How to choose the right Streamlight Stinger® LED flashlight – updated 8/17/21
With so many Streamlight Stinger LED flashlight models, choosing the right flashlight for your needs has become even more important. The Streamlight Stinger Classic LED (smallest Stinger LED) and Streamlight Stinger LED HL (High Lumen) models aim to offer the latest in LED technology while still keeping true to the functionality and durability you’ve come to know from Streamlight. We here at Flashlight University have broken down each of the Stinger flashlight models to help make your choice even easier.
There are seven distinct models in the Streamlight Stinger LED family; the Stinger® 2020, Stinger® LED, Stinger® HPL LED, Stinger® LED HL, Stinger Classic LED, Ultrastinger LED and the PolyStinger LED. All of the different models, except for the also have dual-switch (DS) versions, with the exception of the Stinger Classic LED and UltraStinger LED. There is also the PolyStinger® LED Haz-Lo®, a flashlight specifically designed for use in hazardous locations where there is a risk of explosion.
Streamlight Stinger® 2020
The Streamlight Stinger® 2020 is the newest model in the Stinger LED lineup. It has the brightest beam with an amazing 2,000 lumens in high. The shape is different from the other Stingers. The body has a slight rectangular shape that fits nicely in the hand. It has dual pushbutton switches mid-body and tail for on or off and a separate slide switch to select the brightness level. Like the other model Stingers, the Stinger 2020 can snap into a Stinger charging bracket or you can remove the battery pack and charge the batteries directly using a micro USB cable. (The Stinger 2020 runs on two 18650 Li-ion batteries. The included batteries have built-in micro USB charging ports.) The Stinger 2020 is perfect for all types of uses because it has a balanced beam with a center spot plus ample peripheral lighting. Here’s the run-down:
Output: 2,000 lumens high, 850 lumens medium, 100 lumens low
Run time: 2 hours high, 4 hours medium, 24 hours low
Maximum beam distance: 1,033 feet
Length: 7.6″ long
Body material: Machined aluminum
We recommend the Streamlight Stinger® 2020 for anyone needing a high brightness flashlight with easy mode selection. The Stinger 2020 is versatile enough for industrial, law enforcement and general home use.
Streamlight Stinger® LED and Streamlight Stinger® DS LED
The Streamlight Stinger LED is the most universal option in the Stinger LED family. It has a wide variety of uses because it has the most balanced beam pattern – it works for both distance and close-up applications. Here’s the run-down:
Output: 425 lumens high, 200 lumens medium, 100 lumens low
Run time: 3 hours high, 5.5 hours medium, 10 hours low
Maximum beam distance: 1,056 feet
Length: 8.41″ long; DS Model – 8.85″ long
Body material: Machined aluminum
We recommend the Streamlight Stinger® LED flashlight to people who need a general, every day use flashlight. Because it is so versatile, it fits the needs of most users. But – if you have the need for a more specialized flashlight, one of the other Stinger models may work better for you.
Streamlight Stinger® HPL LED and Streamlight Stinger® DS HPL LED
The Streamlight Stinger® HPL LED is the high performance model. It has an extra large head to help the beam travel an incredible 1,437 feet. Compared to the regular Stinger LED, the Stinger HPL has a much more focused beam with a brighter center hotspot. Here’s the run-down:
Output: 800 lumens high, 400 lumens medium, 200 lumens low
Run time: 1.5 hours high, 2.5 hours medium, 5 hours low
Maximum beam distance: 1,551 feet
Length: 9.23″ long; DS Model – 9.65″ long
Body material: Machined aluminum
We recommend the Streamlight Stinger HPL LED to those that need more of a searchlight-style flashlight, but in a small, convenient size. If you will be using your flashlight daily on a farm, warehouse, or any other long-range distance, the Streamlight Stinger HPL LED is for you.
Streamlight Stinger LED HL® and Streamlight Stinger DS LED HL®
The Streamlight Stinger LED HL® is the “high lumen” model of the Stinger family. What makes this light unique is its high powered output and smooth, wide beam. The Stinger LED HL has almost double the output of the other lights in the Stinger family – 800 lumens in high. Even though the HL is much brighter than the regular Stinger LED and the Stinger LED HP, the beam will not throw as far as the other models. Here are the full specifications:
Output: 800 lumens high, 400 lumens medium, 200 lumens low
Run time: 1.5 hour high, 2.5 hours medium, 5 hours low
Maximum beam distance: 1,017 feet
Length: 8.41″ long; DS Model – 8.85″ long
Body material: Machined aluminum
We recommend the Streamlight Stinger LED HL® to those who need a flashlight for more close-up jobs, like a home inspector or for tactical applications. It would also work well for police duty because it illuminates such a large area.
Streamlight Stinger Classic LED
The Streamlight Stinger® Classic LED flashlight has a slightly different body design from most of the Stinger LED family. It’s almost an inch shorter than the Stinger LED and the Stinger LED HL, and about 1.5″ shorter than the Stinger LED HPL. The output will be similar to the Stinger LED, with 500 lumens in high, but it will have a beam pattern similar to the Stinger LED HL – a wider, more diffuse beam. Here’s the run-down:
Output: 500 lumens high, 260 lumens medium, 130 lumens low
Run time: 2.75 hours high, 5.5 hours medium, 10 hours low
Maximum beam distance: 754 feet
Length: 7.65″ long
Body material: Machined aluminum
We recommend the Streamlight Stinger® Classic LED for more close up work because of its wide beam pattern. Because of it’s smaller size, it would fit well on a duty belt. It’s also good for people who still have the xenon version of the Stinger flashlight that want to transition to LED – you get a brighter, better flashlight that will fit in your existing holsters and chargers.
Streamlight PolyStinger® LED and PolyStinger DS® LED
There’s one main difference between the Streamlight PolyStinger LED and the rest of the Stinger family – the durable polymer body material. The other Stinger flashlights have machined aluminum bodies. This makes the PolyStinger LED super lightweight, and if you’re working outside, the cold won’t be transferred to your hands like it would with an aluminum flashlight. Here are the full specifications:
Output: 485 lumens high, 240 lumens medium, 120 lumens low
Run time: 3 hours high, 5.5 hours medium, 10 hours low
Maximum beam distance: 1,099 feet
Length: 8″ long; DS Model – 8.6″ long
Body material: Polymer
We recommend the Streamlight PolyStinger® LED to people who need or prefer a polymer flashlight – it could be a work requirement, or if you use the flashlight in the cold and prefer a non-metal body. The PolyStinger LED comes in 2 color choices – black or yellow. Having a yellow-bodied flashlight can be helpful because it’s easier to spot in the dark.
Streamlight UltraStinger® LED
Streamlight UltraStinger® LED is the longest in the Stinger family – 11.8″ long. It has a more focused beam with a max range of 1,673 feet. Here are the full specifications:
Output: 1,100 lumens high, 350 lumens medium, 90 lumens low
Run time: 1.5 hours high, 4.5 hours medium, 16 hours low
Maximum beam distance: 1,673 feet
Length: 11.8″ long
Body material: Machined aluminum
We recommend the Streamlight UltraStinger® LED to people who want a high performance flashlight with a bright beam and ample beam range and prefer a full-size flashlight.
The entire Streamlight Stinger line of flashlights is available on BrightGuy.com. BrightGuy stocks over 500 types of flashlights and multi-tools and is an authorized distributor for Streamlight, SureFire, Fenix, Underwater Kinetics, Princeton Tec, Petzl, LED Lenser, Pelican, and more.
