Best Bike Lights

Whether you’re a first-time bike commuter or a dedicated mountain biker, riding at night can be an exhilarating experience. But traveling along dark streets or singletrack at any speed requires a quality light (or two) to illuminate the way. Below we break down our top 14 bike light picks for 2024, which include our favorite headlights, rear lights, and combo light sets. Some models balance the needs for both on- and off-road use, while others come with dedicated features for urban riding or serious backcountry pursuits. For more information on bike lights, see our comparison table and buying advice below the picks.

Editor's note: This guide was updated on July 12, 2024, to replace discontinued lights with updated versions and add new offerings from Trek, NiteRider, Outbound Lighting, and Lezyne. We also added more information regarding our testing process.

Our Team's Bike Light Picks

• Best Overall Bike Headlight: Trek Ion Pro RT
• Best Budget Bike Light: NiteRider Swift 300
• Best Rear Bike Light: Cygolite Hotshot Pro 200
• Best Bike Light Set for Commuting: NiteRider Lumina Micro 900 and Vmax+ 150 Set
• Best Bike Light for Mountain Biking: Gloworm X2 Adventure

Best Overall Bike Headlight

1. Trek Ion Pro RT ($140)

Type: Headlight
Max lumens: 1,300
Run time: 2–26 hours
What we like: Bright light that’s versatile for both commuting and mountain biking.
What we don’t: Pricey and batteries take a while to recharge.

With its bright output, quality construction, and modern features that excel both on a road or singletrack, Trek's Ion Pro RT headlight grabs our top spot. The versatility of the design really makes it stand out: Its 1,300-lumen output is great for all types of night riding, the included handlebar mount is easy to use and very secure, and its strong, versatile beam nicely balances spot and flood characteristics. And considering that it’s a one-light solution for everything from your daily commutes to serious mountain bike rides, the Ion Pro’s $140 price tag becomes a bit easier to swallow. 

In addition to its well-rounded light performance, the Ion Pro RT has a full suite of useful features. To start, it’s one of the few options in our round-up that supports Bluetooth-equipped devices (like a GPS bike computer), which is great for checking on battery life and adjusting modes on the fly. The Trek also features orange side markers that help you stand out at road crossings. If we were to nitpick, this light is a bit heavy to attach to a helmet for rough mountain bike trails and its recharge time is long at 7 hours. Otherwise, it checks all the boxes we look for in a quality headlight.
See the Trek Ion Pro RT

Best Budget Bike Light

2. NiteRider Swift 300 ($30)

Type: Headlight
Max lumens: 300
Run time: 2–28 hours
What we like: Extremely versatile and low price.
What we don’t: Not bright enough for fast and dark night rides.

NiteRider’s wallet-friendly Swift 300 is a prime example of how quickly light design and LED technology have changed over the past few years. For a very reasonable $30, you get a quality 300-lumen beam that lands in between a spot and flood pattern, a rechargeable battery, and the security that comes from a reputable brand. We especially like the unit for its small size that’s easy to throw in a pack, five modes that are simple to swap between, and relatively long battery life (2 hours on high). Simply put, it’s an ideal companion to bring along on grocery runs or moderately lit roads. 

Not surprisingly, the Swift 300’s lower output limits its appeal for navigating in pitch black on or off-road. As such, we wouldn’t recommend using it as your sole light source for serious nighttime riding. Where it excels is for those “just in case” scenarios when you’re running late, and it’s also a viable option for bikepacking or touring trips. For a similar design but with a little extra power, check out the 200-lumen-stronger Swift 500 for only $10 more.
See the NiteRider Swift 300

Best Rear Bike Light

3. Cygolite Hotshot Pro 200 ($50)

Type: Rear light
Max lumens: 200
Run time: 2–210 hours
What we like: Provides excellent visibility for approaching motorists.
What we don’t: Doesn’t support Bluetooth connections like other options.

Quality tail lights like the Cygolite Hotshot Pro 200 can be seen from half a mile away (or more) by oncoming motorists and are a great way to keep you safe during early-morning or late-night commutes. Many choose to go cheap in this category, but we think it’s worth spending up for the $50 Cygolite due to its very bright light that functions well even on sunny days, its long-lasting build, and the convenient USB-rechargeable system (many cheap rear lights run only on disposable batteries). Furthermore, the Hotshot includes a total of six different flash and steady-state light modes to make you as visible as possible.

