Whether you’re a predawn runner or are missing out on daylight during post-work sessions, running outside can be a logistical challenge. But when equipped with a quality headlamp (and reflective apparel, of course), logging miles in the dark can be a blast. See quick info below on some of the best lights from our testing, then scroll deeper for longer reviews of these and other top-performing models, plus buying advice.
What to Consider
- Best Overall: Black Diamond Sprint 225
- Best Budget Pick: Energizer Vision Ultra HD
- Best Update: Black Diamond Sprinter 500
- Best Hybrid Battery: Silva Trail Runner Free H
- Lightest-Weight Hybrid: Petzl Actik Core
What to Consider
Brightness: 200 Lumens at Minimum
Running on an open road under a full moon is a completely different experience than running singletrack trails beneath heavy tree cover—and both require different lighting. In general, look for a headlamp that’s capable of cranking out at least 200 lumens on its high setting. Lumens is a measure of the light’s intensity—brightness. Lamps with higher lumens—300 and up—are better for trails and starless nights. If you want a single light that is capable of multiple situations, look for one with more than just low, medium, and high settings. Some lamps can automatically adapt to the ambient light around you—handy if, say, you peek at your watch and don’t want to be blinded by the reflection (the light dims a bit). Others allow you more manual adjustability.
Bigger Batteries Add Weight
Longer battery life typically comes at a cost: weight. Naturally, batteries with more capacity have to be larger. For some activities, that’s no problem, but for running, extra weight and bulk can lead to annoying bounce. Some models cram the batteries into the lamp on your forehead, while others with exceptionally long burn times will separate the two components and place the power pack on the strap at the back of your head. If you want a budget light for laps around your neighborhood, the former will suffice. But if you’re gearing up for an ultramarathon that will have you up all night, go for the bigger battery.
Rechargeable vs. Single-Use Batteries
Who among us doesn’t have a drawer full of various USB charging cables? Well, there’s a good chance your next headlamp will come with one as well. But the downside to rechargeables is that you could find the battery dead as you’re headed out the door, when you don’t have an hour or two to spare waiting for it to power up. If that sounds like you, opt for a light that runs off AA or AAA batteries, and stock up. Some headlamps (see the Silva Trail Runner Free H and Black Diamond Sprinter 500 below) work with either AAA batteries or a rechargeable battery pack if you want that kind of versatility.
Spotlight, Floodlight, or Both?
You’ll save money by getting a light with a single lamp that puts out a consistent beam. But more advanced options include both a spotlight and a flood, allowing you to use each separately or combine the two for maximum brightness. You’ll find the spotlight is great for casting the light farther down the road or brightly illuminating the trail directly in front of you. A floodlight, on the other hand, diffuses the beam, spraying light to the sides as well to help with peripheral vision.
How We Tested
Our team of editors and writers has tested and evaluated every headlamp on this list (and more). We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and designers, and rely on our own experience on roads and trails long after the sun has set or before it comes up.
Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate tests and evaluates headlamps in our darkened running shoe storage room.
To gauge light intensity, we used a handheld luxmeter placed on the ground approximately two strides away.
We tested the headlamps every 15 minutes to determine how long they shined at their maximum brightness.
Some lamps dim by as much as two-thirds in the first five minutes. Others maintain full intensity until their batteries die.
In addition to evaluating these headlamps for their adjustability and beam types, we test the lights’ brightness over time to determine how long each shines at full power. For the Black Diamond Sprint 225 and Sprinter 500, Energizer Vision Ultra HD, Silva Trail Runner Free H, and Petzl Actik Core, we did this by turning each lamp on at its maximum setting and pointing it at a digital luxmeter on the ground roughly two strides away—about as far as you’d look ahead on technical trails. We measured the intensity at 15-minute intervals to see how quickly the light faded.
Most models gradually dimmed over time, though a few fell off quickly—Black Diamond and BioLite say it’s an industry standard to drop intensity as your eyes adjust to the darkness so they can extend run time. For such lamps, the max lumens and battery life are a bit misleading, since you’ll never be able to keep the lamp at 100 percent for more than a few minutes.
For this most recent update, we evaluated the current lineup of headlamps and made sure all were up to date and still available. We tested during extended night hiking and running (both pre-dawn and after sunset), taking into consideration the same criteria as we did in previous rounds, including light intensity over time (though we didn’t use the digital luxmeter this go), battery life on all settings, adjustability, recharging time if applicable, and beam strength. And we put an emphasis on comfort and stability during running and other high-impact activities. If the headlamp is headache-inducing or doesn’t stay put while running, it’s hard to recommend. Out of that crop, the BioLite HeadLamp 325, Nitecore NU25, and Best Running Shoes 2025 earned their way into our rankings.
