Mountain biking at night is amazing when you have the best mountain bike lights to cut through the darkness.Whether youre not ready to hang up the bike when the days are shorter or you simply enjoy riding at night for fun, novelty, or racing, a good set of lights is an absolute necessity.

　　Our expert testers are adventure racers, mountain bike coaches, and mechanical engineers who have been riding with mountain bike lights for years. Weve tested over 30 different models while considering key performance characteristics like brightness, beam patterns, form factor, ease of use, battery life, price, and durability.

　　From the top-rated Outbound Lighting Hangover and Trail Evo to the premium performance — and price — of the Exposure Six-Pack Mk13, weve got recommendations to suit your needs and budget. If you need more help deciding what you need, be sure to read our detailedbuyer’s guide and price value sections, or check out our comparison chart to see all the models we tested at a glance.

　　Editors Note: We updated this guide for the fall and winter seasons on October 18, 2024, with the addition of several recently tested models, including the Outbound Lighting Trail Evo and Hangover, the Exposure Six Pack Mk13 and Zenith Mk3, and the Knog Blinder X 1800 and 2300.

　　The Best Mountain Bike Lights of 2024 Best Overall Mountain Bike Light Helmet: Outbound Lighting Hangover Best Overall Mountain Bike Light Handlebar: Outbound Lighting Trail Evo Best Budget Mountain Bike Light Helmet: Niterider Lumina Pro 1200 Best Budget Mountain Bike Light Handlebar: Fenix BC30 Best Premium Mountain Bike Light Helmet: Exposure Zenith Mk3 Best Premium Mountain Bike Light Handlebar: Exposure Six Pack Mk13 Best Overall Mountain Bike Light Helmet Outbound Lighting Hangover Specs Type Helmet Lumens (max.) ≈ 1000 Battery 3,500 mAh internal Burn time 1.1 hrs. (high), 1.6 hrs. (adaptive), 6.5 hrs. (low) Weight 108 g Mounts (included) Helmet: GoPro

　　

　　Pros Sleek Best included helmet mounting Wide beam pattern Great UX Lightweight Not too expensive Cons Can be underpowered for very fast night riding Not the brightest or longest lasting Chelsey Magness The Outbound Lighting Hangover ($135) is the brands flagship helmet light, delivering approximately 1000 lumens through six LEDs in a relatively lightweight 108-gram package. Available as a standalone helmet light (or included in the $375 Evo Downhill package with the Trail Evo), the Hangover lights up the trail very well, is easy to operate, and we think its the best option for most people.

　　Mounting the Hangover is a breeze with the included curved action camera mount, which should work well with most helmets. If you have a unique helmet shape, Outbound offers a wide base to bridge over vents and a notched base to handle ridges — plus, there are plenty of aftermarket solutions. With the Hangovers 108-gram weight and low profile mounting, we barely noticed it on our heads.

　　The user-friendliness extends beyond the mount. The raised single button is large and easy to find while riding, has a defined click so you know you hit it, and works every time. We also appreciated the indicator light showing the current mode during selection and the remaining battery during operation. Most lights aren’t too difficult to use, but we appreciated the straightforward and simple approach from Outbound — it does everything you need it to and nothing you don’t.

　　On the trail, the Hangover is a solid performer. The wide beam pattern is perfect 95% of the time, particularly on technical, medium-speed trails — up to around 20 mph— and we never experienced any tunnel vision. The 5% of riding where we didn’t love it was on very fast, straight trails, where we found ourselves adjusting the angle to try to throw the beam further down the trail. That said, we don’t really see the need to be riding that fast at night anyway.

　　With four lighting modes — adaptive, high, medium, and low — and run times ranging from 1:12 on high, 1:40 on adaptive, and 6:30 on low, the Hangover isnt the longest-running light. Still, we found the life of the 3,500 mAh battery to be plenty sufficient for most night rides — usually one to two hours. The low setting provided enough light for lower-speed climbing, and we never had to finish a descent on a lower setting to conserve the battery.

　　We did make use of adaptive mode, which starts on high and gradually reduces to medium mode over the course of 30 minutes as your eyes adapt to the darkness. We really didn’t notice any change in brightness on the trail as it reduced to medium — which means it worked to maintain a consistent visual effect as our eyes adjusted. You can also charge the Hangover while riding with any external battery pack with a USB-C connection to the light.

　　We found ourselves reaching for the Hangover the most of any helmet light in our testing and the wide beam lights up everything in its path without washing out details. It is also by far the least intrusive and most user-friendly helmet mount light weve tried. At $135, its competitively priced, and we feel the quality finish, attention to detail, and extremely solid overall performance make it a worthy investment for serious night riders.

　　Check Price at Outbound Lighting Best Overall Mountain Bike Light Handlebar Outbound Lighting Trail Evo Specs Type Handlebar Lumens (max.) ≈ 2200 Battery 10,000 mAh internal Burn time 1.7 hrs (high), 2.6 hrs. (adaptive), 8.5 hrs. (low) Weight 275 g (light), 42 g (handlebar mount) Mounts (included) Quick release handlebar mount

　　

　　Pros Well executed handlebar clamp Wide beam pattern Great UX No external battery Cons Beam can be outrun during very fast night riding Chelsey Magness The Outbound Lighting Trail Evo ($245) is the handlebar-mounted sibling of the Hangover helmet light. It showers the trail with a wide beam pattern and approximately 2200 lumens through nine LEDs. It is available individually or as part of the $375 Evo Downhill package with the Hangover helmet light. Like the Hangover, the Trail Evos wide beam pattern provides great visibility and the user experience is second to none due to its internal battery, intuitive operation, and sturdy included handlebar mount. 

　　One of our favorite aspects of the Trail Evo is the included handlebar mount, which positions the light in a central location right in front of the stem and includes a bracket to catch cables and brake hoses to avoid shadowing. The mount is easy to take on and off with the pivoting bar clamp, is very secure, and has a low profile. Installing and removing the light body from the clamp is done with a quick-release slot and cam lock, which has been durable, easy to use, and stable throughout testing. The light angle can also be changed without tools and independent of the clamp, which makes it easy to dial in the angle regardless of the pitch of the trail.

　　On the trail, we felt similarly about the Trail Evo as we did with Outbounds Hangover helmet light — it’s perfect for 95% of night riding, but we could outrun the wide beam pattern on the fastest straightaways. This is a great result — this light was powerful enough for most of our riding, providing good visibility into upcoming features without washing anything out, and never gave us tunnel vision or eye fatigue. When paired with the Hangover helmet light — available as the Evo Downhill Package (Trail Evo Hangover) — we were perfectly content and convinced it is probably the best user experience available today.

　　The modes of the Trail Evo are identical to the helmet-mounted Hangover low, medium, high, and adaptive. The internal 10,000 mAh battery provides a 2:35 (adaptive) and 1:45 (high) run time, which allowed us to turn on the light at the beginning of our ride (in either adaptive or high) and forget about it for the duration. For rides longer than 1.5 hours, we set the Trail Evo to low while climbing and switched to either adaptive or high for descents with no concerns about brightness. Like with the Hangover, the adaptive mode worked intuitively and helped us stretch a bit more life out of the battery. The clearly visible, but not distracting, battery indicator helped us manage battery life as well. 

