You won't be able to make your hunting session an epic without the brightest hunting headlamp. The gear gives you a hand-free light when groping your way in the dark.
Not only do you need the lamp to be waterproof, lightweight, and functional, but it also has to be able to pierce through the darkness.
However, the choices on the market are quite abundant. I'm sure you won't be able to pick out the right unit unless you read through my guide here.
Here are the brightest hunting headlamps (Apr 2024 Update):
- Best Overall: OUTERDO 8 LED Headlamp Flashlight 13000 Lumens
- Most Durable: Ankeca Newest Version OF Brightest LED Headlamp 20000 Lumens
- Best For Rainy Days: Alyattes Headlamp 13000 LM
- Best For Snowy Days: SHINE HAI 2020 Newest Rechargeable LED Headlamp, 2 Pack 10000 Lumens
- Best For Consistent Performance: KJLAND Headlamp Rechargeable 13000 Lumens
- Best For Long Distance: OUTERDO Rechargeable Headlamp, OUTERDO 12000 Lumens
| 6 Brightest Hunting Headlamps | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | OUTERDO 8 LED Headlamp Flashlight 13000 Lumens | |
Most Durable | Ankeca Newest Version OF Brightest LED Headlamp 20000 Lumens | |
Best For Rainy Days | Alyattes Headlamp 13000 LM | |
Best For Snowy Days | SHINE HAI 2020 Newest Rechargeable LED Headlamp, 2 Pack 10000 Lumens | |
Best For Consistent Performance | KJLAND Headlamp Rechargeable 13000 Lumens | |
Best For Long Distance | OUTERDO Rechargeable Headlamp, OUTERDO 12000 Lumens | |
Best Overall: OUTERDO 8 LED Headlamp Flashlight 13000 Lumens
- Super bright with 8 LEDs
- Tiltable head to 90° down
- Safety taillight
- Rechargeable
- Padded headband
- Battery drains fast
- The hinge detent may get loosened
The headlamp features at least 8 LEDs that provide up to 13,000 lumens when on. You know what that means? It's ultimately bright.
This piece of gear has an all-plastic construction. It's got a nice anodized blue ring around the light compartment. The maximum illumination can reach a distance of up to 600 meters.
In practice, in a pitch dark space, these lights do shine the way far enough, but what I care more is the beam it emits to the surrounding. This unit does let me see a large diameter.
The buttons on the unit are rubberized and waterproof. I love the tilt feature, which allows you to look down without having to bend your head. More than that, if there is someone in front of you, the lamp won't blind them.
Another great thing is the weight. You won't feel any bulk on your head. Plus, the headband is quite comfortable, thanks to the head sponge pad. It's also adjustable to fit any head size.
On the back, you can find a red tail light that indicates your whereabouts. The pack comes with two batteries and a USB cable for charging.
| OUTERDO 8 LED Headlamp Flashlight 13000 Lumens Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 315g |
Lumens | 13,000 |
Charging Time | 6 hours |
Irradiation Range | 200-500m |
Highlight Features | 8 LEDs that emit up to 13,000 lumens. Tiltable to 90° down. Comfortable, adjustable headband. Safety taillight. IP4 waterproof |
In terms of brightness, comfort, and money, I don't hesitate to give this headlight a big thumb.
Most Durable: Ankeca Newest Version OF Brightest LED Headlamp 20000 Lumens
- Ultra bright
- Durable
- Sweat-resistant headband
- 90-degree adjustable lamp head
- A bit heavy on the head
- So bright that can blind who stands in front of it
First of all, I really appreciate the design of this head torch. What impressed me was the 3 tough Cree LEDs in front housed in a super-tough compartment.
Ankeca makes this headlamp to withstand all weather conditions. You can wear it when it's hot or chilling. The battery compartment withstands all elements with the air-tight rubber sealing.
If you wonder about the brightness, this unit has 20,000 lumens and 4 light modes to shine your way. You can change the illumination from narrow to wide. The long-range beam allows a better vision when you're in a dark forest.
The adjustable headband is a bit stiff at first, but after a few uses, it creates a custom fit. More than that, the band is sweat-resistant, which won't absorb liquid and become soaky.
| Ankeca Newest Version OF Brightest LED Headlamp 20000 Lumens Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 5 oz |
Lumens | 20,000 |
Charging Time | N/A |
Irradiation Range | N/A |
Highlight Features | 3 Cree LED of 20,000 lumens, 4 modes. Custom fit. Sweat-resistant adjustable headband |
If you hunt in areas that temperature and weather usually go extreme, this headlamp is a survivor in those conditions.
