Headlamps are a hotly contested item here in the GearJunkie office. We each have our favorites, and the arguments get hot over the most important headlamp features, specs, and user interfaces.
So this year, we took them to the field and put them to the test head-to-head. We compared their modes and lit up distant rock walls. We tried their fit one after another to learn about comfort. And we wore them around the campfire, learning which was most intuitive, which buttons worked with gloves, and so forth.
But we didn’t stop there. We also took the headlamps home and put them into some measurable testing. We charged them up, and then let them run on “high” mode to find out how they measured up with their claimed run times. And we compared the color rendering, throw distance, and other qualities of the light the lamps produce. Our testers ranged from former YOSAR personnel to ultramarathoners and rock climbers.
Don’t have time to read this whole article and just want a great, serviceable headlamp at a reasonable price? Just get the Black Diamond Spot 400-R. Updated for 2023, it’s the most well-rounded headlamp we tested and should function well in almost any use case, from hiking to hunting to mountaineering.
Where the Spot 400-R thrives forms the base of our recommendations. We judged the lights by a few criteria: battery run time, spotlight range, floodlight quality, user interface, size and weight, lighting modes, and price.
Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys. At the end of our list, be sure to check out our helpful comparison chart and comprehensive buyer’s guide.
The Best Headlamps of 2023
Best Overall Headlamp
-
Lumen output
400 lumens; spotlight to 100 m -
Rechargeable
Yes, micro-USB -
Burn time
225 hrs. on low; 4 hrs. on high -
Weight
2.6 oz. -
Red light
Yes -
Waterproof rating
IP67 (submersible)
-
Intuitive user interface -
Long battery life -
Lightweight
-
Not the brightest max output, but still plenty sufficient
Runner-up Best Headlamp
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Lumen output
700 lumens max; floodlight to 70 m, spotlight to 200 m -
Rechargeable
Yes, rechargeable battery pack via USB -
Burn time
8.5 hrs. on low; 1 hr. 45 min. on high -
Weight
4.5 oz. -
Red light
Yes
-
Large, easy-to-use buttons -
Rechargeable, but also compatible with alkaline batteries -
Top-notch long throw distance
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Shorter run time (9 hours at low light)
Headlamp Comparison Chart
Why You Should Trust Us
The GearJunkie team has tested a huge variety of headlamps for countless miles in the woods and at campsites, from hunting to climbing peaks. We polled our crew to determine their absolute favorite headlamps and why.
We’ve used these headlamps for spelunking, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and running ultramarathons. We’ve also used these headlamps at home — pulling gear out of the crawlspace, unloading the rig post-road trip, and shoveling snow. The utility of a dependable headlamp is prolific
Some of our editors have used their choice headlamp across every season for many years with no sign of deterioration or a desire to switch. Beyond our team’s experience, we also considered the most popular, most durable, and bestselling headlamps on the market as well as a broad range of price points and features.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Headlamp
Headlamp Bulbs: LEDs
Long gone are the days of light bulbs. Modern headlamps almost universally use LEDs (light-emitting diodes). These small, powerful light sources use a tiny fraction of the energy of bulbs. Today, thanks to LEDs, headlamps produce incredibly bright light and run for many hours on rechargeable batteries.
But did you know that all LEDs are not created equal? Yep, LEDs are a rapidly evolving technology. And when you get a good headlamp, one component that makes a big difference is which LED the brand uses.
Some of the very best headlamps use CREE LEDs. Using premium components, manufacturers can enhance headlamp power and light qualities like color rendering and warmth. So, when you spend a little more on a quality headlamp, this is just one of the reasons.
Color Options
The standard LED color is white (we’ll go into some variations on this in the Color Rendering section below). But many headlamps also have a red LED (or other colors) light.
We consider the red mode on a headlamp to be almost mandatory. That’s because red light preserves your night vision much more than white light.
So, by using a red light while cooking, around the campsite, or even while walking on a trail, you will still be able to see much more of the surrounding landscape, especially under a full moon. Red light also won’t wake up your tentmate as easily if you need to read or get dressed in the dark. And it’s the best color when hanging out with a group as it won’t blind your friends.
Some headlamps also have green and blue LED lights. Blue light is useful for night fishing and for hunters who need to spot an animal’s blood. Blue light also is a good choice for reading maps in the dark, because the tone picks up red lines on the page.
Green lights are a helpful tool for hunting at night. The color is brighter than red, provides better contrast, and won’t startle animals.
Regardless of the color options, be sure to take a little time to learn your headlamp’s user interface so you can switch between them as needed.
