The most effective headlamps are a hotly contested merchandise right here within the GearJunkie workplace. We every have our favorites, and the arguments get sizzling over crucial headlamp options, specs, and person interfaces.
So yearly, we take them to the sphere and put them to the take a look at head-to-head. We evaluate their modes and light-weight up distant rock partitions. We strive their match one after one other to find out about consolation. And we put on them across the campfire, to be taught which is most intuitive, which buttons work with gloves, and so forth.
However we don’t cease there. We additionally take the headlamps house and put them into some measurable testing. We cost them up, after which allow them to run on “high” mode to learn the way they measure up with their claimed run occasions. And we evaluate the colour rendering, throw distance, and different qualities of the sunshine the lamps produce. Our testers vary from former search and rescue personnel to ultramarathoners and rock climbers.
Don’t have time to learn this entire article and simply need an incredible, serviceable headlamp at an affordable value? Simply get the Black Diamond Spot 400-R. It’s essentially the most well-rounded headlamp we examined and may operate properly in virtually any use case, from mountain climbing to looking to mountaineering.
The place the Spot 400-R thrives types the bottom of our suggestions. We judged the lights by just a few standards: battery run time, highlight vary, floodlight high quality, person interface, dimension and weight, lighting modes, and value.
Scroll by means of to see all of our advisable buys. On the finish of our checklist, make sure you take a look at our useful Comparability Chart, Value and Worth breakdown, and complete Purchaser’s Information.
Editor’s Notice: We up to date this information on November eleventh, 2024, re-assessing our choice and including the highly effective Black Diamond Distance LT 1100.
The Greatest Headlamps of 2024
Lumen output:
400 lumens; highlight to 100 m
Rechargeable:
Sure, micro-USB
Burn time:
225 hrs. on low; 4 hrs. on excessive
Weight:
2.6 oz.
Pink gentle:
Sure
Waterproof score:
IP67 (submersible)
Intuitive person interface
Lengthy battery life
Light-weight
Not the brightest max output, however nonetheless loads adequate
Nicole Qualtieri
Lumen output:
250 lumens, 10-60 m
Rechargeable:
No; 3 AAA batteries wanted
Weight:
3 oz.
Burn time:
120 hrs. on low; 2 hrs. max energy
Pink gentle:
No
Reasonably priced
Light-weight
Good runtime for the worth
Does not include a chargeable battery
Nicole Qualtieri
Lumen output:
700 lumens max; floodlight to 70 m, highlight to 200 m
Rechargeable:
Sure, rechargeable battery pack by way of USB
Burn time:
8.5 hrs. on low; 1 hr. 45 min. on excessive
Weight:
4.5 oz.
Pink gentle:
Sure
Massive, easy-to-use buttons
Rechargeable, but additionally suitable with alkaline batteries
Prime-notch lengthy throw distance
Shorter run time (9 hours at low gentle)
Nicole Qualtieri
Lumens output:
325; floodlight to fifteen m, highlight to 70 m
Rechargeable:
Sure, micro-USB
Burn time:
40 hours on low, 3 hours on excessive
Weight:
1.75 oz.
Pink gentle:
Sure
Comfy
Very gentle
Sweat-wicking headband
Nicole Qualtieri
Lumen output:
6-200 lumens
Rechargeable:
Sure, micro-USB
Weight:
1.2 oz.
Burn time:
50 hrs. on low; 2 hrs. max energy
Pink gentle:
Sure
Very Light-weight
Simply adjustable match
Good worth
Nicole Qualtieri
Lumen output:
450 lumens max (90 m throw) for two hours
Rechargeable:
Sure, additionally suitable with AAA batteries
Burn time:
2 hours on excessive, 130 hours on low (8 lumens)
Weight:
75 g
Pink gentle:
Sure
Good worth
Rechargeable and suitable with AAA batteries
Comfy
Nicole Qualtieri
Lumen output:
As much as 1,500 lumens
Rechargeable:
Sure, by way of USB-C or micro-USB
Burn time:
40 hours on low
Weight:
7.5 oz.
Pink gentle:
Sure
Rear gentle:
Sure
Waterproof score:
IP67
Nicole Qualtieri
Lumen output:
700 lumens
Rechargeable:
Sure
Weight:
2.5 oz.
Burn time:
42 hrs. (claimed) on low, 3 hrs. on excessive
Pink gentle:
Sure
Easy person interface
Spectacular colour rendering
Nicole Qualtieri
Lumen output:
1,000 (excessive), 400 (flood)
Rechargeable:
Sure, USB-C
Burn time:
23 hrs. on flood low; 5 hrs. on spot
Weight:
5.60 oz.
Pink gentle:
Sure
Waterproof score:
IP68 (submersible)
Very sturdy; IP68 Submersible
Lengthy 149 meter beam throw
Good runtime
Nice person interface, suitable with gloves
Heavy
Simply 5 modes, fewer than many lights
Nicole Qualtieri
Lumen output:
As much as 1,100 lumens
Rechargeable:
Sure, by way of USB-C
Burn time:
120 hours on low, 4.25 hours on excessive
Weight:
3.8 oz.
Pink gentle:
Sure
Rear gentle:
No
Waterproof score:
IP67
Light-weight
Very steady
Batteries are rechargeable and swappable
Mild can utterly detach from battery for storage
Very highly effective for its dimension
Energy faucet characteristic troublesome to make use of with gloves on
Costly
Nicole Qualtieri
Lumen output:
1,000 lumens, 320 m
Rechargeable:
Sure
Weight:
6.3 oz.
Burn time:
100 hrs. on low
Pink gentle:
Sure
Extraordinarily vivid
Efficient reactive expertise
Lengthy runtime
Nicole Qualtieri
Lumen output:
500 lumens, 12-120 m
Rechargeable:
Sure, lithium-ion with micro-USB
Weight:
3.5 oz.
Burn time:
350 hrs. on low; 7 hrs. on excessive
Pink gentle:
Sure
Waterproof Score:
IP67
Blue, inexperienced, and pink gentle choices
Efficient waterproofing
Comfy
Decrease whole length burn time
Nicole Qualtieri
Greatest Headlamp Comparability Chart
We take a look at headlamps and evaluate brightness and run-time whereas contemplating one of the best functions for every mannequin; (photograph/Eric Philips)
How We Examined the Greatest Headlamps
The GearJunkie workforce has examined an enormous number of headlamps for numerous miles within the woods and at campsites, from looking to climbing peaks. We polled our crew to find out their absolute favourite headlamps and why. Creator and hunt and fish editor Nicole Qualtieri first revealed this information in early 2021, and the choice included 9 of one of the best headlamps obtainable on-line.
Since then, we’ve refined this information and stored it up to date by testing the most recent fashions. Since then, our checklist has grown to incorporate 13 fashions, representing a range of producers, from Black Diamond to Fenix.
Moreover, GearJunkie Editor Sean McCoy now contributes many of the testing and hands-on analysis. Sean is a hunter, skier, runner, and all-round outdoorsman with over 20 years of expertise placing gear by means of the ringer. For headlamps, Sean brings every mannequin on lengthy runs that stretch properly previous sunset and makes use of them at hunt camp, the place they’re put to the take a look at in chilly situations and Sean can consider the person interface (the buttons) by means of a thick pair of gloves.
We’ve additionally examined many fashions in a gaggle setting the place we will make side-by-side comparisons of brightness and beam size. Our workforce has used these headlamps for spelunking, backcountry snowboarding, mountain biking, and working ultramarathons. We’ve additionally used these headlamps at house — pulling gear out of the crawlspace, unloading the rig post-road journey, and shoveling snow. The utility of a reliable headlamp is prolific.
A few of our editors have used their alternative headlamp throughout each season for a few years with no signal of decay or a want to change. Past our workforce’s expertise, we additionally thought of the most well-liked, most sturdy, and bestselling headlamps available on the market in addition to a broad vary of value factors and options.
