The Streamlight TLR-7 series has long set the standard for compact pistol lights; the updated TLR-7X raises the bar.

The original TLR-7 pistol light was one of the first compact pistol lights on the market. The size was perfect for compact pistols like the Glock 19. The TLR-7 did not protrude past the barrel of many compact pistols, making it an excellent light for concealed carry and duty use. The biggest gripe with the original TLR-7 was the side-mounted activation switches.

The introduction of the TLR-7A enhanced the ergonomics of the switches while maintaining the original TLR-7’s 500-lumen output.

The newest TLR-7X EDC light now features dual-fuel capability, running on either a rechargeable SL-B9 battery or a CR123A. The output is 500 lumens and 5,000 candelas, with a runtime of 1.5 hours on high.

Verdict up Front

The TLR-7X dual fuel sets the standard as the best compact pistol light in 2025. High output and long runtime make the light ideal for home defense, concealed carry, and duty use. Highly ergonomic switches make the light easy to use when shooting under stress. The compact size and weight means the light doesn’t protrude beyond the barrel of many compact pistols like the Glock 19 and SIG P320, making the TLR-7X perfect for concealed carry use. If you’re looking for a compact pistol light, the TLR-7X is the best option currently on the market and what I carry daily.

Best for: Glock 19/17, SIG P320, compact duty pistols

Not ideal for: Subcompacts or ultra-concealed rigs

Why Should You Carry a Pistol With a Light?

There are some conflicting opinions when it comes to EDCing a pistol with a light. Some people believe that carrying a pistol light is unnecessary for anyone beyond military or law enforcement personnel. I’ll counter that argument by saying that a significant portion of self-defense situations occur during low-light or nighttime conditions. In those situations, being able to identify your target is critical. You can’t hit what you can’t see, and a pistol light ensures you can see if you need to defend yourself.

People will say, “Just get night sights”. I challenge anyone to shoot some dynamic drills in low light with just your night sights and see how it goes. If it’s dark enough to see the glow of night sights, it’s dark enough that you can’t see your target well enough to identify a threat confidently. Is a potential threat holding a phone, a knife, or a gun? You won’t be able to tell without a light.

Using the TLR-7x mitigates the need for night sights entirely. When I plan to mount a light on any pistol, I don’t even bother with night sights. The light is bright enough that you can’t see the glow of night sights anyway. And the light makes seeing your sights or red dot very easy no matter how dark it is. Consider spending the money you’d typically spend on night sights on a light instead.

In the past, pistol lights protruded beyond the end of many compact pistols, adding extra bulk and making concealed carry more difficult. The TLR-7X weapon light addresses this problem, adding a minimal amount of size and weight to a carry gun. The minor weight and bulk are well worth the added capability.

The last point I’ll make is that using a pistol light in a self-defense situation may help disorient or temporarily blind an attacker. As a test, I let my eyes adjust to darkness, then stood about 7 yards from a mirror in my house. I shined the light on my reflection in the mirror, and it effectively blinded me temporarily. You can easily try this for yourself. The effect only lasts a few seconds, but I’ll take any advantage I can get.

TLR-7X Specifications Table

Build Quality & Design

The Streamlight TLR-7X housing and light bezel are constructed from the same aircraft-grade aluminum used in the popular full-size TLR-1 pistol light. The TLR-1 is a particularly popular and proven choice of many law enforcement officers.

The TLR-7X comes with multiple picatinny inserts to customize the light to fit the light rail of most compact pistols. Regardless of the gun you have, the light will likely fit.

The TLR-7X features a compact footprint optimized for use with many compact pistols, including the Glock 19, M&P Compact, and Springfield XD Compact. The size of the TLR-7X means the end of the light is flush with the barrel of these compact pistols. Since the light doesn’t protrude past the barrel like many full-size pistol lights, the TLR-7X is very well-suited for concealed carry and duty use.

The TLR-7X comes with two sets of ambidextrous paddle switches. A high switch and a low switch. This lets you customize the ergonomics for you and your pistol. I use the “high” switches, and they make activating the light when shooting incredibly easy. When I first got the light and started training with it, I was surprised at how easy and intuitive it was to use.

Light Output & Beam Performance

The TLR-7X features a 500-lumen output with a moderate hotspot and decent spill. I’d describe the light color as a white tint, similar to daylight. It’s a happy medium between yellow and blue-tinted lights. The beam pattern features a nice blend of hotspot and spill, making it easy to identify your target and providing good peripheral illumination to aid in situational awareness.

In addition to the 500-lumen output, the TLR-7X features 5,000 peak candela intensity, providing the light with ample throw for shooting at extended pistol distances. The beam is easily bright enough for target identification and shooting at or beyond 25 yards in complete darkness. For more common self-defense distances, such as 10 yards and closer, the light is very bright. It will likely disorient or temporarily blind an attacker, especially if their eyes are adapted to darkness.

