The Best Headlamps for Work (Review) in 2020

Things to Consider When Buying a Headlamp for Work

Before you buy a headlamp for work, there are a few features that you should be on the lookout for. Here’s an overview of some of the things that you may wish to take into account when you are choosing the best headlamp for work.

• Brightness

The brightness of the headlamp is measured in lumens. How bright that you require the lamp to be depends on how low the light conditions that you are working in are, and how intricate the jobs that you are trying to accomplish. Also, check out the number of lights that the headlamp includes, and you should also consider the length of the job. Torches with higher brightness are going to drain the battery quicker, so you should also look for different brightness settings that allow you to work for longer. Often, it is the case that more will mean a brighter device. Which brings us onto the next point to consider...

• Battery Life and Charging Time

The amount of time that you can work without needing to recharge the battery should also play a role in your decision making. If you need to undertake painstaking work that involves many hours of light, you will obviously need to choose a longer battery life. The life will vary depending on whether you have it set on a low or high setting. You should also check out how long it takes to charge your device once again. And while you are at it, look at the different charging options such as USB, rechargeable batteries, regular batteries etc.

• Comfort

Since this is a product that you are going to be wearing on your own head (possibly for an extended period of time), you want to make sure that it is comfortable. Check to see the straps to see if they are fully adjustable. This is especially important if you are going to be wearing it over a hardhat. Inspect the quality of the headband material. Ideally, the headlamp shouldn’t feel like it is still on your head while you are wearing it. A lightweight device is going to feel much more comfortable, so this is another feature which is worth adding to your list.

• Adjustable Settings

Adjustability comes in the way that you tighten the headlamp, but it also comes in other ways regarding the light itself. For example, you have the different brightness settings. Also, there are often differently colored LED options to choose between. And you should be able to focus the light on a particular object or lose that focus to provide more general illumination.

• Durability

Ideally, you want a headlamp that is going to stand the test of time. Not only will this ensure that you don’t have to buy a new one anytime soon, but it will also mean that it will continue working in tough environments. Check out the expected runtime of the device and whether any manufacturer's guarantees are included with it. Also, check for any additional features that will allow it to continue working properly such as dustproofing.

• Waterproofness

Most LED headlamps come with some degree of waterproofness, but this is especially important if you plan on working outdoors a lot of the time. Check for any tests that have been completed or accreditations that have been awarded that guarantee that the device is not going to get soaked and potentially stop functioning properly.

• Operability

While most headlamps for work are relatively straightforward to use, it makes your life easier if you can operate the device with little trouble. For example, some headlamps allow you to stick to a certain setting and flick the lamp on and off as you would like rather than having to scroll through all the different options. While this may seem like a relatively minor thing, it is one that can make your life that little bit easier when you are working.

• Affordability

There are actually plenty of highly affordable headlamps out there, so you don’t have to pay a lot to get a quality product. Of course, at the higher end of the scale, you can expect more LEDs, different settings etc. A good idea is to check out the various headlamp reviews to select a product that is best for your wallet.

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Why You Should Use a Work Headlamp

There are plenty of advantages that a headlamp provides while you are working. Here are some of the top pros of owning and using one.

• Hands-Free Working

It may seem obvious, but it is still worth mentioning anyway. Using a headlamp means that both hands are free, and you are not stuck with one holding a flashlight or your phone. You can also direct the light where you are looking. Sure, you may have to adjust the settings or brightness from time to time, but you are not stuck having to pass something around between your two hands, increasing your chances of dropping something or not completing the job as well as you would have liked.

• Beam Distance

Many of the headlamps in this post have a spotlight mode with a very long beam. When you are working in the dark, you may have to find your way through a dark environment to find your tools, but a headlamp means that there are no problems to be had here.

• Compact and Lightweight

Headlamps are highly portable and lightweight devices, so you can take them around from place to place with no trouble at all. This is why they are used for night-time running, cycling, and climbing, as well as working.

