Camping Panda
Outdoor adventures are fun and all, but safety should be your main concern when planning a trip. One of the most important pieces of equipment you should have in your backpack is a headlamp. Not only it helps you see the trails after dusk, but most models also have an SOS mode that allows you to signal your position in emergency situations.
Luckily, the market offers a bountiful range of choices. If you don’t know which to pick, check out the best headlamps in our rundown below.
Beam Distance
Is it adjustable?
Lumens
Is it bright enough?
Battery Life
Is it long lasting?
Comfort
Is it designed for comfort?
Head Size
Is it adjustable?
Waterproof
Is it well protected?
Lifespan
Is it build for years to come?
Durability
Is it sturdy enough?
20
Hours Researched
17
Products Evaluated
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Reviews Considered
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Sources Researched
This spot headlamp from Black Diamond is one of your best choices for camping and not only. A variety of featurs also makes it perfect for nighttime fishing as well as hunting. What makes it stand out is the bright LED light that outputs 300 lumens on its highest setting.
Illuminating up to a distance of 80 meters, it is also a valuable asset for cross-country biking and other activities you plan to perform after dusk. The lamp features a red night light mode, too, which is perfect for hunting. Fully waterproof, it can also be used in all kinds of situations. No doubt, the best headlamp around.
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Next on our list of best headlamps, Foxelli addresses those who don’t want to break the bank. It is comfortable, lightweight, and affordable. While it doesn’t have the same lumens or beam distance as our best choice, it can still provide enough light for all camping situations.
We particularly like the various modes you can choose from. The headlamp features three brightens intensities, a strobe mode, as well as red light mode you can use for both hunting or seamless star gazing. Water-resistant and durable, this headlamp is a great choice for the money.
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BioLite might not be the cheapest headlamp out there, but it’s undeniably worth every dime. An array of technologies and interesting features make it a great adventure companion. Like our two options above, it features several modes, including high and low white light, high and low red light, as well as two strobe modes.
What makes this headlamp stand out are not the flashlight modes, though. It’s the fact that all electric components are integrated into the fabric, delivering a more comfortable feel that most headlamps on the market. The headlamp comes with an integrated lithium-ion battery rechargeable via USB. The perfect choice for avid adventurers.
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The Elmchee rechargeable headlamp comes as a more affordable alternative to our premium pick. It can allegedly output 12,000 lumens and has a beam distance of over 1,600 feet. We’d take that with a grain of salt, but the truth is that it’s a very capable unit.
Six separate LEDs and various modes makes it perfect for all camping and survival situations. It has both white and red light, both of which can be set either still or strobe. The headlamp works with batteries rechargeable via USB and is water resistant.
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Coming in a set of two, the Vont ‘Spark’ headlamp is a great choice for your and your buddy. It is powerful, yet has low energy demands, impressing with a battery life of 90 hours. In other words, it can easily get you through a week of camping on a battery set.
Seven light modes and 45° tilt are other highlights. We particularly like the SOS mode that allows you to actually send a clear distress signal instead of using the random strobe mode. Impact and water-resistant, this is a great headlamp for hiking, backpacking, or caving.
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The Energizer headlamp is slightly more powerful than the BioLite, but it comes with fewer perks and features. The main difference is the presence of AAA batteries on this model, whereas the BioLite comes with a convenient, rechargeable one.
The headlamp isn’t integrated either, which means less comfort, but that can prove to be an advantage, should the elastic come loose. Seven light modes include white and red, but also green. We particularly like how easy it is to turn it off without cycling through the different modes. Cheaper than the BioLite, it’s an excellent choice if you want to save a buck.
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The GRDE headlamp lives up to its name, providing incredibly bright light and outstanding beam distance. Boasting a built-in battery and 10 hours of runtime, it’s an excellent choice for weekend trips and shorter adventures – unless you feel like carrying a power bank with you.
This headlamp doesn’t have other particular bells and whistles. You’ll only get white light and three light modes; however, that’s more than enough for most campers. So, if you’re looking for an affordable, no-frills unit, this one might be it.
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Our best value’s upgraded version, the Foxelli rechargeable headlamp boasts similar power but a longer beam distance. A rechargeable battery offers up to 30 hours of runtime, and you can easily recharge it from any USB outlet or device.
The lamp boasts five light modes, including red light and red strobe. It’s water resistant, and withstands splashes from all sides. It also impresses with an unbeatable price tag, and it’s a great alternative to the best value if you prefer a rechargeable model.
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The Foxdott is a powerful headlamp designed for those who need lots of light. It comes with 8 bright LEDs and boasts 8 modes, so you can easily use it for a variety of purposes. Besides the white light, it also features red light and red strobe.
An ergonomic design makes it easy to carry, despite its weight. The only disappointing point is the battery life, which is rather short. Luckily, you can use any USB device or car adapter to recharge it. All in all, an excellent choice occasional use.
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Whether you’re not ready to face adulthood just yet or look for the best headlamp for your kid, the Original DinoBryte can surely fit the bill. Inspired by the ferocious T-Rex, this lamp can bring a dash of fun to your adventure.
Not only it’s perfect for camping; it’s also a great choice for Halloween or festivals. Besides the design, it doesn’t have outstanding bells and whistles. The beam distance is rather short, but has a good battery life. Lightweight and fun to wear, it is perfect for kids and adults alike.