Lumens (Brightness)
One of the most important components of a headlamp is how much light it produces. We measure this in lumens. Most headlamps have a low, medium, high, and sometimes “turbo” brightness setting, which users can manually adjust via buttons on the headlamp.
The higher the setting, the faster the battery depletes, so Turbo settings are often short-lived and regulated to preserve battery life. Some headlamps also have a dimming option that lets you gradually adjust the brightness level.
Our favorite headlamps range from about 200 to 1,000 lumens at their highest output. For nighttime adventures like trail running or uphill skiing, opt for a headlamp with a max output of at least 250 to 300 lumens, which can spotlight obstacles and wildlife.
LEDs with higher lumens are better for faster activities or spotting far-off objects. But while higher lumens mean more energy consumption, you can always run your battery in low mode, which we recommend if you have a long time afield between recharges.
Beam Distance & Type
An increase in lumens usually helps boost the distance the light travels, but there’s not a direct correlation. For instance, the Foxelli MX20 has 165 lumens and a max output of 50 m Other factors influence how far the illumination travels, such as the LED placement, diameter, and beam type.
Most headlamps have two types of beams. The floodlight is broadly diffused to the area closest to you. This mode conserves battery power while reaching your immediate periphery.
The spotlight is a tight, concentrated beam of light that exposes the environment farther away and with a narrower field of vision. This setting sometimes requires more battery power, and often people manually click between the floodlight and spotlight.
Some headlamps automatically adjust between the two based on the objects in front of you. The automatic mode switch also preserves the battery. Others may use reactive technology to sense how much light to project, again, preserving battery life.
The distance between each headlamp’s floodlight and the spotlight is unique. For example, the BioLite 330 has an LED light of 330 lumens that reaches 16-75 m. The Coast FL85R is 750 lumens and extends 70-200 m — more than the length of two football fields.
Light Settings
Headlamps typically have multiple light settings that the user controls manually. Those options include a spotlight, which is the headlamp’s maximum light output and illuminates the environment farther away. A lower output setting concentrates light closer to you.
Some headlamps have a technology that automatically adjusts the low and max output based on the objects in front of you, which saves battery power. A handful of designs also have a strobe mode, which is helpful for visibility in areas with high vehicle traffic.
Battery Life
One of the biggest differentiators between headlamps is battery life. The best headlamps have a long life between charges, with some able to run for days on end without recharging.
But a little education goes a long way when it comes to extending battery life. By using the lower power settings and red light, most headlamps will run for many hours.
Some of the best on this list will run for more than 200 hours on low between charges! But using high will suck battery fast. For example, the Petzl Bindi Ultralight Headlamp battery lasts 2 hours in high-output mode and 50 hours in low-output mode.
Before you head out, make sure you understand how to toggle between the modes in order to manage the headlamp’s battery power.
Rechargeable vs. Conventional Battery Headlamps
Most headlamps these days offer a rechargeable component, but some still rely on regular batteries. Both options can be great depending on how you use your headlamp.
First, note that rechargeable batteries cost a little more at the outset. But given they last for many, many charges, they will be much cheaper over time than buying new batteries over and over.
Next, note that modern rechargeable batteries have gotten really good. You’ll see in our runtime that many of these will run for days without a recharge. And in our testing, they all managed to run for 7 to 24 hours or more. If you need a recharge in the field, just bring a small battery bank to recharge your unit.
There are circumstances where replaceable AAA or AA batteries make the most sense. For example, those running overnight ultramarathons may want to carry an extra set of batteries so they can quickly switch them without having to wait for a headlamp to recharge.
But for most users, a rechargeable battery is reliable, functional, and much more efficient and environmentally friendly. Not only do you produce less waste, but rechargeable batteries require much less energy to produce than disposable batteries and can run for up to 3,000 cycles without losing effectiveness.
You’ll see some headlamps offer both rechargeable batteries and the option for AAA battery functions. These are a great option for folks who want to be sustainable but also might need to rely on the speed of a conventional battery every once in a while.
User Interface and Buttons
This is a sticking point for a few folks on the crew. One editor wanted a headlamp that could easily be used with gloves.
Some headlamps offer the ability for the user to program buttons and lighting on their own. As we said earlier, a few headlamps offer apps for a plethora of options.
But, for the great majority of headlamp users, that is really unnecessary and a time-consuming step. Our editors and testers all loved headlamps that were simple to use and didn’t require a steep learning curve.
It’s easy enough to take a few minutes to read the instructions and figure out how to use your headlamp. But for most headlamps, they’re intuitive enough to figure out right out of the box. Those are the headlamps that made our list this year — simply because they offer the least trouble.