• Long Lifespan

Headlamp technology has improved a lot in recent years. Even a relatively affordable headlamp can keep working for several thousand hours, which means that you are unlikely to need to invest in a new one anytime soon.

Types of Headlamps

While many of the headlamps may look similar, there are some differences which are worth discussing to help you make up your mind. Here are a couple of the main factors that you may wish to consider.

Rechargeable vs Regular Battery

The power source should have a big impact on your choice. Rechargeable headlamps give you the option of plugging them into a range of power sources. Instead of having to worry about buying new batteries, you can simply plug the device into a wall socket or USB port. While replaceable batteries should be easy to find, this is an extra thing that you need to worry about. If you are out on the road, this is some more weight to carry around with you. Also, you have to think about disposing of them in an environmentally friendly manner. On the other hand, if you are out in the wilderness with no access to a charging port, you may decide that a regular battery headlamp is the best choice. There are those headlamps that give you the option of USB charging or regular batteries, so you have the option of either power source.

Whichever power source you choose, you should look closer at how many hours of use you can expect to get and how long the charging time is. You don’t want to be left without power at the most inopportune moment.

Headband Options

More and more manufacturers are making their headlamps with adjustable and comfortable headbands. And this is important because if you can’t get headlamp to fit properly, it is more likely to fall off or leave you with serious neckache. Some headbands are removable and washable, which is nice if you are working in particularly hot and sweaty conditions.

There are a couple of different headband strap designs. First, you have the common two band wrap-around, which offers a fit that is casual and comfortable. You also have the three band over-the head style, which gives an extra level of security to the light. If you are working on tough construction sites or you expect to be moving around a lot while working, this one may prove to be a shrewd choice.

Best Headlamp for Work FAQ:

Q: How many lumens do I need?

A: The number of lumens that you require depends on what you will be using the headlamp for. Don’t assume that the brightest headlamp is automatically the best choice. Most lights have different settings, which allows you to select between different output options. Lumens are the unit of luminous flux, which measure how the human eye sees the light. As technology continues to improve, so too does the lumen count. For most people, a lumen count of 100 to 200 should be more than enough. If you feel like you are going to need to navigate around in pitch black, more than 200 lumens may be needed. Remember that the number on the box is the maximum number of lumens that the device rather than the standard. Don’t forget that you shouldn’t only take into account lumens, but you also need to think about beam distance, beam type, and brand reputation. Making your decision based only on a single figure is not the best way of choosing the right product.

Q: What kind of bulbs do these headlamps use?

A: Most headlamps these days are made with LED (light emitting diode) bulbs as they are a practical option and offer a high light output with low battery levels required. While some only use a single LED, there are some that use multiple to offer a wider beam, but some argue that a single focused beam is better. Sometimes, you may find halogen and tungsten bulbs being used, but these can break if the torch is dropped, so they are not ideal. Most LEDs last for a minimum of 5,000 hours, though 10,000 hours tends to be fairly standard. However, they do tend to get dimmer as the battery life depletes.

Q: How do I care for my headlamp?

A: Where possible, you should always try to keep your headlamp dry and dust-free. If you have been working in dusty or dirty conditions, make sure to brush it off. If you have been working in the rain, dry it off properly. Store it in a secure location where it is not going to get damaged. Many headlamp straps are detachable, allowing you to wash them if they get dirty or sweaty. However, you can rest assured that it is difficult to break headlamps as they are durable and made to last for years.

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Our Top Pick

Out of all the products on the list, our number one choice of best headlamp is this one from Cobiz, which is fully rechargeable when needed. Four modes are available depending on what sort of jobs you need to undertake. Plus, if you want to take it out for some working outside, it is fully waterproof for an extra level of protection. All you need to do is adjust the strap to ensure it fits comfortably on your head and it is good to go. It even comes with its own case for added protection. For all these reasons, we have ranked it as the number one best headlamp for work.