Updated September 1, 2024
It goes without saying that hiking at night in the wilderness can be hazardous without enough light. If you are attempting to move quickly on uneven terrain with obstacles it can be downright life-threatening and not worth the risk. For activities like mountaineering, skiing, and biking where it is important to have your hands available, a good headlamp is essential.
With the thousands on the market today, it takes some research to find a headlamp to suit your needs for the adventures you have planned. To give you a leg up in the process, some of the best models across the range have been selected as an introduction. There’s a comparison table to start, followed by descriptions, specifications and features, photos, videos, and a basic buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For more information on hiking and camping gear, please check out these reviews:
Night Vision Binoculars Marine Binoculars Backpacking Stoves Backpacking Tarp Shelters Camping Knives Backpacking Tents Backpacking Backpacks Backpacking Sleeping Pads Camping Beds Portable Toilets Bivy Sacks Camping Hammocks Backpacking Sleeping Bags Ultralight Tents SUV Tents 4 Season Tents Truck Tents 4 Person Tents Beach Tents
Best Headlamps Review
- Fenix HM50R Rechargeable Headlamp
- Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp
- Petzl Actik Core 450 Headlamp
- Black Diamond Spot Lite 160 Headlamp
- Biolite Headlamp 200
- Petzl Swift RL 900 Headlamp
- Petzl NAO+ 750 Headlamp
- Princeton Tec Apex 650 Headlamp
- BioLite Headlamp 750
- Ledlenser MH10 Headlamp 600
Best Headlamps Comparison Table
| Picture | Headlamp | Weight Output Capacity Beam Distance | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Fenix HM50R Rechargeable Headlamp | 2.8 Ounces 500 Lumens 80 Meters | 4.8 | $$ |
  | Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp | 3 Ounces 350 Lumens 85 Meters | 4.7 | $ |
  | Petzl Actik Core 450 Headlamp | 2.8 Ounces 450 Lumens 90 Meters | 4.3 | $$ |
  | Black Diamond Spot Lite 160 Headlamp | 1.9 ounces 160 Lumens 60 Meters | 4.4 | $ |
  | Biolite Headlamp 200 | 1.75 ounces 200 Lumens 50 Meters | 4.6 | $$ |
  | Petzl Swift RL 900 Headlamp | 3.5 ounces 900 Lumens 180 Meters | 4.8 | $$$ |
  | Petzl NAO+ 750 Headlamp | 6.5 ounces 750 Lumens 140 Meters | 4.4 | $$$$ |
  | Princeton Tec Apex 650 Headlamp | 9.8 ounces 650 Lumens 120 Meters | 4.3 | $$ |
  | BioLite Headlamp 750 | 5.38 ounces 750 Lumens 130 Meters | 4.6 | $$ |
  | Ledlenser MH10 Headlamp 600 | 5.6 ounces 600 Lumens 150 Meters | 4.2 | $$ |
| Picture | Headlamp | Weight Output Capacity Beam Distance | Rating | Price |
Fenix HM50R Rechargeable Headlamp
It is compact and lightweight and fabricated with a sturdy waterproof military-grade aluminum body.
You can use the rechargeable Li-ion battery that is provided or a CR123A Lithium battery that performs well in extremely cold conditions.
The runtime is substantial, especially at 128 hours on low.
This moderately priced headlamp comes with a convenient package of spare parts and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Specifications & Features
- Weight: 2.2 ounces (without batteries), 2.8 ounces (with batteries)
- Beam Distance: 80 meters – high, 6 meters – low
- Output Capacity: 500 lumens
- Run Time: 2 hours/128 hours (high/low)
- Batteries: 1 x rechargeable 16340 Li-ion battery (included) or 1 x CR123A Lithium battery
- Materials: durable aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- Brightness Levels: 500 lumens – turbo, 130 lumens – high, 30 lumens – medium, 4 lumens – low
- Water-Resistance: IPX8 (deeper than 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes)
- Includes spare rubber anti-dust cover, spare 0-rings, spare silicone headlamp holder, USB charging cable
- Large, easy-to-use side button even with gloves
- Warranty: limited lifetime
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $$
Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp
With 350 lumens maximum output, the maximum beam distance is 85 meters on high.
