We like to ride bikes year-round, so bike lights are essential as the days get shorter.
In general, lights have taken a step forward in performance in the past few years. Now more than ever, the best bike lights offer more brightness, more advanced features, and better battery life in increasingly compact packages. Even still, finding the right light for you can be overwhelming amongst the near-endless array of options.
To keep things simple we’ve collected our favorite road, gravel, and commuter lights here. For most of you, one of our editors’ choice picks will be perfect. We tested these in the real world for their brightness, beam patterns, battery life, and unique features that help them stand out.
But we’re not everyone and what works for us may not work for you — and that’s perfectly all right! For the rest of you, we’ve compiled an (almost) exhaustive list of over 100 bike lights, front and rear, that you can compare by run times, battery life, and more to help you narrow down your choices.
This guide has you covered for road, gravel, and commuting, but doesn’t feature mountain bike lights meant to light up off road trails at race pace. If you’re looking for lights more akin to a miniaturized suns, then stay tuned to our sister site Pinkbike; they’ll do a similar guide if they ever find time between putting their bikes on and off their pickup trucks, and drinking craft IPAs at local brewpubs.
Disclosure: most of the links in this buyer’s guide are affiliate links, and we may earn an affiliate commission on things you buy through them. It doesn’t cost you any more, and your support (indirectly) helps pay for Will’s collection of colorful overalls. Learn more.
Prices updated October 2024.
Section divider
Editors’ choice front lights
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
Model:
Exposure Strada Mk12 SB AKTiv
Specs:
1700-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max output; DC charge port; Includes round handlebar mount with GoPro universal accessory mount and helmet mounts available separately.
Highs:
Dims for oncoming traffic; Easy-to-understand display showing remaining runtime; Works the same in either orientation
Josh Ross’s High Budget Pick: Exposure Strada Mk12 SB AKTiv
I’ve been using this light for a long time and I still have the older one. They last forever and you can send them back in for repair. This isn’t a cheap light but if you need serious battery life, Exposure lights are on another level.
Aside from the quality, the most obvious reason I like this light is that it’s got a big 10,200 mAh battery. It’s really more than that though. What I love is that Exposure has a deep understanding of ultra-endurance racing. The brand understands that when you find yourself riding through the night, you won’t be clear of mind and it’s hard to remember details.
Instead of some kind of esoteric communication system there is a bright and clear OLED display on the back of the Strada mk 12 AKTiv. First, ideally at home, you can select a program with three modes. Once that’s done just turn on the light and select high, medium, or low and the display shows exact burn time and mode selected. The idea is that when you need to use it, it’s foolproof. If you need to make a change while riding, the details covering lumens and burn times are printed on the barrel of the light. Nothing else needed.
The mounting system is also great. If you’ve got round bars, it’s easy to mount above. Alternatively there’s a GoPro mount adapter and you can mount your light upside down. The reflector design works in either orientation and with the AKTiv version headlights will dim your light so you don’t blind drivers.
The only downside is if you end up needing more power than the on-board battery. The charging port is a DC port so you can’t use a random USB-C battery. Exposure does sell a support cell but it makes things more complicated since it’s separate from whatever you use for your phone. On the upside, it’s dead simple to use and the connection is waterproof.
(Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
Model:
Bookman Volume 1500
Specs:
1500-lumen max output; 3-hour runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Round handlebar mount and GoPro universal accessory mounts included with the light
Highs:
Easy-to-use user interface; Excellent build quality; Replaceable battery bodes well for long-term usability.
Lows:
The price is higher than lights with similar specs.
The Bookman Volume 1500 is a front bike light from the relatively new “urban visibility” company Bookman. Most of their gear is designed first, though in the case of this front light, there’s plenty of substance here as well.
The key selling point of the Volume 1500 is its volume knob-style adjuster on the side of the light. Bookman says the knob – a patent pending (!!!) design they’re calling the Power wheel – is inspired by the Hi-Fi world, allowing for swapping between five different brightness levels in each of the steady beam and flash modes.
Alongside that volume knob is an easily-replaceable 21700 cell battery. Not only does this bode well for long-term usability but it also has multi-day rides. Just pop out the battery for a fresh one and go. Few bike lights offer that type of longevity.
None of this matters if the light isn’t any good to use. Fortunately, the beam pattern is wide, with excellent throw and a good central focus to see down the road. The side windows are a nice touch to aid side visibility as well.
I found the battery life to be about as claimed by Bookman, finding about five to seven hours of battery life on a solid beam at roughly half power, and about three hours on the high beam. The bike light’s pass-through charging and a swappable battery made it easy to keep the light coming in my experience.
The Bookman Volume 1500 doesn’t come without its downsides, the majority of which are centered around its price. It might offer a premium build and a novel rotary volume knob for adjustment, but it is more expensive than many other lights with a similar spec sheet.
(Photo: Troy Templin/Velo)
Model:
Knog Blinder 900
Specs:
900-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Rubber handlebar strap mount and GoPro-style universal accessory mounts included
Highs:
Mounts over or under the bar in the correct orientation; Separate steady and flash cycles; Road optimized beam; Simple to use interface
Lows:
Can’t change the light angle from side to side; No interchangeable battery
For a long time, Knog’s light lineup was full of fun designs aimed at being seen rather than seeing. The Blinder series changed that with front lights for serious night riding. The Knog Blinder 900 is not quite the perfect front light, but it’s pretty darn close.
The design keeps things simple with a single button that toggles between light settings, three flashing and three steady. The smart innovation here is that pressing the button once toggles to the next setting of the same type — from one flashing setting to another, or one steady setting to the next; double-tapping the button switches from steady to flashing and vice-versa. And thanks to the smart design, the button remains on top whether the light is mounted above or below your bars. The button also illuminates red, yellow, and red indicate battery life.
The low setting is 200 lumens, and you can get about 7-8 hours of riding in with that setting. Medium is 450 lumens for about 3.5-4 hours in that setting, while high is 900 lumens, and don’t expect to get more than 2 hours from it. Overall, this is a great spread, and the mix of narrow beam and wide beam means you don’t feel like you need as much brightness to see everything.
As far as how the light illuminates the road ahead, it feels very natural. Not so wide that you get distracted by every little thing but not so narrow that you can’t see imperfections on either side.
And the light itself feels well built with a robust IP67 waterproofing rated alloy body, and accomplishes quite a lot for a light costing less than $100 USD.
65-lumen max output; 6-hour max run time at max power; Micro USB charge port; Single band-on seat post mount included
Highs:
Long battery life; 65-lumen light with irregular flash pattern; Varia rear-facing radar; Smart capability allows control via head unit; Garmin quarter mount.
The Garmin RTL515 isn’t new and, in some ways, it’s quite outdated. For one thing, the charging port is old enough you probably don’t even have a micro-USB cord around anymore. Despite that, it’s still the best option out there.
As a light, it’s bright enough to keep you visible from far away even in the bright midday sun. On top of that it’s got an irregular flash pattern that helps catch the attention of drivers. Then the battery life holds up for 16-hours and even more if you turn off the light during the day via your head unit.
Why would you have a light that you turn off during the day though? It’s this feature that keeps me riding with the Garmin Varia RTL515 despite all the lights that have come to market since its release.
The Garmin Varia RTL515 is great because it pairs a decent light with rear facing radar. No matter what you are doing, or how much attention you are paying to traffic, you’ll get a notification on your head unit when there’s a car coming from behind. It’s so rock solid you can use it as a mirror.
Then, what really makes the Garmin version sticky is the mount. There have been a few other rear radars to come out that are quite good but none of them use the Garmin quarter turn mount. The advantage of the mount is that it’s become a standard. Whatever weird mounting solution you want, someone is selling it either on Etsy or Amazon.
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
Model:
Exposure Boost-R + ReAKT and Peloton
Specs:
150-Lumens max; USB-C charging with 3-hours from 0-100%; 6-48 hours (Flash) burntime; 45g weight
Highs:
Metal construction; Robust mounting; Large battery
Josh Ross’s Alternative Rear Light Choice: Exposure Boost-R + ReAKT and Peloton
I’ve already told you that my favorite rear light is the Garmin Varia but even that one sometimes doesn’t have enough battery for me. Also,not everyone loves Varia radar (inexplicable to me but here we are). If you are looking for something simpler, I’m pointing to Exposure again.
