The Best Hunting Flashlights

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If you’re in a rush to get to the field and just want to know what I think the Best Hunting Flashlight is, check out the Nitecore P30.

You’re deep in the woods on the trail of your prey and night is falling quickly. Or maybe you’re getting set up in your stand or blind before sunrise. As a hunter, a dependable and bright flashlight is a very important tool. This article highlights some of the features of hunting flashlights and points you toward some of the best hunting flashlights.

Here’s a quick list of the 5 Best Hunting Flashlights:

What to Look for in the Best Hunting Flashlight

Hunting flashlights range from versatile to specific in function. You do a lot with a flashlight while hunting, especially at night as you’re reading maps, following tracks, and field-dressing game. When purchasing a new hunting flashlight, consider not only the features and specifications of the flashlight but also how it fits your hunting needs. For instance, you may want a light that can be mounted on a scope or simpler handheld light. Different light colors or strobe capabilities are also important considerations. Be sure to also check the power source – do you want something with rechargeable or disposable batteries? here are a couple of factors to check out specific to hunting flashlights.

Read our Ultimate Guide to Flashlights to learn what to look for when finding the best flashlight for your needs

Throw, Candela, and Lumens

When you’re outside at night, seeing long distances is out of the question without a long-range light source. The range of flashlights is discussed in terms of beam distance or throw, the distance your beam can travel and still light up an area. This value is often given in meters or yards. The intensity of the beam is a measurement of light output that is measured in candela, or candlepower (cd). Candela is especially important in narrow beam flashlights like searchlights used in camping. Long-range flashlights can easily provide 250,000 cd, which provides a beam range of up to 1,000 yards.

Meanwhile, brightness is measured in lumens. Don’t make the mistake of assuming a super-bright flashlight also has a long throw distance. Many hunting flashlights have different settings for brightness, usually ranging up to well over 1,000 lumens. Compare these specifications to be sure you’re getting a flashlight with enough throw.

Our Lumens, Lux, and Candela article is a great resource to learn more about Lumens and light output

Weapon Mountable

If you ever think you’ll mount your light be sure the mount is compatible with your scope or rail on your firearm. You can also purchase mounts separately, but there are plenty of quality mountable flashlights to choose from.

Zooming Capability

Some flashlights have a zooming function that allows them to be capable of acting as both a wide floodlight and a more focused spotlight. This can come in handy as you can quickly switch from illuminating a wide area to search for a game to focus on an object. Usually the zooming is performed similarly to binoculars, by twisting part of the flashlight.

Multi-Color Options

A variety of colors of light can help the hunter see better, track games more effectively, and reduce insect activity while hunting. A red light illuminates a space without ruining a hunter’s night vision, while green light is less likely to scare the game away and doesn’t draw insects to the area. Blue light is ideal for tracking prey as it makes blood easier to see. This function can be helpful during the day as well as at night. Both green and blue lights are also ideal for reading maps.

Rechargeable

Rechargeable technologies are really taking off today, so rechargeable batteries can be a great choice for your hunting flashlight. Most batteries can be charged up to 500 times, making them worth their cost. Be sure to charge a couple of batteries at a time so you have backups in the field for longer days. Most batteries will recharge in a matter of a few hours, and some even charge by USB. You’ll avoid the hassle of purchasing and lugging around disposable batteries and you’ll reduce waste.

Learn everything you need to know about Batteries with our Ultimate Guide to Batteries!

Durability

Part of hunting is embracing the outdoor elements – your hunt could be clear and warm or foggy, rainy, and cold. Make sure your flashlight is durable enough to handle these elements. Hunting flashlights should be waterproof, composed of a sturdy material such as aluminum alloy, and covered with a material that prevents dirt and liquids to get into the light. Metal casings help dissipate the heat generated by high-powered light more quickly than other coverings like plastic can. You’ll probably want the flashlight covering to be matte and dark in color to prevent reflection that will frighten the game.

How durable is it? What does IPX6 mean? Read our Ultimate Guide to the ANSI/PLATO FL1 Standard symbols!

Lockout Switch

Have you ever had your flashlight turn on in your bag, draining the battery? This type of accident could really derail a hunting trip. Similarly, a flashlight turning on at an inopportune time could scare the game away. Look for a lockout switch on your light to prevent these scenarios from affecting you.

Top Picks for Hunting Flashlights

Orion H30 Predator

This flashlight comes in either red or green colors, both ideal for spotting game without them spotting you. Mounted or handheld, the Predator is a great tool for hunting hogs, coyotes, and raccoons at night as the animals tend to not notice red or green lights..

