How to Choose Headlamps

Bright, durable and fast, this 500-lumen BioLite headlamp is made to get out there. It has white and red lighting modes, a IP67 submersible waterproof rating, easy tilting and ultrafast recharging.
Imported.
View all BioLite LED HeadlampsBest Use | Backpacking |
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Bulb Type | LED |
Bulb Detail | 2 white LED / 1 red LED |
Red Light Mode | Yes |
Beam Type | Flood / Spot |
Max Light Output (Lumens) | 500 lumens |
Light Output | High: 500 lumens; low: 1.5 lumens |
Max Beam Distance (m) | 100 meters |
Beam Distance | Flood: 10 meters; spot: 100 meters |
Brightness Levels | Dimmable |
Strobes | 1 |
Average Run Time | High: 6 hours; low: 200 hours |
Regulated Output | Yes |
Rechargeability | Rechargeable |
Batteries | 1634 mAh lithium ion |
Dimensions | 2.1 x 1.38 x 1 inches |
Ultralight | Yes |
Water-Resistance Rating | IP67 |
Weight With Batteries | 2.6 ounces |
Sustainability | From a Climate Neutral Certified brand |
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[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have used the headlamp over a couple thousand miles of overland travel and 15+ nights camping. I found the headlamp to be very comfortable, sleek, and easy to use. I appreciated the button style operation rather than a dial or switch. Always a fan of the multi-color combo of red/white light. Use of the Range 500 at night around camp in the flood setting was the perfect amount of light to avoid trip hazards walking through camp, collecting an additional log for the fire, or digging around in the back of the truck for gear. Battery life was great and stoked that it's USB-C charge input with cable included. 🤙
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I was sent the BioLite Range 500 to test, and at first I was a little skeptical. But after using it, it’s become part of my regular kit. It’s lightweight, comfortable, and the fast charging is super convenient, 8 minutes plugged in gets you an hour of light. I reach for it not just for camping and hiking, but also for biking, working on my car, or even jobs around the house. For camping especially, it’s been a legit game changer. For a full in-depth video review, check out my YouTube channel, Dan Lowder.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I originally picked up the Range 500 for camping trips in Colorado and loved how quick it charged and how bright it was. But the moment that really proved its worth was at home. A storm knocked out our power in the middle of the night, and I had to give my diabetic dog Zeke his insulin shot. Having the Range 500 right there meant I could see clearly and take care of him without worry. It stayed bright the whole time until our power came back on. This little light has gone from camping gear to a must-have for emergencies, and I won’t be without it.
I have used this headlamp multiple times over the past month. I am always on the trail and need a headlamp that can handle anything. The beam is super bright and the battery life is awesome. I love how I can charge on the go for longer adventures. It is comforting to know that this headlamp is waterproof. I have tested it and submerged it in water and it still works great. It is also very comfortable. I highly recommend!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I've been using this headlamp on my night runs with the red light and it has been amazing! The fit is super comfortable, definitely the best fitting headlamp I've used thus far. I love that you can adjust the brightness level as well, makes for adjusting from running dark trails to dim lit neighborhood streets super easy & functional. Also the ability to tilt the light down is such a game changer. I can never use a headlamp without this feature again! Just FYI, the red is definitely not red, it's orange. But other than that, this is a 10/10 lamp!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I've only used this headlamp a few times but it's already my new go-to. It is so much lighter and smaller than my previous headlamp, yet still SO bright - which is ideal for camping/backpacking when space/weight is limited. I love that it's rechargeable and is actually comfy, too. We live in Alaska where it's dark half the year so we are in constant need of reliable, quality headlamps, and I think this is going to be the best one yet. Definitely need to get a second one so my husband and I aren't fighting over this one all the time, LOL!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I was in the market for a new headlamp, because I lost my second one. Oops! I figured I tried BioLite, since I've heard great things from others. The fact that it's rechargeable already drew me in and I love that I can tilt the headlamp up and down very easily as well as changing the settings since it's a separate button. It's incredibly bright when I'm hiking, camping, or trail running during blue hour! It's a lightweight headlamp with great range of light.
