The best bike lights on todays market have come a long way since their early years. Back then, to illuminate the road or trail after sunset, a rider needed a light mounted on the handlebars with a wire running to a battery pack. They were cumbersome and were quite pricey. Nowadays, you can get the same number of lumens — a lights measure of brightness — in a thumb-sized, USB-rechargeable clip-on light for under $50.

　　The best bike lights for road riding and commuting (with the occasional off-road jaunt) help riders not only to see but also to be seen. They should also have a solid battery life so you dont end up in the dark halfway through your ride.

　　Spearheaded by lead tester Paul Mandell, we researched the top bike lights on the market and put 11 to the test, comparing brightness, charging times, and mounting configurations. Specs aside, we mounted each light to our bikes and compared the actual user experience of clicking through light modes and riding at the maximum (and minimum) power levels.

　　We took evening grocery runs, early morning commutes, and spent plenty of time in the saddle riding the gravel roads and country lanes of the Owens Valley in low light conditions while paying close attention to the usability and brightness of each light.

　　While this article touches on the best front and rear bike lights, you may want to get more specific. If youre a mountain biker, we have a full guide for the best mountain bike lights that will help you navigate singletrack long after dusk.

　　In this guide, were looking at the best front and rear bike lights and a few front/rear sets, with options ranging from $16 to $400. Whatever kind of ride youre planning, youll find a light thats right for you.

　　For a deep dive into what you need to consider in a bike light, check out our Buyers Guide and Frequently Asked Questions sections, where the experts at GearJunkie lay down our knowledge garnered from riding miles in the dark. When its time to compare prices and specs, have a look at our Comparison Chart.

　　Editors note: We updated this guide on April 3rd, 2024 to include the powerful Lezyne Macrodrive XXL 1300, the Niterider Lumina 900, and the unique Thousand Traveler Magnetic Bike Light.

　　The Best Bike Lights of 2024 Best Overall Bike Light: Fenix BC26R Rechargeable Bike Light Best Budget Bike Light: Cygolite Dash Pro 600 Runner-Up Best Bike Light: NiteRider Lumina 1800 Dual Beam Best Rear Bike Light: Garmin Varia RTL515 Best Bike Light for Commuting: Lezyne Macrodrive XXL 1300 Best Overall Bike Light Fenix BC26R Rechargeable Bike Light Specs Max Output (lumens) 1,600 Run Time (at max output) 3.5 hrs. Recharge Time 4 hrs. Bonus Interchangable battery

　　Pros Super bright Swappable batteries Excellent dust debris repellency Shock Proof to 1.5 meters Good handlebar mount Cons Short battery life on full brightness Longer than average charge time Paul Mandell Fenix is best known in the EDC sphere for its flashlights, but the company has been manufacturing bike lights for over 20 years. We tested the BC26R light ($89) this year and have been blown away by its fit, finish, and function. The BC26R handily outperforms lights twice its price and offers bright, long-lasting lighting in a compact, no-frills package that has us wondering, “Why buy anything else?”

　　The BC26R churns out an impressive 1,600 lumens with a claimed 65-hour run time — though that’s on its lowest 50-lumen setting. At full power, riders will have approximately 3.5 hours of run time. Charging time is slightly longer than other lights at 4 hours via USB-C cable, but that doesnt take away from its excellent battery system. The BC26R comes with a 21700 rechargeable lithium-ion battery thats super easy to swap out. You can easily purchase an additional battery for around $25 and carry it on longer rides.

　　With a 544-foot forward output and a 100-foot wide beam, the BC26R is equally at home on mountain, road, gravel, touring, and commuter bikes. Its waterproof metal housing is lightweight and extremely durable and seals out dust and debris very well. The BC26R is shockproof to 1.5 m, meaning that itll easily withstand a fall from your handlebars. We doubt that it’ll fall off though, because the mount is easily the best in its class. A simple clamp with a silicone inner ring and a barrel screw keeps the light secure at all times. The quick release is just that — quick — and functions better than the NiteRider equivalent.

　　Our tester had the BC26R mounted on his mountain bike and grocery-getter and encountered zero issues with its performance. The BC26R is an excellent light. It just works. It’s bright, the battery life is great, and the mount is effective. At $89, it outperformed every other light on this list and did so at a better price point than most, earning its place as the best bike light of 2024.

　　$90 at Fenix Lighting$98 at Amazon Best Budget Bike Light Cygolite Dash Pro 600 Specs Max Output (lumens) 600 Run Time (at max output) 1 hr. Recharge Time 4 hrs.

　　Pros Inexpensive Daytime Running Lights enhance safety 5 light modes Easy, intuitive mount Cons Not as bright as other lights Longer charging time Paul Mandell For $65 the Cygolite Dash Pro 600 is an excellent value. The Dash Pro punches well above its weight with a slew of features and an intuitive design. 

