10 Best Headlamps for Hunting

Updated March 2023

Getting to your treestand in the dark can be a challenge, but not if you have adequate light. Whether your field dressing a whitetail or quartering an elk in the pitch black, a headlamp is an essential piece of equipment. With all of the gear you bring into the woods, the last thing you want to do is hold a flashlight. This is where the hands-free operation of a headlamp is a big advantage. If you’re anything like me, a headlamp has been a critical piece of equipment for setting up treestands on public land before sunrise. This article will cover what to consider when choosing a headlamp as well as reviews of some of the best headlamps for hunting.

List of Recommended Headlamps for Bowhunting

How to Choose a Headlamp and Things to Consider When Purchasing

Lumens – When selecting a headlamp, it is important to look at the lumens. Lumens are simply the overall brightness that a light puts out. Anywhere from 300-400 lumens is standard and is plenty bright for most uses. Sometimes it can be good to have more lumens such as for tracking animals in the dark or the need to see further into the distance. Some of the higher powered headlamps offer 600-700 lumens.

Bulb Type – Most headlamps use LED bulbs because they offer superior brightness and use a fraction of the energy from a standard bulb. When looking at headlamps, LED is the way to go. Some headlamps also offer the ability to adjust the focal length of the beam to a wider setting for close up use, or a narrower beam setting for longer use into the distance. Most headlamps also have a tilt feature that allows you to adjust the height of the beam lower to see more of the ground in front of you, or higher to see more down a trail.

Battery Life – Because most headlamp use LED bulbs, battery life tends to be pretty good. Battery life heavily depends on the level of brightness you use. Constantly using a headlamp on the highest brightness setting will severly decrease the battery life. If used mostly on the lowest setting, many headlamps can last up to 100 hours. Most headlamps run on three or four AAA batteries. Some headlamps also use rechargeable battery packs that are be recharged through a USB cable. It is important to note that cold weather, especially freezing temperatures can quickly drain a battery.

Water Resistance – It is best to look for a headlamp that is water resistant. You never know what conditions you will be using the headlamp in, so its best to stick to one that can be used in the rain. Headlamps that are water resistant usually have a rubber gasket seal along the battery compartment that keeps moisture out and the internals dry. This also helps keep out dust. Headlamps that are water resistant are generally more durable and can operate without issues in rain and snow.

Light Colors – Bright white is the main color of most headlamps with LED bulbs. Some headlamps also offer additional light colors such as red, green and/or blue, often referred to as RGB. These alternative colors can be helpful for use at night for not alerting animals to and from your treestand and act as night vision.

Size – Headlamps come in all shapes and sizes. Personally, I have always gravitated toward smaller, lightweight headlamps. Keep in mind that some headlamps are bulkier than others and may stick out further. This may be cumbersome if is you are trying to get through thick brush or areas with dense vegetation.

10 Best Headlamps for Hunting

1. Black Diamond Storm 400 – The Black Diamond Storm 400 might be one of the most versatile headlamps out there. This small, yet powerful headlamp generates 400 lumens of light in a compact design. The Storm 400 runs on four AAA batteries with a battery life of up to 150 hours on the low setting. This LED light has a maximum distance of 100 meters and is surrounded by a waterproof and dustproof housing. In addition to white, the Storm 400 has the ability to switch between red, green and blue light color for use in any situation. Not only can you see far at night with this headlamp, but it also had a separate bulb for close up use such as reading. Another useful feature of this headlamp is that it is dimmable, allowing the ability to adjust its brightness to your liking. If you’re looking for a versatile headlamp that can be used in any situation, the Black Diamond Storm 400 is an excellent choice. If you’re looking for similar headlamp with a few less features, the Black Diamond Spot 350 is another great choice.

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2. Petzl Tactikka Stealth – The Petzl Tactikka Stealth is a highly popular headlamp that features a compact design with a bright white LED flood beam and a red light for nighttime stealth. This 300-lumen headlamp runs on three AAA batteries that provide a run time of 120 hours on the lowest setting. It is also compatible with Petzl’s CORE rechargeable battery system, eliminating the need to keep buying batteries. The Tactikka Stealth has three brightness settings for the white light two settings for the red, including a strobe. This headlamp is extremely lightweight and is water resistant. The Petzl Tactikka Stealth is a great choice for many hunters due to its simple, compact and efficient design. Another popular headlamp from Petzl is the Petzl Actik.

