Why Get A Rechargeable Headlamp?
Most people don’t realize how nice it is to have a headlamp until they’ve tried one.
They’ve attempted putting up a tent in the dark, stumbled to go to the bathroom at night, or just walked around in the dark.
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A headlamp solves so many issues with activities like camping, hunting, backpacking, and trail running.
Of course, they’re not limited to camping, backpacking, and trail running uses but also regular running and hiking.
Rechargeable headlamps not only frees your hands and lets you do things in the dark, but you won’t need to worry about stocking up on batteries before you head out.
The USB rechargeable headlamps can even be charged up in your car or using a portable phone battery. It’s more convenient and more budget-friendly in the long run.
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Today I’m going to review some of the best rechargeable headlamps for all uses including running, hunting, and camping.
They have different features and modes that we’ll talk about, but the most important thing is that they’re bright enough to be used at night.
Most Lightweight
Most Light Modes
Most Versatile
Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Rechargeable Headlamps Reviews & Info
1. Foxelli MX200 USB Rechargeable Headlamp
Foxelli’s headlamp is a USB rechargeable one that I really like. Its functionality is basic, but since you can recharge it with USB, it could be the headlamp you use every day for camping, running or backpacking.
Pair it with a portable battery and a solar panel and you can have endless lighting on a backpacking, camping, or hunting trip.
It only comes in one size, but you have 8 colors to choose from. The max light output is 180 lumens and there are 5 light modes; high, low, strobe, red light, and red SOS are available on each.
Foxelli advertises up to 40 hours of constant light, I assume that is on the low setting.
When the battery has run out, you can plug the included USB cable into it and recharge it in 4 hours. The battery itself is a 1200mAh lithium battery.
A 45-degree tiltable body lets you control the beam that reaches up to 91 meters (300 feet) on the high setting.
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One feature I really like about the Foxelli MX200 is that if you turn on a setting and leave it there for about 10 seconds, the next time you click on the settings button it will turn off the light.
To cycle through modes, you’ll have to do it within those 10 seconds. This makes it very convenient to use since you won’t have to cycle through all modes to turn it off.
IPX5 rating means that you can wear it in heavy rain without risking damaging it. Cold or heat won’t kill it either, making it a great option for hunters or runners.
The most impressive thing about the Foxelli MX200 is the weight, it only weighs 2.4 ounces. You’ll barely feel it on your head.
For runners, this is one of the most important specs because even though 10 ounces with a different headlamp doesn’t sound like a ton, it becomes noticeable to some while running.
I recommend the Foxelli MX200 USB rechargeable headlamp for runners, campers, hunters, and backpackers that want to be able to use their headlamp every day.
You can easily recharge it with power from a generator or solar panel and you won’t have to worry about leaving your campsite to go get batteries to run your headlamp.
PROS
- USB Rechargeable
- Tiltable Body
- IPX5 Rating
- Lightweight
- 5 Light Modes
CONS
- No Wall Charger Included (USB Cable Only)
- Only 180 Max Lumens
One of the more advanced headlamps in this review comes from a company called DanForce.
One unique feature it has is a zoomable beam with four modes. What the zoom does is focus the light beam making it smaller but brighter.
The four modes are high, low, mid, and strobe. DanForce advertises light strength up to 1080 lumens, which is pretty good for a rechargable headlamp.
With lots of lumens come less battery life. In the low mode, the headlamp will function for up to 8 hours on high.
An adjustable headband that also goes over the top will make sure that the headlamp stays on your head.
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The battery box sits in the back with two rechargeable AA 18650 batteries in it. If you want to buy batteries and change these out, make sure they’re type 18650.
There are several ways to recharge those batteries. Either the wall, car, or through USB. All of the necessary cables are included.
You can tilt the light up to 90 degrees. That means that the light can be pointing straight to the ground if you want.
The GRDE headlamp is rated as IPX45 water resistant. That means it can get rained on but it’s not made to be fully submerged in water.
So is the the perfect headlamp for you?
It could work for running, but note that it weighs 12.8 ounces which is pretty heavy.
The adjustable band on top helps runners as the headlamp will stay in place even during bumpy activities. For camping, it can be one of the best choices when you need a strong light outside at night.
I could also see this being used while hunting, with the zoom feature making it easy to send all light toward a certain point to focus on. Something that could also be useful when exploring caves.