As always, Exposure lights are more expensive. The Exposure Boost-R + ReAKT & Peloton Mk2 runs about double what you might pay for other decent rear lights. In exchange for that price you get a solid metal body with an indestructible front reflector and a 2-year warranty (lifetime for the LED). It might cost more but it’s a buy once proposition.
The fact that it’ll last forever is just half the experience though. The performance is also unmatched. In the brightest mode the flash setting will get you 12-hours and if you power that down there’s options for 24 or 48-hour use. On top of that there’s a solid mount, USB-C charging, and ReAKT to both change power based on ambient light and brighten when you are braking. Peloton mode is there for times when you are riding in a group at night and will dim based on a bike light behind you.
The only thing I ever mind frustrating is how hard it is to get to the charging port. The rubber covers is a hassle.
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
Model:
Cycliq Fly 6 pro
Specs:
7-hours quoted runtime; Quality up to 3840 x 2160p @ 30 fps (4K UHD) with stabilization; Included mounting for round, aero posts, and D-shaped posts; 151g weight
Highs:
USB-C charging; Integrated camera with 4k recording and stabilization; Solid mount with adapters for different shaped seat posts; Includes a leash
I almost didn’t recommend this light. I tend to ride on country roads and what’s important to me is knowing that a car is coming (Varia radar). At the same time, there’s nothing a car could do, short of hitting me, that any authority would care about. If I do end up getting hit, that’s normally quite straightforward as to fault. That’s why for me, a rear camera isn’t that useful.
On the other hand, if you ride in the city a lot, a rear camera might be your best friend. In the city there’s always cars so Varia radar has less use and you might need to prove bad behavior.
That’s where the Cycliq Fly 6 Pro comes in. Unlike Garmin, Cycliq offers 4k rear facing footage with stabilization. It’s a bit flat, and the stabilization is only okay, so don’t consider this an action camera. That’s not the point though, this is basically a dash cam and it will lock footage if the bike leans past 60-degrees for more than 5-seconds.
Whatever your views on past Cycliq cameras, the Pro 6 addresses the limitations. Cycliq offers real world battery life in the 6-7 hour range plus a quality mount, with adapters for aero posts, and a leash in case the mount breaks. As with any small camera quality will suffer a bit in low light but even at dawn/dusk you will likely be able to read a license plate and there’s a quality rear light. At the end of the day, the Fly Pro 6 does exactly what it says on the tin but I do wish it also had radar and smaller is always appreciated.
(Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
Model:
Magicshine Seemee 300
Specs:
300-lumen max output; 6-hour max run time at max power; USB-C charge port; Included band-on silicone mount
Highs:
Bright output even in daytime; floodlight feature adds light to your feet; long battery life; fast charging.
Magicshine is no stranger to high-power bike lights, and this updated SeeMee 300 smart rear bike light is no exception. But while many rear lights offer plenty of power to be seen at night, the reason I like this light so much comes down to the feature Magicshine calls its ‘OptiTracing Light.’
The OptiTracing light is an LED mounted to the bottom of the light that is designed to light up the rear half of the bike, illuminating where you pedal. Numerous studies have shown that adding visibility to a rider’s feet–either through reflective gear or lights–reduces the risk of a driver hitting you while riding, making this feature useful in such an otherwise compact shape.
Besides that, the Seemee 300 checks all the boxes. Besides all of the standard steady and flash settings, the light also offers a brake light function as well as ‘Smart Day’ and ‘Smart Night’ settings. Choosing these settings uses a built-in light detector to automatically adjust brightness settings as you ride along.
While this feels like too many settings to be controlled by a single button, the Seemee 300 offers a memory function too, to keep your chosen setting even when you turn the light off.
The Magicshine Seemee 300 offers a max output of 300 lumens in its ‘Smart Day’ setting and offers roughly 35 hours of battery life in our use. Battery life does decrease when riding at night in our experience, decreasing to just five and a half hours in its ‘Smart Night’ setting.
This is a feature-packed light, but one with technology I truly feel improves rider visibility both in the day and night. The only downside comes in its mount, which I’ve found to move around on some–but not all–aero seat posts.
(Photo: Will Tracy/Velo)
Model:
Bontrager Flare RT
Specs:
90-lumen max output; 4.5-hour max run time at max steady power; 6-hour max at full flash power; Micro USB charge port; Includes mount for round tubes with additional mounts available from Trek
Highs:
Minimal size and weight while still being extremely bright; Charge will last a week of commuting or moderate training; Can be controlled via ANT+ enabled head units; Integrated light sensor auto-adjusts brightness; IPX7 waterproof rating
Will Tracy’s Simple Rear Light: Bontrager Flare RT
I’ve used a lot of different equipment over the last six-plus years I’ve worked in cycling media, but the one thing that has largely remained constant for me is this very light. In fact, it was the first product I ever reviewed for a cycling magazine back in the day.
It’s everything a rear light needs to be and nothing more. Trek manages to pack an impossibly bright beam into this compact package meaning it provides high levels of visibility both night and day. And if instead of daytime lights you’re looking to bring a light along in case your ride accidentally extends into the evening time, you won’t notice the extra weight of just 34 grams total for the light and mount.
I’ve collected a few of these over the years and they’re all still running strong through miles of rain, dirt, and mud. In practice you can get a week of decently big riding out of one before recharging if you keep it in the all-day flash mode. An integrated light sensor that auto-adjusts brightness to your environment is a nice touch as well for optimal safety.
The light was updated recently from Bontrager to Trek branding, but otherwise it’s still the same great light. I do wish Trek had taken that opportunity to update the charge port from micro USB to USB-C, if only because that’s what everything has these days. But having to keep one more cable around is not stopping me from using this light.
How does anyone find the best bike light that fits their needs in a sea of options? We’ve done our best to pull together some tips and considerations to help you figure that out.
How many lumens do I need for a bike light?
Lumens (seen often as lm) is a measure of the total amount of light emitted from a bulb. More lumens means a bike light might be brighter, but a higher lumen count doesn’t necessarily make for a better bike light.
Among other things, this is because measuring lumens can be inconsistent between lights and brands; the type of light and the lens design can make a huge difference in how many of those lumens are actually useful at night.
That said, here is a rough guide to tell you how much power a front bike light will have, based on lumen count.
200-400 lumens: Good enough to help you be seen at night, not necessarily enough to see.
400-600 lumens: Good enough for low-light riding, and riding on well-lit streets at a sedate pace.
600-800 lumens: Better for low-light riding at dusk and well-lit streets at night at a moderate pace.
800+ lumens: The minimum you’ll need riding off-road or on gravel, or at a fast pace on the road.
The other component worth mentioning is that most lights might advertise a certain lumen count, but that’s at peak brightness. More likely than not, you’ll be riding with half of the light’s lumen count, if only to maximize battery life. In that case, you’ll likely want to buy a light brighter than your intended riding style so you don’t have to charge the light up every day.
Beam pattern, candela, & throw
Lumens are the total amount of brightness out the front of a light, and critical for being seen. But for seeing down the road, path, or trail, total brightness is irrelevant if the light doesn’t go where you’re trying to see.
Beam pattern is the spread and shape of the light. A wider beam is better for seeing a larger area, as well as being seen from wider angles. A narrower beam is better for focusing your lumens on a specific spot, like further down unlit bike paths.
Candela is the intensity of light in a specific direction, and directly impacts a light’s throw—which refers to how far away a light can reach. Unfortunately, many bike light manufacturers don’t list candela values or throw distances.
The general rule of thumb is that for being seen on city commutes you’d want a wide beam, high lumen light. For seeing on country roads you’ll want to consider a narrower beam pattern with more throw. For race-pace gravel riding in the woods some riders will pair a wide beam on their bars with a narrow beam on their helmet.
Battery life
While there are plenty of bike lights that use their own external battery packs, most bike lights for road, gravel, or commuting will have an internal battery. You might want a light with a ton of battery life, but that will almost certainly come at the expense of size.
Our best advice is to figure out how long your long night rides might be and match it to how many lumens you need.
If you need a light for riding for two hours at night, and you’re riding at a moderate pace on the road, you’ll want to find a bike light that has at least 2.5 hours of battery life at 600-800 Lumen output. This choice will allow you to confidently ride at night, and have a bit of battery life buffer should you find yourself out for longer than you expected, or during cold temperatures.
