Unlike other super bright headlamps, it doesn’t need have an extra strap going over the top of the head, meaning it works well for people with pony tails, big hairstyles, or those wearing hats or hoods.

Lumen count: Lumens are a measure of the quantity of light emitted from a light source. For reference: 1 lumen is 10 times brighter than moonlight; a flashlight offers about 20 lumens. But when you’re buying a headlamp, you don’t want to just go for the highest lumen count possible. “A lot of lumens can be attractive to many and feel fun. However, there is the trade-off with weight, low run-time, and price,” said Victor Kabo, the co-founder of Bookman Urban Visibility, a Swedish company that makes bicycle lights. Lumen count also doesn’t tell you much about the actual light quality, either: From an optics perspective, the beam length and the shape both impact a light’s output more than the lumen number. Based on our experience and research, we’ve found you don’t need more than 300 lumens for everyday tasks, and often 200 will do just fine. (Running a 400-lumen headlamp at 200 will also make the battery last longer.) We looked at headlamps that offered at least 200 lumens (except for the headlamps for kids). What we like: Compact yet bright; reactive lighting offers hands-free illumination and optimizes battery life. Not all headlamps have a flood light option, but it’s a great function to have for proximity lighting. Best for around camp or in a tent, flood lights cast a wide beam and maximize the view right in front of you. Some headlamps will have two LEDs, one for spot lighting and one for flood lighting, while others (like the Coast FL75R) allow you to shape one single LED into a distance beam or an up-close flood. The Petzl Nao RL strays from the norm with a series of small LEDs that are smartly programmed to deliver proximity, distance, and movement lighting. In their specs, many manufacturers will call out a lamp’s beam distance—for example, the BioLite HeadLamp 325 has an 10-meter flood and a 70-meter spot. The Petzl Actik Core features both a flood and spot beam The average headlamp features a range of lighting modes, including spot, flood, colored, and strobe lights. The default setting for most lamps is their powerful LED spot beam, which focuses the light at a distance rather than casting it wide around you (the max distance these can reach is listed in the "max beam" section of our comparison table). While not necessary in all circumstances, a long-distance beam can be helpful for looking far down a trail, trying to spot an anchor while rappelling, or even for extreme uses like caving. A proximity beam illuminates the area right in front of you Store spare batteries in a safe, dry place, and keep them warm in cold weather to maintain their performance. Dispose of used batteries responsibly, following local recycling guidelines.Adjust the brightness level of your headlamp to match the situation. For tasks that require more precision, use a higher brightness setting. When navigating open trails or paths, use a lower setting to conserve battery and avoid blinding others. Respect no-light zones

Like the BioLite 330, the 800 has a four-point tilt. We found this tilt useful for angling the headlamp, but some media reviewers found it a fault. The battery compartment isn’t sealed to prevent leaking- meaning that if submerged for any longer than a few seconds it’s very likely the battery storage compartment will get wet. Does it still work while wet? Our testers said yes, though all remarked that they weren’t happy with the idea of continuing to use the Spot 350 knowing they had soggy batteries strapped to their heads. The Spot is one of our favorite lights, but it is not without some shortcomings, which we'll cover below. Lower cost competing lights have also improved significantly over the past few years, and the Spot now faces strong competition from lower cost lights like the Petzl Tikkina, which offers strong performance at a 33% lower cost, and is one of the other lights we recommend considering before buying the Spot (the other being the BD Storm). Below we'll take you through the Spot's performance, with ample comparison and contrast to other top contenders worth consideration. Trail FindingDon't become overly reliant on your headlamp. Keep an awareness of your surroundings, as it's easy to become disoriented or miss important landmarks when relying solely on a narrow beam of light. Secure the headlamp properly For minimalists and true ounce-counters, our favorite ultralight headlamp of 2023 is the Nitecore NU25 400 UL. At just 1.6 ounces, the Nitecore secures via a streamlined elastic headband, is surprisingly bright with a 400-lumen max output, and is rechargeable via micro USB. We’ve also found it incredibly easy to operate (cryptic toggling between modes is a common issue with headlamps), with one button for the white beam and one for red, and the battery seemingly lasts forever. All told, as a high-powered emergency light or for those trying to keep their load as light as possible, the NU25 UL is a bright and relatively cheap option.

The slender headband is wide enough to remain comfortable for hours, and the battery compartment opens easily with the flip of a small lever, requiring no tools. Over time, headlamp straps may become loose or stretched. Periodically adjust them to ensure a snug and comfortable fit on your head.Taking good care of your headlamp not only extends its lifespan but also ensures that it functions reliably when you need it the most. Here are some essential tips for proper headlamp maintenance: Keep it clean Store your headlamp in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Remove batteries to prevent corrosion. For stubborn dirt or residue, use a damp cloth or a mild cleaning solution that is safe for plastics and electronics. Ensure the headlamp is completely dry before use. Outdoors, more brightness is often handy. When running in the city, this can sometimes be disadvantageous,