Headlights
200+ products
FAQ
A headlight is attached around the head so the light source is at your forehead, above your eyes. This gives you extra lighting when you need it and also gives you the opportunity to have your hands free.
There are many models of head torches. Some have different types of lights, others can withstand harsh weather conditions and some models are more basic. Head torches are also available in a range of price classes.
You can use head torches for a variety of activities. If you like being outdoors, they're great for running, climbing, hiking, sailing, cycling, hunting, riding, orienteering or walking. Head torches are also very useful for working in dark areas, for reading or even if the electricity goes out at home.
A head torch should sit comfortably on your head and not pinch so it starts to feel uncomfortable after a while. It’s also important that the torch sits still on your head when you move, no matter what type of activity you’re doing. It should be easy to adjust the head torch band and you should be able to wear it with a hat.
The best head torch is the one that most accurately fulfils your needs. Do you need a long battery life? How strong a light do you need? Is it easy to change the light settings when necessary? Is it easy to replace the batteries (if it’s powered by non-rechargeable batteries)?
To find the head torch that’s right for you, it’s best to carry out a little research. Read about different models and read reviews from consumers. You could also take a look at our test of head torches.
Yes. There are head torches designed for children and adapted for different types of activities. Most manufacturers and retailers of head torches have kids’ models.
Lumens are an international measure of the intensity of the light flow. Lumens are abbreviated "lm" and are a measurement of the total amount of light produced from a light source. The more lumens, the brighter the light on your head torch. How fast you move when you’re wearing a head torch determines how bright the light needs to be – and how long the light cone.
200 lumens: Suitable for walking, when you’re cooking by your tent or reading a book in the evening.
500 lumens: Provides enough light for walks in the woods or outdoor workouts.
1000 lumens: Strong and bright enough to allow you to run or orienteer in technically advanced terrain in the dark. Ideal if you need to move around at high speed. Bear in mind that a high lumens figure affects the battery life.
If you’re going to use a head torch at night, it’s a good idea to have a model that offers red light, because red allows you to adjust your night vision faster.
Three things to consider before buying a headlight
If you want to be able to wear the headlamp outdoors in winter, it’s a good idea to make sure you can turn it on and off with gloves on. Some headlamps have an infrared sensor, so you can turn it on without having to press a button. If you want to wear it while climbing or playing sports, it should also be impact-resistant, so that it doesn't break if you hit something.
The batteries not only affect how long the lamp can run, but also how heavy it is. If you only need it from time to time, for example to find something in the attic or in the event of a power failure, ordinary AA or AAA batteries are sufficient. If, on the other hand, you want to bring it along on longer hikes, you should have headlamp batteries that can be charged. Some are charged via USB, others have solar charging. Solar cells are a good choice if you want to keep the headlamp in a crisis box, as then you are not dependent on electricity.
The higher the lumen, the brighter the headlamp's light will be. Here are some guidelines:
- 100 lumen is good for walks in dim light.
- 200 lumen is suitable for running in an urban environment or reading a book in a tent.
- 500 lumen is just right for you to see when you're going in a forest in the evening.
- 1,000 lumen and up provides a bright light that helps you to see well when running on tricky forest trails in the dark.
Unfortunately, higher amounts of lumen consume more battery, so keep that in mind when choosing a model. On some models you can adjust the light,so you can make the light beam brighter, for example, to see something further away. Some also have a strobe function that makes the light flash and can scare away wild animals.