Flashlights work just fine if you have your hands free to hold them, but that is not always the case. Whether you are hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, or anything in between, you probably don’t want to be holding a flashlight in your hands.
Most likely, you don’t have enough hands to hold the light and do whatever else you are up to. Therefore, you might want to get yourself a headlamp, which is literally a head mounted flashlight. Let’s take a closer look and figure out what the best headlamp out there is right now.
Coming Up
Quick Answer: The Smiling Shark 5000
It has a great beam distance, good battery life, is easy to use, durable, and comfortable too. Buy it. Use it. Love it (more details below).
Check Latest PriceOur Headlamp Comparison Chart
Headlamp Reviews
1. Smiling Shark 5000 Lumen Bright Headlamp (Best for Hunting)
The Smiling Shark 5000 Lumen Bright Headlamp is a great option to go with for hunting, especially during the night. It features a fully adjustable headband so that it can fit virtually anybody out there. It comes with a normal white light for normal illumination, plus green and red lights for hunting and fishing.
Pros
- Red, green and white light
- Lights are very bright
- Colors are ideal for hunting and fishing
- Not too heavy
- Fits securely
- Long battery life
- Easy to recharge
Cons
- Tends to sit back a little bit
- Not all that durable
Who It Is best For
The Topwell Hunting Tactical Headlight is best if you need a good hunting light, one with red and green bulbs, for hunting during the night.
2. SmarterLife Products Headlamp (Best for Hiking)
This headlamp is water resistant so it won’t get damaged in the rain. It comes with a white light for normal purposes and red light for hunting too. The SmarterLife Products Headlamp features 6 different modes including high, medium, low, strobe, a 95-meter beam distance and an 8-hour runtime on high mode.
Pros
- Durable and waterproof
- Long battery life
- Various light modes
- Red and white light
- Good fitting
- Multipurpose
Cons
- Requires battery replacements
- Bulbs are not the most long lasting
Who It Is Best For
While the SmarterLife Products Headlamp can be used for hunting, it is best used for general hiking purposes.
3. InnoGear 5000 Lumens Headlamp (Best Camping Headlamp)
The InnoGear 5000 Lumens Headlamp is a good choice for camping, hiking, and fishing alike. It is made to be quite durable; it has a secure fitting mechanism; and it is very bright. You can charge this in multiple ways and the battery life is quite good too.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Quite durable
- Very bright
- Long distance
- Multipurpose
- Long battery life
Cons
- Not very comfortable
- Takes a long time to charge
Who It Is Best For
The InnoGear 5000 Lumens Headlamp is best for general camping purposes, but works quite well for night fishing too.
4. Monger-Trend Headlamp (Best Tactical Headlamp)
It features multiple modes like bright, super bright, and SOS. The Monger-Trend Headlamp is easy to charge and has a decent battery life. It is designed to be lightweight and the strap can fit virtually anybody. The aluminum alloy construction is quite solid.
Pros
- Lightweight and ergonomic
- Decent battery life – easy charging
- Red and white light
- Good for tactical and hunting purposes
- Zoom function
- Decent durability
Cons
- No waterproof
- Quite bulky
- Battery compartment may have some issues
Who It Is Best For
The Monger-Trend Headlamp is best for all kinds of tactical purposes and people who want to do some night hunting.
5. MergerGo USB Rechargeable LED Headlamp (Best Running Headlamp)
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Simple
- Bright
- Good battery life
- Water resistant
Cons
- Could be more durable
- LED bulbs don’t have the longest life
Who It Is Best For
If you run on roads during the night, or anytime it is dark, the MergerGo LED Headlamp is a good choice for you.
6. nyteBright LED Headlamp (Best Headlamp for Work)
Pros
- Long battery life
- Good beam length
- 6 modes
- Red and white light
- Waterproof
- Comfortable
Cons
- Band is not that durable
- Needs replacement batteries
Who It Is Best For
The nyteBright LED Headlamp is a good choice for anybody who works with their hands and often needs more illumination.
7. Olidear LED Headlamp
Pros
- Very bright
- Decent battery life
- Rechargeable
- Adjustable headband
- Can tilt
- Very long beam length
Cons
- Only good for general purposes
- Only white light
- A little bulky in the front
8. Odear Super Bright Headlamp (Best Rechargeable)
Pros
- Water resistant
- Decent comfort level
- Extremely bright
- Very long beam length
- Rechargeable
- Decent battery life
Cons
- Only white light
- A little bulky
- Not waterproof
Who It is Best For
This headlamp is ideal for all kinds of general flashlight needs. It is a good choice for hiking and camping.
9. Foxelli Headlamp (Best Waterproof)
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Water resistant
- Long battery life
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not totally waterproof
- Not the most durable
- Requires replacement batteries
Who It Is Best For
The Foxelli Headlamp is a good choice if you want to go running, camping, or hiking, and need a decent headlamp to do so.
10. Luxolite LED Headlamp (Best Cheap Headlamp)
Pros
- Good comfort
- Decent battery life
- Decent durability
- Water resistant
- Easy to adjust
- Decent brightness
- Cheap
Cons
- Just not as good as many of the competitors
- Not a very long lifetime
Who It Is Best For
The Luxolite LED Headlamp is best for simple purposes. Anyone who needs a little reading or running light will do well with this headlamp.
Buying Guide: What To Look For In Your Best Headlamp
There are a couple of things that you should always look out for when buying a new headlamp, so let’s go over these factors real quick.
Light Colors
One thing to keep in mind is what light colors the headlamp is question has. Different colors are ideal for different purposes.
Beam Distance
How far does the beam go? For hiking and camping, plus for hunting, a good beam length is vital.
Batteries
Does the headlamp in question have good battery life? Is the headlamp rechargeable or does it require replacement batteries?
Comfort
Does the headlamp in question have a good headband? Does it shift around a lot? Is it adjustable to provide a secure fit?
Durability
How durable is the headlamp in question? Does it have a strong housing? Is it waterproof or water resistant?
Best Headlamp FAQ
What are the red, white, and green colors for?
White light is good for general illumination. Red light is best for alerts and tactical purposes. Green light is best for hunting and fishing.
What is strobe mode used for?
If a headlamp comes with a strobe mode, it is meant to alert others to your presence, such as when hunting or running on a road.
What is the difference between waterproof and water resistant?
If your headlamp has a rating of IPX6, that means it is fully waterproof. Anything below IPX6 means that it is water resistant, but not totally waterproof.
Want more hiking gear? Check out our other reviews on: