When venturing into the great outdoors, having a reliable headlamp by your side can make all the difference. Whether you’re cycling along a dark highway, hiking through dense foliage, exploring the depths of a cave, or setting up camp under the stars, a good headlamp is an essential tool for any adventure-seeker. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve arrived at a campsite in the evening, only to fumble with a flashlight while trying to set up my tent.
But it’s not just about avoiding camping mishaps – a headlamp can be used for a wide range of purposes, from navigating through unfamiliar terrain to reading a book by the campfire.
The 5 Best Headlamps
When it comes to choosing the right headlamp for your outdoor adventures, you’re spoiled for choice. But which ones really stand out from the crowd? We’ve got the lowdown on five top contenders: Black Diamond Storm Headlamp, Princeton Tec Apex Headlamp, PETZL – e+LITE, Armytek Wizard V2 Headlamp, and Shining Buddy Headlamp – our top pick.
Each of these headlamps has its own unique features that make it perfect for specific situations, whether you’re navigating through the wilderness at night or simply looking to add some extra light to your daily routine.
Our Top Pick for the Best Headlamp
Shinning Buddy Headlamp
This family-friendly headlamp is a gem, offering an unbeatable combination of affordability and versatility. Whether you’re mowing the lawn, walking the dog, or giving it to kids to enjoy while they ride their bikes around the campsite, this headlamp has got you covered.
Not only does it excel in terms of functionality, but its rugged design also allows it to withstand even the most demanding conditions.
With all the lighting power you need at your fingertips, this headlamp is perfect for any outdoor enthusiast. And at a price that won’t break the bank, it’s an investment that’s hard to resist.
Handy uses for a headlamp
When it comes to finding alternative uses for a headlamp, one can easily get creative. Here are eight practical applications that showcase its versatility:
1. Mowing the lawn: A headlamp is perfect for illuminating the area as the sun sets.
2. Garage tinkering: Whether you’re fixing your car or working on some DIY project, a headlamp provides reliable light in a confined space.
3.
Household chores: With its adjustable beam and hands-free design, a headlamp makes quick work of tasks like cleaning out cupboards or organizing the garage.
4. Reading in bed or under the stars: A headlamp is an excellent companion for reading a book in your tent, RV, or even just in bed.
5. Backyard barbecues: Grilling up a storm doesn’t have to mean sacrificing visibility; a headlamp provides ample light for monitoring the grill and ensuring everything is cooked to perfection.
6.
Spring cleaning: A headlamp’s focused beam is perfect for illuminating dusty corners or finding that one missing item in the cluttered cupboard.
7. Wine cellar management: Whether you’re storing wine, beer, or other beverages, a headlamp can help you navigate the dark confines of your cellar with ease.
8. Lost and found: Ever lost something under the house? A headlamp shines a light on those hard-to-reach areas, making it easier to locate misplaced items.
Types of Hands-free Headlamps
In today’s digitally driven era, a headlamp offers unparalleled freedom with its hands-free illumination capabilities. But what truly sets it apart is the versatility of its lighting modes, which often come in a range of three to six distinct settings, allowing you to tailor your experience to suit various situations and environments.
Flood Light (or wide beam)
Floodlights are versatile tools for outdoor enthusiasts. They excel at illuminating large areas, such as campsites, allowing for easy setup of tents or RVs. Additionally, their broad beam is well-suited for lighting up the interior of caves or other enclosed spaces. However, one notable limitation of floodlights is their inability to produce a strong, long-distance light.
This can be particularly problematic when trying to illuminate distant objects or areas, and may even drain the battery if left on for extended periods.
Spotlight
Spotlights are particularly useful for illuminating vast areas, making them perfect for applications such as highlighting trails or identifying subjects at a distance, like animals perched high in trees. Their ability to cast a beam of light over long distances makes them an essential tool for anyone who needs to navigate or observe objects from afar.
Strobe
In critical situations where visibility is crucial, a strobe light can be a lifesaver. Many headlamps offer adjustable strobe settings, allowing you to customize the flashing speed to suit your needs. This feature is particularly useful during nighttime rides or emergency situations, as it enables you to quickly grab the attention of oncoming traffic, ensuring a safe and timely passage.