　　One of the Dash Pro’s claims to fame is the three-mode daytime running lights (DRL), which increase visibility and safety for when it’s not-quite-dark-but-still-sort-of-light-out. And while you might not find yourself using the DRL feature all that often, the Dash Pro features five other modes: Boost, High, Medium, Low, and Steady Pulse. On boost, the Dash Pro will last approximately one hour, and Cygolite claims that on lower levels users can get up to 70 hours of light out of one charge.

　　Recharging takes approximately 4 hours, which certainly puts this light on the slower end of this list, but not so slow that it’s a deal breaker. The universal handlebar mount is simple and easy to use, and although not as good as the Light and Motion Vispro mount, our tester still preferred it over the Lumina. Like the Lezyne, this light is also available in a front/rear set for a couple of extra bucks ($100 at REI). 

　　Anyone looking for a solid and easy-to-use light for commuting after dark would be hard-pressed to find a better deal than the Dash Pro. While not as bright as other lights on this list, the slew of modes and features, an easy-to-use mount, and a super-friendly price point make the Dash Pro our choice for the best bike light for the price. 

　　$65 at REI$50 at Amazon Runner-Up Best Bike Light NiteRider Lumina 1800 Dual Beam Specs Max Output (lumens) 1,800 Run Time (at max output) 45 min. Recharge Time 3 hrs.

　　Pros Supremely bright Excellent wide beam Easy to mount Highly visible Cons Less than secure mount for rough roads Short battery life on high Expensive Paul Mandell Anyone who’s ever had a close call bicycle commuting knows that one of the best insurance policies is to be offensively visible. With the NightRider Lumina 1800 ($180) strapped to your bars, the likelihood of going unseen is vastly diminished. 

　　Niterider has had the Lumina line in the game for a while now, and this newest light builds on previous iterations. With two beams (two bulbs) this light provides an excellent wide beam at supremely high output. That high output comes at a cost, however, lasting only 45 minutes on the max setting. At medium power (750 lumens), the Lumina 1800 will run for approximately 3 hours, and double that on the low setting (350 lumens).

　　Additionally, this light boasts two flash modes, an oversized handlebar mount (35mm bars), and a helmet mount which can be purchased separately. The Lumina 1800 is sealed to be water and dust-resistant and features a red light to let users know it’s nearly time to recharge, which takes 3 hours. 

　　While the oversized bar mount is certainly a plus, the design of the mount itself doesn’t appear to have been updated. The clamp itself works well, and the design is intuitive, but the interface between the light and the clamp is not the most secure. This made our tester less than confident in rough or off-road conditions. 

　　At $180, this is the most expensive light on the list, and depending on where and how you ride, it may or may not be worth it to you. This light is plenty bright and offers a high degree of visibility to both the rider and the people around them. Folks looking for the most lumens should most definitely consider the NightRider Lumina 1800.

　　$170 at REI$123 at Amazon Best Bike Light for Commuting Lezyne Macrodrive 1300XXL Specs Max Output (lumens) 1300 Run Time (at max output) 3 hrs. Recharge Time 5 hrs.

　　Pros Bright Good battery life Durable Waterproof Cons Rubber strap may not bet the most durable More expensive than other options Paul Mandell The world of bike lights is interesting there are a ton of good options at a variety of price points offering a wide range of features. Just because you’ve shelled out the big bucks doesnt mean that youre getting the best light, and sometimes the opposite can be said, like in the case of the Fenix BC26R.

　　Enter the Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL ($100)   an almost perfect commuter light at an almost perfect price point. It churns out a healthy 1300 lumens and features seven settings, including high, medium, and low levels, a flash and pulse mode, as well as a super low “femto mode” with a whopping 300-hour run time on its lowest setting. Riders can expect a respectable 3-ish-hour runtime on its highest setting and a 5-hour recharge between uses. The silicone button on top glows green to yellow to red to make you aware of its current charge level.

　　The machined aluminum body is high-quality and durable and features fins on either side to help dissipate heat. The body is tested to IPX7 waterproofing standards, and this includes the USB-C charging port. If the Macro Drive begins to overheat, it’ll automatically switch to a lower output setting until it cools down (ie, you start riding again).

　　Possibly the only thing that gave us pause about the Macro Drive was the mount. The heavy-duty rubber strap with a simple hook went on fairly easily but did require a bit of muscle to secure onto the bar. Once mounted, our tester found it to be secure, with little to no slippage. Most of our testing was conducted on pavement where the Macro Drive did well in staying put even after smashing through potholes and the occasional gravel patch.

　　There is no doubt that its 200g weight helped to keep it from flying all over the place, though we’re not sure this would be the case had we thrown it on our mountain bikes. While the performance of the mount was generally good during testing, we wonder about its longevity. Lezyne sells replacement straps for the Macro Drive so they’re aware that the strap may eventually wear out or break. 

