How to Select a Headlamp

A headlamp is a very useful tool that can be used for a wide variety of situations including setting up your tent at night, going for a run at dusk, or searching for the 10mm socket you lost in your engine bay. You may think that any old headlamp will work for you. However, there are certain factors that should be considered depending on your intended use.

What Does Lumens Mean?

Lumens and candela are both lighting measurement units, but they measure different aspects of a lighting device. Lumens refers to the total amount of light a lighting apparatus emits. Candela refers to the amount of light emitted by a lighting device in a particular direction. Lumens do not consider the spread or divergence of light while the Candela value is concerned primarily with a focused beam of light.

For example, you have a 1,700 Lumen light with a 135 Candela rating. This means while the light emits a large measurement of light (Lumens) because it spreads the light out so wide, it has a low Candela rating. If that same light emits its light in a much narrower 20-degree beam, then the Candela value will increase to 18,000. Essentially, the higher the Candela value, the more narrow and focused the light will be. Learn more about lumens and candela in our Flashlight Features & Brightness Guide.

How Many Lumens Do I Need for My Headlamp?

So how do you know what Lumen and Candela value you’ll need in your headlamp flashlight? For most people and situations, a lower Candela value would be more beneficial. If you are looking for that 10mm socket in your engine bay, a very bright and focused beam can wash out objects making it much harder to actually find. A lower Candela light would have a much wider beam, illuminating more surface area without concentrating on a single spot.

Someone looking for an LED headlamp to use while they go for a run, hike, or biking at dusk would also benefit from a lower Candela light as a wider area will be illuminated. For that situation, however, you may also want more Lumens (brighter headlamp) in order to illuminate as much of the path in front of you as possible. Headlamps relay this information with terms like Flood and Spot. Floodlights do not throw light at a long distance (low Candela), while Spotlights have a tight beam that best enables long-distance viewing (high Candela). 

What Are the Different Headlamp Colors For?

Although white light is the most common LED color in headlamps, many offer other color options such as red and blue. White light is great for all-around, everyday illumination. Blue is the only color that can cut through fog and can also be used for reading maps, as red light will wash out red lines on the map. Blue light is also used by police and crime investigators as it will make blood and fluids visible that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye. Red light does not appear as bright to the human eye as white light. Red light headlamps can also assist in navigating in the dark because once turned off, it won’t ruin your natural night vision.

Infrared (IR) light is also offered in some headlamps, such as the Streamlight Sidewinder, which is useful for hunting and tracking at night with the use of night vision devices. IR light is not visible to the human eye and will not give away your position when in use. 

Headlamp Run Time & Battery 

The run time of any particular headlamp seems self-explanatory; however, the industry has changed the way they measure run time on their headlamps in 2020. Prior to 2020, manufacturers would measure the run time of their headlamps to the point at which it no longer produces visible light at 2 meters. In the new testing method, manufacturers now consider the point at which the light produces 10% of its original brightness as the point where the run time ends. If you find two similar headlamps with drastically different run times, one may not have been tested with the new method yet. 

Headlamp Brightness Levels and Modes Explained

A high and low output mode is offered on most headlamps. However, some headlamps offer three or more modes such as:

• Strobe - This mode makes the light flash repeatedly acting as an emergency SOS blinker. Some headlamps can also adjust the rate at which the light strobes (slow or fast).
• High - This is the max output your headlamp can produce, good for when the most amount of light is required.
• Mid – This mode provides an extra choice for light output that you can choose from.
• Low – This is the standard output mode that can be used for most tasks that don’t require the brightest beam possible. 
• Boost – This mode is not extremely common among headlamps but provides a brief intense beam of light. Using this mode can affect the run time of your headlamp. 

Do Headlamps Come With Batteries?

Very often a new headlamp will include a set of batteries. Some headlamps require disposable Alkaline Batteries or Lithium Batteries while others may require rechargeable NiMH batteries and compatible Battery Chargers to function. Lithium batteries are a good choice for cold weather usage as they outperform Alkaline. Rechargeable Batteries can also perform well in cold conditions but tend to lose power when sitting idle.

Some headlamps can function with both Lithium and rechargeable batteries as well. The most common size for headlamps is AAA Batteries, but some use different sizes or systems. A few high-power headlamps use external Battery Packs that can be fitted to the headband. There are also rechargeable headlamps with integrated battery packs for quick and simple charging.

Other Headlamp Features to Look For

Headlamps also offer many other features that may appeal to you depending on your intended use. The ability to tilt the headlamp up and down is a nice feature to have as it allows you to position the beam exactly where you want. 

Water resistance may be a feature you require. If this is the case, select a headlamp that boasts a waterproof or resistant rating in order to withstand rain, snow, or even minor immersion. 

The method of mounting your headlamp is also very important. Some include head straps while others don’t, and some can be mounted to a helmet as well. Ensure you consider the method of mounting the headlamp as you may have to purchase additional parts or straps for secure mounting.

On and Off switches also vary depending on the headlamp you decide to purchase. Buttons and switches are primarily used for activation. Some will even lock in order to prevent the light from being activated whilst in a pack. 

Choosing a Headlamp Summary

To choose the headlamp that will suit your needs the best, think about how you intend to use the headlamp. In what environment(s) will it be exposed, and what its primary purpose or function will be? From there, you can more easily narrow down the type of Lumen and Candela value (brightness and beam coverage), functions and modes, LED colors, and mounting methods that will best work for your application. 

Shop at OpticsPlanet for Headlamps!

Shop online at OpticsPlanet.com for the best headlamps from top brands including Petzl Headlamps, Black Diamond Headlamps, Fenix Headlamps, and more! We have a page just for best headlamps based on real, verified reviews so that you can see what actual customers, owners, and users are saying. You can browse to learn more in our other Flashlight How-To Guides and Articles from in-house experts and enthusiasts. Attention Campers: make sure you get your headlamp before your next backpacking trip!