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There’s no denying that running is one of the most rewarding of all exercises. Whether you’re trying to lose weight or get in shape, maintain where you are now, or if you’re trying to train for a life-changing and highly rewarding event, running is typically one of the keys to success.
However, our lives can be busy and stressful. We won’t always have the opportunity to run during the daylight hours and will instead need to run during the darker mornings or evenings. While there’s a charm to running at these times, it’s also important to make sure you remain safe.
One of the best ways to alleviate the safety problems that darkness brings is getting yourself a running headlamp. Simply attach the lamp to your head, turn it on, and start running. You’ll be able to see, and everyone will be able to see you; it’s a simple yet effective solution.
Nevertheless, while simple, it’s worth noting there are plenty of running headlamps out there, and it’s all about choosing the one that’s right for you. Today, we’re going to explore our ten favorite headlamps available right now, as well as sharing our complete buying guide, so you can find the one that’s best for you!
View The Best Running Headlamps Below
1. Bold Bright Running Headlamp LED
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Kickstarting our list, we’ve chosen the BoldBright Running Headlamp. It’s super affordable boasts a ton of great features, which is why it should appeal to runners of any experience level.
If the super-bright 120-lumen bulb isn’t enough to get you hooked, note that this head torch for running works with four unique settings; white, bright white, red, and full-beam red. These are perfect for making sure you can see where you’re going, as well as ensuring road users are aware of your presence.
Of course, the idea of running with something strapped to your head may not sound incredibly comfortable, but BoldBright has countered this as much as possible. The strap is fully adjustable so you can find the perfect fit, and everything is lightweight enough, so you won’t feel like you’re being weighed down.
Regarding the durability of the device, everything has been made to be waterproof to a rating of IPX4, and the light itself takes three replaceable AA batteries which are guaranteed to last several weeks, making this a lamp that ticks all the boxes!
Pros:
+ Sports a super-bright 120-lumen bulb for maximum visibility
+ A 45-degree tilt for the best lamination ahead of you
+ White and red lights for increased safety with alternating brightness modes
+ A fully adjustable strap for maximum comfort
Cons:
– Batteries can be a little tricky to replace
2. Foxelli Headlamp Flashlight
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The Foxelli headlamp is a sporty addition to the running lamp market and prides itself on providing a huge amount of visibility. This is somewhat surprising when you consider the tiny size of the device and the affordable price tag.
The light comes with both red and white variations and multiple brightness settings for each. It can project them into a 200-foot wide beam! This is a lot of vision both for you and other road users, making this one of the safest head torches out there.
There’s even a built-in SOS mode for bad weather or in case you need help from anyone passing by!
What’s more, weighing in at just 3.2lbs, this is also a super light headtorch for running, so there’s pretty much no risk of feeling like this headlamp will hold you back. Of course, all headbands are adjustable and made from elastic to ensure you’re able to find that perfect fit.
The super-long battery life is only increased thanks to the bulb’s state-of-the-art CREE technology. It lasts up to 45 hours and has a waterproof rating of IPX5. What more could you need from your running head torches?
Pros:
+ Water resistant against bad weather or inevitable splashes
+ Weighs only 3.2lbs, so it won’t hold you down
+ Battery life will typically last up to 45 hours on a single charge
+ Multiple bulb colors and light settings available
Cons:
– None!
3. Vont LED Headlamp
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The Vont headlight has many of the popular features that most leading running headlights have, but this specific model prides itself on being one of the most reliable and trustworthy headlamps in the industry. It’s even used by military units and police forces around the world.
This is because the headlight is entirely waterproof and practically indestructible. The materials used in this head light are the same used of that in airplanes – just to give you an idea of what the durability is like here. If you need a lamp that’s built to last, this is it.
As mentioned above, you’ll get a 10x brighter light than your typical lamp, thanks to the integrated CREE technology. It’s powered by the standard three AAA batteries with a battery life that can last several days – even when using red or strobe light modes!
