Bottom line
The Black Diamond Spot 400 consistently tops our gear guide, and for good reason. We’re always impressed by how the Spot 400 packs versatility, comfort, quality, and functionality into such a small forehead light. And get this—the Spot 400 is affordable. The one downside is that it’s not rechargeable. However, if that’s a deal breaker for you, there’s a rechargeable version, the Black Diamond Spot 400-R. You can even purchase a rechargeable battery pack separately for the Spot 400.
The Spot 400 offers all the features you’d expect, including spot, red light, a peripheral function, and a PowerTap area on the side that lets you instantly switch to the brightest setting with a tap of your finger.
While we appreciate the overall versatility of the Spot 400, we found ourselves wishing for more illumination for specialized activities like night skiing, rock climbing, caving, or mountaineering. That said, we think this is a great option for the everyday outdoor enthusiast. For other tested and reviewed headlamps, see our best headlamps gear guide.
Quick Specs
Black Diamond Spot 400
Best Value Headlamp
CleverHiker Rating: 80.8
Price: $50
Measured Weight: 2.7 oz.
Max Lumens/Beam Distance: 400 lm./328 ft. (100 m.)
Burn Time Low/High: 200 hrs./2.5 hrs
Pros
- Excellent value
- Long burn time
- Nice features
- Waterproof
- Well balanced and comfortable
Cons
- Harsh light in spot mode
- Not the most intuitive controls
Illumination & Light Quality
When set to spot mode, particularly at or near the brightest setting, the beam of the Black Diamond Spot 400 can be laser beam harsh. While this wasn’t an issue in other settings, those with light sensitivity should be cautious and consider dimming the brightness to protect their eyes. Dimming the light, however, means sacrificing some of its intensity. For most users, this trade-off is manageable, but it’s something to keep in mind. The concentrated beam is effective for focused tasks but can be uncomfortable during prolonged use at maximum brightness. It’s worth adjusting the settings to find a balance between brightness and comfort to avoid eye strain. Overall, while the Spot 400 delivers powerful illumination, users should be mindful of its impact on eye comfort, especially in spot mode.
Burn Time
The Black Diamond Spot series earns high praise for its impressive burn time. With a claimed runtime of 2.5 hours on high, 5 hours on medium, and 200 hours on low, it delivers excellent performance for its price point. In our testing, the burn times were close to what’s advertised, though individual battery life will vary depending on the combination of features being used. Overall, we were very pleased with the battery performance, especially considering that constantly replacing batteries can get costly. This reliable battery life adds substantial value to the already affordable Spot series headlamps.
Weight
The Black Diamond Spot 400 weighs 2.7 ounces, just one-tenth of an ounce more than its rechargeable counterpart, the Spot 400-R. While we hesitate to classify the Spot series as ultralight, they come very close. The Spot 400 weighs less than most of the headlamps we tested this year, and thanks to its low-bulk, slim-profile design, it feels as light as an ultralight model in use, while offering the added comfort of a more traditional strap. This low weight makes the Spot 400 an excellent choice for all-day use across a wide range of activities, including running, climbing, backpacking, and even casual nighttime walks or camping trips.
Comfort
Overall, we found the Black Diamond Spot 400 to be comfortable and well-balanced across all its uses. It isn’t overly front-heavy, which can be an issue when moving quickly on the trail. This balance is key because constantly adjusting a headlamp while trying to enjoy the outdoors dims down the moment.
The soft strap is thin, yet still provides a secure fit without feeling bulky. Compared to some of the thicker straps on other models we tested, the Spot 400’s strap strikes a nice middle ground—it’s thinner without sacrificing comfort or stability. Although it’s not as minimal as the cord-style straps found on more specialized ultralight headlamps, it offers a good combination of support and lightweight design. We found it suitable for extended wear, whether on a long hike or simply hanging around camp. The comfort level makes the Spot 400 a reliable choice for those seeking a headlamp they can wear for hours without discomfort.
Ease of Use
The Black Diamond Spot 400 controls are a bit more complex compared to some other headlamps we’ve tested. While not overly difficult, the design requires a bit of learning to master fully. Unlike more intuitive models, the Spot 400’s control scheme involves a two-button setup that can take some getting used to. We found ourselves needing two or three outings to become proficient with the controls. The larger button manages power and brightness adjustments, while the smaller button cycles through LED modes.
The PowerTap area on the side is a useful feature for quickly accessing the brightest setting, but it can be overly sensitive. We accidentally activated the highest brightness more than once. Despite these quirks, the learning curve is manageable with a bit of practice. In addition, we found the strap easily adjustable on the fly, even when wearing a pair of lightweight gloves. Adjustability is a bit more difficult when wearing bulky winter-weight gloves.
Features
The most unique feature offered by the Spot 400 is Black Diamond’s implementation of their PowerTap technology. This allows you to tap on the right-hand side of the headlamp to instantly switch to its brightest setting without pressing any buttons. This can be especially useful when hiking at night in bear country and you need to quickly illuminate your surroundings.
As mentioned earlier, thanks to Black Diamond’s dual-fuel design, this headlamp can be powered by both single-use batteries and a rechargeable battery pack sold separately. The settings include everything you would want: a spot mode, a low-distance peripheral mode, a strobe function, a lock mode, and a dimmable red light function. We appreciate the brightness memory feature, which retains your preferred setting even after turning the light off and back on. Lastly, the battery meter is handy, helping you track how much battery life remains.
Should You Buy the Black Diamond Spot 400?
The value offered by the Black Diamond Spot 400 is what truly makes this headlamp shine—pun intended. With a justifiable price tag, you get an exceptional and surprisingly great deal. Black Diamond has been in the game for a long time, and their products are typically rock solid. The Spot 400 impresses with its versatility, brightness, and range of features, all at an affordable price point. While it’s not rechargeable, there’s value in that as well. In situations where charging isn’t an option, being able to carry spare batteries can be more practical. For most casual outdoor enthusiasts, the Spot 400 delivers everything you need in a reliable, feature-packed headlamp without breaking the bank.
We think it’s an excellent choice for night hiking, camping, and backpacking. However, if you’re planning more specialized endeavors like night skiing or mountaineering, you’ll likely need something brighter. Additionally, since this is a non-rechargeable headlamp, those planning extended expeditions might want to consider a rechargeable option.
What Other Headlamps Should You Consider?
If you like the Spot 400, you should also check out the models below and take a look at our guide to the best backpacking headlamps:
Black Diamond Spot 400-R Review: The Spot 400-R is the same exact headlamp as the Spot 400 but in a rechargeable package.
Nitecore NU25 UL Review: If you need a more budget-friendly option that’s still rechargeable, the NU25 UL is definitely worth checking out due to its generous amount of features and durability in an even more affordable package.
