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A bike headlight serves two purposes: helping you see and ensuring you're seen by others. Whether you’re on the road or the mountain trail, it’s essential to have a working headlight that can capture the attention of pedestrians and motorists alike, both in daylight and at night. If you have one that can last for hours at a time and handle bumpy gravel without slipping off your handlebars, even better.
If you’re looking for an upgrade to your bike’s headlight to make it more practical, or you need more lumens to cut through the darkness at night, check out one of these top-rated bike headlights available right now on Amazon.
The Best Bike Headlights on Amazon
1
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3
Best For Mountain Biking
Light & Motion Seca Comp 2000 Massive Output Headlight
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4
Best for Daytime Commutes
Cygolite Metro Plus 650-Lumen Bike Headlight
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5
Best for Nighttime Commutes
Cygolite Metro Plus 800-Lumen Bike Headlight
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6
Best with Dual Beams
Nitecore 1800-Lumen Dual Beam OLED Bike Headlight
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7
Best for Your Helmet
NiteRider Lumina Micro 900 Front Bike Light LED
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8
Best with Device-Charging Capabilities
KNOG PWR Rider 450-Lumen Bike Headlight
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What to Consider
While plenty of lights come with extra bells and whistles that make personalizing your ride a little easier, there are two main things that should be top of mind when considering which headlight to get.
Where You’ll Be Using Your Lights
Your bike’s headlight should suit your lifestyle, so find one that best caters to your route. If you’re a daytime biker with a short commute, for example, you may be able to get away with a headlight that emits a weak––but still visible––flashing light to get the attention of passersby. On the other hand, if you’re considering a headlight for hitting a trail at night, you’ll need one that can illuminate the path to show any obstacles in your way—and preferably one that can last for hours without leaving you in the dark. You might also want to consider purchasing a second light to strap to your helmet and use as a spotlight for additional guidance.
Lumens
Lumens are the metric used to measure how much visible light a particular source emits. Generally speaking, when purchasing bike lights, the maximum lumen output is usually noted in a headlight’s model name. For example, our best overall pick, the Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL, claims to shine at 1300 lumens on full power.
One thing to keep in mind is that while lumens are a good indicator of a light’s maximum power, they aren’t always hard fact. Think of this number as more of a claim. During our own extensive testing, we discovered that most headlights are unable to provide their maximum lumen output throughout the duration of a bike ride. If a headlight’s maximum output claims it’s 1100 lumens, as power begins to wane through usage, that output goes down as well. Mileage will vary per light depending on the light mode it’s on and its battery life.
How We Selected
To find some of the most reliable—and most stylish—bike headlights on the market, we consulted several competitor websites, in addition to our own guide on the best bike lights. We took a few products from our light guide and added some additional models from top-rated cycling gear brands. We also took into consideration what’s frequently cited as a reliable bike light from a mixture of message board posts and user reviews, and sprinkled in some of the best-selling lights on Amazon.
For more great safety accessories to add to your ride, check out our picks for the best bike lights, bike bells, and bike locks.
Pros
- Stays upright, even over bumpy terrain
- Seven light modes make for customized and safe ride
- Bright lumen output
- Long battery life
Cons
Key Specs
- Lumens: 1300
- Runtime: 148 hours on its lowest setting, 2.5 hours on highest
- Rechargeable: Yes, via micro USB
- Recharge Time: 3.5 hours
- Weight: 208 grams
The Macro Drive 1300XXL is one of the most impressive bicycle headlights on the market. A must-own for cyclists, this light impressed us during lab testing, where we found its run time of 2.5 hours on maximum brightness to be one of the highest available.
It has seven light modes, including some suitable for daytime, and while it’s mounted in place, you can swivel its body like a spotlight, making it a great all-around pick for those looking for a light that can handle it all.
Over 300 Amazon users give this a 4.7 out of a 5-star average rating, with many claiming it stays sturdy and straight, even when used while biking across gravel and debris.
Pros
- Affordable light with high lumen output
- Comes with reflective bands
- Snaps off to use as a portable flashlight
Cons
- Standard USB charging cord feels outdated
Key Specs
- Lumens: 2,000
- Runtime: 18 hours on its lowest setting, 6 hours on highest
- Rechargeable: Yes, via USB
- Recharge Time: 5 hours
- Weight: 200 grams
This Amazon bestseller is an impressive package at an even better price. It offers 1,000 lumens for less than $20 and includes two reflective bands for additional rider safety. It can also rotate a full 360 degrees after it's mounted, which makes it useable as a spotlight just by turning it.
Over 1,700 users give this light a 4.5 out of a 5-star rating, with many saying its light is terrific, and its design is unbeatable. You can also take it off its mount for a portable flashlight on the go. This light is a no-brainer for the value-oriented.
