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Being an MRE master chef requires resourcefulness, attention to detail, patience—and a digestive tract made of steel. I’ve cooked up plenty of masterpieces in the field, fueled by my refusal to sneak Chick-Fil-A sandwiches into my ILBE and my ability to trade cheese pouches for marble cake. All those meals were prepared after dark, and they required my trusty headlamp to get the job done.
Of course, I suppose you could use headlamps for other important things. You could read a map, follow a hiking trail, or change a tire on the side of the road. If I had one when some friends and I camped in Big Sur one Fourth of July, I wouldn’t have used poison ivy as a handhold to get me up a steep embankment.
It stands to reason that having your hands free is a big advantage, no matter what you’re trying to do. That’s why we rounded up some of the best buys in headlamps today. Dive into this list to learn what separates the good from the great, and pick the one that’s right for you.
Best Overall
Fenix HM65R-T
Best Value
Energizer LED Headlamp
Editor’s Choice
Petzl Duo S
Best Headlamp for Hunting
Browning 1AA USB Rechargeable Headlamp
Best Headlamp for Hiking
Nitecore HC65
Best Headlamp for Running
Petzl IKO Core
Best Headlamp for Camping
BioLite HeadLamp 750
Best Headlamp for Night Fishing
Black Diamond Storm 400
Best Headlamp for Skiing
Nebo Transcend
Best Headlamp for Backpacking
Black Diamond Icon
Best Tactical Headlamp
Streamlight Sidewinder Compact II
Why you should trust us
We’re here to help you find the best gear available, whether it’s the hot new item or something you already own. Everything on this gear guide earned its place by providing genuine value. To sort out the best from the rest, we brought our cumulative expertise from testing and reviewing other kinds of flashlights, including rechargeable survival lights, high-powered tactical lights, and the kind of flashlight you’d want as part of your everyday carry. We factored into our decision a range of different uses, so you can find something that’s built with you in mind. Rest assured that we’d be happy to pull any one of these headlamps out of our pack as the sun goes down.
Types of headlamps
If you think all headlamps are the same, think again. There are plenty of options out there for all kinds of uses and budgets. We found headlamps designed for everyday practicality, tactical operations, and extreme sports. Before you add one to your cart, make sure you know the basics and can make an informed decision on what’s right for you.
Everyday
Basic headlamps are designed to get the job done without spending a lot of money. They’re affordable, reasonably capable, and use common batteries that you can find at any gas station or convenience store in a pinch.
This is a great way to replace whichever tired, old flashlight you’re using now. Everyday headlamps are nice to have when you need to do chores after dark or DIY projects around the house. They can also save you from cussing out an unsuspecting child for not shining the flashlight at the right place when you’re fixing your car. This kind of headlamp isn’t the most advanced, but it’s an upgrade over holding a normal flashlight.
Camping
A good headlamp is one of the best pieces of gear you can add to your camping pack. For starters, it’s a lot safer to move around in the dark if your hands are free to move branches and catch yourself if you fall. Once you start putting your tent together and cooking dinner, a headlamp will make a world of difference.
Camping headlamps typically have multiple output settings so you can choose the right amount of light for the task at hand. Low settings are good for referencing a map or finding something in your pack, and high settings are great for moving safely after the sun goes down. They’re usually lightweight and compact, which is important when you’re moving on foot. You can also expect some degree of protection against water and impacts.
Action sports
Extreme sports require extreme gear. You wouldn’t bomb down a dusky trail on your mountain bike with one hand holding a flashlight, and you shouldn’t strap a substandard headlamp to your helmet either.
Extreme sports (and I consider tactical operations the most extreme sport) demand the best gear. Headlamps designed for this world come with various color and power settings, rechargeable batteries, and heavy-duty construction. They can burn brighter and longer in harsher environments than other headlamps. As a result, you can expect to pay top-dollar for one of these. That shouldn’t dissuade you, though, because these are tools rather than gadgets.
Key features of headlamps
Lumens
The first factor you’ll need to consider when shopping for a headlamp is how much light it produces. This is measured in lumens, and more isn’t always better. Even a basic, sub-200-lumen headlamp can be adequate for reading a map. In fact, less light translates to better night vision when you turn it off.
As you add distance and speed, more lumens become necessary. Military, police, and rescue work typically calls for powerful lights capable of breaking the 1,000- and even 2,000-lumen barrier. A 1,000-lumen light should be more than enough for most flavors of outdoor adventure. For everything in between, there’s a huge selection of decent lights available.
Color options
Yes, color plays a part in the gear we buy, whether we like to admit it or not. In a tactical environment, you’ll certainly want something black, tan, or green, depending on your environment. If you’re camping recreationally, it’s still nice to color-coordinate your gear. At the very least, it helps you keep track of what’s yours.
Of course, the exterior color isn’t all that matters. The color of light your headlamp produces also matters. White light is a given. It’s what our eyes are used to, and it provides us with the most visual information possible. Other colors, specifically red and green, are used to preserve night vision. The more colors your headlamp has, the more options you have to find something that you like. You can also use different colors to communicate with members of your group.
