The 8 best headlamps and flashlights for 2024, tested and reviewed

The two most important metrics to look for when shopping for a flashlight are the batteries and the lumens.

Batteries: There are two big categories of both flashlights and headlamps: rechargeable flashlights and those that take batteries. It’s all about how they are recharged. It is easy to swap out AA or AAA Batteries. Separate batteries are a great idea when your light goes out in the darkness. For most situations, I use a Nitecore NU25, except for long backpacking trips, where I bring my Petzl Tikka and set of extra batteries. Personally, I rely on a Nitecore NU25 for most situations except long backpacking trips where I bring my Petzl Tikka and set of extra batteries.

Lumens

: Flashlight and headlamp companies like to make a big deal about lumens, which measure how bright a flashlight is, but the truth is you don’t always want more lumens. No flashlight or headlamp we tested was too dim. Here you’ll find everything from 300 lumens to 1,000 lumen spotlights. They will temporarily blind you even if you just glance at them. This range is good for most purposes: 300 to 1000 lumens. You’ll need less light to read in a tent at night. A good headlamp has a range of brightness settings, including a low-power mode, which will be closer to 40-60 lumens. Look for a mode that pulses the light. Most flashlights and headlamps use LEDs as their light source. While traditional bulbs are still available, LEDs offer a better light output compared to their energy consumption.