For extra lighting choices, take a look at our information to one of the best headlamps for looking, and in case you’re trying to up your sport in camp, take a look at one of the best tenting lanterns.
Purchaser’s Information: The right way to Select the Greatest Headlamp
Headlamp Bulbs: LEDs
Lengthy gone are the times of sunshine bulbs. Fashionable headlamps virtually universally use LEDs (light-emitting diodes). These small, highly effective gentle sources use a tiny fraction of the vitality of bulbs. At present, due to LEDs, headlamps produce extremely vivid gentle and run for a lot of hours on rechargeable batteries.
Testing the pink gentle of a headlamp in a tent; (photograph/Eric Phillips)
However do you know that each one LEDs usually are not created equal? Yep, LEDs are a quickly evolving expertise. And whenever you get headlamp, one element that makes an enormous distinction is which LED the model makes use of.
A few of the perfect headlamps use CREE LEDs. Utilizing premium parts, producers can improve headlamp energy and light-weight qualities like colour rendering and heat. So, whenever you spend slightly extra on a top quality headlamp, that is simply one of many causes.
The Black Diamond Spot 400 R headlamp is one of the best for most individuals; (photograph/Sean McCoy)
Coloration Choices
The usual LED colour is white (we’ll go into some variations on this within the Coloration Rendering part beneath). However many headlamps even have a pink LED (or different colours) gentle.
We think about the pink mode on a headlamp to be virtually necessary. That’s as a result of pink gentle preserves your night time imaginative and prescient rather more than white gentle.
So, through the use of a pink gentle whereas cooking, across the campsite, and even whereas strolling on a path, you’ll nonetheless be capable of see rather more of the encircling panorama, particularly below a full moon. Pink gentle additionally gained’t get up your tentmate as simply if you have to learn or dress at the hours of darkness. And it’s one of the best colour when hanging out with a gaggle because it gained’t blind your pals.
Some headlamps even have inexperienced and blue LED lights. Blue gentle is beneficial for night time fishing and for hunters who want to identify an animal’s blood. Blue gentle additionally is an effective alternative for studying maps at the hours of darkness, as a result of the tone picks up pink traces on the web page.
Inexperienced lights are a useful software for looking at night time. The colour is brighter than pink, gives higher distinction, and gained’t startle animals.
Whatever the colour choices, make sure you take some time to be taught your headlamp’s person interface so you possibly can swap between them as wanted.
A GearJunkie headlamp tester casts a beam throughout testing; (photograph/Eric Phillips)
Lumens (Brightness)
Some of the essential parts of a headlamp is how a lot gentle it produces. We measure this in lumens. Most headlamps have a low, medium, excessive, and typically “turbo” brightness setting, which customers can manually regulate by way of buttons on the headlamp.
The upper the setting, the quicker the battery depletes, so Turbo settings are sometimes short-lived and controlled to protect battery life. Some headlamps even have a dimming choice that permits you to step by step regulate the brightness degree.
Our favourite headlamps vary from about 300 to 1,500 lumens at their highest output. For nighttime adventures like path working or uphill snowboarding, go for a headlamp with a max output of at the very least to 300 lumens, which may highlight obstacles and wildlife.
LEDs with larger lumens are higher for quicker actions or recognizing far-off objects. However whereas larger lumens imply extra vitality consumption, you possibly can at all times run your battery in low mode, which we advocate when you have a very long time afield between recharges. Excessive-speed actions like biking are finest with at the very least 1,000 lumens of obtainable lighting, and extra is healthier. Sooner actions additionally require an extended beam distance, which we define beneath.
These in search of super-bright lighting can typically do higher with hand-held flashlights. Take a look at our information to one of the best flashlights right here.
Beam Distance & Kind
A rise in lumens often helps enhance the gap the sunshine travels, however there’s not a direct correlation. For example, the Black Diamond Spot 400-R has 400 lumens and a max output of 100 meters Different components affect how far the illumination travels, such because the LED placement, diameter, and beam sort.
Most headlamps have two kinds of beams. The floodlight is broadly subtle to the realm closest to you. This mode conserves battery energy whereas reaching your rapid periphery.
