5 Best Rechargeable Headlamps For Running 2023

5 Best Rechargeable Running Headlamps

Looking for the best rechargeable running headlamp? 

The Night Buddy team have you covered!

Do you want a trail running head torch that you can charge at any time, just like your phone? Are you tired of having to replace the batteries whenever they run out? If that's the case, then you should get a headlamp with a rechargeable battery.

But which product has the best running head torch rechargeable battery? Read on to find out more. 

Here are the top five rechargeable head torches in the market:

#1 NightBuddy™ 230° Head Torch (Best Overall)

We kick off our list with the NightBuddy™ Head Torch, arguably the best running headlamp in the market (see our top 230 degree headlamp).

Unlike your usual rechargeable lamps that often hang around the 150-lumen realm, NightBuddy provides a staggering 350 lumens, ensuring the best illumination and night vision you can get from a head torch such as Knog headlamps.

Additionally, those 350 lumens aren't all focused in one place. Instead, they take a curve with a 230° angle to provide fantastic light coverage of the area ahead of you, making it one of the best running headlamps for trail runners.

You can also control the brightness settings by switching between five lighting modes. There's also a red light (ambient light) for low-profile conditions. It improves your peripheral vision and keeps bugs away.

NightBuddy also comes with a powerful 1200mAh rechargeable battery pack that you can easily power up using a micro USB charger. You won't need to rely on those AAA batteries, and you get a battery life of up to eight hours with moderate usage.

This head torch also provides touch-free control over the light settings. If you want to turn the lights off, just wave your hand next to the sensor and you're good to go. It's also weatherproof and waterproof.

That sensor is so powerful that it sometimes acts as a drawback. For instance, if you run by a street sign or a tree, the sensor may think that it's your hand and switch off the light, so take care.

It's also best not to leave NightBuddy charging overnight. Rechargeable head torches will get damaged if overcharged, which is why some users report shorter battery life with NightBuddy. Also a perfect headlamp for hiking.

Product Specs

• Max Lumens: 350 lumens

• Battery Life: up to 8 hours

• Weight: 3.2 ounces

• Max beam distance: ‎100 meters

Pros

• Rechargeable headlamp with a long battery life of up to eight hours

• Broad light output with 230° of floodlighting

• It's a waterproof headlamp for running anywhere, anytime

• Touch-free controls for ease of use

Cons

• The sensor can be too strong, resulting in an accidental light switch off

• The battery can be damaged if charged overnight

#2 Petzl ACTIK CORE Rechargeable Headlamp (High Illumination)

The Petzl ACTICK CORE is a close second to NightBuddy, providing around 600 lumens of illumination. However, with that much power, the lamp burns through the battery within two hours.

Still, this headlamp comes with various light modes to preserve the battery. The less light power you use, the more your battery will last. There's also a pivot to allow control over the direction of light. However, it still doesn't provide the broad illumination you'd get from curved light designs like NightBuddy.

There are three light settings and one red light mode for low-profile night vision. If you're running in a group, this red light will prevent accidental blinding.

It also comes with a 50:50 burn time, meaning the light power will drop to 50% instead of 20–30% when it's halfway through its burn time.

ACTIK COR also comes with rechargeable batteries that you can pair with three AAA batteries.

This head torch is advertised as waterproof, but there were no rubber rings around the electronic components, making this claim questionable. It's also made from nylon and plastic, which aren't exactly premium materials.

Product Specs

• Max Lumens: 600 lumens

• Battery Life: 2 hours on 600 lumens and 120 hours on 7 lumens

• Weight: 3.1 ounces

• Max beam distance: ‎130 meters

Pros

• High maximum lighting of 600 lumens

• Rechargeable and supports AAA batteries.

• There's a battery charge indicator light so you can keep track of the remaining charge

• It has two beam patterns (flood and mixed)

Cons

• The battery can't keep up with the excessive illumination, especially at max strength

• The fixing head straps aren't comfortable

#3 BioLite HeadLamp 330 (Most Comfortable)

The BioLite HeadLamp 330 is the most comfortable head torch on our list. This is because the battery pack sits behind your head, not in front.

This relieves a lot of the pressure on your forehead area because of the weight of the housing. The whole device weighs 2.4 ounces, making it one of the lightest head torches you can find.

