted and more, and as a gunsmith, trust me when I say that I know my stuff. And I like to give my two cents on what I buy.
Let’s start here: This light is built like a tank. It’s constructed from aluminum and it’s watertight, which is awesome. Strong material for sure. The lens unscrews to allow access to the battery compartment, and the threads are sealed so they don’t let things in. They’ve even added an O ring that fits snugly when the light bezel is fully tightened.
It also has a battery that you can swap out in the field if you need to, but it also has a built in charger, which is extra convenient. The charging port is a USB-C, and works with most phone chargers.
Here’s kinda a funny story—when I first tried to use the light, I couldn’t get it to turn on even though I’d charged it for over an hour. I was starting to think I had a bum unit until I realized there was a tiny piece of paper that was preventing the battery from making contact. Yeah, no idea how that happened. But once I took it out, everything worked flawlessly.
I attached it to my shotgun without any issue, and immediately tested it out. It worked awesome! I also mounted it on my heavily modified rifle and found the same positive results.
The clamp was a bit loose which kind of bothered me. I fixed it on my own by just tightening the screw, but it seems like that could have been made a bit better. Even so, the light felt like it was made for the gun.
The on and off switch sits on the back of the light and offers momentary, solid on, and strobe modes. The remote switch plugs into the USB-C charging port andis secured by a tiny set screw (that you can tighten by hand), but to make it more secure, I just used a dime to fix it haha.
The switches are positioned perfectly and you can use your forward thumb or your extended trigger finger to reach them. This light is a bit large for a pistol, and it’s probably better for longer guns, but you’d need a custom holster to carry it with a side arm, and it’s a little too bulky for a concealed carry setup in my opinion.
To sum it all up–and you can probably guess where I’m going with this–would I recommend this light? Heck ya! Absolutely! Not only that, but I’m planning to order another one with a rail for just about everything.
Get it from Amazon now: $100.45 & FREE Returns
4. Streamlight TLR-7A Flex - 500-Lumen Low-Profile Pistol Light
Highlight: Super compact and lightweight design.
Helpful review: I’m giving this pistol light five full stars because man, oh man, does this offer some solid value without breaking the bank. And I really did my research and compared it to other options out there. As you can prob tell, I’m pretty happy with what I got for the price, although I do wonder if there miiiiiight be cheaper alternatives that would have done the job just as well.
Either way, I like it so far and gonna keep it and try it out long term. I’m using it on my Glock, and one hundred percent the fit, overall design, and the finish are really impressive.
That being said, I’m not overly blown away by the amount of light it sheds off. It does a pretty good job of illuminating the area in front of me within pistol range, but it’s not quite that super bright day light I was hoping for, but not a lot of lights are, if I’m being honest. Still, it seems that a lot of these advertise them as being that bright, so kinda scratching my head as to why it doesn’t deliver that level of brightness.
When I first turned it on, I was a bit underwhelmed by how much light it cast, so I made the mistake of pointing it at my face to see just how dim it really was. Big mistake! It’s absolutely freaking blinding, similar to staring into the sun for too long.
So, yeah, while it may not light up an entire room, it’s certainly effective at blinding an assailant–or a dumb person who decides to stare into it haha. So while it might not light up someone coming at me super bright, it would in theory stop them in their tracks.
The instructions were a bit more complicated than necessary, making the whole setup seem harder than it actually was. I’m one of those people who reads through the entire manual before using a product, and these instructions left me a bit confused at first. But when I actually got down to business, it was a lot easier than I thought it’d be. The instructions act like it’s rocket science and it’s not lol. It was nice that they added an extra c clip, and though I didn’t need to use it, I can see why an extra was provided.
I really do love it, but I may check out other options and do some more research if I need a new one in the future, not because there’s anything wrong with it, but mainly because I’m waiting for these manufacturers to amp up the brightness of their products. I’m not really sure they exist yet.
Get it from Amazon now: $139.99 & FREE Returns
5. Streamlight TLR-1 - 300-Lumen Gun Light
Highlight: Deep dish reflector delivers a laser focus beam with awesome peripheral lighting.
Helpful review: First off, let me clarify one thing. This is a review for a real firearm, not for a CO-2 airsoft toy or a BB gun. I did a lot of extensive research on this, combing through everything out there, from cheaply made plastic lights that wouldn't stay attached to the gun to the pricier legit military level models.
After a fair amount of searching, I ended up going with this model and I freaking adore it. It fits so perfect with my Beretta, it looks like it was made for it. The fit and finish are top of the line, and it’s def powerful enough to temporarily blind anyone who happens to be on the receiving end, which is exactly what I wanted.
The strobe feature is particularly disorienting for anyone caught in its path—it can leave red spots in their vision that last for about a minute. I also appreciate the two way toggle switch, which actually works for both lefties and right handers, which helps because I’m actually ambidextrous.