Another important factor is whether or not the batteries are expandable or replaceable. Can you bring a spare battery? Or is there a USB-C battery pack you can use to extend your runtime? And can you replace the battery with a fresh one once it’s had a boatload of charge cycles and stops holding its full capacity?
A good battery life indicator
What’s the point of a bike light that doesn’t indicate battery life? Most of the time, these bike lights will have a color-coded LED light that doubles as the on/off and light mode. Most of the time, these LED on/off buttons will associate a color with an approximate range of battery run time remaining.
Certain bike lights will have a small display atop the light, however. These displays will often show a battery life percentage as well as how many lumens the light is currently emitting.
Bike lights that connect to bike computers via ANT+ will display not only their battery life on the computer but also what light mode they’re on. If you’re deeply concerned with your battery life percentage, a bike light like the Blackburn Countdown 1600 will be what you want.
An easy-to-use mount
How do you want your bike light to mount? Most bike lights will come with their own proprietary mounting system that allows you to install and remove the light easily. Some systems are as simple as a hook and a strap, allowing you to mount the light to various locations on your bike. Other systems will rely on a dedicated bracket that mounts to a handlebar or seat post to make it all work.
Here’s the breakdown:
Commuters: If you commute with your light and need to lock up your bike regularly, find a bike light that can be easily removed without using a tool.
Non-commuters: Most light mounting systems are going to be secure enough for riding even on mountain bike trails. However, aero-profile drop handlebars will likely force you to find a bike light that can mount using a GoPro universal prong mount. Most bike lights will come with either the mount built-in or an adapter of some kind to make that work.
Find how much battery life you need, and match it to how many lumens you need.
Do I need a light to ride my bike at night?
Long story short: you absolutely need a bike light to ride at night.
U.S. law requires riders to have both active and passive lighting. Passive lighting is a set of reflectors on your bike or reflective clothing, while active lighting is a front and rear bike light on your bike. Exact laws depend on the state, but most of the time, law requires at least one white light up front that is visible from 300 feet away. Certain states will also require a red light out back.
Bike light laws will depend on where you live, but they all follow a theme similar to what is found in the International Convention on Road Traffic: a white light at the front and a red light at the back.
At a minimum, a bike light will help you be seen while riding at night. That’s a non-negotiable for safety. But add a bit of power and you’ll be able to be seen while riding. Who wouldn’t want that?
How much should I spend on a bike light?
Let’s break it down based on the four sections of bike lights.
Front lights to help you be seen at night (200 to 400 lumens): These lights range from $20 to $50 typically, but something like the Cygolite Zot 250 USB is the sweet spot at $29.95.
Front lights for riding casually (400 to 600 lumens): These lights range from $30 to $70. The Magicshine Allty 600 for $40 is a good option.
Front lights for riding at a moderate pace (600 to 800 lumens): These lights range from $50 to $100. The Planet Bike Beamer at $50 should work great here.
Front lights for riding at a fast pace (800 lumens +): $60 to $300 and more. Our favorites include the Exposure Strada Mk12 RS Aktiv and the Bookman Volume 1500.
How much do bike lights weigh?
That all depends. For the weight weenies out there, the lightest options can be just tens of grams between the light and mount, less than a bottle cage. Smaller lights start to run into tradeoffs of brightness and battery life, however. Larger lights with more battery life and more lumens can weigh hundreds of grams.
None of our editors’ choices are truly ultralight picks, because we prefer to stay alive over flexing winter bike weights on the internet.
Why are bike lights so expensive?
(Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
You’re basically paying for three things with a bike light: brightness, battery life, and beam pattern. Cheap bike lights might have good measured brightness and battery life, but they almost certainly won’t have a good beam pattern to match.
A good beam pattern optimizes that light’s brightness to see what’s in front of you while at speed. Further, a good beam pattern takes the lumens your light produces and directs it in a way that allows you to see what’s in front of you more easily. And perhaps most importantly, a good beam pattern allows the rider to have enough light to ride at their chosen pace without blinding oncoming traffic, be it other cyclists, pedestrians, or people driving.
It’s also worth noting that most of these more expensive bike lights generally include a more stringent quality control process, as well as more reliable batteries and components.
Could you buy that 1200 lumen bike light for half the price? Absolutely. But more likely than not, you miss out on the specialized optics made specifically to help you see while biking without blinding other road users, as well as a light that will work reliably day after day.
Should you use a dynamo hub light?
Maybe. There are a few advantages to a dynamo-driven bike light. The biggest is that because they’re powered by a generator hub built into the front wheel of a bike, they offer light without needing to be charged. That itself should be a serious consideration if you find yourself frequently riding at night.
The best dynamo light systems also offer a way to charge your other accessories, like a GPS bike computer, while you’re riding. The same can be said for an increasing number of battery-powered bike lights.
Our list of bike lights does not include dynamo lights because they’re quite a bit more complicated than the battery-powered lights we have here. We’ll save a deep dive into dynamo lights for another day.
Do I need multiple front bike lights?
Again, maybe. Particularly if you ride off-road, or in places without any ambient light to help you out.
In these situations, you’ll want a light with a wide-spread beam on your bike, and a narrower, more focused beam on your helmet.
We’ve put a large number of these lights to the test in the real world by using them during the daytime, nighttime, at dusk, and across myriad outdoor situations. They’re tested for battery life, mounting ability, and overall user experience. Lights we’ve done a full review for have a link; otherwise, they are represented here only as a compilation of what’s available out there. You can find this list of the bike lights we’ve done a full review of here.
What you’ll find here, however, are our editors’ favorite bike lights available today. All of these bike lights are accompanied by a review.
Meanwhile, the rest of the list consists of over 100 front and rear bike lights to help you see, be seen, or some combination thereof. They come from brands we’ve come to trust in our own testing, with a compilation of information including max lumen outputs, minimum quoted run time at max brightness, mounting systems, and more.
220-lumen max output; 1-hour runtime at max output; Micro-USB charging; Includes elastic band-on mount; Controlled via a single button up top
Highs:
Lightweight and easy to attach; Multiple light modes for various settings
Lows:
Limited brightness and battery life for night riding
Bottom line:
The Bookman Curve bike light might offer more light output than its small size indicates, but it is best used in a pinch to help people see you at night.
150-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max output; USB-C rechargeable; Includes silicone mounting system
Highs:
Compact and lightweight, ideal for urban commuting; Long battery life on lower settings (up to 10 hours)
Lows:
Not powerful enough to illuminate the road, best used for visibility; Limited to city use, unsuitable for rural or unlit paths
Bottom line:
The Kryptonite Comet F500 is better than having no light at all, though we would recommend more compact and rechargeable bike lights for not much more money.
150-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max output; USB-C rechargeable; Includes silicone mounting system
Highs:
Compact and lightweight, ideal for urban commuting; Long battery life on lower settings (up to 10 hours); Easy-to-use, with a color LED showing battery status
Lows:
Not powerful enough to illuminate the road, best used for visibility; Limited to city use, unsuitable for rural or unlit paths
Bottom line:
The Kryptonite Avenue F-150 COB is best for commuters looking to “be seen,” but lacks the brightness to serve as a primary road light.
250-lumen max output in flash; max 80 lumens in its steady setting; 22-hour runtime in flash; 5-hour runtime in its steady setting; USB-C rechargeable; Band-on silicone strap; Controlled via one single switch up top to adjust the light setting.
Highs:
Excellent build quality; Great run times
Lows:
Lower brightness for serious night riding
Bottom line:
The Lezyne Zecto Drive 250+ is best as a light to help you be seen at dusk and at night, but its long battery life makes this one of the best of this style of front bike light.
200-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime in its night/solid light setting; USB-A integrated charging (no cable needed); Includes quick-release silicone bar mount
Highs:
Auto-on/off sensor offers good convenience; Lightweight and compact design; USB plug eliminates the need for cables
Lows:
Limited to power lumens, best for urban or well-lit areas
Bottom line:
The Vya Pro Smart Headlight is a highly practical choice for commuters, offering automatic operation and cable-free charging simply by plugging the light into the mount, though its brightness is best suited for being seen and not much else.
