Headlamps: Reviews

Updated March 2008

Headlamps are incredibly useful; they might not be terribly attractive to wear, but freeing up your hands from holding a flashlight makes almost any activity better, from hiking, crafts/hobbies and night-time strolls around the neighborhood. A headlamp can also make a good addition to a home emergency kit. The best models have long battery life, a bright beam and a comfortable headband. We compared expert and user ratings to find standout models.

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Best wide-beam headlamp

Princeton Tec Quad

*Est. $30 Compare Prices

Comparison tests give this waterproof 4-LED headlamp the best scores for comfort (with an elastic headband), making it ideal for use during power outages and for campsite use. The 2.9-ounce Princeton Tec Quad throws a… expandwide beam up to about 95 feet, so it's best for closer task lighting than for long distance. A strobe mode is available for emergencies, and there are three light-output settings. You can use three AAA batteries of any type (including rechargeables) for up to 150 hours. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

BackpackingLight.com: Based on thorough tests, this review compares the Princeton Tec Quad with nine other LED headlamps, rating each on eleven factors.

FlashlightReviews.com: This site specializes in detailed technical reviews of handheld flashlights but also tests headlamps.

Backpack Gear Test: Five experienced backpackers review the Princeton Tec Quad headlamp here in great detail, reporting on extensive field tests over a longer period of time than most reviews cover.

Outside Magazine: Based on extensive field tests of headlamps, the 2006 gear guide at Outside magazine recommends the Princeton Tec Quad because of its voltage regulator and battery meter.

REI.com: Nearly 20 owners review the Princeton Tec Quad headlamp here, several reporting that it's useful for reading in bed or completing household tasks as well as on camping trips.

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Buy from Amazon for $27.56
eBay for $31.99	Grainger for $52.15	Altrec.com for $39.95

Long distance LED headlamp

Princeton Tec Eos

*Est. $40 Compare Prices

The Eos headlamp can throw a narrow beam of light up to about 190 feet, so reviewers say it's better for biking, running or night hiking than for closer tasks. It does have adjustable brightness (plus a strobe function),… expandbut the narrow beam still makes it less ideal as a general-use task light. The Eos weighs 3.7 ounces and reviews say the headband is both secure and comfortable. A voltage regulator keeps brightness from the three AAA batteries consistent longer than on most headlamps. It comes with a lifetime warranty. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

BackpackingLight.com: This review rates the Princeton Tec Eos on eleven factors, comparing it with nine other LED headlamps.

FlashlightReviews.com: This site specializes in expert technical reviews of handheld flashlights but also tests headlamps.

Backpacker Magazine: In this annual gear guide, editors call the Princeton Tec Eos headlamp a best buy, based on extensive field tests comparing new headlamps.

Backpack Gear Test: Three experienced backpackers and gear testers review the Princeton Tec Eos headlamp here, reporting on long-term field tests as well as first impressions and early tests.

REI.com: More than a dozen owners review the Princeton Tec Eos headlamp here, giving it a near-perfect average rating.

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Lightest headlamp

Petzl e+LITE

*Est. $30 Compare Prices

If light weight is a priority and you don't need a long throw distance, reviews say the 1-ounce Petzl e+LITE is tiny. However, it doesn't get the best battery life (45 hours max) and can only throw light about 60 feet.… expandThe light can also clip to a hat or dog collar. The e+LITE has both a strobe mode and red LED for preserving night vision. Many owners like this model for running or walking at night. The pricier Petzl Tactikka Plus (*est. $45) includes a red filter, throws light further and gets much better battery life, but it weighs 2.7 ounces. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

BackpackingLight.com: Based on thorough tests, this review compares the Petzl e+LITE with nine other LED headlamps, rating each headlamp on 11 factors, including battery life, beam quality, comfort and value.

Outside Magazine: Based on testing in field conditions, the 2007 issue of the Outside magazine Buyer's Guide recommends the Petzl e+LITE along with five other headlamps, praising the e+LITE for its light weight and mode and attachment options.

REI.com: More than a dozen owners review the Petzl e+LITE here, giving it near-perfect ratings and saying they would recommend it to friends.

Moosejaw.com: More than two dozen owners give the Petzl e+LITE headlamp mostly rave reviews here.

Backcountry.com: About two dozen owners review the Petzl e+LITE here, some using it for its intended purpose, backup emergencies, others using it as the main headlamp.

Backpacker.com: One owner reports that the switch was fragile and easily damaged (with a little sand, for example) on both his first Petzl e+LITE and a replacement.

Alpinist Mountain Standards: This detailed review tells an interesting story of lost luggage, giving the Petzl e+LITE a star role as emergency backup headlamp - but finding a shorter runtime than Petzl specifies.

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Buy from Amazon for $29.95
Campmor for $29.95	REI for $29.95	TravelCount- ry.com for $29.95

Brightest 3-watt LED headlamp

Princeton Tec Apex Pro

*Est. $90 Compare Prices

For most uses, the Apex Pro headlamp is overkill -- it puts out three times as much light as most others, and it can project the beam as far as 280 feet. But if long throw is your priority, the Apex Pro gets excellent… expandreviews. The tradeoff is the heavier weight of 6.1 ounces. A separate 4-LED array provides a wider beam for task lighting. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

BackpackingLight.com: This comparison review tests the earlier, heavier Princeton Tec Apex headlamp, finding it the brightest of the ten LED headlamps tested.

FlashlightReviews.com: This review site specializes more in handheld flashlights but also tests and rates headlamps, giving the earlier Princeton Tec Apex top ranking as the best headlamp.

REI.com: A few owners review the Apex Pro headlamp here, giving it mostly high ratings.

Backpack Gear Test: Three experienced backpackers and product testers provide thorough, detailed reviews of the older Princeton Tec Apex headlamp.

Outside Magazine: Based on field testing, the 2007 issue of the Outside magazine Buyer's Guide recommends the Princeton Tec Apex Pro along with five other headlamps.

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Solar headlamp

Everlite EL8 Solar Headlamp

*Est. $50 Compare Prices

The 3-ounce Everlite headlamp is powered by a small solar panel that can charge itself even under tree cover. It can throw light up to up to 60 feet and has a strobe mode. With optional accessories you can use the solar… expandpanel to charge a cell phone. This unique headlamp is an option for those who don't want to worry about batteries and can let the headlamp recharge during the day. Once charged, the lithium-ion batteries can hold a charge up to a year. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Backpacker Magazine: Based on thorough field tests under rugged conditions, editors compare the Everlite EL8 Solar Headlamp with five other new headlamp models.

Moosineer.com: The owners reviewing the Everlite EL8 Solar Headlamp here give it rave reviews, both for hikes and for reading in bed - praising its comfort, adjustable light and ability to charge cameras and cell phones - all without batteries.

CandlePowerForums: At a forum for flashlight and headlamp enthusiasts, one contributor raises questions about the manufacturer's assertions about the Everlite EL8 Solar Headlamp.

TerraPass.com: This brief review includes links to several online videos showing the Everlite EL8 Solar Headlamp in action and charging a cell phone.

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for $49.95