6 Best Weapon Lights For MK18

In this buyer's guide, let's check out some of the best weapon lights for MK18.

There are tons of options available, and these are what we think are the best based on their beam performance, beam tint, throw, durability and value of money.

Let's take a look

6 Best MK18 Weapon Lights

Cloud Defensive REIN - Best Overall

Why Pick The REIN - The Cloud Defensive REIN is the next generation high candela scout light to help shooters see further in the dark. Besides the Surefire M600DF, this is an awesome light for MK18.

Better Target ID - See as far as 180 yards with that insane 60K candela throw to ID targets clearly while other low end lights just can't do

Full Size Or Mini - User can pick the full size or compact model (Both work well on MK18, compact model is preferred for SBR)

Uses The Same Scout Light Mount - Use any scout light mounting accessories from Surefire, Arisaka, IWC...etc can be used with the REIN (Works for KeyMod, Picatinny & M-LOK)

Better Color Rendition - (Slightly warmer) Neutral tint white light gives the shooter more accurate color rendition under low light to properly ID targets.

Non-Snag Cable Wiring - The REIN's new tail cap design allows the user to switch its orientation based on where the light is mounted on the handguard.

• No more force swing the cable around the switch to the other side
• No more snag hazard & zero exposed cable
• No more bending stiff switch cable that could degrade voltage flow
• No more excess cable sticking out
• No more zip tie
• Perfect for clean SBR handguard setups

Rechargeable 18650 Batteries - The built-in battery jack inside the body allows the use of a wide variety of batteries from unprotected cell to rechargeable (Not all 18650 batteries are made the same length-wise)

Serviceable S& Tool Steel Bezel Lens - It's 3mm thick lens to significant beef up the durability of the light 

If the lens break, all you have to do is to replace the lens by disassemble the bezel in less than a minute give or take.

Read REIN Review Here

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Primary Arms

Cloud Defensive OWL - Best Integrated Design

Why Use The Cloud Defensive OWL (1250 lumens) - The OWL is significantly larger than other lights, but it is a durable light that is as powerful as holding a stadium spot light to lit up the area.

Referenced Real Dirty Reviews

For anyone shooting in the dark past 150 yards to 300 yards, this is THE flashlight to get for the MK18.

See As Far As 180 Yards - Just like the Cloud Defensive REIN, the throw is insane for the money you pay for

Check the comparison chart on Cloud Defensive's website here

This light has that extra beam intensity to lit up far away targets that are generally hard to see as a silhouette in the dark.

Reversible Control Switch Ergonomics - It feels like the BE Meyer MAWL. The integrated pressure switch design allows the light to be mounted on either side of the rifle, for lefty & righty shooters.

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Olight Odin GL Mini - Best For The Money

Why Get The Odin GL Mini- The Odin GL Mini offers the user almost unlimited amount of training hours with the light because it's USB rechargeable, which saves lot of money.

This is the best laser and light combo setup under budget for an AR15. 

Same Surefire Footprint - Built-in Scout mounting points let's you use any existing Scout light mounts you have for KeyMod, Picatinny or M-LOK flashlight mount.

Handheld Usage - Take it off the rifle and use as an handheld EDC light

Improved Pressure Switch - The new lockable magnetic controller tail cap secures the pad switch and can be snap onto M1913 rail slots

USB Rechargeable - Grab any USB power bank to charge this thing on the go!

New Mode Selector Ring - 3 Position ring dial to change the modes (Light, Laser & Light & Laser)

Read ODIN GL mini review Here

 Exclusive 10% OFF code: BADASSOPTIC10

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Surefire M600 Scout DF - Best Old School

Why Every Pro Buys The Surefire - The Surefire M600DF is the go to rifle weapon light for pro and warfighters

Tons Of Accessories - All types of switches and mounts are available for this light like a LEGO set

Positive Target ID - Illuminates up to 300 ft with a tight focus throw & flood beam to see everything around in CQB environments

Check out Surefire Scout mounts here

Check out Surefire Scout switches here

Dual Lumen Intensity - 1500 lumens using the rechargeable 18650 battery or 1200 lumens with 2 CR123A batteries (18650 is the future to support higher lumen output)

Upgradable Light Head - Use aftermarket light head such as MODLITE for even more lumen intensity & candela (We highly recommend the MODLITE PLHv2)

• OKW 680 lumens (Far throw, 69K candela up to 500 yards without dimming down)
• PLHv2 1500 lumens (DF replacement head, 54K Candela)
• IR 1200mW (Infrared)

Read SFM600DF Review Here

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Palmetto State Armory

Olight Odin Turbo - Best Throw Light For The Money

Why The Odin Turbo is so useful? - The new 2022 Olight Odin Turbo is based on the same design as the original Olight Odin full size light. Now this is an evolved design to have extremely long range beam distance for PID. 

Same Surefire Footprint - Use any existing Scout light mounts you have for KeyMod, Picatinny or M-LOK flashlight mount.

Handheld Usage - Use as an handheld EDC light and just detach it from the QD mount

Improved Pressure Switch - All new Odin products come with the new lockable Pressure Switch tail cap and remote switch pad

USB Rechargeable - Charge this thing on the go with a USB battery bank

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Surefire M300 - Most Compact

Features MODBUTTON Integrated

Why Buy The Surefire M300 - This is the original Surefire Mini Scout light that can produce up to  500 blinding lumens PID targets in the dark.

Same Footprint As M600DF - Use any Surefire scout footprint mounts as the M600DF.

Small & Compact - Perfect for SBR and short barrel AR15s

White Light OR IR - IR model is available for night vision users

Various Tail Cap Accessories - Tons of tail caps to get just like the M600DF

Modlite for MK18 - For anyone who wants more lumen and throw intensity, please check out the MODLITE 18350 body.

Compare Deals:

Palmetto State Armory

OpticsPlanet

MK18 CQB Light Setup

Do You Need Dual Lights Setup?

Having two weapon lights on the rifle will increase the weight of the gun, and it's not about adding two white lights.

Generally speaking, a dual light setup usually involves

• White light
• IR light (for night vision use)

MK18 Weapon-Mounted Light Tactics

The light setups for a MK18 varies a lot depend on the mission profiles. 

Most MK18 setups we see are combinations of Scout lights & laser devices hooked up to a remote pressure switch for good control ergonomics.

Since there are so many ways to configure lights on the rifle, we can't show you everything in this guide, but we can give some tips:

• Put the pressure switch on the 12 o' clock on the handguard so the hand can operate it while gripping tight on the handguard
• Mount laser device on the 12 o' clock position on the handguard and tuck the light next to it using an offset light mount
• Try to mount the light bezel parallel to the muzzle device so it doesn't cast shadow

Here we have some reference pictures for you to check out.

Laser & Light Setup Requires Remote Pressure Switch

The most popular light setup for the MK18 you can find on the internet are pretty much the combination among:

• Surefire Scout
• Streamlight
• L3 ATPIAL C
• Steiner DBAL
• BE Meyer MAWL
• Other Ninja looking accessories

It's definitely a rifle that has a strong root in the night vision community. So when you setup the MK18 with a visible white light/Laser + IR, you want to operate them using one consolidated control panel (Remote Pressure Switch)

If this is what you want to experiment with, we recommend the TNVC TAPS pressure switch, as you can program it to activate 2 lights at the same time, or you can program it to activate each light separately.

Wanting to up grade your MK18, Please Check Out: 11 BadAss AR15 Accessories