Headlamps: Reviews

Updated February 2008
 

Best wide-beam headlamp

Princeton Tec Quad *Est. $30 Compare Prices
 
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 ...

FlashlightReviews.com: This site specializes in detailed technical reviews of handheld flashlights but also tests headlamps. Based on thorough testing, ...

Backpack Gear Test: Five experienced backpackers review the Princeton Tec Quad headlamp here in great detail, reporting on extensive field tests over ...

Outside Magazine: Based on extensive field tests of headlamps, the 2006 gear guide at Outside magazine recommends the Princeton Tec Quad because of ...

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

 

Long distance LED headlamp

Princeton Tec Eos *Est. $40 Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

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

FlashlightReviews.com: This site specializes in expert technical reviews of handheld flashlights but also tests headlamps. The Princeton Tec Eos earns a ...

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

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

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

 

Lightest headlamp

Petzl e+LITE *Est. $30 Compare Prices
 
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, ...

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 ...

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 ...

Moosejaw.com: More than two dozen owners give the Petzl e+LITE headlamp mostly rave reviews here. One owner says the batteries, though ...

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

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 ...

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 ...

 

Brightest 3-watt LED headlamp

Princeton Tec Apex Pro *Est. $90 Compare Prices
 
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 ...

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

REI.com: A few owners review the Apex Pro headlamp here, giving it mostly high ratings. The staff's description also reports hours of ...

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 ...

 

Solar headlamp

Everlite EL8 Solar Headlamp *Est. $50 Compare Prices
 
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 ...

Moosineer.com: The owners reviewing the Everlite EL8 Solar Headlamp here give it rave reviews, both for hikes and for reading in bed - praising ...

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

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

 

Headlamps Runners Up:

Princeton Tec Apex *Est. $85

5 picks by top review sites.

Petzl Myo XP *Est. $80

4 picks by top review sites.

Petzl Tikka XP LED *Est. $50

4 picks by top review sites.

Petzl Zipka Plus LED *Est. $40

3 picks by top review sites.

Petzl Tikka Plus *Est. $35

3 picks by top review sites.

Brunton L3 *Est. $120

2 picks by top review sites.

Petzl Tactikka XP *Est. $60

2 picks by top review sites.

Petzl Tactikka Plus *Est. $45

2 picks by top review sites.

     
 
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Petzl E83 P2 MYO XP Headlamp 3-Watt LED
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
New: $89.99   
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
 
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Petzl E86 PR Tikka XP Headlamp, Red
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
 
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Petzl Tikka Plus 4-LED Headlamp
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
 
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Brunton L3, 3 Watt Luxeon LED Headlamp
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
New: $85.49   
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
 
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Petzl E89 PD Tactikka XP Headlamp, Desert
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
New: $46.00   
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
 
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Petzl E49P TacTikka Plus 4-LED Headlamp, Black
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
New: Too low to display   
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 

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