Those who love night hunting know how important it is to see what’s going on when you need to. But which one to choose, there are so many? Which really are the best Headlamps for Hunting?
In this review, we’ll answer all these questions and more, and bring you in-depth reviews of the best hunting headlamps currently available, including their Pros and Cons.
So, let’s light the way…
Top 10 Best Headlamps For Hunting Of 2023 Reviews
1. Hunting Friends KL8M Lamp
Weighing in at 1.76 pounds, the KL8M is lightweight for comfort. It has an 8,000mA battery that can be attached to your belt. The lamp is to be installed on your hardhat or any related headgear for hands-free operation.
For practicality, this lamp can last for up to 22 hours. This means it can see you through quite a few nights without any issues.
Explosion-proof!
Even better, this headlamp is waterproof, so it will work in snow and rain. As if that is not enough, it is also explosion-proof. Essentially, your gun recoil or other external forms of impact will not damage the KL8M.
Offering you a long-range white light and two brightness options, this best headlamp for hunting has everything you need for a successful hunt, as long as you enjoy hunting in a hardhat that is?
Pros
- Long battery life.
- Waterproof.
- Shock and impact resistant.
- Two brightness options.
Cons
- Hard hat compatible, which are not usually worn on hunts.
- The two-piece battery/lamp combo is quite bulky.
2. Streamlight 61070 BuckMasters Trident Headlamp
As you probably know, most animals are unable to detect green light. While the Streamlight 61070 offers you a bright white light, it also has an option for changing your light to green. That way, your prey won’t know what’s hit them.
Runtime of over 60 hours…
This headlamp has a runtime of over 60 hours. Hence, it is a great companion for your camping trips. It is not bulky at only 5.5 ounces, so it will not wear you out. Simply adjust the head strap and fit it on your head.
For the practicality of its use, the 61070 is waterproof, making it great for all weather conditions. It is also has a 90-degree tilting head to focus on targets without you needing to lower your head.
Strap it on…
Included with both an elastic head strap and a hard hat strap, you can use it with or without headgear.
It also has distance and close-up illumination options. For whatever situation, this best headlamp for hunting seems to hold a solution.
Pros
- Green light option specialized for hunting.
- Long battery life.
- Waterproof.
- Lightweight for user comfort.
- Distance and close-up illumination options.
- Can be worn on your head or a hard hat.
- 90-degree tilting head.
Cons
- Low battery life of about 5 hours on the white LED.
3. GRDE Super Bright LED Headlamp
The GRDE is so bright with a rating of 1800 lumens. Thus, sighting your targets with this headlamp is possible, even at a long-range. If, however, what you need is a wide range view, that option is also available. It has an unlimited range of adjustments because it uses a zoom feature.
For your safety, there is a red strobe at the back of the lamp. When switched on, you will be visible to those behind you. Hence, no unforeseen accidents are likely.
Easy to charge…
To make for most of its use, this best headlamp for hunting has three ways to charge it. You can charge it with a car charger, wall charger, or a USB cable. Even better, all of these cables are included in the pack. As if that is not enough, you also get a set of rechargeable batteries to use it with.
Offering you two brightness adjustments, you can vary its intensity. The front-facing lamp also has a strobe mode for those times when you need this feature.
Come rain, come shine…
And it is fully waterproof so it will hold up to use in all weather.
Pros
- Bright LED.
- Dual strobe (front and back-facing).
- Distance and close-up illumination options.
- Three charging options.
- Waterproof.
Cons
- No overcharge protection feature.
- It’s actually 400 lumens, not 1800 as advertised.
- Gets hot after a while at max brightness.
4. Internova Star Rider XL Camping and Emergency Headlight
The Internova Star Rider has four lighting options. It has a white LED that runs at high and low, and it also has a red light that streams normally or in strobe mode.
For the hunt, the red light comes in handy as most animals do not see this color. And to ensure you are comfortable, this headlamp has several adjustments for its elastic headband.
Shock and water-resistant…
This unit is shock-resistant, so it will hold up to both regular and more rugged use. It is also water-resistant, so it will not get damaged in rain or snow.
Offering you an adjustable LED head, you can point this headlamp exactly where it’s needed. The best part though is the 5-year warranty that you get with these best headlamps for hunting.
Pros
- Specialized red hunting light.
- Strobe mode.
- Universal fit headband.
- Shock resistant.
- Waterproof.
- Rotatable LED.
- 5-year warranty.
Cons
- The battery pack is a separate unit. This makes it a bit unwieldy.
5. Browning Nitro Headlamp
The Browning headlamp features the unique mossy oak camo print. This camo type blends naturally with most hunting environments, so is excellent if stealth is a major factor.
