The Best Headlamps of 2024

The best 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 every year, we take them to the field and put them to the test head-to-head. We compare their modes and light up distant rock walls. We try their fit one after another to learn about comfort. And we wear them around the campfire, to learn which is most intuitive, which buttons work with gloves, and so forth.

But we don’t stop there. We also take the headlamps home and put them into some measurable testing. We charge them up, and then let them run on “high” mode to find out how they measure up with their claimed run times. And we compare the color rendering, throw distance, and other qualities of the light the lamps produce. Our testers range from former search and rescue 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. 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, Price and Value breakdown, and comprehensive Buyer’s Guide.

Editor’s Note: We updated this guide on November 11th, 2024, re-assessing our selection and adding the powerful Black Diamond Distance LT 1100.

The Best Headlamps of 2024

• Best Overall Headlamp: Black Diamond Spot 400-R
• Best Budget Headlamp: Petzl Tikkina
• Runner-Up Best Headlamp: Coast FL85R
• Most Comfortable Headlamp: BioLite 325 Headlamp
• Best Ultralight Headlamp: Petzl Bindi
• Best Multi-Power Headlamp: Petzl Actik Core
• Best Headlamp for Running Ultramarathons: Black Diamond Distance 1500
• Best Color Rendering Headlamp: Fenix HM 50 V2

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Best Headlamp Comparison Chart

Headlamp	Price	Max Lumen Output	Rechargeable	Max Burn Time	Weight	Waterproof Rating
Black Diamond Spot 400-R	$65	400 lm	Yes	225 hrs. on low; 4 hrs. on high	2.6 oz.	IP67
Petzl Tikkina	$25	250 lm	No	120 hrs.	2.8 oz.	IPX4
Coast FL85R	$63	700 lm	Yes	1 hr., 45 min.	4.5 oz.	IP54
BioLite 325	$50	325 lm	Yes	40 hours on low, 3 hours on high	1.75 oz.	IPX4
Petzl Bi ndi	$44	200 lm	Yes	50 hrs.	2.1 oz.	IPX4
Petzl Actik Core	$69	600 lm	Yes	130 hrs.	2.6 oz.	IPX4
Black Diamond Distance 1500	$200	1,500 lm	Yes	40 hrs.	7.5 oz.	IP67
Ledlenser NEO5R	$70	600 lm	Yes	35 hrs.	3.7 oz.	IP54
Fenix HM 50R V2	$60	700 lm	Yes	42 hrs.	2.75 oz.	IP68
Coast WPH30R	$70	1,000 lm	Yes	23 hrs. on flood low; 5 hrs. on spot	2.6 oz	IP68
Distance LT 1100	$120	1100 lm	Yes	120 hrs on low, 4.25 hrs on high	3.8 oz.	IP67
Ledlenser MH11	$160	1,000 lm	Yes	100 hrs.	6.3 oz.	IP54
Black Diamond Storm 500-R	$75	500 lm	Yes	350 hrs.	3.5 oz.	IP67

How We Tested the Best Headlamps

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. Author and hunt and fish editor Nicole Qualtieri first published this guide in early 2021, and the selection included 9 of the best headlamps available online.

Since then, we’ve refined this guide and kept it updated by testing the latest models. Since then, our list has grown to include 13 models, representing a diversity of manufacturers, from Black Diamond to Fenix.

Additionally, GearJunkie Editor Sean McCoy now contributes most of the testing and hands-on evaluation. Sean is a hunter, skier, runner, and all-round outdoorsman with over 20 years of experience putting gear through the ringer. For headlamps, Sean brings each model on long runs that stretch well past sundown and uses them at hunt camp, where they are put to the test in cold conditions and Sean can evaluate the user interface (the buttons) through a thick pair of gloves.

We’ve also tested many models in a group setting where we can make side-by-side comparisons of brightness and beam length. Our team has 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.

For more lighting options, check out our guide to the best headlamps for hunting, and if you’re looking to up your game in camp, have a look at the best camping lanterns.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best 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 300 to 1,500 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 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. High-speed activities like cycling are best with at least 1,000 lumens of available lighting, and more is better. Faster activities also require a longer beam distance, which we outline below.

Those looking for super-bright lighting can often do better with hand-held flashlights. Check out our guide to the best flashlights here.

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 Black Diamond Spot 400-R has 400 lumens and a max output of 100 meters 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

Most headlamps offer a lock button or switch that prevents them from turning on in your pack and wasting precious battery life (or starting a fire). 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. When you buy a headlamp, read the instructions to learn how to lock and unlock the light. It’s a valuable feature that will save you an unexpectedly dead headlamp when night falls.

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. It also reduces neck fatigue if you can angle the light down at the right angle to illuminate the trail without craning your neck. Just don’t be surprised if your baseball hat bring blocks the light, so pro-tip; flip your baseball hat backwards when wearing a headlamp at night to get the best performance.

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 Fenix HM 50R V2 has an IP68 rating meaning it can function while completely submerged up to a meter.

Price & Value

Headlamps span a big price range — from $25-$200. Quality choices can be found at both ends of the spectrum, and if you just need a headlamp to see around camp or keep in your car for emergencies, our budget pick will easily suffice. If you want to run or climb at night and are willing to spend a little bit more, you get some pretty cool features like rechargeable batteries, reactive light settings, and enough power to blind anyone headed in your direction.

Budget

If your budget is sub-$50, the Petzl Tikkina ($25) is a capable little headlamp for tooling around camp or working under the hood or under the sink. It runs on AAA batteries and emits a respectable 250 lumens (when the batteries are fresh). Spend $50, and you can upgrade to the Biolite 325, the least expensive headlamp with rechargeable batteries in our guide.

Mid-Tier

Spending $60 to $100 broadens your choices by quite a lot, and almost every headlamp in this price tier has rechargeable batteries. Our top pick is the Black Diamond Spot 400-R ($65), a 400 lumen light with a USB-C port for charging. If you’re hiking on trail or running along the road at night, it’s plenty bright. The Petzl Actik Core ($69) has a 130 hours runtime on its lowest setting and only weighs 2.6 ounces, so it’s a great option for backpacking.

Premium

$150 and up will get you a high powered light cannon that attaches to your forehead. The $200 Black Diamond Distance 1500 takes the cake here, with a (you guessed it) maximum output of 1,500 lumens, an 8-hour runtime at the 300 lumen setting, and rechargeable batteries that can be swapped out mid race — awesome for ultrarunners, but overkill for most folks.

Frequently Asked Questions