Finding a PERFECT headlamp in 2022 

1:22 Nightcore NU25 5:20 Black Diamond Spot R 6:05 Petzl Bindi 7:45 Energizer 9:15 Black Diamond Spot 10:15 Black Diamond Spot R (again) Thereafter he talks about all of them

My NU25 has gone through 2 separate trips through the washer ad dryer when I accidentally left the headlamp in my cargo shorts pocket. Still working 2 years later, I would say highly water resistant. 😊

Years ago, I bought an Energizer 2-pack (3x AAA) with variable brightness & red light for $20 Cdn. Still going strong for winter running & backpacking but have since switched to Petzl & NU25 for my backpacking. From my military days, you can also close one eye when using white light in order to preserve night vision in the other eye. Happy trails!

Dan, You have too many backpacks. I can help you and take one from you….lol! Personal experience, Nitecore brand has been the best.

Sometimes there are too many options… associated with gear

I love my Fenix HM65R-T 1500. Super bright, spot light and flood modes, interchangeable rechargeable battery that has a really long life. And still pretty light at 3.2 oz. Lights up the entire mountain!

Just ordered the NU25. Direct access to red light, and a bright red light, is clutch. Plus the headband hack isn't just for gram weenies. One of the reasons I'm getting a new headlamp is that the old one was getting stretched out. DIY replacements are good.

NU 25, love it!

Enigizer headlamp is amazing, cheap and bright! They do versions upto 450 lumens, I’ve used mine from working on farms to back up torch in canyons and caves….absolute beast for the price

NITECORE奈特科尔成立于2007年，是广州希脉创新科技有限公司旗下的自主品牌。

Nitecore NU25 for the win, I have never found a headlamp that has really blown every other I have out of the water. It’s super light so wearing it for hours on a night hike keeps it comfortable and it’s super bright, has a lockout so I can’t accidentally activate it, it’s battery outlasts many others and a fraction of the size. Best investment and one of my favorite pieces of kit.I will never go back to carrying batteries again and I’ll put this out there but so many who get one isn’t aware that that if you press and hold the white light button down it goes to the turbo mode at 360 lumens.

Night vision headlamp! I’m in!

Zebralight.... You seemed to have missed the winner.

Thanks, Dan. For me, a red light is a MUST. I'm a night sky guy and white lights SUCK for that. The NU25 meets that requirement for me. Don't forget about runtime and firefly mode 🙂

I love that you showed all the lights at the same time while on. Showing the beam pattern and temp/color. Thank you

I've been using my spot/ flood milwaukee headlight on my hardhat for almost 5 years and i recently got another one for camping. It's a fantastic light the only downside is it takes AAA batteries but when I use it on low or medium flood it will last for a very long time, sometimes months.

OMG THATS EMMETTS VOICE THATS SO COOL

Hello Dan, Nearly impossible IMO .. with so many headlamps on the market .. I had tens of headlamps in my life .. lets just make a long story short :) ... As my lightweight one I do use a Petzl Tikka (can use batteries or rechargeable cell) and as my pro-headlamp I use focusable/zoomable and rechargeable Fenix HL40R .. Actually you did not mention zoomable/focusable headlamps which are must-have in harsh terrain like in mountains or for other activities that require some range ..

Bugs! the red light does not attract the insects like traditional white light does. I love using my red light in camp cites when car camping. no one likes to be blinded when a late night bathroom trips is needed. also, just got a nu25 in YELLOW!(I've dropped my black one so many times...hard to find that guy in the dark)

ive been using cl;aymore lamps, i forget the model # but it clips onto a hat. beam to flood, red option too. also brightness adjustable and rechargeable.

I've never had a headlamp that did not have some stupid plastic part break, or the band wear out and can't be replaced. I use a 1xAA / 1x14500 flashlight on a universal side-of-head "headlamp" band. Currently Olight S1A baton or Thrunite Saber, depending on the mood i'm in.

I'm gonna get the Nitecore UT27, 74 grams and 520 lumens.... dissuade me! haha

...& the first ad was for Olight...lol I tend to use the Black Diamond similar to the one you have there but mine is not rechargeable. I have Vonts scattered all over the place - I think I got four, for like less than $20.

Problem with the Black Diamonds is the micro USB charging port. C'mon guys, it's 2022 .....USB-C!!!

Perfect video to get me prepped for this year's camping trip! Liked 300💜 Thanks for sharing awesome review😊 Greetings from Canada🇨🇦

I never waste money on non rechargeable batteries. It's so bad for the environment. Very short term profit. And now what's what's gonna be happening with the electric cars? Need to quit having disposable vape I'm all four refillable.,

Get a sofirn D25L or D25LR. Rechargable, bright, very cheap for high quality

LEDLENSER? Adjustable beam!