With this product, you get a 135 lumens intensity of light. And for practicality, the white light can be adjusted to run at full or half power. For the hunt, there is also a blue and a green lighting option on the Browning Nitro.
Built to last…
Overall, you can count on the quality that you get with this product. It is manufactured with a heavy-duty polymer. Hence, it holds up over time.
Able to run up to 12 hours, you can use this best headlamp for hunting – even overnight.
Pros
- Mossy oak camo print band.
- Blue and green specialized hunting lights.
- Manufactured with top-grade materials.
Cons
- 2.5-hour runtime at full power.
- No variable flood/spot beam option.
6. Petzl Strix VL Headlamp
The Petzl headlamp is a military-grade headlamp and is made with top-grade materials. It is shockproof and waterproof, so will hold up to anything you want to throw at it.
What’s your favorite color?
With this best headlamp for hunting, you get several lighting options. There is a red, a green, a blue, and a white light option. So, depending on your hunting needs, you can choose which works best.
And as opposed to most headlamps, the band on the Strix VL can be detached. Hence, you can fix it to your helmet, vest, or even around your neck.
Focus on it…
You can rotate the LED to get visibility horizontally or vertically. You can also focus the beam for stealth mode, close-range vision mode, or movement mode.
All in all, you get everything you need for a successful hunt with the Petzl Strix VL headlamp. And you can buy these best headlamps for hunting in any of two colors – black or camo.
Pros
- Two color options.
- Manufactured with top-grade materials.
- Waterproof.
- Red, green, blue, and white lighting options.
- The special headband allows for multiple mounting options.
- Flood, spot, and movement beam options.
- Horizontal and vertical rotatable LED.
Cons
- High-end product.
- Max 40 lumens brightness.
7. Panther Vision Powercap LED Headlamp Hat
Hunting is never easy, especially when it’s pitch black around you. At these times, we are exposed to the elements, namely, insects, cold, and other uncomfortable factors. However, the Panther Vision Powercap provides for you a solution.
Keeps your head warm…
This headlamp is manufactured with fleece. This serves as a head warmer and protects your head from insect bites. This makes it the preferred choice for most hunters.
The battery life is up to 68 hours, so there is no reason not to like it. Even better, you can buy this item in any of its 12 color options.
And you can wash it…
With this best headlamp camping and hunting, you get dual LEDs that provide both flood and spot illumination. Washable, you do not have to worry about it getting dirty.
Offering you a limited lifetime warranty, you will have nothing to worry about with this best headlamp for hunting.
Pros
- 12 color options.
- Comfortable fleece head warmer.
- Long battery life.
- Provides flood and spot illumination.
- Washable.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
Cons
- Only one size.
- The flood and beam options are always on.
8. Luxolite Led Head Lamp
The Luxolite headlamp has 168 lumens at its maximum. And this brightness is sure to be enough for any situation. In a practical sense, though, you will most often be using the low and the medium brightness settings provided, or the white strobe.
For the hunt, there are red LED options. Since animals struggle to see this color, you’ll get the best results on your hunt. And this red light has a dual function – it can also be used as a strobe.
Fits like a glove…
At just 3 ounces, this light is very comfortable. And to make it an exact fit, the headband is adjustable. While in use, you can tilt this headlamp upwards or downwards to light up whatever is needed.
Fully waterproof, you can use this unit in all weather. It is backed by a lifetime guarantee, so you can be sure that it will hold up over time.
These best headlamps for hunting are sold in any of 8 color options.
Pros
- Three brightness settings.
- Specialized red LED.
- White and red strobe options.
- 90 degree tiltable.
- Waterproof.
- Lifetime guarantee.
- Eight color options.
Cons
- No flood illumination option.
- Tiny controls.
9. Foxelli Headlamp Flashlight
The Foxelli Headlamp flashlight is sold in six colors, and you get 165 lumens of brightness. For basic use, you can select its medium and low light intensities.
Beam me up, Scotty…!
With this best headlamp for hunting, you get a beam option. This beam can extend up to 200 feet, which is more than enough for most situations. It also has a red light, which is great for hunting animals. The red light also has a strobe option.
Another great feature is that it is waterproof. Hence, you can use it in all weathers. And it is manufactured with top quality materials, so it will hold up to decades of use.
Runtime of 45-hours…
For practicality, you can tilt your Foxelli up to 45 degrees. Straight ahead, or to show the path ahead, this feature comes in handy.
It features an excellent runtime of 45-hours and a full refund guarantee. So you know that you’ll be getting it all with this best headlamp for hunting.
Pros
- Six color options.
- Three brightness selections.
- Wide beam range.
- Strobe option.