As we touched on above, the Cygolite is fairly pricey for a rear light. Plenty of cheap options are available, including the $23 Planet Bike Superflash below, but that light can’t come close to matching the brightness of the Cygolite at only 65 lumens. Further, the Hotshot includes both seat post and seat stay mounts, so you can place it wherever it’s most effective. With what feels like an ever-increasing number of distracted drivers on the road, we think it’s worth erring on the side of such a well-rounded model. For the ultimate in rear light safety, check out the Garmin Varia RTL515 below, which uses a radar system to alert you to approaching cars.
See the Cygolite Hotshot Pro 200

Best Bike Light Set for Commuting

4. NiteRider Lumina Micro 900 and Vmax+ 150 Set ($105)

Type: Headlight and rear light set
Max lumens: 900 (front), 150 (rear)
Run time: 2–60 hours (front), 5.5- 25.5 hours (rear)
What we like: Two quality and proven lights at a great price.
What we don’t: Some high-speed commuters may want a little higher output.

Front and rear light sets simplify the buying process and are a nice way for commuters to maximize bang for their buck. Among the wide range of options, we like NiteRider’s Lumina Micro 900 and Vmax+ 150 set best, which includes two of the brand’s top lights for $105. The bright Lumina Micro headlight has a wide and long beam that we’ve found is more than sufficient for illuminating dark streets at just about any speed. Further, the burly handlebar mount keeps it secure on rough roads or back alleys, and the quick-release attachment system allows you to easily remove the light for charging. And finally, the compact size of the Lumina Micro is great for tossing in your bag on the way into the grocery store or office.

Tail lights are equally important for commuting, and NiteRider’s Vmax+ 150 is a winner. Its six different light modes (four flashing and two solid) are simple to switch between and adjust depending on conditions. And like the Lumina Micro, the Vmax+ includes a handy quick-release function. In terms of batteries, both the front and rear are rechargeable, which helps cut down on battery waste (they’re also quick to recharge at a minimum of 2.5 hours for the Lumina and 2 hours for the Vmax+). All told, this NiteRider set is a reliable and proven choice for year-round commuting.
See the NiteRider Lumina Micro and Vmax+ Set

Best Bike Light for Mountain Biking

5. Gloworm X2 Adventure ($269)

Type: Headlight
Max lumens: 2,000
Run time: 2-8 hours
What we like: A quality light with an excellent beam pattern; includes a wireless remote.
What we don’t: Shorter battery life and expensive.

New Zealand-based Gloworm may not be a household name like NiteRider or Light & Motion, but the company has a dedicated following among hardcore riders. With its excellent track record, quality design, and included set of features, the Gloworm X2 Adventure is our top pick for mountain biking. In the box, you’ll find everything you need to get on the trail: helmet and handlebar mounts, a wireless handlebar remote for controlling modes on the fly, a power pack and USB-C charging cord, and a spare lens (to swap between spot and flood beams). Light settings can also be adjusted on the Gloworm app, where you can pre-program brightnesses and determine runtime before setting out for your ride. Furthermore, the X2 will hold up well in wet and rowdy conditions with its IP67 waterproof rating (submersible in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes).

Our main gripe with the Gloworm is battery life. With a run time of just 8 hours on the lowest setting, this light is easily beaten by the 12-hour and 16.5-hour max run times of the Light & Motion Seca 2000 and NiteRider Pro 4200 below. However, it's the price tag that compels us to push this light to the top. While $269 certainly isn’t inexpensive, it provides one of the best values on the market when you consider all that’s included. For $81 less than the Seca 2000, the Gloworm provides similar levels of brightness, includes a wireless remote and multiple lenses, and allows you to customize your light output and runtimes. And while the 4,200-lumen NiteRider Pro is twice as powerful, the Gloworm leaves little to be desired at $181 savings. 
See the Gloworm X2 Adventure

Best of the Rest

6. Cygolite Dash Pro 600 and Hotrod 50 USB Set ($95)

Type: Headlight and rear light set
Max lumens: 600 (front), 50 (rear)
Run time: 1–70 hours (front), 1.5–100 hours (rear)
What we like: The flashing modes were some of the brightest in our test.
What we don’t: Some might not like the slightly blueish tint of the Dash Pro 600.

Coming in $10 less than the NiteRider set above is the Cygolite Dash Pro 600 and Hotrod 50. Starting with the headlight, the Dash’s 600 lumens are sufficient for city riding with a total of eight light settings and a strong daytime flash mode that stood out as one of the brightest in the test—great for grabbing the attention of oncoming cars. The rear Hotrod 50 is a solid design with a lengthy 100-hour maximum run time, compact size, and water-resistant construction.