Before buying this BioLite Range 500, I used the Nitecore NU33 headlamp for everything from walking the dog at night to casual tent camping to backpacking. Even though the Nitecore NU33 came out in 2022, it's still one of the only other headlamps to offer USB-C charging, so I think it's a good point of comparison. ** POSITIVES ** The Range 500 gets bright enough for serious night time activity. Even though my old NU33 offers 700 lumens, the truth is that it only sustains that brightness for a limited time and then gradually decreases to preserve battery life. Within an hour, it's down to about 400 lumens. In comparison, the Range 500 seems to hold its brightness steady for longer. The Range 500 can also dim its primary light down to just 1.5 lumens, which is nice if you want to read or write in your tent. The Range 500 also has a flood light mode, which is pretty cool if you like to hang your headlamp in your tent and light up the whole space! The Range 500 has IP67 water resistance, which means it can be fully submerged in water for about 30 minutes without failing. I don't think I've ever seen that level of water resistance in a headlamp before! My old NU33 had IP66 water resistance, which meant it was fine in the rain, but still should not be submerged. I find the Range 500's headband to be comfortable. The inside of the band has a felted texture that is not only comfortable on my skin but also seems to wick moisture away. The whole Range 500 is just 2.6 ounces, even while providing a 1634 mAh battery, which I think is a pretty impressive weight. For comparison, my NU33 weighs 3.37 ounces and has a 2000 mAh battery. ** NEGATIVES ** The most annoying thing I've noticed about the Range 500 is that I don't like the way it angles down. When I tilt the light downward, it shines on my eyebrows and my nose, so they almost glow in my vision. I thought I might be imagining it, so I tried on my NU33 for comparison. The NU33 definitely angles differently, so even when I adjust it fully downward, it doesn't light up my own face. I'm not sure why these two headlamps are so different in that way, but it is a real nuisance to me. When I wear a headlamp to go walking at night, I like to angle the light as far down as possible so I don't blind anyone else. But with the Range 500, I feel like I can't tilt it all the way down without messing with my own vision a bit. In comparison to the NU33, I also noticed that the Range 500 has a much more cold/blue light. That's not strictly a bad thing, but personally I prefer a warmer color since I think it makes everything else look more realistic and easier to identify. It took me a minute to find the USB-C charging port on the Range 500. It's not on the side or the bottom, it's actually on the back. So you have to tilt the light down to reveal the USB-C port on the back. Thankfully there's enough space to fit a USB-C cord in there, but it is a little tight. I also noticed that the Range 500's headband is not removable or replaceable. My NU33 offers an easy way to remove the headband, so I can replace it if it wears out or just remove it if I want to mount the light some other way. That's probably a minor issue, but worth noting since I know a lot of backpackers like to be able to customize and cut weight in creative ways. Overall, I think the Range 500 is a really good headlamp, and probably the very best option on the market if you're around a lot of water! But, for me, it's still not perfect. I wish angling the light down didn't make it glow off my own face, and I wish the color temperature was warmer.
I’ve taken the Biolight Range 500 on several backcountry camping adventures, and it’s become an essential piece of my gear. The lockout feature is brilliant – no more accidentally draining the battery when the headlamp gets jostled around in my pack during travel. The headstrap design really impressed me. It’s constructed as one seamless piece that stays comfortable during extended wear while maintaining a secure, steady fit that doesn’t slip or bounce around on the trail. What sets this headlamp apart is the customizable brightness control. Every lighting mode can be fine-tuned to exactly the intensity you need, whether you want just a subtle glow for reading in your tent or full power for navigating technical terrain. The battery performance has been outstanding. I’ve used it extensively on multi-day trips without needing to recharge, which gives me real confidence in remote locations. Overall, the Biolight Range 500 delivers reliable performance when you need it most.
I received my Range 500 a few weeks ago and have been able to put it through its paces using it for everything from walking the dog at night, to camping on the Big Sur coastline. As a trail and ultra runner I’ve spent countless hours wearing a headlamp and other than being able to work when I need it, my number two priority is comfort. The Range is definitely comfortable. It stays put even during vigorous activity without any bounce or slipping. I like how low profile the actual light module is as well as the range of adjustability. The brightest setting is plenty bright for pretty much any outdoor activity. I really liked the red light output as well. Battery life seems great. Overall I’ve been very impressed with it.