Specs

  • Battery: 1 rechargeable 18650 battery (plug-in charger)
  • Durability: IPX8
  • Lumens: a range of settings from 6-300 lumens
  • Throw: 273 yds
  • Beam Shape: narrow
  • Colors: red or green integrated lights
  • Dimensions: length 6.1″, head diameter 1.43″, body diameter 1″
  • Weight: 4.76 oz without battery

Pros

  • Long-range can sight eyeshine hundreds of yards away
  • Four brightness settings from dim to very bright
  • Shines for hours even on highest brightness setting
  • Comes with rechargeable battery and charger

Cons

  • Have to choose between either red or green light models
  • No white or yellow light included

Lumenshooter Green Red White Hunting Light

With three color beams and a long-range, this Lumenshooter flashlight allows the hunter to experiment with different colors in the field. The included rechargeable batteries come fully charged, so this flashlight is ready for action right out of the box.

Specs

  • Battery: 1 rechargeable lithium-ion 18650 2600mAh battery (car and home chargers included)
  • Durability: IPX6
  • Throw: 200-360 yds depending on light color
  • Beam Shape: Narrow Beam
  • Colors: green, red, and white integrated lights
  • Dimension: 7.28 inches length, 1,85 width
  • Weight 2.54 without battery

Pros

  • Pressure remote switch to turn on quietly
  • Average of 3-5 hours of light on a full battery
  • Can quickly attach and detach from scope or firearm
  • Extra battery included – keep a spare fully charged battery on hand

Cons

  • Only one brightness setting
  • The pressure switch can be finicky

Nitecore P30

If you want to see far into the distance at night, the Nitecore is a great choice. This supercharged flashlight is a true long-range light and can be mounted to a scope or firearm. It comes in a nice case with a smart charger and filters to produce red or green light.

Specs

  • Battery: rechargeable 18650 battery with an included smart charger
  • Durability: IPX8
  • Lumens: 1,000 lumens
  • Candela: 95500 cd
  • Throw: 676 yards
  • Beam Shape: Narrow beam
  • Alternate Colors: red and green filters included
  • Dimensions: 5.57 inches length, 1.96 inches diameter
  • Weight: 5.83 oz without battery

Pros

  • Pressure switch silences the on/off switch
  • Great focus on long-range beam
  • Sturdy mount

Cons

  • Red and green light options are by a filter, not built-in light. It causes these colors of light to lose some intensity.

Primos Bloodhunter HD

The Bloodhunter serves the specific function of making blood trails easier to see, enabling hunters to better track injured game. The makeup of the light makes blood stand out against the ground. The light is well-made with a comfortable grip and comes with a belt loop for easy access.

Specs

  • Battery: 4 lithium CR123 batteries
  • Modes: one HD mode and one low mode
  • Lumens: 600 lumens
  • Beam Shape: wide
  • Dimensions: 8 inches length, 5 inches width

Pros

  • Useful even when it’s not fully dark
  • Durable construction
  • Has helped hunters with colorblindness follow blood trails

Cons

  • Specialty light that does not replace a normal hunting utility light

Odepro KL52

Zoom from floodlight to spotlight with this hunting flashlight. Powered by rechargeable batteries, the Odepro comes with several light modules that allow the user to easily switch the light color. This light throws up to 450 yards and comes with several accessories, including a smart charger and a quiet remote switch.

Specs

  • Battery: one rechargeable 18650 battery
  • Lumens: 800 lumens in white light mode
  • Throw: 450 yds
  • Beam Shape: Adjustable
  • Alternate Colors: red, green, white, IR (comes with red light; other light modules can be interchanged)
  • Dimensions: 6.7 inches length, 3.1 inches width
  • Weight: 9.8 oz with batteries

Pros

  • A tactical tail switch enables hunters to switch the flashlight on and off easily, even with gloves on
  • Smart charger included: will switch off when batteries are fully charged
  • Mounts for pistols and rifles and the remote switch also included
  • Zooming function usually takes away from light intensity, but this flashlight is able to zoom and remain powerful
  • Waterproof material

Cons

  • Need to unscrew lens head to replace different color modules; takes about a minute to complete

My Pick for Best Hunting Flashlight

Night hunting experiences vary and each hunter has different needs in a hunting flashlight. However, I am most impressed with the Nitecore P30, a high-intensity light that is able to quickly adapt using red and green light filters. Able to throw nearly 700 yards of light, this flashlight is a blast in the field, whether mounted or handheld. The light comes in a sturdy plastic package to hold all of the accessories and the replaceable rechargeable batteries ensure long life in the field.

Click here to see the Best Blood Tracking Lights reviewed!