The best pistol light
Quick answer: the Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X USB (around $180) is the best pistol light for most handguns. It is a compact 2.90 inch light that Streamlight rates at 1,100 lumens and 23,000 candela on the USB-C rechargeable pack in the box, and it still runs on a single CR123A. For a full-size duty or nightstand gun, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL puts out 1,000 lumens with a 1.5 hour rated runtime (to 10% output). For a Glock 43X or a Sig P365, buy the Streamlight TLR-7 X Sub in the version made for your pistol. The TLR-7X Flex is the value compact, and the Holosun P.ID (around $110) is the budget pick, with trade-offs we spell out below.
A weapon light lets you identify what you are pointing at in the dark before you decide anything else. Three things separate the good ones: how far the beam reaches (candela, not just lumens), whether it fits your exact pistol and a holster, and how it is powered. Every light below is a rail-mounted light we checked against the maker's own specification sheet, and where the retailer's listing disagrees with the maker, we say so and print the maker's figure.
Pistol lights compared
| Light | Best for | Lumens | Candela | Runtime | Battery | Length | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X USB | Most pistols | 1,100 (SL-B9) / 550 (CR123A) | 23,000 / 11,000 | 30 min high (SL-B9) / 1.5 hr (CR123A) | SL-B9 included, or CR123A | 2.90 in | 2.88 oz | around $180 |
| Streamlight TLR-1 HL | Full-size | 1,000 | 20,000 | 1.5 hr | 2x CR123A | 3.39 in | 4.32 oz | around $180 |
| Streamlight TLR-7 X Sub | Glock 43X/48, Sig P365 | 550 (CR123A) / 725 (SL-B9) | 5,000 / 7,700 | 1.5 hr (CR123A) | CR123A included | 2.51 in | 2.39 oz | around $150 |
| Streamlight TLR-7X Flex | Value compact | 550 (CR123A) / 725 (SL-B9) | 7,200 / 9,500 | 1.5 hr (CR123A) | CR123A included | 2.58 in | 2.48 oz | around $160 |
| Holosun P.ID | Budget | 1,000 | 23,000 | Up to 1 hr (retailer) | 18350 included | 3.2 in | 5 oz | around $110 |
| SureFire X300 Ultra | Premium full-size | 1,000 | 11,300 | 1.25 hr | 2x 123A | 3.76 in | 4.0 oz | Shown in cart |
Specifications from each maker's own specification sheet or product page (Streamlight, SureFire, Holosun), except the P.ID runtime, which only the retailer lists. Where two battery types are shown, the first one is the battery in the box. Prices are bands; confirm the current price and availability on the retailer page before you buy.
Our picks
Best pistol light overall: Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X USB
1,100 lm and 23,000 cd on the included SL-B9 pack · 550 lm on a CR123A · 2.90 in · 2.88 oz · high and low rear paddles · IPX7
around $180exact price on OpticsPlanet
This is the light to buy for most handguns. Streamlight rates the TLR-7 HL-X at 1,100 lumens and 23,000 candela on the SL-B9 USB-C rechargeable pack that comes in the box, which is more peak beam than the full-size TLR-1 HL gets from a body half an inch longer. When the pack is flat it runs on a single CR123A at 550 lumens, so a spare cell in a drawer keeps it working. Two sets of rear paddle switches, high and low, come in the box and swap in seconds, and a safe-off setting prevents accidental activation. Owners report it on the Glock 19, 17 and 45, the Walther PDP and the Springfield Echelon, and the TLR-7 HL-X also appears on the National Tactical Officers Association Member Tested and Recommended Program list, reviewed November 2024. The catch is runtime: full output is rated for 30 minutes, so treat it as a defensive light rather than a work light.