Equipped with dual strobes and a red light, it has PowerTap technology for easy brightness adjustment.
Powered by three AAA batteries, it has a brightness memory for on/off so that you can switch back on to a previous level without resetting.
Waterproof and compact, it’s a great headlamp for night backpacking and is supported by a 3-year warranty.
Specifications & Features
- Weight: 3 ounces (with batteries)
- Beam Distance: 85 meters – high, 8 meters – low
- Output Capacity: 350 lumens
- Run Time: 3.75 hours/200 hours (high/low)
- Batteries: 3 x AAA (included)
- 6 setting 3-LED battery meter
- Dual LED strobes and a red light
- 2-button controls
- Multi-faceted optical lens design
- Brightness Levels: variable with PowerTap technology for brightening and dimming, brightness memory feature for on and off at a chosen brightness without reverting to a default
- Water-Resistance: IPX8 (deeper than 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes)
- Warranty: 3-year limited
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $
It has easy-to-use single-button control of light color and brightness and includes mounting accessories for use with any bike or helmet.
Charge time from the USB port is only 3 hours but if needed you can change over to three AAA batteries.
The pricing is in the moderate range and it comes with an attractive 5-year warranty on the lamp and 2 years for the rechargeable battery.
Specifications & Features
- Weight: 2.8 ounces (with batteries)
- Beam Distance: 90 meters – high, 8 meters – low
- Output Capacity: 450 lumens
- Run Time: 2 hours/130 hours (high/low)
- Batteries: Core rechargeable battery (included), recharge time via USB port – 3 hours, or compatible with 3 x AAA batteries
- Mounting accessories enable attachment to any helmet or bicycle
- Single-button control of light color (normal or red) and brightness
- Beam Type: flood or spot with several brightness levels
- Water-Resistance: IPX4 (can withstand splashed water for 5 minutes)
- Warranty: 5 years for the lamp, 2 years for the rechargeable battery
- Rating: 4.3
- Price: $$
Black Diamond Spot Lite 160 Headlamp
With a single LED strobe, it has 160 lumens output to give you adequate brightness for night use around camp with significant runtime and easy single-button adjustment of multiple flood and spot levels, and red night light.
It has IPX8 water resistance, which means it can be submerged to depths of greater than 1 meter for half an hour.
The most attractive is the bargain-level pricing. Black Diamond backs it with a 3-year limited warranty.
Specifications & Features
- Weight: 1.9 ounces (with batteries)
- Beam Distance: 60 meters – high, 3 meters – low
- Output Capacity: 160 lumens
- Run Time: 2 hours/60 hours (high/low)
- Batteries: 2 x AAA (included)
- Beam Type: flood or spot with adjustable settings, and dimming, strobe, red night light, and lock mode
- Water-Resistance: IPX8 (deeper than 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes)
- Warranty: 3-year limited
- Rating: 4.4
- Price: $
It has a USB-rechargeable battery that serves up 200 lumens across 4 modes.
The design includes an articulating bezel for adjustment to the most effective angle of the beam, a reflective strip to make you more visible from behind, water resistance at the IPX4 level, and a lock to prevent wasting power in your backpack.
The pricing is moderate and it is backed by a 1-year limited warranty.
Specifications & Features
- Weight: 1.75 ounces (with batteries)
- Beam Distance: 50 meters – high, 8 meters – low
- Output Capacity: 200 lumens
- Run Time: 3 hours/40 hours (high/low)
- Batteries: USB-rechargeable 700 mAh Lithium-ion
- Beam Type: flood or spot with 4 modes
- Articulated front bezel for angling the light
- Moisture-wicking fabric keeps your brow drier and a reflective strip for better visibility from the rear
- Locking feature
- Water-Resistance: IPX4 (can withstand splashed water for 5 minutes)
- Warranty: 1-year limited
- Rating: 4.6
- Price: $$
It has an innovative reactive mode that senses the ambient light and automatically adjusts brightness, as well as a standard mode where you can select the level.
A single button conveniently controls all functions and the battery has a 5-level gauge to keep track of battery use.
