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Most cyclists like to hit the road either early in the morning or late at night, when traffic on the roads in the neighborhood is at its lowest. However, riding a bike in the dark can be dangerous without the proper gear. This is where the best bike helmet light comes into play.
Helmets with lights are necessary for those who cycle on roads without many reflectors, as they allow you to navigate dark, dingy streets with ease and gain a competitive edge. Mount them on any regular bike helmet, and you are ready to ride through foggy mornings and dusky pavements safe and sound.
The best-selling helmet lights listed here are compact, affordable, durable, and high-performing. They offer enough illumination to help you see incoming vehicles as well as bumps in the road while notifying other drivers of your existence. So, keep scrolling and get a tried-and-tested one that suits your cycling needs.
Top Picks
13 Best Bike Helmet Lights
1. Best Strap-On:Ascher USB Rechargeable Bike Light Set
Image: Ascher This strap-on bike light is a backup worth having on your helmet to add visibility to roads with no lamp posts. The versatility of this head and tail light lies in its ability to be used in any combination as a helmet, front, or backlight. The silicone mount straps fit well on helmets, around bike posts, and bike seats. The white light will serve perfectly as a helmet light, while the red LED taillight can be attached either to the front or the back of the bike for added visibility. Housing a 650 mAh battery, the helmet light can provide 3.5 hours of continuous light at full brightness on a complete charge, while the tail light can provide 2.5 hours at full brightness. The icing on the cake is that it can also be used as an emergency flashlight.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Easy installation
- Four light modes
- USB rechargeable light
Cons
- It may not be bright enough in foggy conditions.
"Installing these bike lights was tricky due to the fragile strips, but once they're on, they shine bright, enhancing visibility during night rides. They were adaptable enough, fitting my son's bike and my dog's collar. While the brightness could be improved, they do their job decently. The overall battery life hasn't disappointed. The light is a bit bigger but resilient, and the rechargeability and durability make it a smart investment."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Join the 35,043 satisfied buyers on Amazon who have said the product meets their needs and expectations.
Point to consider2. Best Pressure-Resistant:Vont Scope Bike Light
Image: Vont This set of two bike lights work well together, with one serving as a helmet light and the other as a rear light. The Vont Scope bike helmet light gets its name from its narrow scope-like build. The ultra-bright beam radiating from this LED bike helmet light is 120 lumens, while the rear light offers a 15-lumen output. This increases visibility to an extensive range and minimizes the chances of accidents when cycling at night or in extreme climatic conditions such as fog and haze. Last but not least, the company offers a lifetime warranty. Check out this review cum testing video to know more about the bright light for bikes.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Pressure-resistant
- Water-resistant
- Long-lasting rechargeable battery
Cons
- The holder may not fit all helmets and bikes
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 20,910 customers on Amazon have opined that this is one of the best products in its category.
3. Best Sleek: Canway Ultra Bright Bike Light
With a powerful light of 168 lumens, COB lamp beads, and a 260°-wide angle, this tried-and-tested safety bike light by CANWAY will serve well when riding on busy and dark roads. It is widely used for mountain bikes and can be laced on handlebars, helmets, backpacks, and bike seats. It features a sleek design that gives it a futuristic and visually appealing look. The LED bike light has 5-lighting modes consisting of red and blue colors. This set of helmet and tail lights will safely guide you down the most difficult roads and through the worst weather conditions.
Pros
- Features a power button
- Rechargeable
- IPX-4 Waterproof
- Both vertical and horizontal mounting
Cons
- Mount may not hold the light tightly in place on uneven terrains.
"I found this bicycle lamp suitable for my son with its variety of modes and rechargeable features. While it is smaller than expected, it's impressively bright and lasted a good hour on a night ride. Its police-like flashing mode is an attention-getter, and its mounting is a breeze. The silicone strap secures the light well throughout the rides, making it highly visible and convenient."