Pros
- 1,100 lumens and 23,000 candela on the included SL-B9 pack, the strongest beam of any Streamlight on this page
- Multi-fuel: the USB-C rechargeable pack is in the box, and a single CR123A runs it when the pack is flat
- High and low rear paddle switches both included; one owner swapped to the low set to clear his trigger finger
- Compact at 2.90 in and 2.88 oz with the pack, IPX7 waterproof, and a limited lifetime warranty from Streamlight
Cons
- Full output is a sprint: Streamlight rates 30 minutes on high with the SL-B9, or 1 hour if you program it to 550 lumens
- On a CR123A it runs at 550 lumens and 11,000 candela, half the headline output
- At 2.90 in it is 0.32 in longer than a TLR-7 X, so it needs a holster molded for the HL-X; one owner had to buy a new one
- Owners mention the head getting hot during long use and runtime being short
Best for: a compact or full-size pistol with a standard rail (Glock 19, Glock 17, Walther PDP, Springfield Echelon) that should get the most beam from the least size. For a Glock 43X or a standard P365, go to the TLR-7 X Sub instead.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Streamlight |
|---|---|
| Output (SL-B9 pack) | 1,100 lumens, 23,000 candela, 303 m (programmable to 550 lumens) |
| Output (CR123A) | 550 lumens, 11,000 candela, 210 m |
| Runtime | 30 min on high (SL-B9) · 1 hr programmed (SL-B9) · 1.5 hr (CR123A) |
| Battery | SL-B9 USB-C rechargeable pack (included) or 1x CR123A |
| Length | 2.90 in |
| Weight | 2.88 oz with SL-B9 |
| Switch | Ambidextrous rear paddles, high and low sets included, momentary and constant on, programmable strobe |
| Waterproof | IPX7 (1 m for 30 minutes) |
| Warranty | Streamlight limited lifetime |
| Model on this card | 69458, Black |
“i've owned a lot of streamlight weapon lights in the past few years and this is the best compact one so far. its as bright as a tlr1-hl and about 2/3 the size.”
cb, owner (AZ) via OpticsPlanet
Best full-size pistol light: Streamlight TLR-1 HL
1,000 lm · 20,000 cd · 283 m · 1.5 hr · 2x CR123A · 3.39 in · 4.32 oz
around $180exact price on OpticsPlanet
This is the full-size light for a duty-size pistol or a nightstand gun that never gets concealed. Its advantage over the compact HL-X is endurance: Streamlight gives it a 1.5 hour rated runtime (to 10% output) at 1,000 lumens on two CR123A cells, three times the HL-X rating on high. The box carries rail keys for Glock-style, Picatinny, Beretta 90two, S&W SW99/TSW and SIG P320 rails, and the switch is an ambidextrous momentary or steady toggle with a strobe you can turn on or off. It has the deepest owner record on this page, and the retailer lists it as fitting existing light-bearing holsters. What you give up is size: at 3.39 in and 4.32 oz it is a lot of light to carry inside a waistband, and the smaller HL-X actually throws more candela on its rechargeable pack.
