Best Overall
Black Diamond 400R Headlamp
Reliable headlamp from a world-famous manufacturer.
- Value: 9/10
- Performance: 9/10
- Cost: 8/10
Best for the Money
Petzl Tikkina Headlamp
A trustworthy but budget-friendly choice.
- Value: 9/10
- Performance: 7.5/10
- Cost: 9/10
Most Comfortable
BioLite 330 Lumen Headlight
A short, catchy description
- Value: 8/10
- Performance: 8/10
- Cost: 8/10
There are so many times when having illumination and both hands free at night is a must! Learn how to choose the best headlight for hunting below, plus unbiased reviews on our favorite brands.
Quick Comparison of the Best Headlights for Hunting
Features to Consider + How We Choose
Brightness
Decide on how bright you want your headlight. But you probably won’t be using the maximum brightness setting on your headlight as it might spook your potential game. Most animals are less sensitive to red light so we picked a few brands below with that feature if you like to use red to get to your stand and back in the dark.
Battery Life/Rechargeability
You don’t want to run out of power while in the middle of your night hunt. That would be a total buzzkill! Get a headlight with batteries that can last up to 2 to 5 hours on the highest setting. Most lights last even longer when set at lower settings. All of our picks below are rated with long battery life so they’re guaranteed to last throughout your hunt.
Most of them are also rechargeable. If you’ll be hunting all night or multiple days without a chance to recharge batteries, we suggest bringing extra rechargeable batteries as your backup. If you don’t want to deal with changing batteries, we have picks below that are USB-rechargeable.
Strap
You’ll probably be wearing the headlight for long periods of time, so it’s essential that the strap is made from a skin-friendly material so it wouldn’t get itchy or uncomfortable no matter how long you wear it or how much you sweat.
Price
Don’t settle for cheap lights just for the sake of having one. A lot of brands out there offer affordable but low-quality products, so look out for those. Our best budget pick below is as reliable as its expensive rivals, so check it out.
Best Headlights for Hunting
Best Overall: Black Diamond 400R Headlamp
The Black Diamond 400R headlamp is tested to operate for 30 minutes while underwater that’s one-meter deep. It has a quick touch button that makes switching lights very easy even in complete darkness.
It features an elastic strap with fiber construction that offers long-lasting comfort. When set in maximum brightness, this headlamp lasts up to 4 hours. But it can last longer when in low settings. The Black Diamond 400R comes with a locking feature so it doesn’t accidentally turn on when inside your pocket or your bag and drain the power.
Pros
- 400 Lumens max output
- IP67 Waterproof
- 4 hours battery life
- Lightweight (4.2 oz)
- Rechargeable
Cons
- Pricey
- A bit bulky
What Customers Say
After looking at way too many headlamps I bought this one. It has a lot of options which some may like and other not. I use it nearly every night. Battery life is pretty darn good. I’ve charged it once this month.
Sam B.
So far this is holding up, good battery life, It’s easy to wear all night. Easy to find the button with Glove on.
William Kipp
Best for the Money: Petzl Tikkina Headlamp
3
The Petzl Tikkina headlamp is so light (weighs only 2.8 ounces) and compact that you can easily slide into your pocket or your hunting pack! It has three lighting levels you can choose from – proximity, movement, and distance. With its hybrid design, it can run on standard AAA batteries or a CORE rechargeable battery, no adapter needed!
Pros
- 250 Lumens max output
- Affordable
- Compact and lightweight (2.8 oz)
- IPX4 weather-resistant
- 120 hours battery life (as per manufacturer)
- Rechargeable
Cons
- It’s not as bright as other brands
- Rechargeable batteries not included
What Customers Say
So far I like it. I haven’t had it long enough to rate the battery life. I love the 3 settings for light brightness. It is well made [and] easy to use. I am very pleased with this purchase.
Kristin S.
Great lamp for the money. Trust sending this with people that I care about for their emergency bag.
Tyler P.
Most Comfortable: BioLite HeadLamp 330 Lumen No-Bounce Rechargeable Headlight
Our next pick is super comfortable to use because the strap is made from fabric that absorbs moisture and keeps your skin dry. The strap features easy-adjust clips for quick and convenient fitting. The light is built into an ultrathin 3D molded housing that sits flat on the forehead so it doesn’t bounce and is very compact. As per the manufacturer, the battery lasts up to 40 hours when in the low setting and 3.5 hours when in the highest setting, This BioLite headlamp is also rechargeable via micro-USB.
Pros
- Compact and Lightweight (2.4 oz)
- Comes with a 1-year limited warranty
- Dimmable
- No-bounce design
- Rechargeable
Cons
- Battery life isn’t as advertised
What Customers Say
Love this headlamp! I have 3 of them. They’re light weight, battery life is long enough for my needs, love the different settings. Have used for multiple settings- walking the dogs, setting up ceiling lights, installing cameras, at night while camping, etc. The head lamp has never died out on me I try to be diligent with the battery. Charged fully prior to camping, used for each night about 2 hours each for 3 nights and still had battery when I returned home. Love how y3ou can adjust the light beam to different angles, How it doesn’t get too hot on your head, and it’s light.
