Best head torch in 2024: head lamps to see in the dark and free up your hands

Man in front of large building at night looking at his camera using the best head torch
(Image credit: N-Photo)

The best head torch is perfect any activity that takes place at night or in a dark space, where you need to work hands-free. 

So whether you're into photography, astronomy or camping, or just want to pop into the garden to check a weird noise, you'll be glad you bought one. A head torch can also be invaluable for any type of delicate close-up work you do, such as cleaning the sensor of your camera

But which is the best head torch for you? Well, depending on your budget, you’ll probably want something that's lightweight, waterproof, rechargeable and which maintains its beam power for as long as possible. In our guide, you'll find a variety of models for different uses, and covering a range of budgets.

Best head torch in 2024

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(Image credit: Energizer)

1. Energizer Vision Ultra Headlight

The best budget head torch

Specifications

LED color: Six modes, including red and green
Beam type: Adjustable, including spot, wide or spot and wide combined
Brightness (Lumens: 400
Dimmable light modes: Yes
Battery type: 3 x AAA
Waterproof rating: IPX4 water resistant only
Runtime: Approx 10 hours on brightest setting
Weight: 120g

Reasons to buy

+
Cheap
+
Batteries included
+
Red mode for star gazing

Reasons to avoid

-
Not rechargeable 

Energizer's strap-on-and-go, LED equipped headband-style head torch comes with a trio of AAA alkaline batteries. A pivoting lamp head allows the light to be directed where you want it, leaving you hands-free, while the lens is said to be water resistant and shatterproof, resisting damage from drops of up to a metre. 

So you don’t get left in the dark without warning, a red low battery indicator lamp starts flashing when power is failing. Six modes, including a red and green option, allow you to cleverly preserve night vision, and there's also a dimming option to control light intensity. Overall, this is a cheap and fuss-free headlamp that's good for most purposes, although note that it's not rechargeable.

(Image credit: Petzl)

2. Petzl Actik Core 450

The best head torch for value

Specifications

LED color: Red or white
Beam type: Flood, Mixed
Brightness (Lumens): 450
Dimmable light modes: Yes, via three adjustable brightness levels (Proximity, Movement & Distance)
Battery type: Rechargeable cell or optional 3 x AAA batteries
Waterproof rating: IPX4 water resistant only
Runtime: Up to 140 hours
Weight: 75g

Reasons to buy

+
Compact design
+
Strong power output
+
Rechargeable or single-use batteries

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the cheapest 

With a usefully detachable and washable headband that has reflective elements for night time visibility and safety, this lightweight (75g), one-size-fits-all option features a rechargeable battery that's fully charged in three hours. Alternatively you can use three optional AAA batteries for those embarking on longer trips. 

It's easy to use via a handily placed single button, and you can adjust both the beam of light and its intensity and color – including a red light mode for night vision. Further peace of mind comes via a five year user guarantee. Detachable, washable and rechargeable, this head torch has a lot to offer. So even though it's not the absolute cheapest on our list, we think it offers the best overall value.

(Image credit: Black Diamond)

3. Black Diamond Cosmo 300

The best head torch for astrophotography and astronomy

Specifications

LED color: White, plus red
Beam type: Flood, spot
Brightness (Lumens): 300
Dimmable light modes: Yes
Battery type: 3x AAA
Waterproof rating: IPX8
Runtime: Up to 200 hours on lowest setting or 4.25 hours on highest
Weight: 83g

Reasons to buy

+
Fully waterproof
+
Red light can be dimmed
+
You can access red light without having to turn on white light

Reasons to avoid

-
Batteries are not rechargeable

Getting your eyesight accustomed to the dark takes time, and so stargazers and astrophotographers use red light to avoid losing this hard-earned visual sensitivity. The trouble is that lots of head torches force you to toggle through the white light to get to the red light, negating the advantage of this night vision mode. 

The Black Diamond Cosmo, however, you can switch the red light on and off with no danger of turning on the white light. It also has a fully dimmable red illumination, so you only need to dial up as much light as you actually need to adjust your telescope and camera equipment. 

(Image credit: Biolite)

4. BioLite HeadLamp 325

The best lightweight head torch

Specifications

LED color: White or red
Beam type: Spot, strobe
Brightness (Lumens): 325
Dimmable light modes: Yes, White + Dim or Red + Dim
Battery type: Rechargeable cell 700 mAh Lithium Ion
Waterproof rating: IPX4 water resistant only
Runtime: Up to 40 hours on low, three hours on high
Weight: 50g

Reasons to buy

+
Very lightweight
+
325 lumens brightnes
+
Red light option

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the most water resistant

This BioLite headlight weighs just 50g, so you can easily forget you're wearing it, especially as it doesn't bounce when you walk. And yet it gives off a powerful 325 lumens of brightness, giving you a beam distance of up to 229 feet (70m).

Convenience further comes in the shape of micro USB charging of its rechargeable battery, and the fact that its front panel can be tilted downward to train on whatever bit of camera kit you’re adjusting. Its light modes are versatile, in that a classic white spot beam can be swapped for a dimmable red for night time activity. 