　　While the extremely bright Exposure Six Pack Mk13 packs more power for the 5% of the time we are riding flat out at night, the Trail Evo is less than half the price and a strong performer in nearly all scenarios. We feel this makes it a more sensible choice for most night riders unless they are incredibly fast or long-stage endurance riders who may need more battery life.

　　With the best user experience in the game, a wide beam pattern that is nearly always bright enough, and sleek mounting, we wholeheartedly recommend the Trail Evo, or the Evo Downhill package, for anyone serious about investing in their lighting setup.

　　Check Price at Outbound Lighting Best Budget Mountain Bike Light: Helmet Niterider Lumina Pro 1200 Specs Type Helmet or Handlebar Lumens (max.) 1200 Battery internal, not-specified Burn Time 55 min. (high), 7 hrs. (low) Weight 193 g Mounts (incl.) Handlebar, (Helmet: not incl.)

　　

　　Pros Reasonably priced Easy to use Stable, tool free, included handlebar mount Versatile option for trail riding (enough power for handlebar or helmet mounting) Cons Shorter battery life in Boost Mode Slightly heavier on the helmet than other options Chelsey Magness The Niterider Lumina Pro 1200 ($115) is a 1200-lumen option that can be mounted as either a handlebar light with the included clamping mount or as a helmet light with Niteriders Lumina Helmet Mount ($20). With colored LEDs indicating both remaining battery life and the selected mode, two-button operation, and stable mounting options for helmets or handlebars, we were impressed with its versatility.

　　The Lumina Pro 1200 came in travel lock mode, a useful feature to avoid running out the battery when buttons are accidentally pressed during travel. Unlocking the light is the only setup necessary — the two buttons and battery and mode indicator lights make it easy to know exactly which mode the light is in, and setting up the slotted handlebar mount is tool-free. A full charge took just over 4 hours, and we were ready to hit the trails.

　　The Lumina Pro 1200 has 5 steady output modes — Walk (20:00h at 65 lumens), Low (7:00h at 150 lumens), Med (3:00h at 400 lumens), High (1:30h at 800 lumens), and Boost (0:55h at 1200 lumens) — along with 3 pulse modes (all with 8:00h expected battery life). The two buttons make it easy to toggle between settings quickly as you can go back and forth between High and Medium without the need to cycle through all the modes, which is common on lights controlled by a single button. 

　　On the trail, the Niterider Lumina Pro 1200 is a solid performer. With a max output of 1200 lumens, it’s not as bright as the Exposure Zenith or Six Pack, and it doesn’t have the wide flood beam of the Outbound Lighting Trail Evo handlebar or Hangover helmet lights, but it is a reasonably powerful light that worked well for most of our night riding. We did find ourselves generally descending in Boost mode, which has a shorter battery life of 0:55 minutes. Provided we climbed mainly in lower settings, we never ran out of battery on our 1- to 3-hour rides (and the battery indicator never dropped below 25%).

　　While the beam is more of a spotlight than the Exposure or Outbound Lighting options, it is not too tight and is competitive in terms of peripheral flood capability with similar options like the Lezyne Lite Drive 1200+ or Macro Drive 1400+. We did, however, prefer to use the Lumina Pro 1200 on the helmet with a handlebar light with a wider flood pattern for aggressive trail riding. On the handlebars, we prefer a slightly more powerful light for most of our night rides, but we had no complaints for winter fat bike riding, which is generally a bit slower and more forgiving on brightness than faster summer trail riding. We noticed a bit of extra weight on our helmet due to the sturdy construction, but we didn’t really mind after we adjusted to it.

　　At $115, the Niterider Lumina Pro 1200 is a versatile value buy for any rider, particularly those who need a commuting light and may want to try out a couple of night trail rides from time to time. It’s a solid, easy-to-use option that works well as both a helmet or handlebar light for most reasonably paced trail riding and worked flawlessly throughout our time with it.

　　Check Price at Performance Bike Best Budget Mountain Bike Light: Handlebar Fenix BC30 Bike Light V2.0 Specs Type Handlebar Lumens (max) 2200 (burst), 1500 (high) Battery 2 x 18650 rechargeable Li-Ion batteries (not incl.) Burn time 2.3 hours (high) Weight 154 g Mounts Handlebar

　　

　　Pros Reasonable price Bright for the price Replaceable batteries Wireless handlebar remote Cons Need to purchase batteries separately Chelsey Magness While it is affordable, the Fenix BC30 V2.0 ($120), has a lot going for it. Its also the only light on this list to use replaceable (218650 or 4xCR123) batteries. Testers Chelsey and Jason Magness and their adventure race team have been using some variation of this light for the past 5 years, and its still a go-to for many expedition races.

　　The V2.0 has a wireless control unit that helps you avoid taking your hands off the bars to change the light setting while riding any hair-raising technical terrain. It has 5 brightness settings from Eco (50 lumens) to High (1500 lumens) along with a Burst mode. Its burst mode activates a 2,200-lumen blast for 30 seconds — a great feature that comes in handy on descents and doesn’t impact the burn time bottom line by too much.

　　Run times are pretty respectable, with up to 2.3 hours in High (1500 lumens) and 6 hours in Medium (600 lumens). We generally didnt have any issues on regular night rides in the 2-hour range. For big trips, we loved that we could stock up on readily available and relatively cheap rechargeable batteries and still have enough power for nights upon nights of riding. But that comes with one catch — the unit’s waterproofness. Its robust IP67 rating only applies when its sealed. Changing batteries in the middle of a midnight rainstorm is a delicate procedure that could lead to a shorted light if water gets into the battery compartment.

　　It also leads us to another consideration. The BC30 V2.0 sold without batteries, and youll need to purchase those with the light, which adds to the otherwise low price. We appreciate the ability to stock up, bring them along, and swap them out to extend our rides, but realistically, we generally prefer the simplicity of an internal rechargeable battery like the Light Motion Seca Comp 2000, although that light is nearly double the price.

　　Otherwise, we appreciate the Fenixs ease of use, brightness, and fairly long run times. This is another solid handlebar-mount option — or pick up a helmet mount for use on your head — and it wont break the bank.

　　$90 at Amazon Best Premium Mountain Bike Light Helmet Exposure Zenith Mk3 Specs Type Helmet or Handlebar Lumens (max.) 2200 Battery 5,000 mAh internal Burn Time 1 hr. (high), 18 hrs. (low) Weight 147 g (light), 11 g (incl. helmet mount) Mounts (incl.) Handlebar, Helmet, GoPro (not incl.)

　　

　　Pros Beautifully machined Powerful helmet spot light, but wide enough combined with handlebar lights Eight modes so you can find which works best for your riding Long throw is difficult to outrun Easy to pop on the lanyard and use as a normal flashlight Will most likely last forever Great packaging to keep everything together Cons Included clamp mount works well, but may not work with some helmet designs Expensive Relatively high charge time Chelsey Magness The Exposure Zenith Mk3 ($320) is arguably the best-performing helmet light you can buy, but its premium price tag may put it out of reach for many. Still, with a gorgeous machined finish, 2200 lumen max output, eight mode options, and a powerful spot beam, the Zenith is a top choice for serious night riders looking to invest in a top-of-the-line helmet light. 

