If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best headlamp for running at night is, then I’d recommend the Black Diamond Headlamp as the best one.
Staying safe while exercising at night is often a priority for athletes.
Flashing a light while running is a good way for runners to evaluate their surroundings and spot anyone approaching them, but it is cumbersome to hold a flashlight while moving.
In order to resolve this difficulty, it is a good idea to use a headlamp.
The information below should help you select the best headlamp for running at night.
Here are the top headlamps we’ll be reviewing:
- Foxelli Headlamp
- Cobiz Headlamp
- BoldBright Running Headlamp
- Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
- VONT LED Headlamp
What is a Running Headlamp?
A headlamp can often refer to a lamp fixed to a vehicle to illuminate the path of travel.
In this case, a headlamp is a light fixed to the head of a person for outdoor nighttime activities or dark places.
They are used by people who want access to hands-free lighting. They are convenient for camping activities, mountain climbing, hiking, and mining.
They are often powered by up to four AA or AAA batteries. They were pioneered by the inventor Thomas Edison, who developed light caps for miners.
How do I Choose The Best Headlamp?
First, take stock of your budget and your activities that require lighting. If you are willing to spend over $200, you will want to select the best device for the money.
Look at reviews and articles discussing these products. If you want to spend less than $50, you will still be able to find cheaper alternatives.
However, these cheaper alternatives may use up batteries faster than you may initially anticipate.
If you are going to use a headlamp for heavy-duty or long-term activities, you may want to consider budgeting for a while to purchase a more expensive device.
If you wish to buy a headlamp for running, select a device that fits comfortably around your head.
You may want to measure your head to see if it will accommodate most headlamps. Pick a device that will not wobble or slip when your feet hit the ground.
Look at reviews that discuss how the device performs during usage.
It is also a good idea to evaluate brightness. Lights can be measured in lumens, but the measurement system for lights can be highly inconsistent.
It is a good idea to evaluate the light based on how well it performs over a few days and how well it lights up the area around you.
It is hard to gauge the quality of a headlamp based on the advertised lumen rating.
It is also not a good idea to take extreme lumen measurements very seriously; a headlamp with a measurement of 5,000 lumens may not entirely deliver quality commensurate with your expectations.
Running Headlamp vs. Flashlight
A headlamp will free up your arms and hands for movement as you are running.
Your hands and arms may get tired of clasping a flashlight, but your head may not get tired of wearing a headlamp.
Buying a headlamp also reduces the risk of equipment damage while you are moving.
It is easier to drop a flashlight while running than it is to drop a headlamp.
A headlamp can also be pulled off the head and held like a flashlight.
What Kind of Batteries Are Needed For Running Headlamps?
When selecting the power source for your headlamp, be sure that the batteries needed are light and well-fitting.
Clunky and over-sized batteries are outdated and unhelpful. C-sized batteries and D sized batteries are not ideal for headlamps.
The smaller the battery, the better the power source for the headlamp.
If you care about the environment, you may wish to consider a headlamp that can process rechargeable AA and AAA batteries.
These may last you for a long time and prevent you from doing more budgeting for your device.
You may also want to consider a headlamp that runs on rechargeable 18650 size batteries.
High quality 18650 batteries can last a year or can go through 300 recharge cycles. These tend to be expensive, but they deliver well on quality and longevity.
If you do choose to buy a headlamp that requires this kind of battery, be careful to do some budgeting and to buy one that is distinguished in quality.
Poor quality 18650 batteries can run only for a month or two before losing their strength.
Cheap 18650 batteries are easy to find and not easy to tell apart from quality batteries. These batteries also take a very long time to recharge.
In short, the batteries you should look for your headlamp should be small and high-quality.
It is a good idea to spend most of your time and money looking for good batteries for your headlamp.
Now that you know a little more about headlamps for running at night, the list below can help you select the best one for your situation.
The Best Headlamps for Running at Night Reviewed
Foxelli Headlamp
The Foxelli Headlamp is a small and affordable headlamp that would be ideal for runners on a budget and who need something cheap and effective for their workouts.
The headlamp has a variety of white and red lighting modes.
The lighting also has SOS and strobe-light modes. The headlamp is also lightweight, which allows the runner to use the lighting without feeling the weight of the device on their head.
The purchase comes with 3 AAA energizer batteries. The life of the head torch is estimated to be approximately 45 hours.