400-lumen max output; 1.5-hour runtime at max output; Micro-USB charge port; Includes handlebar mount
Highs:
Good beam cutoff and shape at this price point; Easy to mount and adjust; Affordable price
Lows:
Micro-USB port instead of USB-C
Bottom line:
The Planet Bike Blaze 400 SLX is a budget-friendly, compact light that works well for city commuting, though its lower output may not suit off-road or high-speed riders.
400-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max output; Micro-USB charge port; Includes handlebar mount; Controlled via a single button with an LED indicator separately.
Highs:
Bike-centric beam cutoff at this price point; Compact and lightweight; Extended runtime for daily use.
Lows:
Lower lumen output may not suffice for dark trails; Basic design with minimal additional features.
Bottom line:
The Pathfinder USB provides a reliable, modern charging option with a good runtime, making it an excellent choice for urban cycling, though its lower brightness limits its trail use.
300-lumen max output; 1.5-hour runtime at max output; Micro USB charge port; Includes adjustable silicone strap mount; Controlled via a single button on the back of the light, with an LED indicator for battery life.
Highs:
Elegant design
Lows:
Limited brightness for dark trails; Not recommended for aero handlebars; Thin silicone strap system can feel unsubstantial.
Bottom line:
The Specialized Flash 300 is compact and light, but the strap design limits what handlebars you can use the light with.
65-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max output; USB integrated charging (no cable needed); Includes mount for handlebar or seatpost; Controlled via a single button at the top edge of the light to shift between red or white modes, or flash and steady.
Highs:
Dual-purpose design as both headlight and taillight; USB plug eliminates the need for cables; Lightweight and highly portable.
Lows:
Limited brightness for anything beyond city commuting; Short runtime at full power
Bottom line:
The Specialized Stix Switch may only be good enough to help riders be seen at dusk, but the overall form factor and size feel well-considered.
200-lumen max output; 1.5-hour runtime at max output; Micro-USB charge port; Includes handlebar mount via silicone strap and Trek’s Blendr mount system; Controlled via a single button with battery life indicator.
Highs:
Compact and lightweight design; Daytime running mode for increased visibility; Affordable price; Controllable by bike computers using ANT+ connectivity.
Lows:
Limited brightness for darker trails or higher-speed riding; Micro-USB instead of USB-C
Bottom line:
The Trek Ion 200 RT’s small size, decent power for visibility, and connectivity to bike computers make it one of our favorite lights out there.
550-lumen max output; 1-hour runtime at max output; USB-C rechargeable; Includes silicone handlebar mount and GoPro-style accessory mount; Controlled via a single LED-backlit button that displays battery life
Highs:
Compact and lightweight; Easy to mount with versatile options
Lows:
Short battery life in high mode
Bottom line:
The Blackburn Dayblazer 550 is a handy option for short rides, but its small size limits its range for longer journeys.
400-lumen max output (front), 50 lumens (rear); 5-hour charge time via USB-C; Helmet mount included and GoPro accessory mount adaptor sold separately.
Highs:
2-in-1 front and rear light design; Durable alloy construction; Ideal for commuters and road cyclists.
Lows:
Limited brightness for off-road use
Bottom line:
The Exposure Link Plus MK4 DayBright is a robust and compact helmet-mounted light, perfect for commuters needing visibility from both the front and rear.
400-lumen max output; 3.67-hour runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Includes quick-release handlebar mount; helmet and GoPro accessory mounts available separately.
Highs:
Excellent battery life; Affordable price point; Decent brightness for city commuting.
Lows:
Not quite the high value for money of Fenix’s other lights; Lower brightness may not be sufficient for dark trails
Bottom line:
The Fenix BC15R might be one of the least-expensive Fenix lights available, but the battery life punches above its weight.
600-lumen max output; 1.5-hour runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Includes handlebar mount on Garmin quarter-turn mount; other mounts available; Controlled via a single LED-lit button displaying battery life.
Highs:
Great light brightness for the money; Solid Garmin quarter-turn mount; Affordable price for daily commuting.
Lows:
Limited brightness for trail or high-speed riding; Minimal side-to-side adjustment due to Garmin quarter-turn mount
Bottom line:
The Allty 600 is an affordable, compact light perfect for urban commuters, though it may not be powerful enough for darker trails or longer rides at night.
450-lumen max output; 1.5-hour runtime at max output; Micro USB charge port; Includes adjustable handlebar mount and access to Trek’s Blendr mount system; Controlled via a single button with LED indicator.
Highs:
Well-made construction; Lightweight and easy to mount; Good build quality.
Lows:
Not as powerful as the competition at similar price points; No USB-C charging
Bottom line:
The Trek Commuter Comp R is a great choice for city riders needing a well-built front light, but there are better lights at a similar price point.
Front lights for riding at a moderate pace at night
Bookman Volume 800
The Bookman Volume 800 front bike light has the same basic form factor as the Volume 1500: long to accommodate its replaceable battery, with a volume dial on the side to switch between its five light mode settings. The button up top turns the light on and off and switches it between flash and steady beam modes, while four LED lights at the bottom indicate battery life.
Each Bookman Volume 800 light comes with a Garmin-compatible quarter-turn mount as well as an included GoPro adaptor to mount to both bars and helmets alike. It delivers a maximum output of 800 lumens, lasting up to 3 hours at full power. The light offers multiple modes, with the lowest steady mode running up to 35 hours.
The Volume 800 charges via USB-C and fully recharges in a few hours. Its replaceable 18650 Li-Ion battery ensures long-term use.
Model:
Bookman Volume 800
Specs:
800-lumen max output; 3-hour runtime at max output; USB-C rechargeable; Includes Garmin-compatible quarter-turn mount and GoPro adaptor; Includes single button up top, LED indicators displaying battery life below, and a volume knob to switch between light settings
Highs:
Replaceable battery for extended life; Easy to switch light modes with the dial system; Excellent form factor, size, and style; Easy to use Garmin quarter-turn mount system
Lows:
Limited brightness compared to lights at a similar price point; Mount system limits side-to-side rotational light adjustment
Bottom line:
The Bookman Volume 800 front light is an easy choice for folks who value having a replaceable battery and a user-friendly dial system to switch between light modes.
800-lumen max output; 1-hour runtime at max output; USB-C rechargeable; Includes tool-free mount.
Highs:
Compact size with slide-out design for easy mounting; Good brightness for night commuting; IP67 water resistance for wet conditions.
Lows:
Shorter runtime at full brightness; Limited to basic lighting needs
Bottom line:
The Cygolite Metro Plus 800 front bike light is a popular choice for its portability and solid brightness, ideal for quick urban rides and daily commutes.
800-lumen max output; 1.5-hour runtime at max output; Micro-USB rechargeable; ANT+ connectivity for Garmin devices.
Highs:
Smart light adjusts brightness based on speed and ambient light; Integration with Garmin Edge computers; IPX7 water resistance.
Lows:
Max brightness and battery life lag behind competitors; Requires Garmin computer for full functionality
Bottom line:
The Garmin Varia UT800 is a decent front light for Garmin computer users, but its max light output and battery life are starting to lag behind the competition at similar price points.
80 Lux output (roughly 700-800 lumens equivalent); 1.5-hour runtime at max brightness; USB-C rechargeable; Includes quick-release mount.
Highs:
Built-in LCD display for battery life and light output; Long battery life at lower settings; IP67 water resistance.
Lows:
Lux measurement makes comparisons harder; Bulky design compared to other compact lights
Bottom line:
The Kryptonite Incite X8 offers exceptional visibility control with its display, but its unique Lux-based measurement may confuse some users when comparing brightness.
800-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max output; USB-C rechargeable; Includes band-on silicone handlebar mount; GoPro accessory mount adaptor available separately; Controlled via one single switch up top to adjust light setting; a single colored LED light behind the button shows battery life.
Highs:
Compact and lightweight; Impressive power for its size
Lows:
Shorter runtime compared to higher-lumen models
Bottom line:
The Micro Drive 800+ is perfect for riders seeking a lightweight, compact solution with solid brightness for shorter trips.
650-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max output; Micro-USB charging; Includes round handlebar mount; GoPro universal accessory mount and helmet mounts available separately; Controllable via a single top-mounted, LED-backed button to adjust light settings.