　　The Zenith Mk3 comes with a unique helmet vent mount that clamps to the top and inside of the helmet shell, which works well on most helmets. If you use a helmet with no central vents, very wide vents, or semi-filled vents (like Smith helmets with Koroyd), the included mount may not fit very well. We ended up purchasing an action camera mount for $10 to resolve this, which was stable and worked great. It also comes with a lanyard, and due to the traditional flashlight shape, we found ourselves using the Zenith off the bike — it’s a good, powerful flashlight for use around the house, too.

　　The initial setup of the Zenith is fairly easy with the indicator light, but it is a bit more involved than the Outbound Lighting Hangover, for example. That said, there are more mode options to choose from, so taking the time to thoroughly read the instructions to dial it in for your needs is worth it. For example, the Zenith has a TAP mode, which lets you change the brightness of the light by tapping the body rather than pressing the button.

　　We tested TAP mode, and while it worked as intended with no unexpected setting changes at medium sensitivity, we ended up turning it off. We had no problems finding and pressing the button at the back of the light, even with our helmets on, and it’s just not a feature we chose to use. That said, if youre racing or frequently adjusting light settings on the go, this feature is pretty slick.

　　We mainly rode with the Zenith in Mode 1 (1 hour high, 3 hours medium, 6 hours low) and Mode 4 (1 hour high, 3 hours medium), as this fits into our usual night ride durations. We never ran the Zenith out of juice on the trail. We were most comfortable climbing in the 3-hour medium setting and navigated a few uphill sections in the 6-hour low setting with no problems.

　　While riding, the Zenith is more of a spotlight than a floodlight, which we appreciated for a helmet light. With the Zenith on our helmet and the extremely powerful Six Pack Mk13 on our handlebars, we could see as far down the trail as we do during the day. Not only was the Zenith super-bright at 2200 lumens, but the beam distance made it so we never had to worry about outrunning it. We also used it in combination with other handlebar lights and liked how the more focused Zenith could be differentiated from a wider beam like that of the Outbound Trail Evo.

　　We chose the Outbound Hangover as the best overall helmet light because we think its a great choice for most riders most of the time. That said, if you want the pinnacle of performance, we think the Zenith Mk3 is it, but itll cost you. At $320, the Zenith is more than twice the price of the Hangover, but it is twice as bright, built to last, and a great choice for any rider looking for a more powerful helmet light — if you can justify the expense.

　　Check Price at BikeINN Best Premium Mountain Bike Light Handlebar Exposure Six Pack Mk13 Specs Type Handlebar Lumens (max) 5450 (max Reflex++), 3900 (constant) Battery 17,000 mAh internal Burn time 2 hrs. (high), 36 hrs. (low), 3 hrs. (Reflex++) Weight 404 g (light), 27 g (incl. handlebar mount) Mounts Handlebar

　　

　　Pros Reflex++ works quickly and intuitively Beautifully machined Built to last Very bright Wide beam pattern Great packaging to keep everything together Cons Expensive Heavier weight Chelsey Magness The Exposure Six Pack Mk13 ($536) is an absolute beast of a mountain bike light. The Six Pack boasts 3900 lumens of constant output (with a max output of 5450 lumens when using the Reflex++ mode), 10 brightness setting modes, and a sturdy, low-profile mount. This is our recommendation for serious night riders looking to invest in a durable, easy-to-use, and exceptionally bright light. It’s also beautifully machined and seems capable of handling some serious use and abuse.

　　With a small LCD screen showing the selected program, setting, and remaining battery life, the Six Pack is very easy to use during initial setup and out on the trail. We appreciated having the mode settings clearly printed on the light, and selection is much easier with the LCD screen than when counting flashes on some other models. Plus, it provides an accurate estimate of remaining battery life. Because most of our test riding involved slower climbs into faster descents, we used the Six Pack in modes 1, 4, and 7, but there are a total of ten to choose from.

　　Across all ten modes, the Six Packs 17,000 mAh battery gives it a minimum burn time of 2 hours on high (3900 lumens constant output) and a max life of 36 hours (low setting in program 6). This wide range should ensure the Six Pack works well for any rider’s needs. For our riding, Mode 1 with Reflex++ technology was our go-to, allowing us to not touch the light settings at all on any ride under ~3 hours. 

　　Reflex++ technology makes the Six Pack the only light we tested that adjusts brightness automatically based on data from 3D digital accelerometers, including gyroscope and thermistors. The system continuously adjusts how it changes brightness based on riding data with the goal of optimizing output at a given riders top speed in rough terrain. It takes about 20 minutes for the Six Pack to initially “learn” a riders style, which is then saved as a starting point. If riding forces, environment, speed, or style changes, it will then continuously adjust.

　　In Mode 1, Reflex++ is optimized for a three-hour runtime and provides up to 5450 lumens for fast and/or rough descents. We found it worked reliably and consistently — we always had the right amount of brightness from the Six Pack and didn’t need to press the button to switch between settings because the light did it automatically. When we were climbing, the light would dim to save battery, and when we descended fast, rocky trails, it would ramp up to the maximum brightness seamlessly.

　　This setting also provided significantly more visibility/brightness than any other light we tested, making it our top choice for aggressive night riding. The beam pattern is wide enough to clearly light up the trail and peripherals, and the beam throws far enough down the barrel that we couldnt possibly outrun it. At 404 grams, its definitely heavier than most, but the included handlebar clamp is sturdy, stable, and quiet, so we never really noticed the extra weight.

　　At $536, the Exposure Six Pack Mk13 is VERY expensive, but we have no doubts it will last nearly forever. If youre a seriously dedicated night rider, think of the Six Pack as a long-term investment — it’s built to last, Reflex++ works very well, the beam pattern balances long-distance throw and peripheral flooding, and it is undoubtedly the brightest light we’ve ever ridden with. If you can afford it, this is the pinnacle of mountain bike lights.

　　Check Price at Worldwide Cyclery Best of the Rest Knog Blinder X 1800 Specs Type Handlebar or Helmet Lumens (max) 1800 Battery 10,000 mAh external Burn time 2.5 hrs. (high), 6.5 hrs. (med), 15 hrs. (low) Weight 153 g (light/handlebar mount), 280 g (battery) Mounts Handlebar, Helmet, Battery

　　

　　Pros Comes with helmet and handlebar mounts Handlebar remote (wired) Bright Great beam throw and spread Long run times Cons External battery pack adds complexity Heavier system weight Helmet mount wont work with all helmets Chelsey Magness Knog is fairly well known for its road and commuting lights, but the brand recently branched into the off-road world with its new Blinder X models. These new mountain bike lights are offered in 1800- ($220) or 2300-lumen ($270) versions and come with everything you need to mount them to your handlebar or helmet. These lights offer impressive brightness, long run times, and a generally well-executed design. We wholeheartedly recommend them, but they have a few minor quirks that kept them off the top of our podium.

　　Whether you choose the 1800 or the 2300, the form factor and parts included are the same. The lights come with a 10,000 mAh external battery pack (with a frame and bottle cage mount), a handlebar mount (with shims for 31.8 and 35 mm bars), a strap helmet mount, a remote mount (handlebar and helmet), and a 700 mm extension cable.