Makayla Hugo
As a FedEx driver I needed something to light my way during the long peak days of December when we can typically deliver well into the night. The fact that it’s so comfortable to wear and almost forget you’re wearing it is a huge plus. Never felt like it was going to fall off. Easily lights your way and never had a problem with battery life.
Gcarreon839
Coast FL85R 700 Lumen Rechargeable LED Headlamp
The Coast FL85R 700 Lumen Rechargeable LED Headlamp comes with three brightness levels and the beam can be adjusted into narrow or wide. The light can also be tilted so you can easily focus it on your target. It has user-friendly controls so you can turn it on and off or focus the beam while wearing thick gloves. The headlamp also has a USB port for the included battery pack.
Pros
- Rechargeable
- Super bright – 700 lumens
- Adjustable focus
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Long battery life (17 hours)
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
What Customers Say
I use this for inspecting aircraft during maintenance. I actually turn it to the lowest setting for most tasks to save battery but when you need it the bright setting is awesome. I’ve had other coast rechargeable lights and was happy with them too but this one kicks butt.
MichelleD
It feels heavy on the forehead. The light beam is very bright and well focused shining for hundreds of feet and illuminating objects clearly.
H.A
Black Diamond Cosmo 300 Headlamp
The Black Diamond Cosmo 300 headlamp is our best overall pick’s affordable sibling. This headlamp has an ergonomic, low-profile design that promotes better balance. It also has a water-tight construction, so you can rely on it rain or shine. The Cosmo 300’s red night vision comes with dimming and strobe modes and activates without going through the white light mode.
Pros
- Affordable (MSRP: $47.85)
- Compact design
- Water-resistant
- Comes with a locking feature
- Lightweight (1.9 oz with Lithium batteries)
Cons
- Not rechargeable
What Customers Say
I like the fact that the overall size is no bigger than a box of matches like anyone would know what size that is. It sits nice and snug to my forehead or hat and with the multiple lighting functions, I get all the light I need where I need it. The locking feature is super too. No more dead batteries from being turned on at the bottom of the toolbox. Dale S.
Dale S.
Really like it for the weight, I don’t think you can find a lighter headlamp (1.9oz total with lithium batteries) that is actually bright enough to use than this.
Jay
Fenix HM50R v2.0 Headlamp
The Fenix HM50R v2.0 headlamp allows you to conveniently switch between white and red light modes. You can also convert it into a handheld flashlight by simply sliding the light out its strap. The flashlight is at a 90-degree angle with this setup, making it easy to clip to your bag or your pocket.
The Fenix HM50R v2.0 also comes with a quick-charging feature that offers 1.5 hours of charging time. Its button is also easy to operate on. Its battery lasts up to 42 hours when at the lowest brightness setting but lasts only an hour when set to maximum brightness.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Rechargeable
- Super bright – 700 lumens
- User-friendly
Cons
- Short battery life when set to highest brightness level
- Narrow beam
What Customers Say
I camp a lot and am kind of a light freak, and I love this thing. It’s surprisingly small yet very powerful. The adjustability and quality of this headlamp are off the charts, I’ve spent twice as much and gotten a lesser product.
Charlie
I camp, hike, and sail long distance(blue water). This is the perfect head lamp and I have been through many. So many with too many features to remember all the codes. This light has great working levels and the red light is perfect to use and save your night vision. Perfect functionality no BS.
Tansey
Petzl Bindi Headlamp
The Petzl Bindi headlamp can be tilted upward and downward, so you can focus the beam to any direction. It also comes with a lock function so it won’t accidentally turn on when not in use. You can also choose between two beam patterns – wide and mixed. It features four brightness options including a red light setting for night vision. The battery indicator is also a great feature so you’ll know when it’s time to charge the headlight.
Pros
- Affordable (MSRP: $41.40)
- Compact
- IPX4 water-resistant
- Rechargeable
Cons
- Breaks easily
- Short battery life when in max setting (2 hours)
What Customers Say
This headlamp provides a lot of illumination for its size. The battery lasts only a few hours, but recharging is not big deal and one shouldn’t expect more from such a small unit. What I really like is the fact that I can wear this headlamp like a necklace and pivot the lamp at the angle that I need light. There’s no need to wear it around your forehead and you hardly feel it around your neck. I have bought two of these already and highly recommend this headlamp for everyday use.
Richard J. Lind
It is tiny and lightweight, well designed and pretty bright considering.
Anne
Conclusion
Headlights are useful not only while hunting. They also come in handy when running or walking your dog at night, or whenever you need both hands when fixing something in the dark. All our picks above are good for those applications (and more) so you’ll definitely get the most out of your money.
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Images from Amazon Product API
