Light your way with the best headlamp

What s the best headlamp A reliable headlamp is a useful multipurpose tool you can use in various situations from outdoor programs to home repair Unlike traditional flashlights headlamps eliminate the need to use your hands giving you more freedom during tasks Headlamps are available in numerous sizes styles and power sources to suit your requirements Top headlamps like the PETZL Actik Core Headlamp are lightweight powerful and sport a variety of convenient features What to know before you buy a headlamp Headlamp uses While there isn t an absolute limit to the practical use of a headlamp here are a scarce of the preponderance popular services Hiking and camping Nighttime running and walking Cycling Spelunking Car maintenance and repair Home repair Working on hobbies Reading at night As a backup exigency light Lumen rating Its lumen rating determines the total brightness of your headlamp Headlamp lumens can range from approximately to or more Lower lumen ratings up to are ideal for camping in a tent at night or for situations where you don t necessarily need an intense beam of light Headlamps with lumen ratings up to are great midrange options that work well for nighttime hiking walking in dark areas and working on home repairs Models with a max lumen rating greater than will offer superior brightness which can be helpful for cyclists or those who need a larger field of vision However the higher the lumens the more resource your headlamp will use often decreasing battery life Beam The beam type and beam distance will also play a role in the total brightness you can achieve Various headlamps feature different beam settings which include flood and spotlights Floodlights offer a broader and less focused lighting area which is best for up-close work Spotlights provide a narrower beam of light that is better for seeing long distances Majority of headlamps will state their maximum beam distance Power source The two primary power sources for headlamps are rechargeable batteries and disposable batteries lithium or alkaline You can easily use a USB charger for rechargeable batteries which will save you money in the long run Headlamps that run on disposable batteries will require you to replace the batteries so you will need to carry spares What to look for in a quality headlamp Light modes Having a variety of light and brightness settings can come in handy for different situations Low medium and high beam settings are standard on a multitude of headlamp models Still particular options will also include a red light setting which produces less of a blinding effect for others and strobe effects for urgency signaling Adjustability Having adjustable light settings is essential but the ability to reposition the headlamps is also critical as it allows you to adjust the beam angle to your precise necessities Durability Multiple people use their headlamps outdoors in a wide range of weather and temperature conditions Choosing a headlamp with both impact resistance and water resistance will ensure that your light won t quit when you need it majority of Weight and comfort Considering that you ll be wearing this piece of equipment for prolonged periods occasionally both weight and comfort are crucial Runners and hikers will benefit from a lightweight headlamp so it doesn t weigh them down Make sure the strap isn t too abrasive or uncomfortable when positioned around your head How much you can expect to spend on a headlamp You can find a decent headlamp for under but majority will cost somewhere - Headlamp FAQ How long do headlamp batteries last A While there is no exact battery life span that applies to all headlamps various models will state their max burn time Headlamps used on low settings will generally have a much longer burn time than when used at their max settings for extended periods Will sweating while wearing my headlamp damage it A In largest part cases no A majority of headlamps can withstand several moisture If you know you ll be doing intense exercise with your headlamp look for a water-resistant model ideally with an IPX rating of or higher What s the best headlamp to buy Top headlamp PETZL Actik Core Headlamp What you need to know This is a durable long-lasting headlight with a rechargeable battery and -lumen brightness What you ll love It features several different light modes and a reflective band for extra visibility What you should consider Using the max brightness setting can speedily drain the battery Top headlamp for the money BLACK DIAMOND Astro LED Headlamp What you need to know The Astro Headlamp is a budget-friendly option that is perfect for on-the-go adventurers What you ll love The lumens are powered by a trio of AAA batteries and the content head strap is fully adjustable What you should consider This headlamp can consume the batteries fast Worth checking out BioLite HeadLamp What you need to know BioLite has created a sturdy lightweight and reassured headlamp that won t slide around on your head What you ll love With up to hours of burn time per charge and high lumen output this option will have you prepared for any situation What you should consider It is not fully waterproof Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for bulk consumers BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links