Best For Rainy Days: Alyattes Headlamp 13000 LM
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
- Long battery life
- Padded forehead
- Great price
- Pressure on the back skull if wear for long hours
- Cheap included charger
This 5-LED headlamp looks crazy to me. It convinces me that the light housing made of aluminum alloy and rubber is super tough in all weather. Especially, no rain can damage the unit.
More than that, when wearing this headlamp in the rain, it won't slip toward your eyes like many models, thanks to the polymer curve front piece. The band that goes inside helps the unit sit right on your forehead, meanwhile giving you a cushion.
With 5 LEDs in the front, many people may think the unit produces weight. However, aluminum alloy is a lightweight metal that doesn't bulk the unit down.
There is one huge LED in the middle encompassed by a thick glass dome. Circling the centerpiece is 4 smaller LEDs. All combined will give you a lot of output. You can also adjust the lamp to the angle you want up to 90 degrees.
| Alyattes Headlamp 13000 LM Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 10.5 oz |
Lumens | 13,000 |
Charging Time | 7-8 hours |
Irradiation Range | N/A |
Highlight Features | Made of lightweight aluminum alloy. Rubberized for waterproofing. 13,000 lumens super bright. Lifetime warranty |
For me, this headlamp is overkill for the overall build, light output, and also the price.
Best For Snowy Days: SHINE HAI 2020 Newest Rechargeable LED Headlamp, 2 Pack 10000 Lumens
- Lightweight
- Waterproof and snow proof
- Long lifespan
- Tiltable body
- The rubber button is a bit flimsy
- Hard to mount on a hardhat
Hunting when it's snowing meets a huge problem with mist. That said, you need a head torch to pierce through the fog. This Shine Hai headlamp, 2020 version, will shine your way through the tough weather.
This unit features one Cree T6 LED bulb. The ones on the sides are COD LEDs, which is said to live up to 50,000 hours.
And of course, this unit is waterproof, rated IPX3, which is sufficient for walking in the snow. It also has the adjustability in the head to reduce blind spots. You can bend the unit to 90 degrees up and down.
The beam on this model spreads 240° wide, giving you a better vision to the surroundings even when it snows. At the battery compartment, it is shielded tightly so as not to let drops penetrate.
Better yet, this unit works up to 10 hours in low brightness and 6 hours in maximum light mode. That'd give approximately 7 hours using multiple modes consecutively.
Besides, the light can zoom in and out when you need to focus on detailed work or need a wider illumination.
| SHINE HAI 2020 Newest Rechargeable LED Headlamp, 2 Pack 10000 Lumens Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.45 pounds |
Lumens | 10,000 |
Charging Time | N/A |
Irradiation Range | N/A |
Highlight Features | 1 CREE T6 LED and 2 COB LED that shine up to 50,000 hours. IPX3 waterproof rating. Snow proof. 240°wide beam angle and 90°up and down adjustment |
Whatever the weather condition is, this headlight is tolerable to them all.
Best For Consistent Performance: KJLAND Headlamp Rechargeable 13000 Lumens
- Stably shining
- Great for close-up work
- Reasonable battery life
- Work up to 9 modes
- Safe with the back indicator
- Heavy on the hardhat
It's irritating that the light keeps flashing when you need it to be consistent. Through the tests, I concluded that this KJLAND light has the most stable performance.
The unit features up to 3 units and 2 white lights, and shines 13,000 units of lumens. Not only it brightens super strong but also consistently. Another great thing is the rechargeable batteries that last more than 10 hours in the low mode.
Also, this headlamp is worthy because it works on 9 modes and a safety warning light. It gives you a full range of lighting from the main ones to the side ones.
Most head torches I used are waterproof, but the rating is not as high as this one. With the IPX5 rating, you can wear this gear in a heavy shower without worrying about damage. All the wiring and compartments are leakage-resistant to make sure no water will soak through.
Lastly, buying this light, you'll get a lifetime warranty to guarantee your experience with the product is nowhere to be wrong.
| KJLAND Headlamp Rechargeable 13000 Lumens Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 11.6 ounces |
Lumens | 12,000 |
Charging Time | N/A |
Irradiation Range | N/A |
Highlight Features | 90 degrees ergonomic design. 9 modes and a safety indicator in the back. IPX5 waterproof. 90º adjustable head. Lifetime warranty |
No more flashy light and inconsistent performance that upset you if you trust this KJLAND headlamp.
Best For Long Distance: OUTERDO Rechargeable Headlamp, OUTERDO 12000 Lumens
- 8 versatile modes
- Long working time
- Money back guarantee
- Can charge from any electrical source
- Produce heat
- Poor instruction
Long short story, with 12,000 lumens and 6 LED bulbs, you'll be able to see things within a range of 500 meters. The beam distance is also large enough for you to see the surrounding.