　　We thought the beam pattern of the Macro Drive was more than adequate. Its range and spread are both excellent. There were no blind spots during sharp turns, and we’d be hard-pressed to override the beam on anything but the longest, fastest descents. Our tester appreciated the pulse feature in particular — bright enough to adequately illuminate the road while grabbing the attention of drivers and pedestrians nearby. 

　　Ultimately we thought that both the performance and the price point of the Macro Drive 1300XXL were excellent and the only thing holding it back was its mounting setup, which, to be fair, isnt bad but it isnt great either. Lezyne is so close to hitting it out of the park with this light, but for now, the Macro Drive 1300XXL falls just a tiny bit short of the bleachers. 

　　$145 at Amazon Best Rear Bike Light Garmin Varia RTL515 Specs Max Output (lumens) 60 Run Time (at max output) 6 hrs. Recharge Time 3 hrs. Bonus Drastically improves situational awareness with real-time alerts about approaching objects.

　　Pros Drastically increases situational awareness and safety Highly visible light Picks up multiple approaching objects Excellent integration with Garmin Computer Cons Not widely supported on all platforms Cant run multiple apps with Varia app Paul Mandell The Garmin Varia ($200) is a slick piece of kit for safety-minded cyclists looking to improve their situational awareness and visibility and keep things rubber-side down on the road. While the Varia is a bit of a niche piece as far as rear lights and radar go, it represents the benchmark for performance in its small field of competitors.

　　The Varia doesnt just detect oncoming cars — it’ll pick up just about any other object overtaking you — including other cyclists — up to 140 m behind you. The Varia is a great option for dedicated road cyclists, and definitely useful if your regular mountain or gravel rides have a busy road connecting your start point to the trailhead.  

　　If you already own a Garmin computer, you’ll have the option to connect the Varia directly to your Garmin profile. We are big fans of the Garmin Edge, and the Varia rounds out the system nicely. If, like our tester, you prefer to run a different cycling computer for your setup, you’ll have to download the Varia app and use your phone to take full advantage of the radar feature. Of course, this means that you’ll also need a way to mount your phone to your handlebar if you dont already have one.

　　Garmin does make a standalone unit, the RDU, to pair with the Varia, but they are increasingly hard to find online, and you are probably better off just putting that money toward a Garmin computer. Ultimately, this unit is meant to be used in the Garmin ecosystem, and while it is certainly possible to make it work with your phone, our tester found that the user experience is best with the full Garmin kit.

　　The unit itself is compact and fits a wide range of seatpost styles thanks to the included assortment of seatpost adaptors. Battery life is a solid 6 hours on full blast and 16 hours in daytime flash mode. Garmin claims up to 1-mile visibility in daytime mode. Charging is handled via micro-USB and takes about 3 hours to fully charge. In general, its super easy and super simple to set up the Varia. We love to see it. 

　　The app is easy enough to download and pair with the radar, and once you’re set-up, the whole system works well. The app can display multiple objects (cars, motorcycles, other cyclists) as they approach. You’ll get color-coded visual alerts (green, yellow, red) as well as tone alerts as objects approach. Its especially useful to see the approach speed of the object behind you. In theory, you can also stick your phone in your pocket and it’ll vibrate as an object approaches — but thats all the information you’ll get, and you’ll likely still need to throw a glance over your shoulder. Again, the Varia works much better paired with your Garmin Edge. 

　　So what’s the verdict on the high-tech Varia? It definitely improves your visibility to motorists along with your situational awareness and could potentially save your life. We’d like to see widespread support for the Varia on other popular cycling computer platforms. In this regard, we feel that the Varia is just a little bit ahead of its time. We’re willing to bet that the field of competitors will grow substantially in the next couple of years, and the Varia will be the unit to beat. For now, if you already own a computer that supports the Varia, its a 5 out of 5 from us. If you don’t have a compatible computer or want to go the smartphone route, we’d give the Varia a 3.5 out of 5.

　　$200 at REI$198 at Amazon Light Motion Vis Pro 1000 Blacktop Specs Max Output (lumens) 1,000 Run Time (at max output) 1.5 hrs. Recharge Time 2.5 hrs.

　　Pros Unbeatable waterproof technology Excellent handlebar mount The Trail version comes with a helmet mount Rechargeable while riding Cons More expensive than other models with similar lumen output Handlebar mounting hardware is small finicky More expensive than others Paul Mandell For diehard commuters who ride to work in the rain, sleet, and snow, it’s critical to have a light that truly can stand up to anything the elements throw at it. Light Motion’s claim to fame is their waterproof, virtually indestructible lights.

　　This option is a bit pricier than some of the other 1,000-lumen models on the market, but the reliability is unbeatable. The Vis Pro 1000 Blacktop/Trail ($125 and $135) will last for years, no matter what you put it through.

