Riding at night is challenging. From poorly lit roads to off-road rides on the trails, it’s crucial to be prepared for rides in the dark. Aside from the obvious lack of visibility, you’re also dealing with obstacles and the elements, along with anyone else who shares the road or trails with cyclists.
Finding the best bike light for night riding is essential for your safety, and for the safety of others. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light. If you ride in the pitch dark or need a brighter light for the trails, a high output light could be your best bet. However, brighter lights often require more battery power, and you may find yourself recharging the light more frequently than you would a dimmer light.
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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1. CatEye Volt1700
Pros:- Powerful 1700 lumens on high mode
- Low battery indicator
- Ideal for trails and roads
Cons:- Pricey
- Battery life isn’t the best
- Can take awhile to recharge
If your cycling routes take you on the darkest roads or trails, you’ll want the brightest light to help light up the way. The Volt1700 isn’t cheap, but it offers 1700 lumens, which places it in the top tier of the best bike lights for night riding if your main concern is brightness. In case you’re not familiar, 1600 lumens is the equivalent of a 100-watt light bulb.
This CatEye light stands out for more than just its super bright light. For starters, it has a multi-level battery indicator. You can also bring an extra battery cartridge along and swap it out on the go without tools. There are five light modes, including the highest (1700 lumens), medium (500 lumens) and low (200 lumens). You can expect the battery to last up to two hours on the highest setting, and up to 15 on the lowest setting. A lighting mode memory function picks up where you left off.
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2. Bright Eyes Rechargeable Headlight
Pros:- Long-lasting battery
- Fits all handlebars
- Waterproof construction
Cons:- Doesn’t have a battery level indicator
- Some find the light beam a bit narrow
- Has an external battery pack
Battery life is an understandable concern for many cyclists, especially if you tend to forget to recharge your light between uses. This bike light by Bright Eyes stands out for its prolonged battery life, even on the highest (1200 lumens) setting. You can expect up to five hours on high, followed by 10 hours on medium and 26 hours on the lowest setting. As an added bonus, the light easily attaches to all types of handlebars. The light is bright enough for use on mountain bike trails in the dark.
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3. NiteRider Lumina Micro 750
Pros:- Lock mode to keep light from accidentally turning on
- Quick release handlebar mount
- Low battery indicator
Cons:- Some wish the mount was more secure
- Battery life could be better
- Only 750 lumens on highest setting
While the maximum 750 lumens setting this light offers is suitable for most low-light rides, you’ll find other lights that offer even more lumens. However, if you’re looking for the best bike light for night riding that won’t take up much space, you’ll appreciate this light’s compact design.
You can mount this NiteRider light on most handlebars, including ones that are larger than 35mm. Battery life is approximately 90 minutes on the highest setting, and up to 10 hours on the lowest setting. This light is USB rechargeable and has a low battery indicator. A lock mode keeps the light from accidentally turning on when not in use.
Buy the NiteRider Lumina Micro 750 here.
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4. Cygolite Metro Pro 1100
Pros:- Ideal for road and mountain bikes
- Long-range beam
- Low battery indicator
Cons:- Doesn't come with a helmet mount
- Average battery life
- May not fit aero bars
The Cygolite Metro Pro has an output of 1100 lumens. Options include high, medium and low light settings, along with a separate mode for daytime. Flash and pulse modes make you more visible to others on the road and trails. Cyclists appreciate the side illumination ports, which make you more visible from the sides as well. This light has a low battery indicator and is water resistant. The micro USB rechargeable battery lasts roughly 100 hours per charge.
Find more Cygolite Metro Pro 1100 information and reviews here.
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5. Magicshine MJ 900
Pros:- Four intensity modes
- Light lasts up to 2.5 hours on maximum
- Bright LED beams
Cons:- No battery indicator
- Light doesn't swivel
- Switch can be tough to work with gloves
The Magicshine MJ 900 is a waterproof bike light that works particularly well for mountain bike riding. Its 1200-lumen output means the light effortlessly brightens even the darkest roads or trails. There are four intensity modes to consider, including a flash mode. Weatherproof housing makes it easier to commute in inclement weather. Run time is just over 2.5 hours on maximum output.
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