Pros
- 1,000 lumens with a 1.5 hour rated runtime (to 10% output), three times the TLR-7 HL-X rating on high
- Rail keys in the box for Glock-style, Picatinny, Beretta 90two, S&W SW99/TSW and SIG P320 rails
- The deepest owner record here: 4.8/5 from 415 reviews on OpticsPlanet
- CR123A cells store for 10 years, so a spare set is always ready
Cons
- Big for concealed carry at 3.39 in and 4.32 oz; one owner calls it bulkier than expected
- Runs on two CR123A cells only, with no rechargeable option
- Less peak beam (20,000 candela) than the smaller TLR-7 HL-X on its SL-B9 pack (23,000)
- The most repeated low-star complaint, across several years, is the rear battery cap coming apart
Best for: a full-size pistol (Glock 17, M&P, P320 full size) on a home-defense or duty role where runtime and holster choice matter more than size. For carry, the TLR-7 HL-X is smaller and brighter at the center.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Streamlight |
|---|---|
| Output | 1,000 lumens, 20,000 candela, 283 m |
| Runtime | 1.5 hr |
| Battery | 2x CR123A (included) |
| Length | 3.39 in |
| Weight | 4.32 oz |
| Switch | Ambidextrous momentary/steady, programmable strobe |
| Rail keys | Glock-style, Picatinny, Beretta 90two, S&W SW99/TSW, SIG P320 |
| Waterproof | IPX7 (1 m for 30 minutes) |
| Warranty | Streamlight limited lifetime |
| Model on this card | 69260, Black |
“I have 2 of these on different weapons, and they’re just about perfect. Nice and bright, robust, and easy to operate”
Andrew Wilks, owner (NM) via OpticsPlanet
Best for Glock 43X and Sig P365: Streamlight TLR-7 X Sub
550 lm and 5,000 cd on the included CR123A · 725 lm on an optional SL-B9 · 2.51 in · 2.39 oz · pistol-specific models
around $150exact price on OpticsPlanet
Slim subcompacts do not have a standard rail, so they need a light built for them, and this is it. Streamlight sells the TLR-7 X Sub in versions for specific pistols: model 69400 for the Glock 43X and 48 (MOS and rail) and model 69401 for the Sig P365 and P365 XL closed rail. Both sit on the same OpticsPlanet listing, and the price on this card is the Glock version, so pick the variant for your gun before you check out. At 2.51 in and 2.39 oz it is the smallest light here. It runs 1.5 hours on the CR123A in the box, or takes an optional SL-B9 rechargeable pack for 725 lumens. Streamlight rates it at 550 lumens on a CR123A; the retailer listing still says 500, and we print the maker figure. The honest limit is throw: 5,000 candela is enough for a room, not a long yard.
Pros
- Made for slim subcompacts: version 69400 for the Glock 43X/48 and 69401 for the Sig P365/P365 XL closed rail
- The smallest light here at 2.51 in and 2.39 oz with a CR123A
- Multi-fuel: 1.5 hours on a CR123A, or 725 lumens on an optional SL-B9 rechargeable pack
- High and low rear paddle switches and a safe-off setting against accidental activation
Cons
- You must order the version for your exact pistol; the card price is the Glock 43X/48 version
- This version ships with a CR123A, not the rechargeable pack, which is sold separately
- Two owners in early 2024 reported the thin mounting screw breaking and the light falling off
- The least throw of the Streamlights here: 5,000 candela on a CR123A
Best for: a Glock 43X or 48, or a standard Sig P365 or P365 XL, carried concealed. One owner reports it sticking out a little over an inch on his P365, so plan the holster for that.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Streamlight |
|---|---|
| Output (CR123A) | 550 lumens, 5,000 candela, 141 m |
| Output (SL-B9 pack) | 725 lumens, 7,700 candela, 176 m |
| Runtime | 1.5 hr (CR123A) · 1 hr (SL-B9) |
| Battery | 1x CR123A (included) or SL-B9 pack (sold separately) |
| Length | 2.51 in |
| Weight | 2.39 oz with CR123A |
| Switch | Ambidextrous rear paddles, high and low, momentary and constant on, strobe |
| Waterproof | IPX7 (1 m for 30 minutes) |
| Warranty | Streamlight limited lifetime |
| Pistol versions | 69400 Glock 43X/48 MOS and rail · 69401 Sig P365/P365 XL closed rail |
| Model on this card | 69400, Glock 43X/48 |
“Used to carry the surefire 300 X, but this light is way more manageable for concealed carry and easy to use.”