　　With both handlebar and helmet mounts included, we chose to run the 2300 on our handlebar and the 1800 on our helmet. The handlebar mount is a straightforward hinged clamp that attaches right next to the stem. The light head bolts onto the clamp, and the whole thing is impressively stable and secure. The helmet mount is a Velcro strap affair that feeds through the upper helmet vents. We had no issues mounting it on the two helmets we used during testing, but could see some potential compatibility issues depending on your helmets vent configuration. Regardless, we found it to be surprisingly stable in use. For either mount, however, changes to the lights angle required the use of tools.

　　With two mounting options for the external battery pack, you can either mount a bracket to your bottle cage or strap the battery to your frame. We chose the latter to avoid using the cable extension and found it to be super stable and annoyance-free. For the helmet-mounted light, we used the cable extension and stashed the battery in the rear pocket of our cargo liner bibs. This worked great, but like any external battery, its a bit of faff to get perfect.

　　The wired remote can be easily mounted on the handlebar using the strap mount, and a stick-on mount is included for use on your helmet. Both mounts are magnetic and hold the remote in place, but it can easily break away in the event the cable gets snagged while riding. The remote button toggles through light modes, with an indicator light to differentiate between brightness settings, while the battery power button shows the remaining charge.

　　The Blinder X lights are exceptionally bright and have a long, focused beam along with great peripheral spread. On high, you can see clear as day and the trail is illuminated perfectly for riding as fast as you want. A quick tap of the remote turns them down to medium and a little less than half brightness. A second tap dims them to low at 350 lumens. Run times vary depending on the model, with the 1800 boasting an impressive 2.5 hours and the 2300 coming in at 1.8 hours on high — and roughly triple that in the medium setting. Thats more than adequate for most peoples night rides, especially if you switch between brightness settings as you go.

　　The new Blinder X lights are absolutely fantastic and a great option for serious night riders. Unlike the self-contained Outbound and Exposure lights, however, the external battery packs add a bit of complexity to set up. Adjusting the light head angles on a ride also requires the use of tools, and the combination of the light and battery pack adds up to a pretty hefty system weight at 433 grams. Still, these bright lights work really well and are a great addition to the mountain bike light market.

　　$220 at AmazonCheck Price at Knog Versatile and Easy to Use Light Motion Seca Comp 2000 Specs Type Handlebar Lumens (max) 2000 Battery 28 Wh Burn time 1.5 hours (high) Weight 221 g Mounts Handlebar (also works with GoPro mount)

　　

　　Pros Simple use and interface Flood/spot light combination Easy to attach Bright enough Cons Not the longest burn time Rubber handlebar strap isnt the most secure Chelsey Magness While we certainly appreciate all the amazing technology present in some of the premier brands we tested, unboxing the Light Motion Seca Comp 2000 ($230) was a welcome throwback to simpler times. Its just a light, a handlebar mount, and a charging cord.

　　The self-contained unit is intuitive and surprisingly bright, with a max output of 2000 lumens. The beam pattern is well designed, too, with a spot beam throwing further down the trail and a wide fill lighting up the periphery closer by. With a 1.5-hour burn time on high, most people will have ample juice for night rides, especially if youre switching between the lower output settings. The one-touch Race Mode allows you to do that easily by toggling between medium and high settings with a single click of the button.

　　While trail-worthy, its equally at home in a commuting setting with great daytime visibility modes and optional side lighting. The rubber strap system makes mounting it super simple, and it will fit just about any handlebar. This makes it easy to toss in a pack or pocket until you need it, plus its easy to switch between bikes or remove for charging. That said, the rubber strap isnt the most secure over super rough terrain, and we have long-term durability concerns compared to the metal clamps on many other models.

　　Battery life is indicated through the power button which illuminates in three different colors. When youve fully drained the battery, it charges completely in 4 hours with any standard micro-USB cable.

　　Still, the Seca Comp 2000 is about as straightforward as they come and should appeal to those who love night riding but hate the tech complexity of many of the other, fancier lights. Its bright enough and easy to use, and we’d heartily recommend this as a gateway light to anyone exploring night riding for the first time. Its versatility also makes the Seca Comp 2000 a solid option for those who mix it up between commuting and nighttime trail rides.

　　For serious night riding, wed still go for something like the Outbound Trail Evo, which is a bit brighter and has a slightly longer burn time. Pair that with the Outbound Hangover for a great helmet and handlebar combo.

　　$177 at Amazon Lupine Lights Wilma R 7 Helmet Light System Specs Type Helmet Lumens (max) 3600 Battery 6900 mAh external (compatible with other sizes) Burn time 1.45 hours on high Weight 122 g (lamp head only) Mounts Helmet (lots of other aftermarket options)

　　

　　Pros Many compatibility options for mounts and batteries Bluetooth controllable through an app or remote Exceptionally bright Great beam throw and spread Cons Very expensive External battery adds complexity Chelsey Magness If Apple and Tesla collaborated on a mountain bike light, the result would be something like the 3,200-lumen Wilma R 7 Light System ($650). Sleek, powerful, amazing form factor, very expensive — and named after a Flintstone?

　　On the upside, all the batteries work with all the lamp heads. And most of the seemingly infinite accessories are highly cross-compatible. Still, we found the process of building a light system and setting it up a bit daunting. For example, the lamp head bar mounts only fit a precise bar diameter, which will render your light unusable if you choose wrong. Yet once set up properly, however, this light felt and looked like it belonged on a custom-built dream bike.

　　We could spend an entire article on all the options and configurations available with Lupine. But instead, we’ll just say the possibilities feel endless compared to every other brand on this list. Want the light on your head, helmet, bar, or boat? No problem. Need a huge battery for a mega race or a tiny emergency battery for your huge light? Gotcha covered. Monitor your battery life and adapt the brightness settings via smartphone? OK. The Lupine Lights Wilma R 7 can handle it all.

　　With a max output of 3600 lumens, this thing can light up the woods like its daytime, and the beams throw and spread are well balanced, so you can see everything. Thankfully, it has numerous brightness settings, and you can customize them to your needs and preferences. The included 6900 mAh external battery pack provides a good amount of juice with a 1.75-hour run time on high (3600 lumens) and 3.3 hours at 1800 lumens — which is more than bright enough for most night riding.

　　So, what are the drawbacks of this impressive light system? First, like any light with an external battery, there is some added complexity and wires to connect the lamp head and battery — plus, you have to mount the battery to your frame or carry it in a pocket or pack. Second, its wildly expensive, with a retail price of $650. At that price, were more inclined to go with the Exposure Six-Pack Mk13 or Zenith Mk3, which are self-contained and easier to deal with.

　　Still, this is an excellent light and the Wilma R 7 is best thought of as a lifetime investment that can grow or adapt as your desires do.

　　Check Price at Lupine Light Motion Vis Pro 1000 Trail Specs Type Handlebar or Helmet Lumens (max) 1,000 Battery not specified Burn time 2.5 hrs. (high) Weight 142 g Mounts Handlebar, Helmet, GoPro

　　

　　Pros Lightweight Durable Can light the way while charging Cons 1,000 lumen max output is lower end of functional Rubber mounting system isnt 100% stable Chelsey Magness The Light Motion Vis Pro 1000 Trail’s ($130) 1,000 max lumens are on the low end of what we consider a viable light for serious night riding. However, we appreciate it for bikepacking or those just-in-case scenarios where light weight, portability, and functionality are more important than maximum brightness.