　　Recently Light and Motion added a second light — the Trail, to the Vis Pro 100 lineup. Functionally the two lights are almost identical, however, the Trail version comes with a Velcro strap to attach the light to your helmet. 

　　Compared to similar lights, the battery charge is a little bit faster. Most lights take 3-plus hours to charge, but this one goes from empty to full in 2.5 hours. It can be charged with an external USB power source while running at 150 lumens; a huge perk for bikepackers and those who forget to charge their lights with any regularity.

　　The handlebar mount for both lights is excellent, albeit somewhat difficult to manage with large thumbs. Having logged a ton of gravel and dirt miles with this light, our tester felt extremely confident about the light staying fixed in place and experienced zero issues.

　　Light Motion designed the SafePulse beam for daytime riding, along with amber sidelights. While having a rear light in addition to a front light is ideal, the small lights on the side may help improve visibility to drivers.

　　$125 at Amazon Bontrager Ion Pro Specs Max Output (lumens) 1,300 Run Time (at max output) 1.5 hrs. Recharge Time 7 hrs. Bonus Double click feature prevents accidentally powering it on in your bag

　　Pros Super bright clear light Wide illumination Good mounting ergonomics Double-click safety feature Bluetooth connectivity Cons Short life on full-blast Super long charging time No swivel mount Paul Mandell The Ion Pro ($139) is a high-quality bike light. With 1,300 lumens of clear, clean light, the Ion Pro is a great choice to help illuminate your ride and keep you visible to drivers and other riders on the road. Sporting five modes —including daytime and nighttime flashing modes — the Ion Pro’s beam is super bright and wide enough to make turns comfortably.

　　On its lowest setting at 400 lumens, the Ion Pro will run for approximately 6 hours, and at full blast (1,300 lumens), you’ll get about 1.5 hours. The night and day flash modes last 26 and 22 hours, respectively. Bontrager claims the Ion Pro is visible up to 2km away, making it an excellent choice for safety-minded riders. We’d tend to agree — this is a great light on busy roads.

　　In other areas, the Ion Pro falls just a little short of its competition. Its 1,300 lumens arent quite as bright as other lights and its 1.5-hour run time isnt especially impressive. The real drag for our testers was the 7-hour charge time. Every time you deplete the battery, you have to bring the light in and charge it overnight. This light is pretty high maintenance for folks who prefer to set it and forget it (thats us, too).

　　The clamp mechanism is well designed and keeps the light secure on a wide range of handlebars. Our tester was disappointed to find that the mounting platform is fixed and has no ability to rotate.

　　The Ion Pro employs a double-click feature to turn the light on and off. Bontrager claims this feature prevents accidentally turning the light on in your pack or bag. Its a good idea, especially if you routinely store your light in your backpack.

　　Unfortunately, when it comes to turning your light on and off, there is a little bit of a learning curve and our tester found it to be unnecessarily finicky. Its worth noting that the Ion Pro does have ANT+ connectivity for the Garmin and Bontrager ecosystems, and you can control the light setting from there.

　　In the end, our tester thought the Ion Pro was a quality light with a few well-thought-out features. However, the below-average battery life and incredibly long charge time kept it out of the running for the best light of 2024. Still, if you are looking for a bright light to keep you visible on the road, the Ion Pro is worth a look. 

　　$140 at REI Lezyne Lite Drive 1000XL Specs Max Output (lumens) 1,000 Run Time (at max output) 1.5 hrs. Recharge time 4 hrs.

　　Pros Supremely bright Excellent price point Super easy to mount Cons Less than secure mount for rough roads Short battery life on high Helmet mount sold separately Paul Mandell The Lezyne Lite Drive ($85-115) is designed for riding in night and daytime conditions where high visibility is essential for safety. It’s ideal for a road cyclist who puts in a lot of miles on busy roads and occasionally hops onto singletrack or technical gravel roads.

　　With a simple universal mount that can be swapped from handlebar to handlebar, this is a great light to use with your bike collection depending on the day’s ride. Or you can shell out a few bucks for the helmet mount or a more secure handlebar-specific mount if you’re often on bumpy pavement.

　　Unlike every other light on this list, this light comes in a few different colors of aluminum, making it easy to figure out which light is yours. Additionally, buyers have the option of purchasing both front and rear lights as a set, literally and figuratively covering your backside for just a few dollars more ($115 for the set). 

　　The battery life at full power isn’t too impressive — only 90 minutes in overdrive mode of 1,000 lumens. But drop it down to blast mode at 500 lumens and you get over 3 hours. Or you can ride a more normal low mode of 250 lumens (where most road-based front lights would sit) and you can ride for a full 5.5 hours with plenty of visibility.

　　At about $80 for 1,100 lumens of light — two-thirds of a car headlight’s brightness — the Lezyne Lite Drive 1000XL isn’t the least expensive light on the list. However, it’s technically the cheapest dollars-per-lumen light of the bunch. In our opinion, it’s the best bike light for commuting.