You can switch it on and then push in the opposite direction to keep the light on as long as you need. It’s designed in a way, so that even when you’re panicking, which is gonna happen if someone is charging you. You can easily activate it by muscle memory, which is awesome. It’s way better than the small rubber push button lights I’ve tried on models in the past.
This light is especially useful in lower lighting or even darker environments. It even helps with aiming, which I love, because sometimes my hands shake without warning so it’s nice to know where to aim it.
The center of the light’s bright spot aligns perfectly with where I’d be aiming, so if that spot is covering the target at a distance of five to fifteen feet, I’m just under a hundred percent certain I’d hit it without even using the sights.
The construction is everything on this baby—it's all aluminum and that’s definitely one of the main reasons I bought it. The way it clamps onto the gun is better than any quick release style rail light I’ve encountered. I tightened it down securely since I don’t have a need for quick release, though it still comes off easily if required.
It also arrived with two fully charged batteries and three different rail mount keys, which lets it fit on your rail without wobble. While I can’t speak to its fit on the rails of other models, it fits my other SigPro 2022 with noissues.
On that model, it does extend about an inch or so past the muzzle, so it doesn’t look as streamlined as it does on the Beretta, where it aligns perfectly with the muzzle, but that’s more just a personal preference thing so not a huge deal unless you’re OCD haha. I took it to the range and fired off nearly a hundred and fifty rounds and the light remained on the entire time without so much as a flicker. I turned it off afterward, stored it, and it worked flawlessly the next day as well.
UPDATE:
I’ve been using this light for almost two years, and it’s stayed mounted on my gun the entire time. Thousands of rounds later and I can say, yep, still a keeper! Blindingly bright as the day I bought it. If they ever release one with a green strobing laser underneath, I’m buying it without thinking twice.
BOTTOM LINE:
If you own a full sized handgun with an accessory rail, this is the light to get!
Get it from Amazon now: $247.75 & FREE Returns
6. OLIGHT Odin - 2000-Lumen Rechargeable Gun Flashlight with a Remote Pressure Switch
Highlight: Mount is engineered mainly for PICATINNYmodels.
Helpful review: This light is an excellent addition to my AR pistol setup and I just freaking love it. It’s so bright and comes with a remote switch, which lets me keep the wires from cluttering and messing up my handguard. The mount has these quick release mechanisms, and with them, you can essentially detach the light so you don’t have to remove the entire mount from the rail.
While the light does have a slight waver and wiggle in the mount, it’s not a big enough issue to make me want to return it. The charger connects magnetically and snaps onto the button switch at the light’s end when the remote switch is detached. I have no issue removing the remote switch, mainly because of the magnetic connection and locking ring.
I can also charge the light without needing to remove it from the pistol, which is awesome. When the battery is low, it vibrates like my phone, which is pretty cool. Yeah, so pretty much, I just like it a lot. A really cool light for the price, and I highly recommend it.
CONS:
– The light has an integrated T mount that you can’t take off, because it connects the light to the pic rail mount.
– The remote switch is a basic one button on and off model.
– Like many other super bright lumen lights, it can get on the hotter side if you use it too long.
PROS:
– The pic mount is a significant improvement over their original design and removing the light is really simple and you don’t have to disassemble the entire mount or use any tools to do it.
– The magnetic charging cable is freaking fantastic. Just a pro-tp: once the lights are sighted in, it’s best to minimize moving them, so they don’t get knocked off center.
– The construction quality is excellent.
– Doesn’t cost a fortune.
– The battery life is looooong. Reminds me of my Warrior, which hovered at about ninety percent battery for a good year when it was in standby mode.
I’m kind of a nerd with these things and I have a lot of them. When it comes to quality, price, and purpose, you really can’t beat Olights as a brand. I have eleven different models haha, and five of them have the magnetic charging. Yeah, yeah, they’re made in China, but what isn’t these days? I definitely recommend this product!
Get it from Amazon now: $159.95 & FREE Returns
7. 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: I have about eight of these—two weapon lights and six different flashlights, and I’ve been a huge fan of Olight and all their products, but there’s one thing about this Baldr Mini that frustrates me. They changed chargers on us!
It reminds me of how iPhones battery chargers are always changing and it’s kind of aggravating that Olight would change something so integral to what makes them awesome. What could have been a perfectly universal charging system for all their lights, they just upended. Seriously, Olight, whyyyyy? You definitely get one less star for that.
If this is your first Olight product, though, you won’t be as bothered as I am. Mainly because you won’t notice the different charging cables without the comparison.
But I’m still giving this four stars, because this company is the real deal.
