Headlamps: Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp is our No-Brainer pick

Start with power and features

Decide between swappable AAA batteries and a built-in rechargeable battery. A red light, a lock mode and water resistance are worth having. Lumens matter less than a comfortable fit and simple controls.

Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp

The Black Diamond Spot 400 is the headlamp most people should get. It is bright, simple to use and waterproof, with a red light for night vision and a lock mode so it does not turn on in your bag. It runs on AAA batteries or Black Diamond's rechargeable pack.

BioLite Range 500 Headlamp

The BioLite Range 500 is the rechargeable pick. It is bright, comfortable and charges over USB-C, and BioLite lists about 6 hours on high. Because the battery is built in, you cannot swap in spares on a long trip, so charge it before you go.

Black Diamond Astro 300 Headlamp

The Black Diamond Astro 300 is the budget pick. It is nearly as bright as the Spot for everyday tasks, runs a long time on AAA batteries and has simple controls. Its headband is more basic and it is splash resistant rather than waterproof.

Choose by power source and budget

Pick the Spot 400 for a bright, waterproof headlamp that runs on AAA batteries. Pick the BioLite Range 500 if you prefer charging over USB-C. Pick the Astro 300 for a simple, low-cost light for the house or car.

What stands out

• Both Black Diamond picks take AAA batteries
• The BioLite charges over USB-C
• The Spot 400 has a red light and lock mode

Watch out for

• Built-in batteries cannot be swapped on the trail
• Keep spare batteries in your kit
• The Astro 300 is not fully waterproof

Before you buy

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Choose by battery type, then brightness.

Think about the fit: Choose by battery type first, then brightness.

Check before buying: Battery type, runtime, water resistance and red light

Quick answers