Overview
The author has researched and compiled a list of the best front and rear bike lights, as well as additional visibility options. They have taken into account factors such as battery life, brightness, and technology features, and believe that their list will have an option for every type of rider and riding situation, whether it be for remote areas or just ensuring visibility to other road users.
Reviews
1. Magicshine RN3000 Bike Front Lights
The MagicShine RN3000 bike light has a 10,000 mAh battery for long runtimes but is overkill for city commuting. It has a 3000-lumen option for off-road use and a 750-lumen option for visibility on the road without street lights. The control scheme is unnecessarily complicated, but it is a quality light suitable for various adventures.
2. Portland Design Works Rechargeable Bicycle Headligh
The Portland Design Works City Rover Power 700 is recommended as the best commuter-focused light due to its balance of features. At half power, it offers enough light for riding in the city and has a three-hour runtime. Its battery gauge is simple to understand, and its mount is solid. Although it is not ideal for performance-oriented rides, it is affordable and gets the job done.
3. LEZYNE Mini Drive 400XL Bicycle Headlight
The Lezyne Mini Drive 400XL is a beautifully made front daytime running light that offers simplicity with an integrated USB attachment for charging and easy mounting with a rubber strap or an action camera mount. It provides 400 lumens in flash mode for seven hours or 50 lumens for 15 hours. The light can be used as an emergency backup with a full 400 lumens in solid mode. It's a great option for riders who want a mount-it-and-forget-it light that's there when they need it.
4. Garmin Varia™ RCT715
The option for bike-mounted cameras for incident detection is Garmin as the main choices. While both offer 1080p at 30fps video recording, Garmin comes out on top due to its longer recording time, brighter flash, wider field of view, and the added Varia radar system which alerts riders when cars are behind them. The Garmin RCT715 is an excellent light with a superb radar system that also includes camera functionality, with the only downside being occasional false positives.
5. Garmin Varia RTL515
The Garmin RTL515 is an older version of the RCT715 and does not have a camera feature, but it is still the best option for incident detection on the rear of a bike. It is brighter and has more battery life than some newly released alternatives, and has never missed reporting a car. The downside is that it still uses a micro-USB charging port and lacks a leash mount, but these do not affect its core functionality.
Editor's Note
There are several bike lights on the market that offer different features and benefits. For front lights, the Outbound Lighting Detour is a good choice for its sharp upper cutoff to the light pattern and the ability to run while charging with a USB battery pack.
For rear lights with incident detection, the Garmin RCT715 stands out for its longer recording time, brighter flash, wider field of view, and the addition of Varia radar that alerts you when cars are behind you.
The Garmin RTL515, though an older model, remains the king of core functionality with its reliable car detection and brighter light, making it a great choice for those on a budget or who don't need a camera. Ultimately, the best bike light for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