Ascher USB Rechargeable Bike Light Set Best Strap-On | Vont Scope Bike Light Best Pressure-Resistant | Canway Ultra Bright Bike Light Best Sleek | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 5.64 Ounces | 4.27 Ounces | 10 Grams |
| Material | Silicone, Plastic | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | Plastic |
| Color | White&Red | Black | Black |
| Dimensions LxWxH | - | - | 5 x 2.5 x 1 inches |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 35,043 | 20,910 | 4,509 |
| Price | $15.99 | $15.99 | $17.99 |
4. Best Versatile:Greerride Bike Helmet Light
Image: Greerride The Greerride rechargeable bike helmet light has an extra-wide beam LED light, making you visible from multiple angles. It also features a flashing light that is visible even in daylight. This versatile bike light can be attached to the helmet, handlebar, or under the bike seat. The focused beam makes it a must-have accessory for cyclists who prefer to ride in the dark. Included among the best-selling options, it has an adjustable mounting bracket that allows you to tilt it to your convenience, and the aluminum alloy cover makes it durable.
Pros
- USB rechargeable battery
- Six lighting modes
- Convenient single button operation
- Can be installed in parallel or perpendicular configuration
- Waterproof and lightweight
Cons
- Silicone mount may be short for bulky helmets
"I bought this helmet light for my bike commute and it's certainly worth investing in, providing safety and illumination. While mounting it was an easy process, It was a bit tricky to remove for charging. The battery life is strong, and the brightness is adequate for a supplementary light. A bonus is the taillight, although its visibility could be better. The light's quality is great, and it is lightweight, making it a better option over others."
5. Best Lightweight:ThorFire Bike Taillights
The ThorFire LED helmet bike light is equipped with an LED brightness chip of up to 120 lumens, providing a safe and visible ride while on a journey. It features a 180° wide-angle visual design that allows for amazing visibility of up to 200 meters. With a slim design, this light easily fits most road bike helmets and stays in place even while riding on rough and uneven surfaces. The RGB colors make it look flashy and enhance its visual aesthetics, especially at night. A power button lies centered on the lightweight light for easy and smooth operation.
Pros
- Features a one-touch dismount button
- Multiple modes
- Easy installation
- USB rechargeable
- IPX4 water-resistant
Cons
- May not be legal in some states because of the flashing blue light
"The light is quite bright and alerting, with various flashing options. I like its utility, especially when riding in tourist zones. It boosts my confidence, knowing I can be seen. It's refreshing to find a product that caters to different laws restricting certain light color combinations. Easy USB recharging is a bonus."
6. Best Temperature-Resistant:Streamlight 69140 Vantage Helmet Mounted Tactical Light
Image: Streamlight We love this helmet light specifically for its aluminum housing, making it durable and capable of withstanding high temperatures and shocks. In terms of brightness, it is capable of 115-lumen output, offering the rider a competitive edge and a suitable viewing experience in dark and narrow areas. Owing to its textured parabolic reflector, the beam of light produced is smooth and allows for the right amount of illumination for optimal navigation. At the rear end of the Streamlight LED bike helmet bulb is a small ultra-bright blue LED safety light. All in all, the Streamlight Vantage helmet won’t let you down when you need it the most.
Pros
- 360° rotation
- Comes with a power switch
- Water-resistant
- Heavy-duty
Cons
- The batteries may not have a long life.
"It is a pretty decent helmet light. While the battery life is weak and the metal tab is flimsy, it is bright and durable and fits snugly on the helmet. It works well in most situations. Considering the incredible brightness and low weight, it's promising. I'm happy overall."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 1,950 buyers on Amazon have said the product lives up to the hype.
Quick fact7. Best Durable:Topside Helmet Light
Image: Brightside Bike Lights One of the highlights of this time-tested LED bike helmet light from Topside is its ingenious design, featuring both front and rear lights on the same apparatus. This battery-powered light has a lightweight construction that prevents the helmet from being weighed down. Its durable design allows it to survive extreme climate conditions, including freezing temperatures and humid weather. The LED light boasts a long battery life capable of emitting a powerful light of 100 lumens. Lay your hands on this waterproof light for helmets for a safe ride every time you take your bike.
