10 Best Headlamps of 2024

Whether you’re going on a backpacking trip, walking the dog in the evening, or car camping with friends, a hands-free headlamp is an essential tool that everyone should have.

We’ve trail-tested over 40 of the most promising headlamps on long night-hikes, weekend camping trips with the family, and pre-dawn climbs. We’ve seen it all when it comes to headlamp technology, and we’ve used our hands-on experience to narrow down our list of the very best.

If you’re using a rechargeable model, you should definitely take a look at our guide to the best power banks and portable chargers. Headlamps help you see in the dark but if you really need to find your way, we’ve found true north with our top GPS watch picks. And if you’re just into camping gadgets, a reliable multitool is always a good choice.

What’s Most Important to You in a Backpacking Tent?

Critical Headlamp Considerations

DURABILITY & WEATHER RESISTANCE

We look for headlamps that are made of quality materials that can stand some hard use. Manufacturers use an IP rating which is an international standard that tells us more specifically how protected electrical components are from water and dust.

For most hiking and backpacking we’re only concerned with our headlamp being weather-resistant enough to deal with some rain and ambient humidity (IPX4), however, extra water, dust, and shock-proofing are always good. If you need a completely waterproof headlamp look for a model with an IPX8 or IPX7 rating. IPX7 will be waterproof in one meter of water for 30 minutes, while the IPX8 can be submerged longer.

LUMENS

Lumens are a unit of brightness emitted from a light source. While it’s a somewhat helpful descriptor, the lumen measurement only factors in the total sum of light in any direction but not the quality of the beam pattern.

Two lights with the exact same lumens can have tremendously different light quality depending on the beam width and the optical quality of the lens system. After testing many headlamps, we have concluded that lumens alone are not a reliable way to compare performance and that beam distance and type are better indicators.

BATTERIES

• Rechargeables: Using a headlamp with rechargeable batteries reduces battery waste and can save you money over time, but they tend to have shorter burn times. Rechargeables are great for everyday use, running, and short trips when you can charge them easily and often. For extended backcountry trips, you’ll have to carry cords and a power bank. Note: Most headlamps that take regular batteries can be made rechargeable by using rechargeable batteries like the Eneloop AAAs. However, this may reduce the overall burn time significantly. We put Eneloop rechargeables and Li-ion AAAs head-to-head and tested them in two Petzl Actik headlamps. The Eneloops kept up surprisingly well for the first few hours, but in the end the non-rechargeables lasted many hours longer.
• Availability: For thru hikes, it’s a good idea to choose a headlamp that uses batteries that are easily accessible. Coin batteries are lightweight, but uncommon in stores.
• Alkaline vs. Lithium: If your headlamp uses traditional AA or AAA batteries, you may be able to upgrade to Lithium for a longer burn time, better efficiency in extreme temperatures, and less weight. Lithium, a particularly light metal, has the highest energy density of all battery cells and is approximately 30% lighter than alkaline batteries of the same size. Lithium batteries are best for high or moderate-drain headlamps, but can be too powerful for some low-drain models. We suggest reading the manufacturer instructions for battery recommendations for your specific headlamp to see if you can take advantage of the benefits of lithium.

BURN TIME (BATTERY LIFE)

Burn time is the amount of time the battery will be able to sustain the light without recharging or changing batteries. Often, the burn time is far greater if you switch to your low setting whenever possible.

LIGHT MODES

Depending on your chosen activity, certain light modes will suit the situation best.

• Red Light: Uses very little energy and does not cause your pupils to dilate at night. This mode is great for camp chores and does not attract flying insects like white light. It’s less disruptive to groups, tentmates, and camp neighbors.

• Strobe: This mode makes you visible when hiking, biking, or running along roadsides, and can be used as a signal in emergency situations.
• High: The bright, focused high beam is good for night hiking on tricky terrain, looking for trail signs, spotting climbing anchors, or using as a bike headlight.
• Low: Low mode is also called ‘proximity mode.’ It conserves battery power and produces a wider beam of softer, dimmer light usually directed downwards to see nearby objects. We use this mode for cooking in camp, setting up tents, familiar night hikes, etc.

COMFORT

A well-designed lamp should have the strap adjustments necessary to secure the light snugly without putting too much pressure on your forehead. Some headlamps distribute the weight between the front and the back for better balance and less bouncing. This is especially important for runners or for those who choose a lamp with a larger battery pack. The band should be made of a durable but soft wicking fabric, and adjusters should not slip or loosen on their own.

SIMPLICITY

If you love techy gadgets and versatility, you might opt for a lamp with more features like the Black Diamond Spot. But for those who just need a light for simple tasks, the Petzl Tikkina or Actik might be best. For winter sports where gloves are required, choose a headlamp with a single large button.

HAVE BACKUP

Always top up your charge or replace your batteries before you leave home. For long trips, it’s very wise to think about what you’ll use as a backup light if your headlamp should fail in the field. Most of us will have a smartphone that’s equipped with a flashlight, and that will cover your butt. But if you don’t, consider carrying a small, ultralight backup like the Photon Micro Light or Petzl e+Lite.