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In the realm of illumination, Fenix flashlights are like a man among mice and a lion among lambs. They are known far and wide for the quality of light they put out, and they are no different in the world of tactical gear and tactical lights.
Fenix produces some of the absolute best tactical flashlights that military, police, and civilians can buy.
However, among all the tier-one flashlights Fenix makes, which stands out as the best tactical Fenix flashlights?
I have gone through every flashlight Fenix makes and compiled a top 5 list of their best tactical flashlights.
BEST TACTICAL FENIX FLASHLIGHTS
TK30
The TK30 is a high-performance white laser tactical flashlight with a maximum range of 1200 meters.
It has one of the highest candela ratings of any tactical flashlight on the market at 363866 cd
A triple-coated lens treats the superconcentrated light to eliminate any possible harm to the eyes that a monochrome laser may cause.
The light comes with a 5000mAh large-capacity 21700 Li-ion battery that ensures ultra-long runtime and a tactical tail switch for instant activation.
In addition, the TK30 has IP68-rated protection, compatibility with most flashlight clips, a double spring design, battery level indication, and much more.
SPECS
SIZE: 6.22″ X 1.26″ X 1.02″ / 158 x 32 x 36 mm WEIGHT: 5.15 oz / 146 g (excluding battery)
| ANSI/PLATO FL1 | HIGH | LOW | STROBE |
|---|---|---|---|
| OUTPUT | 500 lm | 100 lm | 500 lm |
| INTENSITY | 363866 cd | 89600 cd | – |
| DISTANCE | 1200 m | 600 m | – |
| RUNTIME | 3 hrs | 6 hrs | – |
| IMPACT RESISTANCE | 1 m | ||
| WATERPROOF | IP68 |
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TK22 TAC
The Fenix TK22 TAC military flashlight stands out in performance and tactical deployment. Designed with tactical and on-duty lighting needs in mind, it features Tactical mode and Duty mode.
The TK22 TAC has a maximum beam intensity of 74000 cd and a maximum output of 2800 lm, giving it a cd/lm ratio of 26. 43. This means it has an extremely intense and focused beam that reaches out to 540m.
In Duty Mode, the TK22 TAC delivers 5 output modes, including a strobe. Switch to the Tactical Mode to operate for a fast, simplified selection of turbo and instant strobe.
Perfect for professional use, security, and law enforcement, the TK22 TAC delivers reliable, powerful lighting for a variety of situations.
SPECS
SIZE: 6.06″ x 1.57″ x 1.02″ / 154 x 40 x 26 mm WEIGHT: 5.50 oz / 156 g (excluding battery)
| TACTICAL MODE | DUTY MODE | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANSI/PLATO FL1 | TURBO | STROBE | HIGH | MEDIUM | LOW | ECO | STROBE |
| OUTPUT | 2800 lm | 2500 lm | 1000 lm | 350 lm | 150 lm | 30 lm | 2500 lm |
| INTENSITY | 74000 cd | – | 24800 cd | 8850 cd | 3560 lm | 760 lm | – |
| DISTANCE | 540 m | – | 315 m | 188 m | 120 m | 55 m | – |
| RUNTIME | 3 hrs | – | 4 hrs | 8 hrs 10 min | 18 hrs 30 min | 49 hrs 30 min | – |
| IMPACT RESISTANCE | 1 m | ||||||
| WATERPROOF | IP68 |
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PD40R V3.0
The Fenix PD40R V3.0 mechanical rotary switching flashlight is a high-performance rechargeable flashlight that will surely surprise all unwanted visitors.
Fitted with a quality LED, this flashlight delivers a maximum output of 3000 lumens, a max beam intensity of 60954 candela, and a cd/lm ratio of 20.32. The PD40R V3.0 throws light out to an impressive distance of 500 meters.
It achieves precise output selection through the unique mechanical rotary switch. With the included 5000mAh rechargeable battery and the USB Type-C charging interface, the runtime will never bother anyway.
IP68-rated means the PD40R is both dustproof and waterproof. This flashlight is the perfect lighting tool for the outdoors and emergencies.
SPECS
SIZE: 5.63″ x 1.34″ x 1.02″ / 143 x 34 x 26 mm WEIGHT: 6.98 oz / 198 g (excluding battery)
| ANSI/PLATO FL1 | TURBO | HIGH | MEDIUM | LOW | SOS | STROBE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OUTPUT | 3000 lm | 1000 lm | 350 lm | 30 lm | 350 lm | 3000 lm |
| INTENSITY | 60954 cd | 22648 cd | 7684 cd | 612 cd | – | – |
| DISTANCE | 500 m | 300 m | 175 m | 50 m | – | – |
| RUNTIME | 2 hrs 40 min | 3 hrs 10 min | 8 hrs 30 min | 89 hrs | – | – |
| IMPACT RESISTANCE | 1 m | |||||
| WATERPROOF | IP68 |
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TK20R V2.0
The Fenix TK20R V2.0 is a multipurpose tactical flashlight with an incredible throw. Its maximum output is 3000 lumens, its maximum beam intensity is 56600 candela, and its cd/lm ratio is 18.87.
This gives the TK20R V2.0 a super intense and very focused beam with a top distance of 475 meters.
The TK20R V2 can be operated quickly and easily. Using the dual tactical tail switches, you can choose between six lighting modes.
It’s durable and rugged, with IP68 dustproof and waterproof ratings. The included high-capacity 5000 mAh Li-ion battery can be conveniently charged through the flashlight’s USB Type-C port.
SPECS
SIZE: 6.02″ x 1.34″ x 1.00″ / 152 x 34 x 25.4 mm WEIGHT: 7.20 oz / 204 g (including battery)
| ANSI/PLATO FL1 | TURBO | HIGH | MEDIUM | LOW | ECO | STROBE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OUTPUT | 3000 lm | 1000 lm | 350 lm | 150 lm | 30 lm | 3000 lm |
| INTENSITY | 56600 cd | 17620 cd | 5860 cd | 2500 cd | 490 cd | – |
| DISTANCE | 475 m | 265 m | 150 m | 100 m | 45 m | – |
| RUNTIME | 2 hrs 50 min | 3 hrs 10 min | 7 hrs | 21 hrs 20 min | 48 hrs | – |
| IMPACT RESISTANCE | 1 m | |||||
| WATERPROOF | IP68 |
USE CODE AFTACTICALGEAR4LIFE AT CHECK OUT FOR %10 OFF ENTIRE PURCHASE
TK20R UE
The TK20R UE is a tactical flashlight with next-level performance. It can throw a maximum of 2800 lumens, a maximum intensity of 53880 candela, and a cd/lm ratio of 19.24.
These numbers combine to give the TK20R UE a max beam distance of 465 meters.
Using the patented FlexiSensa Control, anyone can quickly and easily operate the TK20R UE, choosing between any of the six output modes and three flashlight modes.
Designed for military and law enforcement professionals, the Fenix TK20R UE features tactical and duty modes and the patented dual-function tactical switch.
SPECS
SIZE: 6.05″ x 1.34″ x 1.00″ / 153.7 x 34 x 25.4 mm WEIGHT: 4.76 oz / 135 g (excluding battery)
| TACTICAL MODE | DUTY MODE | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANSI/PLATO FL1 | TURBO | STROBE | TURBO | HIGH | MEDIUM | LOW | LOCK/OFF MODE |
| OUTPUT | 2800 lm | 2800 lm | 2800 lm | 1000 lm | 350 lm | 30 lm | – |
| INTENSITY | 53880 cd | – | 53880 cd | 17880 cd | 5900 cd | 490 cd | – |
| DISTANCE | 465 m | – | 465 m | 275 m | 165 m | 45 m | – |
| RUNTIME | 3 hrs | – | 3 hrs | 3 hrs 15 min | 9 hrs | 40 hrs | – |
| IMPACT RESISTANCE | 1 m | ||||||
| WATERPROOF | IP68 |
USE CODE AFTACTICALGEAR4LIFE AT CHECK OUT FOR %10 OFF ENTIRE PURCHASE
TACTICAL FLASHLIGHT BUYING GUIDE
CANDELA (MAX BEAM INTENSITY)
Regarding tactical flashlights, the CANDELA rating of the flashlight is hands down the MOST IMPORTANT aspect.
What are Candela’s?
The term candela is derived from abbreviating the phrase ‘candle power.’ It is a measure of intensity rather than brightness. A flashlight’s candela rating is the absolute max beam intensity.
Peak beam intensity represents the brightness the eyes perceive. It is related to how focussed the beam is.
Candelas are the most important aspect to look for in a tactical flashlight because if you’re in a tactical situation where you’re dealing with assailants at night, you want the brightest light you can to blind the attackers and give yourself the edge in a confrontation.
Whereas lumens measure light going everywhere, candelas measure light going directly into the attacker’s face.
LUMENS (MAX LIGHT OUTPUT)
The best tactical flashlights are BRIGHT!!! No professional will say some semi-bright, wimpy flashlight is good for a serious tactical situation.
So, how do you figure out how bright a light will be or the maximum light output of a light? You look at the lumens.
Lumens are simply how bright a flashlight or any light source is. They specifically relate to the efficiency of a light source.
Lumens measure visible light from a source, such as a light bulb or LED. The more lumens a source is said to have, the brighter it is.
