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Whether you’re headed into the backcountry or just taking your dog on a nighttime walk, with a good headlamp, you’ll never be caught in the dark. We’ve been testing headlamps since 2012, and after subjecting them to years of late-night hikes, evening runs, and stargazing sessions, we still think the Black Diamond Spot—the latest version being the Spot 400—is the best headlamp. It’s easy to use, with a long-lasting battery and a bright beam to keep your paths well lit, year after year.
Black Diamond Spot 400: The best headlamp
When you’re car camping or even just digging through a closet, the Black Diamond Spot 400, provides exactly what you need: a bright beam, easy-to-navigate buttons, and long-lasting battery life. The Spot has been at the top of our list since 2012 because it’s reliable and bright enough to light the way in most situations, whether indoors or outdoors. The 400 model includes the same features we’ve always liked. And it has 50 more lumens than the previous Spot (so 400 in all), for a noticeable bump in brightness (although we still think the previous version was plenty bright enough). The Spot’s top buttons are more intuitive to use than the single button on versions that are older than the 350. You’ll still have to experiment and click through the various modes, but we think the learning curve is fairly quick. The Spot has a Brightness Memory mode, so it can revert to a previous setting whenever you turn on the headlamp. This model also has a red-light option (good for when you’re switching the lamp on and off at night), a “proximity” flood-light option (which gives you a wider beam and more peripheral lighting, so it’s great for camping), and strobe options (perfect for throwing an emergency signal in the dark). The 3-ounce Spot 400 locks and is weather-resistant. And its PowerTap technology lets you transition the headlamp from full power to dimmed with one touch. Although there are headlamps out there with brighter, higher-quality beams, none offered the same combination of decent brightness, simplicity, and reliability at such a low price. If you want to save a little money, we think the discontinued Spot 350 is still a great, bright headlamp, if you can find it.
Vitchelo V800: Cheap but reliable
The Vitchelo V800 remains a good, low-cost choice. Toggling between the red- and white-light settings (there are two separate buttons) is easy, and we liked the comfortable head strap. That said, we wish the light were brighter (it’s still only 168 lumens). This headlamp also has fewer features, and it lacks the memory and locking modes we liked in our top pick. Even so, this headlamp performed as well as competitors that were many times the price. If you need a low-cost headlamp for completing around-the-house chores, taking your dog on evening walks, or stepping out into the yard at night, this is a good option.
Petzl Actik Core: A rechargeable option
The Petzl Actik Core is the best choice for backpackers, outdoor adventurers, and anyone who needs a headlamp with charging options (both USB and batteries). We tested two rechargeable headlamps in 2019 (and we’ve evaluated nine others for previous iterations of this guide), and we think this light is the best for outdoor adventures. It’s durable, easy to use, and weighs under 3 ounces (just slightly less than the Black Diamond Spot 400). The Actik Core’s 450-lumen light was also the brightest of the bunch, and it had the best optical quality. This model recharges quickly and easily, which is great if you want to juice up the light on your way to the trail. If you travel with a battery pack, rechargeable devices can be more convenient (you accumulate somewhat less battery waste over time, and the charge lasts for more than 16 hours). The Actik Core is also versatile—if you don’t have a USB source handy, you can run the headlamp on three AAA batteries. Some things we liked less: There’s no floodlight feature (which is good for camping), and the Actik Core has a lower-than-expected weatherproof rating. Compared with the Spot 400, which can withstand being submerged underwater, this model can only handle splashes.
Black Diamond Sprinter 500: For runners
After years of testing, we still haven’t found a running headlamp (with a head strap or harness, plus a taillight, that won’t bounce off when you run) that’s lightweight, secure, and bright. But the Black Diamond Sprinter 500 continues to sit in our best-in-class spot. The Sprinter has a 500-lumen front light, and it provided decent trail illumination during our long nighttime runs. You’ll need to charge the headlamp every few days (according to the manual), but we used it for 13-plus hours without any problem (you can use AAA batteries if you prefer). The Sprinter notched a few wins over the other running models we tested. Its comfortable, easily adjustable strap keeps the lamp secured to your head while you run, and it weighs a little over 4 ounces (more than the Spot 400, but not enough to feel heavy). Also, its rear blinker provides an important safety component. In an upgrade from the Sprinter 275, the 500 features a lockout setting, which prevents the light from accidentally turning on in your bag or pocket.