Flashlights are essential tools for professionals, such as law enforcement officers, whose jobs require a dependable illumination tool. Due to lower cost of operation and the convenience of “topping off” batteries between use, rechargeable flashlight systems such as Mag Instrument’s MagCharger and the Streamlight Stinger series have been quite popular. Nowadays, there are a lot more rechargeable systems available from a variety of manufacturers, and with the latest high performance lighting-class LEDs, rechargeable flashlights not only last longer, but also produce more output.

LED-Resource will be taking a closer look at some of the latest mid-sized rechargeable systems, so the goal of this article is to evaluate and compare these offerings and hopefully guide you to picking the right rechargeable flashlight for your needs. This page will be continuously updated with new information (rankings may change with new entries).

Update 10/25/2012: We have updated the format of our tables to make them easier to navigate! Use the scroll bar at the bottom of the table to browse through entries, which are sorted by release date, with the oldest lights farthest right.

Update 2/20/2013: As the number of flashlights in this article increase, it has become sensible to break up the lights into categories. Coming soon…

Quick Links

• Specification Summary – Table of main specifications.
• Comparison Results – Table of rankings and totals.
• Editor’s Choice – Final verdict and note from the editor.

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Specification Summary

Brand Model LED Type Output Modes or Levels Output Intensity Beam Ratio Maximum Battery Runtime Primary Power Source Alternate Power Source Length and Weight Charge Time Charge Options Charge Source Lens/Window Material Body Construction Material Switch Anti-Roll Water-Resistant Warranty Actual Pricing and MSRP Release Date Review Date