The comfortable 2-part headband provides the stability for dynamic activities like skiing, running, and mountaineering to match the powerful beam. It can also be removed for washing and has a reflective strip for visibility.
The pricing is a little higher than most of the models reviewed here and is to be expected with the high power and quality features. It is backed by a strong 5-year warranty.
Specifications & Features
- Weight: 3.5 ounces (with batteries)
- Beam Distance: 180 meters – high reactive, 12 meters – low standard
- Output Capacity: 900 lumens
- Run Time: 2 hours/100 hours (high/low)
- Batteries: USB-rechargeable 2350 mAh Lithium-ion, 6-hour charging time, 5-level gauge to monitor the charge level
- Beam Type: adjustable flood
- Reactive and Standard modes
- Single-button control of all functions
- Comfortable 2-part headband for stability, detachable and washable, with reflective strip for visibility
- Center-mounted pivot for angling the beam
- Locking feature
- Water-Resistance: IPX4 (can withstand splashed water for 5 minutes)
- Warranty: 5-year limited
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $$$
In addition, it can use Bluetooth and a phone app for the customization of settings.
It also has Constant mode for manual control of brightness and a USB-chargeable Lithium-ion battery.
The most expensive headlamp on our list today, it comes with a 3-year warranty.
Specifications & Features
- Weight: 6.5 ounces (with batteries)
- Beam Distance: 140 meters – high, 65 meters – low
- Output Capacity: 750 lumens
- Run Time: 1.5 hours/15 hours (high/low)
- Batteries: USB-rechargeable 2650 mAh Lithium-ion, 6 to 8-hour charging time
- Beam Type: adjustable
- Reactive and Constant lighting modes
- Bluetooth compatible
- Locking feature
- Water-Resistance: IPX4 (can withstand splashed water for 5 minutes)
- Warranty: 3-year limited
- Rating: 4.4
- Price: $$$$
Princeton Tec Apex 650 Headlamp
Two headbands make sure it fits securely during vigorous activities and a waterproof rating of IPX7 means it can withstand immersion to 1 meter of water should conditions take you there.
The one potential drawback is the weight at 9.8 ounces but a reasonable price and lifetime warranty soften that blow.
Specifications & Features
- Weight: 9.8 ounces (with batteries)
- Beam Distance: 120 meters – high, 22 meters – low
- Output Capacity: 650 lumens
- Run Time: 1.4 hours/144 hours (high/low)
- Batteries: 4 x AA alkaline (included), or Lithium
- Beam Type: flood or spot, 5 brightness levels using 1 Maxbright LED and 4 Ultralight LEDs
- 2 switches for changing modes
- Water-Resistance: IPX7 (1 meter underwater for 30 minutes)
- Warranty: limited lifetime
- Rating: 4.3
- Price: $$
*Please note that the video below demonstrates the rechargeable battery version rather than the model reviewed above with replaceable batteries.
These include front and rear flood and spotlights, all dimmable, in red or white, and a 30-second burst.
It also has a Constant mode where you keep continuous control over the illumination and pass-through charging which allows you to recharge while the light is still turned on.
It is a little heavier than some at 5.3 ounces making it less than ideal for running and the IPX4 water resistance is only good for splashes.
On the bright side, the single-button operation is convenient and easy and the pricing is reasonable.
Specifications & Features
- Weight: 5.3 ounces (with batteries)
- Beam Distance: 130 meters – burst, 15 meters – low
- Output Capacity: 750 lumens
- Run Time: 2 hours/150 hours (high/low)
- Batteries: USB rechargeable 3000 mAh Li-ion with battery indicator LED and run-through charging
- Beam Type: spot or flood, 8 modes in all, all dimmable including 30-second burst, and a rear red strobe and burst
- Constant mode
- Digital lock mode
- Comfortable SlimFit construction with a 3D molded housing
- One-button controls
- Water-Resistance: IPX4 (can withstand splashed water for 5 minutes)
- Warranty: 1-year limited
- Rating: 4.6
- Price: $$
The Ledlenser MH10 Headlamp 600 is very bright with an impressive maximum beam distance of 150 meters great for winter sports.