　　$85 at Amazon Best of the Rest Lezyne Femto USB Rear STVZO Specs Max Output (lumens) 8 Run Time (at max output) 4 hrs.

　　Pros Rechargeable lights are rarely this inexpensive Not needing to replace a battery is a major plus Cons Some riders report issues with the mounting strap, which may depend on your seat posts size and shape Paul Mandell Even budget bike lights are now USB rechargeable. At $17, the Lezyne Femto USB Rear STVZO runs for 8 hours. It isn’t the brightest light at 8 lumens, but for a rear light, that’s all you need.

　　The simple mounting strap makes it easy to swap this light from bike to bike, and its ultra-simple design makes it easy for even the newest riders to use.

　　The lens is optimized for 270 degrees of visibility. Unlike the super-budget rear lights you can buy in a discount store, this light can be seen from the sides and offers more protection from motorists.

　　Charge it with a micro-USB cable, and you’ll have 4 hours at maximum lumens or 8 hours at a dimmer setting.

　　$19 at Amazon Niterider Lumina 900 Specs Max Output (lumens) 900 Run Time (at max output) 2.5 hrs. Recharge Time 2.5 hrs.

　　Pros Good beam reach/spread Decent battery life Nice price point Cons We did not like the mounting platform USB charging is behind the times Paul Mandell The Niterider Lumina 900 ($75) is an attractive option for folks looking for a reasonably powerful light to illuminate their way to and from the gym or grocery store. The Lumina is also reasonably priced compared to its competitors, but it is worth noting that for about 20 dollars more, riders can break into a significantly better category of lights (like the Fenix BR26C).

　　The Luminas 900 lumens provide both solid spread and reach/distance for city commuting and offer plenty of visibility for you, other cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles. At the very least, you WILL be seen if you’re sporting the Lumina 900. During testing it became apparent that this light is designed for easy commutes. The Lumina clips on and off the mount in a flash which is awesome for high-traffic areas where theft may be an issue, but that convenience comes at a cost (more on that in a minute).

　　The Lumina sports six modes — low, medium, high, boost, flash, and walk. You can access each by pressing the button to toggle between modes. The button is fairly responsive, but we did encounter a few instances where our tester had to smash the button to get it to change modes. Users can expect somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 to 3 hours of run time at max output, and around 11 hours on flash, which puts its battery life on the middle to upper end of lights on this list. 

　　We’ve featured a handful of Niterider lights over the years that we’ve been reviewing bike lights, and although the performance of the lights themselves has been generally good, we’ve had one major gripe throughout — the Niterider mounting system. 

　　Unfortunately, Niterider is still using the same mount, and we encountered the same problems as last time. It just isnt that secure. One bad bump or a small pothole — anything that might jar your bike really — is enough to knock the light right off the bar and send it flying. 

　　Its a bummer really, because on paper and throughout testing, the Niterider lights are quite good. But their performance doesnt matter if they dont stay on your bike. If you happen to come up on one of these lights, we’re confident that youll be more than happy with its lighting performance. We’d also suggest investing in a few zip-ties if you want to keep things rubber-side-down. Hopefully, we’ll see a re-designed mount from Niterider soon.

　　$75 at REI$51 at Amazon Thousand Traveler Magnetic Bike Light Specs Max Output (lumens) 100 Run Time (at max output) 8 hrs. Recharge Time 2 hrs.

　　Pros Inexpensive Stylish Lightweight Good Battery Life Cons Not very bright Paul Mandell Riding your bike after dark without light is generally ill-advised, but not everyone wants to drop a hundred-plus dollars on the latest and greatest super-light for a 5-minute commute home. Riders looking for an inexpensive and stylish option to light their way home should check out the Thousand Traveler Light. 

　　The Traveler features some interesting and innovative features. The magnetic on/off is pretty nifty, and it makes it easy to keep your light with you when youre away from your bike. Surprisingly, the magnetic coupling is quite secure and we didnt have any issues with it coming undone during testing. At 60 g, the Thousand Traveler is super lightweight and features an easy and intuitive strap similar to, but not as robust as the Lezyne Macro Drive.

　　While its lightweight, stylish, and user-friendly design makes the Traveler a good way to illuminate your path, this light only puts out 100 lumens which is a pittance compared to other lights. It’s really not bright enough for anything but short rides around town, and while it will definitely make you more visible on your bike, its low light is not the best option if you really want to be seen or light your way. It features four modes; flash high/low and regular high/low. 

　　Users can expect 8 hours of runtime on high, which is very good until you remember that its only running at 100 lumens. Charging is handled via USB-C and it takes around 2 hours to charge. The water-resistant feature is pretty nice when the forecast calls for a light shower, but its not fully waterproof, so users will want to be aware of that if those showers turn into a downpour. 

