Headlamp LED Test - Compare. Com 2024

LED headlamp: find the best deal with our comparison

Are you looking for the best LED headlamp and want to find the best deal? Then you've come to the right place! We have put various LED headlamps through their paces and are presenting our comparison winner here with a detailed purchase recommendation. In our comparison, we took into account the performance, durability and comfort of the lamps to make your decision easier. We hope our recommendations will help you choose the right LED headlamp for you.

The headlamp, the practical companion in the dark

In our headlamp LED guide from Test-Vergleiche.com we want to bring you closer to the practical benefits of a headlamp. An LED headlamp can be used for a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. When camping, trekking or jogging, a headlamp is a faithful companion. But also to go for a walk with the dog, in the repair under the car or anywhere where light is needed but no hand is free to hold it, a headlamp is essential.

Headlamps are today equipped with modern LED technology. Stiftung Warentest has already tested in its issue 12 / 2005 a headlamp test with seven headlamps for you. More than a decade has passed since then and LED technology has experienced a rapid upturn. While at that time such premises as durability, health and the environment or handling were in focus, other properties are more important today. Therefore we can show you also no current LED headlamp test and also no official LED headlamp test winner of the Stiftung Warentest. What you should pay attention to when buying headlamps LED should bring you closer to our headlamp LED comparison.

Five different models were tested, from the entry-level model for a few euros to the premium model, our headlamp LED comparison winner, the NiteCore HC90 headlamp, which, however, has a high price.

What do you want to order a headlamp for?

If you want to buy a headlamp, it always depends on what purpose the LED headlamp should serve. There are many activities for which you can buy a headlamp. Moving in the dark like exploring caves, climbing, skating, jogging, Nordic walking or even skiing. In all these enterprises, it depends on free hands. The headlamp offers the security, a pinpoint lighting, which is in sync with the line of sight of the head. Paths can be illuminated and potential dangers assessed or averted. Of course, in addition to the sporting activities there are plenty of other uses for an LED headlamp. Working in the mining industry, in workshops or on the building are usually only feasible with the use of the best LED headlamp. An electrician looking in the dark for the failure of the lighting or the mechatronics engineer looking for cable connections under the dashboard of a car need an LED headlamp just as the mountain rescue team is looking for missing hikers.

Which LED headlamp for what?

• Tent, bivouac and similar: For a small limited space, the light does not have to be particularly strong, but rather scattered. Here, the red light function is ideal.
• Hiking: With normal fixed paths, headlights ranging from 10 to 20 m are sufficient. Wide scattered light is pleasant, focused light rather counterproductive
• Tours: A long-range beam with maximum light intensity and simultaneous stray light for the near range is optimal
• Biking, skiing: Narrow focusing light is ideal for fast rides. A simultaneous scattered light for the near range is desired.

Which lighting range is correct and which brightness is needed?

Depending on how fast you move in the field, the light cone of the LED headlamp must continue to shine. When cycling fast, the illumination of the terrain must go very far forward in order to react faster to obstacles. In a cave exploration or when going doggy with the dog, this is not the case, because here you will move slowly and it is sufficient to a cone of light from about 10 m. It is the same with the brightness. The higher the luminous flux (lumen), the brighter the environment. When comparing the headlamp LED headlamps we noticed the practical models whose light can be adapted in different modes to the companies or even has a dimming function. So you can illuminate the proximity or switch to high beam. At higher speeds, the main beam is more appropriate, at low speeds, the near illumination with a larger radius is more likely. If your LED headlamp has an additional flashing function, you can also draw attention to yourself in the event of danger. Thus, an LED headlamp is suitable as an all-round model for various activities.

Which special properties are required?

Depending on the type of sport or the areas of application you should pay attention to a robust housing. As a recreational athlete for running at night, mountain bikers, night skiers or speleologists you are exposed to a higher risk of falls than, for example, an athlete. If one bumps one's head or even falls, the headlamp should not immediately give up the ghost. For outdoor activities, it is also advisable to pay attention to the moisture protection. Spill-resistant headlamps survive a downpour, the anglers who might fall into the water with their headlamps should choose a waterproof version.

What does a red light function need?

An LED headlamp with a red light filter ensures good visibility in the dark. It supports the eye to adapt better to different lighting conditions. For example, if you look at a map on the way, the adaptability of the eye to the maps is much better with red light than with bright white light. Then the eye does not need a longer time to get used to the darkness again. This red light can also quickly turn into the tail light, if you want to stay visible from behind.

Operating time of the batteries or rechargeable batteries

The operating times given by the manufacturer can only be regarded as a rough guide. In cold environments, the battery voltage drops and especially with the switchable LED headlamps it depends on the usage time of the individual settings. If moisture penetrates into the battery compartment, a short circuit can occur, which can lead to rapid discharge. If you are traveling with your headlamp in the field, it is always advisable to carry a set of batteries or a spare battery to replace them in an emergency.

Adjustable width and good grip

All headlamps in our headlamp comparison have adjustable head straps. The LED headlamp is optimally secured against slipping with an additional cross strap over the top of the head. Elastic straps are more comfortable to wear than rigid straps. For athletes, the straps should be washable. A low weight is also important for long-term wear. Even if a few hundred grams sounds like little, the weight shouldn't put pressure on the head and possibly lead to tension headaches. The optimal weight including batteries is around 170 grams.

Switch operation and battery compartment

The on / off switch of an LED headlamp should be as concealed as possible, so that it can not switch on automatically and ensures discharged batteries. But he should be big enough to be able to serve him with gloves. A marking of the battery compartment makes sense, so it is easy to find. It should also be able to be opened without tools in order to be able to change the batteries when needed on the go. It is important that in the battery compartment moisture can not penetrate. Corroded connections lead to short circuits and to discharge.

Adjustable lamp head and headband

A continuously adjustable lamp head can be easily adjusted to any situation. The light cone can be aligned optimally and flexibly. The headband has to be flexible and easy to adjust. It should be soft and maybe a bit elastic. So nothing rubs and rubs the head and the headlamp sits perfectly. For heavier lamps, an additional headband is very handy. It relieves the pressure on the forehead and ensures a firm and non-slip fit.

Are there any problems with wearing an LED headlamp?

Headlamps are ideal companions for activities in the dark or in low light conditions. Prolonged wear can still cause tension in the neck area, especially if the light cone is not optimally aligned. Problems can also occur with the eyes. Through the constantly moving light cone, the visual performance can lead to fatigue, tension headache or dizziness.

How does the LED technology work?

In our headlamp LED price comparison we presented you with mains-independent headlamps with LED technology. The LED technology makes it possible to use extremely long-life light-emitting diodes with a minimum of power consumption in order to generate a lot of brightness despite their light weight. Our tested models all have several LEDs which, in conjunction with special lens systems, provide a focused light.

The switchable headlamps with LED technology have a combination of LEDs. A power LED provides normal and long-range vision and two to four additional LEDs provide the necessary scattered light in the near-vision area. A red light function is usually offered for this purpose. It is ideal to see something in the tent at night or to facilitate the adaptation of the eyes.