Pros
- Durable mount and headlight
- Waterproof and dustproof
- Very bright output
- Compatible with GoPro mounts
Cons
Key Specs
- Lumens: 2,000
- Runtime: 9 hours on its lowest setting, 1.5 hours on highest
- Rechargeable: Yes, via micro USB
- Recharge Time: 4 hours
- Weight: 226 grams
The Seca Comp 2000 Headlight is a beast of a lamp that has a maximum output of 2,000 lumens.
If that’s not wild enough, this thing is also IP67-rated, making it completely waterproof and dustproof. It’s tough enough to handle a drop from a meter high, and it can be submerged underwater for up to 30 minutes—if you so desire—and it’s also built with compatible GoPro camera mounts if you’re into recording your adventures.
Take this out on a night ride the next time you’re on a rugged trail for a reliable headlight with four light modes.
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Pros
- Affordable package
- Easy to mount and adjust
Cons
- Low battery life for high setting
Key Specs
- Lumens: 650
- Runtime: 100 hours on its lowest setting, 1 hour on highest
- Rechargeable: Yes, via micro USB
- Recharge Time: 2.5 hours
- Weight: 138 grams
Daytime commuters need a light that’s bright enough to shine through the sun and attract motorists and other commuters, but also something slim enough so it's not a chore to constantly charge. The Metro Plus 650 is an easygoing headlight that offers all that and more, with eight light modes to add a layer of safety to your ride, and a low weight that makes it extra portable.
This headlight has four light modes for daytime and four for the night, while its battery can last up to 12 hours on its daytime flash setting for a morning commute. It also has an IP67 rating, making it completely waterproof and dustproof, so rest easy if you're using it wet or windy riding conditions.
Pros
- Easy to mount and adjust
- Great value
Cons
- Low battery life on high setting
Key Specs
- Lumens: 800
- Runtime: 110 hours on its lowest setting, 1 hour on highest
- Rechargeable: Yes, via micro USB
- Recharge time: 2.5 hours
- Weight: 138 grams
We can say the same things about the Metro Plus 800 as we can about the 650. They’re both reliable lights, but the 800 has more power to fuel your early evening or late night commute home, and for only a few dollars more.
The 800 adds an additional light mode for a total of nine, with a wide beam that allows for a stronger light on the trail or road. In addition to being a solid headlight, it works as a reliable helmet light, as well.
Pros
- Two lights allow for a customizable ride
- OLED screen for easy navigation
- Comes with remote control
Cons
- Heavy
Key Specs
- Lumens: 1,800
- Runtime: 17 hours on its lowest setting, 2 hours on highest
- Rechargeable: Yes, via USB
- Recharge Time: 4 hours
- Weight: 500 grams
Wide (or flood) beams, like the ones in this model from Nitecore, are useful for illuminating large areas at night. Wide 1,800-lumen dual beams allow for a vast scope of illumination, and the headlight's three lighting modes provide several options for riding around the city or trail at night.
This headlight is also water-resistant enough to handle light rain, just as long as you don't get any in its micro USB charging port. Use the weaker bottom beam for city rides or turn on both when out on a pitch-black trail.
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Pros
- Can be used as a spotlight
- Very compact design
Cons
- Slightly weighty
Key Specs
- Lumens: 900
- Runtime: 60 hours on its lowest setting, 2 hours on highest
- Rechargeable: Yes, via micro USB
- Recharge Time: 4.5 hours
- Weight: 370 grams
A light that mounts to your helmet is useful for illuminating your path like a spotlight, brightening the corners of the area you're facing. During a lengthy testing process, we found the Micro 900 to be a fantastic light to strap to your helmet to do such spotlighting.
As its name suggests, this headlight is super compact at just over 6 inches in depth, and it’s cheap enough to buy two for your next night ride. Toss one on your helmet and one on your person and switch through five light modes to see and be seen while cruising.
8
Best with Device-Charging Capabilities
KNOG PWR Rider 450-Lumen Bike Headlight
Now 50% Off
Pros
- Customizable light modes with app
- Charges phones and other USB devices
- Lightweight
Cons
- Can’t charge while light is on
- Some reviewers claim it isn’t sturdy
Key Specs
- Lumens: 450
- Runtime: 90 hours on its lowest setting, 2 hours on highest
- Rechargeable: Yes, via micro USB
- Recharge Time: 5 hours
- Weight: 114 grams
Though it’s fairly long, the PWR Rider 450 doesn’t just act as a headlight—it’s also a power bank.
With a push of a thumbwheel, the headlight pops off its mount and turns into a charging station you can take with you for powering up a GoPro, iPhone, or even your cycling computer. It has six different modes to toggle your lights on, including an eco-flash mode that can last up to a whopping 300 hours.
It also has a neat feature that allows you to customize your own light mode via Knog’s Mode Maker app, adding an additional layer of personality to your bike gear.
Kevin Cortez
Commerce Editor
Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.
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