The highlight is a good, concentrated beam of sunshine that exposes the atmosphere farther away and with a narrower visual view. This setting typically requires extra battery energy, and sometimes folks manually click on between the floodlight and highlight.
Some headlamps robotically regulate between the 2 primarily based on the objects in entrance of you. The automated mode swap additionally preserves the battery. Others might use reactive expertise to sense how a lot gentle to undertaking, once more, preserving battery life.
The gap between every headlamp’s floodlight and the highlight is exclusive. For instance, the BioLite 330 has an LED gentle of 330 lumens that reaches 16-75 m. The Coast FL85R is 750 lumens and extends 70-200 m — greater than the size of two soccer fields.
One in every of our testers makes use of a Fenix headlamp whereas serving to a stranded motorist close to our camp take a look at location; (photograph/Eric Phillips)
Mild Settings
Headlamps sometimes have a number of gentle settings that the person controls manually. These choices embody a highlight, which is the headlamp’s most gentle output and illuminates the atmosphere farther away. A decrease output setting concentrates gentle nearer to you.
Some headlamps have a expertise that robotically adjusts the low and max output primarily based on the objects in entrance of you, which saves battery energy. A handful of designs even have a strobe mode, which is useful for visibility in areas with excessive automobile site visitors.
Battery Life
One of many largest differentiators between headlamps is battery life. The most effective headlamps have a protracted life between costs, with some capable of run for days on finish with out recharging.
However slightly schooling goes a great distance with regards to extending battery life. Through the use of the decrease energy settings and pink gentle, most headlamps will run for a lot of hours.
A few of the finest on this checklist will run for greater than 200 hours on low between costs! However utilizing excessive will suck battery quick. For instance, the Petzl Bindi Ultralight Headlamp battery lasts 2 hours in high-output mode and 50 hours in low-output mode.
Earlier than you head out, be sure you perceive the best way to toggle between the modes in an effort to handle the headlamp’s battery energy.
Draw back the protecting flap and plug it in! Most headlamps are simply rechargeable, just like the BD Spot-R proven right here. (photograph/Matt Bento)
Rechargeable vs. Typical Battery Headlamps
Most headlamps as of late provide a chargeable element, however some nonetheless depend on common batteries. Each choices might be nice relying on how you utilize your headlamp.
First, be aware that rechargeable batteries price slightly extra on the outset. However given they final for a lot of, many costs, they are going to be less expensive over time than shopping for new batteries again and again.
Subsequent, be aware that trendy rechargeable batteries have gotten actually good. You’ll see in our runtime that many of those will run for days with no recharge. And in our testing, all of them managed to run for 7 to 24 hours or extra. When you want a recharge within the area, simply convey a small battery financial institution to recharge your unit.
There are circumstances the place replaceable AAA or AA batteries take advantage of sense. For instance, these working in a single day ultramarathons might wish to carry an additional set of batteries to allow them to shortly swap them with out having to attend for a headlamp to recharge.
However for many customers, a chargeable battery is dependable, practical, and rather more environment friendly and environmentally pleasant. Not solely do you produce much less waste, however rechargeable batteries require a lot much less vitality to provide than disposable batteries and may run for as much as 3,000 cycles with out dropping effectiveness.
You’ll see some headlamps provide each rechargeable batteries and the choice for AAA battery capabilities. These are an incredible choice for people who wish to be sustainable but additionally would possibly must depend on the pace of a standard battery each every so often.
GearJunkie editor Mary Murphy wears the Biolite Headlamp 330; (photograph/Sean McCoy)
Person Interface and Buttons
It is a sticking level for just a few people on the crew. One editor wished a headlamp that would simply be used with gloves.
Some headlamps provide the power for the person to program buttons and lighting on their very own. As we mentioned earlier, just a few headlamps provide apps for a plethora of choices.
However, for the good majority of headlamp customers, that’s actually pointless and a time-consuming step. Our editors and testers all cherished headlamps that have been easy to make use of and didn’t require a steep studying curve.