Cowboy, owner (NH) via OpticsPlanet
Best value compact: Streamlight TLR-7X Flex
550 lm and 7,200 cd on the included CR123A · 725 lm and 9,500 cd on an optional SL-B9 · 2.58 in · 2.48 oz · high and low paddles
around $160exact price on OpticsPlanet
This is the cheaper way into a Streamlight compact for a standard rail, and the one to pick when holster choice matters. The TLR-7X Flex is Streamlight's TLR-7 X with both the high and the low rear paddle switches in the box. It is shorter than the HL-X at 2.58 in, and owners report plenty of holsters for it. Read the box carefully, though: this version ships with one CR123A, and the SL-B9 rechargeable pack that unlocks its 725 lumen mode is sold separately. On the CR123A Streamlight rates it at 550 lumens and 7,200 candela for 1.5 hours. The retailer listing quotes 500 lumens and 5,000 candela and a 6.4 oz weight; Streamlight's current fact sheet says 550, 7,200 and 2.48 oz, and those are the figures we use. If you would buy the rechargeable pack anyway, the HL-X includes one and throws much further.
Pros
- The least expensive Streamlight here for standard full-size and compact rails
- Shorter than the HL-X at 2.58 in, and owners report a wide choice of holsters
- Both high and low rear paddle switches in the box, with momentary, constant on and strobe
- On a CR123A it out-throws the TLR-7 X Sub (7,200 vs 5,000 candela) for the same 1.5 hours
Cons
- The SL-B9 rechargeable pack is not in the box; two owners marked it down for exactly that
- On the included CR123A it reaches under a third of the HL-X's 23,000 candela
- The standard Sig P365 needs a Sub model; one owner found this one would not fit his
- Built for indoor distances; one owner calls it "perfectly optimized for 10 yards and closer"
Best for: a Glock 19, Glock 17 or similar railed compact where a wide choice of holsters matters, used mostly indoors. Step up to the HL-X for throw, or down to the X Sub for a slim subcompact.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Streamlight |
|---|---|
| Output (CR123A) | 550 lumens, 7,200 candela, 170 m |
| Output (SL-B9 pack) | 725 lumens, 9,500 candela, 195 m |
| Runtime | 1.5 hr (CR123A) · 1 hr (SL-B9) |
| Battery | 1x CR123A (included) or SL-B9 pack (sold separately) |
| Length | 2.58 in |
| Weight | 2.48 oz with CR123A |
| Switch | Ambidextrous rear paddles, high and low included, momentary and constant on, strobe |
| Waterproof | IPX7 (1 m for 30 minutes) |
| Warranty | Streamlight limited lifetime |
| Model on this card | 69424, Black |
“Very versatile light! Appreciate how compact it is, and there are a lot of holsters available to accommodate this light as well.”
NewNoise, owner (PA) via OpticsPlanet
Best budget pistol light: Holosun P.ID
1,000 lm and 23,000 cd (Holosun rating) · 18350 rechargeable with magnetic USB charging · 3.2 in · 5 oz · IPX8
around $110exact price on OpticsPlanet
The cheapest light here, and on paper it does not give much away. Holosun rates the P.ID at 1,000 lumens and 23,000 candela on high, the same peak beam as the HL-X, with a low mode as well. The 18350 rechargeable cell comes in the box and charges inside the light through a magnetic USB cable, and the 7075-T6 aluminum housing is rated IPX8. The retailer lists up to 60 minutes of runtime; Holosun's own page gives no runtime figure. The trade-offs are real and they are why it is the budget pick rather than a rival for the top spot: it weighs 5 oz, the heaviest light on this page, several owners call the buttons stiff, owners report fewer holsters for it than for the Streamlights, and it has the weakest owner record on this page. A run of dead-on-arrival reviews landed between October 2023 and March 2024; one owner points out that a plastic tab on the battery has to come off first.