　　At $25 to $35, the price point makes this an inexpensive option to put a light on your bike, and its certainly a much better option than no light at all. That said, we wouldnt really recommend the Thousand Traveler for anything other than short urban commutes — and even then, it may not be the best option depending on your commute. For a few more dollars, you can upgrade to our best budget pick, the Cygolite Dash, and get significantly more output and much better visibility. But, if you are looking for a stylish little light on a budget, and you just need something to help you see and be seen, the Thousand Traveler is worth a look.  

　　$26 at REI$35 at Amazon Blackburn 2’Fer-XL Specs Max Output (lumens) 200 white light, 40 red light Run Time (at max output) 2 hours at 200 lumens on the front, rear 4 hours at 40 lumens on back

　　Pros Perfect for when you realize you need a front light to make it home, but didn’t pack one (or don’t own one) Functional as front or rear light Cons You may want to buy two — while it’s cool to have the front light option, using the front light means you’re riding without a rear light Paul Mandell Arguably the most versatile light of the bunch, the Blackburn 2’Fer-XL ($49) is one seriously hardworking light. It doesn’t replace having a front and rear light. But because it can be used as a front light in the white light mode and a rear light in the red mode, it’s an excellent option to have on hand.

　　The 40-lumen rear red light has two modes, flashing and solid, as does the white light option. Plus, 40 lumens is plenty for a rear light, as its purpose is to make you visible, not to light your path ahead. But when you swap to the 200-lumen front white light option, you can see the road ahead of you.

　　The Blackburn 2’Fer-XL is a great light option for a bikepacker who rides at dawn and dusk and needs a rear light for visibility — and then wants to use the white light option as a campsite flashlight.

　　As a light that can do it all, it has a few mounting options. It has a clip for mounting to clothing or backpacks, and it can be mounted to a helmet or handlebar mount. It also has a silicone gripper that lets it mount easily to most handlebars and seat posts.

　　$37 at Amazon CatEye SYNC Wearable Specs Max Output (lumens) 30 Run Time (at max output) 1.5 hrs.

　　Pros Easy to switch between bikes because you’re wearing it, not attaching it Cons Depending on what you’re wearing, it may be tough to attach Paul Mandell If you ride using city bike shares, switch between bikes, or leave your bike outside and hate the idea of needing to take a light on and off to charge, the CatEye SYNC Wearable ($50) is a great option.

　　It’s designed to be snapped onto your bag or clothing, and you can easily snap it onto your backpack or belt loop. Or if you prefer, it has a rubber strap to mount it in a more standard way to your seat post.

　　The CatEye SYNC Wearable is designed for both nighttime and daytime riding, so expect to be highly visible regardless of the time of day. Compared to most rear lights, the max output of 30 lumens is quite bright. If the battery is low, the light automatically switches to flash mode to save power.

　　If you’re looking for a full suite of bike lights, the CatEye SYNC collection is pretty nifty. All of the lights synchronize, so when you click one on, the others turn on as well. All are connected through an app. So, if you’re in a rush when you leave work and you tend to forget to turn your light on, this is a great option.

　　$50 at Amazon Cygolite Streak Front and Rear Set Specs Max Output (lumens) front: 450, rear: 50 Run Time (at max output) 1.5 hrs.

　　Pros Affordable Easy to mount Front and rear light package Cons The diameter of the front light clamp is too small for some handlebars Paul Mandell This affordably priced bike light set ($51) is a reliable headlight and taillight combo. With quick, easy mounting and impressive battery life, this light set from Cygolite adds significant safety to your morning and evening rides.

　　The Streak’s 450-lumen headlight can last for up to 100 hours on a single charge (on a low setting), while the 50-lumen tail light lasts up to 200 hours. Both are rechargeable via an included mini-USB cable. A low-battery indicator will notify you when it’s time to charge. It is a good idea to keep the included cord on your person during rides, as it can be difficult to come by a replacement (mini USB is less common than micro USB).

　　With seven lighting modes — including boost and pulse — this light set is handy in all kinds of riding scenarios. The taillight has at least five modes, including multiple tempos of flash.

　　Cygolite has been making bike lights for 30 years, and it’s clear that they have figured out the balance between quality and affordability. If you’re looking for a long-term lighting solution with a sub-$100 price tag, this is the best bike light set you’ll find.

　　$57 at Amazon Bike Lights Comparison Chart

　　Lights are important for safety and visibility on and offroad; (photo/Miya Tsudome) How We Test Bike Lights Our expert testing team is composed of experienced cyclists and outdoors-oriented people looking for the best products on the market. Our staff includes former bike racers, recreational cyclists, folks who bike-commute 60 miles a week, and everyone in between — people who care about fit, finish, and function in every product we use.