NU25 really needs to come with an USB-C charging port.

Energizer does now make a rechargeable version. It’s light output is almost as good as my black diamond.

NU25 with the shock cord band is actually more useful than just saving weight. Done well, like the one that is sold by litesmith, it is actually equally comfortable, maybe more comfortable, than the band that comes with the lamp. But also, it can be quickly cinched down around a hike pole to become a lamp (awesome with a trekking pole tent) or around a branch for a lantern. So it's lighter and more functional. What's not to love about that?

I have a Fenix HM50R-V2 that cranks out 700 lumens. I love it for night hiking. When I have it turned all the way up to the 700 lumen level I’m scaring wildlife in the next county.

My NU25 has the beacon/SOS light. Not sure about the rest?

When you are switching the poles, you are still shorting at least 2 batteries, which means they will discharge overtime.

Do you have any recommendations for an accessory for those who simply want to use their smartphone as a camera while hiking? Something that straps to the shoulder strap perhaps and films ahead of you? (or something similar)

Your specs listed for nu25 are wrong. You said it right but listed them wrong FYI.

bought a recharge headlamp for six bucks on wish its best buy ever its more impressive than my expensive one

I have a few lamps in my equipment, my firts one was a Myo xp from petzl because the weight of the baterys are in back of your head and the balance in front are the best. Not have anymore, because a damage...but thing the new headlamps don't have the balance because the weight in front of your head for the baterys. Best regards From Panamá, Central America.

The cord thing must have gotten really popular... cause they sell them like that now as an option on the nitecore lmao

Always rechargeable! I remember carrying so many AAA batteries when I first started out haha

I don't care about the clicking sound with tilt adjustment. It means it's not going to slip as easily.

That energizer is MVP. I have one that has about 5 years on it. Use it on jobsites and numerous trips. Batterylife is unreal.

Hello, first of all congratulations for the channel, your videos are very interesting. That said, I would like to tell you that the red light, apart from illuminating without dazzling, has a very important function, and that is to facilitate the search in case of rescue, a red light is seen from much further away at night than a white light and makes it much easier to be found by rescue services. I use a black diamond storm, I also love having blue and green light, so my tent doesn't look like a whorehouse XD. Greetings from Spain. Sorry for google traslator :D

I have a Black Diamond Spot. Can't use it because the green and red lights are way too dim. Almost broke my knee in the dark while camping at Indian Garden. Bought a much cheaper EverBrite rechargeable. $18 online. VERY bright green and red. White is 350 lumens max with 3 levels. Downsides: No lockout and as sold 3.5 ounces. Will put on a lighter strap. Probably get under 3 oz. Anyone with poor night vision should consider the EverBrite.

So Dan - After watching the 1st 5 minutes I was wondering if I need a light with a red light? I challenge you to go back and count how many times you said "red light."

pls pls pls use grams in place (or along) ounces - the rest of the world will thank you!

I have an ozark trail headlamp from Walmart that is about 25 dollars and I love it

I know I'm SUPER late to this one, but I highly recommend the BioLite range of headlamps. I've had the 330 for years now and it's the most comfortable headlamp I've ever worn. The 200 is more in line with the others in this review, but I have not tested it myself.

Ultralight is stupid, heavier pack, stronger back

Crazy, a few years ago I ended up getting an "energizer" brand headlamp that was mislabeled making a $40 headlamp $14. It has all these features but also has a green light as well as the red on. The battery thing has become a thing but it's also better and brighter than anything I have. I wanna convert it to lithium ion...

Dan, they also make a 450lm version energizer headlamp for around 25 bucks. I've got one, it's very descent, light! And bright enough

I wear the energizer one backwards With the red light on. So cars can see me

Can you put the Shovkl Cord on the Black Light Spot R?

take a shot every time Dan says "red light" 🤣

Don’t be like me. I made the mistake of getting an all black headlamp because I didn’t like any of the other available colors. It’s impossible to find in the dark, when you need it most.

It's been weeks I'm looking for a rechargeable headlamp that just turns on and off and it's impossible to find. Does anyone know where I can get one like that? and not one with useless light modes

Carrying a headlamp on a neck is an invention worth this vid alone.

I buy headlamps based on how dim they can go and how bright. A dim light is so nice to have so you don't blind your friends. I know the red light is for that but sometimes you need to see the color of something.

I use the Biolite Headlamp Rechargeable 330 and its adjustable output level for all modes is quite nice. Works well in the biolite ecosystem and doubles as an easy way to recharge the headlamp and all my camera gear for extended trips while in the back country.