Pros
- Holosun rates it at 1,000 lumens and 23,000 candela, the same peak beam as the TLR-7 HL-X
- Rechargeable 18350 cell included, charged inside the light with a magnetic USB cable
- 7075-T6 aluminum housing with an IPX8 waterproof rating
- Owners praise the value; one calls it "easily equal to lights that cost 2x to 3x the price"
Cons
- Heavy at 5 oz, about 1.7 times the TLR-7 HL-X, and owners feel it at the muzzle
- Several owners find the activation buttons stiff
- A cluster of dead-on-arrival reports from October 2023 to March 2024
- Fewer holsters than for the Streamlights, owners report, and the lowest owner rating here
Best for: a range or nightstand pistol on a tight budget where weight and holster choice matter less. If you carry the gun, the TLR-7 HL-X is lighter and has the holster support.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Holosun |
|---|---|
| Output (high) | 1,000 lumens, 23,000 candela |
| Modes | High and low |
| Runtime | Up to 60 min (retailer listing; not stated by Holosun) |
| Battery | 18350 rechargeable (included), magnetic USB charging |
| Dimensions | 3.2 x 1.2 x 1.4 in |
| Weight | 5 oz |
| Housing | 7075-T6 aluminum, hard anodized |
| Waterproof | IPX8 |
| Switch | Ambidextrous, push-forward or push-in |
| Model on this card | P.ID, Black |
“Great build quality and switches feel nice and beefy. Light is very bright. Great light for the price. easily equal to lights that cost 2x to 3x the price.”
Jimothy, owner (TX) via OpticsPlanet
Premium full-size alternative: SureFire X300 Ultra
4.7/5 from 195 reviews on OpticsPlanet · price shown in cart only
The X300 Ultra is the name many owners reach for, and they describe it as solidly built; one calls it bulletproof. What the spec sheet says is more modest than the name: SureFire rates it at 1,000 lumens and 11,300 candela for 1.25 hours on two 123A cells, in a 3.76 inch, 4.0 oz body. That is less peak beam than the Streamlight TLR-1 HL (20,000 candela) and about half the TLR-7 HL-X, in a longer light. The model we read is the X300U-A (black), which attaches to Universal and Picatinny rails (one owner notes it goes on and off without tools) and uses an ambidextrous push and toggle switch. Owners report two recurring frustrations: getting its tight-tolerance mount onto some rails, and a stiff switch. We do not card it: the retailer shows its price only in the cart, and a price we cannot read is a price we cannot keep honest, so it is here as the benchmark the picks above are measured against rather than as a buy button.
“Once it's mounted it fits like a glove - zero wiggle.”
iSurvive, owner (CO) via OpticsPlanet
Which light for your pistol
Fit is decided by the rail, not the brand of light. The pistol lists below come from Streamlight's own compatibility lists (the TLR-7/TLR-8 series list, revised July 2026, and the TLR-7 sub 1913 key list); owner reports are labelled as such.
- Glock 19 and Glock 17. Streamlight lists most full-size and compact railed Glocks for the TLR-7 series, with the UNIV-1 key up to Gen 4 and the 1913-1 key for Gen 5. That covers the TLR-7 HL-X and the TLR-7X Flex. One TLR-7X owner writes: “This fits perfectly on my FDE Glock 19 as the end of the light does not extend past the barrel.” On a Glock 17 used for home defense, the TLR-1 HL adds runtime; it ships with a Glock-style key. Our Streamlight TLR-1 HL review covers what owners report and the battery door complaint.
- Glock 43X and Glock 48. These slimline Glocks are not on the TLR-7 series list. Buy the TLR-7 X Sub version 69400, made for the 43X/48 MOS and rail models.
- Sig P365 and P365 XL. The closed rail needs the TLR-7 X Sub version 69401. It is on the same OpticsPlanet listing as the Glock version, so choose it in the model list. A TLR-7X owner found the standard model would not fit his P365.
- Sig P365 X-Macro. It takes 1913 rail keys, and Streamlight lists it on the regular TLR-7 series list (1913-3 key) and on the TLR-7 sub 1913 key list, so the TLR-7 HL-X and TLR-7X Flex are both options, as is the 1913 version of the X Sub rather than its Glock or P365 versions.
