The Best Bike Helmet Lights

Buying Guide for Bike Helmet Lights

Why buy a bike helmet light?

A bike helmet light will provide you with the necessary visibility to have a safe ride. They attach to your helmet to shine in your line of vision and help you see the road ahead. They also help drivers of cars see you in the dark so that they can keep a safe distance. Helmet lights are also affordable accessories that are lightweight, unobtrusive, and mountable to virtually any bike helmet. Unlike bike lights that attach directly to your bicycle, a bike helmet light will also move with your head (similar to headlamps) whether you’re looking forward, backward, or side-to-side, ensuring that your line of vision will always be lit up.

What should you look for in a bike helmet light?

• Brightness and Lighting Modes:T he primary purpose of a bike helmet light is to improve your visibility and increase your safety while cycling. So, it’s essential to ensure that your light can provide enough brightness to illuminate the path before you and be seen by other road users. Look for lights that have a high lumens rating and a focused beam that can cut through darkness. Multiple lighting modes will help cater to different situations; you won’t need as bright of a light when riding at dusk as you will in total darkness, for instance.
• Mounting Mechanism: The mount used to stabilize and secure your helmet light will also play a role in your decision. We advise that you find a mounting mechanism that is sturdy, durable, and comfortable to wear. Some of the more popular options include Velcro attachments, clips, straps, and bike helmets with built-in lights. Clip-on lights are especially handy if you plan to rotate your light between different helmets or ever want to adjust its position, while built-in helmet lights spare you the hassle of having to attach the light yourself.
• Battery Life: The battery life of your helmet light is crucial, especially if you plan to use it for long rides or during your daily commute. Make sure the light has a long-lasting battery that can give you enough run time. Also, consider how easy it is to recharge the battery (if you opt for a rechargeable model) and how long it takes to do so.

Are bike helmet lights legal?

The legality of wearing helmet lights will ultimately come down to the area/region in which you live. Some states actually require you to have a light mounted to your helmet or bicycle frame when riding. However, other states have banned cyclists from mounting visibility lights to their helmets. Be sure to research the state and municipal laws on bike helmet lights in your specific area before purchasing.

Our Picks for the Best Bike Helmet Lights

Pros: This bike helmet light has a lightweight and durable design, water resistance, and a rechargeable battery. The light comes equipped with a nylon headband that is adjustable and incredibly comfortable to wear. The battery life is roughly eight hours, and the light itself only takes two hours to recharge completely.

Cons: The strap that allows you to adjust and secure the nylon headband will weaken with extensive use. You will likely want to attach it to your helmet with Velcro, which is sold separately, to keep it secure.

Bottom Line: Overall, this is a fantastic light that you can easily attach to your bike helmet with some Velcro. It is reliable, affordable, long-lasting, and provides you with optimal visibility during the darkest hours of the day. It can withstand some of the most severe weather conditions without experiencing damage.

 

Pros: If you prefer a bike light that’s built into a helmet rather than a separate attachment, look no further. This top-of-the-line helmet features bright LED lights on both the front and back to keep you visible to drivers and other cyclists as well as lighting your way in the dark. It also features turn signals controlled by a remote. This adds an extra layer of safety and predictability to your rides, day or night. The helmet is comfortable to wear, thanks in large part to its two size options, both of which can be adjusted to better fit your head.

Cons: The price point of this bike helmet and light is quite high compared to standard bike helmets on the market, and the instructions and app for setting up the helmet can be difficult to navigate for less tech-savvy users. The light also doesn’t have the best battery life.

Bottom Line: With the light already built into this helmet, all you have to do is strap it on, and you’re ready to hit the bike trail. It doesn’t get much more convenient than that.

 

Pros: This mountable light for your helmet features a fully rotational clamp that allows you to point it in virtually any direction. You can easily attach the light to the brim of your helmet to give you optimal visibility. The light also has an extremely high safety rating.

Cons: Although this light is suitable to use for bike riding, it is most effective for emergency situations and construction work in hazardous conditions. It’s on the pricey end.

Bottom Line: In terms of overall quality and performance, this mountable flashlight is one of the best options. It produces enough brightness to light up large sections of public roads and bike trails, ensuring you can ride safely through the darkness.

 

Pros: This lighting kit is perfect for your bike helmet because it comes with an adjustable mount and features LED technology for optimal brightness. The flashlight is waterproof, and the mount is made of aluminum alloy for greater durability.

Cons: The mount doesn’t fit onto every helmet, so you will need to check the compatibility ahead of time. It mounts much more effectively onto hardhats, firefighter helmets, etc.

Bottom Line: You won’t believe how dependable this mountable helmet light is until you own it. The super affordable price ensures that this product is well worth the investment. You won’t have to worry about buying a new bike helmet light for quite some time.

 

Pros: With a 43-hour runtime and a waterproof casing, this mountable flashlight is a pretty stellar pick. It features seven different lighting modes for various situations and a rechargeable USB port. It also has a light for the front and a light for the back of your helmet. However, and perhaps most importantly, this flashlight easily mounts onto your helmet without the use of tools and hardware.

Cons: Some of the lighting modes are sub-par. You may find that they’re not bright enough, not visible enough, or simply not effective in certain conditions.

Bottom Line: The best thing about this bike helmet light is that it provides enough power and water resistance to remain fully functional no matter the conditions. It has two-way lighting to keep you safe on your rides.

Final Thoughts

Bike helmet lights are essential if you’re an avid bike rider. They’re important for navigation as well as safety, so check out these options if you find yourself riding in the dark.