In the past couple years, high-candela lights designed for long distance illumination are more widely available and represent the next evolution in LED technology. Streamlight has released several new high-performance “HP” models throughout various product lines in 2025, and the new ProTac HP-X is a compact tactical handheld with 800 lumens of output, peak beam intensity of 105,000, and multi-fuel support for either a lithium-ion rechargeable battery or 2 x 123A lithium primaries. If these specs sound familiar, that’s because we recently looked at the SureFire EDC2-DFT Turbo a couple months ago, so let’s see how the new Streamlight ProTac HP-X compares.
Key Specifications
- Output: 800 lumens high, 240 lumens medium, 45 lumens low
- Intensity: 105,000 candela
- Runtime (SL-B26): 2h high, 5h medium, 31h low, 4h 15min strobe
- Runtime (123A): 1h 30min high, 4h 15min medium, 24h low, 3h strobe
- Battery: SL-B26 Lithium-Ion Rechargeable (2,600mAh) or 2 x 123A
- Length: 5.6″
- Diameter: 1.4″ bezel, 0.9″ body
- Weight with Batteries: 5.9 oz. (SL-B26) or 5.4 oz. (123A)
- Colors: Black
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
- MSRP: $180-200
- Actual Pricing: ~$100-120
Pricing & Contents
Included in the paper box (item # 89022) are: Streamlight ProTac HP-X, SL-B26 battery (installed), nylon holster, USB-C cable, and user manual.
To test with both power sources, we also got some 123A lithium primaries with our USB model. The actual light is the same regardless which version you purchase, the USB model just comes with different packaging and includes the rechargeable battery instead of lithium primaries.
Batteries
The ProTac HP-X is multi-fuel capable and can be used with either 2 x 123A lithium primaries or an 18650 size SL-B26 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a capacity of 2,600mAh and a built-in USB-C charging port. Compared to previous versions of the SL-B26 such as those used in the Stinger 2020, the Micro USB charging port has been replaced with a more robust USB-C connector.
Charge time is 5 hours unless limited by the USB power supply. The charge indicator LEDs on top of the battery will glow red for charging and green when complete.
The Light
The ProTac HP-X is has a length of 5.6” and is about average size for an 18650-based light. The aluminum body is type-II anodized and has a submersible IP68 rating to 2 meters. This submersible rating means that the ProTac HP-X can be used continuously while underwater whereas lights with only a waterproof IPX7 rating are typically limited by time for temporary operation only.
Head
The head features a crenelated bezel with an anti-reflective coated glass window and a deep smooth plastic reflector. Streamlight’s trademark silver ring on the head, which had been a distinctive feature of their weapon-mounted lights, also makes its first appearance here on a handheld light. Three flat areas on the heatsink help stop the light from rolling away on a smooth surface.
Body
Smooth knurling along the body provides grip and a two-way pocket clip allows the light to be carried either facing up or down.
Unlike most ProTac models where the pocket clip can be pulled off the body with moderate force, the two-way pocket clip on the ProTac HP-X is secured to the head with two screws. This is a notable improvement and eliminates the risk of accidentally losing the light.
Tail Cap
Textured black rubber with the Streamlight logo covers the forward click switch. The tail cap is shrouded to protect against accidental activation and allows the light to tail stand.
Function Sets
Streamlight’s TEN-TAP Programming allows you to choose between three different function sets, making the ProTac HP-X suitable for both practical and tactical use. To change the function set, simply tap the switch nine times, each time within 0.4 seconds, and hold the switch on the tenth time until the light turns off.
High/Strobe/Low (Default)
Press once for high, press twice for strobe, and press three times for low.
High Only
Keeping things simple, this single-output function set is ideal for tactical use.
Low/Medium/High
Press once for low, press twice for medium, or press three times for high.
Modes
Three output levels can be activated using the tail switch.
High
Maximum output of 800 lumens.
Medium
Medium output of 240 lumens.
Low
Reduced power output of 45 lumens.
Performance
Using a Luminus SFT-12R LED, this emitter is flat with no dome and features a compact round light emitting surface (LES). The combination of these two features allows the ProTac HP-X to achieve the tightly focused beam without using an oversized reflector. Rather than increasing the reflector’s diameter, the surface area of the LES is reduced (and the length-wise depth of the smooth reflector is also slightly increased).
The beam pattern is tightly focused with limited spill outside of the hotspot. Due to the round shape of the LES, the beam pattern is very clean without any artifacts, however care must be taken if the light is disassembled as the beam pattern can be affected if the reflector shifts while the bezel is tightened.
Runtime
If you haven’t read our article about runtime graphs and the ANSI FL1 Standard, please click here.
Streamlight uses step-down regulation for high output mode with a gradual reduction over the first 12 minutes and then consistent output for the remainder of the runtime. Medium and low output modes are well regulated, though we did not have enough Streamlight-branded 123A batteries to test low output on both power sources.
Conclusion
By trading some of the high lumen output for a tightly focused beam pattern, the oversized reflectors commonly seen on Streamlight’s high-candela “HP” models are mostly a thing of the past. The ProTac HP-X produces an intense beam that easily reaches longer distances for tasks such as industrial inspections. The IP68 submersible rating also makes the light suitable for applications such as marine rescue, where lights with IPX7 waterproof rating could experience water intrusion with prolonged usee. As with any other high-candela light, the far-reaching beam does come with tradeoff of having limited spill and the ProTac HP-X is no exception. Even though the light has 800 lumens of output, most of the output is concentrated at the center, making the ProTac HP-X less than ideal for work up close as only a small area would be illuminated and extremely bright compared to the surroundings, potentially causing glare and loss of night vision.
Finally, we also have to compare the ProTac HP-X with its very close competitor, the SureFire EDC2-DFT Turbo. These lights have very similar specifications with the main differences being the battery (capacity and charging port), output modes, and price. The SureFire does offer a higher capacity battery, which yields about 15-20 minutes of additional runtime, and the light has a sleeker profile with narrower head and body. The Streamlight offers additional modes, including the ability to program different function sets, as well as better regulation where the output with 123A lithium primaries is identical to that of the rechargeable option. The beam pattern of the SureFire does have slightly more spill, but the difference is very small and the ProTac HP-X has a huge price advantage compared to the EDC2-DFT.
If you have a need for a purpose-built “distance” light or would like to replace an older light that is too large for pocket carry, the Streamlight ProTac HP-X has great performance at an affordable price point. Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are able to hold their charge for months or even years, so even the USB model of the ProTac HP-X is still viable as a dedicated light for when those situations arise. For occasional use, the regular version of the ProTac HP-X which comes with 123A lithium primaries instead of the SL-B26 rechargeable battery is even more affordable and definitely worth considering adding to your tool kit or duty belt.
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Related Links
Streamlight ProTac HP-X Product Page
Streamlight ProTac HP-X USB Product Page