The quality of the light is measured at 165 lumens.
Those who want to extend the life of the headlamp may switch the lighting to a 80 lumens-setting for the times when brightness is not a priority or a requirement.
A built-in timer function allows the user to turn the lighting off with one press of a button.
The light is also guaranteed to be waterproof for light sprays or rains. The headlight can endure some light rain, but cannot be taken underwater.
The light also cannot sustain when subjected to saltwater or alkaline fluid.
Pros:
- Low-priced and high-quality
- Lightweight and well-fitting
- Simple to operate
Cons:
- Weak red-light setting
- Has some “light-spillover”; light shining from the lamp may hit the user’s eyes
Cobiz Headlamp
The Cobiz Headlamp is an affordable device that runners can buy with only a little short-term budgeting.
The light has four lighting modes including a strobe light setting. The light is measured to be approximately 6000 lumens.
This particular device is distinguished by how waterproof it is designed to be; the light can operate under heavy rains and leaks.
This device cannot be taken underwater without sustaining some damage, but it could be the best headlamp for running at night for runners who want something that works during inclement weather.
The headlamp is also very adjustable, so different athletes will have little trouble using the same device.
The lights can also zoom in and out.
There is also an indicator light on the battery compartment that alerts the user to times when it requires charging or when it is properly charged.
The light may last for up to 8 hours. This device requires 18650 rechargeable li-ion batteries.
Pros
- Extremely bright
- Strong light settings
- Long-lasting battery
Cons
- Heavier than other headlamps
- Weak straps that may come undone during use
BoldBright Running Headlamp
The BoldBright Running Headlamp is an affordable headlamp that has a light measured at 120 lumens. The light can be set to a bright white, regular white, red, or strobe red.
The product weights approximately 2.4 ounces and has a curved forehead panel for good fitting.
The product is waterproof and may sustain under light rains. 3 Duracell AAA batteries are included with this purchase and may last for several weeks.
The product is distinguished from other devices by its reflective headband, which signals other people at night where the user is located.
This may be the best headlamp for running at night for athletes who prefer something extremely lightweight and capable of fitting into pockets or other small compartments.
Switching between the four light modes is comfortable and simple.
The straps are also comfortable and do not grasp the head too tightly.
This may be an issue for runners who want a device that will stay still on their heads when their feet strike the ground.
Pros:
- Easy to use; athletes can switch between the four modes without much difficulty
- Very lightweight; users can fit the device into a pocket or purse
- Affordable and effective
Cons:
- Loosely fitted
- Short-lasting compared to other products
Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
The Black Diamond Spot Headlamp is a sleek headlamp with a light that is measured at 300 lumens. The light settings are full strength in proximity and distance modes, dimming, strobe, red night-vision and lock mode. Transitioning between the light modes is simple.
This device is distinguished from other products by its waterproof design; the product can be submerged underwater at 3 feet for approximately 30 minutes. This may be the best headlamp for running at night for those who plan on having an outdoor workout despite rainy weather. The device is also fairly lightweight and can be packed neatly into a large pocket or glove compartment.
Those who want to extend the life of their lamp may switch to a dimmed mode that saves power during times when brightness need not be a priority.
Pros
- Secure headband; will not loosen during use
- Affordable with very bright lights
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Yellow spot in the middle of white light beam
- Uncomfortable plate behind the lamp area
Vont LED Headlamp
The Vont LED Headlamp is distinguished from the other items by its 5-mode light setting. The light modes include a red light setting and a strobe light setting.
The device is designed to be tough and waterproof; the headlamp may survive a 10-foot drop and a temporary dive underwater.
This makes the lamp a good choice for runners who want to have workouts in difficult weather.
The lamps are also used by professionals in law enforcement and in the military.
The purchase comes with three AAA batteries that are meant to last for several days. Buyers can choose between a black headlamp or a red headlamp.
Pros
- Effective for the affordable price
- Versatile; has multiple lighting options
- Lightweight and well-designed
Cons
- Flickering lights after a few uses
- Delicate structure
And the Winner is…
The best product in this list may be the Black Diamond Headlamp.
The headlamp comes with several lighting options that are easy to access.
This is a good option for those who want a secure headband and a waterproof design.
The product fulfills all the basic requirements of an affordable, functional headlamp.
