7 Best Pistol Light Choices in 2024 [Hands-On Review]

Weapon-mounted pistol lights are all the rage these days. Some reputable instructors even go as far as calling a weapon light a necessity. There is good news and bad news about pistol lights. The good news is there are tons of them! The bad news is there are tons of them! You have options, lots of options. However, with lots of options comes a fair bit of confusion. To help you wade through this confusing mass of weapon lights, we are here to guide you along the way with our list of 7 best pistol light choices. Let’s dive in!

Why You Need a WML

Do you need a Weapons Mounted Light (WML)? It’s really up to you. But having one can be a game-changer in tight spots. Before pulling the trigger, you’ve got to know what you’re shooting at. A WML helps with that, especially in the chaos of a home intrusion.

It’s not just about blinding the bad guys for a moment, but also about making sure you’re not firing at shadows. Plus, being able to use it with one hand frees up your other hand for whatever else you might need to do – like holding onto your kid or keeping steady behind the wheel.

Sure, it doesn’t replace a handheld light, but it’s definitely a useful addition to your toolkit for navigating low-light scenarios.

Weapon Light Sizes

Handgun lights come in three different sizes. They match the size of most handguns in many ways.

Full Size: Full-size lights offer strong power, combining lumens and candela for a long-reaching beam, perfect for larger firearms. Their longer build ensures they clear the barrel, avoiding shadows. But when fitted on compact handguns, they can make them feel heavier and bulkier.

Compact Weapon Lights: Compact weapon lights, tailored for popular models like the Glock 19, prioritize compatibility with shorter barrels. While they may not be as powerful or have as long a reach as full-size lights, they’re easier to conceal and more comfortable for everyday carry.

Subcompact Lights: Subcompact lights represent the latest tech in small, lightweight options. They’re even smaller and lighter, though they sacrifice some power. While there’s no set standard yet, they cater to the tiniest firearms with rails, carving out a new niche in weapon light options.

How I Chose the Best Pistol Light

As a former Marine with decades of shooting experience, I’ve come to see just how important a reliable pistol light is for serious shooters. But I wanted this guide to be more than just my take. So, I reached out to some friends who are professionals in the field. Their insights, combined with my own, helped shape this list of the best pistol lights.

In putting this together, I looked at key factors like brightness, range, battery life, and value—things that really matter for performance. I also got some great suggestions on the best pistol light brands from my network.

I know choosing a pistol light is a personal decision, depending on what you need it for. With that in mind, I’ve ranked the best options by category to help you find the right fit. I’ve also included a buyer’s guide to help you make a more informed choice.

Best Pistol Lights

Best Pistol Lights by Category

Best Overall Surefire X300U		Bright and Powerful Durable and Proven Choice of Armed Professionals	Check Price
Best Budget Streamlight TLR-1		Excellent mix of candela and lumens Affordable but durable design Constant, Momentary, and Strobe modes	Check Price
Best Compact Streamlight TLR-7		Fits Flush with the barrel of Glock 19 sized firearms Excellent size to power ratio Affordable and well designed	Check Price
Best Subcompact Surefire XSC		Constant 350 lumens Small enough for Micro Compacts Surefire quality and durability	Check Price
Best For The Money Inforce Wild 2		Class-leading 30K Candela Durable aluminum design Excellent price	Check Price
Best Combo Streamlight TLR-8		Easy to install Amazing Brightness Great Battery Life	Check Price
The Wildcard Thyrm And Surefire Fury		Perfect for non railed guns Handheld light with a no-compromise firearm’s grip Dual fuel battery design	Check Price

Best Pistol Lights by Category

If you know what you’re looking for, feel free to use the links below to jump to any part of this article!

1. Surefire X300U – Best Overall
2. Streamlight TLR-1 – Best Budget
3. Streamlight TLR-7 – Best Compact
4. Surefire XSC – Best Subcompact
5. Inforce Wild 2 – Best for the Money
6. Streamlight TLR-8 – Best Laser/Light Combo
7. Thyrm and Surefire Fury – The Wildcard Option

Specs Comparison of the Best Pistol Lights

Best Pistol Light Reviews

There are a lot of pistol lights on the market these days. So, which one should you buy to add to your tactical gear? Below, we’ve put together a list of the six best pistol lights currently available. We’ll be taking a look at features, performance, and value to help you make the best decision for your needs.

So, let’s get started!

Surefire X300U Review

First up with our Best Overall, the good ole U Boat is a full-sized weapon light that packs a ton of power. The Surefire X300 packs 1,000 lumens and 11,300 candela to shine a way forward.

Surefire, as a company, has a reputation for making bombproof weapon lights which I love, and the X300U is no different. Outside of the light’s power, it provides armed professionals and concealed carriers with a no-fail weapon light.

I find the X300U really strong, durable, and shockproof to an insane degree. It’s also IPX7 waterproof which is great if the rain sets in.

I also liked the mounting system, which features the same housing as other models in the series. It is designed to quickly attach to picatinny and universal rails with a secure aluminum body.

The light is a cool white light that shines well beyond most people’s means to make an accurate handgun shot.

