Finest Bike Lights, Examined and Reviewed (2025)

Dimension: Should you’re a commuter, you may wish to take away lights for safekeeping. Search for essentially the most compact designs that match simply in a pocket or bag. Due to LED bulb know-how, you’ll find impressively vivid, pocketable lights. Sizes and weights listed here are listed with out the mounting brackets (until they’re integral) as a result of their dimension and weight in your bag is arguably extra vital than including a few ounces to your bike (until you are a professional tour rider).

Mounting model: The place and the way you connect your bike lights issues. Handlebar mounts are nice for lighting the street forward, and search for downward-angled designs that may illuminate the street for enhanced visibility. Helmet-mounted lights transfer along with your line of sight, which is right for path using. Back lights ought to mount securely to your seat put up or bag. and Search for tool-free, quick-release mounts for straightforward on/off, and rubber straps for straightforward swapping to a different bike body. Some fashions additionally provide clip-on versatility for backpacks or clothes, supplying you with extra methods to remain seen.

Charging: Until you’re planning epic, all-night rides, brightness is extra vital than battery life. All the things examined right here is charged both by way of USB-A or USB-C. We steered away from low-cost designs that require disposable batteries, since these die rapidly.

Battery life: How lengthy a battery lasts will depend on the mode you select. Battery life can vary from 2 to 30-plus hours. The brighter your mild, the quicker the battery will drain, and having a stable beam additionally makes use of extra juice than a flashing mild. On the street or path, the brighter the higher, but when your battery is operating low then you’ll be able to usually dial it right down to eke out the battery life.

Test your native laws: Whereas most states require some kind of lights in low visibility, the legal guidelines on which kind of lights are authorized—the vary, lumens, whether or not it may flash or not—will differ relying on the state. Should you’re nervous, verify your native state laws right here.