SectionHiker.com Backpacking Gear Reviews and FAQs 
A headlamp is one of the most important 10 essentials for backpacking, hiking, and any kind of outdoor adventure sport. Using your smartphone as a flashlight doesn’t cut it. But the days of carrying extra AA and AAA battery-powered headlamps are history. USB rechargeable headlamps have become ubiquitous and are very convenient because they can be recharged using the battery packs that most backpackers carry. Dual-power headlamps, ones that can be powered by a rechargeable battery or AA/AAA batteries, are handy if a “wall recharge” is not available.
| Make / Model | Lumens | Dual Power | Red Mode | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petzl Actik Core | 450 | Yes | Yes | 2.8 oz |
| Biolite 330 Headlamp | 330 | Yes | 2.4 oz | |
| LEDLenser MH5 | 400 | Yes | Yes | 3.3 oz |
| Black Diamond Astro 300-R | 300 | 2.65 oz | ||
| Fenix HM50R | 700 | Yes | Yes | 2.65 oz |
| Nitecore NU 32 | 550 | Yes | 3.5 oz | |
| Biolite 750 Headlamp | 750 | Yes | 5.3 oz | |
| Petzl Tactikka Core | 450 | Yes | Yes | 2.8 oz |
| Nite Ize Radiant 300 | 300 | Yes | 3.2 oz | |
| Princeton Tec Axis Recharegable | 450 | Yes | 2.9 oz |
Here are our top 10 picks for the best rechargeable headlamps for backpacking and hiking. While there are some familiar company names listed below, the companies that used to dominate the headlamp market have been eclipsed by smaller more innovative companies offering less expensive and higher functioning products. You simply don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to get a great headlamp anymore. Be sure to check out our advice below about what to look for when buying a rechargeable headlamp for backpacking, hiking, and trail running
1. Petzl Actik Core Rechargeable Headlamp
2. Biolite Headlamp 330 Rechargeable Headlamp
Available from:
REI
3. LEDLenser MH5 Rechargeable Headlamp
4. Black Diamond Astro 300-R
Black Diamond is not known for making simple-to-use headlamps, but the new rechargeable Astro 300-R breaks the mold. This single-lens single-switch headlamp has a white lite and three brightness levels: high, medium, and low with full strength, dimming, and strobe modes. It’s powered by a 1500 mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable battery that recharges with a micro-US charge port and has an IPX4 rating stormproof to withstand rain and sleet from any angle. This headlamp also has a digital lockout to prevent accidental activation.
Available from:
REI
5. Fenix HM 50R V2 LED Rechargeable Headlamp
6. Petzl Tactikka Core 450 Rechargeable Headlamp
Check for the latest price at
Backcountry| Amazon
7. Nitecore NU32 Rechargeable Headlamp
Available from:
Amazon
8. Biolite Headlamp 750
Available from:
REI
9. Nite Ize Radiant 300 Rechargeable Headlamp
Available from:
Amazon
10. Princeton Tec Axis Rechargeable Headlamp
How to Choose a Rechargeable Headlamp
Here are the most important features and considerations to evaluate when comparing different rechargeable headlamps.
Battery Capacity
Check the capacity of the headlamps you’re interested in to see how much power, measured in mAh, they can hold. If you plan on using a headlamp on a multi-day trip, it’s useful to bring one with a large battery capacity so you don’t have to recharge it from a portable power pack. Smaller-capacity batteries are fine for short runs, but you will also have to recharge them more frequently, which can be a hassle if you use them a lot.
Dual Power Headlamps
Most rechargeable headlamps bundle in a cold-resistant lithium-ion battery, although there are also dual-power headlamps that can also be powered by old-school alkaline or lithium-ion batteries. If you already carry a USB-enabled power pack to charge your other electronic devices, then the latter is probably unnecessary, although it might be useful if your power pack runs out of juice and you can’t recharge it. This isn’t a priority for me, but some people prefer having the ability to switch to regular batteries as a contingency.