Pros
- Switchable modes
- Rechargeable
- Dust-proof
- Easy mounting
Cons
- May discharge quickly in cold weather
"This light fit well on my helmet and performed as expected. Its lightweight build impressed me. The front light is particularly intense and the rear one offers several settings for visibility. While it is not superbly bright, its features like dual lights and multiple blink speeds add value. Suitable for anyone keen on safety, its good battery life also stands out."
8. Best Aesthetically-Pleasing:SIGEM – Premium Quality LED Safety Lights
Image: Sigem At first glance, this pack of three LED Bike lights appears attractive, but there’s so much more to it. The sleek and simple design complements the looks of any bike by adding a sense of style to it. This innovative light features easy-to-attach velcro straps that make mounting a cakewalk. Each smart light can stay illuminated for up to 100 hours before requiring you to change the batteries. These little beasts are exceptionally durable and boast a water-resistant make, thus being suitable for riding in various weather conditions. If you’re looking to purchase compact, aesthetically pleasing, useful, and long-lasting lights for your bike at an excellent price, these may be the ones for you.
Pros
- Three light modes
- Clip-on design
- Stylish light
- Easy operation
- Wide application
- Reasonable price
Cons
- The red light may not be as bright.
"I'm impressed with these bright lights and their multiple settings. They're perfect for my evening walks and morning bike rides. I appreciate the thoughtful inclusion of additional batteries, tools, and straps. This pocket-sized light ticks most of my boxes, and I would recommend them."
9. Best Impact-Resistant:Nightstick FDL-300R-K01 Helmet Light
Image: Nightstick This bike helmet light from Nightstick is a work of brilliance with 180 lumens worth of brightness. The high-quality light throws a powerful light beam that covers up to 190 meters to light up your trail, making it ideal for all kinds of outdoor adventures. While it looks rather simple, it more than meets the mark with its impressive three hours of run time in terms of functionality. The design resembles that of a torch and is equipped with a power switch on its tail end. Give this helmet light a try if you intend to use your helmet light for tactical, outdoor, or recreational purposes.
Pros
- LED technology
- 140° adjustability
- IP-X7 waterproof design
- Impact-resistant tempered glass
Cons
- Some may find it heavy.
"This light is durable and ideal for various settings, be it extreme heat or cold. It's bright, and the batteries have a reasonable lifespan, though they're not the common types you'd find around the house. It's lightweight, shock-resistant, and water-resistant, making it suitable for kids too. While the mount may need some tweaks to fit specific helmets, it holds the light securely."
10. Best Compact:Topeak HeadLux Helmet Light
Image: Topeak The dual red and white lights on this bike helmet light crafted by Topeak not only light up the path ahead but also add to the looks of your road bike helmet. The light can be easily fixed onto the handlebars of bikes or even helmets. The light makes use of two small lithium-ion batteries. Each light features a wrap around the lenses to enable visibility from all angles.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Compact design
- Three lighting modes
- Has a 220° visibility range
Cons
- The Velcro strap may not be long enough.
"I bought this helmet light for its different modes and better visibility. The Velcro straps make it easy to mount. Its compact design is an asset, but its brightness might be comparatively moderate. I find it a good investment for rider safety."
Quick tip11. Best Performance:Cat Eye AMPP800 Rechargeable Bike Headlight
Image: Cat Eye The Cat Eye AMPP800 USB rechargeable bike headlight is ideal for your next outdoor adventure as it offers an 800lm wide beam illumination for 1.5 hours at a stretch. Its high mode option ensures a secure night time and off-road ride, while its adjustable bracket allows it to fit most standard bicycles, making it a versatile headlight. Moreover, this adjustable light is easy to charge and features a battery level indicator to facilitate timely recharges. You can mount the durable light on the road bike helmet or the handlebar.
Pros
- Five light modes, including flashing
- Includes a USB cable
- Enhanced side visibility
- Sturdy alloy body
Cons
- May not be suitable for long rides
- May not be lightweight
"The helmet-mounted light is bright but may not be bright enough for trail riding. It's slightly heavy yet sturdy with good battery life, lasting my usual three-hour rides. When paired with a handlebar light, it's sufficient. It stays secure on bumpy city rides too. Love its steady performance over time."