Not listed above? Check your pistol against the maker's compatibility list before you buy, and remember the holster: it has to be molded for your exact gun and light.
How to choose a pistol light
- Candela, then lumens. Lumens measure all the light the head puts out; candela measures the intensity at the center of the beam, which decides how far it reaches. The X300 Ultra and the P.ID are both 1,000 lumen lights, yet they are rated at 11,300 and 23,000 candela.
- Switch. Rear paddle switches (all the Streamlights here) sit left and right of the trigger guard; Streamlight includes high and low paddle shapes so you can match your grip. The SureFire uses a push and toggle switch.
- Battery. CR123A cells store for 10 years and Streamlight rates them down to minus 40 degrees F. The SL-B9 rechargeable pack charges over USB-C in 2.5 hours and is rated for up to 500 cycles, down to minus 4 degrees F. On the HL-X, the pack is also the only way to get full output.
- Holster. Streamlight's own advice is plain: “We do not recommend carry of a TLR equipped firearm without a proper holster.” A light-bearing holster is molded for one gun and one light, so budget for one when you buy the light. For a Glock 19, our best Glock 19 holster guide notes which pick is also sold in light-bearing versions; for everyday carry without a light, see the best concealed carry holster.
How we chose these
This is a research-based roundup, not a hands-on test. We started from the retailer's pistol weapon light category, opened each listing's full model block (every orderable variant, with used and demo units set aside), and read the owner reviews, including the low-star ones. Every specification was then checked against the maker's own specification sheet, product page or compatibility list, and where the retailer disagreed with the maker we used the maker's figure and say so on the card. Our scores are our opinion; owner ratings are shown attributed to the retailer that collected them. See our methodology for how we work.
FAQ
What is the best pistol light?
For most handguns, the Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X USB. It is a compact 2.90 inch light that Streamlight rates at 1,100 lumens and 23,000 candela on its included USB-C rechargeable pack, it runs on a CR123A in a pinch, and its rear paddle switches come in high and low shapes. Choose the TLR-1 HL for a full-size duty gun and the TLR-7 X Sub for a Glock 43X or Sig P365.
Lumens or candela: which matters more on a pistol light?
Both, for different jobs. Lumens are the total light the head puts out, which is what fills a room. Candela is the intensity at the center of the beam, which is what reaches down a hallway or across a yard and cuts through bright surroundings. Two lights with the same lumens can differ a lot: the SureFire X300 Ultra and the Holosun P.ID are both 1,000 lumen lights, rated at 11,300 and 23,000 candela.
What weapon light fits a Glock 43X or a Sig P365?
Both slim pistols need a light made for their rail. Streamlight sells the TLR-7 X Sub in pistol-specific versions: model 69400 for the Glock 43X and 48, and model 69401 for the Sig P365 and P365 XL closed rail. Both are on the same OpticsPlanet listing, so choose the version for your gun. The P365 X-Macro takes 1913 rail keys and appears on the regular TLR-7 series compatibility list.
Do I need a new holster for a weapon light?
Almost always. A light-bearing holster is molded around one pistol and one light, and even lights from the same family differ: the TLR-7 HL-X is 0.32 inches longer than the TLR-7 X, so a holster cut for one may not take the other. Buy the holster for your exact gun and light combination, and do not carry a light-equipped pistol without one.
Should a pistol light be rechargeable or run on CR123A?
A rechargeable pack saves money on cells and, on the TLR-7 HL-X, unlocks full output: 1,100 lumens on the SL-B9 pack against 550 on a CR123A. CR123A cells store for ten years and Streamlight rates them down to minus 40 degrees F, against minus 4 for the SL-B9. Multi-fuel Streamlights take either, so you can run the pack and keep a CR123A as a spare.
Lighting a long gun instead? See our best rifle light picks for the AR-15 and carbines. More for your pistol: best pistol red dot · best red dot for a Glock · best red dot for a Sig P365 · best laser bore sight for a pistol · how we evaluate.