Headlamp Headbands
All of the headlamps listed above have battery packs that are integrated with their light sources, so a single headband strap is all that is needed to wear them. Multi-strap headlamp headbands are only necessary for very heavy headlamps or ones with remote battery packs that are carried separately from the light source and linked by an external wire.
Headlamp Tilt
If you plan to trail run or hike at night, it’s important to get a headlamp that tilts in its strap bracket so you can direct the spot or floodlight onto the ground and out front, ahead of you.
Lumens/Light Output
The latest generation of LED lights available in headlamps are very powerful and the lumen outputs often exceed what’s required for nighttime use in camp or even for nighttime running. Anything headlamp with 150 lumens or more should be sufficient for general-purpose backpacking and hiking. When purchasing a headlamp, the maximum light output is much less important than the length of time the headlamp can burn on low power, since that’s the setting you’ll use most often in camp or in your tent.
Red Light Mode
Headlamps with a red light mode are good for preserving your night vision if you want to read in your tent or star gaze. They also help you avoid blinding your companions in camp or around the campfire. The red light mode also uses far less energy than white light modes and is a good way to conserve your battery power between charges.
Headlamp Weight
While gear weight is important, it’s often less important than a headlamp’s features, efficiency, or battery life. For example, if you need to carry a heavier power pack to recharge a lighter weight headlamp more frequently, you probably haven’t saved as much weight overall as you might like. Focus on your needs, if you know them, and let that guide your decision as to which headlamp you select.
On-Off Lock
Headlamps with manual or digital on-off locks are useful to prevent the accidental activation of a headlamp when it’s packed. I won’t buy a headlamp without one, but that’s just my personal preference.
Battery Indicator
Some sort of battery indicator is useful on a rechargeable headlamp so you know when to recharge the battery and when it’s finished recharging. Without it, you’re more likely to try to use a headlamp that is out of power when you need it.
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If I may, I would add the Black Diamond Cosmo 350R to the mix. In addition to the usual features as light settings and red light, it has a battery charge meter and IPX 67 submersible ratings. Weight is 2.67 oz.
That’s a good one too. I find the “lower” lumen Black Diamond headlamps easier to use because the controls are simpler and you don’t need to carry the instructions with you!
I’m surprised the Nightcore NU25 isn’t on this list
Dont overlook Milwaukee!
I use a petzl tikina and just bought the petzl battery separate. Works well.
Thanks for the review. I’ve been using petzls (regular batteries) for years although I get aggravated that they seem to corrode for some reason. I’m pretty diligent about drying batt after trips but still… maybe I’ll pick one of these and give it a try( although I’ll get the eye roll and “ another flashlight” from the SO.
That is one thing that never happens with a headlamp that has a built-in rechargeable battery.
After switching to a Skilhunt H03 that takes 18650s and puts out 1000 lumens at max power, I’m never going back to old-style hiking headlamps. Better light, batteries last a *long* time when not running at high power all the time, and I can swap in a fresh battery just like a AA-powered one.
Really like my Nitecore Nu32. I just wish it used a USB-C instead of a micro-usb. All my other electronics have been updated to USB-C so this is now the only piece of gear that I have that I need to take a micro-usb with me.
Thanks for noting that the Fenix has an aluminum body. I’m always looking for ways to reduce how much plastic I’m introducing to the waste stream. That puts this one on my list.
A best rechargeable headlamp list without the best and most popular headlamp, the Nitecore NU25? This is puzzling. I have one and it is amazing and lighter than any of these by far. I actually ditched it recently as I now wear a baseball cap (for sun protection with my hoodie, not for style) and I’ve found I can get away with a 0.5oz rechargeable pen light.
https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/nitecore-nu25-360-lumen-usb-rechargeable-headlamp-by-nitecore
The Nitecore NU25 is my favorite headlamp. It’s lightweight, has the brightest red mode I’ve found so far, and typically lasts me 4 nights on the trail. I loaned mine out a month ago so a friend could do some work in an attic and of course, he lost it. He bought the best light Walmart had to replace it but the Walmart light is getting returned and I’ll buy another NU25.
Literally five minutes after I ordered another NU25, my friend showed up with the NU25 I had loaned him. He found it in some of his gear. I was able to cancel the order.