SHOT Show is wild, and chances are, if there’s a product you’re looking for, you’ll find it in Vegas. Heck, I saw a belt-fed grenade launcher mounted on a drone. Two, actually. But while all that is fun, I had a job to do. I put the distractions aside and searched out products that are a bit more practical, like flashlights.
Everyone needs a flashlight, whether you’re a hunter, a shooter, or a camping enthusiast. The list goes on and on. The point is, flashlights are handy, and SHOT Show is oddly where many of the top names in the flashlight game release the latest and greatest.
Over a couple of days in Vegas, I ran all over the multi-building showroom floor looking for the best new beams. After what was probably an ungodly number of steps, here are the top flashlights of SHOT Show 2026.
It’s also worth noting that I haven’t tested any of these lights extensively. These are just my thoughts from briefly playing with them on the showroom floor.
Large Flashlights at SHOT Show 2026
Coast Longshot L50R
Of all of the flashlights I saw at SHOT show, I’m most excited about the Coast Longshot L50R. It’s a spotlight capable of throwing 5,000 lumens up to 1 km away. That may sound overkill, but fortunately, it also has a floodlight, which is handier for everyday outdoor use.
Prop it up on the attached kickstand, or hang it from the hook, and you have a pretty sweet camp light that’s also capable of spotlighting at over a half a mile away. Or, you can have both lights turned on at the same time. That in itself makes it pretty killer.
But there’s a kicker: it floats. Yep, that’s right, it’s not only IPX67-rated, but it will also stay on the surface if it ends up in the drink.
That makes it the perfect flashlight for a wide range of users. Whitewater rafters, fishermen, and duck hunters all need one on board their boats. The light hasn’t officially hit the market yet, and there is a smaller version with a 2,500-lumen output. Both will retail for under $100. Seems like a screaming deal to me.
Acebeam X30
The Acebeam X30 caught my attention with its impressive 20,000-lumen max output, reaching up to 600 m, while remaining relatively small. No, it certainly won’t fit in your pocket, but thanks to the included pocket clip, it will sit comfortably on your belt or a backpack strap.
Due to its handheld size, it won’t hold the 20,000-lumen beam for long. In turbo mode, it holds the extremely powerful beam for about 20 seconds, and then drops to 3,000 lumens. It can operate in that mode for 2 hours. At more reasonable light levels of 500 lumens and 200 lumens, the flashlight will stay powered on for 11 hours and 23 hours, respectively.
The user interface is simple, with both a tail switch and a side switch for switching between the three light modes: constant light, red light, and strobe mode. It’s rechargeable via a USB-C charging port and comes with two 21700 tabless batteries.
Don’t get me wrong, I love small EDC lights. But for extended use like multi-night camps, they just don’t cut it. I like the X30 because it promises to be a perfect fit for those who need a bit more power and battery life, but still want a reasonably sized light. It’s the happy medium between EDC and a spotlight.
The X30 will be available to ship in February and retails for $209.
EDC Flashlights at SHOT Show 2026
Nitecore EDC09
One of the handiest flashlights I saw at SHOT show 2026 was the Nitecore EDC09. There are a few things that make it so useful, most notably the pivoting head, which rotates 102 degrees, ensuring you can point the light exactly where you want. The rear of the flashlight also has a magnet in it, which, in conjunction with the rotating head, makes it one of the better hands-free flashlights I’ve seen.
The head is stiff enough to stay locked in place but rotates smoothly with a small amount of pressure from the user. Nitecore claims the head has been tested to 10,000 rotations with no issues, so you can trust it won’t fail prematurely.
As far as illumination goes, it’s no slouch. The 4.25-inch, 4.02-ounce light has a max output of 1,600 lumens with a throw of 153 m. In turbo mode, it has a battery life of 2 hours and 15 minutes; although, after a short burst, the light will begin to dim from the maximum lumen output.
At a more reasonable light level of 200 lumens, the battery will last for almost 3 hours. At its lowest setting of 50 lumens, it will stay powered for 13 hours. The light has three temperature modes, which can be cycled through by pressing the “M” button on the side.