Where does the Cygolite set fall short? For one, the Dash Pro 600 and Hotrod 50 don’t strike us as a particularly great value. Their strong flash modes and lightweight but sturdy builds are certainly a plus, but the NiteRider kit above gets you a bump in total output from 600 to 900 for the headlight (and from 50 to 150 for the tail light) for a small bump in price. We also don’t love the blueish tint from the Cygolight’s headlight, which was a little distracting and less effective overall at illuminating details on the road compared with NiteRider’s Lumina Micro. The differences aren’t massive, but we had just enough complaints to drop the Cygolite to a mid-pack finish.
See the Cygolite Dash Pro and Hotrod Set

7. NiteRider Lumina Pro 1000 ($105)

Type: Headlight
Max lumens: 1,000
Run time: 1–26 hours
What we like: Strong and versatile at a very competitive price.
What we don’t: Short battery life on high.

NiteRider has arguably the most well-rounded light lineup of any manufacturer, and their venerable Lumina series aims to balance the needs of both road and mountain cyclists. Newer to the Lumina team is the Pro 1000, a great nighttime road- or trail-riding companion. This light has a max output of 1,000 lumens, eight different light modes, and boasts a 26-hour run time on its lowest 50-lumen "walk" setting. Not to mention, its 300-lumen setting lasts one and a half hours longer than the Swift 300 above. We also like many of the modern touches of this design, including its compatibility with NiteRider's NiteLink remote and that its internal battery is rechargeable via USB-C. 

So, what’s not to like about the NiteRider Lumina Pro 1000? If you’ll be doing a fair amount of riding in the rain, the light isn’t the most water-resistant option on this list (it’s rated only for water spray). Further, dedicated mountain bikers will likely find the one-hour runtime on high to be lacking. And although the Pro's thumbscrew mount is efficient, it's less secure than that of the Trek Ion RT above. But the Lumina Pro 1000 easily undercuts the Ion RT in price and is a great option for those who want a compact, affordable, and highly versatile headlight.
See the NiteRider Lumina Pro 1000

8. Light & Motion Seca 2000 ($350)

Type: Headlight
Max lumens: 2,000
Run time: 1.5–12 hours
What we like: Great beam pattern and very durable.
What we don’t: Not a good value when compared to the Gloworm above.

A long-time favorite of ours for mountain biking at night, the Light & Motion Seca 2000 blends a near-ideal mix of lumens, weight, and battery life. The premium design casts one of the better beam patterns in the business, and its strong long-distance performance makes it a great choice for mounting to your helmet. And, as with the Gloworm X2 Adventure above, the Seca’s IP67 waterproof rating is useful for particularly wet and muddy days. Having gotten six years of excellent performance from the prior version, we’re confident in recommending the latest Seca 2000 for serious mountain bikers.

Despite the Seca’s solid track record, there’s no denying the fact that the $350 asking price doesn’t represent a great value when compared to Gloworm’s X2 Adventure above. The Gloworm may take a small hit in the lumen department, but it comes with a wireless remote and an additional lens (items the Seca omits). Additionally, we think the X2 Adventure has a sturdier mount. While the Seca 2000 is undeniably a great light, for $81 less, we prefer the Gloworm (though the Seca is on sale for substantially less at the time of publishing).
See the Light & Motion Seca 2000

9. Outbound Lighting Detour ($185)

Type: Headlight
Max lumens: 1,200
Run time: 1.7–10 hours
What we like: Fantastic optics, simple interface, and quality build.
What we don’t: Run time can't beat the competition; a bit bulky.

Outbound Lighting is a Chicago-based brand that has garnered quite the following in the mountain biking world for their impressive optics. While we really like their mountain-specific options (see the Evo Downhill Package below), the Detour here is one of our favorite road lights. The Detour’s light has a cutoff beam pattern (over a cone beam) that focuses light forward and in front of your bike rather than in the trees or the eyes of oncoming traffic. This light emits a maximum of 1,200 lumens, has five different modes, and is rechargeable via USB-C or pass-through charging. We enjoy its simple interface and how easy it is to toggle between modes (press the big button to brighten or dim, hold for strobe). All in all, we appreciate the quality of this light— every detail, from optics to build, feels well thought out. 

Though few, we do have gripes with this model. For one, its battery life can’t match that of the Ion Pro RT above (a max of 10 hours to the Ion Pro’s 26), which might be a worthy sacrifice considering the quality of the optics but is nonetheless disappointing considering the $45 jump in price. We also think it’s quite bulky and heavy (some users have reported the light shifting while riding), and the light removal mechanism on the mount is hard to use. Regardless, Outbound Lighting’s optics are tough to beat, and we’re excited to put some more miles into this model to see how it holds up in the long term.
See the Outbound Lighting Detour

9. NiteRider Pro 4200 Enduro ($450)

Type: Headlight
Max lumens: 4,200
Run time: 1.5–16.5 hours
What we like: Outstanding light output, solid track record, and long battery life on 1,000-lumen setting.
What we don’t: Very expensive and the battery pack is quite bulky.