I have the Nitecore NU25. Can only recommend, weight, functionality and comfort is spot on.

Costco sells a great 3 pack of duracell headlamps for $15

Red lights are awesome when you only want to illuminate something briefly, that way you will still be able to see reasonable well once you turn the red light off. White light will cause you and your buddies to completely loose your night vision and have to reacclimatize to the dark conditions.

I forget the model, but a friend gave me a nice Black Diamond head lamp about...5ish years ago. He used it for at least a few years, got a newer one to replace it, and so I inherited it. It's fantastic - flood and spot, 3 power levels, and the red (if I remember) is also flood and spot. 3 AAA batteries, lasts for a long time! Many days of use before needing to change batteries.

Zebralight will replace all these lights because it’s multi mode and gives you option to program UI to any light level you want. A moon mode in white led will preserve night vision better than a red lamp.

Testing all the cheap and nasty lights

Get some.

I recommend the Petzl e+lite. Very light and batteries last for months.

I got a Notecore HC65 for my hike up and into 2 volcanoes. The extra lumens was definitely useful when navigating the way down the crater in pitch darkness. It is heavier than all the lights featured here.

I have a LEDlenser and it's pretty cool. Rechargeable with a mag-safe cable, light detaches from the strap for multiple uses. Really fits everything I was looking for in a headlamp.

I really love that first part where I watch you guys clean up.

here in Germany there is a saying: if you buy cheap you buy twice. I have an old Black Diamond Storm from 2013 and it still works fine. Why? Because you can replace the batteries :-). All other devices (rechargeable) in my household from that time are gone (cell-phones, tooth-brushes, computers etc.). I get the argument for a rechargeable headlamp however if you want to get the absolut most for your hard earned bucks, go for interchangeable batteries. Alternatively products like the Petzl SWIFT headlamps are a great way to move forward. There you can interchange the rechargeable battery itself :-) :-) :-).

Skilhunt H04 - Super bright, super light and the belt clip fits in the headband bracket. I have the Black Diamond Storm 400 and I do like this lamp for it’s features but for brightness it has nothing on the Skilhunt. Look out for a deal and get a Samsung 30Q battery. Torch £33, battery £4.99. Absolute bargain!

Dude looks like jack ryan

I had some other old piece of nightcore thing. The bracket, the battery, the housing split in half and the strap wouldn't stay tight. I had it all taped with packing tape and i just sent it back to them lol

Would you kindly compare the biolite string, ridgelight and mtnglo lights? If you could eval and offer two recommendations, one for best lights for camping and the other for ultralight backpacking lights (least power used, lightest, great light/brightness). No-one has done this comparison, and I think the ridgelight is great, but over a 5 day trip, i do not know which of the three would be the best balance of weight, power draw, and light offered. What is the point of a lightweight string light that is bright but kills the battery bank on use or recharge?

My perfect head lamp would have the following features. 1) The main lamp unit be less than 90 grams. Have a Red lamp with wide beam controlled by wide beam LED button with first 2 modes being medium & high red light. 2) There be a dedicated 6500k Wide beam LED & a 6500K Long throw LED - with 5 to 10 step (multiple presses) increase from 2 lumens & also a dual direction slow ramping mode option (press+hold / release for ramp direction change). 3) Both LEDs would have dedicated mode buttons situated on the sides of the units adjacent to said LEDs. 4) There would be a main button on top to turn off & on the whole setup with last mode setting in memory & PRESS-HOLD putting the unit into turbo mode at full brightness on both LEDs. 5) The battery compartment (21700/18650 + adapters for 14500/AA & 10440/AAA) be situated on the back of the band to balance the weight of the main unit in front. 6) Both wide & throw beam LEDs be capable of 1000 Lumens each with the turbo mode being 2000 lumens (it can be time limited for 10-20 seconds with a button hold option to keep it turned on till the battery drains). 7) Using the dedicated raised (more ergonomic) mode buttons on the sides of the head unit I should be able to choose how much bright wide beam & how much bright throw beam combination I want for the specific terrain. Going into Turbo mode should not mean loss of the manually set mode combination. 8) Presets combinations should be possible (5-10 presets), activating the preset should be by number of presses of both mode buttons on each side (using the thumb & whichever other finger I use to press both side buttons at once). So preset 1 would be by pressing both buttons 1 & preset 5 would be pressing them together 5 times. 9) Setting a preset for a led mode combination should be activated by pressing both buttons together & holding them for 3 seconds until the LEDs blink in turbo mode twice to indicate preset programming mode & then the LEDs should turn off - now press both mod buttons together as many number of times as the preset number you want to assign & then release the buttons - after 3 seconds of no input, the LEDs must blink as many number of times the preset number you entered as confirmation - so count properly & if a mistake was made. Repeat the process. 10) the unit should be minimum IPX7 & there should be heatsinks to cool the LEDs. 11) There should be IPX7 or above rated USB-C charging as well as magnetic charging option but at the battery compartment in the back of the head - so as to be able to use a Powerbank to charge as well as use the unit simultaneously. The main unit may have a tiny 500mAh or less internal battery (preferably 10440) which should be replaceable by opening the unit with screws. The cost should be less than $40-50.