Highs:
Lightweight and compact design; Bright enough for urban and light trail use; Good runtime for its max lumen setting.
Lows:
Micro-USB instead of USB-C; Slide-on mounting system can be finicky if not clicked in properly
Bottom line:
Alongside the Micro 900, the NiteRider Lumina Micro 650 front bike light feels like great value for the money, offering good light output for the money.
700-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max output; Micro-USB charge port; Includes handlebar mount; Controlled via a single button with an LED indicator.
Highs:
Bright enough for city and light trail use; Compact and lightweight design; Good runtime for urban commuting.
Lows:
Micro-USB instead of USB-C; Limited mounting options with no helmet mount or GoPro universal mount adaptor available
Bottom line:
The City Rover 700 is a solid choice for urban commuters, providing ample brightness and runtime at a budget-friendly price, although it could benefit from a USB-C upgrade.
700-lumen max output; 1.5-hour runtime at max output; Micro-USB charge port; Includes handlebar mount.
Highs:
Bright enough for city and light trail use; Durable, weather-resistant build; Versatile beam for different conditions.
Lows:
Micro-USB instead of USB-C
Bottom line:
The Trek Ion Comp R offers excellent day-flash settings for folks who want them, but the beam pattern isn’t quite as optimized for riding at night or at dusk.
1600-lumen max output; 1.3-hour runtime at max output; Micro-USB charging; Includes aluminum thumb-screw handlebar mount
Highs:
Digital display with battery countdown; versatile mounting options
Lows:
Micro-USB charging instead of USB-C
Bottom line:
The Blackburn Countdown 1600 offers an excellent timer display and high power output for the price, but it could use an update to USB-C charging and a more robust light mount.
1000-lumen max output; 1-hour runtime at max output; USB-C rechargeable; Includes silicone handlebar mount and GoPro-style accessory mount; Controlled via a single LED-backlit button that displays battery life
Highs:
Great balance of power and battery life outside of max output settings; Compact and easy to mount
Lows:
Longer charge time compared to similar lights
Bottom line:
The Blackburn Dayblazer 1000 might be the sweet spot in the Blackburn lineup, a good balance of compact size, decent battery life, and low cost for daytime and nighttime riding alike.
2200-lumen max output; 1-hour runtime at max output; USB-C rechargeable; Includes FlexTight bracket for tool-free mounting.
Highs:
Extremely powerful beam with front and side visibility; Long battery life in middle settings
Lows:
Bulky and fiddly to mount for some handlebars
Bottom line:
The Cateye Ampp2200 offers tons of claimed light output as well as great side-light visibility, but the mounting system can prove to be a bit fiddly for a light this big.
2000-lumen max output; 1:30 runtime at max output; USB rechargeable; Includes handlebar mount.
Highs:
Extremely powerful for night riding; Long battery life in medium settings; IP67 water resistance, ideal for all-weather riding.
Lows:
Bulky, limiting under-computer mounting
Bottom line:
The Cygolite Ranger 2000 Endurance Edition is the brand’s most powerful bike light with the battery life to match, but its weight likely limits the ability to mount it under your bike computer.
1300-lumen max output; 1.5-hour runtime at max output; USB-C rechargeable; Includes silicone mount and GoPro adapter.
Highs:
Compact design with versatile mounting options; Excellent brightness with 8 light modes; Good build quality.
Lows:
Short runtime on the highest setting; The mounting system may feel less secure on rough terrain
Bottom line:
The Knog Blinder 900 is the sweet spot in the brand’s lineup of light performance, brightness, and build quality, and our favorite light of the lineup.
1700-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max steady light; Charges via proprietary USB plug; Round aluminum bar bracket included; GoPro accessory mount adaptor sold separately.
Highs:
One of the best beam patterns available for riding fast at night; Durable alloy construction, premium feel; Excellent battery life for its size; Includes wired remote.
Lows:
left/right beam spread is excessive for road riding
Bottom line:
The Exposure Strada MK12 RS is among the best bike lights you can find regardless of cost, with excellent battery life, good beam spread, and excellent build quality.
1600-lumen max output; 3.5-hour runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Includes quick-release handlebar mount; helmet and GoPro accessory mounts available separately.
Highs:
Extremely bright for trail and night riding; Excellent runtime in every setting; Durable and weather-resistant design; Replaceable 21700 battery.
Lows:
How good is that beam pattern?
Bottom line:
The Fenix BC26R features some of the best battery life of any bike light here, but its small size surprises even more.
1200-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Includes quick-release handlebar mount; helmet and GoPro accessory mounts available separately.
Highs:
Outstanding battery life in all settings; Replaceable 18650 battery; Small size for its light output and battery life.
Lows:
Beam pattern seems questionable
Bottom line:
The Fenix BC21R’s small size for its power and performance makes this one of the best lights out there for someone who wants a replaceable battery.
1800-lumen max output; 1.75-hour runtime at max output; USB-C rechargeable; Includes band-on silicone handlebar mount; GoPro accessory mount adaptor available separately.
Highs:
Excellent brightness; Good build quality; Easy to use, even with single button operation; The Smart Connect customization feature is a nice touch.
Lows:
Heavier compared to similar lights
Bottom line:
The Lezyne Super Drive 1800+ offers a whole lot of features, Lezyne’s typical build quality, and good brightness for fast-paced riding at night.
1400-lumen max output; 3-hour runtime at max output; USB-C rechargeable; Includes band-on silicone handlebar mount; GoPro accessory mount adaptor available separately.
Highs:
Powerful and budget-friendly; Long-lasting battery for its size; Race Mode setting makes quick light adjustments easy between medium and high settings.
Lows:
Doesn’t quite have the feature set of other lights at its price point
Bottom line:
Lezyne’s Macro Drive 1400+ might be the pick of Lezyne’s lineup for fast-paced riders at night, thanks to its long battery life and Race Mode light setting.
1500-lumen max output; 1.5-hour runtime at max output; Micro USB charge port; Includes bar mount and GoPro adaptor.
Highs:
Excellent beam pattern for moderate and high-speed riding; Good battery life in most light settings; Durable build with waterproof rating.
Lows:
Large size, but not any different than many other lights at this size.
Bottom line:
The Light & Motion Seca Comp 1500 provides great power and solid runtime in its medium and low steady beam settings, but a move to USB-C would make this even better.
Max output: 1000 lumens; Run time at max output: 1.5 hours; Rechargeable via micro-USB; Includes round adjustable handlebar, helmet, and GoPro universal mounts
Highs:
Compact, lightweight design; Strong beam pattern for road visibility; Side lighting for added safety
Lows:
Micro-USB instead of USB-C
Bottom line:
The Light & Motion Vis Pro 1000 Blacktop offers solid beam spread and side light indicators with a great price point to match.
3000-lumen max output; 2.17-hour runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Includes handlebar mount on Garmin quarter-turn mount; other mounts available (but GoPro mount not recommended); Controlled via a single LED-lit button displaying battery life
Highs:
Extremely bright for nighttime riding at high speeds; USB-C charging, doubles as battery pack to charge other electronics; Choice of wide and narrow beams, or to have both simultaneously; Solid build quality
Lows:
Too heavy to be mounted under bike computer
16 light settings accessed by one button can feel like too much
Bottom line:
The Magicshine RN 3000 front bike light offers excellent lighting power and a solid beam pattern, but the light’s heft limits its mounting points.
1700-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Built-in GoPro-style universal mount for under-computer mounting; Controlled either via Shimano Di2 auxiliary buttons or by an LED-backlit button on the side that displays battery life
Highs:
Size and shape hides away underneath a Garmin computer; Good build quality; Solid battery life in general, better still with its size; Controllable using Shimano Di2 auxiliary buttons
Lows:
Design won’t work with a bar-mounted system
Bottom line:
The Magicshine EVO 1700SD front bike light is packaged nicely when you consider the max brightness and battery life of the light, with Shimano Di2 controls to boot.
1200-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Includes out-front bike computer mount and under-computer mount; helmet mount available separately but not recommended; Controlled via a single LED-backlit button to display battery life, via the Magicshine app, or an included wireless remote control.