It has 3 brightness levels in constant light and energy-saving modes with a fairly long burn time and also sports a red rear safety light.
A rapid focus system with a one-handed ring control is a nice feature for widening and narrowing the beam.
The rechargeable battery is normally mounted on the back but can be positioned on the side of the strap.
With the battery, it is a little bit heavy for some activities and the waterproofing is only at the IPX4 level.
Otherwise, the pricing is quite reasonable as is the 7-year warranty.
Specifications & Features
- Weight: 5.6 ounces (with batteries)
- Beam Distance: 150 meters – high, 20 meters – low
- Output Capacity: 600 lumens
- Run Time: 120 hours/10 hours (high/low)
- Batteries: USB rechargeable 1 x 18650 3.7V, rear battery pack, low-bat warning and charge indicator
- Brightness Levels: power, low power, and defense, in constant light and energy-saving modes, includes a rear red safety light
- Rapid focus system with one-handed ring adjustment to widen and narrow the beam
- Water-Resistance: IPX4 (can withstand splashed water for 5 minutes)
- Warranty: 7-year limited
- Rating: 4.2
- Price: $$
Headlamp Buying Guide
Lumens
This is a term used as a measure to quantify the amount of light emitted from a light source. A light with a higher lumens level uses energy at a higher rate than one with a lower number. Brightness is not strictly based on lumens output, though. How light is focused and directed has an impact on brightness with a spotlight providing a brighter more intense beam on a smaller area, and a less focused floodlight delivering diffused light that covers a larger area.
Beam Type
As introduced above, there are two beam types usually featured on headlamps.
- Flood – A floodlight has a wide beam for general lighting of an area that doesn’t ordinarily cover a long distance.
- Spot – A spotlight has a narrow beam that can focus on long-distance targets.
- Some headlamps are adjustable and include both spot and flood beams.
Additional Beam Modes
In addition to flood and spot beams, there are several others available.
- A red light mode has several advantages. It doesn’t cause pupils to dilate, so night vision isn’t impaired. It is also less likely to disturb other individuals for stealthy movement in tight quarters and doesn’t attract insects as much as white light. A red light on the back is useful for safety to increase visibility.
- A strobe or flash can be used as a signal in an emergency and preserves battery life.
- Different levels of brightness are offered with a maximum and a minimum and sometimes with adjustable points in between.
Beam Distance
It is important to know how far the beam of a headlamp can be projected to know if it is appropriate for the activity you have chosen. Manufacturers test how far in meters a headlamp can project a beam and present it in the specifications (as you can see in the reviews above). For activities like biking or skiing a long-distance beam is most useful. For closer targets around camp, a shorter beam distance may be more suitable. A longer beam distance generally depletes the energy source more quickly.
Run Time
Run time or burn time refers to how long a headlamp will last on a full battery charge. Manufacturers test it in each lighting mode with the same batteries the headlamp is sold with or designed to use and then publish the results in the specifications. It’s important to plan your activity so that you will have enough battery power to complete it. If there is any question, your safest bet is to bring along some replacement batteries.
Weight
Most headlamps are fairly lightweight with the range for the models reviewed here from 1.75 to 9.8 ounces with the batteries included. High-powered models and those with top straps and external battery packs tend to weigh more. It is a matter of personal preference but for activities where traveling fast and light is a consideration, less weight is an option.
Water Resistance
Most headlamps are rated for their ability to withstand exposure to water. The models reviewed here all have an IPX rating of IPX4 (can withstand splashed water for 5 minutes), IPX7 (can be submerged 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes), or IPX8 (can be submerged deeper than 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes). What is IPX?
For more information on hiking and camping gear, please check out these reviews:
Night Vision Binoculars Marine Binoculars Backpacking Stoves Backpacking Tarp Shelters Camping Knives Backpacking Tents Backpacking Backpacks Backpacking Sleeping Pads Camping Beds Portable Toilets Bivy Sacks Camping Hammocks Backpacking Sleeping Bags Ultralight Tents SUV Tents 4 Season Tents Truck Tents 4 Person Tents Beach Tents
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