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3. Princeton Tec Remix – The Princeton Tec Remix is a great all-around lightweight headlamp that delivers 300 lumens of brightness with up to a 130-hour battery life. This LED headlamp runs on three AAA batteries and is water resistant. The Remix’s uses a single Maxbright bulb along with three Ultrabright bulbs for even more brightness. The best part about this headlamp is its simplicity and ease of use. This headlamp has no fancy features and is built to get the job done. Another great headlamp from Princeton Tech to consider is the Princeton Tec Vizz.

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4. Cabela’s Alaskan Guide XG – The Cabel’as Alaskan Guide XG headlamp by Princeton Tec delivers 70 lumens of hands-free light in a waterproof and durable design. The adjustable headband on this headlamp provides a comfortable fit. This light runs on three AAA batteries with a run time of up to 90 hours. The Alaskan Guide XG is equipped with a main white LED bulb and also has three separate green LED bulbs for use at night or other low light situations. This Cabela’s branded light is made by Princeton Tec and is sure to deliver results.

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5. Bushnell Pro 400L – Forget about messing with batteries, the Bushnell 400L headlamp comes equipped with a convenient rechargeable lithium battery that can be charged via USB. The 400 lumen LED bulb has the ability to switch between high/low spot mode, high/low flood mode and red. The headlamp’s housing is adjustable and lets users pivot the light beam up to 90 degrees to direct light where you want it. The Bushnell Pro 400L is weather resistant and can run on one single charge for up to 34 hours. Another popular headlamp from Bushnell with similar features is the Bushnell TRKR 325L.

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6. Cabela’s Alaskan Guide QUL – The Alaskan Guide QUL headlamp is a cost-effective light that is manufactured by Princeton Tec. The waterproof housing of this headlamp makes it an ideal choice for use in any weather conditions. Switch between the four light modes of high, medium, low and strobe to find the perfect brightness for your specific needs. The Alaskan Guide QUL features a 78-lumen bulb that runs on three AAA batteries for up to 105 hours. If you’re looking for a durable, low cost and simple headlamp, this is the choice for you.

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7. Streamlight ProTac HL – The Streamlight ProTac HL put out 635 lumens of light from a powerful LED bulb. This headlamp is different from others as it runs on two CR123A lithium batteries for high-output brightness for up to 36 hours of light on the lowest setting. The ProTac HL has three different operating modes, low, medium and high that allows you to adjust the amount of light for different situations. This headlamp is also water resistant and has a gasket-sealed lens for added moisture protection. On top of all this, the ProTac HL is constructed out of machined aircraft grade aluminum. If you’re looking for a headlamp that packs a lot of power into a small design, the Streamlight ProTac HL is the perfect choice.

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8. Black Diamond Icon 700 – The Black Diamond Icon is a high-powered headlamp that boasts 700 lumens of white light on the highest setting. This headlamp runs on four AAA batteries and features an additional removable battery pack for extended life. The Icon 700 offers a dimming feature and has memory settings that allows you to turn the light on and off at your last used setting. In addition to a white LED bulb, this headlamp also has red, green and blue night vision modes to provide for a variety of night vision needs. On top of all these features, the Icon 700 is waterproof and dustproof.

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9. Browning Blackout Elite – Browning’s Blackout Elite headlamp features a main LED bulb with high medium and low settings as well as a low green light mode for getting to and from your stand in the dark undetected. The LED bulb puts out up to 860 lumens of white light at high, medium and low settings and also features a green night vision mode. Instead of running on AAA batteries like other headlamps, the Blackout Elite uses a rechargeable battery that can be charged via USB through a built-in charging port, eliminating the need to continue changing batteries. This advanced headlamp can also be used as a power bank to recharge your phone or other devices if needed. The aluminum and waterproof construction of the Blackout Elite makes it ready for any condition.

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10. Ledlenser MH10 – The Ledlenser MH10 is another popular and powerful headlamp that puts out up to 600 lumens of light that runs off of a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for up to 120 hours on a single charge. This headlamp can be easily recharged though the use of a USB charger that fully recharges the battery in six hours. In addition to the white LED bulb, the Ledlenser MH10 comes with red and green filters that can be used for increased night visition. Not only is this headlamp one of the lightest weight headlamps available, but it is also water resistant.

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Summary

Headlamps are a very useful tool for hunters that allows for hands free light when you need it. As you have read, there are many different headlamp options available. Most of the headlamps reviewed in this article are sufficient for the majority of hunters. You should now know what to look for when selected a headlamp that is best for you and your specific needs. For related articles, check out other posts from Bowhunting Depot!