　　We take two approaches to our hands-on testing of bike lights. First, we take a look at the manufacturers specs and see if they hold up to real-life use, running down the batteries at different power levels and recharging them (when applicable). Then, we mount each light to our bikes and pedal off into the dark, looking at beam distance and how difficult (or easy) it is to change lighting modes and settings. Needless to say, the brightest light isnt necessarily the best.

　　Lead tester Paul Mandell has two decades of experience in the saddle as a competitive racer and recreational rider. He completed his master’s degree in exercise science where he studied the critical power model for cycling. These days, he prefers lift-accessed gravity riding and long adventure rides with plenty of descending. He still finds time to get out for the occasional gravel grind or single-track loop near his home base in California’s Eastern Sierra.

　　Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Bike Light Every cyclist should have a set of reliable bike lights. When shopping for the ideal lights to fit your needs, the vast market can feel confusing and difficult to navigate. From lumens to side visibility, there are lots of factors that must be considered when selecting bike lights.

　　In this buyer’s guide, we’ll break down each of these factors and hopefully simplify your selection process. You’ll be cruising down well-lit roads, paths, and trails in no time.

　　Brightness and Lumens Just about every bike light on the market comes with a rating in lumens. Lumens are a unit of brightness. Simply put, the higher the lumens, the greater the brightness. However, while the lumen count is a good place to start when thinking about brightness, it doesn’t tell the whole story.

　　Ultimately, the brightness of a bike light is a product of the lumen count, beam width, and beam angle. A light with a super-high lumen count is great, but only if it has been designed to use its brightness effectively.

　　Because every cyclist has different needs, there is no fixed lumen count that every shopper should aim for. If you are riding in the daytime and simply want to increase your visibility and be seen by other road users, 100+ lumen front and rear lights should be sufficient.

　　If you are riding in urban environments in the dark and need enough light to see where you are going, you’ll want a front bike light with at least 400 lumens. If you plan to ride on trails in the dark, we recommend a front bike light with at least 600 lumens.

　　Front bike lights are brighter than rear bike lights because they must illuminate the road ahead. Rear lights are meant to help you stand out from other people on the road or trail and generally emit red light.

　　It is important to note that most bike lights are not able to sustain their highest brightness setting for more than an hour or two. If you purchase a light that boasts 1,000 lumens, just know that the light will not able to remain on that setting indefinitely. For example, the brightest light in our test group, the NiteRider Lumina 1800 Dual Beam, puts out a staggering 1,800 lumens, but the battery only lasts for 45 minutes at this setting.

　　Brightness is good, but reliable brightness is better. A bike light with 600 lumens and excellent battery life may be a better buy than a light with 1,000 lumens and low battery life. Of course, this all depends on your riding preferences.

　　Youll want a solid 600 lumens from a forward-facing light so that you can see and be seen; (photo/Miya Tsudome) Front Lights vs. Rear Lights While front lights need to be bright enough to light up the world in front of you, rear lights are mostly a safety mechanism that improves your ability to be seen. Most front lights are significantly brighter than their red-light-emitting rear counterparts. Front lights typically mount to the handlebars or front stem, while rear lights mount to the seat post or rear frame.

　　We recommend picking up both a front and a rear light, though your needs may vary based on your riding preferences. On this list, theCygolight Streak Front and Rear Setis a great pair of bike lights.

　　Bike Lights for Different Kinds of Riding Road Biking Road riding generally involves straight lines and few obstacles. For this kind of riding, we recommend a front bike light with a narrow beam that directs its full brightness straight ahead.

　　On this list, theGarmin Variais an excellent road-riding light. Road cyclists that will be sharing the road should also have a bright rear light with plenty of battery life for long rides.

　　Mountain Biking Mountain bikers need to be able to see obstacles long before they reach them. Unlike most road cycling, mountain biking involves sharp turns and lots of major obstacles.

　　In order to best light the path in front of you while mountain biking, seek out a light that casts a wide and bright beam.

　　Side Visibility Side visibility can be an important factor to consider, and some lights rate higher in this category than others. When riding through busy streets, improved side visibility can help prevent accidents before they happen.

　　When mountain biking, extra side visibility can help you spot obstacles and remain in control on technical singletrack. On this list, theLezyne Lite Drive 1000XLprovides top-notch side visibility.

　　Mounting Mounting front and rear bike lights is typically a simple process. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions for mounting. When purchasing a front light, look for a mounting system that will allow you to adjust the beam angle on the go.

　　We especially appreciate lights that are easy to mount and dismount. When locking up your bike in a public place, you’ll want to be able to easily and temporarily remove your lights to prevent theft. The Cygolite Dash Pro 600 and the Lezyne Lite Drive 1000XL are among the easiest lights we tested to mount and dismount.

　　Battery Life and Burn Time Battery life depends on many factors including the type of battery, the type of LEDs in the light, and the light’s settings.

　　Most rechargeable bike lights come with multiple settings. The highest and brightest setting will offer the shortest burn time. Good visibility is important, but you should always try to avoid unnecessarily bright settings in order to prolong your light’s burn time — especially on longer rides.

