Introduction
I’ve been waiting for an updated, high-candela handheld from Streamlight for a long time. We got to see it at SHOT Show 2025, and now it’s hit the open market. With a lumen claim of 1,800 and candela claim of 26,000, it should be an affordable, defensive-level handheld.
Background
The MegaStream is the third in a series of handhelds from Streamlight. Here are the stats for each:
Light |  Streamlight MicroStream |  Streamlight MacroStream |  Streamlight MegaStream |
| Lumens | 250 | 500 | 1,800 |
| Candela | 1,150 | 2,000 | 26,000 |
| Runtime | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours | 2 Hours |
| Length | 3.87 inches | 4.50 inches | 5.30 inches |
| Diameter | 0.61 in | 0.83 in | 1.1 in |
| Ingress Protection | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Price | ~$35.89 | ~$56.39 | ~$99.60 |
Over time, the light’s physical size has grown, along with its output. With 26,000 candela, the MegaStream enters the territory of a tactical/defensive light. At a price of under $100, this could be a great option for those operating on a budget.
First Impressions
The MegaStream is about the same size as other 18650 lights in this sector. Overall, it seems well-built.
The MegaStream has a metal sleeve that slides back to reveal the battery’s charging port, meaning the light can be charged via usb-c inside or outside the flashlight.
While the MegaStream’s battery is physically the same size as an 18650, Streamlight told me it’s incompatible with aftermarket 18650 cells.
The button is prominent and rear-mounted, and after carrying it over the weekend, it doesn’t seem vulnerable to ND.
Into the Lab: Lumens, Candela, Runtime, Color Temp and CRI
Lumens
The Streamlight MegaStream should produce 1,800 lumens. Let’s see how it does:
I stopped the test around 3 hours in. Let’s get a closer look at the first ten minutes:
By the ANSI/Plato sampling standard, this MegaStream produces 1,864 lumens, which is 104% of its claimed output. Its runtime comes out to 1:55:27, which meets Streamlight’s two-hour claim.
In this category, the MegaStream performed well.
Candela
Typically, it’s difficult to achieve high lumens and high candela at the same time. High candela requires either a large reflector or a small LED (or both), but high lumen output requires a large LED (and thus, a huge reflector to get decent candela). Since the MegaStream is slim, I’m curious to see if it can channel all that light into a 26,000 candela hotspot.
| Spec | Candela (0s) | Candela (30s) |
| Streamlight MegaStream | 22610 | 22240 |
My measurements don’t match Streamlight’s spec, but 22,240 candela at 30 seconds is a strong number nonetheless. It’s not going to punch across acreage like a Modlite OKW, but for around the house or a smaller front yard, it’s sufficient.
Color Temp and CRI
Measuring the Color Temperature and CRI of the MegaStream gives us an idea of how accurately we can perceive the colors of objects illuminated by it. While most tactical light manufacturers don’t place an emphasis on this area, it’s something that I’d like to see improved as the market matures, which is why I provide the data and the critique.
That aside, here are the numbers:
The MegaStream produces lights which is a lot warmer than most on the market, at 5645K, but this is still a “cool white.”
Its CRI is low, at 65.3.
A high color temperature combined with a low CRI mean that positive identification could theoretically be more challenging when color identification is an issue.
Conclusion
20,000 candela is my baseline for defensive-level handheld use, and the MegaStream has crossed that threshold at an affordable price. I’d certainly carry it, or give it away as a birthday/Christmas gift.
Here’s a quick pro-con chart fort those on the fence:
| Pro | Con |
| Streamlight Warranty/CS High Output Convenient Charging | Made in China Incompatible With Aftermarket 18650’s |