If you’re not sure whether this is the lamp for you, don’t worry. With the Vont money-back guarantee, it doesn’t matter whether your device breaks, becomes faulty, or you simply aren’t happy with it; you can get your money back, no questions asked.
That’s how confident the team is that you won’t be disappointed!
Pros:
+ Practically indestructible design used by professionals all over the world
+ A complete money-back guarantee, so you don’t waste money
+ CREE technology bulbs for extra brightness and a better battery life
+ CE/RoHS certified guarantee product quality
Cons:
– Battery life isn’t as great as other headlamps
4. Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
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Brightness is so important when it comes to shopping for runners’ head torches because your safety is of the utmost importance. This just so happens to be exactly what the Black Diamond Spot Headlamp excels in. In short, this small bulb can produce up to 300 lumens, creating an amazing beam distance!
Multiple light modes offer quad power, LED brightness, and one double power mode (300 lumens), to illuminate everything in front of you, no matter what path, road, or trail you’re running on. There are also nearly a dozen different modes to explore with the Black Diamond Spot, ensuring you get the right light for your environment.
Regarding the durability of this product, the waterproof feature is the best part here since you can submerge the device underwater up to a meter for 30 minutes without causing any damage or problems. It goes without saying that you should be fine in puddles or in a bit of rain.
With over five unique styles and designs to choose from, you can find one that works for you and your apparel. And with a brightness memory lock to hold your personal settings and a great price tag, it’s no wonder hundreds of runners around the world adore the Black Diamond Spot experience!
If you love the Black Diamond Spot, an alternative to this is the Black Diamond Sprinter lamp. Its lumens rating may be a little bit lower than the Spot, but, with its AAA batteries, it still exceeds 200 lumens, which is great in our book. And with another excellent beam distance, you can’t go wrong with the Black Diamond Sprinter, either!
Pros:
+ Completely waterproof in one meter of water up to 30 minutes
+ Five unique and vibrant colors and designs to choose from
+ Black Diamond has exclusive modes to choose from for the best visibility
+ Up to 300-lumen brightness to ensure you’re safe everywhere
Cons:
– A little bit more expensive than typical lamps
5. Cobiz Headlamp
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Don’t let the many features and extra parts put you off; the Cobiz lamp is a powerhouse in terms of functionality and performance, and if you’re looking for a complete all-around experience that won’t let you down; you may not need to look further than this.
Perhaps the best feature here is the built-in rechargeable battery. This means you won’t have to keep spending more money on more batteries whenever your headset dies, meaning you’ll actually be saving money in the long term.
There’s even an LED indicator that turns green, orange, and red so you can see how much battery life you have left and when you need to think about charging everything; although this will probably last around 8 hours with continuous use. So don’t be afraid to try that hiking trail!
You get your traditional four modes (low, medium, high, strobe), and a durable level of protection thanks to the IPX4 waterproof rating. You can even customize the direction of the light thanks to the 90˚ tilt function.
With a three-way fully adjustable strap system to ensure the headlamp stays firmly on your head, no matter what you’re up to or what environment you’re traveling over, this is a one-stop product that won’t let you down in terms of quality.
Pros:
+ Can incredibly produce up to 6000 lumens of light
+ Can be used for anything from running and walking to hiking on a trail and camping
+ Rechargeable headlamp battery that lasts up to seven continuous hours
+ Four brightness modes for optimal visibility
Cons:
– The battery doesn’t last as long as other headlamp devices
6. LuminoLite Ultra Bright
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Sometimes, the simpler something is, the better off you’ll be, and this is the exact niche the LuminoLite aims to master. This is a basic yet extremely affordable headlamp that only sports two main buttons to help you cycle through the five available lighting settings.
Perhaps surprisingly, this device does offer one of the best waterproof ratings of IPX6 and a battery life that extends several days at a time, ensuring this headlamp’s place as one of the most reliable. You can even tilt the light for better visibility up to 45˚ whenever you need it!