12. Best Powerful Battery:Maketheone Bicycle Helmet Light
This feature-filled little beast will blow your mind with its all-black finish, which adds a refined and classy look. The Maketheone bike helmet light excels in terms of looks as well as functionality. Its ability to give an output of 1200 lumens of brightness makes it easy for riders to navigate at night. The red tail light included with this powerful helmet light comes with four different modes. It is powered by a 1400mAh battery capable of providing four-five hours of continuous light. This makes it ideal for riders going on long journeys. Furthermore, the flexibility of use on helmets accounts for much of its growing popularity.
Pros
- Smart charger
- Multifunctional
- 5 adaptable modes
- Large battery capacity
Cons
- May weigh down the helmet
13. Best Rechargeable:Life Mounts LED Tactical Bike Helmet Light
Image: Life Mounts It’s easy to see that the design of this helmet light makes it stand out from the rest of the competition. The affordable lights have four different light modes, which include high, low, red, and red-strobe. Courtesy of its mounting mechanism, this helmet light by Life Mounts is compatible with a vast range of road bike helmets. This powerful little light is durable and quite capable of helping you navigate safely through dark areas for several years.
Pros
- Rechargeable
- Features an on and off switch
- Water-resistant
- Shockproof
Cons
- May not have a wide light angle
"The product shines brightly, and is perfect for low-light conditions while organizing or map reading. It just needs minor adjustments to mount it right. While the plastic feels flimsy, it ensures safety in certain situations. However, Its ease of use and versatile settings foster a satisfying experience."
Types Of Bike Helmet Lights
If you’re wondering what type of helmet light would best suit your requirements, here’s more information about the different types of helmet lights.
- Front helmet lights: As the name suggests, these helmet lights are fixed onto the front of your helmet and help light up the path ahead. These are extremely crucial when cycling during the day. The type of helmet light will depend upon where and at what time of day you’re cycling. Bright and powerful front helmet lights become necessary when traveling off-road, through hard-to-see areas.
- Rear helmet lights: A rear helmet light truly shines when a cyclist moves through an urban area. The tail light makes you visible and allows others behind you to see you. Unlike front lights, tail or rear lights do not have to be very bright. Even a rear helmet light of around 200 lumens will be enough to alert anyone that a cyclist is ahead.
- EL tapes: Electroluminescent tapes are an inexpensive way to add lights to your bike and helmet. They are available in different colors and functionality and can also enhance the looks of your helmet. The strips of lights usually have adhesive on the reverse side through which they can be stuck onto helmets without much difficulty. While this serves the purpose to a certain extent, it isn’t always desirable. This is because the EL stapes may not always provide enough light for riding down dark and dingy paths.
- LED helmet strips: LED helmet strips are very similar to EL tapes. Just like EL tapes, LED strips for helmets are glued or taped to helmets. To put it simply, these are common use LED strips that can be stuck on helmets to illuminate the dark path that lies ahead. They can be added to helmets and handlebars to provide a substantial amount of light for those riding at night or midday through poorly lit paths.
How To Choose The Right Mountain Bike Helmet Lights?
These are a few factors you need to consider when choosing a mountain bike helmet.
- Brightness: This is one of the most important considerations when purchasing a bike helmet light. The brightness of a light is indicated by its lumen. A suitable light for safe cycling on roads would be anywhere between 300-500 lumens. However, when it comes to off-road cycling, a brighter light is recommended. This is because it involves traversing rugged paths and dark lanes. For off-road cycling, something closer to 1000 lumens would be ideal.
- Type: The type of helmet light will largely depend upon the roads through which the cyclist rides. Front lights help navigate through dark trails and are suitable for those who enjoy mountain biking. However, rear lights could be a lifesaver in certain situations. While cycling, one is more likely to meet with collisions from behind than in front. Rear lights help others see that a cyclist is up ahead, allowing them to race or drive carefully. It’s always better to invest in both a front as well as a rear helmet light.