Packing a scorching light output but still offering surprising versatility is NiteRider’s Pro 4200 Enduro. The top-end model’s 4,200-lumen beam is certainly its main talking (or bragging) point, which will more than meet the needs of any high-speed nighttime mountain biker. However, we also like this light for its ability to produce 1,000 lumens for up to six hours, which makes this a great 24-hour race companion. As with other premium lights, the Pro 4200 includes a remote for easy operation, a rock-solid handlebar mount, and a storage bag to keep everything in order.

Not surprising considering its power and features, the NiteRider Pro 4200 is the most expensive model to make our list by a wide margin at $450. For a significant drop in price—as well as brightness—NiteRider also offers the Pro 2200 for $350. However, we prefer the more affordable ($269) 2,000-lumen Gloworm X2 Adventure above in that category. Most singletrack users won’t be able to justify the investment of the Pro 4200 Enduro, but for racers or those that get out a lot and want the best of the best, it’s hard to deny the quality and truly impressive performance.
See the NiteRider Pro 4200 Enduro

10. Garmin Varia RTL515 ($200)

Type: Rear light
Max lumens: 65
Run time: 6–16 hours
What we like: Its unique radar system provides tangible safety benefits. 
What we don’t: Pricey and not ideal for congested city use.

We’ll start by acknowledging the Varia RTL515’s price: $200 is a lot to spend on what looks like a simple tail light. However, this little Garmin is anything but simple. Hidden away is an innovative radar system that alerts you to oncoming vehicles from up to 150 yards. The rear unit pairs with a bike computer, smartphone, or sport watch and works fairly seamlessly: Once a car is detected, there’s an audible beep and you’ll see a moving dot on the display (the dot is color-coded to indicate how fast the vehicle is approaching). The tail light itself is a solid performer with a bright flash mode, reasonably long run time, and a wide, 220-degree visible range. For an extra $200 you can invest in the Varia RCT715 which tacks on a camera that will record the goings-on behind you for even more security.

The Varia’s detection system excels on rural road rides or in areas without too much traffic, but falls short for city use. The sheer number of vehicles coming and going means that the radar and corresponding dot display won’t provide much useful information. As such, most commuters will want to steer clear, but the Garmin provides tangible safety benefits in the right circumstances. We’ve heard from a number of people that “it’s the best rear light I never knew I needed.”
See the Garmin Varia RTL515

11. Blackburn Click Light Combo Set ($27)

Type: Headlight and rear light set
Max lumens: 20 (front), 4 (rear)
Run time: 6-9 hours (front), 70-130 hours (rear)
What we like: Really cheap and functional for alerting motorists.
What we don’t: Extremely low output.

If you're simply looking to increase visibility on the road, Blackburn’s Click Light Combo will do the trick. Although the front and rear lights only produce 20 and 4 lumens, respectively, they’re bright enough to stand out to passing motorists or pedestrians at dawn and dusk. Feature-wise, Blackburn kept it simple with only two modes for each light: solid and blinking. Furthermore, both lights are visible out the sides of the lens (which is good for cross traffic) and include flexible mounting systems that hold onto your bike reasonably well. What we really like about the Click Light Combo, however, is its affordability—for only $27, you can add a significant amount of safety to your commute or road ride.

As expected for such a cheap price, the Click Light Combo isn't ideal for dedicated riders (outside of maybe being a backup to a brighter set). Its light output is far too low for riding in pitch black or bright sunlight, and you don’t get useful upgrades like Bluetooth connectivity or rechargeable batteries (they instead run on replaceable CR2032 batteries). But the minimalist set from Blackburn has plenty of appeal for casual users, and it’s surprisingly well-made with an IP65 water-resistance rating for protection against dust and rain.
See the Blackburn Click Light Combo Set

12. Outbound Lighting Evo Downhill Package ($375)

Type: Headlight and helmet set
Max lumens: 3,200 (combined)
Run time: 1.7-10 hours (front), 1.1-6.5 hours (helmet)
What we like: Great value for a headlight/helmet set; impressive optics.
What we don’t: Battery run times are on the shorter end.

