Jason Merrill 
We’ve reviewed the top backpacking headlamps to guide you in your next headlamp purchase.
In the world of outdoor exploration, a reliable headlamp is a quintessential piece of gear. Whether you’re navigating a dark trail, setting up camp after sunset, or facing an unforeseen situation in the backcountry, a good headlamp becomes your guiding light. But with countless options on the market, choosing the right one can be a daunting task. From beam distance to burn time, weight to rechargeability, each headlamp offers a unique set of features catering to specific needs.
In this comprehensive review, we’ve narrowed down the vast sea of options to the top 10 headlamps that have garnered acclaim from backpackers around the globe. We’ve meticulously compared their specs, weighed their pros and cons, and summarized the essence of what makes each of them stand out. Whether you’re on a budget, looking for the lightest option, or need something specifically for your evening runs, we’ve got you covered. Read on to discover which headlamp might just be your next indispensable outdoor companion.
Top 10 Ultralight Backpacking Headlamps Chosen
Here are concise bullet list summaries for each headlamp (in no particular order):
- Black Diamond Sport 400-R: Rechargeable, bright. Shorter burn time than non-rechargeables.
- Petzl Actik CORE: Rechargeable, bright. Expensive.
- Black Diamond Spot 400: Excellent value, long burn time. Slight learning curve for the different modes.
- NITECORE NU25 UL: Ultralight, compact. Not as durable as some.
- BioLite HeadLamp 325: Ultralight, compact. Short burn time.
- Petzl Tikkina: Affordable, long burn time. No red mode or strobe.
- Petzl Actik: Bright, long burn time. Not fully waterproof.
- Fenix HM50R V2.0: Performs well in cold conditions, rechargeable option. Expensive.
- Princeton Tec Snap RGB: Comes with multiple mounts: headlamp, hanging lantern. Max output is dimmer than some others.
- Ledlenser MH10 Headlamp: Very bright, rechargeable. Expensive.
We’ve also created some helpful graphs to illustrate the clear difference in specifications for each of the above 10 headlamps before we dive into the detailed descriptions for each of the headlamps we reviewed.
Headlamps Graph: All Specifications Compared
Headlamps Graph: Weights of Each Headlamp
Headlamps Graph: Burn Times (Low/High) Comparisons
Headlamps Graph: Maximum Lumens Comparison
Headlamps Graph: Beam Distance Comparisons
The graphs we’ve created and provided above should help narrow down exactly what most backpackers are looking for when comparing side-by-side specifications of important factors like weight, beam distance, and burn times.
To extrapolate from the graphs for the top performing headlamps based on the specifications we reviewed, here are notable winners in each category:
- Lowest Weight: NITECORE NU25 UL
- Longest Lasting Battery on Low: Black Diamond Sport 400-R
- Longest Lasting Battery on High: Princeton Tec Snap RGB
- Longest Beam Distance: Ledlenser MH10 Headlamp
- Lowest Price: Petzl Tikkina
It’s interesting to note that different headlamps shine (pun intended!) in different categories. However, if we had to pick 2, we would go with the Back Diamond Sport 400-R and the Petzl Actik CORE.
Here is a complete breakdown of each headlamp, their specifications, pros, cons, and further details about each.
1. Black Diamond Spot 400
Rating: BEST VALUE HEADLAMP
Specifications:
- MSRP: $50.0
- Weight: 2.7 oz.
- Max Lumens/Beam Distance: 400 lm./328 ft. (100 meters)
- Burn Time: 200 hrs./2.5 hrs.
What we like:
- Excellent value
- Long burn time
- Bright
- Comfortable
- Waterproof
- Battery meter
- Locking feature
Things that could be improved:
- Slight learning curve for the different modes
Black Diamond Spot 400 details: The Black Diamond Spot has been a favorite among hikers for years because it’s exceptionally high quality for the price and packed with convenient features. The newest model is even brighter than before and can run on either regular AAAs or a rechargeable battery (sold separately). You can also get the rechargeable version, the 400-R, for about $15 more. Both models are sleek, comfortable, and stay bright for a long time. Black Diamond headlamps do take a bit more time to learn than many other models, but that’s to be expected for a light with so many features and modes.
2. Black Diamond Sport 400-R
Rating: BEST RECHARGEABLE HEADLAMP
Specifications:
- MSRP: $65
- Weight: 2.6 oz.