PROS
- Zoom Beam
- USB Rechargeable
- Tiltable Body
- 3 Modes
- 1,800 Max Lumens
- Rechargeable Batteries Included
- Wall, Car, & USB Cables Inlcuded
- 3rd Strap For Better Fit
CONS
- Heavy
- Only IPX4 Water Resistant
The PETZL Actik Core rechargeable headlamp is small but it does it all.
The coolest feature it has, in my opinion, is the hybrid battery capabilities.
The PETZL comes with a rechargeable battery pack that can be charged via USB but it’s also capable of being powered by 3 AAA batteries as well.
That means if you are even in a situation where you can’t recharge the battery you can simply use 3 AAA ones instead. It’s a great idea for emergency use and it makes the PETZL a fantastic headlamp for power outages and emergencies.
The LED lights are no joke either. Even though the highest setting can only output 450 lumens it’s still a very bright headlamp.
There are 2 regular LED lights and a red LED light. They offer 3 regular light modes and 2 red light modes.
The low outputs 6 lumens and can last up to 130 hours on a full charge. The medium mode outputs 100 lumens and will last 8 hours. The high mode outpost the max 450 lumens and will last up to 2 hours.
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The small red LED light on the PETZL makes it a little unique compared to the other rechargeable headlamps in this review. It has two modes; proximity and strobe.
The proximity mode outputs 2 lumens and lasts 60 hours. This mode is perfect for getting enough light to see at night but it won’t hurt your eyes from the light and dark contrast.
It’s also great to use when talking to other people so you can still see them but not blind them with your headlamp light.
The strobe mode is a safety feature that you can use as an emergency light signal. It can be seen from 700 meters away and will last for 400 hours on a full charge.
The rechargeable battery is PETZL’s own CORE battery that recharges via USB in just 3 hours.
The headlamp is rated IPX4 and it only weighs 2.65 oz or 75 grams. The headband is the simple single strap kind. The light is removable so you can more easily wash the band. The head can tilt up or down as well.
The is perfect for any outdoor enthusiast or worker who requires better lighting. It’s lightweight and offers a bright enough light to easily see at night.
The many light modes and emergency red light make it perfect for hikers and hunters but it’s also great for regular use and camping.
The PETZL Core battery is USB rechargeable and the hybrid feature is great to have just in case. You can also get more rechargeable Core batteries (click to view on Amazon) to use as backup.
PROS
- USB Rechargeable
- Tiltable Body
- Lightweight
- 5 Light Modes
- Red LED Light Mode
- More Rechargeable CORE Batteries Available
- Long Battery Life
- Can Use AAA Batteries If Needed
CONS
- Only 450 Lumens
- No Wall Charger Included (USB Cable Only)
- Only IPX4 Water Resistant
4. Coast 1000 Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp
Coast makes a lot of awesome USB rechargeable headlamps and the 1000 lumen dual power LED is one of its best.
Much like the PETZL, the Coast headlamp can be powered using the rechargeable battery via a USB-C port or it can be run with cr123 batteries.
This allows you the freedom of saving by using rechargeable power when available but also being able to have stored emergency power options.
There are 4 light settings that range from 40 lumens to 1000. The 1000 lumen ability can be used in “turbo mode” which is for emergency use when you may need a ton of light for a short amount of time.
For normal use, it’s recommended to use the 3 lower settings that are 40, 150, and 490 lumens.
On a full charge, the battery can run the high 490 lumen mode for up to 7 hours and 45 minutes. Those are very impressive numbers, especially for a rechargeable headlamp and such high lumens.
The LED light also has a zoom lens you can use to adjust the light shape to make it more focused and powerful.
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One very cool and unique feature with this specific Coast headlamp is the removable flashlight head has a magnet on the size you can use to stick it to metal surfaces.
This makes it especially useful in work settings or getting light when changing a flat tire at night. Just stick the flashlight head to the side of your car and get to work.
The Coast uses a single strap but there is a more high tech 3 strap version available (click to view on Amazon) that has a bigger rechargeable battery and a brighter LED light.
It’s water resistant with an IPX4 rating and has a 1 meter drop rating. It weighs 11.3 ounces. The head can fully tilt up or down.
The Coast 1000 Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp is a fantastic little headlamp that has enough features to be an amazing outdoor or work headlamp while still being fairly lightweight for backpackers and bikers.
The ultra high 1000 lumens setting is good to have, and the magnetic side is a very useful feature you won’t find with many other headlamps including the ones in this review.
For a fantastic overall rechargeable headlamp that is built to last the Coast 1000 lumen is a good choice.