- Hunting-specialized red LED light.
- Tiltable LED.
- Full refund guarantee.
Cons
- A single button. You need to cycle through all modes all the time.
- The red LED is not very bright.
- Not as waterproof as advertised.
10. Hoey Ultra Bright LED Headlamp
With this, apart from the basic high, low, and strobe white LED, you also get a specialized red LED for hunting. This red LED can also be used as an emergency strobe if the need arises.
Raindrops keep falling n my head…
This product is fully waterproof, so it can be used in all weather. It weighs 3 ounces and has an adjustable headband, so it is comfortable to wear. It can be used for fishing too, as it is IPX64 rated (immersible for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter).
For practicality, this best headlamp for fishing can be adjusted 60 degrees in a vertical tilt. And it has a runtime of up to 45 hours, which is most likely more than enough for your hunting and camping needs.
No disappointment…
These best headlamps for hunting will not disappoint you. You get a 120-day full refund guarantee and a 1-year warranty to give you an assurance of that.
Pros
- Red and white strobe options.
- Two brightness settings.
- Specialized red LED for hunting.
- Fully immersible in water.
- Tiltable LED.
- 1-year warranty.
Cons
- The unit parts are fragile.
- Only one color option.
Best Headlamps For Hunting Buying Guide
Before choosing the perfect hunting headlamps, it is important to consider some key factors. Knowing what to look for will help you find the best headlamp for your needs and allow you to get the most value for money.
When looking for your next hunting headlamp, we suggest you consider the following:
Lumens
This is the measurement used to indicate how bright the light from the headlights actually is. It is used to compare how well a light illuminates an area. A higher Lumens rating is equal to brighter light. For example, a lumen index of 600 is much higher than that of 350.
You will have to determine how many lumens you need for your hunting trips. If you are on a short-range hunt for vermin, you will not need a light with a high index of lumens. But if you are hunting for big game at a long distance, you will definitely need the brightest headlamp possible.
That said, the best hunting lights usually come with more than one configuration. These headlights will generally have 3, or more, settings that will allow you to select the intensity of light you need for any situation.
Modes
Some headlights have the ability to flash its lights. This is ideal in emergency situations. Additionally, some headlamps have red, blue, or green lights that are ideal for stealth hunting. A colored light for the hunt will most often generate better field results. These best coon hunting lights will show your prey easily, but they will never see the light.
Additionally, your lamp choice should have both spot and flood beam options. Both have different uses that are needed on your hunting expeditions.
Comfort
This is an important factor to keep in mind when looking for your best headlamp for hunting. Since you are likely to hunt for a long time, you want your headlamp to be comfortable.
While comfort is always important, when it comes to your head, it becomes even more crucial. Lightweight and with an adjustable band are the two details to look out for.
Practicality
Headlamps are a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts. As with all outdoor equipment, it is important to have a headlamp that is strong enough to handle changing weather conditions. This includes having water-resistant or better still, waterproof equipment.
This is especially important for electronics, such as headlights, which could damage beyond repair if it rains or snows and your lights are not resistant to either.
For fishermen who plan to use their headlamp for fishing, it will undoubtedly come in contact with the water. Whether you’re paddling in a kayak, fishing or just sitting to the shore, you’re likely to get at least some splashes on your headlights. That is why it is always ideal to use a waterproof headlight. This will greatly extend the useful life of your light.
Battery Duration
In terms of functionality and daily use, it is important to consider the battery life of your headlamp. Like all lamps, if you use the headlight in the higher brightness setting, you can expect the battery to run out faster than if it were used in a lower setting.
In any case, several units have a much longer runtime than others. If you go camping and will not have access to recharging for a number of days, then you need a unit with the longest battery life.
So What Are The Best Headlamps For Hunting?
Having a headlamp will ensure you never get caught in the dark. And these small devices have come a long way in recent years. Rechargeable and inexpensive, they are gaining popularity for good reason.
When you start hunting with a headlamp, you open up a new world. This will allow you to get even more from each hunt and take your experience to the next level. You keep hunting, even when the sun goes down.
We hope you have gone through the tips in our buying guide. They will help you to make a fine pick that is best suited for your needs.
For us, we believe the…
Petzl Strix VL Headlamp
…to be the overall best. While it is not the brightest on our list, it is the one that holds the most features.
With this headlamp, you get a waterproof and shockproof body. You also get a red, a green, a blue, and a white light option. Additionally, you can rotate it both horizontally or vertically to meet your lighting needs.
Also providing you with multiple mounting options, it allows you to fix it around several areas of your body. Adding a flood, spot, and movement beam option to its long feature list, this unit is an all in one. Highly recommended!