Highs:
Beam and light designed specifically for mounting under a bike computer; An additional wireless light remote is a nice touch; USB-C charging for fast charging; Bright enough for urban and light trail riding
Lows:
Magicshine app isn’t well-rounded
Bottom line:
The Magicshine Allty 1200U offers great build quality and a beam pattern made specifically for under-computer mounting, but the accompanying app is far rougher around the edges.
2500-lumen max output; 45 minute runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Includes round handlebar mount; GoPro universal accessory mount and helmet mounts available separately; Controllable via a duo of top-mounted, LED-backed buttons to raise and lower light settings; can also control a rear light depending on the model.
Highs:
Filled with tech; Tool-free mount is easy to use; Dual-button system is easy to understand and use; Powerful light pattern good for high-speed riding.
Lows:
Limited runtime at max output; Heavy for mounting on handlebars
Bottom line:
The NiteRider Lumina Max 2500 is a powerful front light option that excels in well-lit areas, but its weight and runtime at maximum output may deter some riders.
1300-lumen max output; 45-minute runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Includes round handlebar mount; GoPro universal accessory mount and helmet mounts available separately; Controllable via a duo of top-mounted, LED-backed buttons to raise and lower light settings; can also control a rear light depending on the model
Highs:
Plenty of tech; Bright enough for most riding conditions; USB-C charging with NiteLink™ for easy control; Good balance of brightness and runtime
Lows:
Limited run time at max power output can feel deceiving; Higher cost for the wireless functionality; Slide-on mounting system can be finicky if not clicked in properly
Bottom line:
The NiteRider Lumina Pro 1300 offers strong brightness and the convenience of wireless control, but the max 1300 lumen output offers a comparatively short run time.
900-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max output; Micro USB charging; Includes round handlebar mount; GoPro universal accessory mount and helmet mounts available separately; Controllable via a single top-mounted, LED-backed button to adjust light settings
Highs:
Lightweight and compact design; Bright enough for urban and light trail use; Affordable for its brightness
Lows:
Micro-USB instead of USB-C; Limited features compared to other models; Slide-on mounting system can be finicky if not clicked in properly
Bottom line:
The NiteRider Lumina Micro 900 front bike light feels like the pick of the NiteRider bunch, thanks to its small size and strong battery runtimes at ’high’ and ‘medium’ settings and enough light for moderate and fast-paced night rides.
1200-lumen max output; 1.7-hour runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Includes quick-release mount and GoPro-style accessory mount available separately
Highs:
High quality reflector provides better visibility than the lumens suggests; Sturdy light mount; Enough battery power for 7.5 hrs of fast road riding without additional charging; USB-C charging with pass-through charging and an included cable that creates a waterproof seal at the light
Lows:
High quality reflector does a great job but the max lumens is still low compared to the competition
Bottom line:
The Outbound Lighting Detour front bike light delivers a well-rounded beam, excellent runtimes, and pass-through charging, making it an excellent option for those who like to ride through the night.
1500-lumen max output; 2.5-hour runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Includes handlebar mount
Highs:
Excellent battery life, even at max output; USB-C charging for convenience; Impressive price point
Lows:
Limited mounting options in the box; The main light bracket is best for round handlebars
Bottom line:
The Planet Bike Dual Blaze 1500 offers an outstanding max light output and even better battery life at an excellent price point for riding both on and off-road.
850-lumen max output; 1.5-hour runtime at max output; Micro-USB charge port; Includes handlebar mount
Highs:
Solid beam for urban and trail riding; Compact, durable design; Affordable price for the lumen output
Lows:
Micro-USB charging instead of USB-C; Limited mounting options; no helmet mount or GoPro universal mount adaptor available
Bottom line:
The Portland Design Works Lars Rover 850 front bike light packs good power and decent battery life for a mid-range light, but the lack of mount options isn’t ideal.
2000-lumen max output in MTB mode; 1.1-hour runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Includes handlebar mount; GoPro universal and helmet mounts available; Light is controlled via two buttons on the body or an included wireless remote switch; includes an LED display for battery life
Highs:
Extremely bright for off-road riding; Extra light switch is a nice touch; Beam pattern switch adjusts between road and off-road riding; Versatile mounting options included
Lows:
The road biking mode tops out at just 1000 lumens; Overkill for casual or city riding
Bottom line:
The Ravemen PR2000 front bike light stands out with its exceptional brightness and runtime off-road, but the light doesn’t quite stand out in its road biking brightness settings.
1000-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Includes handlebar mount; GoPro universal mount available; Light is controlled via a single button with an LED indicator separately
Highs:
Good brightness for urban use; Simple design; Good battery life
Lows:
Not as bright for off-road riding; Limited mounting options
Bottom line:
The Ravemen CR1000 is an excellent light for everyday commuting, providing solid brightness and features in a sleek design.
850-lumen max output; 1.5-hour runtime at max output; Micro-USB charge port; Includes handlebar mount for round bars; helmet mount available separately; Controlled via a single LED-backed button to display battery life
Highs:
Solid aluminum construction, both for the light and the mount; Mount can place light above or below the stem; Solid 3-hour claimed battery in its steady medium mode
Lows:
Higher price compared to other mid-range lights; Re-aiming the light requires loosening the bar clamp; No GoPro accessory mount option
Bottom line:
The Specialized Flux 850 front bike light is a solid, if not outstanding, offering that lacks some light mounting options for bikes without round handlebars.
1000-lumen max output; 1.5-hour runtime at max output; USB-C charge port; Includes adjustable handlebar mount, and access to Trek’s Blendr mount lineup; Controlled via a single button with LED lights for battery life and light mode
Highs:
Solid battery life in its 500 lumen/3 hour burn time ‘Low’ setting; Amber side markers are a nice touch; Integrated daylight flash mode for visibility; Pairs with Trek Flare RT to turn both lights on with one button; Doubles as a battery pack to charge accessories; Sharp upper edge to avoid blinding other road users
Lows:
If you only care about the lumens, there are cheaper options
Bottom line:
The Trek Commuter Pro RT is expensive for the lumens but the beam cutoff and reverse charging will be worth the price for some users.
125-lumen max output; 1.5-hour runtime at max steady output; Micro-USB rechargeable; Includes silicone band-on mount, or built-in wire clip to mount to bags or clothes; Controlled via one single LED-backlit button displaying battery life
Highs:
Fairly compact for its level of power, both at flash and steady; Bright enough for city riding with good side visibility; Aero seat post mount works well, though not for every seat post shape; Built-in wire clip allows it to be mounted to clothes or bags
Lows:
Uses Micro-USB instead of the newer USB-C
Bottom line:
The Blackburn Dayblazer 125 rear bike light offers impressive daytime riding brightness in a relatively small form factor, but it lacks some of the features of the top bike lights here.
150-lumen max output; 6-hour runtime at max steady setting settings; Proprietary USB charge cable; Includes separate band-on seat post-mount; Controlled via a single LED-backlit button that displays battery life
Highs:
Features ReAKT technology for daylight auto brightness adjustments; Peloton setting lowers brightness when a rider is detected behind; Very long battery life, particularly on lower settings
Lows:
High price point compared to competitors; No USB-C
Bottom line:
The Exposure Blaze MK3 ReAKT Peloton rear bike light is a top-tier choice for those needing smart, adaptive lighting, but it comes at a premium price.
150-lumen max output; 6-hour runtime at max steady setting settings; USB-C charging; Includes separate band-on seat post-mount; Controlled via a single LED-backlit button that displays battery life
Highs:
Features ReAKT technology for daylight auto brightness adjustments; Peloton setting lowers brightness when a rider is detected behind; Very long battery life, particularly on lower settings
Lows:
High price point compared to competitors
Bottom line:
The Exposure Boost-R ReAKT Peloton rear bike light might just be the best rear light from Exposure, as it is just as feature-rich as the Blaze but it comes with the convenience of USB-C charging.
270-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max steady brightness; USB-A rechargeable; Includes band-on seat post mount with an option for standard or aero seat post mount; separates from light bracket; Controlled via a single rubber button at the top of the light
Highs:
Ultra-wide 330-degree visibility; Very bright and easy to recharge; Plugs right into USB port to charge
Lows:
Expensive for a rear light
Bottom line:
The Knog Big Cobber rear bike light offers serious brightness and visibility both in the day and night, but it lacks some of the features of other lights at this price point.