Battery life
Having good battery life is key because nobody likes to watch their light flicker and die in the middle of the night––presumably right after you hear something moving in the bushes. Carrying spare batteries is good practice, but getting the most out of them to begin with always helps.
Energy-efficient LEDs are just about all you’ll see in headlamps because they use incredibly small amounts of energy, produce virtually no heat, and are incredibly small and light. Powering a few LEDs can be accomplished with a variety of small batteries that are readily available. Some headlamps use rechargeable batteries, which is definitely an advantage. Add a small solar bank to your pack, and you can keep your headlamp charged up every night.
Benefits of headlamps
Hands-free light
The obvious advantage to using a headlamp is the ability to free up your hands for more important tasks. If you’ve ever tried to use a camp stove, unlock a gate, read a map with one hand while holding a flashlight in the other, you know how valuable an extra hand can be.
Once you experience a good headlamp, it’ll be hard to go back to using any other flashlight for most tasks. The one downside is that the light always points where you’re looking. A hat brim can restrict this even more. That isn’t always ideal, especially when you’re navigating on the go or talking to people who’d rather not have a light blasted in their face, but we think the pros outweigh the cons.
Built for the outdoors
Unlike other kinds of flashlights, almost all headlamps were built with some degree of outdoor usability in mind. They’re not all high-powered spotlights or waterproof survivalist equipment, but most of them can handle light rain without missing a beat.
Some headlamps are purpose-built gear that’s intended to take a beating and still exceed your performance expectations. Outdoor enthusiasts need to be able to count on their gear whether it’s wet, freezing cold, or being dropped out of a pack onto rocky ground. This kind of headlamp tends to be on the higher end of the price range, but the capability you’ll gain will make you glad you spent the extra money.
Versatility
Like all quality gear, a good headlamp will pay you back the more you use it. Once you get used to having hands-free light at the touch of a button, you’ll probably find yourself reaching for your headlamp more often than not.
Even the most powerful options can be used for mundane household tasks because they have adjustable power settings. The same light can guide you down a wilderness trail or light a page for you to read before bed. Most modern headlamps are so light and compact that you can toss one in your glove box or backpack and not even notice it until you need it.
Pricing Considerations
Less than $50
Entry-level headlamps check all the boxes for most people but cut costs by opting out of the bells and whistles. These are great for walking the dog, taking the trash to the curb, and DIY projects that might lead you into the attic or basement. We’d probably advise against them for activities like camping and field exercises.
Manufacturers pack a lot of value into headlamps in this price range. Expect to get an adjustable elastic headband, tilting light, and maybe a few different brightness levels. Some even have a red light for preserving your night vision, but check product descriptions carefully if that’s something you care about.
Between $50 and $100
Right in the middle of the headlamp market are some of the best options money can buy. We found solid choices for all kinds of recreational activities, including extended camping trips, action sports, and military use.
Multiple output modes, at least two colors of light, and quality construction are standard fare in this price range. You’ll be able to choose from plenty of headlamps that have extended battery life, higher power, and some degree of water resistance. Many are rechargeable, which is great for long-term use away from civilization. If you plan on using your headlamp in unforgiving conditions, this is where you should begin your search.
More than $100
Premium headlamps can easily fetch more than $100. These lights are built by the most reputable brands and offer top-of-the-line features. If you want to leave society far behind, this is what you need.
First and foremost, high-end headlamps offer a huge power advantage over the competition. We found plenty approaching the 1,000-lumen milestone and a few beyond it. That makes a big difference as you add speed with activities like biking, kayaking, and skiing in low-light situations. Many use rechargeable batteries. In some cases, you can remove a depleted battery for recharging and replace it with a spare so your headlamp is never out of commission. These are definitely more expensive than the alternatives, but they’re worth it.
How we chose our top picks
As always, we only recommend gear that we’d personally be pumped to use. We know how much of a difference quality gear makes, and we want you to have the right equipment for the job. For this gear guide, we rounded up a range of headlamps intended for all kinds of uses. Most of you need something you can rely on for camping, hunting, fishing, and hiking. We’ve got you covered. Some of you need to see further, so we dug up a few high-powered options that will turn night into day. Maybe you just need to cook Jetboil Ramen without breaking the bank––we included some budget-friendly options, too.
FAQs on headlamps
You’ve got questions, Task & Purpose has answers.
Q: How many lumens should a good headlamp have?
A: If you need to read a map or move around a campsite, a basic headlamp with around 200 lumens is sufficient. Action sports require you to see further ahead as you increase speed, so a headlamp with 750 to 1,000 lumens might be a better option.
Q: What headlamps do the military use?
A: Although some units may issue headlamps, most service members buy their own for use in the field. Headlamps designed for camping are the most popular because they’re durable, long-lasting, and can be easily switched from white light to other colors like red and green.
Q: Why do some headlamps have different color lenses?
A: White lights are by far the most common because they produce true-to-life colors. Other hues––usually red or green––are used to preserve our night vision. They also don’t carry as far, which is more discreet in a tactical environment.
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Scott Murdock is a Marine Corps veteran and contributor to Task & Purpose. He’s selflessly committed himself to experiencing the best gear, gadgets, stories, and alcoholic beverages in the service of you, the reader.