Best Headlamps in 2020 [Tried, Tested & Reviewed]

Enjoy Our Reviews of Headlamps

Pricing of these Headlamps Range Between $30-$70

As an outdoor enthusiast, a headlamp is one of the most practical equipment you can have. They’re useful when you’re camping or hiking, or when exploring dark caves or forests with cover too thick for sun to shine through. They even come in handy when you’re out for a run at night or even barbecuing at home. 

No matter what you need it for, here are some of the best headlamps for you to choose from:

Black Diamond – Storm Headlamp Review

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The Storm Headlamp by Black Diamond offers 4 different light settings, including full-strength distance, full-strength proximity, dim, and strobe. Each setting is available for each of the four light colors, which includes white, red, green, and blue. So in total, it offers 8 different light modes, and, unlike most headlamps, you don’t need to toggle through the white modes before you can activate the three other LED colors. It also has a memory mode, which remembers your preferred brightness settings. 

At full strength, the Black Diamond Storm Headlamp emits up to 350 lumens and has a maximum light range of 85 meters. It is powered by 4 AAA batteries and has a maximum burning time of 120 hours. Additionally, it is rated IP67, which means it is not just dust proof but also waterproof for as long as it is not submerged deeper than 1 meter in water and not for more than 30 minutes at a time. 

This headlamp comes with an adjustable elastic headband that’s surprisingly comfortable. Including the elastic strap and batteries, it weighs approximately 120 grams. The lamp itself can tilt, which allows you to point it exactly where you need illumination the most. Throw it in your hunting backpack or even a fanny pack, you never know when you might need it!

Pros:

• 4 light settings
• 4 light colors
• Remembers preferred brightness settings
• Up to 350 lumens
• 85-meter max light range
• 120-hour max burning time
• Dustproof
• Waterproof (max 1 meter, max 30 minutes)
• Comfortable adjustable headband
• Weighs 120 grams in total
• Tiltable

Cons:

Princeton Tec – Apex LED Headlamp Review

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The Apex LED Headlamp by Princeton Tec offers maximum brightness at 550 lumens and has an impressive maximum burn time of 150 hours. Although the only illumination it provides is white, it does so through 5 different modes, including Spot Low, Spot High, Flood Low, Flood High, and Flood Flash Beam. Depending on the mode in use, it boasts a continuous runtime of 1.5 hours (on Spot High) to 5.7 hours (on Flood Low). Additionally, it has a maximum light range of 120 meters. 

The Princeton Tec Apex LED Headlamp is rated IPX7, which means it is safe to immerse it in 1-meter deep water for up to 30 minutes. That means it’s an excellent option for spelunking and other wet outdoor activities. Plus, it has adjustable straps that go around the head as well as over it, so you can enjoy your adventures without fear of losing your headlamp when you need it most. 

This LED headlamp requires 4 AA batteries. When the batteries are in place, it weighs 279 grams, which is pretty heavy compared to other options. But, that’s mostly because of its robust construction, which makes it an incredibly reliable piece of equipment. 

Pros:

• Up to 550 lumens
• 150-hour max burn time
• 5 light modes
• 5.7-hour max runtime
• 120-meter max light range
• Waterproof (max 1 meter, max 30 minutes)
• Secure adjustable straps
• Robust construction

Cons:

• White light only
• Relatively heavy at 279 grams
• Requires 4 AA batteries

Outdoor Pro Gear – The Lighthouse Beacon 1000 Headlamp Review

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The Lighthouse Beacon 1000 Headlamp by Outdoor Pro Gear is most famous for the brightness it offers at 1000 lumens. But more than its light output, it boasts incredible technology not commonly seen in your average headlamp. For one, it is zoomable. Just like a DSLR’s zoom lens, all you need to do is turn the zoom ring to control the light’s focus from a narrow spotlight to a broad floodlight. The tilting assembly further allows you to control the focus because you can rotate it up to 90 degrees. Additionally, this headlamp has an extra-large magnifying lens, which helps provide even light distribution. 