Low Setting
When navigating low-light environments, the built-in setting is incredibly versatile. It’s perfect for everyday situations, such as traversing a well-known path in the evening, illuminating a campsite with ease, or even getting lost in a good book without straining your eyes. The flexibility of this feature makes it an indispensable tool in a variety of scenarios.
High Setting
When navigating through dark canyons or unfamiliar trails, the high setting on your flashlight can be a lifesaver. It illuminates the path ahead, allowing you to traverse challenging terrain with confidence. However, it’s crucial to exercise caution when relying on this setting for extended periods. Not only does it rapidly drain the battery, but it also increases the risk of overheating, rendering the light unreliable.
A balanced approach is key, striking a delicate balance between visibility and power conservation.
How To Choose The Best Headlamp
Selecting a headlamp that harmonizes with your daily routine can be an intricate endeavor, but by distilling the key factors, we’ve aimed to illuminate the path forward. To aid in this process, here are 8 fundamental guidelines for identifying the most suitable headlamp for your needs:
Weight
When it comes to selecting a headlamp, its weight is a crucial factor, but this depends largely on how you plan to use it. Lightweight options are typically made from lighter plastic and while they may not project as much light over short distances, they’re ideal for activities that require low to medium illumination, such as mowing the lawn or reading a book. They’re also great for camping in low-light conditions or as an emergency backup on bushwalks, as they easily fit into your backpack.
On the other hand, heavier headlamps are designed for high-impact outdoor pursuits like hiking expeditions or exploring areas with no natural light. These lights are constructed from durable materials such as aluminum or thick plastic to withstand rough handling and provide a more powerful beam that can illuminate greater distances. It’s also important to consider that heavy-duty headlamps may require more batteries, which can contribute to their overall weight.
Some manufacturers have addressed this by incorporating extra padding on the headband to cushion the weight and offering adjustable lights that can be angled up or down to reduce strain on your neck.
Battery Life
When it comes to illumination tools like headlights and flashlights, battery life is a topic of much debate. Manufacturers often make claims about their products’ endurance, but real-world experiences can vary significantly from these claims. Battery life primarily depends on how long you intend to use the headlamp in one sitting, as well as the type of alkaline batteries chosen.
If your headlamp is designed specifically for alkaline batteries, opting for a reputable brand like Duracell instead of a cheaper alternative can result in longer battery life and increased likelihood that manufacturer claims are accurate.
Most headlamps rely on AA or AAA alkaline batteries, although some brands use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries exclusively or offer the option to use either alkaline or lithium.
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries tend to be lighter and offer longer battery life; however, if you’re in a situation where access to power is limited, disposable batteries may be more practical. It’s essential to consider your needs and plan accordingly.
Using high-powered settings for extended periods can quickly drain battery life. To maximize battery performance, limit use of the headlamp to low or medium power levels, depending on the brand.
This approach will help extend battery life and ensure you’re not constantly replacing or recharging them.
Ultimately, a reliable headlight should be able to sustain reasonable usage without requiring frequent battery changes or recharges.
Battery Light Indicator
When it comes to outdoor activities, having a reliable headlamp can be a game-changer. One feature that sets some headlamps apart is their ability to display a battery life indicator. This handy feature allows you to monitor the level of battery power at any given time. Whether you’re embarking on a long hike or an extended bike ride, knowing exactly how much juice you have left can be a major morale booster.
With this information, you’ll never find yourself stuck in the dark miles from your campsite or home.
Brightness
While Thomas Edison’s iconic light bulb has been replaced by more advanced LED technology in modern headlights, the brightness and longevity of these new bulbs have taken center stage. The amount of lumens an LED bulb produces directly impacts the overall illumination it provides. In terms of headlamps specifically, their luminosity can vary significantly. For low-level tasks like household chores or reading, a modest 25-50 lumen output is often sufficient.
However, for more demanding activities such as hiking or cycling at night, a headlamp capable of producing 80-100 lumens will likely be necessary to provide adequate lighting. For extreme outdoor pursuits like spelunking or wilderness trekking, a headlamp with a higher output, typically around 200 lumens, is often the best choice. Meanwhile, military-grade headlamps can boast an astonishing 1050 lumen capacity, further emphasizing the vast range of options available in this area.