The light includes a four-light LED battery life display, an IPX6 rating, and is drop-resistant up to 2 m. This particular light was released in December and is available now for $70.
While at the booth, I also checked out the slightly less new EDC17, which has similar specs but lacks a rotating head and ditches different temperature modes in favor of an LED light, UV light, and a laser pointer for $95.
Acebeam K1
Or, if the Nitecore EDC09 or EDC17 are a bit too high-dollar for you, check out the Acebeam K1. It’s another small (4.33 inches, 2.7 ounces) three-light source flashlight I saw at the show. All versions of the K1 have a 1,000-lumen LED light, laser, and UV light, and retail for $55. You can get versions with a red or green laser, or drop another 35 bucks to get one with a blue laser, if that’s your thing.
The user interface couldn’t be easier. You turn the light on and off and cycle through the brightness levels by pressing the tail button. To switch between light functions, turn the ring on the light’s head. There are little diagrams of the modes and an arrow pointing to which mode you’re on.
When fully charged and set to high, the light emits 1,000 lumens for 1 minute, drops to 600 lumens (30 minutes), and then drops to 110 lumens (30 minutes). On medium mode, it emits 200 lumens for 2 hours and 40 minutes. On low, the light lasts 60 hours.
I’ve been packing this light around since SHOT Show, and it’s performed well so far. The compact size and multiple lights make it a pretty sweet little flashlight for the money.
Fenix LD30 Renegade
In terms of run time, the Fenix LD30 Renegade was one of the more impressive EDC flashlights I saw at SHOT show 2026. No, it doesn’t have lasers, UV lights, a tilting head, or magnets. But, this 4.16-ounce, 4.58-inch flashlight will last an impressive 10 hours when emitting 200 lumens. And, it can shoot up to 1,800 lumens for short periods in burst mode.
There are five lighting modes, each with a different run time, and all are quite good given the compact size. In eco mode, it lasts for over 250 hours. It’s easy to cycle through modes by pressing the side switch after turning the light on with the tail switch. A light on the side switch indicates the battery’s charge level.
All that is great, but the best part of this new light is that it can tailstand. The Fenix PD36R ACE, which currently holds the GearJunkie “Best Overall Award” in the Best Flashlights of 2026 buyer’s guide, can’t tailstand. It’s great to see a brand take user feedback and integrate it into new products.
The LD30 Renegade is impact-rated to 1 m, has an IP68 rating, and retails for $80.
Tiny Flashlights at SHOT Show 2026
Streamlight Wedge SL
The Streamlight Wedge SL is a unique design, modeled after a standard carpenter pencil. It’s a touch over an ounce, slides nicely into your pocket, and stays put with the included pocket clip. The Wedge just disappears when stowed.
There are multiple lighting modes, with the highest being THRO mode, which emits 500 lumens at a distance of 80 m. On high, the Wedge SL emits 100 lumens at 35 m for 1.75 hours. It can emit 50 lumens for 3.5 hours.
With a simple design, the user interface is a bit trickier to explain on paper, but it’s all controlled with a programmable tail switch. With a little practice, I had it dialed on the showroom floor.
The flashlight is USB-C rechargeable and has four LED indicator lights on the side. No, it doesn’t have specs that will wow you, but it’s one of the most comfortable carrying lights I saw at SHOT Show 2026, and it retails for $70 in most places.
Nitecore TIP3
The Nitecore TIP3 is an adorable little guy. It’s the exact same size as the key fob for my truck. But when I turned it on, I was hit with a blindingly bright light and thought, “Whoa! That’s not what I was expecting!”
It can emit 720 lumens up to 92 m. That’s an entire football field! Quite impressive seeing how it’s easily the smallest light I saw at SHOT Show. For functional purposes, though, it can emit 220 lumens for almost an hour and 45 minutes.
There are only two buttons, which makes cycling through the five brightness modes a breeze. And on top of the different brightness levels, the TIP3 has three different color modes. That’s a bunch of features packed into a tiny light.
The flashlight has a battery level display and comes with both a pocket clip and a key ring. For $40, pick one up and throw it on your key ring. There’s no excuse not to have a flashlight on you at all times.
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