Our Full Headlamp Reviews
Pros
- Lighter than most headlamps
- Adjust brightness with a swipe
Cons
- Max power dims quickly
Key Specs
| Lumens | 225 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 51 grams |
| Battery | Rechargeable (2 hours on high, 20 hours on low) |
We love this sleek, compact headlamp for running because of its performance and features, combined with its comfortable fit. The slim headband doesn’t look all that sturdy but does a great job of keeping the small light from bouncing, and the easy adjustability makes it dead simple to change brightness. Instead of clicking a small button to dim or brighten the lamp, simply swipe up or down past sensors on the side of the housing to change intensity—it even works with gloves and sweaty hands.
A note about the “2 hours on high” battery claim: My testing found the Sprint 225 dims considerably during the first 5 minutes on high power—a far faster drop-off than most lamps on this page—and then settles into a medium intensity that Black Diamond says is intended as a “power-saving feature.” I found that medium intensity is plenty bright for both trail and road running, and it remained steady for the next 3 hours. But just know you won’t get a full 225 lumens for more than a few minutes at a time.—Jeff Dengate
Pros
- Excellent value
- Variety of light modes and colors
Cons
- No low-battery indicator
Key Specs
| Lumens | 400 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 140 grams |
| Battery | Rechargeable (4 hours on high, 15 hours on low) |
A surprisingly versatile headlamp at a dirt cheap price, Energizer’s Vision Ultra HD shocked me with how much light it puts out—a claimed 400 lumens. The spotlight was bright enough to illuminate the road a good distance in front of me, and switching it to flood mode cast a wide spread closer to my feet when I wanted to see where I was actually stepping. Plus, it has both red and green night vision LEDs.
I’ve been using the red to read in bed at night, to be honest. Of course, a budget lamp sometimes has trade-offs. The charging cable for our sample had been crimped in the packaging or damaged before being sealed up, because the insulation around the wires was damaged. We were able to repair it ourselves rather quickly, and we haven’t had any issues since. Still, we’ll be keeping an eye on the continued durability of both headlamp and charging cord.—JD
Pros
- Secure, no-bounce fit
- Black Diamond Sprinter 500
Cons
- Runs on AAA or rechargeable battery
Key Specs
| Lumens | 500 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 105 grams |
| Battery | Rechargeable (3.5 hours on high) or 3 AAA (4.5 hours) |
The Sprinter 500 is reminiscent of the Icon that we’ve recommended before and loved, but in a more runner-friendly package. It, too, uses the rear-mounted battery pack and over-the-head stabilizing strap, but the battery pack and lamp unit both are smaller and lighter so they won’t wiggle a bit when you’re bounding down a dark road.
Like the earlier 275 model, the new Sprinter 500 still operates with a rechargeable battery pack or three AAA batteries. The major difference is—you guessed it—an additional 225 lumens. And, while its runtime isn’t all that impressive on a spec sheet, we’ve found you can dial back the intensity to get through any overnight ultra outing. If you need the high-beam and drain it, swapping to disposable batteries is quick and easy. A favorite feature of ours is the lamp’s memory feature, so the beam is the same brightness every time you turn it on.
“I love the Sprinter 500 because it’s super lightweight, bright, small, and has versatile power options,” said Pat Heine, Runner’s World’s video producer and resident ultrarunner. “It spans the gap between budget options and the ‘bright-as-a-truck’s-headlights’ lamps. I use it for the majority of my night running.”—JD
Pros
- Slim, versatile battery pack
- Buttons are small and can be hard to push
Cons
- Max power drains battery quickly
Key Specs
| Lumens | 400 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 112 grams |
| Battery | Rechargeable (2.5 hours on high) or 3 AAA (25 hours) |
Following up on Silva’s tank-like ultrarunning headlamp, the Trail Speed 5XT, this lighter, slimmer model works on short trail and road runs. The battery pack is a slim hybrid unit mounted on the back of the headband and, rather than routing coiled cables through clips, the power passes through the headband itself. It’s a neat feature that makes the lamp even more comfortable in use. But, if you need to stash the battery pack inside a jacket for especially cold outings, a longer cloth-wrapped cable is included.
The lamp offers only three brightness settings, and you can’t select different lights (beam/flood). But it has a combination that works well at running speeds—a floodlight hits the ground nearest you while a sharper beam is cast farther ahead. In our tests, it held its max brightness consistently for the first 2 hours, but fell off a cliff by the end of the third hour; its light was so dim you wouldn’t be able to find your way out of the woods on a moonless night. Another really cool feature is the ability to toggle a rear red light for road running. Inside the battery case, a switch can be set to off, on, or blink.