It’s simple sufficient to take a couple of minutes to learn the directions and determine the best way to use your headlamp. However for many headlamps, they’re intuitive sufficient to determine proper out of the field. These are the headlamps that made our checklist this 12 months — just because they provide the least hassle.
Lockability
Most headlamps provide a lock button or swap that stops them from turning on in your pack and squandering precious battery life (or beginning a hearth). When you plan to steadily retailer your headlamp in a bag or backpack, particularly whereas mountain climbing, lockability tremendously improves reliability.
On this checklist, the Black Diamond Spot 400-r is a high-end headlamp with a well-made lock button. Whenever you purchase a headlamp, learn the directions to discover ways to lock and unlock the sunshine. It’s a precious characteristic that can prevent an unexpectedly lifeless headlamp when night time falls.
Headband & Adaptability
Headlamps often sit across the head in opposition to the brow and hair. They sometimes embody one front-facing LED hooked up to a stretchy elastic strap that’s large, moisture-wicking, adjustable, and cozy. The LED slides alongside the band and is detachable, permitting the band to be washed.
There are unusual headlamp designs, too. For example, the LED gentle might be built-in into the band, like on the BioLite 330. Typically, a second strap crosses excessive of the top to help a heavier headlamp.
For minimalists, the Petzl Bindi Ultralight Headlamp is constructed with a skinny, adjustable drawstring twine.
And different headlamps have a second gentle or the battery pack on the again of the strap. If you have to put on a hat or helmet, the headlamp might want to match round that layer.
Ledlenser NEO 5R has a pleasant steadiness for working because the battery sits on the again of the top; (photograph/Sean McCoy)
Headlamp Tilt
Some LED items are adjustable and click on up and right down to angle the sunshine in an acceptable route. This characteristic might be very nice in social settings whenever you’re making an attempt to not blind one other particular person or when studying a e book. It additionally reduces neck fatigue in case you can angle the sunshine down on the proper angle to light up the path with out craning your neck. Simply don’t be stunned in case your baseball hat convey blocks the sunshine, so pro-tip; flip your baseball hat backwards when sporting a headlamp at night time to get one of the best efficiency.
The BD Distance 1100 tilt design retains the battery comfortable in opposition to your head for higher stability whereas working; (photograph/Matt Bento)
Weight
For us, consolation and an absence of bounce are key. Headlamp consolation is influenced by the kind of band, adjustability, general weight, and private choice.
We’ve discovered bounce can happen with cumbersome or cheaply constructed designs which might be much less streamlined and ergonomic. The weights of our favourite headlamps vary from 1.2 to 7 ounces. However heavier headlamps often want a 3rd strap that goes excessive of your head to make sure consolation for the person.
Water Resistance
Some headlamps have an IPX or IP score to indicate how resistant they’re to water. IPX0 provides no barrier in any respect in opposition to precipitation, splashes, or sweat. IPX8 gives the best quantity of safety in opposition to full submersion, like in case you’re swimming with a headlamp on.
For example, the Coast FL85R has an IPX4-rated building, which is sweatproof however not totally waterproof. The Fenix HM 50R V2 has an IP68 score which means it could possibly operate whereas utterly submerged as much as a meter.
Value & Worth
Headlamps span an enormous value vary — from $25-$200. High quality decisions might be discovered at each ends of the spectrum, and in case you simply want a headlamp to see round camp or hold in your automobile for emergencies, our funds decide will simply suffice. If you wish to run or climb at night time and are keen to spend slightly bit extra, you get some fairly cool options like rechargeable batteries, reactive gentle settings, and sufficient energy to blind anybody headed in your route.
Finances
In case your funds is sub-$50, the Petzl Tikkina ($25) is a succesful little headlamp for tooling round camp or working below the hood or below the sink. It runs on AAA batteries and emits a good 250 lumens (when the batteries are contemporary). Spend $50, and you may improve to the Biolite 325, the least costly headlamp with rechargeable batteries in our information.