　　The Vis Pro 1000 has several features that make it a favorite for traveling light and having you covered when you get caught out in the dark. At 142 grams and waterproof to 1 meter the light is barely noticeable and bombproof. This self-contained unit also switches easily from bars to helmet, so it can be used whichever way you need, even as a headlamp if youre camping. The strap mount system makes it easy to mount on any handlebar and it has a quick-release to pop it off in a flash.

　　It charges completely via USB in 2.5 hours. It can even maintain a 150-lumen output while charging, which is just enough light to grind gravel for as long as it takes to make that perfect camp. Itll run for 1.5 hours on high and up to 6 hours on low (250 lumens), which should be great for those times youre out later than expected.

　　We were not huge fans of the beam pattern on the Vis Pro 1000 for high-speed singletrack. The simple rubber mounting system was not 100% stable on extremely rough terrain. Still, this light is great to throw in the pack for those bikepacking missions or evening rides where youre flirting with darkness.

　　$135 at Amazon Gloworm X2 Adventure Lightset Specs Type Handlebar or helmet Lumens (max) 2000 Battery 5,000 mAh Burn time 2 hrs. (high) Weight 79 g (light head), 211 g (battery) Mounts Handlebar, Helmet

　　

　　Pros Excellent value Small footprint on handlebars or helmet Wireless remote Interchangeable lenses Customizable through Gloworm app Cons External battery and associated complexity Heavier system weight Chelsey Magness Designed in New Zealand (but readily available through U.S. distributors), the X2 Adventure ($269) was not a standout in any specific category. But it is arguably one of the best values out there for the money. It comes with all the mounts you need to attach to your handlebar or helmet and to secure the battery to your frame along with a Bluetooth remote that attaches to your handlebar so you can make changes to brightness on the fly.

　　The Gloworm X2 does everything pretty well and is super customizable. It comes with the hardware to center mount on bars as well as a helmet (GoPro) and headlamp strap mounting configurations. Unlike some lights in this review, the svelte 79-gram lamp head makes it barely noticeable up top, but that does mean that its connected to an external battery (211 grams), which is less user-friendly than all-in-one units.

　　The max output of 2,000 lumens allowed us to feel confident at speed, and the 2-hour burn time (on high) is ample for most of our nocturnal outings. Running it on the lower settings while climbing or rising at slower speeds ensured we had ample battery life for all but the longest of rides. Gloworms LINK app makes customization a breeze, so you can adjust the different brightness levels (and burn times) to your specific needs. The X2 Adventure is preprogrammed with three fixed light settings for trail riding. Plus, it has a special mode with a disrupted flash pattern (with a much longer burn time).

　　One of the other features that we really appreciated was the wireless remote switch, so we never needed to take our hands off the bars to change brightness settings. The inclusion of multiple lenses allowed us to optimize the beam pattern for each rider’s preference or the trails/roads we were riding. And the Power Pack has a USB-C port and can be used as a power bank to charge your phone in a pinch.

　　Make no mistake, we love the Gloworm X2 Adventure light, but like other options with external batteries, its just not quite as user-friendly or convenient as those with internal batteries like the Outbound Trail Evo and Hangover or the Exposure Zenith and Six-Pack models.

　　Check Price at Jenson USA NiteRider Pro 4200 Enduro Specs Type Handlebar Lumens (max) 4200 Battery 8-cell Li-Ion Burn time 3 hrs. (high) Weight 3 lbs., 1.6 oz. Mounts Handlebar

　　

　　Pros Blazing 4,200 lumens Long burn time at 600 lumens Cons Price Heavy system weight Chelsey Magness One tester dubbed this the “portable sun.” The NiteRider Pro 4200 Enduro ($450) is one of the pinnacle lights designed for high-speed, long-duration, intense trail riding.

　　Many lights in this test have better beam patterns, more programmability, nicer form factors, and wireless functionality. However, few can compare with the Pro 4200 Enduro’s ultimate usability when it comes to going fast downhill after sundown.

　　We rarely even felt the need to switch it to the blazing 4,200-lumen high beam. The Pro 4200 Enduro feels a bit brutish rather than elegant. It has a wired remote switch and a massive eight-cell battery that can give the light a 16.5-hour burn time at 600 lumens. NiteRider’s universal center bar mount will also fit any handlebars including 35 mm diameters.

　　It comes at a high price tag, but if you want to strap on your armor and ride things at night that make most mountain bikers tremble during the daytime, the 4200 Enduro is bright enough to light your way. And if you’re concerned about weight or price, it’s worth checking out the Pro 2200 Race ($250), which will save you some cash while still being adequately bright for most peoples needs.

　　The biggest drawback to the Pro 4200 Enduro is undoubtedly its weight, which at 1,406 grams, is significantly heavier than others we tested. When it comes to the battery size and weight, this light definitely seems a little dated. Still, if youre more concerned with long run times for 24-hour races or similar events, that weight may be tolerable.

　　$445 at Amazon Mountain Bike Lights Comparison Chart

Mountain Bike Light	MSRP	Lumens (max.)	Battery	Burn Time	Weight	Mounts
Outbound Lighting Hangover	$135	≈ 1000	3,500 mAh internal	1.1 hrs. (high), 1.6 hrs. (adaptive), 6.5 hrs. (low)	108 g	Helmet: GoPro (incl.)
Outbound Lighting Trail Evo	$245	≈ 2200	10,000 mAh internal	1.7 hrs (high), 2.6 hrs. (adaptive), 8.5 hrs. (low)	275 g (light), 42 g (handlebar mount)	Handlebar
Niterider Lumina Pro 1200	$115	1200	not specified	55 min (high), 7 hrs. (low)	193 g	Handlebar (incl.), Helmet (not incl.)
Fenix BC30 Bike Light V2.0	$120	2200 (burst), 1500 (high)	2 x 18650 rechargeable Li-Ion batteries (not incl.)	2.3 hrs. (high)	154 g	Handlebar
Exposure Zenith Mk3	$320	2200	5,000 mAh internal	1 hr. (high), 18 hrs. (low)	147 g (light), 11 g (incl. helmet mount)	Handlebar, Helmet (incl.), GoPro (not incl.)
Exposure Six Pack Mk13	$536	5450 (max Reflex++), 3900 (constant)	17,000 mAh internal	2 hrs. (high), 36 hrs. (low), 3 hrs. (Reflex++)	404 g (light), 27 g (incl. handlebar mount)	Handlebar
Knog Blinder X 1800	$220	1800	10,000 mAh external	2.5 hrs. (high), 6.5 hrs. (med), 15 hrs. (low)	153 g (light/handlebar mount), 280 g (battery)	Handlebar, Helmet, Battery
Knog Blinder X 2300	$270	2300	10,000 mAh external	1.8 hrs. (high), 5 hrs. (med), 15 hrs. (low)	153 g (light/handlebar mount), 280 g (battery)	Handlebar, Helmet, Battery
Light Motion Seca Comp 2000	$225	2000	28 Wh	1.5 hrs. (high), 6 hrs. (low)	221 g	Handlebar (works with GoPro, not incl.)
Lupine Lights Wilma R 7 Helmet Light System	$650	3600	6900 mAh	1.45 hrs. (high)	122 g (light head only)	Helmet
Light Motion Vis Pro Trail 1000	$100	1000	not specified	1.5 hrs. (high)	142 g	Handlebar, Helmet, GoPro
Gloworm X2 Adventure	$269	2000	5,000 mAh	2 hrs. (high)	79 g (light), 211 g (battery)	Handlebar, Helmet
NiteRider Pro 4200 Enduro	$450	4200	8-cell Li-Ion	1.5 hrs. (high)	1,406 g (total system)	Handlebar

Scroll right to see more product specs. How We Tested Mountain Bike Lights The crew at GearJunkie has certainly spent their fair share of time in the saddle. Many among us steal away for after-work mountain bike laps, and some even participate in international adventure racing — where a good light can be the difference between a sunrise and a DNF. After years of both casual riding and full-tilt pedal mashing, weve keyed in on the best mountain bike lights on the market today thatll see you through the night.

