Last Updated on September, 2023
I realized I was doing something wrong with my flashlight on my 5th hunting trip. Even with a strong flashlight, the blood trails seemed to stop sooner.
At that point, I had already lost a considerable amount of time AND money.
For my friends who use the best blood tracking flashlights had none of MY problems.
So, the problem was my CHOICE of flashlight; I needed a blood-tracking flashlight.
Eventually, I did find the best one. But why should you trust me on the recommendations?
Table of Contents
Why Trust Me?
I tested these blood tracking lights by myself.
That’s right.
That’s how I know the truest performance in each flashlight.
That’s why I could filter out the best blood tracking light in the end.
With the comprehensive set of details, finding the best blood tracking light on your own isn’t a challenge at all.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Best 5 Blood Tracking Flashlights
This best blood tracking lights list is in no particular order for the time being. Once you read about them, I’ll help you pick one from the best three.
1. Fenix TK26R Tactical Flashlight (Editor’s Choice)
Fenix is a familiar brand name to me. I own their PD36 and the HT30R laser flashlight, and they have already set a solid image on the brand.
So, I already had a good impression when I got my hands on their TK26R.
Let’s start by discussing design, dimensions, resistance capacity, and maximum mode settings.
Fenix flashlights are well-known for their compactness and ideal knurling patterns.
The material construction of Aluminum has an attractive design that doesn’t compromise the ease of use.
The TK26R blood tracking light is 5.9″ in length, 1.6″ in head dia, and 1″ in body diameter with a weight of 5.5oz (157g) without the battery.
This blood tracking flashlight has an impact resistance of 1m (3.3′). It is also IP68 waterproof rated. That means it is dustproof and waterproof up to 2m in depth.
With seven operational modes, turbo mode is the highest available. This intense blood light is produced by CREE XP E2 (for red and green lights) and LUMINUS SST40LEDs (cool white) with a lifespan of 50,000 hours.
Here are the operational stats in the turbo mode:
- Lumen output: 1500 lumens
- Runtime: 1h 25 mins
- Throw distance: 1148ft
- Peak beam intensity: 30,150cd
The lumen output and the beam density didn’t deviate much when I checked with my light meter. The runtime was roughly 1h and 20 mins for me.
Now, let’s look at operational modes, package details, and special characteristics.
From the seven modes, low, medium, high, turbo, and strobe work with the cool white light; Red and green lights are used for blood tracking.
You can switch to each mode by the functional side switch. There’s a tactical tail switch for instant activation and the strobe mode in this blood tracking light.
Here’s how each mode differs from one another,
- Low mode
- Lumen output: 10
- Runtime: 100 hours
- Beam distance: 98ft
- Beam intensity: 213cd
- Medium mode
- Lumen output: 150
- Runtime: 10h 50min
- Beam distance: 361ft
- Beam intensity: 3102cd
- High mode
- Lumen output: 350
- Runtime: 4h 40min
- Beam distance: 558ft
- Beam intensity: 7112cd
You already know the turbo mode that comes next.
- Strobe mode
- Lumen output: 1500
- Red light
- Lumen output: 150
- Runtime: 4h 20min
- Beam distance: 98ft
- Beam intensity: 218cd
- Green mode
- Lumen output: 200
- Runtime:5h 10min
- Beam distance: 131ft
- Beam intensity: 452cd
Upon verifying the lumen output, runtime, and beam intensity, the numbers almost did not deviate. But we have to understand that there’s always a slight error margin.
The comprehensive package includes one Fenix TK26R blood tracking light, one ARB-L18-3400 rechargeable li-ion battery, one USB type-c charging cable, one lanyard (for hands free use), one holster, one O-ring, and one rubber switch boot.
With a limited lifetime warranty, rechargeability, and battery level indicator, the TK26R is one excellent blood tracking light.
Now, let’s look at its blood-tracking features.
Red light is not so useful for blood detection since it contains the same wavelength as the color of red blood. But it helped me preserve night vision and made map reading more effortless.
So, the green light is what’s beneficial for blood tracking.