Mid-Tier
Spending $60 to $100 broadens your decisions by rather a lot, and virtually each headlamp on this value tier has rechargeable batteries. Our high decide is the Black Diamond Spot 400-R ($65), a 400 lumen gentle with a USB-C port for charging. When you’re mountain climbing on path or working alongside the highway at night time, it’s loads vivid. The Petzl Actik Core ($69) has a 130 hours runtime on its lowest setting and solely weighs 2.6 ounces, so it’s an incredible choice for backpacking.
It’s properly value spending slightly additional for a brighter gentle just like the BD Distance 1100 in case you’re doing numerous night time working; (photograph/Tucker Adams)
Premium
$150 and up will get you a excessive powered gentle cannon that attaches to your brow. The $200 Black Diamond Distance 1500 takes the cake right here, with a (you guessed it) most output of 1,500 lumens, an 8-hour runtime on the 300 lumen setting, and rechargeable batteries that may be swapped out mid race — superior for ultrarunners, however overkill for most folk.
Continuously Requested Questions
A headlamp is a perfect software for hands-on actions similar to cooking in low gentle or pitch black. It’s additionally nice for nighttime endurance sports activities like path working.
We’ve used our headlamp for search-and-rescue situations, alpine begins for lengthy hikes, backpacking, and even strolling house at the hours of darkness. And naturally, headlamps are nice for initiatives round the home like auto restore or electrical wiring in a home.
First, determine what you’ll use your headlamp to perform. If you have to transfer by means of terrain with obstacles or wildlife, you’ll want extra lumens — at the very least 300. When you’re a hunter or angler, you may want blue and inexperienced LED choices.
Select a design with a band that’s snug to your private wants, together with your head, pores and skin, and hair. When you’re bouncing round or working, you may want a headlamp with a high strap.
Additionally, think about whether or not the battery length is a match to your area hours. If not, you’ll must determine if you wish to carry additional batteries or a transportable energy financial institution to recharge the headlamp.
The brightest headlamp in our information is the Ledlenser MH11 with 750 lumens. Different headlamps are even stronger. The Ledlenser MH11 delivers as much as 1,000 lumens.
That mentioned, headlamps with big-time lumens can require you to hold a separate battery case. They can be clunky and fewer snug to put on on the top, particularly throughout high-movement actions.
If we’re speaking about lumens, our favourite vivid headlamp is the Ledlenser MH11. The design boasts 1,000 lumens, and the battery lasts 100 hours on its low setting and 4 hours in high-output mode.
The quantity of lumens you want in your headlamp depends upon the use. We’ve discovered 200 lumens or much less work high quality for home duties like pulling gear out of the storage space, loading the truck mattress, or organising on the campground.
If we have to journey by means of technical terrain, like path working at night time, we go for at the very least 250-300 lumens. For recognizing distant objects, search for at the very least 400 lumens with a highlight mode.
The tags on our alternative headlamps vary from $20 to $180. The price is expounded to the parts like the amount and kinds of LEDs. The durability, weight, battery, lumens, and energy are all value variables, too.
Personally, we’d somewhat put money into one headlamp with the options we wish, even when it’s a bit dearer. Headlamps can final for years, so long as they’re not repeatedly dropped, crushed, or knocked off the facet of a ship.
Sure, we use the pink gentle setting of our headlamps on a regular basis! Most trendy headlamps include a pink gentle setting. Whereas pink gentle settings can’t generate the brightness of the first white gentle setting, they’re extraordinarily helpful.
In social settings, pink lights provide visibility with out blinding your pals with overly intense brightness. Plus, they enable you to preserve your night time imaginative and prescient whereas illuminating close by objects.
When sharing a tent with different folks, a pink gentle is nice for studying with out lighting up the entire inside whereas others try to sleep. Moreover, pink lights are much less more likely to entice mosquitos and different bugs.
We examined one of the best flashlights for 2024 with choices for each funds. Prime picks embody Fenix, ThruNite, and extra!
Whether or not heading into the backcountry or lighting up the night time automobile tenting, we’ve discovered one of the best tenting lanterns for each use and funds.