While somewhat basic apart from these features, this headlamp does still contain the leading CREE technology to help you produce up to 160 lumens of light, as well as red light when you need to warn someone you’re about.
With fast delivery times and a fantastic customer service team, if you’re looking for a simple solution that gives you everything you need, you may not need to look further than this!
Pros:
+ CREE technology for brighter, more energy-efficient bulbs
+ Can position the light in multiple ways within 45˚
+ Simple, two-button operations for power and managing light modes
+ Battery life can last several days on a single full charge
Cons:
– Fewer features compared with more premium products
7. PETZL – ACTIK CORE Headlamp
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Petzl is a professional brand known throughout the world for its quality sports and lifestyle products, and this Actik Core headlamp is a staple for the quality devices they create.
Capable of producing up to 350 lumens of light, and available in two vibrant and unique colors, this headlamp also puts itself in front of the competition with outstanding battery life.
The battery here is fully rechargeable via any USB connection and can last an astounding 160 hours on a single charge. This means you’ll never have to worry about the battery running out at the worst times when your safety could be jeopardized! It’s also compatible with AAA batteries.
While this is the best feature of the light, it’s worth noting there are red light options and multiple brightness settings, making this a nice all-rounded solution produced by a company that you know you can trust!
Pros:
+ Produces up to 350 lumens of super bright light
+ Available in two distinguished designs
+ Huge rechargeable battery that can last 160 hours
Cons:
– Slightly more expensive than typical headlamps
8. Lighting Ever LED Headlamp
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As you can see, there are a lot of headlights out there to choose from, but make sure you haven’t wasted your money on a headlamp you don’t want or need. Fortunately, if you’re looking for a starting point, turn your attention to this headlamp.
Easily the most affordable headlight on our list today, this is a feature-rich simple headlamp that just can’t be beaten. Sure, the more premium models have better features, but if you’re looking for something to set the standard, here you go.
With four lighting modes, three white brightness levels and a bulb filled with over 30 individual LED bulbs, a 90˚ tilt-able lights for increased visibility how you need it, and the fact it only weighs a tiny 2.85oz, what more could you ask for from your runner’s lamp?
This basic device even boasts a waterproof rating of IPX4, which means it can take water splashes. Beware – it can’t be submerged! On top of all of this, the device comes with a complete two-year warranty. This means if you don’t love the product for the next years, or something goes wrong, you can simply get your money back.
You don’t need to miss out at all!
Pros:
+ Adjustable light within 90˚ for best visibility in any situation
+ Four unique lighting modes made from 30 individual LED bulbs
+ Comes with a two-year warranty to protect your device
+ Waterproof to a rating of IPX4
Cons:
– Not as bright as other headlamps on our list
9. VITCHELO V800 Headlamp
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Let’s cut to the chase; the VITCHELO headlamp is a powerful solution for those of you looking for a premium solution. It goes above and beyond the call of duty as far as headlamps for runners go.
This elite kit has been enjoyed by over 3,500+ satisfied customers around the world. They adore all the features this lamp offers, such as the massive 360ft bright reach, and the two individual buttons for both the white and red lights, which is unlike many other headlight brands.
As you would expect, this lamp has been made to maximize the levels of comfort. Many describe this as a device you won’t even notice you’re wearing. All aspects of the band are adjustable to ensure you can find the perfect fit. All in all, with batteries, the headlamp only weighs 4oz.
Other leading features include a longer battery life than traditional headlamps thanks to the CREE technology, lasting around 120 hours on a single charge, and an outstanding waterproof rating of IPX6, which means the device can be fully submerged. It even has a tilt-able design to ensure you’re not blinding people when following your trail!
This is simply one of the most complete headlamp sets available, complete with the headlamp, the headband, a mount for your bike or car, batteries, and even a wristband. All of this is available for a great price.