Unique to this list is a headlight and helmet set, and Outbound Lighting has that box checked with their Evo Downhill Package. The combination of the Trail Evo headlight (2,200 lumens) and the Hangover helmet light (1,000 lumens) makes for 3,200 lumens of fast-moving brilliance. Similar to the Detour above, the Downhill Package ditches the cone beam for a super wide beam that generously lights up the trail ahead. Though a mountain bike-specific headlight like the Gloworm X2 Adventure above are great on their own, adding on a helmet light provides even more security when rounding corners and investigating surroundings. Not to mention bang for your buck: This set is $75 less than the NiteRider Pro above and just $25 more than the Seca 2000.

Overall, there’s a lot we like about this combo: Both lights have simple interfaces, are rechargeable via USB-C or pass-through systems, and have a durable and quality build. The downsides? Similar to the Detour, the Downhill Package doesn’t have a stand-out run time (max of 10 hours for the Evo and 6.5 for the Hangover). And in general, Outbound Lighting products can be tough to find outside of the US, which will be a consideration for those riding abroad. It’s also worth noting that the Trail Evo and Hangover can be purchased separately ($245 and $135, respectively) if you find yourself not wanting to shell out for the pair.
See the Outbound Lighting Evo Downhill Package

13. Lezyne Hecto Drive 500XL ($45)

Type: Headlight
Max lumens: 500
Run time: 1-20 hours
What we like: Cheap option for road riding and commuting.
What we don’t: Short battery life and narrow beam.

Lezyne is a California-based company that has been producing quality bike accessories for over a decade. Their Hecto Drive 500XL headlight is a lightweight and durable choice for road riding and commuting. The 500-lumen output beam provides more than enough light for after-work commutes, and the handlebar attachment strap makes it easy to take the light off and stow it in your pocket when hitting the grocery store on your way home. This light has eight different light modes and is rechargeable via USB. And at just $45, the Hecto Drive 500XL gives our favorite budget light, the Swift 300, a run for its money, especially considering the 200-lumen boost.

Like the Swift 300 above, the Lezyne isn’t the ideal choice for pitch-black rides. Though its lowest brightness setting can last up to 20 hours, 15 lumens doesn’t do much at night. On the other end, while you get a respectable 500 lumens on the brightest setting, it’ll only last you about an hour on a full charge. We also aren’t the biggest fans of the narrow beam, but for $45, we can’t really complain. If anything, this is a great back-up light that can live in your biking backpack for when you really need it.
See the Lezyne Hecto Drive 500XL

14. Planet Bike Superflash 65 ($23)

Type: Rear light
Max lumens: 65
Run time: 40–130 hours
What we like: A very economical way to boost safety.
What we don’t: Runs on replaceable batteries.

Putting no-nonsense functionality above all else is Planet Bike’s Superflash 65 rear light. The design is among the most popular on the market because it covers all the basics: 220 degrees of visibility, bright 65-lumen output on the most powerful flash mode, and a lightweight and compact design that’s easy to mount. It falls a little short in features—we’d prefer a dedicated randomized flash mode for daytime use like you get with the Cygolite Hotshot Pro 200 above—but we like that it’s water-resistant and easy for motorists to locate in low-light situations.  

The biggest downside of the Superflash is that it doesn’t have rechargeable batteries. Instead, the light runs on two AAAs that don’t have an exceptionally long run time (minimum of 40 hours), which means you’ll want to haul around spare batteries during your rides. In the end, the Superflash is a great budget option, but the stronger all-around performance and rechargeable batteries that come with the Hotshot Pro give it the edge in the end.
See the Planet Bike Superflash 65

Bike Light Comparison Table

*Editor's note: "Run Time" refers to hours of run time per light, from minimum time at max output to maximum time on the lowest setting.

About Our Testing Process

The staff at Switchback Travel is no stranger to the saddle: We’ve been known to take our townies out on sunny summer spins, send it down steep and gnarly trails, and even embark on a bike pack epic through remote Mongolia. This list of favorite bike lights has been a collaborative effort among Switchback staff since 2019, beginning with 17 lights picked by our bike-savvy former editor-in-chief, John Ellings, along with the help of experienced freelancers. Editor Maddie Downie has since inherited the guide and updated it with her 2024 favorites. Though Maddie grew up mountain biking on the dusty Colorado tracks, she now enjoys mellow gravel rides and cruising through the bike-enthusiastic town of Bellingham, Washington, on her commuter. 

Though small and often overshadowed by “more fun” biking gear like backpacks and shoes, having a reliable bike light is essential to seeing and being seen on the trail or road. Whether you're looking for a simple light that can illuminate your commute to and from work or a burly design that can keep up with your post-work trail rides, this list runs the gamut and includes our go-to's for all kinds of riders. When taking these lights for a spin, we're sure to take notes on all the important details, from optics quality and brightness settings to battery life and charge time. We also care about their user-friendliness— both mid-ride and after dismount— and that they hold up for all your future jaunts. We're always keeping our eye on the market for any new or updated models that pique our interest, so we'll be sure to update this list when we find a new favorite. 
 