Maglite Streamlight Streamlight SureFire LED Lenser Streamlight Streamlight Streamlight SureFire 5.11 Tactical SureFire Maglite LED Lenser Inova 5.11 Tactical Streamlight Streamlight Streamlight Streamlight Pelican MagCharger LED Strion LED HL Stinger DS LED HL UBR Invictus M7RX Stinger DS LED HP Stinger DS LED Strion LED UNR Commander ATAC R1 R1 Lawman ML125 M7R T4 PC3.300 Stinger DS LED HP Strion LED PolyStinger DS LED Stinger DS LED 7060 Cree XM-L2 Cree XM-L Cree XM-L Cree XM-L Cree XM-L Cree XP-G2 Cree XP-G2 Cree XP-G Cree XM-L Cree XP-G Cree XM-L Cree XP-G Cree XR-E Cree XP-G 3 x Cree XP-E Cree XR-E Cree XR-E Cree XR-E Cree XR-E Cree XR-E High, Low, SOS or Strobe High, Medium, Low, Strobe High, Medium, Low, Strobe MaxBlast, Maximum, 8 Output Levels, SOS, Strobe Boost, Power, Dim, Blink, SOS, Strobe High, Medium, Low, Strobe High, Medium, Low, Strobe High, Medium, Low, Strobe High, Medium High, Medium Low, Low, Strobe High, Low, Strobe High, Medium, Low, Strobe High, Low, SOS or Strobe Boost, Power, Dim, Blink, SOS, Strobe High, Medium, Low, Strobe Peak, Standard, Strobe High, Medium, Low, Strobe High, Medium, Low, Strobe High, Medium, Low, Strobe High, Medium, Low, Strobe High 680, 170 500, 250, 175 640, 340, 170 800, 555, 264 to 5 600, 400, 85 350, 175, 85 350, 175, 85 250, 130, 65 800, 500, 140, 30 216, 17 750, 150, 15 186, 47 210, 165, 27 227, 94, 16 200, 70, 150 200, 100, 50 160, 80, 40 185, 95, 45 180, 95, 45 160 43,667 cd 10,000 cd 22,000 cd 30,500 cd 13,800 cd 56,000 cd 24,000 cd 10,000 cd 20,000 cd 4,533 cd 16,000 cd 16,725 cd 13,800 cd 10,000 cd TBD 48,000 cd 10,000 cd 24,000 cd 17,000 cd 16,100 cd 64 cd/lm 20 cd/lm 34 cd/lm 38 cd/lm 23 cd/lm 160 cd/lm 68 cd/lm 40 cd/lm 25 cd/lm 21 cd/lm 21 cd/lm 90 cd/lm 66 cd/lm 44 cd/lm TBD 240 cd/lm 63 cd/lm 130 cd/lm 94 cd/lm 100 cd/lm 4h 30min, 16h 1h, 2h, 3h 30m, 2h 30m 1h 15min, 2h, 4h, 3h 1h 45min, 2h, 3h 45min to 83h 2h, 5h 15min, 8h 30min 2h, 3h 45m, 7h 15m, 5h 30m 2h, 3h 45m, 7h 15m, 5h 30m 2h, 4h, 7h 30m, 5h 30m 2h 15min, 2h 30min, 6h 30min, 23h 3h 15min, 67h, 6h 30min 1h 45min, 5h 15min, 37h 8h 30m, 30h 3h, 12h, 20h 2h 15m, 6h, 48h 32m 13m, 45m, 2h 15m 2h, 3h 45m, 7h 15m, 5h 30m 2h, 4h, 7h 30m, 5h 30m 2h, 3h 45m, 7h 15m, 5h 30m 2h, 3h 45m, 7h 15m, 5h 30m 2h 6.0V NiMH 3,500 mAh 1,000 cycles 3.75V Li-Ion 2,000 mAh 1,000 cycles 3.6V NiMH 2,200 mAh 1,000 cycles 3.6V Li-Ion 2,900 mAh 500 cycles 3.7V Li-Ion 2,200mAh 3.6V NiCd 1,800 mAh 1,000 cycles 3.6V NiCd 1,800 mAh 1,000 cycles 3.75V Li-Ion 2,000 mAh 1000 cycles 3.6V Li-Ion 2,900 mAh 500 cycles 3.7V Li-Ion TBD mAh 500 cycles 3.6V Li-Ion 2,900 mAh 500 cycles 3.6V NiMH 2,500 mAh 1,000 cycles 3.7V Li-Ion 2,200mAh 3.7V Li-Ion 2,150 mAh Capacitor 50,000 cycles 3.6V NiCd 1,800 mAh 1,000 cycles 3.7V Li-Ion 2,000 mAh 500 cycles 3.6V NiCd 1,800 mAh 1,000 cycles 3.6V NiCd 1,800 mAh 1,000 cycles 3.7V Li-Ion 2,200 mAh 500 cycles None None None 2 x 123A Lithium None 3.6V NiMH 2200 mAh 1,000 cycles 3.6V NiMH 2200 mAh 1,000 cycles None 2 x 123A Lithium 2 x 123A Lithium 2 x 123A Lithium 3 x C-cell Alkaline None None None 3.6V NiMH 2200 mAh 1,000 cycles None 3.6V NiMH 2200 mAh 1,000 cycles 3.6V NiMH 2200 mAh 1,000 cycles None 12.6″ 28 oz. 5.9″ 