　　Flashing pulse settings tend to use less light than a steady beam, and they are great for being seen in the daytime. On this list, theGarmin Variahas extremely impressive battery life and burn time.

　　The majority of bike lights in our lineup offer convenient USB charging so youll have fewer excuses not to stay safe and stay visible. Our top choices have longer run times and faster charging times; (photo/Miya Tsudome) Price Bike lights vary wildly in price. Like most things, you generally get what you pay for. While it isn’t necessary to buy the most expensive light out there, we do recommend that you go for the nicest lights that you can afford. When you’re riding home in the dark, you’ll appreciate having a reliable light with plenty of battery life to keep you rolling along safely.

　　Generally, front bike lights range from around $25 to over $300. The less you spend, the more youll need to recharge or replace batteries to keep your light safely bright. Higher-end lights will stay brighter for longer and include features like smartphone connectivity and possibly even alert you to objects approaching from the rear.

　　Plenty of excellent front and rear light sets can be found in the $75-150 range while rear lights range from about $10 to $80. The Cygolite Dash Pro 600 is our favorite value option, boasting excellent performance with its 600 lumens of brightness and $65 price tag.

　　Frequently Asked Questions What are the brightest bike lights? A car’s headlights put out around 700-1,300 lumens on average, according to theNational Automobile Dealers Association. Most brands manufacture bike lights up to 1,200-1,800 lumens. The brightest bike light in our test group is the NiteRider Lumina 1800 Dual Beam at 1,800 lumens.

　　But a few brands make ultra-high lumen lamps for diehard night riders who need to light up the trails: CatEye makes theVolt6000, which tops out at roughly 6,000 lumens.

　　How many lumens do I need for a bike light? It depends on what kind of riding you’re doing. For urban usage, you’re looking for something around 200 lumens or higher. The more well-lit the riding area is, the fewer lumens you need.

　　For trail riding, a bare minimum of 700 lumens is critical. Warning: Over 700 lumens can be pretty hard to look at, so make sure you’re angling your light slightly downward if you have a bright light to avoid blinding fellow riders and pedestrians.

　　A few lumens are all you need to stay visible for rear lights. Many rear lights drop as low as 4 lumens, although 20 lumens or more is ideal. The Blackburn 2’Fer-XL has a 200-lumen white light and a 40-lumen red light. Our favorite rear light, the Garmin Varia, produces a respectable 60 lumens with a very solid 6-hour runtime.

　　Rechargeable bike lights vs. battery-powered: Which is better? Unless you’re simply looking for a blinking rear light for the occasional commute, a rechargeable bike light is superior to a battery-powered option. Rechargeable lights might cost more initially but after just a couple of battery charges, the cost will balance out.

　　TheSierra Clubnotes that rechargeable options are more eco-friendly, as they avoid constantly disposing of used batteries.

　　Do I need just a rear light or a full bike light set? It depends on how much you ride in the dark. A full bike light set is optimal if you find yourself regularly riding at night, at dawn or dusk, or in bad weather conditions. The Garmin Varia is an excellent matching bike light set that we tested, though it is perfectly suitable to mix and match between front and rear lights of different brands or models.

　　Studieshave confirmed that bike lights do help make drivers notice cyclists. TheNational Highway Traffic Safety Administrationhas found that the highest incidence of cyclist fatalities happens between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

　　If you live in a well-lit area and rarely venture out on the bike in the dark, a rear light (and perhaps a headlamp for the occasional short night commute) will be plenty. The rear light is critical for making yourself visible to cars coming up behind you.

　　A front light can also help you stay visible to cars that might be veering off course, as well as to pedestrians who may run or walk opposite the flow of traffic. It can also keep you from crashing on the road. Legally, you might be obligated to have both.

　　Is it illegal to ride a bike at night without a light? During the day, very few places will require that you have a bike light, but at night, most cities and states have some requirements for visibility. You’ll want to check your local bylaws. Certain states require not just a small red rear light on your seat post, but a full light set.

　　The reality is, if you’re riding a bike in the dark, front and rear lights are critical for your safety. So, even if you can ride legally without them, you shouldn’t.

　　You should also run your rear light during the day, and possibly even a front light when the weather is poor. AClemson University studyfound that cars were much more likely to spot cyclists who were using lights during the day, as well as at night.

　　Can you use a headlamp as a bike light? While you can use a headlamp as a bike light, the space you need to be illuminated for your bike may not be quite the same as the lighting you need for hiking or running in the dark. That said, a headlamp can be a great addition to a bike lighting setup, especially for night-riding mountain bikers who want to scan the trail.

　　You can use the headlamp to scan from right to left ahead of you while keeping your trail directly ahead lit up with your handlebar-mounted light. For which headlamp to choose, check out ourBest Headlamps Round-Up.