Bike Light Buying Advice

• Bike Light Types
• How Many Lumens Do I Need?
• Beam Patterns: Spot and Flood
• Light Modes
• Battery Life and Run Time
• Mounting Locations
• Waterproofing and Protection
• Weight
• Integrated vs. External Batteries
• Charge Times
• Remotes and Bluetooth Connections
• Cheap "Amazon" Lights
   

Bike Light Types

Headlights
When talking about lights for nighttime road and mountain bike use, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a headlight. These attach to your bike’s handlebar or helmet and have a simple function: illuminate what’s in front of you. Styles vary widely from 2,000-lumen torches designed for fast-moving, technical mountain biking (Gloworm’s X2 Adventure) to modest 300-lumen models for commuting at dawn and dusk (NiteRider’s Swift 300), but all of the picks above are battery-powered, include a variety of brightness modes, and offer some level of weather protection. Our top-rated light, the Trek Ion Pro RT, hits a great middle ground for both on- and off-road riding.
 

Rear Lights (Tail Lights)
For commuters and road riders alike, we strongly advise the use of a rear light, both during the day and at night. Also known as tail lights, these designs are relatively inexpensive, help draw the attention of motorists with bright, focused red beams, and are typically simple to mount. We recommend looking for models that are visible from the side for cross traffic (you’ll occasionally see references to “degrees of visibility”) and include multiple brightness and flashing modes. Tail lights typically are mounted on one of four places: a helmet, your backpack, the seat post of your bike, or your bike’s seat stay. We’ve found that the rear light that best balances price and performance for day and nighttime use is Cygolite’s Hotshot Pro 200.
 

Combo Light Sets
For first-time light buyers or budget seekers who need both a headlight and rear light, a combo set makes a lot of sense. Manufacturers typically combine some of their most popular models—such as NiteRider’s Lumina Micro and Vmax+ set—and package them together at a small discount (in the case of the NiteRider, you save $15 by purchasing the set). This helps take some of the guesswork out of the process, although the preselected kits do limit the total number of available options. 

How Many Lumens Do I Need?

Lumens, which are a measurement of visible light, provide an important indicator of the brightness of a given bike light. It’s not a perfect science—beam quality and pattern play a significant role in light performance—but determining approximately how many lumens you need is a good way of narrowing down your headlight and/or rear light choices. Starting with headlights and on-road use, we recommend urban commuters or low-speed road riders get a quality design with at least 500 lumens. You can certainly manage with less if you don’t need to illuminate a dark path, but we’ve found that options around 500 lumens (like the Lezyne Hecto Drive 500XL) are just powerful enough to allow you to confidently navigate city streets. That said, should your local nighttime commute or road ride take you through rural areas in complete darkness or down fast descents, it’s a good idea to bump up to more powerful options, like the NiteRider Lumina Pro 1000.
 

Riding a mountain bike at night on root- and rock-infested trails poses different challenges (and consequences) than a paved road or bike path. As such, we recommend a headlight with a high lumen output and strongly advise running two lights—one on the handlebars and the other on your helmet—to minimize shadows. In terms of lumens, it’s best to start in the 800 to 1,000 range. And those who want to cover ground quickly will want to step up to a model like the Gloworm X2 Adventure or Light & Motion Seca 2000. The high-output numbers may seem excessive, but we’ve never found ourselves wishing we were running them on lower power.
 

Headlight lumens get most of the attention, but a bright rear light offers significant safety benefits too. Quality tail lights with lumens in the 50 to 150 range can be seen from over a mile away, which can greatly reduce the potential of an accident. To further increase visibility for both day and nighttime riding, many rear lights offer their strongest outputs in flash mode (more on this in “Light Modes” below). Cygolite's Hotshot Pro 200 is a great example of a well-designed model: Its 200-lumen flash mode is the brightest of all the rear lights on this list, and  an extra wide beam ensures vehicles will see you from afar.

Beam Patterns: Spot and Flood

Spot
Along with lumens, a headlight’s beam pattern is a key performance indicator. In general, bike lights fall into two basic categories—spot and flood—although there are a number of models that blend the characteristics of the two. Spot-style lights have a focused, small-diameter beam (commonly between 17 and 20 degrees) that projects very well over a long distance. This makes them a favorite among commuters and road riders, and for times when high speeds are attained. For mountain biking, we prefer mounting a spot-patterned light on our helmet for fast descents, as its extended beam allows you to easily look through turns. From our picks above, NiteRider's Lumina Pro 1000 is a great spot-oriented light for on-road use, while mounting the Gloworm X2 Adventure on a mountain bike helmet (with the spot lens attached) is a proven choice for singletrack riders.
 