Beam Distance
The quality of a headlamp is also reflected in its maximum beam distance. A high-quality headlamp should be able to produce a strong level of brightness and extend its beam reach across various conditions. For instance, an 80-lumen headlamp can typically cast a beam that extends at least 30 meters, whereas more powerful options with 1000 lumens can project their light up to 160 meters.
Quality of the Optical Lens
When evaluating the overall performance of a headlamp, it’s crucial to consider not only its lumen output but also the quality of its optical lens. While lumens quantify the amount of light emitted, the optical lens determines the focus and spread of that light. This distinction takes on greater significance when you intend to utilize the headlamp in more demanding outdoor settings. The Armytek headlamp stands out as a prime example of an optical lens that excels in this regard.
Waterproof
When venturing into wet environments like wading through rivers or exploring caves, waterproofing becomes a crucial consideration for your headlamp. Some models can withstand light rain showers, while others are designed to remain functional even when submerged in water for up to 30 minutes at depths of 1 meter. The waterproof rating, which typically ranges from IPX1 to IPX8, provides a general indication of the device’s ability to withstand moisture.
However, it’s essential to note that even with these higher ratings, prolonged exposure to water can still compromise the headlamp’s performance.
Red and Green Lights
When it comes to preserving battery life, the color of your flashlight’s glow can make all the difference. Red and green lights emit softer glows than traditional white lights, making them ideal for specific situations.
Red lights are often used as emergency signals, but they also serve a practical purpose in everyday life.
For instance, when reading a book or consulting a map with teammates, a red light’s gentle glow won’t disrupt those around you while still providing enough illumination to see clearly. Additionally, using a red light can help preserve your night vision and conserve battery power.
Green lights, on the other hand, have a unique application in outdoor activities like hunting and fishing.
The soft, non-startling glow of a green light can attract game like deer without scaring them away, making it an effective tool for hunters. Similarly, when fishing, a green light won’t spook fish, allowing you to continue your catch. As an added bonus, green lights tend to have longer run times than red lights, further extending their battery life-saving capabilities.
5 Best Headlamps: Product Reviews
Black Diamond Storm Headlamp
The Black Diamond Storm Headlamp offers unparalleled versatility for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re navigating through the woods or exploring water-based adventures, this headlamp’s durable design and IPX7 waterproof rating ensure it can withstand even the most demanding environments. The Storm boasts a powerful 250-lumen output courtesy of two LED lights with enhanced optics, delivering a concentrated beam that reaches up to 77 meters.
With intuitive PowerTap technology, you can seamlessly switch between bright white light for trail illumination, strobe light for large areas, or dimmed mode for close proximity. Additional features include green lights for hunting game and red light for stargazing at night – all while keeping battery power in check. The Storm runs on 4 AAA batteries, with a 3-second battery life indicator when turned on. The ‘Intuitive lock mode’ prevents accidental activation during storage.
While it may have some drawbacks like being expensive, heavy, or having complex settings, the Storm Headlamp is an excellent choice for those who prioritize reliability and performance in their outdoor pursuits.
Princeton Tec Apex Headlamp
The Princeton Tec Apex Headlamp is a rugged and reliable companion for any outdoor enthusiast. Designed to withstand extreme temperatures, it’s perfect for mountaineering, cave exploration, or even cleaning out your attic. The Maxbright LED bulb produces an impressive 275 lumens of power, casting a beam that can illuminate areas up to 106 meters away – ideal for navigating through dense forests or lighting up the interior of a cave.
For more subtle illumination, four Ultrabright 5mm LEDs provide red and green options with wide-angle lighting suitable for hunting or fishing. However, be cautious when using the brighter setting around animals as it can produce a buzzing sound. The headlamp features four levels of brightness: low, floodlight, and emergency strobe, making it easy to adjust to your needs.
To ensure operator comfort, the heat-regulating technology prevents overheating, and large buttons allow for glove-friendly operation. An additional strap with extra padding provides a secure fit on your head, while the battery pack, holding 4 AA alkaline batteries, is conveniently located at the back of the unit. The headlamp is compatible with AA alkaline and lithium batteries, with rechargeable options available separately.
