10 Best Headlamps Under $100

All of us hikers and adventure lovers know the importance of headlamps during any outdoor activities. As headlamp offers the allowance to both of our hands to move and navigate freely, it becomes one of the most useful gears any adventure junkie can possess.

Be it hiking, camping, cycling, or any other outdoor activities, those evenings and nights definitely indulge some activities. So any outdoors-person knows the importance of having a trustworthy and durable headlamp.

There are certain things you must consider while buying a headlamp. I have mentioned a few things you should keep in the back of your head before making your investment.

Things to consider while selecting sleeping bags

1. Durability:

Higher the durability, the more reasonable any product becomes, so investing on a single durable headlamp is always worthy and convenient than spending on multiple flimsy headlamps.

2. Water-proof:

When you are out there in the hills, mountains or any terrains, you never know what weather and environment await for you. So having a gear which is waterproof adds comfort, ease, and reliability in your adventurous expedition.

3. Brightness:

The ultimate and major goal of a headlamp is to provide illumination. So owning a headlamp which is bright enough to be your friend in the outdoor is a must. Considering above-mentioned points, I have tried to list the best of available headlamps which are priced below $100.

• Black Diamond Spot325 Headlamp
• EdisonBright Bundle Fenix HL60R 950 Lumen USB Rechargeable CREE XM-L2 T6 LED Headlamp
• Petzl Tikka XP Headlamp
• Yalumi Headlamp, Spark, with Advanced Aspherical LED Lens
• Irontria 5000 lumens Bright Headlight Headlamp Flashlight Torch 3 CREE XML T6 LED
• Nitcore HC60 1000 Lumen USB Rechargable LED Headlamp
• Petzl Actik Core Headlamp 350 Lumens Rechargable with Core Battery
• Shining Buddy LED Haedlamp Flashlight
• Luxolite LED Headlamp Flashlight with Red Led Light
• Coast FL85 615 Lumen Dual Color Pure Beam Focusing LED Headlamp

10. Black Diamond Spot325 Headlamp:

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Black Diamond Spot325 Headlamp is one of the most efficient and reasonable headlamps available. It is suited for any activities which push beyond daylight.

Black Diamond Spot325 comes with a lumen power of 325 lumens and is very handy and light-weight. The power-tap technology allows to transition between full and dimmed power instantly. This compact headlamp uses three AAA batteries and features a low-profile design. The brightness memory of this headlamp from black diamond allows the user to turn the light on and off at the preferred brightness without having to revert back to full or mid- power.

The settings of Black Diamond Spot325 include full strength in distant and proximity modes (dimming, strobe, red night vision and lock mode). This setting makes it best suited for close-range activities including sorting gear, cooking or reading in the camp.

Black Diamond Spot325 weighs 86 gm with batteries and offers the maximum distance of 80 meters to a minimum of 8 meters. Additionally, the maximum burn time of this headlamp when illuminated in high power is 4 hours and when illuminated in low power mode is 200 hours.

Black Diamond Spot 325 is water-proof tested to operate at least 1.1 meters underwater for the duration of 30 minutes. This headlamp should be completely dried out after using in wet conditions in order to prevent the water from invading the battery.

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9. EdisonBright Bundle Fenix HL60R 950 Lumen USB Rechargeable CREE XM-L2 T6 LED Headlamp:

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These headlamps from EdisonBright are absolutely worth spending every penny and won’t disappoint you for the longest time. It has to be one of the best deals of headlamp available.

EdisonBright Bundle Fenix HL60R features a micro- USB port which makes it feasible to charge anywhere. This headlamp offers a maximum output of 900 lumens and a beam throw of up to 116 meters. EdisonBright Bundle Fenix HL60R has a runtime of up to 100 hours from just one Li-ion battery.

This headlamp from EdisonBright is well-equipped with neutral white LED, a side switch and a red light alert mode. The natural white LED allows better color rendering whereas the side switch helps to activate five output modes. This digitally regulated headlamp maintains constant brightness.

EdisonBright Bundle Fenix HL60R 950 Lumen weighs 121 grams without the battery and is designed with a durable high-grade aluminum housing making it waterproof. It has a dimension of 87 mm x 46 mm x 51 mm. Additionally, this headlamp has toughened ultra-clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating.