　　During our many seasons of testing, weve learned that a light for downhill wont be the same as a light for all-night cross-country travel, so we carefully weighed each light against one another with these use profiles in mind. We also aimed to assess the real brass tack performance metrics such as brightness, burn time, and weight. Both battery and LED technology are constantly being improved upon, and the MTB lights of today are only getting better as time goes on.

　　

　　Our testing process involved lots of riding at night with our selection of mountain bike lights; (photo/Paul Clauss) Our Expert Testers Testers Chelsey and Jason Magness kicked off this guide in the winter of 2021 by testing a wide selection of 25 mountain bike lights. Asprofessional adventure racers(you might remember Team GearJunkie from a recentUSARA National Championship Race), the Magnesses have spent countless hours riding at night and rely on bike lights to get them through the dark hours of races safely and efficiently. As such, they have a thorough understanding of what separates the best mountain bike lights from the rest. Additionally, they leaned on their friends and fellow racers for testing and their opinions on the lights in this guide.

　　Adding to this guide is GearJunkie contributor Paul Clauss. Paul is a mechanical engineer, avid mountain biker, coach, and trail builder who lives in northern Vermont. When the days get shorter, Paul keeps riding into the darkness on his trail and fat bikes, and he has relied on mountain bike lights to brighten the way for many years. Given his engineering background, Paul enjoys digging into the details of design as it relates to functionality and the user experience. In addition to mountain bike lights, he has contributed his knowledge and expertise to numerous other review categories, including the best bike pumps, flat pedal mountain bike shoes, and the flat pedals that go along with them.

　　

　　Familiarizing ourselves with each mountain bike light, its parts, mounts, controls, and settings is one of the first steps in the testing process; (photo/Jeremy Benson) Our Testing Process To test the best mountain bike lights, we first assess the current market through extensive online research to identify the latest, greatest, and most highly regarded models on the market. We then gather up our choices and put them through rigorous testing to see how they fare in the real world.

　　The first step is unboxing each product as it arrives, taking stock of all the included parts, and examining the build quality. We then weigh each model for consistency and comparison to the manufacturers specifications. After charging the lights, its time to ride, so we mount each bike light to our bikes using the included mounts to analyze the ease of installation on handlebars and/or helmets. Once mounted and adjusted, we take each model out for a number of night rides to get a feel for each models brightness, beam throw, beam spread, brightness settings, controls, stability, and overall ease of use. When possible, we switch between models to get a more direct side-by-side comparison. Additionally, we use each brands associated app (when applicable) to make adjustments and customizations to light settings.

　　After testing each model for months, we compare notes and determine which models are our favorites and those that excel for specific reasons compared to the rest. Many of the lights here have been used by our staff for years of tough riding and are still going strong today. As soon as new lights are on the market, we will test them and update our list to reflect the current best of the best in mountain bike lights.

　　Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Mountain Bike Lights When the time comes to select a mountain biking lighting system, there are several key factors to consider. In this how-to-choose guide, we’ll cover the major variables that will help inform your decision.

　　

　　How you intend to ride in the dark will be a factor that dictates how bright your lights should be; (photo/Darren Steinbach) Types of Riding Mountain bike lights vary as widely as the types of riding that people do, so youll want to be sure to get lights that suit your riding style. This applies to the brightness of the lights, but also to the size of the battery, and the form factor of the lights.

　　The faster you ride and the more technical your trails, the brighter and more stable youll want your lights to be. Low to moderate speeds and smoother surfaces typically dont demand as much brightness, but youll still need your lights to be bright enough. Regardless, we always recommend riding with lights on both your helmet and handlebar, as the combination provides the best illumination in the dark.

　　Youll also want to consider ride duration, as that will play a role in determining which light will work best for your needs. If youre like most people and you only ride for a couple hours at a time, just about any light will do. If youre hardcore and need your lights to last through the night, then youll want to find something that can run for many hours on end. Additionally, if youre riding primarily in the winter over snow, your lights dont need to be quite as bright since the white surface is more easily illuminated.

　　

　　The Exposure Six-Pack Mk13 has a super sturdy handlebar clamp mount and is an exceptionally bright mountain bike light; (photo/Paul Clauss) Helmet vs. Handlebar Mounts There are two places where mountain bike lights are designed to be mounted: on your handlebar and on your helmet. As mentioned above, a proper setup for riding at night includes lights mounted in both locations. You can get away with one or the other, but for the best visibility, having both is ideal. Many lights will come with one mounting system or the other — sometimes both — or you can often purchase an aftermarket mount to switch locations.

　　Handlebar-mounted lights always point in the general direction youre traveling but will move with the handlebar as you steer, meaning it may not always be pointed directly at what youre looking at. Many mountain bike lights mount to the handlebar using a hinged clamp that is tightened with an allen key — these are usually the most secure and stable. Typically, these types of mounts will come with shims to fit on both 31.8 mm and 35 mm handlebars. Alternatively, some lighter-weight lights come with a stretchy rubber strap as a mount, and these are tool-free and very easy to use for frequent installation/removal, but they arent quite as secure as the clamp mounts. Generally, you want to mount the light as close to the stem as possible so the light is centered on your bar at the steering axis.

　　

　　Outbound Lightings Hangover helmet light attaches securely to a GoPro mount; (photo/Paul Clauss) Helmet-mounted lights are excellent because they are attached to your head, so the beam moves in relation to where your head is pointed and you are looking. Additionally, the light source is higher up, so you can cast light over and around obstacles more easily. As such, we feel they are incredibly important to have, especially on twisty, chunky, or undulating terrain. Many lights come with helmet mounts which are often a Velcro strap system that gets threaded through the vent holes on the top of your helmet. Others may come with a stick-on or clip-on mount or an adapter that attaches to an action camera mount (like a GoPro).

　　The only real drawback to helmet-mounted lights is that the mounts can sometimes be a bit less stable — particularly the strap variety — so they can bounce around a bit while riding. The weight of a light on your head can also take some getting used to and may require tightening your helmet more than usual to keep it steady. That said, most helmet-mount lights weigh around 200 grams or less, so they arent too heavy on the head.

　　

　　Considering how and where you ride will help you determine how bright your lights need to be. Snow is a forgiving surface for night riding and doesnt require lights to be quite as bright; (photo/Paul Clauss) Brightness and Lumens The brightness of a light is typically measured in lumens. While mountain biking in low light, you’ll definitely want a bright light that adequately illuminates the terrain ahead.