What I don’t get is the sausage measuring that goes on with headlamps. You see grown men arguing over who has more lumens. Excellent mate, you’ve just burnt my retinas out from across a field… red light, lantern/wide field option, lightweight, rechargeable with a good capacity and reasonably waterproof. I don’t need some sort of photon based weapon on top of my head.

It's not rechargeable it takes 3 AAA size batteries Firefly headlamp at Walmart 300 lumens for 3 hours

I really want that new black diamond. That is awesome that they got rid of the loud clicking. I’m always making that noise with my spot in the middle of the night while my wife is sleeping.

I have one on my head right now. It really is a great head lamp. But I mainly use it on 1 lumin. I don’t like a lot of light.

Saludos Dan desde Madrid, España......sigo subtitulando al español y velocidad de reproducción 0,75. Veo que te trabas de vez en cuando al hablar....y me haces sonreír. Pero veo tus intervenciones porque me proyectas naturalidad y sinceridad. Y te agradezco esta intervención porque en este momento necesito comprar una linterna para la montaña....a ver qué me cuentas!. Un abrazo, bro!.🙋🏻‍♂️🍀

That Black Diamond is just a rip off of the Nitecore. Like, a blatant rip off.

Should check out the Peax backcountry duo headlamp. 1000 lumen with a rechargeable battery and aluminum body. Really good quality

Had a glitch with my video and the screen stayed dark to start the video. Listened for about a minute waiting for a headlight to turn on… only to realize it was a glitch with my phone 🤣🤣🤣

Peax Duo

The best headlamp is actually a waist lamp!! You see shadows since the light is at a lower angle than your eyes which gives you better perception of rocks, roots and curbs!

Did I miss it ? I was wondering how long any of the rechargeable lamps would last ? Will I need to bring a solar charger for them ?

I enjoy Princeton Tec headlamps. Maybe just the first good one I ever owned so stuck with it. Kinda like my love for Bates boots. First good pair of boots I owned so stick with what I know.

The Nitecore nu25 is actually much cheaper on Amazon rn, and i think that's because it's micro USB instead of USB-C which everything is going to right now, so if you have a short micro USB cord to charge this, it will be yours for about $30.

I have the PTec Sync at 90 lum with the red lamp. Bought it ages ago. 2015 Backpacker's Choice... Only great in and around the tent/site, but reliable , very inexpensive.. I must have bought it in 2016. I just bought the BD Spot R, as per your review here.

i like my COSOOS rubber headlamp which has floodlight and spotlight, comfortable to wear and only weighs 2.4oz, pretty bright too.

You should check out the Nebo Mycro, half the price of the NU25, 400lumens, red and green lights.

If it’s not Petzl it’s not worth it

Had my Petzl TACTIKKA + well over 8 years now and rarely have needed a battery change while out. Plus they can take the rechargeable core batteries.

My wife renamed her favorite toy Dan Pecker after I got her the Pale Blue Earth rechargeable batteries awhile back when you recommended them! Thanks DP👍

I like the Ledlenser headlamps. Especially my hr7core. It's a bit overkill with 600lm constant beam and 1000lm boost, plus also no red light... For what I use it, it's good. It has a twist knob dial to set the brightness and a twist lens to go from spotlight to beam, so whatever you want, (maybe inbetween idk) thats possible. I use it as a bike light with some different atachments (it's officially a headlamp with battery pack pack on the back, kind of too heavy to run in). My MH7 is better for backcountry, as it has a redlight and lock feature, plus it's descently light for a 300lm lamp with 600boost (~140gram?). Rechargable with magnetic cable, plus also AA battery compatible (shorter run time, but very nice feature just in case!) I like the twist lens on ledlensers. You don't have to switch modes and go through all of them again (plus the off mode) you just twist and voila. They all have lock features.

Always with the increased contrast mr beast face thumbnails

If you want to see black bear up close and personal turn on the red light

I own the NU 25 gen 1 and gen 2. They are my go to. Love this light.

Dan your Battery Bank link doesn't work anymore! Halp!