The TLR-7X’s output is not the brightest among pistol lights. Full-size lights, such as the Streamlight TLR-1 and Surefire X300, have around 1000 lumens and 10,000 candela. If you need the most powerful output on a pistol light, the full-size lights are what you want. The trade-off is you’re sacrificing compact size for more output.

With that said, the TLR-7X is no slouch, and in all my low-light and nighttime shooting, I’ve never felt that the TLR-7X’s output was insufficient for home defense or concealed carry use. If I were active-duty military or SWAT, I’d probably opt for a full-size light because concealability isn’t a factor.

Battery System & Charging Options

The newest version of the TLR-7X is multi-fuel. This means the light can run on the ubiquitous CR123A or a USB-C rechargeable SL-B9 battery. This is a nice feature, considering how expensive CR123A batteries can be.

Light output is the same whether using the CR123A or SL-B9 battery. The runtime with the CR123A is 1.5 hours, while the runtime with the rechargeable SL-B9 battery is 1 hour.

The batteries are easily changed by unscrewing the light bezel. There is no need to remove the light from a pistol when changing the battery.

Mounting & Compatibility

The TLR-7X features a tool-free rail clamp, allowing for easy attachment and removal of the light from a pistol. The thumb screw can also be tightened using the rim of a case if you need to secure the light beyond hand-tight.

Streamlight offers a range of rail keys to customize the fit for almost any pistol rail. The adapters are quick and easy to change. They also have a fit guide on the Streamlight website to help you select the right rail adapter and ensure compatibility with your chosen pistol.

I’ve only tested the TLR-7X on Glocks and 1911s, but the light will fit all but the most obscure or out-of-spec light rails.

User Experience & Ergonomics

After using several versions of the TLR-1, TLR-7, and Surefire X300 pistol lights, the paddle switches on the TLR-7X are the most ergonomic and easiest to use among any light. The newest full-size Streamlight TLR-1 HP-X also features a similar switch design to that of the TLR-7X, which is nice to see.

The ambidextrous paddle switches on the TLR-7X feature a momentary and constant-on option. In my use, I only really use the momentary on, but I can understand why having constant-on would be helpful in some situations.

When I first received the light, I wasn’t sure what to expect from training and shooting with it. I quickly realized the improved switch design makes the light incredibly intuitive to use. I switched from the low paddles to the high paddles, and they work well with my grip on 1911s and Glocks. The added weight of the light probably helps mitigate muzzle flip to a small degree, but I don’t notice the weight of the light when shooting or carrying a pistol with the light mounted.

Shooting while keeping the light on is super easy if you use a modern thumb-forward grip. To activate the light, I moved my support hand thumb down slightly, and the light was on. There is no practical impact on my grip or how I shoot the gun. I can shoot just as fast and accurately while activating the light as I can without using the light.

I’ve been carrying a Glock or 1911 concealed with the light mounted, and it adds a trivial amount of weight and bulk when concealing the gun. If you can comfortably carry a Glock 19 or larger pistol, adding a light to your carry gun won’t be burdensome, and the added capability is worth it.

You need to practice using the light to ensure you’re comfortable with it in a self-defense situation, but I want to emphasize how easy it is to use the TLR-7X.

Comparison: TLR-7X vs TLR-7A vs SureFire XC1

The Streamlight TLR-7X competes with the SureFire XC3 and Olight PL-Mini 3. All three lights have some strengths and weaknesses but the TLR-7X strikes the best balance of features and price.

Output on all three lights is fairly similar. For a compact concealed carry or home defense all three lights are plenty bright.

The TLR-7X is the only light of the three that is dual fuel compatible. I like having the option of using CR123 or a rechargeable battery. The Olight uses a proprietary rechargeable battery which is a big flaw to me. If there is ever a problem with the battery, you’re screwed. The CR123A can be bought at most stores and it’s commonly used on many other lights and optics. I like having easy battery availability. The SureFire does not accept rechargeable batteries like the TLR-7X. I like having the options of a rechargeable to save on batteries when training.

Holster availability with the Olight is going to be limited. Streamlight and SureFire are the most popular pistol lights by far and many holster makers offer compatible holsters.

Pros & Cons

Is the TLR-7X Worth It in 2025?

There are many great pistol lights on that market at this point. The TLR-7X distinguishes itself as the top-tier choice for those seeking a compact pistol light that doesn’t add excessive length to their pistol. The output on the TLR-7X is more than enough for concealed carry, home defense, or duty use, especially when size and bulk are a consideration. With Streamlight’s strong reputation in the pistol and weapon light market, I’m confident the TLR-7X will work when I need it most. I love the light so much that I choose to carry it with me every day.

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