　　If you plan to ride in full darkness, youll want to use lights with a bare minimum of 500 lumens on your handlebars and 500 lumens on your helmet. This will get you by for lower speed, less aggressive riding scenarios, but realistically, we recommend getting lights that put out 1000 lumens or more for doing any proper night riding. The brighter your lights, the more clearly youll be able to see and the faster and more safely youll be able to navigate mountain bike trails in the darkness.

　　Light technology has advanced greatly in recent years, and mountain bike lights are now smaller and brighter than ever. Many of these compact marvels are as bright or brighter than car headlights, with some boasting 4000+ lumens that you can attach to your handlebar. Honestly, lights that bright are almost overkill, but they can be nice to have from time to time. Weve found that the sweet spot for most riding is in the neighborhood of 2000 lumens. This is adequately bright for virtually any speed or riding scenario without being excessive.

　　

　　It doesnt get much brighter than the Exposure Six-Pack Mk13. The beam also provides a great balance of spread and throw so you can ride with confidence at any speed; (photo/Paul Clauss) That said, most lights have numerous brightness settings, so you can turn them down to optimize them to your liking, the speeds youre traveling, or the terrain at hand. While it is often ideal to have your lights at full brightness for descents, turning them down for slower speeds on climbs or mellower terrain is a great way to conserve battery.

　　The brightest light we tested is the Exposure Six Pack Mk13 which tops out at 5450 lumens for short periods in its Reflex++ mode and can put out a continuous 3900 lumens in its high setting. The Lupine Lights Wilma R 7 has a max output of 3600 lumens, and the Niterider Pro 4200 Enduro can put out a whopping 4200 lumens. These lights can illuminate the forest like its daytime.

　　

　　The Niterider Lumina Pro 1200 is fairly bright, but you can see that it has a bit more of a focused, spotlight-style beam than the Exposure Six-Pack; (photo/Paul Clauss) Beam Pattern It’s important to understand lumens are not the only factor that determines a light’s performance. Beam pattern and beam throw will also play a role in how well you can see while riding. While lumens are important, a super bright light only fulfills its potential if the beam pattern is effective. A light’s beam pattern refers to how it disperses light across the trail. Our favorite beam patterns fill the entire trail with light and focus the brightness where you need it most.

　　Some lights have more of a focused, spotlight type of beam, while others are more of a flood light. The best lights manage to combine the two for a balanced beam pattern. Many lights are actually made of multiple lights with varying beam characteristics. For example, the Knog Blinder X models have 12 LEDs. The center of the lens is clear for a longer throw, while the side of the lens is textured to spread the light out toward the sides. Taking it a step further, the Gloworm X2 Adventure comes with interchangeable lenses that allow the user to choose the beam pattern that best suits their needs or preferences.

　　Similarly, you want the beam to extend a good distance ahead of you so you can see whats coming. This is more important at faster speeds, as the faster you go, the more important it is to see farther down the trail. Generally speaking, the brighter the light, the farther the light can shine down the trail.

　　

　　A lights brightness and battery size dictate its burn time. The 10,000 mAh external battery of the Knog Blinder X 1800 can support 1800 lumens for up to 2.5 hours; (photo/Jeremy Benson) Ride Duration and Burn Time Are you looking for something to brighten up your trails for an all-nighter or 24-hour race? Or are you just looking for a light that you can use once or twice a week on a 2-hour ride? Your answers to these questions will help find a light that best suits your needs.

　　Burn time is the total length of time a bike light can stay on before its battery is depleted. This is a function of a lights battery size and output level. The brighter or more powerful a light is, the more battery power it uses. The larger the storage capacity of a battery, the longer it will last.

　　Like lights, battery technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, and batteries have become more compact and lighter than ever. And, since light technology has also advanced, they are brighter and use power more efficiently. Still, it can be difficult to balance the power demands of bright lights with the weight and size of batteries to create lights that are bright, compact, and lightweight. Regardless, were way better off than we were a decade ago. Some bike light batteries used to be the size and weight of full water bottles.

　　Batteries vary in size, which is usually listed in Milliamp Hours (mAh). The higher the number, the more power it can store. Youll also notice that brighter lights tend to have larger batteries, and this is because a more powerful light will burn energy more quickly. Its also important to note that batteries are one of the heaviest parts of bike lights, so thats something to keep in mind if weight is a consideration. A good example here is the Exposure Six-Pack Mk13 which has a 17,000 mAh battery — the largest of all the models we tested. This internal battery gives the Six-Pack a larger overall size and its heavier 404-gram weight — even though thats still impressively light for what it is.

　　The majority of lights we tested can run on their highest setting for around 1.5 to 2 hours. Running them at lower settings or switching back and forth depending on your speed or the terrain can extend the battery life significantly. Since most of us are going out for shorter length night rides, the burn times of most lights are more than adequate. If youre a 24-hour racer, youll need to search out the longest-lasting light — like the super heavy Niterider Pro 4200 Enduro — and run it on a lower output setting to make it through the night. Or, be prepared to swap batteries or recharge at some point during the night

　　

　　The Outbound Lighting Trail Evo handlebar light has an internal battery, making for a self-contained package; (photo/Paul Clauss) Internal vs. External Batteries When choosing mountain bike lights, there are self-contained units with internal batteries and those that have external battery packs. Both work well, but generally speaking, the all-in-one units are a bit more straightforward and easy to use. That said, internal batteries are often, but not always, smaller, which can result in shorter burn times. Lights with internal batteries are sometimes a bit heavier, as well, which can be noticeable when used as a helmet-mounted light. Additionally, you typically cant swap out the batteries, so they need to be recharged once depleted.

　　We tested a number of models with internal batteries, including the Exposure Zenith Mk3 and Six-Pack Mk13, the Outbound Lighting Hangover and Trail Evo, and the Niterider Lumina Pro 1200. These lights top the charts for ease of use.

　　

　　Many mountain bike lights have external batteries, like the Knog Blinder X 1800 and 2300, which need to be attached to your frame or stashed in your pack depending on the placement; (photo/Jeremy Benson) Lights with external battery packs separate the light head from the battery, and they need to be connected with a cord that runs between them. This adds a bit of complexity, considering you need to mount the battery to your bike frame or stash it in a pack or jersey pocket (when used with a helmet mount). Youve also got a cord to deal with, which can potentially snag on things if not secured properly. On the plus side, the light head can be lighter than it would be with a battery attached to it, so it may be less noticeable on your head. The battery packs can also be larger and interchangeable — within the same brand — for longer rides or overnight races.

　　Some of the best lights on the market have external batteries, including the new Knog Blinder X 1800 and Blinder X 2300, the Lupine Lights Wilma R 7, and the Gloworm X2 Adventure. All of these lights are fantastic, but youll have wires to deal with.

　　

　　Ease of use varies between models, with some, like the NiteRider Lumina Pro 1200, being very easy to set up and use and others being a bit more complex; (photo/Paul Clauss) User Experience Are you able and excited to put in the time to program and set up your light system? Or do you want to take it out of the box, clamp it on, and have it ready to go? There are many lights out there that cater to both as well as some in-between.

　　There are many that are ultra-fancy, like a really expensive watch that can do nearly everything you can imagine (and more you’ll likely never use), and then there are others that are super simple. They charge by the cord you already have or, better yet, just take batteries. Self-contained lights with internal batteries are generally a bit easier to deal with than those with external batteries.