When I tested, I clearly noticed the signature black path of a blood trail revealed by the green. So, the flashlight definitely works as a blood tracking flashlight.
Pros
Cons
2. Nitecore SRT7GT Blood Tracking Light (#2nd Best Choice)
Nitecore is another brand as familiar as Fenix to me.
Their HC60V2 headlamp and the rechargeable MH25S left quite a good impression.
Lucky for you, their SRT7GT is one of the best blood tracking lights on the market.
Let’s start by looking at the design, dimensions, resistance capacity, and maximum mode settings.
Constructed with aero-grade aluminum alloy, this well-knurled flashlight is HAIII military grade hard-anodized — that certified durability by design.
I personally love the knurling pattern and how the body of the flashlight feels partitioned. This increases the grip in the best way.
The SRT7GT is 6.22″ in length, 1.57″ in head dia, and 1″ in tail dia while weighing just 6.01 oz (173g) without batteries.
Along with the durability by design, this blood tracking light has the IPX8 waterproof rating. It also has an impact resistance of 1.5m — more durability for you!
With eleven operation modes, turbo is the highest level. The flashlight has colored lights, including UV; we’ll discuss that soon.
The light source is a CREE XP-L HI V3. The operation of each mode takes place with either one 18650 battery or two CR123A batteries.
These are the operational stats for the turbo mode.
With the one 18650 battery:
- Lumen output: 1000
- Runtime: 1h 15min
- Peak beam intensity: 50,900cd
With 2 CR123A batteries:
- Lumen output: 1000
- Runtime: 1h
Now, let’s look at the operational modes, package details, and special characteristics.
As mentioned before, this blood tracking light runs under two power settings or battery modes. The operational modes include ultra-low, low, medium, turbo, red, blue, green, ultraviolet, strobe, beacon, and police warning signal.
Let us compare how each mode works in the two battery modes.
When the battery is one 18650,
- Ultra-low: 0.1 lumens for 240 hours
- Low: 3 lumens for 126 hours
- Medium: 13 lumens for 28 hours
- Turbo: 1000 lumens for 1h and 15 mins
- Red: 13 lumens for 28 hours
- Blue: 3 lumens for 26 hours
- Green: 19 lumens for 26 hours
- Ultra-violet: for 26 hours
- Strobe: 1000 lumens
- Beacon: 1000 lumens
- Police warning signal: 32 hours
When there are 2 CR123A batteries,
- Ultra-low: 0.1 lumens for 130 hours
- Turbo: 1000 lumens for 1 hour
- Red: 13 lumens for 19 hours
- Blue: 3 lumens for 18 hours
- Green: 19 lumens for 18 hours
- Ultra-violet: 18 hours
So, most blood tracking lights don’t bring the wide variety of modes that the SRT7GT brings to the table. That’s why finding blood is so much easier with this light.
You can switch swiftly between each mode by turning the third-generation smart selector ring.
Now it’s time for blood tracking features.
The red color is also pretty useful for map reading. Green can reveal a blood trail decently.
But blue light is the BEST color to reveal a blood trail as it should be.
You can use the light for over a full day with the SRT7GT. This is what you need when you want to track a deer on a forest floor.
Not only that, but you also get UV light which is better in enclosed environments such as a crime scene. That’s why red lights typically reveal blood and other bodily fluids. But revealing a blood trail needs a blue hue.
Most blood tracking lights don’t have all these features packed into one like the SRT7GT.
Pros
Cons
3. Bushnell TRKR Blood Tracking Light (#3rd Best Choice)
Bushnell is a brand dedicated to hunting gear. That’s why I have their Fusion X Rangefinding binoculars which work like magic.
So, when I needed a blood tracking light, it was a pleasant experience to buy from a familiar brand.
I know you’ll love what you’re about to read about the Bushnell TRKR.
Let’s start by looking at the design, dimensions, resistance capacity, and maximum mode settings.
Like the SRT7GT, the TRKR is also made of aero-grade aluminum with a unique body pattern. But I must say that the grip was less than the Nitecore and the Fenix blood tracking lights you read about.