Lockability
Some headlamps offer a lock button or switch that prevents them from turning on in your pack and wasting precious battery life. If you plan to frequently store your headlamp in a bag or backpack, especially while hiking, lockability greatly improves reliability.
On this list, the Black Diamond Spot 400-r is a high-end headlamp with a well-made lock button.
Headband & Adaptability
Headlamps usually sit around the head against the forehead and hair. They typically include one front-facing LED attached to a stretchy elastic strap that’s wide, moisture-wicking, adjustable, and comfortable. The LED slides along the band and is removable, allowing the band to be washed.
There are uncommon headlamp designs, too. For instance, the LED light can be integrated into the band, like on the BioLite 330. Sometimes, a second strap crosses over the top of the head to support a heavier headlamp.
For minimalists, the Petzl Bindi Ultralight Headlamp is constructed with a thin, adjustable drawstring cord.
And other headlamps have a second light or the battery pack on the back of the strap. If you need to wear a hat or helmet, the headlamp will need to fit around that layer.
Headlamp Tilt
Some LED units are adjustable and click up and down to angle the light in an appropriate direction. This feature can be really nice in social settings when you’re trying not to blind another person or when reading a book.
Weight
For us, comfort and a lack of bounce are key. Headlamp comfort is influenced by the type of band, adjustability, overall weight, and personal preference.
We’ve found bounce can occur with bulky or cheaply constructed designs that are less streamlined and ergonomic. The weights of our favorite headlamps range from 1.2 to 7 ounces. But heavier headlamps usually need a third strap that goes over the top of your head to ensure comfort for the user.
Water Resistance
Some headlamps have an IPX or IP rating to show how resistant they are to water. IPX0 offers no barrier at all against precipitation, splashes, or sweat. IPX8 provides the greatest amount of protection against full submersion, like if you’re swimming with a headlamp on.
For instance, the Coast FL85R has an IPX4-rated construction, which is sweatproof but not fully waterproof. The Foxelli MX20 is IPX5-rated, meaning it’s resilient when hit by water but not a full dunk.
Price
The price of our choice headlamps ranges from $10 to $160. A headlamp’s overall features, like the quantity and types of LEDs and batteries, affect the price. The sturdiness, weight, battery capability, lumen strength, and overall power play a role in the cost, too.
FAQ
A headlamp is an ideal tool for hands-on activities such as cooking in low light or pitch black. It’s also great for nighttime endurance sports like trail running.
We’ve used our headlamp for search-and-rescue scenarios, alpine starts for long hikes, backpacking, and even walking home in the dark. And of course, headlamps are great for projects around the house like auto repair or electrical wiring in a house.
First, decide what you’ll use your headlamp to accomplish. If you need to move through terrain with obstacles or wildlife, you’ll need more lumens — at least 250. If you’re a hunter or angler, you might want blue and green LED options.
You’ll want to choose a design with a band that’s comfortable for your personal needs, including your head, skin, and hair. If you’re bouncing around, you might want a headlamp with a top strap.
You’ll also need to consider whether the battery duration is a match for your field hours. If not, you’ll need to decide if you want to carry extra batteries or a portable power bank to recharge the headlamp.
The brightest headlamp in our guide is the Ledlenser MH11 with 750 lumens. Other headlamps are even stronger. The Ledlenser MH11 delivers up to 1,000 lumens.
That said, headlamps with big-time lumens can require you to carry a separate battery case. They can also be clunky and less comfortable to wear on the head, especially during high-movement activities.
If we’re talking about lumens, our favorite bright 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 amount of lumens you need in your headlamp depends on the use. We’ve found 200 lumens or less work fine for domestic tasks like pulling gear out of the storage area, loading the truck bed, or setting up at the campground.
If we need to travel through technical terrain, like trail running at night, we opt for at least 250-300 lumens. For spotting distant objects, look for at least 400 lumens with a spotlight mode.
The tags on our choice headlamps range from $20 to $180. The cost is related to the components like the quantity and types of LEDs. The sturdiness, weight, battery, lumens, and power are all price variables, too.
Personally, we’d rather invest in one headlamp with the features we want, even if it’s a bit more expensive. Headlamps can last for years, as long as they’re not repeatedly dropped, crushed, or knocked off the side of a boat.
Yes, we use the red light setting of our headlamps all the time! Most modern headlamps come with a red light setting. While red light settings cannot generate the brightness of the primary white light setting, they are extremely handy.
In social settings, red lights offer visibility without blinding your friends with overly intense brightness. Plus, they help you maintain your night vision while illuminating nearby objects.
When sharing a tent with other people, a red light is great for reading without lighting up the whole interior while others are trying to sleep. Additionally, red lights are less likely to attract mosquitos and other bugs.