This is outstanding weapon light with excellent features, brightness, and build quality. The laser is bright, adjustable, and the light itself has an even throw without any annoying hotspots. For those new to Olight, just be aware that if you purchase other lights from them—and trust me, you probably will because Olight makes great products for the value of the money—the charging cable for the Mini will be different.
You only get one with the purchase, and I didn’t see it listed on their website for sale separately, so don’t lose it! Essentially that’s how I figured out they didn’t work with other products. I lost it when I realized that ALL of my other Olight charging cables were incompatible with this one.
A FEW WORDS FROM A FRIEND:
I really like this light. With six hundred lumens, it’s perfect for night work, which is what I needed, and it allows so much brightness for those who need it. It’s about the same width as the pistol, making it small enough to keep on all the time. There are holsters available that fit common handguns, allowing you to carry it daily. The light also clamps directly onto the Picatinny Rail, which is awesome because you don’t have to bring the light or your hand in front of the muzzle to attach or remove it.
This is a huge plus since I always keep a round in the chamber. My only concern, which I haven’t tested yet, is the activation switches. In momentary mode, the recoil might cause your finger to jam against the back of the light. I’ll need to test this, but if it’s an issue, I’d stick to using the full on switch mode. The green laser is everything I wanted and more. So bright. I’ve set it out of sight for aiming, but it’s also useful as a deterrent in close quarters or awkward shooting positions. The build quality, metal construction, switch feel, and clamping system are all seriously the best. I’m definitely going to be buying more.
Get it from Amazon now: $124.95 & FREE Returns
8. OLIGHT Baldr Pro - 1350-Lumen Tactical Flashlight with Green Light and White LED
Highlight: Green beam allows for perfect aim both for day and nightly environments.
Helpful review: Love how this feels in my hands. I bought two different color models because I like it to match my different colored guns. Both the light and laser work perfectly. But of course, perfection is a pipe dream, so there is one little thing that annoys me.
The light bezel extends about an inch past the muzzle of the pistol and after firing about seventy five rounds with the light attached, the muzzle blast scoured off the black finish on the very top of the light, right below the muzzle. It ended up exposing the bare aluminum, which is annoying.
To protect the light, I used aluminum tape on that spot, as well as on the tan light, just to make sure it didn’t damage anything else. I’d recommend anyone buying this light do the same if it hangs past your muzzle. After firing another two hundred rounds or so, the tape looked a little heat blasted, but the light held up, which was the point.
MY NEIGHBOR’S REVIEW:
I’ve put about three hundred rounds through my Glock with this light attached. I’ve taken it off and reattached it multiple times for cleaning, and it doesn’t waiver at all. It holds its place perfectly. It even stays zeroed in even after I removed it. Even the lowest setting of the light is practically blindingly bright, and I love how the batteries have a solid runtime. I had zero issues installing or removing it and the controls are easy to use after it’s mounted on the pistol. The laser remains visible even when it’s super bright out or when you’re inside. Really, I don’t have many complaints, and I’m planning to give it as gifts to friends and family this Christmas.
A FEW WORDS FROM A FRIEND:
I first saw this light being used on a semi auto airgun on YouTube, and after doing some research, I decided to take the plunge and grab one for myself and I’m so happy I did. The green laser is so bright and really obvious, even when you use it alongside the bright spotlight, and I love how intense the strobe function is. Considering the price, you’re getting a really great value, and this product is amazing. I'd guess that you can use the green laser in the daylight with a length of up to sixty feet and at night you could probably see up to half a mile away. Pretty awesome if you ask me. Def recommend this product for anyone using airguns or even if you want to mount it on a pistol.
Get it from Amazon now: $149.95 & FREE Returns
9. Feyachi FL11-MB - 1200-Lumen LED Weapon Light
Highlight: Four hour run time with a beam that reaches two hundred meters.
Helpful review: Just to be upfront, I am getting a small commission from Amazon to write this review, but still, even without, I’d still be writing this. When I first opened this pistol light, I was really happy with the packaging. Everything was neatly organized in these foam fitted slots and the package included two batteries (one as an extra), a charger, an on and off switch tailcap, a mount–with its own flashlight body sleeves–a few allen wrenches, and even extra screws. Yeah, a lot!
My only real gripe so far is that the remote switch doesn’t have a built in way to attach it to the rifle (never said I’d only give positives just because I’m getting a commission for this).
I ended up mounting the light on my S&W Pistol and used some two sided foam tape to secure the switch. The brightness of this light is my favorite part. On my one hundred yard range, I could even see the tree line. To really put it to the test, I charged up the batteries and took it out to the range, and man, I just loved it.
With the light mounted directly in front of the muzzle, I fired off about a hundred rounds without so much as a flicker from the light.
