Cycling can be a great way to get around town, but it can also be a bit dangerous at night. That’s why having some bike lights is important if you plan on riding at night.
Various types and models are available, so it’s important to find the perfect one for your needs and style. In this article, we provide you with our top picks for the best bike lights available today and some useful tips on choosing the best bike lights for your needs so that you can confidently ride at night.
Below are just three of my featured favorites. Scroll further down to see my full roundup, or click here.
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What is a bike light?
A bike light is a device that attaches to your bicycle and helps you see while riding at night or in low-light conditions. They can come in different shapes and sizes, but all use LED lights to provide illumination. Some popular bike lights include white LED headlights, red taillights, rear cargo reflectors, and front headlamps. They also make it easier to ride defensively by making motorists aware of your presence ahead of time.
State Bicycle Co. Black Label 6061
State Bicycle Co. Black Label 6061
How does a bike light work?
Bike lights use various technologies to help you see while cycling at night or in low-light conditions. Some common light types used include LED, laser, and halogen.
LEDs are the most popular type due to their energy efficiency and ability to last up to 50,000 hours without needing replacements. They also have a wide range of colors that can be seen easily from a long distance.
Laser lights emit light waves that travel relatively unimpeded through water and other transparent surfaces. This makes them ideal for tracking cyclists on pathless terrain, such as during nighttime rides or when trees or buildings limit visibility.
What are the different types of bicycle lights?
There are a few different types of bicycle lights that you may want to consider.
Headlight
The most common type is the headlight, which uses a bright white light to provide visibility that can be seen from a distance.
Rear light
A bicycle rear light is a device that attaches to the rear of a bike and helps to make it easier to see while riding at night or in low-light conditions. They are typically made of brightly colored plastic and can include features like flashing LEDs, adjustable brightness levels, or even built-in streetlights.
Front-and-rear light combo
Another option is the front-and-rear light combo, which includes two separate lights on either side of the bike. When it’s dark outside, and you need to make yourself visible to drivers, these headlights will help tremendously!
What are the benefits of using a bike light? (advantages)
Bike lights can be a great way to stay safe when riding your bike at night. They provide visibility for other drivers and make you more visible to oncoming cyclists so they can avoid hitting you.
Additionally, many bike lights are equipped with LED headlights that provide brighter illumination than regular bulbs. This makes it easier to see in dimly lit areas and provides increased safety while cycling at night.
What to consider when buying a bicycle light (things to look for)
When shopping for a bicycle light, remember a few things. These include the type of light you need, the strength of the light, and the type of battery it uses. Here are a few more factors to consider:
1. Consider the type of light you need
When choosing a bicycle light, there are two main types: headlamps and taillights. Headlamps are used to light up your entire path ahead of you, while taillights are used to light up your backside while you’re cycling. Which one do you need, just one, or both?
2. Consider the strength of the light (lumens)
When choosing a light for your bike, ensure that the strength is adequate. For example, some lights are designed specifically for cycling and have higher-strength bulbs than regular headlights or taillights.
The brightness required, however, depends on where you’re riding and can affect your lights’ cost and battery life. The higher the lumen count, the harder they’ll have to work and the more money they’ll cost you.
A 5,000-lumen light on your handlebars isn’t necessary for riding on poorly lit roads because it will dazzle oncoming drivers. Instead, something between 500 and 1,500 lumens in the front and more than 200 lumens in the back would suffice.
You can save money by using fewer lumens if you’re riding in well-lit areas and don’t need to illuminate the path ahead. For example, a front light with 100-200 lumens and rear light with 60-100 lumens can keep you visible.
3. Consider the type of battery it uses
Most lights use either AAA or AA batteries, but some may also use CR2032 batteries. Unfortunately, CR2032 batteries are becoming harder and harder to find, so be sure to check before making your purchase.
Many batteries are affected by temperature, and thus cold can significantly impact run time? Consider purchasing a larger battery if you live in an area where nighttime temperatures drop below freezing.
Knowing how much power your lights have left is also critical. Some bike lights have simple green, orange, and red battery indicator lights, while others display the time or percentage of charge remaining.
If you want even more tips, check out this video called A Guide To Bike Lights | How To Choose Lights For Road Cycling from the Global Cycling Network YouTube Channel.
The five best bike lights of 2022
Below are the best products that you can buy right now.