The “H” in the name stands for “hybrid” battery. A version that runs on only three AAA batteries costs a bit less, or you can get Cyber Monday Running Gear Deals 2024 for $140.—JD
Pros
- Runs on AAA or rechargeable battery
- Rechargeable 4 hours on high, 15 hours on low
- Cyber Monday Running Gear Deals 2024
Cons
- Brightest setting drains battery quickly
Key Specs
| Lumens | 450 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 75 grams |
| Battery | Rechargeable or 3 AAA (2 hours on high, 130 hours on low) |
Like others here, this headlamp is versatile in that it can run off either three AAA batteries or a rechargeable “Core” battery pack that comes with the lamp—and you don’t need any special converters. But best of all: the micro USB charging port is built into the battery pack. In a pinch, you can leave it plugged in at home while you use the headlamp with AAA batteries.
In use, it has three modes, with a floodlight and spot beam, plus a red lamp that lets you see in the dark without blinding yourself or your running partners. Plus, the band has 360-degree reflective accents and a whistle built into one of the adjustment buckles.—JD
Pros
- Integrated light doesn’t have pressure points
- Easy-to-read battery indicator lights
Cons
- Battery dies faster than others we’ve tested
Key Specs
| Lumens | 325 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 51 grams |
| Battery | Rechargeable (3 hours on high, 40 hours on low) |
The 325 is one of the newer offerings from BioLite, replacing the 330 from a few seasons ago. Aside from faster charging and a longer battery life, the main upgrade I appreciate from this new model is the lack of extra battery pack on the back. I thought this might impact battery life, but the 325 actually lasted almost 40 minutes longer on high than the 330. That said, I didn’t find BioLite’s claim for 3 hours of high-powered output to be accurate, and even with a fresh charge, the 325 only lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes on high.
Where it stands out is the integrated light casing. Instead of a more bulky light-and-control housing, this lays almost flat against the headband strap and barely protrudes at all. This both reduced bounce (which keeps the headlamp in place better) and eliminated potential pressure points.—Maggie Slepian
Pros
- Longer lasting battery life (even in storage) than more expensive models
- Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Cons
- Buttons are small and can be hard to push
Key Specs
| Lumens | 360 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 53.9 grams |
| Battery | Rechargeable (30 minutes on turbo, 5 hours on high, 160 hours on low) |
This is one of our top picks for extended trips or overnight runs thanks to its winning combination of lumens, weight, and impressive battery life. Despite the decidedly more industrial look than the sleek big-box outdoor brands, this little powerhouse packs a punch in every category. For less than 2 ounces, it has multiple brightness modes, a strobe mode, and a red-light mode for walking around aid stations without making everyone else mad. In my experience, 360 lumens is more than enough for running at night. And the NU25 charges in less than 90 minutes from low battery to full.
Nitecore says it lasts 160 hours on low (I haven’t tested this), but the brand also says that “low” is 1 lumen, which realistically none of us are really using unless we’re in dire straits. That said, you’ll get usable light (from 40 to 190 lumens) for 5 to 8 hours, which is impressive for such a small package. The red light is bright, and I was able to run and hike with the high output red light for several hours, which also eases eye strain and makes you less of a pain around other people.—MS
Best Running Shoes 2025 Headlamp
Pros
- “Boost” option for a quick glance at high power
- Long-lasting battery at a range of lower outputs
Cons
- Heavy to wear for long periods of time
Key Specs
| Lumens | 1,500 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 212.6 grams |
| Battery | Rechargeable (100 minutes on high, 40 hours on low) |
For ultrarunners (or anyone tackling an extended run in the dark over technical terrain), the Best Running Shoes 2025 is a bright, powerful headlamp with a magnetic battery pack that makes swapping batteries easy and reduces the stress of running out of power. I used this primarily on its 300-lumen setting, which can last up to 8 hours (I maxed out at 6 hours before finishing the trail section), and a simple tap on the side brings this to its full 1,500-lumen power for 10 seconds of “boost,” which helps you clarify any weird trail obstacles or animal eyes in the dark.
It’s very reasonable to expect this to be serviceable for an entire overnight during an ultra, as long as you bring a spare battery pack to change out, which takes 30 seconds. The over-the-head strap system keeps this somewhat heavier model in place better than other 1,500-lumen options. And while it does bounce more than an ultralight model, it did stay in place well during my testing.—MS
Black Diamond Sprint 225 Runner's World, guiding the brand's shoes and gear coverage. A true shoe dog, he's spent more than a decade testing and reviewing shoes. In 2017, he ran in 285 different pairs of shoes, including a streak of 257 days wearing a different model.
Maggie Slepian is a full-time freelance writer in the outdoor industry and has tested gear professionally for almost ten years—she is an avid backpacker, trail runner, bikepacker, and horseback rider and has thru-hiked thousands of miles on the Appalachian, Colorado, and Ouachita trails, along with backcountry travel on terrain including coastal trails, the desert, and high alpine peaks. Maggie has written for New York Magazine, Huffington Post, REI, and Outside. She is a columnist with Backpacker Magazine and is the co-founder of BackpackingRoutes.com. Contact her at MaggieSlepian.com.
