There are thousands of headlamps available in the marketplace today. However, finding a good headlamp is rather difficult because of the vast selection available.
There are a few minimum criteria that make a headlamp the best headlamp.
First, the best headlamps will have LED lights, which are great because they tend to be extremely bright, do not use much battery, and the light diodes last longer than incandescent bulbs. Gone are the days of using incandescent bulbs that cast out a weak yellow light that barely illuminates the area in front of you.
Next, the headlamps should have rechargeable battery packs that save you from having to constantly buy expensive batteries for your headlamp. The same rechargeable lithium-ion battery may last you a year before it finally loses the ability to hold a charge. Replacement for a lithium-ion battery is simple. Simply buy a new lithium battery and place it in your battery pack.
Finally, a lightweight headlamp is ideal because it will feel much more comfortable on your head. Heavier headlamps have a tendency to slide across your head, which leads to constantly repositioning your headlamp.
The following are reviews of some of the best headlamps available on Amazon for purchase today.
1. GRDE Zoomable Headlamp
The GRDE Zoomable headlamp has three separate modes for any situation: high brightness, low brightness, and a strobe mode. Your purchase of this headlamp comes with two rechargeable batteries, one wall charger, one car charger, and one USB cable. You can charge this headlamp in just about any location you need, so you never have to worry about running out of battery.
The headband on the GRDE is elastic and adjustable. This makes it easy to fit on any size head. Elastic headbands are also generally more comfortable than plastic or rubber headbands.
Pros
- Rechargeable batteries with many different chargers
- The two included 18650 3.7V Lithium batteries have a long life
- Can break down the strap and use the light for other uses such as a waist light.
- An adjustable headlight that can pivot 90 degrees.
Cons
- Heat from the light may get annoying after extended use
| Price | Under $30.00 |
| Lumens | 1800 lm |
| Weight | 1.04 lb |
2. MsForce LED Headlight
The MsForce LED Headlight bills itself as one of the brightest headlamps on the market with 6000 lumens. The LED lights also come in a waterproof casing, which makes it great for any type of outdoor or extreme use.
The LED lights have an adjustable lighting area. You can send out a 180-degree beam of light or an extremely narrow beam of light.
Pros
- Extremely bright with 6000 lumens
- Waterproof light casings
- Rechargeable 18360 Lithium-ion battery will last a long time
- Four different light settings (high brightness, medium brightness, low brightness, and strobe).
- Adjustable strap for maximum comfort.
- Pivot casing for the light casing that allows you to easily adjust the direction of the light.
Cons
- Battery drains quickly on the brightest setting.
- Only ships with a wall charger.
| Price | Under $30 |
| Lumens | 6000 lm |
| Weight | 2.08 oz |
3. Foxelli USB Rechargeable Headlight, Lightweight
The Foxelli Headlamp is a USB rechargeable headlamp that only takes two hours to recharge. This two hours of charging may last up to 100 hours of use.
The headlamp is built for outdoor use. It is waterproof up to one meter for a time of thirty minutes, so no need to worry about dropping it in shallow water or if it starts raining. The light has a very durable housing and can withstand a drop on the ground. Finally, it has a built-in emergency whistle, which makes it great for hiking or camping. All three of those factors make the Foxeilli headlight great for any kind of outdoor or extreme use.
The Foxelli also has a built-in battery life indicator, which is something not common on headlamps in this price range. You don’t need to guess about the remaining battery life with this headlamp.
Pros
- Lightweight. The light only weighs 4.4 oz.
- Comfortable. Has an ergonomic and adjustable elastic strap with a removable top strap for maximum comfort.
- Five light modes. Ultra-bright, bright, average, medium, low, and SOS (flashing).
- Water resistance up to one meter for thirty minutes.
- Rechargeable battery with included USB charger.
Cons
- Control button can be difficult to use at first.
| Price | Under $30 |
| Lumens | 280 lm |
| Weight | 4.4 oz |
4. Cree LED Headlamp and Flashlight
The Cree LED Headlamp and Flashlight has five separate light casings for a maximum brightness of 8000 lumens. The 8000 lumens can cast a beam of light up to 650 feet in the right environmental conditions. You never have to worry about not being seen with a light as bright as this one.
Cree also provides a USB charging cable when you purchase their headlamp on Amazon. Plug your headlamp into any USB port and quickly charge your light. The charge lasts about 8-10 hours depending on your preferred light setting.
The strap is elastic, adjustable, and comfortable. It also has a top strap to help keep.
This headlamp also has a red safety light located on the battery pack on the back of the light. This helps make you more visible at night, which is great for joggers.
Pros
- Super bright with 8000 lumens
- Five different modes. Energy saving mode, medium bright mode, super bright mode, strobe mode, and a red light on the back.
- Can adjust the beam 90 degrees.
- IPX4 water resistance protects it from rain or water contact. Not submersible in water.
- Adjustable elastic straps are very comfortable
- Zoomable beam to focus in on objects or cast a wide beam for general use.
- Two 18650 Lithium-ion batteries included with your purchase.
Cons
- Five lights can be cumbersome.
- Only includes a USB charger
| Price | Under $25 |
| Lumens | 8000 lm |
| Weight | 3.52 oz |
Final Thoughts
If you like camping, backpacking, or jogging at night, then any of these headlamps would improve your time enjoying your hobby. These headlamps also make an excellent addition to any emergency preparation kit.