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8. Petzl Tikka XP Headlamp:

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Petzl Tikka XP Headlamp is a multi-beam headlamp, wide-beam for proximity lighting, focused beam for direct lighting and red LED for discreet lighting, which is best suited for all outdoor activities. The wide-beam and focused beam can be used together as well as separately.

This headlamp has constant lighting technology which is guaranteed to provide constant brightness for a long period of time. They provide constant illumination even though the batteries drain gradually.

Petzl Tikka XP automatically switches to reserve mode when the batteries are running low and eventually to red light if the battery is nearly empty. This headlamp is compatible with NI-MH or Lithium battery.

Petzl Tikka XP has 180 lumens providing adequate light for any outdoor activities or activities which may require rapid movement.

The push-button of this headlamp is easy to use even with gloves on. This waterproof headlamp weighs 85 gm and qualifies as one of the favorable options of the reasonable headlamp.

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7. Yalumi Headlamp, Spark, with Advanced Aspherical LED Lens:

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Yalumi Headlamp Spark with Advanced Aspherical LED Lens is exceptionally reasonable headlamp which provides great performance value.

This headlamp from Yalumi integrates two colored light sources. One is high-output Cree XP-E white LED suited for long distance illumination and the other two red LEDs for safety.

Together, it provides five lighting modes- white modes including economic, maximum, and strobe and red modes including constant and strobe.

The high-output white LED provides a narrow and focused beam of 105 lumens and throws light up to 90 meters. The maximum burn time is 187 hours in economic mode and 95 hours on maximum mode. Likewise, the red LEDs provide a strobe light for safety signaling.

This compact and lightweight Yalumi Headlamp features adjustable headband with lamp-angle tilt which allows aiming of the beam.

The lock mode incorporated in this headlamp avoids accidental enabling of light and prevents from battery drainage when the headlamp is stored in the pack or pocket.

With all these features and qualities, Yalumi Headlamp Spark with Advanced Aspherical LED Lens is ideal for all outdoor activities or any other activities which require bright and précised focus.

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6. Irontria 5000 lumens Bright Headlight Headlamp Flashlight Torch 3 CREE XML T6 LED:

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Irontria 500 lumens Bright Headlight Headlamp Flashlight Torch 3 CREE XML T6 LED is another go-to headlamp option which is very well made and reasonable.

One can use this headlamp for any activity including reading, walking the dog, setting camp, running, hiking, cycling, fishing, hunting, or any other activity which requires your hands-free.

The light source of this headlamp from Irontria is 3 CREE XM-L T6 LED Bulbs which are ultra bright. On the brightest setting, the beam distance provided by this lamp is up to 300 feet making it ideal and wide enough for running or working,

This headlamp offers 4 lighting mode: low, middle, high, and strobe. The large middle T6 light comes on during the low mode, two small side T6 lights come on during middle mode, all three T6 lights come on during high mode, and all three T6 lights flash on the strobe mode.

Irontria 500 lumens Bright Headlight Headlamp Flashlight Torch 3 CREE XML T6 LED is constructed from aluminum alloy casing making it a durable one.

This scratch resistant and waterproof headlamp has an elastic and durable headband with two loop buckles allowing the user to adjust the band.

The package of this headlamp with advanced circuit design contains a headlamp, a USB line, a US type charger, two 18650 rechargeable batteries, and a headlamp case.

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5. Nitcore HC60 1000 Lumen USB Rechargeable LED Headlamp:

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Nitcore HC60 1000 Lumen USB Rechargeable LED Headlamp is another incredible headlamp which is worth spending every penny and lasts you for years to come.

This headlamp from Nitcore offers impressive coverage with a 100-degree wide beam, 128 yards beam distance, and 90-degree vertical rotation.

This headlamp is capable of 1000 lumen maximum output and allows users to choose from five brightness levels produced by a neutral white CREE XM-L2 U2 LED.

This construction offers a more natural colored beam and maximizes the visibility even in the fog. It includes 3 special modes for signaling and emergency – strobe, SOS and Beacon.

Nitcore HC60 features a single button interface located on the front of the unit which allows the headlamp to be turned off and on and change brightness as preferred.

One can press the switch once to turn it on and tap on it repeatedly to select a brightness level. The headlamp will return to the previously used mode even after turning it on after shutting it down.

This headlamp also provides direct access to the turbo. One can press and hold the power button for direct access to the turbo. This USB compatible headlamp comes with a rechargeable 3400mAh Li-ion battery and provides up to 680 hours of runtime on the lowest setting.

