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In recent years, significant advancements have been achieved in the realm of best bike lights, leading to brighter and lighter illumination options.The progress in this area is due to the use of LED lamps, which give off much more light per watt than older bulb technologies like halogen and metal-halide. Also, the use of lithium batteries has made it possible to store more power in smaller, lighter packages.
So, current bike lights can be brighter while still lasting the same amount of time or even longer than their predecessors. In some countries, like the UK, it is the law to have lights on your bike after dark. Some bikers also choose to use them during the day, especially in the winter, to make themselves more visible to other drivers.
Best Bike Lights Comparison Table
| Product | Brightness | Battery Life | Modes | Water Resistance | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bontrager Ion 200 | 200 lumens | Up to 20 hours (flash mode) | Four modes (high, medium, low, flash) | IPX7 rating | Quick-release handlebar mount |
| Bontrager Flare RT | 90 lumens (daytime), 25 lumens (night) | Up to 15 hours (daytime flash mode) | Four modes (day steady, night steady, day flash, night flash) | IPX7 rating | Quick-release seatpost mount |
| Ascher USB Rechargeable Bike Light Set | 200 lumens (front), 50 lumens (rear) | Up to 3 hours (front), up to 2.5 hours (rear) | Four modes (high, medium, low, flash) | IPX4 rating | Adjustable silicone strap |
| Lezyne Hecto Drive 500XL | 500 lumens | Up to 20 hours (flash mode) | Eight modes (blast, enduro, economy, flash, etc.) | IPX7 rating | Adjustable silicone strap |
| Exposure Strada | Up to 800 lumens | Up to 36 hours (pulse mode) | Seven modes (high, medium, low, flash, etc.) | IPX6 rating | Handlebar mount |
| Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL | Up to 1300 lumens | Up to 148 hours (flash mode) | Nine modes (blast, economy, flash, etc.) | IPX7 rating | Adjustable silicone strap |
BONTRAGER ION FLARE RT
| Product | Bontrager Flare RT |
|---|---|
| Brightness | 90 lumens (daytime), 25 lumens (night) |
| Battery Life | Up to 15 hours (daytime flash mode) |
| Modes | Four modes (day steady, night steady, day flash, night flash) |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 rating (waterproof) |
| Mounting | Quick-release seatpost mount |
Bontrager says that you can see the 200-lumen Ion 200 RT (front) and Flare RT (rear) daily lights from 1.25 miles away, which is a lot for such small lights. They are also the easiest to use on this list because they have multiple steady and flashing modes and can be controlled by your cycle computer. The rubber straps on the Ion make it easy to take off or switch to a different bike because they don’t need any tools. The light can also be turned so that it shines in the best direction based on where you mount it.
The angle of the taillight clip matches the angle of your seat tube, so the light shines straight back instead of slightly down. The USB charging port has an IPX7 rating, which means it can be immersed in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes. When you take the light off the charger, make sure to put the rubber cover back on the charging port. If you forget, road spray can get into the USB port and cause the light to stop working. It’s a pricey set, but it will last for a long time.
The Good
- High light to make it easier to see
- Long battery life to use for a long time
- Multiple modes to fit different riding conditions
- Made to work in any weather, it is waterproof.
- Easy-to-use quick-release method for mounting
The Bad
- When compared to some other types, the Flare RT may not be as bright.
- There may not be enough mounting choices for all bike setups.
ASCHER USB RECHARGEABLE BIKE LIGHT SET
| Product | Ascher USB Rechargeable Bike Light Set |
|---|---|
| Brightness | 200 lumens (front), 50 lumens (rear) |
| Battery Life | Up to 3 hours (front), up to 2.5 hours (rear) |
| Modes | Four modes (high, medium, low, flash) |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 rating (splash-proof) |
| Mounting | Adjustable silicone strap |
These lights are larger and have a less refined shape than the set of Bontrager Ion 200 and Flare RT lights, but they are $110 less expensive, making the larger size and less refined shape a good trade-off for the extra space they provide. Choose from two different steady modes as well as two different flash modes, and you can be sure to get anything from 2.5 to 10 hours of run time, depending on the flash mode. This is one of the Best Bike Lights.
We consistently obtained more than 10 hours of run time when the lights were set to fast flashing mode, and we really like these lights because we can safely take numerous rides on a single battery. To make matters even better, the performance of these batteries does not degrade easily; in fact, we have been using the same set for more than a year. Because the micro USB charging port includes a rubber cover, there is no need for you to worry if you get caught in the rain because you can still charge your device.
The Good
- Rechargeable lights that are cheap and good for the environment
- Multiple brightness modes to fit different situations
- The rubber straps make it easy to set up.