More than that, you can adjust the head for more viewing angles. Every part exposed on this unit is waterproof.
It saves you a lot of money using this headlamp from buying batteries. The unit comes with a rechargeable battery and a USB cable. After 8 months using this headlamp regularly, I haven't had to replace the batteries. You can charge the gear from a bunch of sources like a computer, vehicle port, charging head, etc.
This head torch features 8 modes, including white light and red light. You can function from the main lights to auxiliary lights with just one button.
I haven't experienced this light to slip around on my head. The straps are quite secure and easy to adjust. It's padded in the forehead, so wearing it hours doesn't seem to be a problem. If you wear a hat, it's ok to mount this one on. It won't slip either.
| OUTERDO Rechargeable Headlamp, OUTERDO 12000 Lumens Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 127g |
Lumens | 12,000 |
Charging Time | N/A |
Irradiation Range | 500 meters |
Highlight Features | Super bright LEDs. Withstand all weather. IP4 waterproof. Rechargeable batteries. Illumination reaches 500 meters |
This headlamp allows you to look for so that you can target better or predict well what's ahead when there's no light.
How To Choose The Brightest Hunting Headlamp?
Hunting headlamp is a must-have gear in the pack at all times. And you need it to be quality, functional, and tough enough to serve you in the wild.
Now here is the important part. There are certain factors you need to know when buying the brightest hunting headlamp.
Number Of Lumens
Lumen, generally, is the amount of light that the headlamp brings in all directions and conditions. In other words, it gives you an idea of how bright the light will be.
However, when comparing headlamps across brands, we don't compare lumens. Basically, the higher the lumens, the more light output you get.
Beam Distance And Type
This factor tells you how far the beam's reach is, both on the brightest and dimmest.
In addition to the beam distance, beam types also play a role. Many have two types of light: spotlight and floodlight.
The spotlight gives you more distance but less peripheral. This type is great for night hiking, where you really need to see a lot of range but don't care what's on the sides.
The floodlight gives you more peripheral light but not as much distance. This wide light is ideal for quartering meat or looking at things that are closer to your face.
Runtime
It is important to know how long the light will last at its maximum and minimum brightness. However, it doesn't have to be exactly following that time range but relying on a variety of modes you'll be using.
But it's worth knowing the life of the battery so that you can estimate the number of hours you have with the headlight.
Which Brands Make The Brightest Hunting Headlamp?
Outerdo
The brand is only 4 years old, quite young on the market. But the products they make convince users, from the professional to beginners to outdoor activities. Though the brand dedicates to cycling accessories, headlamps from them are super functional with all the features made to serve you in the dark.
Alyattes
Headlamps from Alyattes are budget but high in performance. The products typically come with a solid build on the outside, great flexibility, high efficiency, and responsive customer service. With the mission to spread their customers' population, Alyattes keeps their products and service at premium quality.
FAQs
Is hunting headlamp worth it?
Headlamps are critically important for outdoor activities, especially when it's dark. It provides a light source for navigating in the darkness. In many cases, headlights are survival items that help people find their way back to the base.
Almost all headlamps feature flashlights for SOS, which is crucial for emergency cases. That makes this kind of gear worth any price.
How many lumens do I need for hunting headlamp?
Typically, 100 to 150 lumens are adequate for any need. But a hunting headlamp, or one for any purpose, should have 300 to 400 lumens, in my opinion.
But ideally, you should look for lamps that have adjustable light output. It allows you to dial to the amount of light you want. It's useful not only for hunting, but also for fishing, orienting, caving, and many outdoor activities in the dark.
What color light will I need?
White light is best for illumination at night. But it's likely to scare away animals. That is why most hunters I know choose red, blue, or green light, even purple.
Can I get a headlamp that will work with rechargeable or disposable batteries?
Yes. Some models are compatible with both rechargeable or disposable batteries.
I highly recommend using rechargeable batteries as reusable so that you don't have to throw away more single-use batteries.
What is an LED headlight for hunting?
An LED headlight for hunting is a gear that you can mount on your head to have a light source to navigate in the light-out condition. The headlight can feature different lumens for different levels of the light beam.
In hunting, headlamps are crucial, especially at night. The gear is super useful in giving you a light source for functioning in the dark.
Conclusion
Please trust me. You must have the brightest hunting headlamp for your next adventure. And my picks for you are all trustable options tested on the field.
If you have any questions regarding the buying guide or want more choices, don't hesitate to let me know.
I'll see you very soon.
Bryan Listor