This light is 10.6″ in length, and the head dia and the body dia are the same; 2.7″ while weighing 7.94 ounces (225.1g) with the power source.
The Bushnell TRKR is 1m impact resistance with the IPX4 rating (not FULLY waterproof). So, the durability aspect is well-covered.
There are three operational modes, and white light mode is its maximum. Under this mode, there will be 600 lumens running for 1 hour and 30 mins with a beam distance of 162m.
All these numbers are borderline-accurate. I read 595 lumens with a runtime of 1h and 25 mins.
Now, let’s look at the operational modes, package details, and special characteristics.
You already know about the white light mode. Apart from that, there’s the red mode to use as light in the dark preserving night vision. You get 15 lumens for 38 hours with a beam distance of 17m in the red mode.
In the blue mode, the lumen count is 6. The runtime is 48 hours, and the beam distance is 7m. I realized that it does a magnificent job of revealing a blood trail.
So, it’s safe to say that the TRKR blood tracking light has figured out what’s necessary from blood tracking lights.
The package contains one Bushnell TRKR and four AA batteries. These are not rechargeable.
All the operations are done with an orange switch, under which all the settings are clearly communicated.
As per blood tracking features, the blue light will stay with you for almost two whole days with a beam distance of 7m. Personally, I love how Bushnell embossed the blood tracking value of the flashlight in terms of the blue light.
Because let us assume it was a long deer hunting trip. When you track a downed deer, you can’t waste time recharging.
Pros
Cons
4. Primos Bloodhunter HD Flashlight
The Bushnell blood tracking light we just discussed is a brand directly involved with Primos.
So, although this was the first time I bought something from them, they did not let me down.
Their Bloodhunter HD was a referral from a pro hunter. It didn’t take long for me to realize why this flashlight was so recognized in the field.
Let’s start by talking about the design, dimensions, resistance capacity, and maximum mode settings.
Made out of premium aircraft grade aluminum, this flashlight sure has a very ergonomic shape, with a side switch. The flashlight uses CREE XM-L (U2) LED with a lifespan of 50,000 hours.
The proprietary HD Bloodhunter lens increases the design value of the product.
Weighing only 8 ounces (227g), excluding the batteries, the flashlight has the dimensions of 8 x 5 x 3 inches.
The Bloodhunter HD blood tracking light comes with the IPX4 rating. Which means it is weather resistant but is not waterproof.
There are two main operational modes; intense HD tracking and low illumination WITH white light for regular use.
In the high intense HD tracking mode (maximum mode), the lumen output is 600 and will run for 2 hours by design. Mine ran just above 1 hour and 55 minutes, so the numbers are accurate.
The lumen count drops to 100 when CR123A lithium batteries are used.
Let’s move to operational modes, package details, and special characteristics.
I told you there were two operational modes.
Interestingly, the Bloodhunter comes with an optical filter that reduces background colors to amplify blood.
The filter works in both modes. The only difference is the brightness and the runtime of the light.
In the low illumination mode, the lumen count drops to a runtime of 8 hours.
Here’s how to switch between the modes:
- The red button controls the power ON/OFF and the brightness mode.
- Press the button repeatedly to cycle between high and low modes
- The mode defaults to high if the button presses are too slow
- The first single press turns the Bloodhunter HD power on (high mode)
- The second single press down turns it off
- The third single press turns the flashlight on in the low mode
- The fourth single press turns it off
- The cycle repeats itself
Primos is very specific about the operational temperatures. The reason is to maximize the efficiency of their optical technology. That’s why you’re recommended to operate the flashlight in temperatures between 20 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
That’s why blood will be easily visible in all types of terrain.
The package includes a holster with belt straps and 4 CR123 batteries.
A low voltage protection alarm is one unique feature seen in this flashlight. The light blinks slowly ON and OFF when the battery voltage gets low; this means you should change the batteries.
You already know the blood tracking feature in the Bloodhunter HD, the Primos optical technology.
