15 Best Bike Lights – Top Rated Bike Lights [ 2020 ]

Bike lights have definitely come a long way. Over the past few decades, various bike light brands have evolved and significantly improved in terms of the output and weight of their bike light products. All that is due to the introduction of efficient LED lights which are capable of producing more light per watt as opposed to older metal-halide and halogen bulbs.

Therefore, if you’re a cycling enthusiast who prefers riding your bike at night, it only makes sense that you install proper lighting on your bicycle. To help you with that, we have come up with this comprehensive guide so you can find the best bike lights on the market and decide which among them can suit your needs.

This guide will also cover the following sections:

• Reviews of the Best Bicycle Lights
• Bike Lights Buying Guide
• FAQs

Before we start with the reviews, let’s have a comparison of the following products we considered are among the best bicycle lights you could ever find.

At A Glance: Best Bicycle Lights

Image	Brand	Details
	Cygolite Metro 600	See Price
	Cygolite Metro Pro	See Price
	Knog Blinder MOB	See Price
	Cygolite Hotshot Pro	See Price
	Light and Motion Urban 500	See Price
	Ascher Bike Light	See Price
	BV Bike Light Set	See Price
	OUTAIR	See Price
	BV Bicycle Light Set Super Bright	See Price
	BLITZU Gator 320 PRO	See Price
	victagen Bike Light	See Price
	Bright Eyes Helios 1600	See Price
	Cycle Torch Shark 500	See Price
	NiteRider Pro 1800 Race	See Price
	CECO-USA F1000	See Price

Top 15 Best Bike Lights

1. Cygolite Metro 600 – Bright and Long-Lasting

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We kick off this list with the Cygolite Metro 600 which is a long-lasting headlight that’s capable of producing very bright light. Priced under $100, the Metro 600 could very well be one of the most budget-friendly options for your biking activity.

It features the brand’s steady-flash pattern which makes it one of the best bike lights for night riding. Apart from that, it also features a day-flash mode designed for 24-hour visibility. With a 600 Lumens output, this headlight is more than enough to provide you with proper illumination on dark roads.

In terms of installation, the Metro 600 will require a bit of an effort to mount, remove, and adjust. However, if you’re after a bike light that’s capable of providing a strong and simultaneous flash alongside a steady beam for maximum visibility, then it’s definitely a solid choice that’s worth considering.

2. Cygolite Metro Pro – Lightweight but Highly Effective

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The Metro Pro 1100 is considered the more advanced version of the Metro 600. It’s capable of producing 1,100 Lumens via two LED lights to emit light both far and wide for maximum visibility. It also features 9 light modes which can sound a bit excessive at times, considering that the high, low, and medium modes will work just fine. Still, if you need more versatility and lighting options, these 9 different modes will certainly be helpful.

Just like the Metro 600, it also has a water-resistant construction and can last for quite a long time with its durable build quality. You have a light activation lockout that’s designed to prevent accidental activation.

The installation can be pretty easy and convenient with the Locktite quick-release bracket. This allows you to transfer the light anytime with ease. However, its simple clamp design proved to be a bit complicated to install due to its bulkiness that requires a lot of turning the knob in order to secure it.

3. Knog Blinder MOB – Mounts via a Strap

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  If you’re the type of cyclist who prefers using bike lights that can be mounted with ease, then the Knog Blinder is for you. It can mount through a silicone strap which makes it fairly easy to install and remove from your bike.

As a dedicated taillight, the Knog Blinder can have an output of up to 80 Lumens which is more than enough if you’re riding on city roads. Moreover, it has a 45-degree angle which extends down the road for easier visibility.

The Knog Blinder comes in five different styles namely the Eyeballer, Four Eyes, Kid Grid, Mr. Chips, and The Face. The Kid Grid, in particular, uses up to 16 surface mounted LED lights capable of providing the maximum Lumens output for maximum brightness. Like most bike lights, it comes with five different light modes to choose from.

4. Cygolite Hotshot Pro – Possibly the Best Tail Light Option

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Cygolite is certainly a brand that’s known for making some of the best bike lights for night riding, and the Hotshot Pro is definitely one of them. As a taillight, the Hotshot Pro is a lightweight light that’s capable of producing up to 150 Lumens which is bright enough to illuminate your bike’s rear, thereby keeping you safe while riding at night.

Compared to other taillights on the market, the Hotshot Pro actually provides more Lumens per dollar, not to mention it directs the light output in a wide beam pattern. It’s also very easy to operate with a number of buttons for the switch, lighting modes, and intensity of the lighting.

However, while it is a bit pricey for a taillight, the illumination you can get more than makes up for its price.