Flood
Flood lights illuminate a wide area in front of your bike and typically feature beam patterns in the 25- to 35-degree range. Although they may not project as far down the road as spot patterns, they’re a great match for low-speed riding and where wide visibility is more important than outright distance. These characteristics work well with handlebar mounts and pair nicely with casual urban riding. And for mountain biking, mounting a flood-pattern light on your handlebars to compliment the spot-pattern helmet mount gives you excellent coverage. If you're looking to invest in both, consider Outbound Lighting's Evo Downhill set, which combines the wide-beam Trail Evo front light with the tighter beam of the Hangover helmet light in a trail-ready package. 
 

Light Modes

Every front and rear light that made our list above includes some level of adjustability between various light modes. Headlights, in their most basic form, typically have low, medium, and high settings that are controlled either directly on the unit or via a separate remote. Consciously switching between brightness modes to match your needs is a great way to prolong battery life. For example, when mountain biking at night, we like to put the light on the lowest setting during sustained, low-speed climbs. And when speeds pick up in flowy or downhill sections, we swap to medium or full power. In addition to brightness modes, road- and commuter-oriented lights will include some sort of flash setting. The pulsing pattern helps make you more visible to traffic ahead of you—even in daylight—while also greatly increasing battery life compared with a steady light.

Rear lights also come with a range of modes, although the level of adjustability is usually less than a comparable headlight. The big focus here is on grabbing the attention of cars, so popular designs like the Cygolite Hotshot 200 and NiteRider's Vmax+ 150 come with at least one flash pattern as well as a solid red light. As we’ve touched on above, using the brightest flash mode for daytime use is a worthwhile safety measure.
 

Battery Life and Run Time

Regardless of total output, you’ll find that most rechargeable headlights and rear lights have similar minimum run times of about 1 to 2 hours when pumping out maximum lumens. For most urban riders, this should be more than enough for early-morning or late-night commutes and may even last a couple of days before charging is needed. However, mountain bikers will need to pay attention to this number a little more closely, as many rides can last longer than 1.5 hours (and sometimes not on purpose). Most headlights come with multiple brightness settings, and this is where battery life starts to differ between models. On their lowest settings, run times vary from 5 to 11 hours among our top picks. Furthermore, some models like the NiteRider Lumina Pro 1000 come with a very low lumen “walk mode,” which extends the battery life to 26 hours in the Lumina’s case. Although not very useful for riding, its 50-lumen output is enough to guide you in an emergency situation.
 

Another way to extend battery life is to purchase a light with a higher output than you actually need. While the extra lumens will likely be welcome, using the light on its low and middle settings (rather than high) will greatly increase the time between charges. For instance, the Light & Motion Seca 2000 is a very bright light at its highest setting (2,000 lumens) and probably beyond what most people require. However, on its lowest setting of 500 lumens, which is perfect for climbing singletrack or low-speed commutes, it boasts a whopping 12 hours of run time (compared to the Lezyne Hecto Drive 500XL, which only lasts one hour on its highest 500-lumen setting). Should you plan to be out in the dark for two or more hours, it’s worth considering upping your lumen output just so you can run it in the middle or low setting for increased battery life.
 

Mounting Locations

Headlights
Typically, bike headlights are mounted in one of two locations: on your handlebars or on your helmet. Mounting a light on your bars is quick, and adjusting the beam’s location on the road or trail is easy. We find this location to work particularly well for commuting by bike, as you rarely need to look through corners and make quick changes in direction. While a light mounted on the handlebars is perfectly fine for road riding, we prefer a light on our helmet for mountain biking at night. With the light attached to your head, the beam follows your eyes as you look up and down the trail. For the best of both worlds for mountain biking, we recommend mounting a light on both your handlebars and helmet. This helps eliminate any shadows that are often caused by a single light.
 

Rear Lights
The most common place to mount a rear light is on your bike’s seat post right under the saddle. Located here, the light’s beam is rarely obstructed by the rider or bike, providing good rearward and side-to-side visibility. Other popular mounting locations include the back of a helmet, your backpack, and the bike’s seat stay. While all of these options are viable, we’ve found the seat post offers the most effective way of grabbing the attention of approaching motorists. With that said, it’s not uncommon to have multiple tail lights for urban use, so the other locations can function well as a compliment to the seat post mount. In our opinion, anything a cyclist can do to be seen on the road—without blinding traffic or fellow riders—is worth it.
 