PETZL – e+LITE, 50 Lumens, Emergency Headlamp
The Petzl Headlamp may be small, but it packs a punch. With 50 lumens, this compact headlamp produces a substantial amount of light, making it perfect for close-proximity lighting needs. Whether you’re reading a book, walking the dog at night, or navigating around the campsite, the Petzl Headlamp is up to the task. Its rugged design allows it to withstand extreme temperatures and is waterproof up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
The headlamp features two white brightness settings and a strobe light in red and white, providing a reliable lighting solution in any situation. While it may not project a strong beam over long distances, the Petzl Headlamp excels at casting light for shorter ranges, offering a nice, even beam that’s ideal for tasks like reading or working near a campsite.
The headlamp is also renowned for its excellent battery life, with two lithium batteries providing up to 9 hours of light on the high setting. And when you’re not using it, the Petzl Headlamp can store its battery power for up to ten years without losing any potency. Additional features include a locking on/off switch to prevent accidental operation and a safety whistle in case of an emergency.
The headlamp also comes with a stretchy adjustable band that fits comfortably around your head and a retractable ZIP cord that allows you to attach the light to your bike’s handlebars or wrap it around your wrist. Overall, the Petzl Headlamp is a high-quality option that offers good lighting, versatility, and reliability. Its only drawbacks are its higher price point and limited range for long-distance lighting needs.
Shining Buddy Headlamp
The Shining Buddy super cool headlamp is a fantastic option for the whole family, offering versatility and practicality for various activities. Whether you’re hiking, walking your dog at night, or providing a fun red light for kids while they explore the campsite, this durable and lightweight illumination device has got you covered.
With five settings – low beam, high beam, strobe light, and red light (which can also be set to flashing mode) – the headlamp produces up to 110 lumens on its lowest setting and a bright 160 lumens at its highest. The wide beam casts a clear path, while the non-slip adjustable strap ensures a comfortable fit. Furthermore, it boasts an IPX5 waterproof rating and shock-proof design, making it suitable for rough conditions.
What’s more, this excellent value headlamp is available for under $15 and comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee. It also includes three AAA Duracell batteries. While it may not be ideal for long distances, the Shining Buddy headlamp excels in terms of quality, ease of use, and customer service.
Armytek Wizard V2 Headlamp
When it comes to finding a reliable and versatile headlamp that can keep up with your love of outdoor adventures, the Armytek Wizard V2 Headlamp is an excellent choice. This military-grade headlamp is built to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh environments, making it perfect for trail riding under starry skies or hiking through wilderness areas.
The flashlight’s design is equally impressive, featuring a silicone clip that securely holds the light in place, while the aircraft-grade aluminum body has an anti-abrasive and anti-slipping finish. The impact-resistant stainless steel bezels at both ends protect the light from contact with hard surfaces, and it boasts an IPX8 rating for water- and dustproofing.
One of the standout features of this headlamp is its versatility – not only can you use it as a traditional headlamp, but you can also convert it into a compact flashlight or attach it to your belt or handlebars on your motorbike. You can even stand it upright on a table and adjust the light for subtle ambiance around the campfire.
Armytek has taken things to the next level with this updated design, incorporating advanced TIR optics that provide an even beam projection without tunnel vision effects. The glass lens also features anti-reflection coating for increased lighting presence. Whether you’re exploring dense forests or navigating rugged terrain, this headlamp offers everything you need: six adjustable brightness settings and a high-powered bulb that can light up a forest track up to 107 meters.
The soft elastic headband ensures a comfortable fit, while the side switch button lets you adjust settings with one hand. When it’s time to recharge, simply swap out the battery – either use 2x CR123A or 1x 18650 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which can provide up to 100 days of operation depending on usage. And don’t worry about running out of power unexpectedly, thanks to the built-in multicolor warning indicator that alerts you when the battery is running low.
Armytek offers an impressive package deal that includes the headlamp, extra Nitecore NL183 2300mAH 18650 battery, charger, additional headband (2 straps), spare O-rings, and clip. Plus, this durable headlamp comes with a generous 10-year warranty.
Our Top Pick for the Best Headlamp
Shinning Buddy Headlamp
This family-friendly headlamp is a treasure trove of practicality and value. Priced affordably, it’s perfect for a variety of activities, from mowing the lawn to walking the dog or keeping kids entertained while they ride their bikes around the campsite. Its rugged design ensures it can withstand even the toughest conditions, providing ample lighting power when you need it most.
