AllOutdoor Review – The BEST Pistol Lights for the Money $$$ in 2023
Travis Olander 10.13.23
A quality pistol light affords a crucial advantage in low-light situations, especially when paired with your home-defense or EDC pistol. With so many lights on the market today, picking the right under-barrel light ain’t easy. Let’s clear things up a bit – here are our picks for the BEST pistol lights in 2023 that your hard-earned money can buy you to complete your competition or carry handgun.
Light Coverage on AllOutdoor
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Streamlights have long been the favored choice for law enforcement and military personnel when it comes to weapon lights, and the TLR-1 HL is no exception. It’s arguably the most popular pistol light on our list, and it’s our #1 pick because of its brightness and beam distance, and its overall reliability. It’s tough as nails and fully waterproof, and the large, ambidextrous switch allows for quick and easy activation. While it may be too large for concealed carry in some holsters, it excels when fitted to any home defense or duty pistol.
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If the TLR-1 HL is too big, consider the Streamlight TLR-7A: It strikes a balance between compactness and performance, without sacrificing durability. It’s perfect for concealed carry, offering sufficient brightness in a small package that fits neatly on most compacts and subcompacts. The TLR-7A’s a great choice if you’re looking to enhance your EDC setup without adding bulk or limiting your holster options.
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The Streamlight TLR-2 has it all: High brightness at 1,000 lumens, an adjustable laser, the same rugged housing and tough glass you’d expect on a larger Streamlight, long battery life – and a high price to match. Expect to drop at least $300 on this little light-and-laser combo. But in exchange, you’re getting the performance of the TLR-1 in a package that’s sized like the -7A. Plus, lasers are just cool.
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OLIGHT’s a relatively new name in the pistol light game, but their PL-mini 2 Valkyrie has earned favor among shooters for its reliability, good brightness, and unique power solution. Its quick-release mount makes installation simple, and the rechargeable battery uses a magnetic charger that seats externally to the bottom of the light, eliminating the need to even open up the unit. Just set the light on the mag charger overnight, and you’re set for the next day. While it may not fit all handguns due to its unique rail mount, it is an excellent choice for those looking for a compact EDC pistol light under $100.
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The OLIGHT Baldr Mini is basically a PL-Mini 2 with an integrated green laser for extra targeting and cool points. It’s about a feather heavier and it sacrifices some runtime on the LED light, even when the laser’s not on. But it’s priced affordably for any laser-light combo, and it provides the same recharging feature as its light-only sibling.
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The SureFire’s yet another name trusted by law enforcement and military units. This writer ran a SureFire on his service rifle for eight years, and it took all the abuse and rain I threw at it without blinking. The X300 Ultra fits the bill as a bombproof pistol light with exceptional brightness, long runtime, and far beam distance. Its TIR lens produces a light temperature that’s optimized for human vision, improving clarity. While it may be larger and heavier than other entrants on our list, it offers second-to-none reliability for “SHTF” insurance.
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The Crimson Trace CMR-209 offers a budget-friendly option in a super small package. While the light output may not be as high as most competitors, the CMR-209 adds the least weight and bulk to your pistol, making it perfect the smallest subcompact guns on the market. It’s optimized for concealed carry and its Picatinny mount ensures it’s compatible with most pistols on the market. Not too sure about any of our top picks? We couldn’t cover every pistol light! See our review of SureFire’s new XR2 Ultra-Compact Pistol Light, seen first at SHOT Show 2023.