This headlamp weighing only 3.47 oz is very comfortable and also features a charging status & power indicator.

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4. Petzl Actik Core Headlamp 350 Lumens Rechargable with Core Battery:

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Petzl Actik Core Headlamp is a powerful and lightweight headlamp which offers 350 lumens of power combined with its mixed beam. This headlamp which is ideal for outdoor activities like mountaineering, running, hiking, cycling, and backpacking is a super comfortable one.

This hybrid headlamp features two beam patterns which meet the high-performance need of users. The red lighting present in this headlamp preserves night vision and prevents other members of the group from blinding.

The reflective headband of Petzl Actik Core Headlamp helps the user be seen when a light is shone on it. This headlamp is equipped with an emergency whistle for the rescue situation.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp comes with CORE which is rechargeable via standard USB port. This headlamp is also compatible with AAA batteries.

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3. Shining Buddy LED Headlamp Flashlight:

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One of the most budget-friendly headlamps in this list, Shining Buddy LED Headlamp is not only ultra-bright, but also very comfortable and lightweight. It can be used for various outdoor purposes.

Shining Buddy LED Headlamp Flashlight weighs 2.6 oz and uses 160 lumens. It has 2 switches which allow choosing from 5 illumination options – High beam, Low beam, White Strobe, Red beam, and Red flashing light. One switch is for white light and the other the red setting.

This ultra-light headlamp shines ultra-bright and lasts up to 100,000 hours. Shining Buddy LED Headlamp is weather and shock resistant with IPXX5 rating. This headlamp also features a non-slip adjustable strap.

Shining Buddy LED Headlamp comes with free E-guide and 3 AAA batteries for instant out-of-box.

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2. Luxolite LED Headlamp Flashlight with Red Led Light:

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Luxolite LED Headlamp is another recommendable option for a headlamp which works fine and is reasonably priced.

This headlamp from Luxolite is very easy to use. It features two push buttons which allow selecting between white and red light. This headlamp has a triple LED with four cool white modes – High, Medium, Low and SOS Flashing, and two red night vision modes- Steady and Strobe. This versatile headlamp can also be used as a waist lamp or desk lamp.

Luxolite LED Headlamp Flashlight with Red Led Light weighs 3 oz and stays put with a soft elastic headband making it extremely comfortable.

The adjustable head mount tilts down allowing the beam to focus exactly on the intended spot. This headlamp has a dimension of 2.4 x 1.9 x 1.6 inches.

This headlamp from Luxolite has IPX6 proven head torch enclosure, making it durable and waterproof. This sturdy outdoor gear allows your hands to move freely in the dark without having to worry much.

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1. Coast FL85 615 Lumen Dual Color Pure Beam Focusing LED Headlamp:

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Coast FL85 615 Lumen Dual Color Pure Beam Focusing LED Headlamp is a powerful front loaded headlamp. The simple twist focusing system of this headlamp goes from an ultra view flood beam to bulls-eye spot beam.

This headlamp from coast features dual color lights- white and red LED lights. The first button on this headlamp allows users to shine an ultra wide flood beam whereas the second button provides a fixed red LED light that helps preserve the night vision.

This headlamp is tough and reliable with an IPX4 weatherproof rating and 1-meter drop protection. It is also equipped with a reflective safety strap. Additionally, Coast offers a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

Coast FL85 615 Lumen Dual Color Pure Beam Focusing LED Headlamp runs for 2.15 hours on high illumination, 3.45 hours on medium, and 13 hours on low. This headlamp offers a beam distance of 183 meters on high, 139 meters on medium, and 77 meters on low.

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BEST PICK:

There are a plethora of reasonable headlamps available worldwide which function fine. Among all, EdisonBright Bundle Fenix HL60R 950 Lumen USB Rechargeable CREE XM-L2 T6 LED Headlamp is the one which didn’t disappoint me in any aspect and performed exceptionally well.

THE VERDICT:

When investing in any gear, investing in a durable one always outweighs in both performance value and budget. It’s always a wise decision to buy the ideal one which has high-performance value rather than buying numerous cheap ones which will leave you disappointed on the go.

Likewise, in the case of headlamps, a wrong one may cause many hindrances during your outdoor activity. So mark yourself safe from all hurdles that may wait due to the wrong headlamp.

Every outdoor person should buy a headlamp which is durable, comfortable and functions well.