It is generally agreed upon that a high-quality tactical flashlight will have at least 1000 lumens as a minimum, but you can find them up to around 5000 lumens.
That’s why when I buy a tactical flashlight, I always aim for one with a minimum brightness of 1000 lumens.
If I’m ever in a tactical situation, such as dealing with an assailant, whether on the streets or in my house in the middle of the night, I want him so disorientated he doesn’t know what’s coming next.
At the same time, if I’m in a survival situation in the woods, I want a light that lights up my surroundings like paraflare at 0100.
A bright light will help you mentally and physically thrive and help potential search and rescue find you.
CANDELA TO LUMEN RATIO
The candela per lumen (cd/lm) ratio can be used to determine whether a flashlight has a spot beam or flood beam. Spot beams come from spotlights and have a large cd/lm ratio.
They are useful for lighting up distant objects and blinding potential attackers. However, the beam may be too bright at close range.
Flood beams, which come from floodlights, have a small CD/LM ratio and are great for close-up tasks such as map reading or lighting up large, wide areas like a yard.
They will have less range to see distant objects but much wider spread to see much more in close.
- Work lights are normally less than 10 cd/lm
- Tactical flashlights are normally between 20-100 cd/lm
- Well-focused spot beams are normally 100 cd/lm
FEATURES
When I say features, I’m referring to the different light modes a flashlight offers and the flashlight functionality or ability to easily access the different modes.
Top tier flashlights will generally have a minimum of four separate brightness levels low, medium, high, and turbo.
Sometimes, they may have a fifth brightness level, Eco, which is the absolute lowest level. The best flashlights also have a strobe mode and sometimes an SOS mode.
The turbo and strobe modes are necessary for the best tactical flashlights, and the SOS, although I wouldn’t say it is a necessity, is obviously highly useful in a survival situation.
A direct or instant capability for light modes is also a must for high-quality tactical flashlights. That means, for example, I don’t have to cycle through all four or five light modes before I finally get to the strobe mode.
I have a button that I can push that gives me instant strobe or instant turbo.
Tactically based situations can arise fast and unexpectedly, and you need to be able to react as fast as possible.
BATTERY
The two types of batteries you’ll find in a tactical flashlight are rechargeable, non-disposable batteries and standard AA or AAA alkaline disposable batteries.
Although most high-end flashlight companies have started to move more towards rechargeable flashlights, alkaline flashlights continue to be popular as they meet certain criteria that rechargeable flashlights simply can not.
Neither one is perfect; both rechargeable batteries and alkaline batteries have pros and cons to them.
Rechargeable flashlights are inherently brighter than alkaline ones. Flashlights with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can reach a lumens rating of 2000 up to 100,00.
Now, that’s not to say that alkaline flashlights aren’t bright in their own right; they can reach upwards of 1000 lumens, but as you can see, they’re truly not comparable.
The lumen-to-size ratio is also simply not comparable. To get 1000 plus lumens out of an alkaline flashlight you will be using up to four AA batteries.
That means the flashlight will be bigger and thicker, potentially starting to take it out of the small, compact design that a tactical flashlight must have.
Rechargeable flashlights can produce between 2000 and 5000 lumens and still be small and compact enough to fit easily into the tactical category.
In both brightness and size, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries win.
The only real drawbacks to rechargeable flashlights are the need for electricity and the time it takes to charge them once they die.
That being said, I don’t see these as coming anywhere close to outweighing what you do get from a rechargeable flashlight.
CONSTRUCTION
In order to be considered the best, a tactical flashlight needs to be light but strong and durable. It can’t be breaking or falling apart with the slightest bump or the smallest drop.
I beat the heck out of my equipment when I’m in the field, and before I spend money on something, I need to know that the gear can withstand a beating.
The body should be made of aluminum, with a strike bezel around the light, possibly made of steel. It also needs to have a dust—and water-proof rating of at least IP68.
That means the body is sealed against dust getting in and clogging up the inside. The last is also able to handle being fully submerged in water for around 30 minutes.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Many companies make gear these days that they call tactical. However, most of the gear is not legitimately tactical, so be weary, look closely, and spend wisely.
I took my knowledge and experience from years in the military, as well as from hours of research, and put together this short list of legitimate tactical flashlights that will give you an advantage in any situation.
In features, functionality, and construction, each stands out among the crowd.
Whether you purchase a flashlight here or elsewhere, you need to add a solid tactical flashlight to your gear, as the advantage they offer is invaluable.
The last thing you want is to find yourself in a situation where you need one of these bad boys only to not have one.
It’s better to have one and not need it than to need it and not have one!
For more top tactical flashlights from other companies, check out my other article, “The Best Tactical Flashlights On The Market Now 2023.”