(Image credit: Black Diamond)

5. Black Diamond Storm 400

The best head torch for waterproofing

Specifications

LED color: White, plus red, green or blue night vision
Beam type: Proximity or Distance modes
Brightness (Lumens): 400
Dimmable light modes: Yes
Battery type: 4x AAA
Waterproof rating: IP67 waterproof rated
Runtime: Up to 200 hours on lowest setting or five hours on highest
Weight: 120g

Reasons to buy

+
Fully waterproof
+
Red light option
+
Bright 400 lumen output 

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavier than some
-
Not rechargeable

The Black Diamond Storm 400 is waterproof for up to 30 minutes at a one-metre depth. It's dustproof, too, and relatively powerful at 400 lumen strength. Plus it has a memory brightness function, so that it will revert back to the previous power setting after it’s been turned off and on again. 

Requiring four included AAA batteries enables it to last for up to a whopping 200 hours on its lowest setting. Okay, so it’s not rechargeable out of the box, but there’s nothing to stop you from using your own rechargeable batteries in it. Further features include the ability to dim or strobe the light, with various color settings including not only red night vision but also green or blue, with a secondary switch provided for fine tuning.

(Image credit: Vont)

6. Vont Spark LED Headlamp

The best head torch sold in a twin pack

Specifications

LED color: White
Beam type: Not given
Brightness (Lumens: 200
Dimmable light modes: Yes
Battery type: 3x AAA
Waterproof rating: IPX5 waterproof rated
Runtime: Up to 90 hours
Weight: 85g

Reasons to buy

+
Sold in twin packs

Reasons to avoid

-
You may only want one

Want not one but two head torches? This one comes in a bundle of two, with batteries included, offering excellent value. Waterproof and drop resistant, it comes with seven different light modes that you can flick between with a single switch and, dependent on viewing requirements, ranging from low to high power for both the main light and its side lights. 

The light itself is tilted at a 45° angle for, its manufacturer claims, easier viewing and the avoidance of neck ache. Powered by three regular AAA batteries to deliver a setup said to be lighter than an egg, the Vont Spark comes with a lifetime warranty to help you sleep soundly at night.

(Image credit: Coleman)

7. Coleman BatteryGuard 250L Headlamp

The best head torch for occasional use

Specifications

LED color: White, plus red, green or blue night vision
Beam type: Proximity or Distance modes
Brightness (Lumens): 250
Dimmable light modes: Yes
Battery type: 3x AAA
Waterproof rating: IPX4 waterproof rated
Runtime: Up to 200 hours (low setting), 4 hours (hight setting)
Weight: 105g

Reasons to buy

+
BatteryGuard feature completely disconnects power when not in use
+
IPX4 water resistance
+
Red light option

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavier than some
-
Not rechargeable

This circular lamp has a light switch that physically disconnects the three AAA batteries from the lighting circuitry, thus extending cell and torch life by minimizing the chance of battery drain or corrosion. It's a great feature that will be loved by those who only need a head torch for emergencies, or who are likely to leave it in a bag for extended periods between expeditions. The circular beam claims a maximum range of 125m, when its 250 lumen lamp is used at maximum power.

Silva Trail Speed 5XT, one of the best head torches

(Image credit: Silva)

8. Silva Trail Speed 5XT

The best head torch for brightness

Specifications

LED color: White
Beam type: ‘Intelligent Light System’ creates beams adapted to how eyes see in the dark
Brightness (Lumens: 1200
Dimmable light modes: Yes
Battery type: Rechargeable
Waterproof rating: IPX5 waterproof rating
Runtime: 40 hours on minimum mode, 16 hours on medium mode and 10 hours on maximum mode
Weight: 321g

Reasons to buy

+
1200 lumen maximum beam output
+
Great for light painting

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Not the lightest

Want a head torch that's super-bright? Here's our top pick: a 1200 lumen marvel that can throw out light to a distance of 160 metres (525 feet). Offering three brightness levels, it will last up to 10 hours at full power, 16 hours on medium mode, or 40 hours on super-low mode (80 lumens). 

There's a battery indicator, a built-in low battery warning and a reserve mode, which automatically adjusts the light to a setting that ensures you get back home safely with 30 minutes of guaranteed light. We also like the large on/off button that's easy to operate even with gloves on. On the downside this head torch is expensive, but you need a lot of light thrown on your subject, that may justify the cost.

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Gavin Stoker

Gavin has over 30 years’ experience of writing about photography and television. He is currently the editor of British Photographic Industry News, and previously served as editor of Which Digital Camera and deputy editor of Total Digital Photography


He has also written for a wide range of publications including T3, BBC Focus, Empire, NME, Radio Times, MacWorld, Computer Active, What Digital Camera and the Rough Guide books.


With his wealth of knowledge, Gavin is well placed to recognize great camera deals and recommend the best products in Digital Camera World’s buying guides. He also writes on a number of specialist subjects including binoculars and monoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, trail cameras, action cameras, body cameras, filters and cameras straps. 

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