The Outdoor Pro Gear Lighthouse Beacon 1000 Headlamp offers three light modes: low, high, and strobe. Depending on the mode used, it can last anywhere from 8 hours (on high) to 28 hours (on low). Additionally, this headlamp is rated IP44, which means it can handle small splashes of water but not jets, and it definitely won’t survive immersion.

When the required 3 AA batteries are already installed, it weighs approximately 205 grams. The battery pack is located at the back, which helps keep the weight balanced around your head. Plus, the adjustable straps that go over and around the head are very comfortable. 

Pros:

• Up to 1000 lumens
• Zoomable light focus
• Tilts up to 90 degrees
• Features an extra-large magnifying lens
• 3 light modes (low, high, strobe)
• 28-hour max runtime
• Balanced weight
• Secure adjustable straps
• Comfortable

Cons:

• Low IP44 rating (not dustproof nor waterproof)
• Requires 3 AA batteries
• Relatively heavy at 205 grams

Nitecore – NU32 Headlamp Review

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Nitecore is an award-winning brand that’s lauded across the world for its innovations in professional lighting. Although one of its more simple products, the NU32 headlamp is a testament to their dedication to providing high-quality outdoor lighting equipment for all sorts of applications. 

The NU32 Nitecore headlamp has a max output of 550 lumens, which is bright enough for most camping and outdoor recreational uses. Its primary light source is a white LED that offers four brightness settings. But, it also features two sets of auxiliary LEDs. The first set is red, while the second set is made of high CRI white LEDs meant for floodlighting. At full beam, it has an intensity of 3900 cd and can provide illumination up to a distance of 125 meters. 

This headlamp is rechargeable, so you don’t need to keep purchasing AA or AAA batteries. You don’t even need to worry about making sure it’s fully charged before you head out. Although it doesn’t have the option of a backup power source, it does have an impressive maximum runtime of 330 hours. Because it doesn’t require a separate battery pack, it is incredibly light weighing in at less than 100 grams. That also makes the adjustable headband more secure and comfortable. 

Pros:

• Award-winning brand
• 550-lumen max output
• Primary white beam (4 settings)
• Red auxiliary LEDs
• White high CRI auxiliary LEDs
• 3900-cd intensity
• 125-meter max beam distance
• Rechargeable
• 330-hour max runtime
• Lightweight at 99 grams
• Secure adjustable straps
• Comfortable

Cons:

ThruNite – TH01 Headlamp Review

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The TH01 headlamp by ThruNite boasts Cree’s XHP50 LED technology, which allows it to provide an incredible maximum output of 1500 lumens. It has a peak beam intensity of 4000 cd. That, combined with its orange peel-type reflector, allows it to illuminate objects at distances of up to 126 meters. Although it only has white LEDs, it offers six different modes (turbo, high, medium, low, firefly, and SOS).

The ThruNite TH01 headlamp is rechargeable and takes up to 3 hours to charge. When fully charged, it can last up to 44 hours on low. On firefly mode, it can even last up to 20 days of continuous use. Including the battery, it weighs just above 200 grams. Nevertheless, it is comfortable to use with the included adjustable straps. Those straps can also be removed so you can use the lamp with the included pocket clip.

This headlamp is impact-resistant and should survive a drop of up to 1.5 meters. Also, it is rated IPX8, which is the highest waterproof rating. That means it can be submerged in water for periods of over 30 minutes. But, if at all possible, it’s still best to avoid immersing it in waters deeper than 2 meters. 

Pros:

• 1500-lumen max output
• 4000-cd peak intensity
• 126-meter max beam distance
• Six illumination modes
• Rechargeable
• Impressive battery life
• Removable straps
• Includes pocket clip
• Impact-resistant
• Waterproof

Cons:

• White LED only
• Relatively heavy at 205 grams

These headlamps are considered the best choices, not only because of how much light they’re able to offer. They are also preferred for their comfort, reliability, and additional features. So, no matter which of these top 5 headlamps you choose, you can rest assured that you’re making an excellent choice.