\n<\/p>\n
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More \u203a<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Headlamps are one of those unique pieces of gear that almost everyone needs: campers, hunters, hikers, climbers, backcountry skiers, and runners. Whether you\u2019re getting up before the sun, setting up camp at night, or exploring a dark area, hands-free lighting is crucial.\u00a0<\/p>\n While the headlamp market is oversaturated with bulky no-name models that die too quickly, if you\u2019re relying on a headlamp to maneuver at night don\u2019t risk your safety on something unreliable. I tested the best headlamps on the market to help you find a model with the brightness, comfort, battery life, and modes that are right for you.<\/p>\n Ashley Thess<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n To test the best headlamps, we first used them in the field. We took compact, lightweight options on Outdoor Life<\/em>\u2019s annual backpacking gear test where eight testers used them to navigate camp at night and compare brightness side by side.\u00a0<\/p>\n OL editor-in-chief Alex Robinson, staff writer Alice Jones Webb, and I have also been using these headlamps to run, explore, and prepare for hunting season. I took two high powered models, the Coast XPH34R and Black Diamond Distance, into a dark cave to see how they illuminated a pitch black space.\u00a0<\/p>\n By using these headlamps in the field and doing side by side comparisons with models of similar lumen levels, we judged which lights performed best in close quarters versus long distances, and the different brightness settings. Then, we performed controlled battery life, freeze, and water resistance tests.<\/p>\n Read Next: <\/strong>Best Headlamps for Hunting<\/a><\/p>\n We turned all of these headlamps to the highest setting and recorded how long it took for them to die. This was to give a general idea of their battery usage, not necessarily to compare it to manufacturer provided specs. The advertised battery life was always less than the actual burn time, because manufacturers will stop counting once the light dims significantly, not when it actually dies. Keep in mind that headlamps with alkaline batteries will usually outperform rechargeable batteries.<\/p>\n We put these headlamps in the freezer for an hour to make sure they\u2019d all still turn on in freezing temps.<\/p>\n Ingress Protection (IP) ratings dictate the dust and water resistance of a product. The first number is dust resistance from 0 to 6, and if the product is not rated to withstand dust there\u2019s an X as a placeholder. The second number is water resistance ranging from 0 to 8.<\/p>\n While most of these headlamps can\u2019t be submerged (IPX7), they should withstand splashes from all directions (IPX4). I left a majority of these headlamps outside in the sprinkling rain for half an hour. Then, I threw a cup of water on them for good measure.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tHow We Tested the Best Headlamps<\/h2>\n
Battery Life<\/h3>\n
Freeze<\/h3>\n
Water Resistance<\/h3>\n
Best Headlamps: Reviews & Recommendations<\/h2>\n
Best Overall: Black Diamond Storm R<\/a><\/h3>\n