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Lezyne Lite Drive 1000XL
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Lezyne’s Lite Drive 1000XL gives more than enough brightness and beam spread for cycling on unlit roads, with 1,000 lumens at full power. You’ll only get about 80 minutes of run time at this wattage, but reducing it to the second-highest output (500 lumens) delivers just under three hours of run time, which should be adequate for even the longest trips.
Its CNC-machined aluminum build quality is exceptional, and its IXP7 waterproof rating is well appreciated. The strong, rubber-band mounting technique makes adding and removing the lights a breeze, albeit they’re probably less secure than ratcheted or bolt-mounted choices. At full power, the backlight produces 75 lumens yet provides an astonishing 270 degrees of sight.
Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL
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Don’t be fooled by the 600-lumen power output: the Lezyne Micro Drive 600XL’s two LEDs create a bright front light that’s best suited for usage on rural, unlit roads.
The rubber band handlebar mount is more durable than you might imagine and is simply transferrable from bike to bike.
Although it’s simple to toggle the on/off button to display the battery life indication, switching from low to high beam requires cycling through all nine options. Unfortunatly, because the light is small and lightweight, its full-power run duration is limited.
NiteRider 1200 OLED Boost
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With the NiteRider 1200 OLED, you get a lot for your money. To begin with, the mount secures the light better than any other in this test, with the exception of the Cycliq Fly12, which is bolted in place. The mount on the 1200 OLED Boost is actually better; it can be readily adjusted using the thumb-twist screw, and you can remove the light fully from the mount to charge it or use it as a flashlight.
The OLED panel on top of the unit displays important information that you can use while riding. You can see how much time you have left before the battery dies in specific. The screen also displays the light setting you are currently in.
The light beam of the NiteRider 1200 OLED Boost is broad and even. It may be somewhat less bright than the Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL, but the Lezyne has an additional 100 lumens. In actuality, it was impossible to see the difference between the two lights; both provided more than enough light in front and to the sides.
At the highest setting, NiteRider claims an hour and a half of battery life. I had it set to medium, which produces 550 lumens; NiteRider claims three hours of life at this setting. I got 5 hours and 10 minutes out of it.
Momimo Super Bright 2,000 Lumens Bike Lights
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The bicycle light is very bright, with a maximum output of 2,000 lumens, and the four LED lights cover a large range of up to 656ft/200m, allowing you to ride at night and see wider and longer places, as well as making night riding safer.
The bicycle headlight features 13 light settings that may be adjusted to suit your requirements. The bicycle front light is fitted with an LED digital display that can indicate the remaining battery power in digital format, allowing you to know when the battery is completely charged and for how long it will last.
This bicycle light’s IPX65 water-resistance will provide visibility lights for increased safety in inclement weather, as well as protect it from water splashing from every angle. In addition, the aircraft-grade aluminum alloy housing provides durability and strength
Integrated 7200mAh rechargeable battery for front bike light. You can charge it through any USB connection with a 2A output, and you can also use it as a power bank to charge your smartphone, which is crucial in emergency circumstances when you’re outside.
Ascher USB Rechargeable Bike Light
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This bike light kit is versatile enough to be used for riding, hiking, camping, or any other activity that takes place outside, in addition to serving as a flashlight in an emergency.
This is an excellent choice for riding at night or in areas where there is a worry about safety.
In addition to being dedicated to providing our customers with high-quality products, we are also dedicated to ensuring that all of your needs are met to your entire satisfaction.
USB rechargeable bicycle light, each light has an inbuilt lithium battery with 650 mAh capacity.
Both the headlight and the taillight include a single-touch switch that allows for a total of four different levels of illumination to be selected.
Include both full and half brightness, in addition to fast and slow flashing options.
The silicone mount straps are built with two apertures that are designed to accommodate different seat posts, handlebars, seat risers, backpacks, and helmets. When extended, the straps are able to securely secure the lights in their intended positions.
They are easy to loosen and put back on, and you do not need any equipment to do so.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you still have questions? Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about bicycle lights.
Is a light required to ride my bike at night?
While legal requirements vary from country to country, it’s common sense to equip your bike with lights for night riding.
There are two kinds of road lights for cyclists: those that help you see and those that help you be seen. The best bike lights for visibility also help with visibility, but not all lights designed for visibility are bright enough to light up the road ahead.