Pros:
+ Only weighs 4oz, complete with batteries
+ Comes with multiple accessories so you can use your light however you want
+Battery pack can last up to 120 hours on a single charge
+ Enjoyed by thousands of customers and runners around the world
Cons:
– None!
10. PETZL Tikkina Headlamp
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Last but not least, on our list, we’ve gone back to the PETZL brand for this final device from their coveted Tikkana range.
The Tikkana range has been hailed throughout the sporting world for being one of the best. It’s used by professionals and other individuals from all walks of life, in countless situations from running and snowboarding to hiking and camping.
While not the brightest bulb in the world, this headlight is still capable of producing 80 lumens of light across two unique lighting modes; it’s super bright and long-lasting. What sets this headlamp apart from the rest in this sense is the balance between quality and simplicity.
There are no bells and whistles here – just everything you need for the best experience when it comes to getting out into the world and focusing on what’s important; getting the most of your runs.
Pros:
+ A renowned brand, known throughout the world for quality products
+ A simple, what-you-see-is-what-you-get headlamp solution
+ Two brightness modes for performance and an extended battery life
Cons:
– Not as bright as other headlamps on the market
Running Headlamps Buyer’s Guide
It’s not hard to see that there are plenty of different models available out there, so when it comes to choosing the headlamp that’s best for you as a runner, it’s easy to feel like you’re overwhelmed with choices.
However, you need to make sure you’re spending your money in the right place. So for the rest of this guide, we’ll help! We’re going to explore all the things to think about in our definitive buying guide, detailing everything you need to know.
Comfort
Comfort is undeniably one of the most important elements to think about when purchasing a headlamp. If you’re uncomfortable while wearing your chosen headlamp, you’re going to feel irritated and unable to perform your best.
There are two things you’ll want to consider. The first is the adjustability of your headlamp. You need to be able to change the size of the headlamp around your head to ensure it fits securely and isn’t too loose or too tight. Ideally, the strap will have elastic in it to make things even more comfortable.
The second consideration is making sure your headlamp isn’t going to weigh too much. Think about how heavy the lamp will be and how much it could be weighing you down. The lighter your headlamp is, the better.
Adjustability
You need to make sure the light you choose is adjustable in different ways to have a full experience. This includes multiple brightness settings, multiple light colors to attract attention or raise awareness that you’re running, and an adjustable angle of the light, to ensure you’re not blinding anybody.
Think about why you need a headtorch; running? Hiking? Following a trail? Of course, you could opt for a more affordable lamp that just produces a single beam and can’t be adjusted, but this can be very limiting and won’t give you full control over your runs, or your safety.
Brightness
If your headlamp isn’t bright enough, you’re not going to be able to see where you’re going, and nobody is going to be able to see you. This means the whole safety aspect of getting the headlamp in the first place has gone.
As a minimum, you’ll want 80 lumens as this will help you to see where you’re going, but there are plenty of sets that exceed the 300-lumen mark, which will be more than enough to see everything that lays ahead of you. Headlamps with a more powerful battery pack are usually brighter. A lot of lamps on this list have a rechargeable battery pack (or can be used with AAA batteries), which means the light is bright enough.
Did You Know?
Headlamps can be used in all aspects of life, not just with your running! Whether you’re walking, hiking, camping, even if you’re doing car maintenance or DIY jobs around the house, a lamp with an excellent battery life and a bright bulb is a good idea. Pick a good one, and you’ll be able to benefit all areas of your life!
Expert Buying Tip
While a headlamp may be affordable, you need to think about how long the battery pack or batteries will last in them. If only several hours, you’ll end up spending more in the long-term on batteries. Instead, get a high-quality lamp that gives good light, but that doesn’t drain through batteries.
Expert Buying Tip
If you’re going to be running in all kinds of weather, you’ll need a headlamp that’s water resistant. Of course, you don’t need a headlamp that’s fully submersible, but rather one that can deal with splashes from water sources, like puddles and rain!