5. Light and Motion Urban 500 – The Ideal Light for Commuters

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The Urban 500 is a favorite option amongst commuters. Manufactured by Light & Motion which is a known brand in the bike lighting industry, the Urban 500 is capable of providing a good balance of brightness (at 500 Lumens) and affordability at only under $50.

For such a powerful headlight, the Urban 500 is very affordable which makes it really popular among bikers who usually ride on the roads. It also features amber sidelights for extended durability alongside four lighting modes to choose from.

Due to its lightweight and compact design, you can mount on your bike’s handlebars. However, you can also hook it up to your GoPro or your helmet, though you’ll have to buy a separate mount for that. In terms of build quality, the Urban 500 has a rugged design with a 1-meter impact-resistance rating as well as an IP67 waterproof rating, making it quite durable and long-lasting.

6. Ascher USB Rechargeable Bike Light – Perfect for Casual and Avid Bikers

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A set of a headlight and taillight, the Ascher bike light is no doubt one of the best bicycle lights for both casual and avid cyclists. It has a white headlight that will provide you with proper illumination while riding at night. On the other hand, it has a red taillight that will keep you safe by providing you with enhanced visibility on the road.

Both of these lights can be mounted into your bike with ease through the durable silicon strap and hook system. This means that there are no screwdrivers required, thereby making the entire installation process hassle-free. Also, the lights are powered by a 650mAh lithium battery for longer-lasting operations of up to 3.5 hours. They can be charged via a USB cable as well.

As a bike light that’s designed to be durable and water-resistant, you can use the Ascher light set on any typical biking conditions without any problem at all. Lastly, there are 4 different lighting modes to choose from including slow flashing, full brightness, fast flashing, and half brightness.

7. BV Bike Light Set – Best Budget-Friendly Option

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Compared to most bike accessories and parts, bike lights are certainly among the most inexpensive. However, if you’re living in a city and want a high-quality but budget-friendly lighting option, then the BV bike light set is for you.

Judging from the design, you can easily tell that this bike light set is a no-frills option that will provide you with proper illumination at night, thereby improving your visibility and safety on the roads.

The set comes with a white headlight and a red taillight, both having three different functions namely flashing, steady, and chasing. With these, you will be able to optimize the visuals in the front and rear sections of your bicycle. Additionally, they’re fairly easy to mount on your handlebars, and the process doesn’t even require the use of tools!

8. OUTAIR USB Rechargeable – The Ideal Trail Riding Companion

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Designed for trail riding, the OUTAIR USB rechargeable light set will get you covered during times when you’re mapping the trails during dark conditions. The lights feature durable construction, an interesting design, as well as a long battery life that can power the lights for up to 10 hours on 2-3 hours of charging.

The set features a white headlight as well as a red taillight, both having a bar-shaped design which makes them quite versatile. They can also easily attach to your bike in seconds, and you don’t even need to use any tools!

As bike lights designed for trail biking, you can expect them to be resistant to water and shock. Even though they’re only capable of producing 20 Lumens of output, they’re still enough to provide you with enough visibility in the trail. Also, there are 4 different lighting modes you can choose from.

9. BV Bicycle Light Set Super Bright – Perfect for Touring Adventures

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If you’re into touring adventures, you’ll surely appreciate the lighting capability that the Super Bright light set from BV has to offer. Another budget-friendly option from BV, this one features a 5-LED white headlight and a 3-LED red taillight for proper illumination at night.

What makes it different, apart from the design and brightness, is that it’s capable of lasting up to 80 hours. Both of the front and rear lights can be mounted with ease, thanks to their quick-release mounts. Additionally, they are powered by AAA batteries: four on the front and two on the rear.

10. BLITZU Gator 320 PRO – The Best Possible Bike Light for City Riding

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If you’re into biking around the city, especially those that have heavy traffic at night, then the Gator 320 PRO from BLITZU could be the best lighting companion you could get. At 320 Lumens, it’s powerful enough to let you see the path that’s right in front of you while enhancing your visibility on the roads at the same time.

It’s actually far brighter compared to most of its competitors, especially the ones around the same price range. It has an IPX5 water resistance certification which makes it usable under rainy conditions, 360-degrees visibility for added safety during low light conditions, and a runtime of more than 2 hours on average.

Aside from that, you can also attach and remove it from the mount without any problem.

11. Victagen USB Rechargeable Bike Light – Best for Night Riding

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The Victagen rechargeable bike light is easily one of the best mountain bike lights that can be used for night riding. It’s known for its excellent performance, easy rechargeability, long battery life, and impressive lighting output. It comes with a headlight that can emit up to 2,400 Lumens at a distance of up to 900 feet. It also features 4 lighting modes to allow you to adjust the lighting according to your needs.

