The first digit stands for protection against dust and dirt. If there is an X in this position, this is not rated. Unlike other super bright headlamps, it doesn’t need have an extra strap going over the top of the head, meaning it works well for people with pony tails, big hairstyles, or those wearing hats or hoods. Don't become overly reliant on your headlamp. Keep an awareness of your surroundings, as it's easy to become disoriented or miss important landmarks when relying solely on a narrow beam of light. Secure the headlamp properly

With a flashlight, runners can also prevent their shadow from impacting the beam. The brightest light mode of a flashlight is often spotlight mode, so if you're trying to find wildlife or get a very detailed look at a particular area, a flashlight may be a better option. One of the most significant benefits of a headlamp is that it provides hands-free illumination. This is a huge benefit over a flashlight. This allows you to perform various tasks, such as cooking in camp, reading maps, setting up camp, or even hiking or climbing, without the need to hold a flashlight. Enhanced safety Please also consider sharing it using one of the buttons at right and leaving a comment or question at the bottom. Thank you, I really appreciate it. As always, if you’re carrying electronics or other moisture-sensitive items anywhere they’re likely to get wet, we recommend a dry bag. ValueAlways follow the manufacturer’s battery recommendation (e.g., alkaline, lithium). All of our recommended headlamps support alkaline and lithium batteries, but note that this isn’t true for all headlamps. Some headlamps, especially older models before the LED bulb, use bulbs that can't handle lithium batteries. However, all of our winners support lithium batteries.

For stubborn dirt or residue, use a damp cloth or a mild cleaning solution that is safe for plastics and electronics. Ensure the headlamp is completely dry before use.Still, our one issue with the Nitecore NU 25 is battery life. When using the max light output of 360 lumens, it only lasts 0.5 hour–which is the lowest time of the headlamps we tested. However, in low light mode, it runs for 160 hours, which is better than some other rechargeable headlamps, like the BioLite 330. Still, it’s lower but in the general ballpark of AAA battery headlamps like the Spot 400. For those who enjoy nighttime adventures like night hiking or wildlife photography, a headlamp is arguably the most important gear item. If your headlamp comes with spare bulbs, O-rings, or other accessories, store them in a place where you'll actually remember them! Consider putting a note for what they are. If you end up losing them or throwing them out, many manufacturers will replace them for free or a small fee. Beam distance and shape: For around-the-house or running use, your best option is a thinner beam. You might, however,want a wider beam on occasion, for camping, for instance. We prioritized headlamps that offered both a narrow and a wider beam. Remove the batteries before long-term storage. Moisture and sweat can cause battery corrosion and ruin your headlamp (we speak from experience!)

Accidental drops or impacts can mess with the headlamp's internal components and the lens. Most of the headlamps we recommend are pretty rugged and are designed to handle some dropping. However, sometimes a small drop at a weird angle can cause more damage than a bigger drop onto a part that is designed to take more wear. Treeline writer Kate Hoch has used its predecessor, the BioLite 750, for the past year climbing and mountaineering in the Cascades and Pacific Northwest, including Mt. Shasta. For these kinds of trips, being able to see farther out is essential for smart route-finding decisions. In addition, many ultramarathoners enjoy trail running with a brighter headlamp, especially when they are likely to hallucinate or become sleep-deprived enough to see things in the dark.Most of the headlamps we recommend offer focused and directional lighting, which is handy for illuminating specific areas or objects like your cook pot or where you think that mouse hiding under your tent may be. You can adjust the angle and intensity of the light to suit your needs, whether you're examining gear, reading, or navigating uneven terrain. Improved night vision If your headlamp uses replaceable batteries, follow the manufacturer's recommendations for replacement intervals. The most powerful of Petzl’s compact headlamps, the Petzl Swift RL shouldn’t be overlooked by those looking for a high-end light. This lamp features the same Reactive Lighting tech as the Nao RL above, which is not only convenient for adapting to the environment hands-free (think of it as the photochromic lens of headlamps) but also optimizes battery life throughout the charge. In standard Reactive mode, you get a minimum of 7 hours of burn time and up to 275 lumens of light, which is sufficient brightness for navigating trails and even more complex terrain. Compare that to the top-ranked Actik Core, which lasts for 7 hours at 100 lumens, and the contrast is obvious: The Swift RL is a much more powerful lamp for just a small 0.4-ounce weight penalty. Text on the Spot 350 claims and IPX8 standard of waterproofing. With this rating users should be able to submerge a given device to a depth of over 1 meter for at least 30 minutes. Most would interpret this standard to mean the headlamp is somehow sealed to prevent water from entering the housing, and it might even float under the right conditions. Store spare batteries in a safe, dry place, and keep them warm in cold weather to maintain their performance. Dispose of used batteries responsibly, following local recycling guidelines.

For rechargeable headlamps, follow the manufacturer's guidelines for charging. Overcharging or letting the battery drain completely can affect battery life. Often, headlamps with the most beam distance require more juice from batteries. Most headlamp companies will tell you lumens and distance in their specs. However, brand-reported numbers may be faulty. See our graph representing distance for more information on distance thrown. BATTERY LIFE — ANSI FL1 STANDARD Lumen count: Lumens are a measure of the quantity of light emitted from a light source. For reference: 1 lumen is 10 times brighter than moonlight; a flashlight offers about 20 lumens. But when you’re buying a headlamp, you don’t want to just go for the highest lumen count possible. “A lot of lumens can be attractive to many and feel fun. However, there is the trade-off with weight, low run-time, and price,” said Victor Kabo, the co-founder of Bookman Urban Visibility, a Swedish company that makes bicycle lights. Lumen count also doesn’t tell you much about the actual light quality, either: From an optics perspective, the beam length and the shape both impact a light’s output more than the lumen number. Based on our experience and research, we’ve found you don’t need more than 300 lumens for everyday tasks, and often 200 will do just fine. (Running a 400-lumen headlamp at 200 will also make the battery last longer.) We looked at headlamps that offered at least 200 lumens (except for the headlamps for kids). Taking good care of your headlamp not only extends its lifespan but also ensures that it functions reliably when you need it the most. Here are some essential tips for proper headlamp maintenance: Keep it clean For minimalists and true ounce-counters, our favorite ultralight headlamp of 2023 is the Nitecore NU25 400 UL. At just 1.6 ounces, the Nitecore secures via a streamlined elastic headband, is surprisingly bright with a 400-lumen max output, and is rechargeable via micro USB. We’ve also found it incredibly easy to operate (cryptic toggling between modes is a common issue with headlamps), with one button for the white beam and one for red, and the battery seemingly lasts forever. All told, as a high-powered emergency light or for those trying to keep their load as light as possible, the NU25 UL is a bright and relatively cheap option.The battery compartment isn’t sealed to prevent leaking- meaning that if submerged for any longer than a few seconds it’s very likely the battery storage compartment will get wet. Does it still work while wet? Our testers said yes, though all remarked that they weren’t happy with the idea of continuing to use the Spot 350 knowing they had soggy batteries strapped to their heads. The Petzl Actik Core has 2 hours of battery life at max power (450 lumens), 8 hours at standard power (100 lumens), and 130 hours at low power (6 lumens). For many headlamps there are also special rechargeable batteries from the manufacturer to use the lamps longer. However, normal rechargeable batteries can also be used.