A great headlamp is a core piece of your backpacking toolkit. Headlamps are versatile tools that will help you keep on trial as the sun goes down, or serve as a lantern once in your tent. The versatility doesn’t stop on the trail – you can use a good headlamp at home as well. They are a great go-to during power outages, evening walks or bike rides, or anywhere else you need a hands-free light source.
Have kids? Turn off the lights at home one evening and let them explore with headlamps. We’ve found it’s a great way to keep them entertained those last 30-40 mins until bedtime.
For this review we didn’t include too much fluff. A simple list of what we consider the best-of-the-best. They are quality, they are LED, they will light your way. Without further ado – here’s our picks for top 10 headlamps of 2020.
Petzl Actik CORE
Tech Specs:
| Bulb type | LED |
| Red Light Mode | Yes |
| Beam Type | Flood / Spot |
| Light Output | High: 450 lumens / low: 6 lumens |
| Max Beam Distance (m) | 90 meters |
| Average Run Time | High: 2 hours / low: 130 hours |
| Rechargeability | Rechargeable |
| Batteries | Includes 1250 mAh CORE rechargeable battery; compatible with 3 AAA alkaline, lithium-ion or Ni-MH rechargeable |
| Water-Resistance Rating | IPX4 |
Black Diamond Storm
Tech Specs:
| Bulb Type | LED |
| Red Light Mode | Yes |
| Beam Type | Flood / Spot |
| Light Output | High: 400; med: 160; low: 8 lumens |
| Max Beam Distance (m) | 100 meters |
| Average Run Time | High: 5.; low: 200 hours |
| Rechargeability | Non-rechargeable |
| Batteries | 4 AAA |
| Water-Resistance Rating | IPX7 |
Black Diamond Spot 350
Tech Specs:
| Bulb Type | LED |
| Red Light Mode | Yes |
| Beam Type | Flood / Spot |
| Light Output | High: 305 lumens |
| Max Beam Distance (m) | 109meters |
| Average Run Time | High: 3 hrs. 45 min.; low: 200 hrs.; reserve: 36 hrs. |
| Rechargeability | Non-rechargeable |
| Batteries | 3 AAA |
| Water-Resistance Rating | IPX8 |
Coast HL7
Tech Specs:
| Bulb Type | LED |
| Red Light Mode | Yes |
| Beam Type | Flood / Spot |
| Light Output | High: 305 lumens |
| Max Beam Distance (m) | 85 meters |
| Average Run Time | 3 hrs |
| Rechargeability | Non-rechargeable |
| Batteries | 3 AAA |
| Water-Resistance Rating | Listed as water resistant, IP not specified |
BioLite Headlamp 330
Tech Specs:
| Bulb Type | LED |
| Red Light Mode | Yes |
| Beam Type | Flood / Spot |
| Light Output | High: 360 lumens |
| Max Beam Distance (m) | 81meters |
| Average Run Time | High: 3.5 hrs.; low: 40 hrs. |
| Rechargeability | Rechargeable |
| Batteries | USB Rechargeable 900 mAh lithium ion |
| Water-Resistance Rating | IPX4 |
Nitecore NU25
Tech Specs:
| Bulb Type | LED |
| Red Light Mode | Yes |
| Beam Type | Flood / Spot |
| Light Output | High: 330 lumens; low: 5 lumens |
| Max Beam Distance (m) | 75 meters |
| Max Run Time | High: 5 hrs.; low: 160 hrs. |
| Rechargeability | Rechargeable |
| Batteries | Li-ion (3.7V 610mAh) |
| Water-Resistance Rating | IPX4 |
Petzl Actik
Tech Specs:
| Bulb Type | LED |
| Red Light Mode | Yes |
| Beam Type | Flood / Spot |
| Light Output | High: 350 lumens/ low: 6 lumens |
| Max Beam Distance (m) | 80 meters |
| Average Run Time | High: 2 hours / low: 120 hours |
| Rechargeability | Non-rechargeable |
| Batteries | 3 AAA; also compatible with Petzl 1250 mAh CORE rechargeable battery (not included) |
| Water-Resistance Rating | IPX4 |
Black Diamond ReVolt
Tech Specs:
| Bulb Type | LED |
| Red Light Mode | Yes |
| Beam Type | Flood / Spot |
| Light Output | High: 350 lumens |
| Max Beam Distance (m) | 80 meters |
| Average Run Time | High: 4 hrs.; low: 200 hrs. |
| Rechargeability | Rechargeable |
| Batteries | Lithium ion |
| Dimensions | 4.7 x 3.5 1.9 inches |
| Water-Resistance Rating | IPX4 |
Petzl Tikka
Tech Specs:
| Bulb Type | LED |
| Red Light Mode | Yes |
| Beam Type | Flood |
| Light Output | High: 300 lumens / low: 6 lumens |
| Max Beam Distance (m) | 65 meters |
| Average Run Time | High: 2 hours / low: 120 hours |
| Rechargeability | Non-rechargeable |
| Batteries | 3 AAA; also compatible with Petzl 1250 mAh CORE rechargeable battery (not included) |
| Water-Resistance Rating | IPX4 |
Black Diamond Cosmo
Tech Specs:
| Bulb Type | LED |
| Red Light Mode | Yes |
| Beam Type | Flood / Spot |
| Light Output | High: 250 / med: 125 / low: 6 lumens |
| Max Beam Distance (m) | 72 meters |
| Average Run Time | High: 6 / med: 17 / low: 200 hours |
| Batteries | 3 AAA |
| Water-Resistance Rating | IPX8 |
