SHOT Show, the massive Las Vegas trade show for hunting, tactical, and sporting gear, played host to the latest innovations in premium flashlights and headlamps. Last week, I spent 2 days hunting for the most illuminating products of 2025, and the future is looking bright for flashlight aficionados.

　　From an expansion of the wedge light category to incredibly powerful EDC lights (and even some fun new headlamps), SHOT Show 2025s lighting options offered a wide range of new capabilities. With limited time, I focused on top brands building lights for EDC and outdoor use. These lighting solutions will bring astounding performance at small sizes.

　　I havent tested any of these in-depth yet, but I handled them all at SHOT Show and was consistently impressed with the build quality and light output. Ill consider some of these lights for our guides to the best flashlights and best headlamps after testing in the near future.

　　Best Flashlights and Headlamps From SHOT Show 2025 Acebeam Terminator M1

　　The Acebeam Terminator M1 ($280) is more than a flashlight. First, this revolutionary lighting device packs two lighting sources, a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) and a Laser Excited Phosphor (white laser), into a single tool. But that isnt the most exciting part.

　　The LEP light is like no other Ive tested. Most LEP lights shoot out a wildly tight, long-range beam. But its not very useful at modest ranges, shooting a single point of light that illuminates a very small space even at a range of 100 yards or more. The Terminator M1 adds vast utility by allowing the LEP to zoom out, covering a wider area than many LEP lights or a single light point if desired.

　　As the worlds first LED/LEP zoomable light, its unlike anything else on the market. And its not just a toy. For those looking to light up long-range targets at night, it provides more options. And with a simple user interface, it looks easy to learn.

　　Of course, its specs are remarkable. Its LED cranks out up to 3,500 lumens on turbo or maintains 1,000 lumens for 1 hour and 50 minutes. The LEP puts out up to 700 lumens, reaching 1,600 m in its most focused setting. Zoomed open, it covers a broader range at 400 lumens up to 177 m.

　　With so much innovation, GearJunkie awarded the Acebeam Terminator M1 Best in Show.

　　Fenix PD45R

　　Fenix PD45R; (photo/Fenix) On its surface, the 3,300-lumen Fenix PD45R is a beautiful flashlight with powerful output and a long-lasting battery. But dig deeper, and it offers a unique user interface.

　　You can manually adjust the lights settings to fit your needs precisely. The PD45R has up to six modes. The user can specify the start-up mode through an easily programmable series of button pushes. Once set, the light will lock onto that mode so it always turns on at the same setting.

　　For those who want easily repeatable lighting setups, its a slick system thats a little different than other models on the market.

　　Of course, everything is for naught without performance, and the PD45R packs it in spades. Remarkably, it can hold its Turbo power of 3,300 lumens for a very long 3 hours. Drop it down to High, and it rocks 600 lumens for 5 hours. And thanks to the customizable lighting modes, youll get exactly the light you want when you turn it on.

　　Coast TX300R

　　(Photo/Coast) Coast is a well-known lighting brand in outdoor recreation, but it hasnt offered a rail-mount compatible tactical flashlight until now. For 2025, it launches the TX300R, which is 1-inch rail-mount compatible and can operate with a remote switch for firearm-mounted operation.

　　However, more important than its mounting capabilities, the TX300R is a very capable EDC and tactical flashlight. It produces 3,000 lumens on turbo mode, has a run time of 4 hours and 30 minutes on high, and is IP67 waterproof. Its clear POWERiQ battery monitor gives an instant readout of power levels.

　　Its a very versatile light that should seamlessly switch between EDC and tactical use for those who want a single solution for multiple scenarios.

　　Nitecore EDC29

　　(Photo/Nitecore) Its hard to believe, but this small EDC flashlight can produce a whopping 6,500 lumens. I pushed the On button and immediately blurted, Wow!

　　To be clear, the EDC29 wont hold its 6,500-lumen LumenShield or 400m power outputs for long. But it casts an unbelievable beam for a pocketable flashlight in a brief blast. Further, its slim design and excellent user interfaces should make this a top performer for anyone looking for a powerful go-to light for nightly use.

　　Nitecore accomplished these astounding numbers with advanced LED engineering. It built the light around a dual LED system with 18 cores structured around a central UHi 20 LED. This allows the light to push more light in a smaller platform.

　　Finally, the EDC29 carries a slick, physical locking system that will protect the light from accidental deployment, a key element for a light that will likely spend much of its life in a pocket or holster.

　　Streamlight MegaStream

　　(Photo/Streamlight) Streamlights latest flagship, the MegaStream is a very balanced EDC light with an excellent run time and solid output at a reasonable price. The $148 light cranks out 1,800 lumens on high and can maintain that very bright output for 2 hours straight. Its a great accomplishment for a light that is just 5.3 inches long and weighs only 5.4 ounces.

　　The new light runs on a 3,500mAh Streamlight SL-B34lithium-ion battery pack. It has dual USB-C charging options and a simple push-button tail cap for easy operation.

　　Fenix HL18R-T V2.0

　　(Photo/Fenix) The Fenix HL18R-T V2.0 improves on a solid platform, giving users warm, cool, and red light options and a lot of power in a lightweight form.

　　It pushes 800 maximum lumens to a range of 410 feet (125 m). The top dual buttons allow quick and precise mode changes, allowing you to choose between white, warm white, and red light modes. It can run for 20 hours on its low 70-lumen output.

　　At only 3.63 ounces (103g), this headlamp is extremely lightweight, given its capabilities. The HL18R-T V2.0 also has a lockout slide switch to prevent accidental activation and a two-way SPORT fit headband dial for a secure, comfortable fit. Recharge with USB-C or swap in 3x AAA batteries when needed.

　　Nitecore NU20 Classic

　　(Photo/Nitecore) Gram-counters take note: the Nitecore NU20 Classic brings excellent output in a super-light headlamp. Aimed at runners, hikers, and others who need superlight products, the NU20 Classic weighs just 1.34 ounces (34 g), yet can produce 340 lumens, enough for many tasks at camp or on the trail.

　　It uses a simple bungee system to attach comfortably to the head and has two buttons on top for a simple interface. Its UHE LED is extremely efficient, allowing the light to run up to 2 hours at 360 lumens. As an ultralight option, this light wont burn for days like other heavier lights. But for those looking to trim weight or as a backup light, the NU20 Classic gives good functionality in a featherlight headlamp.

　　Not a Light: Olight Ostation X

　　(Photo/Olight) Olight makes some wonderful flashlights, but its latest innovation is in fueling them (and myriad other electronics).

　　The Olight Ostation X ($120) is a battery charger unlike any other. As the worlds first 3-in-1 automatic battery charger, it combines charging, testing, and organizing AA (or AAA) batteries all in one device. Its as easy as dropping the batteries in the top, leaving them, and coming back to pick them up, fully charged, later.

　　The Ostation holds up to 32 batteries. To use it, you drop them in the top in any direction — no need to align them in any particular direction. The station takes it from there, letting the batteries drop through a waterfall-style mechanism that tests them before charging. A few hours later, batteries are available for use in a slot at the bottom of the station.

　　It will be an amazing tool for people who go through a lot of batteries, such as people running several trail cameras. My only wish is that it could combine AA and AAA batteries in a single device. Heres hoping for that functionality in version two!