Pros
Cons
5. Rayovac Sportsman 3-in-1 Flashlight
The Sportsman was my first purchase from Rayovac. It wasn’t a referral or anything; I found it myself. After all, you feel reassured when it’s a US-based company that has a history of over 100 years.
So, let’s start off by talking about the design, dimensions, resistance capacity, and maximum mode settings.
By now, you should predict that all the reliable blood tracking lights are made of premium aluminum and have an anodized body.
Because that’s precisely what you get with the Sportsman flashlight.
The dimensions are 4.6 x 1.34 x 1.12 inches. The flashlight weighs 5.9 ounces right in the dot.
The Sportsman is impact resistant up to 7 feet. However, there is no mention of an IP waterproof rating. Because the flashlight did perform well, I decided to use it extra carefully.
There are three modes, and you get a maximum light output of 18 lumens in all three modes. I’ll tell you what these are in a moment.
But you should remember; the average battery life is 22 hours.
Let’s move to operational modes, package details, and special characteristics.
As mentioned earlier, this 3-in-1 blood tracker flashlight comes with 3 modes: white (standard) mode, night vision, and blood tracker mode.
The product comes with a holster and the 3 AAA batteries in the package. That’s proof of how Rayovac maintains professionalism for all of its products.
I personally love the lifetime warranty.
This is the most underrated flashlight on this list, and I personally love how cost-effective it is.
Pros
Cons
Top Factors to Check for the Best Blood Tracking Light
- The nature of the design and material
- Dimensional compatibility
- Resistance capacity in terms of water resistance and impact resistance mainly
- Presence (or absence) of a standard bright white light mode
- Whether it is only a color light
- The number of operational modes and their variety in terms of,
- Light output in lumens
- Runtime
- Beam distance
- Light intensity (in candela)
- Availability of RGB colors and ultraviolet light
- Does it run with replaceable rechargeable batteries or otherwise?
- Warranty Policy
Note: Here’s the guide to Identify Animal Eyes At Night By Flashlight.
UV Lights vs Blue LED Flashlights: What’s More Effective?
Red lights can’t reveal blood trails since the color red is already occupied in the wavelength form.
But it necessarily doesn’t mean that every other color is able to reveal blood too. Because green lights only darken blood marks.
UV light is typically used for forensic operations. They perform fantastically as blood trail lights in controlled environments. But the situation is the opposite when you track blood in a forest.
That’s why you need blood lights consisting of blue LED light. The wavelength makes the blood glow, making it easier to notice.
So, incidentally, a good blood tracking light will have either one of these lights.
The Best blood tracking lights will have both of them and more.
Related article: What is a Blue Light Flashlight Used for?
Are Blood Tracking Flashlights Effective for Hunting?
You could always take a bright LED flashlight for tracking blood, yes?
No.
Bow hunting to typical shooting yields the best results when you do it at night. But with the diversity of the vegetation, it’s impossible to track blood with white light, let alone a blood trail. Checkout the best flashlights for hunting here.
Not to mention, you’ll chase away potential preys BEFORE you take your first shot.
This is when the best blood tracking light should come to the best. Whether it was UV lights or blue lights, the purpose was to make the blood stand out. Does this mean you should not use a flashlight with white light?
Absolutely not.
The best blood lights in the market let you switch to the blood tracking mode. Such a color light will not only help you track the wet blood of a wounded deer, but you can also use it for regular use.
So, as a matter of fact, having the best blood tracking light increases the effectiveness of any hunting trip tremendously.
Here’s the list of the best LED flashlights out on the market
Best Blood Tracking Flashlight — The Conclusion
Tracking blood in any environment is not an easy task. Even if you have the best blood tracking light, you could fall short with a lack of practice.
But you surely miss ALL of your chances if you didn’t have good light to begin with.
So, it’s clear how FENIX TK26R comes in the first place. Its win is based on nothing but its blood tracking and supporting features.
However, now you also know the 5 best blood-tracking lights in the market.
If you make the right choice, your next trip’s hunting pack will change everything.
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