The mount held firm, and the light stayed securely in its place. I followed that up with another one hundred rounds over the next forty minutes, and it performed exactly as I expected and then some!
After about two hours, the light dimmed a little. I could still see the tree line, but the clarity had lowered some. Back at home, I left the light on while I cleaned my rifle, and after about three hours, the battery was nearly drained. It was good to get an idea of how long it lasts though. I swapped it out for the spare (which was just awesome to have) and left it on again to see how long it would last—about another three hours.
As far as durability goes, its constructed super well. I haven’t tried it on a larger caliber rifle, but I’m confident it could handle whatever most people would mount it on.
That said, I have two minor complaints: the lack of mounting tape for the remote switch and the battery life. However, with the two provided batteries, you get a solid five to six hours of use, which isn’t bad at all. It’s not going to compare to the great expensive models out there, but for the price, you really can’t go wrong, and the quality is worth it. I’d just recommend keeping the spare charged while using the original. Still, def recommend!
Get it from Amazon now: $39.99 & FREE Returns
10. DefendTek 300 - 300-Lumen Rechargeable LED Light
Highlight: Rail mounted pistol light helps protect against the elements.
Helpful review: I’ve had this light for about three weeks now, and for the price, it’s everything I hoped for. I’ve tested several other different models, and while I liked the overall design and brightness, I found that with some models it kept turning off during firing. It happened often enough that I couldn’t rely on it for critical situations, especially in the middle of the night, and I really needed something more dependable.
Enter the DefendTek!
You can tell from the outset that this light is tough, durable and ready for the tactical stuff! It’s really well built, which was surprising given what it cost. Activating the light is simple. All you have to do is push the button on the right side to turn it on into constant mode, then you just press the lever on the opposite side to turn it off. If you want the strobe effect, you just need to quickly activate the light again—easy as peas.
The DefendTek light extends beyond the barrel of my VP40 Picatinny Rail, which could be a tactical advantage in close quarters and overall just fits super snugly. Through about four hundred rounds, this light hasn’t failed once, which is awesome. Sure, the lens gets dirty after a day at the range, but that’s to be expected considering where it’s mounted. A quick clean with some gun cleaner, and it’s back to looking and performing like new.
The only downside, if you can call it that, is the lack of holster options. it's a minor issue for me, but it might be a bigger concern for others.
Overall, this light is really what I wanted. Def getting five stars from me and an extra thumbs up to boot! If you’re searching for an affordable light solution for your firearm, this one is built to a much higher standard than the price suggests. There’s a reason it’s flying off the shelves! Grab it now before it’s gone–you won’t regret it!
Get it from Amazon now: $31.99 & FREE Returns
11. Feyachi LF-58 - 200-Lumen Green Laser Weapon Light Combo
Highlight: Three unique targeting modes.
Helpful review: If you're looking for a home defense option that won't drain the bankaroo, then this laser and flashlight combo is the budget friendly option you’ve been searching for, friends.
I haven’t owned it for long, so I can’t vouch for how long it will last, but it feels pretty sturdy, and works just as great. Mounting it onto my handgun was super straightforward and I love how easy it's been to use. I attached it to my standard size 9mm, and while it functions and fits as I had hoped, it extends a little beyond the barrel, but that kind of seems standard for most of these.
That said, it’s still a highly functional and attractive accessory. The package includes two batteries—one for the flashlight and one for the laser sight. It’s nice that these can be used together or independently, depending on your needs.
Once it's mounted, the switch is right near the trigger guard and even though my hands are on the smaller side, I have no issue reaching it. It’s pretty easy to click the switch to lock it, which allows the laser, light, or both of them to stay on simultaneously. The best part is the toggle that offers three different settings:
– Laser only (on the right side).
– Light only (on the left side).
– Both laser and light on at the same time (neutral).
If you just want a quick flash of the laser or flicker of the light, you just lightly press the switch to get a momentary activation, kinda like using a turn signal. Then you can just push it all the way down to keep it on.
I love how this works. Yeah, it’d be nice if it had the strobe or flashing option, but you can kinda create this on your own just by playing with the switch.
It’s definitely bright enough for what I want out of it. When I tested it in front of a mirror, the light was strong enough that it blocked out both the gun and my face, and blinded me a bit in the process. My little experiment proved what I hoped for–that you definitely don’t want to be on the other end of it, that’s for sure.
The light does make the whole set up a little heavier, but I kind of like it, actually.
The light doesn’t get hot, mainly because it's an LED light, but there is a warning on the barrel about it being hot, but I think it’s more just a warning to tell people to be careful with removing the light after you fire it. I really love it. It’s designed with the consumer in mind, and something that really does exactly what it promises, and at a very reasonable price to boot. Love it. I’m sure you will, too.
Get it from Amazon now: $42.99 & FREE Returns
