Best Ultralight Rechargeable Headlamp for Backpacking

How many lumens do I need for an ultralight rechargeable headlamp? We get asked this question quite often by outdoor enthusiasts. As a result, we decided to write a short guide to help answer this question.

The variety of headlamps on the market makes it challenging to choose the right one.

Lightweight rechargeable headlamps come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small enough to fit in a pocket. Others weigh less than an ounce. And some are even smaller than that.

However, there are two general guidelines when buying a new rechargeable headlamp:

POWER
Power is measured in lumens. The higher the number, the brighter the light.

BATTERY LIFE
Battery life is measured in hours. So the longer the battery lasts, the less time you'll spend charging.

There are two basic categories of headlamps: rechargeable and disposable.

Disposable headlamps use batteries that run down quickly. As a result, they may last only three hours before running out of juice. But the light stays on until the battery dies.

Rechargeable headlamps will generally last longer than non-rechargeable ones. They can often illuminate for eight hours or more on one charge.

If you're backpacking, you should carry a headlamp that has a high lumen rating. For a light to be effective, it must be bright enough to illuminate the trail ahead. You would also benefit from something lightweight. It should be easy to carry without tiring you out.

The majority of headlamps in this category have a lumen rating of 500. That's pretty good. You can, however, find headlamps that have more than 1,000 lumens.

If you're planning to set up a large campsite in the dark, you may want to consider buying a headlamp with 2,500 lumens or more. Those lights can illuminate large areas at night and even allow you to read by moonlight without straining your eyes.

An ultralight rechargeable headlamp is usually around three ounces. That's lighter than a flashlight. So it's easy to carry on your head and lasts longer than a disposable headlamp. It will illuminate an area roughly equivalent to what you'd get from a standard LED flashlight.

You should check reviews online to make sure the headlamp works well. And you can look for other features, such as adjustable brightness settings which is a great feature to have in a headlamp. It allows you to adjust the brightness from low to high, depending on the situation. This makes the headlamp easier to use by providing adequate lighting during different nighttime activities.

Considering that you will be using the headlight outdoors, you will need to choose a waterproof headlamp. Also, make sure that the headband is designed to fit comfortably and can be mounted on a helmet.

You can probably get by with a cheap headlamp. However, spending a little more on a good headlamp is recommended if you want it to last a long time and make your nighttime walks safer and more enjoyable.

Click here for more information on our ultralight rechargeable headlamp collection.

Ultralight Rechargeable Headlamp