This is a great tactical flashlight addition to my kit and I love how the Surefire X300 beam cuts through the darkness, overrides photonic barriers, and even gives smoke and fog a run for its money.

We have a more in-depth look at the Surefire X300U in our individual review article which can be found HERE!

Surefire X300U Pros and Cons

Streamlight TLR-1 HL Review

The TLR-1 HL packs 1,000 lumens and a powerful 12,000 candela, delivering a concentrated beam with peripheral illumination. This combination gives you a focused hotspot to identify threats at a distance while still providing enough light around the edges to maintain situational awareness.

The Streamlight TLR-1 is equipped with a wider beam that fills your vision at shorter ranges, giving you excellent peripheral vision. This makes it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, where quick target acquisition is crucial.

One feature that stands out is the user-programmable strobe, allowing you to toggle between a steady beam or a disorienting strobe mode. This can be an effective tool in low-light defense scenarios, adding another layer of tactical advantage.

The Streamlight TLR-1 is IPX7 rated, so it can be submerged up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The main body is made from aluminum and is shock and dustproof. The TLR-1 has a great reputation for durability, but I haven’t tested it anywhere near as much as the X300U.

The bright beam really fills a room up with light, making searching and detecting threats easier and more rapid. From concealed carry to home defense, the TLR-1 HL has your back and does so at about half the price of the X300U.

When I’m looking for a reliable option for a mounted flashlight on my pistol, this pistol light is a solid choice.

We also have an individual review on the TLR-1 which can be found HERE!

Streamlight TLR-1 HL Pros and Cons

Streamlight TLR-7 Review

Next up is my Best Compact Pistol option. Do you carry a compact piece that needs a compact handgun light? Well, Streamlight has you covered with the TLR-7. The TLR-7 pistol light is my personal everyday carry (EDC) light on my CZ P-10C.

The Streamlight TLR 7 packs 500 lumens of warm light with the same widespread beam as the TLR-1. Albeit, it’s a bit less powerful. With 5,000 candela, you aren’t getting a searchlight from this weapon.

Within typical concealed carry and home defense range, the TLR-7 is powerful enough for a mounted flashlight.

The TLR-7 weighs only 2.4 ounces and is 2.15 inches long, making it insanely small and compact for the power it packs.

The TLR-7 is still IPX-7 rated to resist submersion for 1.5 hours at 1 meter. The TLR-7 is quite durable and is well-suited for concealed carry. This compact pistol light packs a powerful punch and comes at an excellent price.

A Streamlight TLR-7 Review can be found here.

Streamlight TLR-7 Pros and Cons

Surefire XSC Review

The XSC Micro Compact fits on guns as small as the Springfield Hellcat and provides a consistent 350 lumen.

Admittedly the 2,000 candela leaves you a little low on the range side, but it’s still the most consistently powerful light in the subcompact range.

Like any Surefire product, the XSC is made to last and will kick it day after day without issue making it a great choice for a mounted flashlight.

The XSC packs a rechargeable battery, which allows the size to stay small and the power to stay high.

Going with a disposable battery in this gun light would mean an increase in size or a loss in power. The Surefire XSC’s battery is removable, and replacement batteries are also available. This somewhat solves the issue of a dead battery when you still need light to rock and roll with.

For a further look at this light, read our Surefire XSC review.

Surefire XSC Pros and Cons

Inforce Wild2 Review

When you’re looking for the best value for money, look no further than the Inforce Wild 2 which blasts out 1,000 lumens of light backed by a potent 30,000 candela. That kind of performance is rare in the pistol light world.

The Wild 2 pistol flashlight is made from aluminum and is designed to be durable. It’s dust, shockproof, and waterproof, up to 66 meters. The Wild 2 is powered by two CR123 batteries and will run for 1.5 hours.

The Inforce Wild 2 is still priced below, and I mean way below, the Surefire X300U. It’s not as cheap as the Streamlight but performs better. The Wild 2 is a full-sized weapon light that might be reasonably new to the market but seems to be making a big splash in the best pistol light space.

For the Inforce Wild2 individual review, you’ll find it HERE!

Inforce Wild2 Pros and Cons

Streamlight TLR-8 Review

Coming in as our light/laser combo, the Streamlight TLR-8 pistol light is a powerful and versatile addition to any handgun.

Featuring a bright, focused beam that provides excellent visibility in low-light conditions, this pistol light enables you to quickly and easily aim your handgun at targets with confidence.

Additionally, the pistol light is rugged and durable, with an impact-resistant construction that can withstand drops and other impacts without losing functionality.

Whether you’re looking for an upgrade to your existing pistol or are in the market for a new one, I would recommend looking at the Streamlight TLR 8 pistol light as it’s an excellent choice.

For a more in-depth review, be sure to check out the Streamlight TLR-8 Review here.

TLR-8 Pros and Cons

Thyrm and Surefire Fury Review

I wanted to throw in a wildcard option in our pistol lights list. So, let’s say you have a Glock 43, a Walther PPS M2, a J frame revolver, or a pocket 380 ACP. Not a whole lotta room to add a pistol light there. So what does a concealed carrier to do? Well, a little company called Thyrm makes a device called the Switchback.