In terms of battery life, the Victagen light is capable of providing continuous lighting of up to 4 hours even while in “high” lighting mode. Moreover, you don’t even have to worry about charging since its USB charging feature is highly convenient. There’s even an external battery pack included in the package.

Installation is fairly easy as well, thanks to its quick-release mounting bracket. This allows you to install and remove the light from your bike with ease. Additionally, it has an IP-65 rated waterproofing function to allow you to use it during heavy rains without any problem.

12. Bright Eyes Helios 1600 – Fully Waterproof and Highly Versatile

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Nothing can be more annoying than riding on your mountain bike at night under rainy weather only to find out that your lights aren’t working because they’re not waterproof. To help prevent that from happening, Bright Eyes offered the Helios 1600 which is a fully waterproof light capable of providing 1,600 Lumens of lighting.

Its output is more than enough to provide you with up to 500 feet of pure brightness as well as 3,000 feet of visibility, thereby keeping you safe while traversing trails or roads at night. There are five different lighting modes to choose from, and it even comes with a power indicator to inform you of its battery level.

The light is powered by an 8.4V 6,400mAh lithium-ion battery to provide you with up to 4 hours of non-stop lighting under “high” mode, more than 6 hours on “medium” mode, and over 16 “hours” in low mode.

13. Cycle Torch Shark 500 – The Perfect Choice for a LED Bike Light

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The Cycle Torch Shark 500 is a LED bike light that’s capable of providing up to 4 hours of continuous lighting. It’s powered by rechargeable batteries which can be easily recharged through the USB cable included in the package. Meanwhile, its flat beam shape will make sure that you can get enough lighting while riding at night while ensuring that you won’t blind other drivers.

The beam can give you up to 330 feet of visibility, and it can be easily installed and detached as well. This allows you to use it in several applications as well as a regular flashlight.

There are 4 different lighting modes you can choose from, each having its own Lumens intensity. For example, the flash daylight mode has a 500 Lumens output which can last up to 30 hours. Meanwhile, the low mode has a 50 Lumens output and can last up to 15 hours.

Included in the package are a headlight, a free taillight, 3 rubber mount straps, and 2 micro USB charging cable. Lastly, the light is water-resistant, so you can use it under light rain conditions without any problems.

14. NiteRider Pro 1800 Race – An Excellent Light for Off-Road Adventures

 

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One of the ideal options for off-road adventures, the NiteRider Pro is capable of producing 1,800 Lumens which is brighter compared to your average car headlight. Perhaps one of its best features is its bright and wide beam.

With the NiteRider Pro’s output, you will be able to light up the path in front of you as if it’s daylight. This allows you to see any possible obstacles that could get in the way of your adventure.

Aside from that, it’s also very lightweight at only 484 grams. Meanwhile, it has a rugged design and a casing that’s made of DuPont fiberglass reinforced nylon to make sure that it can withstand external elements and last for quite a long time.

15. CECO-USA F1000 – A Highly Reliable Newcomer

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Despite being a newcomer compared to the other products, the F1000 from CECO-USA is capable of holding its own when it comes to output and performance. It’s capable of producing up to 1,000 Lumens to ensure that you can get the visibility you need over roads and trails.

It’s a lightweight and compact option that is both waterproof and impact-resistant. This means that you can use it under rainy conditions without any issues at all.

There are 5 different night modes you can choose from depending on the terrain you’re traversing along with 3 unique flashing day modes to ensure your safety on the roads. One of the best parts about the F1000 light is that it has a Lock Mode which prevents the light from unintentionally powering ON, thereby allowing you to save battery life.

In terms of installation, the F1000 is fairly easy to attach and detach. The bracket tough is made of Zytel material to ensure its durability. Additionally, the flexible mount can attach to almost all types of handlebars.

Buying Guide

What’s considered the best bicycle lights by most might not apply to you. This is because your choice of a bike light will depend on your actual needs, what kind of terrain you plan on traversing, and a few other aspects. For example, if you’re only going to use your bike on city roads, then you’d best go for the best bike lights for night riding. On the other hand, if you’re planning to go on off-road adventures with a mountain bike, then it’s best to go for the best mountain bike lights.

To help you with that, we have compiled the essential factors you have to consider first before you even buy a bike light. They’re as follows:

1. How many lumens do you need?

Lumens is a measurement that refers to the amount of light that streams through an area per second. The higher the lumens output, the brighter the light will be. However, it can also be affected by its beam pattern.

In most cases, a lumens output of 100 to 200 is more than enough when you’re riding on the roads. However, if you plan to go off-road on a mountain bike, then you will need at least 1,000 lumens to provide you with the right amount of lighting and visibility.