　　Take some time before you buy to think about the amount of time you’re willing to put into your lighting system. Systems like theLupineare easily upgradeable in nearly every way but might seem overly complicated for less serious night riders.

　　While the top-level performance, fancy features, and customizability of a light like the Exposure Six-Pack Mk13 make it arguably the best handlebar light you can buy, it might be overkill for a lot of riders. Theres a reason why we chose the Outbound Lighting Hangover and Trail Evo as our best overall lights instead. These lights are exceptionally easy to use while being bright and long-lasting enough for the vast majority of peoples needs — and much less expensive, too.

　　

　　Mountain bike lights vary pretty widely in price. If youre serious about your night riding, investing in something like the Exposure Zenith Mk3 might be well worth the higher price; (photo/Paul Clauss) Price Value In the mountain bike lights market, theres a very wide range of prices. The models we tested range from around $100 all the way up to $650. Generally speaking, brighter lights, bigger batteries, and more advanced technology drive the price up, but often the differences will only truly be appreciated by a select few.

　　Budget You can buy some super cheap bike lights off Amazon, but youll almost definitely be disappointed. If you want to do some real-deal night riding but youre operating on a budget, we recommend spending between $100 to $150 on some higher-quality lights that will actually be bright enough to light your way, last long enough to get through a ride, and not crap out on you after only a few uses.

　　Lights in this price range tend to be a bit simpler overall, with brightness ranging between 1000 and 2000-ish lumens, along with smaller batteries. In some ways, this simplicity is great because they are easy to use, relatively compact, lightweight, and adequate for infrequent use or rides of shorter durations. One of our favorite inexpensive lights is the Niterider Lumina Pro 1200 ($115). This light can be mounted on your handlebar or helmet, lights up the trail with 1200 lumens, and is incredibly user-friendly.

　　While we dont necessarily consider it a budget light, the Outbound Lighting Hangovers ($135) price is so competitive that it qualifies. Given its impressive ease of use, compact form, light weight, and great beam spread, this is one of our favorite helmet-mounted lights, regardless of price.

　　Mid-Tier As we climb the price ladder, we typically see an increase in brightness, larger batteries, and a generally higher level of performance. Most lights in the mid-tier will set you back between $150 and $300, but they usually boast 2000+ lumens and batteries big enough to handle the increased power needs.

　　Outbound Lightings Trail Evo ($245) boasts an impressive 2200-lumen max output, a stable and secure handlebar mount, and a 10,000 mAh internal battery. Like the Hangover, its super easy to use, making it our overall favorite that we feel will work best for most people. Similarly, Knogs new Blinder X 1800 ($220) and Blinder X 2300 ($270) lights are impressively bright, stable, and long-lasting with 10,000 mAh external batteries. The wired battery-to-light connection isnt as user-friendly, but the performance is otherwise stellar.

　　

　　The Exposure Six-Pack Mk13 may be very expensive, but its very bright, loaded with tech, and has one of the nicest builds of any light weve ever used. The storage case is a nice touch, too; (photo/Paul Clauss) Premium As we crest the $300 mark, we enter the high-end of the mountain bike light market. Again, we typically see an increase in brightness with lights capable of blasting 2000 to 4000-ish lumens. We also see an increase in build quality with nicer finishes. Technology also comes in to play with advanced features like companion apps, touch sensitivity, or auto-adjust brightness.

　　Our favorite premium bike lights are those made by Exposure. These also happen to be the highest-performance lights weve tried. The Zenith Mk3 ($320) is a compact helmet mount unit that puts out a whopping 2200 lumens and weighs in under 150 grams with an internal 5,000 mAh battery. It features TAP technology for on-the-fly changes to settings and has a super slick design. Likewise, the Six-Pack Mk13 ($536) shares a similar sleek design but takes brightness to another level with the capability of putting out 3900 lumens continuously in its high setting. The 17,000 mAh internal battery adds some weight but keeps it running as long as you want, while its advanced Reflex++ mode makes automatic changes to brightness based on speed and the pitch of the trail. That performance will cost you, but it is truly an incredible handlebar-mounted bike light.

　　Frequently Asked Questions Do I need lights on both my handlebars and my helmet? While you can get by with just one light on your helmet, we always recommend riding with lights on both your helmet and your handlebar for the best visibility while riding in the dark.

　　If you have to choose just one, we think a helmet-mounted light is the most important as it moves with your head and always points where you are looking. It is invaluable on trails with many technical features and tight turns.

　　Meanwhile, a handlebar-mounted light will point toward where your bike is headed — which is not always the direction you want to go. Still, since your bike is generally pointing in the direction youre going most of the time, its great to have a light on your handlebar as a secondary source of illumination.

　　Do I need mountain bike lights if I only ride during the day? That depends. If you only ride midday, chances are you won’t need to use a light, maybe ever. Still, it can be wise to be prepared for anything. We often carry bike lights just in case, for the same reason we carry a first aid kit. You never know whats going to happen on your rides. Whether you have a mechanical issue that keeps you out after the sun goes down, youre just having too much fun to stop riding, or you misjudged your ride distance and timing, having a bike light in the pack can be a huge benefit. Even a low powered light can be the difference from riding out safely and efficiently or feeling your way out in complete darkness.

　　Fortunately, many modern bike lights are relatively small and weigh in the neghborhood of 200 grams or so, so putting one in the pack or a jersey pocket doesnt come with too much of a weight or space penalty.

　　How long do mountain bike lights last? Eventually, all battery-powered mountain bike lights will be depleted and need a recharge. The battery life or burn time of a light ultimately depends on the size of the battery, brightness of the light, brightness settings used, and the air temperature.

　　If you’re running a high-quality bike light at peak power, it will generally only stay on for between 90 and 150 minutes. At lower outputs, the same lights may be able to last for 2 to 3 times as long or longer. The mountain bike lights with the biggest and most powerful battery packs may be able to stay on at full output for up to 4 hours.

　　To get the most out of your lights, we recommend always starting your ride at full charge. Additionally, switching between brightness modes — using lower settings for lower speeds like climbing — can extend the battery life. And just because some modern lights can put out a ridiculous number of lumens doesnt mean that its necessary. You can often run many of the lights we have listed at half power and it will still be plenty bright.

　　How bright should my mountain bike lights be? Compared to road cycling or commuting, where the emphasis is often on being seen by motorists or lighting up a road, mountain bike lights typically need to be much brighter to illuminate narrow, twisty, and often rocky trails. While it depends somewhat on the trails you ride and the speed youre traveling, we typically want bright lights with a long throw while also having a good amount of spread to light up the periphery.

　　Through our testing, weve found that we like to have a bright light on our helmet and usually prefer to have a slightly brighter light on the handlebar. In general, lights with a maximum output of about 1000 lumens are at the lower end of what we like to use for faster-paced riding or in more technical terrain. The faster or more aggressively you ride, the brighter youll probably want your lights to be. For most riders, however, 1000 lumen light on the helmet will provide adequate illumination where youre looking with a brighter —1500 to 2000-ish lumens — light on the handlebar.

　　Even then, you probably wont need to run your lights on full blast all of the time. Turning down the brightness for lower-speed riding will help you conserve battery so you can stay out for longer.

　　

　　

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