Visibility lights typically have higher lumen counts, reflectors, and a lens that throws a wide beam of light down the road. In contrast, visibility lights emit an unfocused beam in all directions.
Suppose you’re commuting down a well-lighted road or bike path. In that case, a simple flasher will probably suffice, but if you’re going on a midnight training cycle or your route is lit up like the beginning of a horror movie, opt for something brighter with a more road-specific beam pattern.
How many Lumens does a bicycle light need?
With advances in LEDs and batteries, it is now possible to purchase bike lights that are several times brighter than car headlights.
The brightness required, however, depends on where you’re riding and can affect your lights’ cost and battery life. The higher the lumen count, the harder they’ll have to work and the more money they’ll cost you.
A 5,000-lumen light on your handlebars isn’t necessary for riding on poorly lit roads because it will dazzle oncoming drivers. Instead, something between 500 and 1,500 lumens in the front and more than 200 lumens in the back would suffice.
You can save money by using fewer lumens if you’re riding in well-lit areas and don’t need to illuminate the path ahead. For example, a front light with 100-200 lumens and rear light with 60-100 lumens can keep you visible.
What type of battery is best for a bike light?
A rechargeable lithium-ion battery will power almost every light. Some lights will be self-contained, while others require a separate battery pack.
I like self-contained lights on the road because they avoid the need for inconvenient wires and hefty battery packs, the latter of which are often larger and substantially more substantial.
How long should the battery in my bike light last?
Lights that don’t last the entire ride are about as useful in the Arctic Circle as mesh cycling shoes. So, consider how long you intend to ride and budget a little extra when considering run time.
Many batteries are affected by temperature, and thus cold can significantly impact run time? Consider purchasing a larger battery if you live in an area where nighttime temperatures drop below freezing.
Knowing how much power your lights have left is also critical. Some bike lights have simple green, orange, and red battery indicator lights, while others display the time or percentage of charge remaining.
How do I attach a light to my bicycle?
A single light mounted to your handlebars and seat post would be more than enough for road riding – mountain bikers often use a helmet-mounted light to illuminate where they are looking, but these aren’t necessary for road riding.
Many lights come with a plastic/silicone mount. Still, some more heavy-duty bike lights will have a dedicated mounting bracket, often made of aluminum, for added security.
With the introduction of out-in-front computer mounts, numerous options see an action camera-style or brand-specific bracket on the underside; we like these because it cleans up your cockpit while still allowing you to ride with a light. If you’re commuting and need to lock your bike outside, look for lights that can be easily removed without using a multitool.
How I chose these products (ranking criteria and methodology)
I studied hundreds of reviews from real purchasers and testers to determine which bike lights performed best and were dependable. Then, I selected bike lights at various pricing ranges to ensure that everyone could find a light that suited their needs. Finally, I judged these lights by the following criteria.
Average price (10%)
While this article covers lights with varying price ranges, a bike light should be affordable. Thus, I highlight affordability and price as prime benefits while evaluating these lights.
Features (35%)
Every bike light has a unique set of features. Some are better than others. I considered the special features when evaluating these lights.
Functionality (25%)
I chose these products based on how durable and functional they are. I used real customer reviews and experience to evaluate their advertised functionality and durability.
Style (10%)
Let’s face it, we all want a beautiful bike light and the style of the product when evaluating features when evaluating these products.
Reviews (20%)
I considered positive and negative reviews when evaluating these bike lights.
Conclusion
Choosing the right bike lights is not rocket science if you know the features we have listed in this article. By now, it should be clear that plenty of bike lights on the market come with high-tech features and multiple safety benefits. But how do you know which one suits your needs best?
This article covered my top three picks for the best bike lights and how to choose one that’s best for you. Here are some key takeaways:
Key takeaways
- The best bike lights are:
- Lezyne Light Drive 1000XXL
- Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL
- NiteRider 1200 OLED Boost
- Momimo Super Bright 2,000 Lumens Bike Lights
- Ascher USB Rechargeable Bike Light
So, do you love the light you have? Or are you ready for an upgrade? Did I cover everything you wanted to know? And what do you think of my list? Let us know in the comments section below (I read and reply to every comment). If you found this article helpful, check my full blog for more tips and tricks on fixed gear cycling. Thanks for reading, and stay safe.