- Max Lumens/Beam Distance: 400 lm./328 ft. (100 meters)
- Burn Time: 225 hrs./4 hrs.
What we like:
- Rechargeable
- Bright
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Longer burn time than other rechargeable headlamps
- Easy to use
- Locking feature
- Battery meter
Things that could be improved:
- Shorter burn time than non-rechargeables
- Slight learning curve for the different modes
Black Diamond Sport 400-R details: The Black Diamond Spot 400-R is an incredible value – it costs less, weighs less, and has a longer runtime than a lot of the leading rechargeable headlamp competition. It’s also fully waterproof instead of just water-resistant like most others. And the Spot-R gives you the option to use several different beam types at any brightness you choose between 6 and 400 lumens, weighing just 2.6 oz. with a maximum brightness of 400 lumens.
3. Petzl Actik CORE
Rating: BEST RECHARGEABLE HEADLAMP
Specifications:
- MSRP: $80
- Weight: 3.1 oz.
- Max Lumens/Beam Distance: 600 lm./377 ft. (115 meters)
- Burn Time: 100 hrs./2 hrs.
What we like:
- Rechargeable
- Bright
- Comfortable
- Performance lighting (doesn’t dim as battery depletes)
- Easy to use
- Locking feature
- Battery meter
Things that could be improved:
- Expensive
- Not fully waterproof
- Shorter burn time than non-rechargeables
Petzl Actik CORE details: The Petzl Actik CORE is a user-friendly headlamp with the Petzl dependability we’ve grown to know and love. The Actik CORE is more expensive than the standard Actik (it’s AAA-powered bro), but it weighs a tad less and burns over 100 lumens brighter on its max setting. While both models have the option to use longer-lasting AAAs or the rechargeable CORE battery pack, the Actik CORE model includes the rechargeable battery. Both models are super easy to operate and emit a quality beam that’s a combination of spot and flood light.
4. Ledlenser MH10 Headlamp
Rating: BRIGHT & POWERFUL HEADLAMP
Specifications:
- MSRP: $90.0
- Weight: 5.6 oz.
- Max Lumens/Beam Distance: 600 lm./492 ft. (150 meters)
- Burn Time: 120 hrs./10 hrs.
What we like:
- Very bright
- Rechargeable
- Easy to use
- Long burn time for rechargeable battery
Things that could be improved:
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Bulky
- Not fully waterproof
- No red mode or strobe
- No locking feature
Ledlenser MH10 Headlamp details: The Ledlenser MH10 is the bulkiest of all the headlamps we tested with a large battery at the back of the head. The battery pack makes it a powerful choice for activities like caving or night hiking where beam distance matters. We like that its functions are simple and straightforward (like a ring adjustment that narrows & widens the beam), the beam is one of the brightest we tested, and among rechargeable headlamps, it has a long burn time. The Ledlenser is great for a lot of things, but it’s not our go-to for backpacking since it’s a bit heavy and bulky.
5. NITECORE NU25 UL
Rating: BEST ULTRALIGHT HEADLAMP
Specifications:
- MSRP: $37.0
- Weight: 1.6 oz.
- Max Lumens/Beam Distance: 400 lm./210 ft. (64 meters)
- Burn Time: 10.4 hrs./2.7 hrs.
What we like:
- Ultralight
- Compact
- Affordable
- Rechargeable
- Waterproof
- Battery meter
- Locking feature
- Charges quickly
- Comfortable head strap
Things that could be improved:
- Not as durable as some
NITECORE NU25 UL details: The incredibly lightweight NITECORE NU 25 UL has a lot of really useful features in an affordable package. This 400 lm. headlamp is plenty bright for night-hiking or tasks around camp, and the headband is comfortable to wear for long periods. We love that the battery indicator turns on without needing to cycle the light on like most other headlamps.
6. Princeton Tec Snap RGB
Rating: BEST HEADLAMP FOR VERSATILITY
Specifications:
- MSRP: $40.0
- Weight: 3.5 oz.
- Max Lumens/Beam Distance: 300 lm./98 ft. (30 meters)
- Burn Time: 130 hrs./40 hrs.