100-lumen max output; 4-hour runtime at max steady brightness; USB-C rechargeable; Has three mounting options: an under-saddle bracket, a direct rear rack mount, or a plastic clip; Controlled via a single button on the side of the light, with separate LED lights to display battery life
Highs:
Ultra-compact design, be it under saddle or at the back of a rack; Several light mounting options; Good battery life overall
Lows:
Bracket system requires tools to install; Cost
Bottom line:
The Knog Blinder Link is a sleek, cable-free solution for cyclists looking for a bike light that tucks away right under a saddle.
20 Lux max output; 10-hour runtime at max brightness; Micro USB rechargeable; Includes wrap-around seat post mount; Controlled via a single LED-backlit button that displays battery life
Highs:
Long battery life; Solid power overall; Affordable and lightweight
Lows:
Low max output for darker conditions
Bottom line:
The Kryptonite Incite XBR rear bike light might just be the brand’s best bike light, offering solid power and good battery life, but even still there are more powerful options for the money out there.
250-lumen max output; 4-hour runtime at max steady brightness; USB-C rechargeable; Includes seat rail mount; Controlled via a single button in the middle of the bike light, with a separate LED bike light on the side to display battery life
Highs:
‘AI’-powered brake alert for enhanced safety; High visibility with powerful output; Saddle rail mounting system leaves the system tucked away
Lows:
Seat rail mount limits placement flexibility
Bottom line:
Don’t pay attention to the ‘Ai’ component; the Lezyne Saddle Ai Alert 250 rear bike light is a sleek, low-profile bike light that brightens as the rider hits the brakes, and it does so quite reliably.
400-lumen max output; 5.5-hour runtime at max brightness; USB-C rechargeable; Includes aero and round seat post mounts; mounts via silicone band-on strap; Controlled via a single button in the middle of the bike light, with a separate LED bike light on the side to display battery life
Highs:
High output provides superior visibility; Wide mounting options for different seat posts
Lows:
Shorter runtime at full brightness
Bottom line:
The Lezyne Strip Drive Pro 400+ rear bike light is yet another high-end bike light from Lezyne that offers good daytime visibility, excellent nighttime visibility, and solid battery life.
150-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max brightness; Micro USB rechargeable; Includes aero and round seat post mounts; detachable from light bracket; Controlled via a single button to control light settings
Highs:
Long-lasting battery; Side amber lights for 180-degree visibility; Solid battery life
Lows:
Bulky design compared to other rear lights; Micro USB charge plug rather than USB-C
Bottom line:
The Light & Motion Vis 180 Pro is ideal for riders who prioritize safety and visibility from all angles, but its bulk may not appeal to everyone.
200-lumen max output; 5-hour runtime at max, steady brightness; USB-C rechargeable; Controlled via two buttons: one to turn the light on and off and one to turn the camera on
Highs:
Bright output for the size; Second light pointed at the ground increases visibility at the feet; Features both a built-in motion sensor and light sensor to preserve battery life
Lows:
Mount isn’t the most secure on aero seat posts
Bottom line:
The Magicshine Seemee 200 offers solid brightness, but its 360-degree tracing light that points light at your pedals adds a whole lot of safety when riding at night.
250-lumen max output; 5-hour runtime at max flash brightness; Micro USB rechargeable; Includes removable band-on light bracket; Controlled via a single button up top
Highs:
Integrated laser lanes for enhanced side visibility; Solid build quality and high brightness
Lows:
Bulky compared to other taillights; Micro USB port rather than USB-C
Bottom line:
The Nite Rider Sentinel 250 rear bike light’s main feature is the laser bike lanes that come as you ride along, but it’s not clear how much the laser lanes improve rider safety.
250-lumen max output; 4-hour runtime at max flash brightness; Micro USB rechargeable; Includes seat post mount with removable bracket; Single button to control light settings
Highs:
Bright with multiple flash patterns; Long runtime for its size
Lows:
No USB-C plug
Bottom line:
The NiteRider Solas 250 rear bike light offers solid battery life and peak brightness, but there are rear bike lights that are more compact for the same price.
150-lumen max output; 4.5-hour runtime at max steady brightness; USB-C rechargeable; Includes seat post mount with removable bracket and built-in clip; Single button to control light settings
Highs:
Slim profile with long battery life; Easy to mount
Lows:
Not as bright as some competitors
Bottom line:
The NiteRider Vmax 150 rear bike light is a solid rear bike light, though it may not be the best option for daytime visibility.
500-lumen max output; 4.5-hour runtime at max steady brightness; USB-C rechargeable; Includes band-on seatpost mount; Controlled via a single button up top to toggle between light settings
Highs:
Extremely bright for a rear light; Built-in brake light and auto-off function; Aluminum construction
Lows:
No ability to adjust the light angle; On the bigger side
Bottom line:
The Ravemen TR500 rear bike light is of the brightest rear lights available for daytime visibility, and it pairs it with a clean auto-off function and integrated rear brake light.
250-lumen max output; 3-hour runtime at max brightness; Micro USB rechargeable; Includes band-on seat post mount; Controlled via a single button atop the light to toggle between light modes
Highs:
Strong visibility from a compact unit; Simple to mount and remove
Lows:
Short runtimes overall, particularly at max brightness; No USB-C charging; Expensive, particularly at full price
Bottom line:
The Specialized Flux 250R offers enough brightness for daytime riding visibility, but there are both more powerful and more feature-rich lights available at the price.
100-lumen max output; 1.5-hour runtime at max brightness; USB-A rechargeable; plugs right into USB port; Includes built-in wrap-around seat post mount; Controlled by a single button up top to toggle between light modes
Highs:
Small, easy-to-mount design; Good daytime visibility; Versatile mounting options
Lows:
Less bright than other lights in its range; Cannot be separated from the light bracket; Pricey for the output
Bottom line:
The Specialized Stix Elite 2 rear bike light is a solid option for city commuters who want a compact light that offers good dusk and nighttime visibility, though more powerful options are available.
20-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max brightness; Micro USB rechargeable; Includes band-on seat post mount and built-in clip
Highs:
Compact size; Built-in clip to mount to bags or clothing
Lows:
Low brightness for dusk conditions
Bottom line:
The Specialized Flashback is a decent bike light for folks wanting something small and easy to move between bikes and bags, but there lights at this price point that offer the dusk visibility that this doesn’t.
90-lumen max output; 7-hour runtime at max steady brightness and radar on; USB-C rechargeable; Includes band-on seat post mount; compatible with Trek’s Blendr light mount system; Controlled via a single button up top; LEDs on the side display battery life
Highs:
Radar detection for car alerts; Good visibility, even during day time performance; Better light performance than the numbers suggest
Lows:
Lacks auto-adjusting rear light; Radar sensitivity can be hit or miss; Battery life doesn’t match the competition
Bottom line:
The Trek Carback Radar rear bike light offers solid daytime visibility and a helpful LED display for battery life on the side, but its bulky size and lack of auto-adjusting light modes do not make this our favorite radar rear bike light.
90-lumen max output; 4.5-hour runtime at max brightness; Micro USB rechargeable; Includes band-on seat post mount; compatible with Trek’s Blendr light mount system; Controlled via a single button up top to toggle between light modes
Highs:
Solid battery life across all light modes; Far better light performance than the claimed lumen counts suggest; Compact and lightweight
Lows:
Micro USB charge plug rather than USB-C
Bottom line:
The Trek Flare RT rear bike light is one of our favorite lights out there, thanks to its compact size, good battery life, and excellent brightness for daytime and night time.
65-lumen max output; 1.6-hour runtime at max steady output; Micro-USB rechargeable; Includes silicone band-on mount, or built-in wire clip to mount to bags or clothes; Controlled via one single LED-backlit button displaying battery life
Highs:
Versatile mounting system both on the bike and on-rider; Aero seat post mount works well, though not for every seat post shape; Provides good visibility for urban environments
Lows:
Limited runtime at maximum brightness; Older Micro-USB charging port
Bottom line:
The Dayblazer 65 is an affordable, lightweight rear light suitable for city commuting, though its runtime and older charging port may be drawbacks for some riders.
