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- High-quality bike lights are bright enough to guide the way wherever you may roam, will last you for hours of riding, and you can easily release the light to take it with you.
- The Cygolite Streak 450 Hotshot SL Bike Light Combo Set is our top pick because you get a headlight and taillight that are easy to install, have several lighting modes, and are affordable.
For about a decade, my main mode of transportation to school and to work was my bicycle. During the summer months, the sun would stay out long enough to make a bike light unnecessary, but as the days grew shorter, a light was indispensable.
These days, I mainly cycle for exercise and for trips within a few miles of my house. Proper lighting is still a must to compensate for my terrible night vision and to make it clear to drivers that I'm on the road.
When choosing a bike light, look at the number of lumens it's capable of producing. This tells you how bright the light is. Many models give you this number right in their name, and from our research, the advertised lumens rating is accurate for the best units, though the brightness may dwindle as the battery loses juice.
For headlights, the number of lumens you need depends on where you will be cycling. For riding trails at night, you need at least 1,000 lumens. For urban roads where there are streetlights, 200 lumens will do. And, taillights should produce between 40 and 100 lumens of output since they are mainly there so others can see you.
Experts warn against using bright flashing headlights while cycling. This can disorient drivers and make it hard for you to see. Also, anything above 300 lumens could potentially blind oncoming traffic. So, consider dropping down to a dimmer setting when cars are coming - much like you might use the high beams on your car. If you are concerned about drivers seeing you from behind, consider installing two rear lights: one that flashes and one that remains steady.
While researching the best bike lights, we examined thousands of expert and buyer reviews and ratings of dozens of models. Our guide features lights that have demonstrated their durability, user-friendliness, and usefulness in a variety of situations.
Here are our picks for the best bike lights you can buy:
- Best bike light overall: Cygolite Streak 450 Hotshot SL Bike Light Combo Set
- Best affordable bike light: TeamObsidian Bike Light Set
- Best strap-mounted bike light: Knog Blinder Mob USB Rechargeable Light
- Best high-end bike light: NiteRider Pro 1800 Race Light
- Best bike light featuring side lights: Light and Motion Urban 500 Headlight
Updated on 06/19/2019 by Les Shu: Updated selections, prices, links, and formatting.
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