As a rule of thumb, we’d recommend going for some of the best mountain bike lights with a lumens output of around 800 to 1,000 when you’re riding a mountain bike. Most of the bike lights you can find on the market have different lighting modes anyway, allowing you to adjust the brightness of the light depending on the situation.

2. Waterproofing

There are instances where you can’t help but ride in the rain, especially when sudden weather changes happen. Due to that, it’s really important that you go for a bike light that comes with waterproofing, or at least water-resistant. Water-resistant lights will do just fine if you’re just a casual rider who rides the bike at work. However, it would be a great idea if the light you pick has an IPX rating of at least 5 or higher.

On the other hand, if you’re really a serious rider who plans to ride the bike at night, then a waterproof light is absolutely essential. You can also invest in a light with weather-resistant features so it can withstand harsh weather conditions with ease. You’d want to go for lights that are made of either silicone or ABS plastic. Also, those that have ABS reinforcement and metallic bases can be good for drizzly conditions.

3. Battery life

You don’t want to ride your bike at night only to find that the light’s battery is depleted. Therefore, before you even pick a bike light, you have to first make sure that it has a long battery life that can last for several hours of continuous lighting.

Keep in mind that batteries normally drain faster in a high lighting mode. Therefore, if you want to conserve power, it’s ideal to keep the light running in medium or low mode and only switch to high if you really need it.

Fortunately, the products we’ve included in this list all have a commendable battery life which allows them to operate for several hours non-stop. Some are even rechargeable so you no longer have to buy another set of batteries if the old ones no longer work. It would also be a good idea to find a bike light that has a low battery indicator so you’ll know when it’s time to replace or recharge the batteries.

4. Beam type

Apart from the Lumens output, another important factor that you should consider is the beam type. Ideally, you want to go for a light that has a beam that isn’t distracting to other motorists on the road. As you ride on the roads, a wide-angle beam will certainly give you the best visibility possible.

Meanwhile, if you go for off-road riding, one that has a narrow beam is ideal as it allows you to see any possible obstacles on the way. We would recommend going for a bike light that comes with an adjustable beam so you can easily switch depending on your needs. However, if you’re only focused on either city road or off-road riding, either of the two will work just fine.

If you use a bike for commuting, then here are some additional tips that will help you choose the right urban bike lights for your needs:

5. Mounting Type

Lastly, you’d want to consider how the light is mounted on your bike. By far the most common mounting type is the handlebar mount. This features a strap that you can easily wrap around your bike’s handlebar and can be tightened using a knob. It’s ideal for both trail and urban riding since it’s very easy to attach and detach.

Meanwhile, if you’re more into mountain biking, then a helmet mount would be more ideal since it allows you to look farther out ahead in the trail. Moreover, a helmet mount provides more flexibility compared to a handlebar mount.

Luckily, there are also other bike lights that provide both handlebar and helmet mounting, thereby allowing you to switch through the mounting styles with ease.

Comprehensive FAQ Section

Q: Is it really necessary to buy a light with high lumens output?

A: The lumens output of your preferred bike light will depend on the type of riding you choose, whether you plan to go mountain biking or just commuting. Ideally, a bike light with a brightness of around 300 to 600 lumens can be considered enough for casual riding. However, if you’re riding in dark environments, a lumens output of at least 800 is ideal.

You don’t really need a very high lumens output if you’re just riding on the road. This is because it can possibly blind oncoming motorists, thereby putting you and others at risk. Additionally, the higher the brightness, the faster the battery will drain.

Q: Do I need a taillight only?

A: A taillight will be a good place to start if you only ride in daylight. However, if you’re planning to ride your bike at night, it’s very important that you invest in a headlight as well. Not only will it allow you to see what’s in front of you, but it will also allow oncoming motorists to see you. Luckily, most bike lights these days come in sets of headlights and taillights which are available at fairly affordable prices.

Q: What does it mean if a light has an IPX4 Rating?

A: It simply means that the light is weather-resistant. You’ll see this often in higher-end bike lights. This basically means that the lights are capable of operating even when water starts getting inside the housing. This makes them ideal for riding under heavy rain. However, do take note that IPX4 rating doesn’t mean they can be exposed for longer periods to water. You’d want a light with an IPX7 or IPX8 rating for that.

Conclusion

Mounting bike lights into your bike isn’t just meant for lighting your way. It also increases your overall safety by making it easy for oncoming motorists to spot you at night. However, not all bike lights on the market are created the same, and as such, you have to go for the best bike lights that can provide you with what you really need.

Hopefully, our list of the best bike lights as well as our quick buying guide can help you find the right bike for all your biking adventures.