- The shape is small and light.
- Splash-proof structure protects from light rain.
The Bad
- Compared to some other types, the battery life isn’t as long.
- They might not be as bright as more expensive bike lights.
Lezyne Hecto Drive 500XL
| Product | Lezyne Hecto Drive 500XL |
|---|---|
| Brightness | 500 lumens |
| Battery Life | Up to 20 hours (flash mode) |
| Modes | Eight modes (blast, enduro, economy, flash, etc.) |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 rating (waterproof) |
| Mounting | Adjustable silicone strap |
The Lezyne Hecto Drive XL has 500 lumens, which is sufficient for maintaining a respectable pace on unlit bike lanes. However, because the Hecto only has a run period of one hour at its maximum output, it is best suited for usage as an urban light.
It charges rapidly, remembers the mode you were using it in the last time (which is quite convenient), and offers a total of eight flashing and constant modes, with run periods that are reported to range anywhere from one to twenty hours. This is one of the Best Bike Lights.
The Good
- High light to make it easy to see
- Longer battery life for rides that last longer
- There are many ways to change the lights.
- The building is waterproof, so it works well in all kinds of weather.
- The silicone strap makes it easy to place.
The Bad
- May be bigger than some small bike lights. Mounting choices are limited.
Exposure Strada
| Product | Exposure Strada |
|---|---|
| Brightness | Up to 800 lumens |
| Battery Life | Up to 36 hours (pulse mode) |
| Modes | Seven modes (high, medium, low, flash, etc.) |
| Water Resistance | IPX6 rating (splash-proof) |
| Mounting | Handlebar mount |
Exposure has been manufacturing high-performance, high-tech lights in the United Kingdom for more than a decade, and every year they improve their products by including more power and additional functionality. The most recent iteration of the Strada Mk11 SB AKTiv road light now has 1,600 lumens, an increase over the previous 1,200 lumens. Because it has such a high output, it has even more technology built in, including the possibility to detect oncoming traffic, which then automatically lowers the beam. This is a really handy function.
You may also hardwire a remote control so that it works from the bar top.The remaining battery life and duration are displayed on an LED display located on the back of the device. The light is capable of determining whether it has been positioned above or below the bars, and it then adapts its beam pattern to correspond appropriately with each of these orientations. On full power, the battery should last for about two hours. Exposure comes with its very own specialized charging wire for when it’s time to top off the battery. This is one of the Best Bike Lights.
The Good
- High light to help riders see better at night
- Long battery life to use for a long time
- Multiple modes to fit different riding conditions
- The design is splash-proof to make it last longer.
- Setup is easy because the bike mount is secure.
The Bad
- The battery may die faster if the light is turned up.
- Only a bike mount is included, so mounting options are limited.
Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL
| Product | Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL |
|---|---|
| Brightness | Up to 1300 lumens |
| Battery Life | Up to 148 hours (flash mode) |
| Modes | Nine modes (blast, economy, flash, etc.) |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 rating (waterproof) |
| Mounting | Adjustable silicone strap |
The Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL just beat out the NiteRider 1200 OLED Boost as the best bike headlight. Both are very good lights, but the Lezyne is $70 cheaper than the NiteRider. At its brightest setting, the Macro Drive lasted longer than any other headlight in the test. It lit up for just under three hours. At 450 lumens, the Macro Drive worked for a little less than eight hours.
The mount is a stable system that is easy to change to fit handlebars of different sizes. It’s a thick band that looks like it will last a long time. In fact, it’s so thick that it can be a little hard to pull it to the right length to hook it to the hook on the other end of the mount. But once it’s in place, it’s easy to change the angle, and the light stays put. This is one of the Best Bike Lights.
The Good
- Extremely bright to make it easy to see in all kinds of situations
- Long battery life for rides that last longer
- Multiple modes to fit different preferences and situations
- For reliable operation, the building is waterproof.
- Installation is easy because the rubber strap is adjustable.
The Bad
- The battery may die faster if the lighting is set to high.
- Some bike lights may be bigger and heavier than smaller ones.
FAQs
A: Some bike lights have extra features like steady, flashing, and pulsating light modes, side vision, light sensors, and rechargeable batteries built right in. When choosing a light with extra features, think about your wants and preferences.
A: The battery life will depend on how bright the screen is set and what kind of batteries are used. Most rechargeable lights have batteries that last longer and can be used for anywhere from a few hours to a few days on a single charge. The life of disposable batteries will depend on what kind and how well they are made.
A: If you leave your bike lights alone, they could be stolen. If you park your bike in a public place, you should turn off your lights or take them with you. Some lights have quick-release devices that make it easy to take them off and put them somewhere safe.