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Sometimes a small gadget as a headlamp, plays a big difference. Trekking in the dark is not advisable as you may get lost in the trail. Rummaging in your garage while holding a flashlight just won’t cut it.
A headlamp would bring a world of difference. But given the vast variety of headlamps in the market, where do you start? Why should you choose this headlamp over the other? What makes this particular one special and different from others in the list?
Whether you’ll be running on the trail after dark , biking or early trekking to catch the sunrise, this buying guide will help you get the best headlamp tailored for your needs.
The term “lumens” is used to quantify the amount of light being put out by a light source. Standard range for headlamps can range from 15 on to up 500+ lumens. For campsites or in groups use, you would want a headlamp at the lower end of the lumen range. This is to not irritate the people you’re with.
Take a look at our recommended headlamp for different outdoors activities:
Like the beam distance, at a maximum setting, as the battery decreases the lumen output does too consequently dimming your lamp.
Standard headlamps have two beam modes: wide beam and floodlight. Older models only provide either one but newer models let you switch between the two. High-end models provide new beam modes as an added feature.
Flash or strobe mode is used to preserve battery life or used as a communication signal in emergencies. The Vont ‘Spark’ LED Headlamp has an SOS mode which we love because it uses a clear distress signal rather than a random switching to strobe mode.
We love the red light mode in Foxelli Headlamp Flashlight. The use of red light will not make you lose your night vision as red light does not cause the pupils of the human eye to dilate. Red lights can also be used while inside the tent so as not to disturb inside.
There are headlamps that offer different levels of brightness–ranging from minimum high and low, and some will offer more options in between. GRDE Super Bright Headlamp provides the basic three light modes and a white light. However there are some like the Foxelli USB Rechargeable Headlamp that has five beam modes.
Beam distance tells you how far your light will reach. For example, a 500 meter beam distance means you’ll be able to see 500 meters ahead of you. You’ll need different beam distance depending on your preference and use. There is no standard recommendation on beam distance per outdoor activity. However it would be an overkill to have your beam distance at the greatest distance value, let’s say 500 meters, when you’ll just be arranging your gears at night. Keep in mind that having a headlamp with a greater beam distance will speed the depletion of your headlamp. Beam distance will decrease as battery power is drained.
We recommend the Foxdott Rechargeable Headlamp with its 2,00 feet beam distance, which can be used for long outdoor activities in the dark like cave exploration and night rappelling. Its beam distance is superb to illuminate long distances.
Runtime or burntime is measured by the hours; they are used to quantify how long the headlamp is able to produce usable light at a distance of two meters. Runtime tells you when you can still explore out in the dark or is it time to head back to the campsite. Runtime time testing is performed by manufacturers by testing the headlamps with the same type of batteries that the headlamp will be sold at. It is critical to note however that runtimes are determined using the lowest mode of the headlamp. We recommend Black Diamond Spot Headlamp tested to run for 175 hours, the longest runtime among the others in the list.
It is always best to bring extra batteries with you. But in the advent of technology, there are headlamps that though powered by batteries, commonly AAA or AA, also have alternative power sources. Like the BioLite No Bounce HeadLamp which comes with an integrated lithium-ion battery rechargeable via USB so you won’t have to panic in the middle of a night exploration when your battery is about to run dry.
There are some models that offer external battery packs which are geared towards using for an extended period of time or on cold days. However these tend to be larger, either to power a higher-lumen headlamp or to get extended run times; carrying a large, bulky power source on your head can be difficult and distracting.
As you will be wearing headlamps in your head which can be pretty uncomfortable at long periods, design, size and weight are to be considered. Generally headlamps are built with considerably small and weighing only a few ounces.
A quality headlamp should be comfortable, relatively lightweight and sturdy aside from being able to provide you a light source. The BioLite No Bounce HeadLamp gets a special mention on its ergonomic design which is an additional point when needed to be worn at long periods given that it is also the lightest, weighing 0.64 oz, among the others in the list. Heavy duty headlamps like the Elmchee Rechargeable Headlamp weighing 8 oz, packs a few more ounces as a takeoff to it being a very capable unit having different modes at 12,000 Lumens rating.
There is one unique headlamp in the list that made it because of its design, the Original DinoBryte LED Headlamp. The T-rex design will surely appeal to your kids and having them wear it during camping will not be a struggle. But do not be fooled, this model made it to the list not just about its design but it is perfect for camping as well. It boasts of 50 hours battery life at an average of 20’ beam distance, this model is a likely staple on family campings.
The Black Diamond Spot is the best headlamp for most campers and athletes. This headlamp is lightweight, fully waterproof, as well as shockproof. It comes with an ergonomic, adjustable strap and boasts a long runtime.
The best headlamps have around 200 lumens or more. In broad lines, any lamp with a lumen output between 150 and 400 is a good choice for camping or practicing sports during nighttime.
The Elmchee rechargeable headlamp is one of the most powerful on the market. It boasts 12,000 lumens and its beam can reach as far as 1,600 feet.
Most headlamps have red lights to allow you to preserve your night vision while still illuminating the surroundings. At the same time, red light is less disturbing when used in a tent, and most it usually doesn’t disturb wildlife, if you plan to watch nocturnal animals.
Headlamps serve a variety of purposes, from providing light while you’re hiking or camping – without occupying your hands – to climbing, backpacking, caving, practicing sports during the night, or for working in low light conditions.