5.2 oz. 8.85″ 12.8 oz. 9.75″ 13.9 oz. 6.14″ 7.4 oz. 9.65″ 14 oz. 8.85″ 12.8 oz. 5.9″ 5.2 oz. 9.4″ 12.0 oz. 5.9″ 6.7 oz. 8.1″ 10.2 oz. 11.1″ 18.4 oz. 6.14″ 7.27 oz. 8″ 9.07 oz. 8.75″ 10 oz. 9.65″ 14 oz. 5.9″ 5.2 oz. 8.64″ 11.9 oz. 8.85″ 12.8 oz. 8.65″ 10.5 oz. TBD hours 3 hours 3.5 to 12 hours 4 hours 5 hours 2.5 hours 2.5 hours 3 hours 4 hours 4 hours 4 hours 2 hours 5 hours 3 hours 90 seconds 2.5 hours 3 hours 2.5 hours 2.5 hours 4-5 hours Cradle Only Cradle Only Cradle and Battery Cable Only Cradle Only Cradle and Battery Cradle and Battery Cradle Only Cable Only Cradle Only Cable Only Battery Only Cradle Only Cradle Only Cradle Only Cradle and Battery Cradle Only Cradle and Battery Cradle and Battery Cradle Only 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V Only 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V and 12V 120V and 12V Polycarbonate Borofloat Glass Anti-Scratch Polycarbonate Anti-Reflective Glass Polycarbonate Anti-Scratch Polycarbonate Anti-Scratch Polycarbonate Borofloat Glass Anti-Reflective Glass Acrylic Anti-Reflective Glass Polycarbonate Polycarbonate Anti-Reflective Glass Polycarbonate Anti-Scratch Polycarbonate Borofloat Glass Anti-Scratch Polycarbonate Anti-Scratch Polycarbonate Acrylic Type III Anodized Aluminum Type II Anodized Aluminum Type II Anodized Aluminum w/ Rubber Grip Type III Anodized Aluminum Type II Anodized Aluminum Type II Anodized Aluminum w/ Rubber Grip Type II Anodized Aluminum w/ Rubber Grip Type II Anodized Aluminum Type III Anodized Aluminum Type II Anodized Aluminum Type III Anodized Aluminum Type II Anodized Aluminum Type II Anodized Aluminum Type III Anodized Aluminum Polymer Type II Anodized Aluminum w/ Rubber Grip Type II Anodized Aluminum Polymer w/ Rubber Grip Type II Anodized Aluminum w/ Rubber Grip Polymer w/ Aluminum Heat Sink Head Tail Head and Tail Tail Tail Head and Tail Head and Tail Tail Tail Tail Head and Tail Head Tail Head Head and Tail Head and Tail Tail Head and Tail Head and Tail Head and Tail No Yes No Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes No Yes No No Yes Yes, IPX4 Yes, IPX4 Yes, IPX4 Yes Yes Yes, IPX4 Yes, IPX4 Yes, IPX4 Yes Yes, IPX4 Yes Yes, IPX4 Yes Yes, IPX4 Yes Yes, IPX4 Yes, IPX4 Yes, IPX4 Yes, IPX4 Yes, IPX4 Lifetime† Lifetime‡ Lifetime‡ Lifetime** 5 Years Lifetime‡ Lifetime‡ Lifetime‡ Lifetime** Lifetime‡ Lifetime** Lifetime† 5 Years 3 Years* Lifetime§ Lifetime‡ Lifetime‡ Lifetime‡ Lifetime‡ Lifetime† ~$130 MSRP: $150 ~$130 MSRP: $200+ ~$140 MSRP: $220+ ~$500 MSRP: $692 ~$250 MSRP: $300 ~$140 MSRP: $170+ ~$120 MSRP: $155+ ~$95 MSRP: $126+ ~$450 MSRP: $595 ~$140 MSRP: $140 ~$350 MSRP: $455 ~$100 MSRP: $120 ~$105 MSRP: $150 ~$110 MSRP: $150 ~$160 MSRP: $160 ~$140 MSRP: $170+ ~$95 MSRP: $126+ ~$120 MSRP: $155+ ~$120 MSRP: $155+ ~$140 MSRP: $210 Dec. 2013 Apr. 2013 Apr. 2013 Feb. 2013 Jan. 2013 Oct. 2012 Oct. 2012 Oct. 2012 Sept. 2012 May 2012 Apr. 2012 Sept. 2011 Jul. 2011 Nov. 2010 Mar. 2010 Oct. 2009 Mar. 2009 Jan. 2009 Jul. 2008 Mar. 2007 TBD TBD 6/5/2013 5/2/2013 2/22/2013 1/14/2013 12/20/2012 11/20/2012 10/15/2012 8/15/2012 4/26/2012 9/20/2011 7/15/2011 3/28/2011 2/24/2011 2/10/2011 6/3/2011 3/21/2011 9/14/2011 3/2/2011