30-lumen max output; 1.5-hour runtime at max steady output; USB-C rechargeable; Includes silicone band-on mount, or built-in plastic clip to mount to bags or clothes; Controlled via one single LED-backlit button displaying battery life
Highs:
Plenty of light for the money; Multiple lighting modes for flexibility
Lows:
Lower max output compared to similar lights; Limited runtime at full brightness
Bottom line:
The Blackburn Grid Rear Bike Light offers the mounting versatility of the other Blackburn rear tail lights at a lower price point–and a bit less power.
37-lumen max output; 2.5-hour runtime at max brightness; USB rechargeable; Includes band-on seat post mount; Controlled via one single button to swap between settings
Highs:
Lightweight and stylish design; Offers wide visibility with a 180-degree beam spread
Lows:
Lower brightness than some competitors; Relatively short runtime at max power
Bottom line:
The Bookman Curve rear bike light is unique in that it offers a wide rear light spread, though there are more powerful lights out there for the price.
45-lumen max output; 5-hour runtime at max steady brightness; Micro-USB rechargeable; Includes wrap-around seat post mount, light snaps on and off; Controlled via one single button to swap between settings
Highs:
Compact and easy to install; Offers long runtime for its size
Lows:
Limited brightness compared to larger lights; Simple feature set
Bottom line:
The Cateye Viz450 rear bike light combines excellent battery life in its steady light settings with a removable light mount to swap the light between bikes.
15-lumen max output; 3-hour runtime at max brightness; Battery light; no rechargeable battery; Includes wrap-around seat post mount; Controlled via a single button to the side of the light
Highs:
Bracket system allows the light to be mounted horizontally or vertically alike; Long battery life
Lows:
Short battery life at full output; Not enough light for proper dusk visibility
Bottom line:
The Cateye Omni 3 rear bike light is a budget-friendly choice that is tempting enough to spend on, but it lacks the power for night riding.
15-lumen max output; 4.5-hour runtime at max steady brightness; USB-C rechargeable; Includes clip and wrap-around seat post mount; Controlled via a single button on top of the light
Highs:
Great battery life for its size; Excellent price point for the battery; Choice of band-on silicone mount or clip-on light option is a nice touch
Lows:
Low brightness for dusk riding; Simple design with few features
Bottom line:
The BC05R V2 is ideal for daytime visibility but may lack power for darker conditions or night riding.
65-lumen max output; 6-hour runtime at max brightness; USB-C rechargeable; Uses a custom keyed interface that separates from the mount to move this from bike to bike; Controlled via ANT+ compatible bike computer with auto on and off, or via a duo of buttons on the side
Highs:
Integrated radar warns of approaching vehicles; Works seamlessly with Garmin devices; Mounting system is excellent
Lows:
High price tag; Camera app is buggy; Camera quality is not good enough to be a stand-in action camera; Heavy
Bottom line:
The Garmin Varia RCT715 rear bike light radar offers an all-in-one interface of a radar, camera, and bike light, but we think Garmin’s own Varia RTL515 is the radar bike light to get.
75-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max brightness; Micro USB rechargeable; Includes seat post mount or plastic clip mount; Controlled via a single LED-backlit button that displays battery life
Highs:
Compact with wide beam visibility; Affordable price point; Can mount horizontally or vertically
Lows:
Lower brightness than competitors; So-so battery life; Mounting system is somewhat limited; Limited runtime at full power; Micro-USB plug rather than USB-C
Bottom line:
A compact, budget-friendly rear light ideal for urban commuting but lacks the features of newer options.
50-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max brightness; USB-A rechargeable; Includes seat post mount; silicone band-on mount is detachable from the light to swap from bike to bike; Includes single button to control light setting
Highs:
Auto-on/off whenever the light is removed from the cradle mount; Bright enough for daytime visibility
Lows:
Light is physically big
Bottom line:
The Light & Motion Vya Smart rear bike light offers intelligent automation, making it a convenient choice for daily commuters.
30-lumen max output for taillight; 3.5-hour battery life in high light mode and recording on; USB-C rechargeable; Includes seat post mount; bolt-on light mount available separately; Controlled via two buttons: one to turn the light on and off and one to turn the camera on
Highs:
Always-on camera a nice touch; Solid overall battery life; Smart ambient light sensor
Lows:
Band-on light mount works, but the light moves around on aero seat posts; No image stabilization means this can’t be an action camera substitute; Lacks the brake sensor or ambient light features of Magicshine’s other lights
Bottom line:
The Magicshine Seemee DV rear camera taillight offers solid battery life and camera recording ability, though its size feels bigger than you’d think.
50-lumen max output; 3-hour runtime at max steady brightness; USB-C rechargeable; Includes band-on seat post mount; Controlled via a single LED-backlit button displaying battery life
Highs:
Compact size; Good overall power; Lots of features; Sufficient brightness for urban commuting
Lows:
Limited brightness for darker conditions; Can move around on aero seat post
Bottom line:
The Magicshine Seemee 50 rear bike light is a solid rear bike light, but the added syncing features make this an excellent value.
65-lumen max output; 7-hour runtime at max brightness; Micro USB rechargeable; Includes seat post and seat stay mounts; aero mount tail light, rear rack tail light, and tail light clips available separately; Controlled via a single button in the middle of the bike light
Highs:
Very bright for its size; Affordable; Solid battery life, particularly in flash settings
Lows:
Shorter runtime at maximum brightness
Bottom line:
The Planet Bike Superflash 65 R rear bike light is an excellent bang-for-the-buck option, with good peak brightness and battery life for the price point.
30-lumen max output; 2-hour runtime at max brightness; USB-C rechargeable; Band-on mount with a single band to mount to a seat post; Controlled via a single button controlling light setting
Highs:
Budget-friendly; Decent brightness for city use at night; Decent battery life
Lows:
Not much for $20!
Bottom line:
The Planet Bike Blinky Squared is a no-frills, USB-C rechargeable rear light that does the job for urban cyclists at moderate speeds.
0.5-watt max output; 50 hour runtime at max brightness; AAA-battery only; non-rechargeable; Includes adjustable strap mount bracket and built-in clip for bags or clothing; rear rack bracket available separately; Controlled via a single button down below to adjust between light modes
Highs:
Decent power; Easy to mount and remove
Lows:
Doesn’t quite have the battery life of other non-rechargeable rear bike lights
Bottom line:
The Portland Design Works Danger Zone is small and offers good nighttime and dusk visibility, but there are plenty of rechargeable bike lights to consider at this price point as well.
30-lumen max output; 4.5-hour runtime at max steady brightness; Micro USB rechargeable; Includes wrap-around seat post mount; Controlled by pressing on the rear light lens
Highs:
Minimalist design; Affordable; Easy to swap between bikes
Lows:
Lacks the clip system of the Danger Zone
Bottom line:
The Portland Design Works Asteroid doesn’t stand out on the spec chart, but the ease of use and design make the light a fun choice.
50-lumen max output; 8-hour runtime at max steady brightness; USB-C rechargeable; Includes wrap-around seat post bracket for round and aero seat posts, with built-in clip for bags and clothing; Controlled via a duo of buttons up top
Highs:
Built-in light sensor to detect headlights and adjust max output; Built-in brake sensor that activates max light output; Simple design with built-in clip system
Lows:
Not quite as powerful as other lights at this price point
Bottom line:
While there are brighter rear bike lights for the price, the Ravemen CL06 offers plenty of features and good performance overall for folks looking to ride at dusk or at night.
30-lumen max output; 4.5-hour runtime at max brightness; USB-C rechargeable; Includes wrap-around seat post bracket for round and aero seat posts, with built-in clip for bags and clothing; Controlled via a duo of buttons up top
Highs:
Very affordable; Easy to use
Lows:
Battery life is inconsistent
Bottom line:
The Ravemen CL05 rear bike light is good for nighttime visibility, though we recommend the small jump in price to the CL06 for its extra features and improved brightness.
35-lumen max output; 3-hour runtime at max steady brightness; Micro USB rechargeable; Includes band-on seat post mount; compatible with Trek’s Blendr light mount system; Controlled via a single button up top to toggle between light modes
Highs:
Far better light performance than the claimed lumen counts suggest; Lightweight and compact
Lows:
Micro USB charge plug rather than USB-C
Bottom line:
The Trek Flare R City rear bike light is a budget-friendly option with enough brightness for urban cycling at dusk and night time.