Waterproofing and Protection

If you plan to get out on your bike at night, then there’s a good chance you’re becoming more serious about the sport. Accordingly, there’s an equally high likelihood that you’ll find yourself out riding in some inclement weather. The good news is that most quality lights on the market offer some level of water resistance, often listed using the International Protection Rating (IP) system. Even moderately priced models, like the Gloworm X2 Adventure, carry an IP67 rating, which makes them waterproof at a depth of 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. More frugaldesigns compromise a little here, but the $30 NiteRider Swift 300 is a notable exception with its IP64 rating for protection against dust and water spray.

Weight

Overall, weight generally isn’t something to be too concerned about in a bike light, as your bike’s handlebars, seat post, or frame does most of the heavy lifting. However, it quickly becomes a top consideration if you’ll be mounting it on your helmet. There are few things more distracting than having what feels like a brick balancing on top of your head while bombing through technical terrain. If you’re looking for a high-output helmet light, we recommend something like Gloworm’s X2 Adventure. Although you’ll need to store the battery in your backpack, the head unit weighs 2.7 ounces and should go virtually undetected. 
 

Integrated vs. External Batteries

The majority of headlights and rear lights on the market today have an integrated design, which means the batteries and light are all housed in one unit. This style is reasonably compact and easy to set up and mount onto your bike or helmet (with the proper attachments). The main downside to integrated batteries, however, is that the cramped space inside the unit puts limitations on battery power. As such, integrated battery lights do not have very long run times and are not able to support exceptionally high-output designs, like anything above about 2,500 lumens.
 

Enter external battery lights. These styles, like NiteRider's Pro 4200 Enduro, are able to support very strong outputs with remarkable run times. The aforementioned NiteRider is able to use its 4,200-lumen light on high for 1.5 hours—something that’s typically not possible with integrated batteries. But like integrated systems, an external battery pack comes with its fair share of negatives. Most notably, these lights are typically quite heavy. They’re also a little cumbersome to set up and use because of the multiple parts (head unit, cable, and battery pack). That said, if you want to maximize light output, you’ll most likely end up with an external-battery model.
 

Charge Times

For the occasional nighttime mountain biker, where frequency is low and planning ahead is easy, your battery’s charge times aren’t all that important. However, for bike commuters, this can be a key specification. And charge times can vary widely: Our top pick, Trek’s Ion Pro RT, has a very long charge time that ranges from 7 to 15 hours. This means you’d likely need to get it plugged in right away as you arrive at work to get it back to full power in time for the ride home. On the other hand, NiteRider’s Lumina Micro 900 and Vmax+ 150 Set (our top pick for bike commuters) can be fully charged in as little as 2.5 hours. If your workdays are short and your commutes are long (everyone should be so lucky), then a quick charge time is something to be aware of.
 

Remotes and Bluetooth Connections

While not necessary, remote control of your light—via a physical switch on the handlebar or Bluetooth connection that pairs with a bike computer—can be a helpful feature in certain situations. Wireless handlebar-mounted remotes, like the one on Gloworm’s X2 Adventure, are great for mountain biking as they allow you to keep both hands on the grips while switching through different brightness modes. Other models, like Garmin's Varia RTL515, connect via Bluetooth to a compatible cycling computer or smartphone and allow you to change modes and keep tabs on battery life. This means you don’t need to jump off your bike if you want to adjust between flash settings or constantly check behind to see if it’s still working. The Varia is also unique in its radar system, which can detect vehicles from behind and alert your bike computer as they approach. All in all, while not a top consideration, remote connections are a nice luxury item with plenty of appeal for those who ride a lot.
 

Cheap “Amazon” Lights

If you get far enough into bike light research, you’ll inevitably run into someone recommending inexpensive “Amazon” or “eBay” lights. While they certainly look like a great deal on paper, these products come with a number of downsides. First off, we find their lumen ratings to be somewhat misleading: The 1,000-lumen light selling for $25 will fall well short of NiteRider's Lumina Pro 1000 in every possible performance metric. A big part of this comes down to lens quality, which determines how the light is cast on the path or trail—it’s similar to comparing a $10 pair of gas station sunglasses to the $100 option from Smith or Oakley. Last but certainly not least, the batteries in cheap lights will typically not have the same lifespan as the quality options listed above, and it’s common for run times to significantly drop after a year or less of use. In the end, with excellent designs like the NiteRider Swift 300 available for $30, we see little reason to save a few dollars for an inferior and unreliable product.
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