Back to the full Top 10
#1 on this list
Actik Core
Petzl
Rechargeable, red-light mode, 600 lm on high. The all-around default headlamp.
- Price
- $150 MSRP
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#2 on this list
Bindi
Petzl
35 g featherweight for fast-and-light and travel. Surprisingly usable in camp.
- Price
- $150 MSRP
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Actik Core | Bindi |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness | 600 lumens (max) | — |
| Weight | 88 g (with CORE battery) | 35 g |
| Power Source | CORE rechargeable battery or 3 AAA/LR03 batteries | Integrated Li-ion rechargeable |
| Beam Patterns | Flood, mixed | — |
| Red Light | Yes (continuous and strobe) | — |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 (weather-resistant) | IPX4 |
| Max Lumens | — | 200 |
| Max Burn Time | — | 50 hours (low mode) |
| Charging | — | Micro-USB |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Actik Core
- Excellent balance of brightness, battery life, and weight
- Hybrid power source (rechargeable CORE or AAA batteries)
- Red light mode preserves night vision
- Durable, weather-resistant construction
- Intuitive single-button operation
- Beam doesn't throw quite as far as some specialized options
- Plastic construction isn't as premium as metal-bodied lights
- No dedicated lock-out mode (long press prevents accidental turn-on)
Bindi
- Extremely lightweight and compact
- Integrated USB rechargeable battery is convenient
- Surprisingly bright for its size
- Red light mode for night vision preservation
- Simple, intuitive operation
- Limited maximum throw distance
- Battery not user-replaceable
- Not ideal for fast-paced technical night hiking
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.