† Lifetime warranty does not include LED or battery.
‡ Lifetime warranty does not include battery or charger. 1-year warranty for battery and charger.
§ Lifetime warranty does not include charger. 1-year warranty for charger.
* 3-year warranty for LED, battery, and switch. Lifetime warranty for materials and workmanship.
** Lifetime warranty includes LED. 2-year warranty for electronics, battery, and charger.

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Comparison Results

Brand Model User Interface Output Beam Pattern Runtime Power Source Alternate Power Size and Weight Charge Time Charge Options Charge Source Lens/Window Body Material Heatsink Switch Switch Feel Anti-Roll Water Resistance Warranty Build Quality Value Total Overall

Maglite Streamlight Streamlight SureFire LED Lenser Streamlight Streamlight Streamlight SureFire 5.11 Tactical SureFire Maglite LED Lenser Inova 5.11 Tactical Streamlight Streamlight Streamlight Streamlight Pelican MagCharger LED Strion LED HL Stinger DS LED HL UBR Invictus M7RX Stinger DS LED HP Stinger DS LED Strion LED UNR Commander ATAC R1 R1 Lawman ML125 M7R T4 PC3.300 Stinger DS LED HP Strion LED PolyStinger DS LED Stinger DS LED 7060 10/10 10/10 10/10 9/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 9/10 10/10 10/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 7/10 8/10 8/10 7/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 10/10 9/10 9/10 7/10 7/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 9/10 8/10 10/10 8/10 8/10 5/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 7/10 8/10 10/10 8/10 8/10 10/10 5/10 5/10 10/10 5/10 5/10 5/10 5/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 5/10 5/10 0/10 5/10 5/10 5/10 5/10 5/10 10/10 9/10 8/10 10/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 9/10 7/10 10/10 10/10 9/10 8/10 10/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 8/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 8/10 8/10 10/10 8/10 8/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 6/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 8/10 6/10 10/10 6/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 9/10 9/10 10/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 10/10 9/10 10/10 9/10 9/10 10/10 10/10 9/10 9/10 10/10 9/10 10/10 9/10 10/10 10/10 9/10 10/10 10/10 9/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 9/10 10/10 6/10 10/10 9/10 6/10 10/10 9/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 9/10 10/10 8/10 6/10 9/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 6/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 10/10 9/10 10/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 8/10 8/10 10/10 9/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 10/10 9/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 8/10 10/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 7/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 20/20 20/20 20/20 20/20 20/20 20/20 20/20 20/20 15/20 20/20 20/20 20/20 20/20 15/20 20/20 20/20 20/20 20/20 20/20 30/30 30/30 25/30 20/30 30/30 30/30 30/30 20/30 15/30 25/30 30/30 30/30 30/30 25/30 30/30 30/30 30/30 30/30 25/30 215 215 214 193 212 214 215 211 198 218 215 194 204 185 210 213 209 212 196 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★

Overall score is weighted on serious drawbacks.
For tactical-sized lights, no points are deducted for lack of a head switch.
For full-sized lights, no points are deducted for lack of a tail switch.

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Editor’s Choice: It’s difficult to put a price on an equipment investment, so from a technical perspective, our top picks are: Streamlight Stinger DS LED/LED HP/LED HL and SureFire R1 Lawman. While the SureFire R1 Lawman is our top pick, the Streamlight Stinger DS LED/LED HP/LED HL is a much more budget-friendly choice. Other great choices for more specific requirements include the Maglite ML125, Streamlight Strion LED, SureFire UBR Invictus, and SureFire UNR Commander.

Each flashlight in our round-up were carefully selected for review, and all of them are excellent in their own right. We hope that this article has helped identify the right rechargeable flashlight system for you!