The Switchback is designed to attach to the Surefire Fury and add a ring to the light to allow for an easy grip on the light while gripping your handgun.

The Thyrm Switchback is a simple device that allows you to engage a handheld light without compromising the shooting grip on your gun.

The Surefire Fury is like any other Surefire light and is made to be durable and bright to add to your duty gear. It packs 1,500 lumen and can be powered by a rechargeable battery or two CR123A batteries.

The Fury, combined with the Switchback, gives you a potent and powerful option when you have a gun that’s not exactly compatible with traditional weapon lights.

For an individual review on this light, read about it some more HERE.

Thyrm and Surefire Fury Pros and Cons

Best Pistol Light – Buyer’s Guide

Before you dive into buying a light for your handgun, there are a few considerations you need to make. Choosing the right light should be done with an understanding of how it works. If you are just taking my suggestions, you may find yourself with a light that doesn’t suit your lifestyle or gun.

Here are some factors to consider before you buy a pistol light:

• Weight and Length
• Holster Compatability
• Controls
• Lumens and Candela
• Durability Concerns
• Other Factors

Factors To Consider When Buying a Pistol Light

Weight and Length: Adding a light to your gun means considering how it affects the weight and dimensions. While it might not bother a bigger person much, it can be a real annoyance for someone smaller. Take measurements and imagine how it’ll feel with your weapon, especially if it’s a compact pistol.

Holster Compatibility: Don’t forget about finding a holster that fits both your gun and light. Luckily, more companies are making holsters for light-bearing firearms, so you have options for different carry styles.

Controls: Make sure the controls on your light are easy to reach and use comfortably. Look for switches that won’t let you down when you need them most. The lights listed in my selection are known to have great switches, and they don’t fail the user. The lights listed in my selection are known to have great switches, and they don’t fail the user. Lights like the Olight PL Pro have switches that can be disabled when something gets between the switch and the light’s body.

Lumens and Candela: Lumens and Candela work together to create a bright and potent beam. While lumens measure how much light is emitted and candela represent usable light, higher counts in both result in a brighter light with a greater range. Smaller concealed carry lights typically prioritize high lumens and low candela for close engagements. However, in the same light, combining high lumens and high candela can suit duty and full-size handguns, providing an extended range of bright light. While this may require a bigger and heavier light, there’s no downside to opting for higher counts in the same light if the need is for both brightness and range.

Durability Concerns: Anything you carry for defensive use needs to be durable, well-made, and relirable. Duty and concealed carry guns need to be reliable, as does anything else strapped to the gun. Without a proven background in law enforcement and military use, you should definitely pay closer attention to the pistol light’s IP rating.

An IP rating (IP ratings explained) is a score given to something that helps describe just how tough it really is. You’ll often find this score on various optics such as binos, spotting scopes, riflescopes, and weapon lights. 

Other Factors and Features

When looking for your pistol light, you’ll often run across other advertised features. While some of them are blatant gimmicks, others can be quite nice.

Is It Waterproof?

Your light should handle at least splashes and ideally be fully waterproof. You never know when you’ll get caught in the rain, and electronics don’t mix well with water. A reliable light won’t leave you stranded when you need it most.

Shockproof?

Life’s full of bumps and tumbles. Your light should be sturdy enough to handle accidental knocks and the jolts of firing your weapon with it attached. It’s all part of ensuring your gear can keep up with your lifestyle.

Aluminum or Polymer?

While polymer has its perks, like in handgun design, pay close attention to durability. Opt for lights with aluminum rail attachments to avoid potential issues. Reputation matters too, so look into the construction quality of each option.

Light It Up

Is a pistol light a necessary requirement for concealed carry? That’s a debatable topic. For home defense, a white light is a must-have. The good news is lights come in various sizes, price ranges, and configurations. You can find the right light for home defense, self-defense, concealed carry, or whatever other goals you are trying to accomplish.

Best Pistol Light – FAQs

What are the different sizes of pistol lights available?

Pistol lights come in full-size, compact, and subcompact variants to match different handgun sizes. Full-size lights offer the most power and range but add more weight and bulk. Compact and subcompact lights are smaller and lighter, making them suitable for concealed carry.

Can the light head affect the performance of a pistol light?

The design and quality of the light head significantly impact the performance of a pistol light. A well-designed light head can provide optimal brightness, beam intensity, and heat management, resulting in better visibility and durability.

What should I consider when choosing a pistol light for compact pistols?

When choosing a pistol light for compact pistols, prioritize factors such as compatibility with your handgun’s rail system, size and weight that won’t impede concealability, and sufficient brightness and beam intensity for effective illumination.

How do I choose a pistol light with a good rail clamp system?

When choosing a pistol light, look for models with a robust rail clamp system that fits your firearm’s rail size. Consider options with quick-release mechanisms for ease of attachment and removal, and ensure the clamp system is made of durable materials to withstand recoil and rough handling.