The illumination power rests at 325 lumens. The spotlight distance is around 75 meters, and you get 40 hours of burn time if you use low settings. If you pump it all the way up, you'll have 3.5 hours of battery time.

The battery is rechargeable using a micro-USB cable and it's easy to handle and use. Some users reported that it's not designed for small heads, as the straps can't close tightly enough.

Product Specs

• Max Lumens: 325 lumens

• Battery Life: 40 hours on low and 3.5 hours on high

• Weight: 2.4 ounces

• Max beam distance: ‎77 meters

Pros

• It's one of the most comfortable running head torches you can find

• It won't interfere with your helmet or cap

• It's lightweight at only 2.4 ounces, you won't even notice it

• Decent illumination power at 325 lumens

Cons

• Relatively short beam distance

• Isn't suitable for people with smaller heads

#4 Coast FL85R 700 Lumen Dual Color (Best for Big Hands)

Those with bigger hands will appreciate the Coast FL85R. This head torch has large buttons for those who struggle with tiny buttons.

The buttons also allow you to switch between white and red light modes for maximum versatility.

Despite not having a 230° light distribution like NightBuddy, this head torch blends two beams for a seamless illumination pattern. That blend creates a beam that you can see up to 200 meters away.

This makes Coast FL85R one of the safest and best running head torches if you live in an area with a lot of traffic.

You can also rely on a rechargeable battery or three AAA alkaline batteries. However, the product is made of plastic, which makes the durability a bit questionable. Also, it's bulky enough to bounce a little and even drag down your forehead.

Product Specs

• Max Lumens: 700 lumens

• Battery Life: 1.75 hours at high and 8.5 hours at low

• Weight: 4.5 ounces

• Max beam distance: ‎200 meters

Pros

• High-power illumination at 700 lumens

• Large buttons for big hands or glove users

• Quick switch between light settings

• You can use rechargeable batteries or the usual AAA battery.

Cons

• The plastic often denotes questionable durability

• The bulky design can make the torch drag down on your forehead

#5 PETZL Bindi Headlamp (Ultra Compact)

If you want a running headlamp that you can put on and completely forget about, the PETZL Bindi is for you.

This running head torch has a minimalistic design and 1.2 ounces of weight, which can make you forget that it's on your head. You can also wear it under a helmet, over a hat, or even under the hat.

Don't let the minimalistic design fool you. You still get a tilting mechanism to control the light direction, a USB rechargeable 680 mAh battery, and a red lighting option for night vision.

Also, you get a 200-lumen light output which is great for a running torch of this size. However, you only get two hours on max power. Reduce the light output to a low level, and you can punch that up to 50 hours.

Product Specs

• Max Lumens: 200 lumens

• Battery Life: 2 hours at high and 50 hours at low

• Weight: 1.2 ounces

• Max beam distance: ‎60 meters

Pros

• Ultra lightweight for those who prefer minimalistic designs

• 200-lumen power which is great for a torch of that size

• A rechargeable battery with a battery indicator

• A red light option for night vision

Cons

• The battery doesn't last too long on high power

• The small size makes it easy to break, so you'll need to handle it with care

What Should You Look For?

Before buying trail-running headlamps, you need to list your needs and purchase accordingly. Here's how:

How Much Power Do You Want?

Do you want illumination power above all else? Then focus on getting as many lumens as you can. However, be warned that this means faster battery draining and usually fewer options.

The middle ground where balance is usually acquired is between 300–400 lumens. That's when you get enough power and enough battery time.

How Many Options Do You Seek?

There's no need to buy the cutting-edge head torch if it has lighting options you won't need.

Always write down the options you need first, and then look for the headlamp that provides those with the best price.

Where Do You Live?

If you live in a rainy, windy, or dusty area, then you need a headlamp that can keep up with those elements.

Always check if the torch you're buying is water and weather resistant.

The Bottom Line

In a nutshell, the NightBuddy has the best running head torch rechargeable battery we've seen in a while. Keeping 300 lumens of light for up to eight hours is nothing short of impressive.

The light is also distributed at a 230° angle which lights the entire area ahead of you. Add to that, it's also weather and waterproof.