PROS
- USB Rechargeable
- Tiltable Body
- 4 Light Modes
- 1000 Lumens Turbo Mode
- Removable Head With Magnetic Side
- Compatible With Regular cr123 Batteries
- Zoom/Focus Light
CONS
- No Wall Charger Included
- USB-C Cable Not Included
- Only IPX4 Water Resistant
- Heavy
What To Look For In A Rechargeable Headlamp
If you’re looking to purchase a rechargeable headlamp, you probably already know why you’re going to need it.
Maybe you’re going to be tent camping, want a light in the RV in case the battery is dead, you like to go trail running, or hike into the mountains to hunt early in the morning.
Whatever your reason might be, there are a few things to consider, so let’s talk about them.
Battery Life
If you need a headlamp for everyday use, I would go with a rechargeable option. Having to buy batteries every week will get expensive real quick, and it’s going to make you use the headlamp less.
The hybrid rechargeable headlamps that can be recharged or powered by regular batteries are a great option as well since you might not always have an outlet available and batteries are fantastic sources for emergency power.
Lumens
I don’t recommend thinking too much about lumens, as battery and modes are more important things to consider.
Especially since some companies advertise extremely high lumens that aren’t realistic on headlamps.
For more information about lumens and what they mean check out this article.
Modes
How many modes you need depends on how many activities you’re planning on doing with it. If you mostly plan on cooking and reading you probably won’t need a three-light headlamp with zoom.
The most advanced headlamp isn’t the best choice for everybody.
If you need a headlamp for an activity that requires a lot of focus like mountain biking a headlamp with a touch free sensor might be something to look at.
Weight
There are pretty large weight differences between all of the headlamps in this review.
If you think that is something that is going to bother you or if you have to wear a headlamp for an extended amount of time, go for a light one.
I have worn a headlamp that weighed a pound, and to be honest it didn’t really bug me at all. It’s more important to me that it sits securely on my head than the weight of it, but we’re all different.
Bands
If you want a headlamp to put on your yellow construction helmet, how many bands there are and how adjustable they are will matter.
Not all of the headlamps we’ve looked at today can fit on a yellow helmet, especially the ones with bands going over the top of the head.
Sometimes just looking through the reviews of a certain product will tell you whether it can be put on top of a yellow helmet or not, so do some research on this before you purchase anything so you don’t end up with one that falls off the helmet.
Conclusion & My Recommendations For Rechargeable Headlamps
There are tons of different kinds of rechargeable headlamps out there to choose from and you don’t have to go buy the most expensive one as it might not be the best one for your uses.
Try to think of what you’ll be using the lamp for most of the time, and choose accordingly.
I have my recommendation based on the features and versatility but look through all of the headlamps before you decide what is the best option for you.
Most Versatile – Coast 1000 Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp
The Coast 1000 lumen rechargeable headlamp is one of the best for everyday use in this review.
It has a single strap that will fit over most kinds of helmets, there are lots of different brightness settings including an extra bright 1000 lumen turbo mode, and the head can be removed and stuck to any magnetic surface.
It’s also very heavy duty with an IPX4 water resistant rating, the head can tilt up or down, and it uses fast charging USB-C power. It can also be powered by non-rechargeable batteries as well.
There’s really nothing the Coast headlamp doesn’t have. It’s perfect for the job site, camping, biking, hunting, hiking, and home use.
The only thing it may not have the edge on is running but it could still be used for that if you aren’t sensitive to a heavier headlamp.
Most Light Modes & Options –
The one thing that really stands out to me with the PETZL Actik Core rechargeable headlamp is the little red LED light.
It’s so useful to have a weaker light for situations where you need to see but there are people nearby or if you don’t want your eyes to have to readjust to the darkness when you turn the headlamp off.
It’s also a really nice safety signal light that will last for hours.
On top of the red LED light there are two other lights that put out enough lumens to see even when biking.
It’s a lightweight headlamp which makes it good for running or wearing for a long time.
This is also the other hybrid rechargeable headlamp in this review that can be run with both the rechargeable battery pack and store bought batteries.
Most Lightweight – Foxelli USB Rechargeable Headlamp
If weight is the number one thing you are looking to save on the Foxelli is the lightest rechargeable headlamp in this review.
It’s not as bright or durable, and it doesn’t have as many features as larger heavier headlamps but it’s still a decent lamp that outputs a good amount of light.
It’s a great basic option that doesn’t take up a lot of space and it’s comfortable to wear for a long time and while running.
Have any questions about rechargeable headlamps? Leave a comment below.
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