The Best Headlamps

LED headlamps are incredibly useful tools especially for DIY people, car mechanics, contractors and construction workers, and more. With the headlamp fitting comfortably on your head you're able to work with both hands while Illuminating the area in front of you which in some cases is priceless. While many LED flashlights have tail stand capability that pales in comparison to a headlamp that illuminates exactly the area you need it to. Today we'll take a look at some of the features to look for in a headlamp as well as a few of our favorite headlamps.

Features of the Best Headlamps

Everyone requires something different in a headlamp depending on what you're using it for. For example a person who needs a headlamp because they’re a car mechanic will be looking for something different than a person who uses it for caving or spelunking. However, there are some common features that you may want to look for when picking out the best headlamp for you and that's what we'll be talking about now.

Comfortable Headlamp

First and foremost a headlamp needs to be comfortable. Since you're wearing it around your head you want to make sure that it fits snugly and lightly, but not so snuggly that it gives you a headache. For this you'll want a lightweight headlamp so that you can forget that you have a light on your face. With a headlamp that is heavier in weight you may find yourself feeling more uncomfortable and possibly getting a headache. So the very first feature we recommend you look for is a lightweight headlamp so that you can use it without feeling uncomfortable.

Powerful Headlamp

Another feature you're going to want to look into is power. This particular feature will range based on what you need the headlamp for. Since headlamps are meant to illuminate the area in front of you, you can generally expect a wider beam. If you want a headlamp that can jet the beam out further then you'll want a more powerful headlamp that is 500 lumens or more. For example, if you are using a headlamp for outdoor purposes such as caving like we discussed before, a more powerful headlamp will allow you to see further away and let you see every single detail in front of you. However, if you're a construction worker or car mechanic you may not need to see super far away. In this case you may want a headlamp that delivers less than 500 lumens.

Easy Interface

The last feature we recommend looking for is an easy interface. You want an easy to operate headlamp that requires minimal thought since your mind is typically preoccupied with the task ahead of you. Most headlamps will have an easy to access switch to operate it, but make sure the switch is where you would prefer it to be. When purchasing a headlamp it's all about what is convenient for you so really think about what kind of interface you would feel most comfortable using.

Our Favorite Headlamps

There are tons of great headlamps out there. There's definitely a headlamp for everybody. However, we are not going to bore you by listing dozens of headlamps so we narrowed our favorite headlamps down to three. So let's take a look at them.

Klarus H1A

This is a particularly excellent headlamp. The H1A popular among outdoor enthusiasts as well as car mechanics and do it yourself people. It delivers up to 550 lumens with a 100 meter beam throw. This headlamp is powerful with a broader beam but can still throw fairly far away. The H1A features three different LEDs: you have the main white LED that delivers that 550 lumens and features a fade on and fade off function so as not to overwhelm your eyes when changing brightness levels. There's also the side white LED that's softer and simulates natural lighting. Finally you have the side red LED which is great for penetrating through fog and also has a strobe mode.The H1A has a dual switch operation that's simple to use and it also features a 90-degree adjustable angle so you can adjust the flashlight to shine where you need it to. Read more about the Klarus H1A headlamp.

Zebralight H32

One of the great features of the Zebralight H32 headlamp is that you can detach it and use it as a small flashlight if you want to giving you a bit more versatility to the flashlight. The H32 delivers up to 480 lumens and features three main brightness levels and three sublevels giving you a lot of options when it comes to picking which brightness level is best for you. It features a single switch and has a smart user interface so that you can quickly and easily access all the brightness levels as well as the beacon and strobe flashing modes. Check out the Zebralight H32.

Fenix HL60R

The Fenix HL60R is the most powerful headlamp we have that delivers up to 950 lumens. It's still very lightweight and comfortable to wear. It features 6 total outputs and that includes a red light giving you a lot of versatility with this flashlight. It's easy to operate with it's single switch design and even has a tilt mechanism so you can adjust the light where you need it. The HL60R is also usb-rechargeable making it really convenient. You won't need to worry about changing out the batteries or purchasing a separate battery charger. Seymour on the Fenix HL60R.

So there are three of our favorite headlamps that are powerful, versatile, and some of the best on the market. You can see more headlamps and find one that catches your eye. Which one is your favorite?