- Mode of lighting: Most bike helmet lights are equipped with different lighting modes and brightness settings. These lighting modes help cater to different needs and situations. The number of lighting modes will vary significantly from one band to another. For reference, a helmet light with 3 to 5 lighting options is considered ideal for limited visibility conditions. The ability to increase or decrease the brightness level of the helmet light gives you more control.
- Mounting mechanism: An often overlooked feature is the mounting mechanism of the helmet light. This is very crucial as a low-quality mounting mechanism or the kind that’s not preferable affects comfort and becomes a nuisance to put on and remove. Purchasing a bike helmet light that can be safely mounted and easily removed is desirable. Models with velcro attachments or rubber straps seem to be a popular and reliable option
- Weight: Nothing can kill the experience of cycling more than a heavy bike helmet light. Most cyclists travel for long distances and through different paths night and day. Having a heavy and bulky helmet light can become more of an obstruction than a safety measure. The last thing any cyclist would want is a heavy and oversized helmet light.
- Batteries: Most bike helmet lights make use of AA, AAA, or small-sized lithium-ion batteries. While many offer models that are rechargeable, there are still quite a few helmet lights that don’t support rechargeable batteries. Having a rechargeable one allows you to charge it back to full capacity through a power bank, eliminating the need to purchase and carry new batteries constantly.
Sam Lawrence, a cycling fanatic, reviewer of e-bikes, and professional bike mechanic, says, “A helmet-mounted light is effective for off-road riding as it provides illumination in the direction you are looking, while a fixed handlebar light only illuminates what is directly in front of you. Helmet lights can also be helpful for road cycling or commuting, as they provide added visibility and depth perception.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are bike helmet lights legal?
Bike helmet lights are legal if they are not mounted too high from the ground. It should not be mounted higher than 1500mm. Check your state laws regarding its use, as the rules may vary across different states.
2. Are bike helmet lights waterproof?
Most bike helmet lights are waterproof. However, always examine the features of the lights before purchasing them to ensure they match your requirements.
3. How long does the battery of a helmet light last?
This may vary with each product. For example, AA batteries have a larger capacity and last longer than AAA batteries.
4. Can helmet lights be switched on while charging?
Yes, most of these lights can be switched on while charging. However, it may affect their longevity.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Bike helmet lights are crucial for bikers. Thus, Wedetso Chirhah, our in-house writer and reviewer of outdoor products, has compiled this list of the best bike helmet lights that you can easily add to any regular helmet. He has described the different aspects of each product, including their pros and cons. In addition, Wedetso has included a buying guide to help you pick the right product that enhances your safety while riding a bike.
The Bottom Line
The first step towards road safety for a biker is investing in high-quality and safe riding gear to stay protected in any situation. A bike helmet light is one such device that helps illuminate dark and dingy pathways, keeping you safe at all times. Before purchasing the ideal one, look at all the different types, such as front helmet lights, rear helmet lights, EL tapes, and LED helmet strips, to choose one based on your specific needs and riding requirements. Also, consider other crucial factors such as light power, number of different lighting modes, weight, size, design and style, and extended battery life. A good bike helmet light must also be convenient to mount on and detach. Keeping these points in mind will help you navigate the overwhelming number of options and ensure your safety during your every adventure. Our top recommendations include the Vont Scope Bike Light for its extensive range, the ThorFire Bike Tail Light for its USB-rechargeable design, and the Streamlight Vantage Helmet Mounted Tactical Light, which has a tiny blue LED safety light and is temperature-resistant.
Infographic: What Are The Advantages Of Using Bike Helmet Lights?
Bike helmet lights are essential for cyclists, enhancing visibility for safe riding. These portable and versatile lights attach easily to your helmet, illuminating your path in the direction you turn your head. Explore the infographic below to understand why you should invest in bike helmet lights.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Quality-Adjusted Life-Years and Helmet Use Among Motorcyclists Sustaining Head Injuries
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2791254/
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