What we like:
- Multifunctional
- Rechargeable
- Affordable
- Several attachment options
Things that could be improved:
- Max output is dimmer than some others
- Not fully waterproof
- No red mode
- No locking feature
- Bulky on forehead
Princeton Tec Snap RGB details: The Princeton Tec Snap RGB is a great choice for those who want one light to cover many different activities. It comes with a headband, a 2-way carabiner housing for hanging it like a lantern, and a bike handlebar mount. We like the idea that the mounts can be left where they belong (on your bike, in your tent, in your pack), and the light can easily be popped into place when you need it. Another handy feature of the Snap is that it can be stuck on metal surfaces with its magnetic end, which we found particularly useful when working on household projects. While it’s a little bulky and heavy, we still think the Snap is a fun hands-free light that can move with you from activity to activity.
7. Petzl Tikkina
Rating: BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY HEADLAMP
Specifications:
- MSRP: $25.0
- Weight: 3.2 oz.
- Max Lumens/Beam Distance: 300 lm./213 ft. (65 meters)
- Burn Time: 100 hrs./2 hrs.
What we like:
- Affordable
- Long burn time
- Easy to use
- Rechargeable battery option
- Battery meter
Things that could be improved:
- No red mode or strobe
- Not fully waterproof
- No locking feature
Petzl Tikkina details: The Petzl Tikkina is a simple, long-lasting option for an unbeatable price. If you just need a headlamp to meet basic needs, this is your guy. Petzl designed the no-frills Tikkina to be easy to use, with very little learning curve or special features. Press the button once for low, twice for medium, or three times for high.
8. BioLite HeadLamp 325
Rating: BEST HEADLAMP FOR RUNNERS & WALKERS
Specifications:
- MSRP: $50.0
- Weight: 1.8 oz.
- Max Lumens/Beam Distance: 325 lm./246 ft. (75 meters)
- Burn Time: 40 hrs./3 hrs.
What we like:
- Ultralight
- Compact
- Rechargeable
- Comfortable
- Locking feature
- Battery meter
Things that could be improved:
- Short burn time
- Not fully waterproof
- Small on/off button
BioLite HeadLamp 325 details: The BioLite HeadLamp 325 is the most comfortable headlamp on the market with its smooth headband and ergonomic design that sits flush on the forehead. It’s our top choice for activities like running since it’s ultralight and doesn’t bounce or slip on impact. The burn time of this rechargeable headlamp is relatively short, so it’s best suited for evening walks or shorter outings close to home. But if you don’t spend much time using a light at night or you carry a power bank, it could still be used for multi-night trips. If you’re looking for more power, BioLite’s 425 is a bit brighter and has a longer burn time with a small battery pack at the back of the head.
9. Petzl Actik
Rating: BRIGHT HEADLAMP WITH GOOD BATTERY LIFE
Specifications:
- MSRP: $50.0
- Weight: 3.5 oz.
- Max Lumens/Beam Distance: 450 lm./328 ft. (328 meters)
- Burn Time: 100 hrs./2 hrs.
What we like:
- Bright
- Long burn time
- Performance lighting (doesn’t dim as battery depletes)
- Easy to use
- Rechargeable battery option
- Locking feature
- Battery meter
Things that could be improved:
- Not fully waterproof
Petzl Actik details: The Petzl Actik stands out due to its impressive brightness and good battery life. Weighing just 3.5 oz., it offers a maximum brightness of 450 lm. with a beam that can reach up to 328 meters. Furthermore, its burn time ranges from 100 hrs. on low to 2 hrs. on high, depending on the setting. Priced at $50.0, it brings a combination of features that make it a top choice for many outdoor enthusiasts.
10. Fenix HM50R V2.0
Rating: HEADLAMP THAT PERFORMS WELL IN THE COLD
Specifications:
- MSRP: $60.0
- Weight: 2.8 oz.
- Max Lumens/Beam Distance: 700 lm./377 ft. (377 meters)
- Burn Time: 42 hrs./3 hrs.
What we like:
- Performs well in cold conditions
- Rechargeable option
- Bright
- Durable metal housing
- Waterproof (IP68)
- Battery meter
Things that could be improved:
- Expensive
- Short burn time
- Uses uncommon batteries
- Slight learning curve for the different modes
- No locking feature
Fenix HM50R V2.0 details: The Fenix HM50R V2.0 is notable for its performance in cold conditions. Weighing 2.8 oz., it delivers a maximum brightness of 700 lm. with a beam distance of up to 377 meters. The headlamp offers a burn time ranging from 42 hrs. on low to 3 hrs. on high. Priced at $60.0, it brings a combination of features that cater to various outdoor activities.
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